We make things

Do you like this? Oh, I do, so much. I ordered it from the Tea Horse Studio Etsy Shop. I became aware of artist Cynthia Cusick through our mutual friend (and my TJB writing partner) Timmy. Cynthia’s dog, Diva, was injured by a car and required expensive surgery, including putting a rod, plate, and screws in her leg. Similar circumstances are how I came to know Tim’s first foster dog, EZ, so my heart ached for the challenges that lie ahead for Diva and her family. And when Cynthia ramped up her creative energies to help raise money for Diva’s care, I was on board.

I ordered this stoneware soap dish because it reminds me of Van Gogh’s paintings. And I like it even better than I thought I would, so I immediately turned around and ordered a gift for someone else from Cynthia’s shop. I love being introduced to new artists, and while conventional wisdom posits that Americans don’t make things anymore, I’m trying to find unique items like this one for myself and to give as gifts. There’s so much soul and heart energy in what people create, whether it’s in paint, textiles, sculpture, jewelry, music, words… While institutions and corporations seem to value creativity less every day, I think we as creative individuals must support one another.

And if it helps an injured or sick animal get well, then so much the better. You can read about Diva’s experience here. Sending wishes for a speedy recovery to you, Diva!

It’s magic

When I was putting away some magnetic words and drawing others for today’s poem, a few fell to the floor. I didn’t worry about picking them up immediately. It’s not like they were going anywhere, right?

I forgot Penny the Foster Goat is in-house this week.

I caught her two rooms later and asked her to drop it. I got this.

I wonder what words she’ll crap later.

Maybe that’s what readers say about me, too.

Something that will make no sense when I inevitably change my masthead

Sitting here, staring at my monitor, blogging options swirling through a brain currently lacking caffeine stimulation, it strikes me that one of my least favorite words appears twice in my masthead photo. In a shot of hundreds of random words, how is that possible? Why is that word even in more than one Magnetic Poetry set? I mean, it’s clear to me that Dave Kapell, creator of Magnetic Poetry, is a chocolate eating, champagne swilling “we” person, because those words appear over and over.

But why that other word?

Tax Night

After I left the gym tonight, I went by the downtown post office as I do every year on tax night. It was a madhouse, as usual, but I didn’t shoot any photos this time. The traffic lines were not conducive toward being able to pull over anywhere and park. Wouldn’t you think with three extra days people might have been a bit more timely with their returns?