simplesue

I just learned what a "Lover's Eye" was when I found one described on Pinterest (I love Pinterest, check out my page at http://pinterest.com/simplesue/ ) and then googled and found more in these articles.



( …click for more on Lover's Eye )

Kids do not make good pets, but pets make good children, and you may quote me on that!






I don't know who created this photo but I love it!

"Sometimes the lights all shine'n on me; Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip it's been" to quote the Grateful Dead

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."- Saint Augustine



We took a very spontaneous road trip to Savannah, Georgia, St. Augustine Florida, and Key West. The day we left Pittsburgh it was 22 degrees and snowing.



Listening to Sara June http://www.myspace.com/sarahjunesound as we left Pittsburgh and drove south through the foggy mountains of West Virginia.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=A4J_JB8_88w




( click for more travels )

I've added 6 African Dwarf Frogs to my little water gardens in jars.







I "rescued" them from Learning Express, a toy store for kids. This new home is not that big but total luxury compared to their old home- with hot pink gravel, a chunk of glass rock and a stub of lucky bamboo in a so called eco-cube 4 inches square. At least they had two to a cube so they would not be lonely. These delicate creatures are not toys for children.
I must say a nice sales girl named Shannon, at the Learning Express at Bakery Square, Pittsburgh, took excellent care of them.







( click here to see and hear more happy frogs )

Antique stores, thrift shops, art, and found objects...all beckoning me to collect even more beautiful clutter.

Nothing beckoning me to organize, display or dust it all.

I spent this summer-like day in a dark basement. Seems like the universe just wants me to work, and work and lift lots of heavy stuff even though I don't have to go to a job anymore.







( More darkness... )

While obsessivly googling "snail", I came across some amazing art I could only dream of owning- 金枝藝術 + JIN-ZHI GALLERY







( see more snails and a cat )

Virgil & Lucille Cantini were my neighbors for about 25 years until they passed away a few years ago. They were both well known Pittsburgh artists. But I'm not going to dwell on that aspect of their lives, as there are plenty of articles on the internet, and elsewhere.



I just want to remember them...as they once walked down my street to their studio from their home around the corner. I didn't get to know them as well as I'd have liked to, but I'd been invited into their studio and home several times, and learned how to make Capri salad, and apple crisp from Lucille a long time ago when I was younger and cooking was mysterious.


I remember in their house they had a fabulous vintage 1960s couch that was a mile long, and the same antique oak flat files I have.


They used to give me big bags of watercress to make watercress sandwiches, something I still remain baffled by- a sandwich made from leaves. I remember eating them like a salad instead.


Funny the things you remember about someone. I will always remember that she never wore pants- always skirts and she would have a few crumbs on her shirt just like I seem to always have... and he- always opinionated- would gruffly command me with his Italian accent, "That'a tree, you need to cut it down! You can't see the house!" I was always outraged when he would tell me that and I would try to defend my street tree, I laugh thinking about it now. He was a character and I miss them both.


Over 25 years I watched them walk up and down my street becoming older and slower, and one day with a cane, and then sadly one day without his wife forever. Then one day he was gone too.


I'm afraid of that inevitable stage of life, and it is creeping up on us faster than I ever imagined.


For several years I've been waiting for the chance to photograph their studio, and I was finally given my chance by their daughter who was moving things out for auction. The long oak trestle table with carved lions was already gone but there was still plenty of beautiful and interesting things to photograph.




( Step into the artist's studio... )

My life is dominated by dust, dirt and cat fur, and endless chores with so little to show for all the energy I expend...sigh.... A garden that seems cursed and a house that rots faster than we can put it back together again.
It's as if the universe will not allow me to have more free time even though I am free of my job at last. What is it? Being born with Pluto in my 4th house?
I want to blame something.



So anyway...



I found this blog post of someone's charmed life, and I feel somehow comforted knowing something so darling and idyllic actually exists in reality and it is not a dream.
You must take a look at this fantastic blog post!
http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-new-york-times-interview.html