Wednesday, May 30, 2007

goodness of life


I'm a california girl. Not a valley girl. Not a North Hollywood girl. Not a Rodeo Drive girl. Not a beach girl. I grew up there. I fell in love there. I got married there. I experienced tragedy and suffering there. I learned about life there. I'm just a girl from california. I'd wear flip flops no matter what the weather. (Yes, I even wore them around town in Bend...in the snow.) I never expected to leave california really. But when we did, I didn't mind.


This past week, on a walk in our secret place, Andy picked me a California Poppy. Had we been two kids on a walk in California this would have been against the law. For those of you that aren't making the connection...In California, the state flower is the California Poppy.*

And thus, picking a Poppy is a crime...in California.

He picked it, not because it wasn't a crime (cause he picked them for me when we lived in California too, I know, he's such a criminal) but because I'm his california girl. And just so you know, I like it that way.


*Special Note to Readers: The fact that the California Poppy is California's State Flower may seem obvious to some, but I didn't know until last week what Oregon's state flower was, it's the Oregon Grape for those that care.






May is my month for many reasons. Since living in Oregon, I think it has gained in superiority to all the other months. It still rains. The sun comes out. The evenings are perfect, not hot, not cold. The grass is green. The flowers are beginning to bloom. It's the perfect time for friends and bbq on the back porch. And of course, it's my anniversary month. This year we celebrated Seven Years. It seems at each click of another anniversary I am bound to the thought that life can't ever be better than this. Being with someone through all that comes in the mystery of life is more goodness than anyone deserves.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

read and see

Rise Up was mentioned in the following article. I'm just proud of my brother.



TRACE Intelligence
"The World at the Moment" // 051807 //

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Get Up, Stand Up, & Rise Up! Clothing That Can Make A Difference
Thanks goodness it has become cool to care! Clothing companies all over the country have invested time and money into creating brands that are both stylish and politically conscious. Rise Up! is one of these fabulous innovative groups trying to make a difference and inspire others. Made up of artists, idealists and social entrepreneurs, Rise Up! is using the fashion industry to help children out of poverty. They recently launched their first clothing line during the fall of 2006 and have been featured in retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Karmaloop and Michael K amongst many others across the country. Using the proceeds of their powerful clothing line they are helping to provide free education for over three hundred children in India and Nicaragua. Their international focus is also contributing to the elimination of the exploitation of children by providing them with safe homes, education, counseling, and empowerment projects. Can fashion fight poverty? The verdict is still out, but we can sure as hell try!

Rise Up! Clothing can be found online at Karma Loop and War Hurts.org

Up for Grabs!! 3 Rise Up! t-shirts! E-mail info@trace212.com to get yours!

TRACE magazine
41 Great Jones Street, New York, NY 10012.
212.625.1192 T
212.625.1195 F
http://www.trace212.com

TRACE UK
2nd Floor
Farringdon House
105-107 Farringdon Road
Clerkenwell, London
EC1R 3BU
020.7014.9549 T
020.725.18051 F
http://www.trace44.com

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Rise Up

Impact Awards Nomination Link

Rise Up is an organization that is very near and dear to me. Please check out their website. Not only are the founders my family members, but I am working on a documentary regarding some of the issues they as an organization are addressing in Nicaragua. It will only take a minute of your time. The myspace Impact Awards can make a difference for Rise Up, so...

Can fashion help alleviate poverty?
Rise Up is providing free education and social services to over three hundred children in India & Nicaragua.

Monday, May 7, 2007

art is not a book, but...

I seem to be taking a break from reading, and writing, and have ventured into the little corner of our office that is my "art", well corner. I've been working on a few pieces over the last week and while some are still in beginning stages, a couple are done. Unfortunatly, I was in such a zone that my idea to photograph them in their beginning paint only stage didn't happen. But, I did paint first and collage on top. So here are two finished pieces.






I painted this a while back, but I haven't done anything else to it. I might keep it like this - or if the mood is right, I may add a few things here and there.



The one I'm working on is going to take some time, but I remembered to take "stage" photos for my first "big" project. So, if you care, be on the lookout for that.