Friday, February 6, 2009

Thing-Finder


Last night as I was reading LK Ludwig's inspirational book called True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling, I sat up in the bed and said to my husband: "That's it! I finally know what I am. I'm a THING-FINDER!" I then went on to read him the quoted passage from Pippi Longstocking where she explains to her friends what a Thing-finder does, they find things. When asked what kind of things, Pippi explains "Oh, all kinds...lumps of gold, ostrich feathers, dead rats, candy snap crackers, and tiny little screws, and things like that." If you looked in my art room right now, you'd find everything from that list except the dead rats.

It's taken a long time to realize there really are others like me. I suppose you can say that I've finally found my tribe. Which gets me to thinking about ArtFest! It's almost time to get on the plane with my big girl suitcase all packed with warm clothes and art supplies. I need to start thinking about trades. I don't think I'll make the PMC charms like I did last year. I'll need something fresh and new for my 2nd ArtFest. No need to be an over-achiever. Ha! Famous last words.

I've been spending a lot of time in my art studio lately. First to clear a path to my art table and then to actually sit at the table and be able to experiment with soldering. I'm getting better with each piece I make but I'm still not convinced I'll be able to s0lder a jump ring onto a soldered piece of glass any time soon. Even with two 3rd arms, a couple anvils, a steel block, a c-clamp, self-locking tweezers and a drawer full of pliers it's still difficult for me to manage. I'll keep trying until I can at least feel confident enough to make something to send to a friend. That's usually my benchmark. If I can feel good about giving it to a friend then I'm heading in the right direction.

I've had lots of time to work on things indoors because in case you hadn't noticed it's been COLD down here! I'm talking single digit, pipe freezing, 3 quilt and 2 cat sleeping cold. Today was the first warm day we've had in weeks. It was beautiful, sunny and warm. I sat on the back deck with my feet in the sun for the first time in months. I do believe I'm almost thawed out now.

Lots of excitement around here lately: A 700+lbs. cow in the front yard that my husband had to wrangle back into the pasture across the busy street with our 90 year old neighbor. Frozen water pipes due to the extreme cold followed by a broken water pipe from the house down to the barn. Luckily our friend Farmer Sue was over visiting when we noticed the leak that was pouring water into the crawlspace under the house. She told me not to panic - she knew all about the cutoff valve under the house and draining the pipe until spring. Just another thing to add to the "To Do When it Warms Up" list.

I realize it's already February and I haven't posted the photos from the rest of our trip to Coastal Georgia! It was such a wonderful trip. Very relaxing with lots of exploring, seafood eating, Geocaching and general low key goodness. We stayed in a great little cottage called Oaks of Eden that was definitely off the beaten path and very peaceful. I often found myself getting up early and sneaking to the observation deck to watch the sunrise over the marsh or packing a thermos of coffee and going with Marty down the dirt road on the bicycles to a place we called "The Green Lagoon" to watch the wildlife. We couldn't have asked for a better place.The owners were great! There were yummy muffins, fresh wild caught Georgia boiled shrimp and organic green salad from their garden waiting on us in the 'fridge when we arrived. We were so spoiled with all the good seafood we ate on this trip that we ended up bringing back 25lbs. of IQF (individually quick frozen) fresh wild caught Georgia shrimp. Of course, this lead to the purchase of a new freezer for the garage when we returned but it's packed with shrimp now and there should be room for vegetables about late spring!












For those of you who have never seen cotton growing - this is it! I've seen it all my life but it still amazes me when I look at it up close.

12 comments:

Carole Baker said...

Hi Jaimie, Enjoying the pictures of warmer, sunnier places and anticipating 2 months in Florida soon. I too am a thing-finder.... can't go for a walk without bringing something home.

Anonymous said...

Nice and interesting photos!

marcos said...

Hi Jamie, I loved your pictures. It seems to me that you know how to find and enjoy the little pleasures of our daytoday life. Take care.

Anonymous said...
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Candace said...

How wonderful this post is!
Cotton fields are still one of my favourite childhood memories. This post will be one of my favourite adult memories.

Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, I am going to be fine. The bad news is, I have had to withdraw from ArtFest this year. I do have trade cards, can you believe it? LOL.
Yes, it broke my heart... and then after I pulled myself up by the old bootstraps, I saw all your wonderful photos and they have definitely helped me. How lucky I am to know about you and this blog.
Your Friend.

m i c h e l l e said...

LOVE all your pictures and can't wait to see you and your trades at ArtFest! BTW, I still remember studying Eli Whitney and the cotton gin in elementary school so it was seriously cool to see the field of cotton and the up close shot! Thanks!

Wear Your Wild said...

I'm adding 'thing-finder' to my resume. It's perfect!
Nice to see you blogging again. :)

countrycharisma said...

Hi Jamie, I have just enjoyed reading your blog and I love it. Thank the Lord I finally know what I am, a thing finder. My husband will be so relieved. I have a studio full of things! I have an antique shed full of things. I have drawers and closets full of things. I have to discipline myself to clean "things" out, but I am always bringing new things in! thanks for the identity. also, what and where is artfest? I must have missed that in your blog and I am not familiar. I am in TN. blessings, carrell

Anonymous said...

Ah Ha! A thing finder! Oh but you are so much more. For one your an excellent photographer!
I'm so glad you're going to Artfest...share it on the blog when you return...I won't be going this year, sadly. It is a stay close year, we'll be doing Valley Ridge instead (very nice as well).
I'm glad you're back!

Lynn said...

I think I am a thing finder too. And I'm not sure there isn't a dead mouse in my studio!
Love your photography!
Lynn at
http://itsajulything.com.blogspot.com/

J Willis said...

Wonderful pictures Jamie. Thank you for sharing them.

Roben-Marie said...

LOVE that shell photo with the green leaves in front. Very cool!