Light them up!

I had two subpoenas for the day and, with the weeks I've had lately, when my boss told me to take the rest of the day off after I finished testifying, she didn't need to tell me twice!
And the best part?
I was done by 10am!

The first case was a bench trial, so they always go faster and, when the defense attorney doesn't ask ANY questions it goes even faster!
In and out by 9:20am - then off to Family Court ... and, as I walked in the mother asked to speak to her attorney and, within 10 minutes, she stipulated to the charges.
Bada bing, I was done!

A quick trip home, change of clothes, walking the dog and then I headed to the Botanical Gardens.

Our gardens are gorgeous under any conditions but preparations are currently underway for the Chinese Lantern Festival and it's going to be spectacular!
I can't wait for the nights when the lanterns will be lit up.

                           I can see the hype hasn't been exagerated: Art by Day, Magic by Night!

Despite the heftier than usual admission price, evening visits will definitely be worth it!
Yup, there'll be pictures of that too!

There are two 'lanterns' in the shape of dragons, completely composed of dishes 'made in China'; the kind used in my local Chinese restaurant.

This is gonna be GREAT!

My day of pretending to be a lady of leisure, after helping two people go to jail, 

couldn't have been better!

more images will be posted later...

too much beauty to put in one post!

Possibilities

Sometimes, there are just too many!

A full day off - gorgeous weather, writing assignment for the church newsletter completed, phone off - and I couldn't decide - Botanical Garden, antique mall, Riverfront, countryside, gardening or just reading on the deck!

I hoped the decision would be made while I walked the dog and ran an errand.

Instead, on the way to the highway, I found an elementary school in another district with this on their playground.

                                     I think we get minimized here in the 'fly over' states

... the coasts seem to have more power, more mystique... 

and, while I can't deny I'm counting the days until my summer visit to #3,

thoughts about the Midwest, traveling and how lucky I feel (most days) to live here, made me decide to simply stay put - and be content.

                                             
                                                 First enjoying the artwork at the school

                         
                      and then taking another walk, enjoying all the beauty that surrounds me.

The decision made me very happy...

                                                             
                                                           It was a very good day!

K.I.S.S.

"People tend to complicate their own lives, as if living weren't already complicated enough"
Carlos Ruiz Zafon


Yet, on some days, it all seems so simple...

Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

Mary Oliver

yeah... let's go with that!

Ignore 'conventional' wisdom

Do you believe this is an actual sign from the McCarthy era?

Well, this area was teeming with 'dangerous' people this weekend - and it couldn't have led to a lovelier day!

It started with a plein air painting competition at sites all over town.
I loved seeing so many artists chose our every day locations and turn them into objects of beauty.

The courage to put your talents - and process - on display amazes me!

From watching artists in action, I was able to go to an Art Fair at a local Sculpture Park and see wonderful finished pieces by artists from all over the country.

I, of course, was drawn to the colorful and quirky!

And, I cannot lie, a couple of pieces came home with me ...  prints to benefit a dog rescue:
one for me -

and one for a friend, but don't tell - it's a surprise!

And two multi media collages by an Iowan artist whose work I've admired for years.

I love all the elements in her pieces and how symbolic they are - and self affirming.

Believe in your truth...

yes, Ma'm!

 In the small bottles are the means to do just that... a spring (for resilience), magic (pixie dust/glitter), sparks, seeds (of wisdom), softness(silver threads) and safety pins (to keep it all together)!

The message on the spoon - which stands for 'home and being fed - "It is the small things that make the greatest difference."

Love, love, love it!

Even if I had to rearrange and move pieces I already have to make room.

All in all, a perfect way to forget the past few days at work and

The other thing I observed, which made me smile, was how different the food choices were...
of course there was kettle corn... I mean, really, what would a 'fair' be without kettle corn...

but a wine tent?

Grilled eggplant panini... lobster/crawfish risotto cakes... not exactly deep fried twinkies territory!

It couldn't have been a prettier day!

artist, Marilyn Bradley