Editing is Everything

Today has been one of many stressful days of late...troubles with my health, and troubles with our Gussie Cat's health..Good news..she had dental surgery today, and has come through it just fine....(I know, this is a design blog - or it started out that way, but has become more of a blog about a designer).. Poor Raisenette Funicello Buttafuco is crying right now (he's Gussie's Bubba - that's brother in Southern Speak)..and he wants to go outside and roll around in the grass (fire ants), and or roam our woods...He is declawed (never do that again), so he is bound to the porch and his place under the live oak just beyond the porch. I have to make sure he isn't harmed...I just chased him indoors, explaining to him that I just saw some very large crows, chasing a black cat through the woods, and thought it might have been him..He was hiding behind a tree, but I saw his tail.

For those of you who haven't read before, Miss Gussie went completely blind early in the month, but with meds and a great vet, her retinas reattached, and she can see again. Now, her mouth will be fixed, and hopefully, she can live out the rest of her years pain-free and seeing. She is getting pretty tired of me coming up to her, and waving my hand around in front of her face...just to make sure she can still see.
About Editing....I am taking a short break from editing the living room...I realized that things were "stacking up"....magazines, books, cd's, family photos...all things that enrich my life, but have a way of suddenly becoming clutter...The same with my bedroom, kitchen, and my office is just still out-of-control...

Today, I took the magazines (either design, gardening, birding, cooking, or art), and cut out the articles and photographs that I wanted to save. I put them in binders in sleeves according to catagory. I must have a dozen of these by now, but I can put them in my bookcases in my studio (which have curtains on them), and access what I want when I want.

I have so many precious photographs of my family, friends, pets, and travels, that are beautifully framed, but I find that if I put them all out at once, every horizontal surface in our house would be covered. I put some away, and rotate them about every six months. There are some that are permanently on display, but again, there can just be too much.

I am also editing my thoughts...I find myself lying in bed at night, thought zinging about...about my health, my cats, my family, the recession, the sadness and anger in this world, (not necessarily in that order), and I have to tell myself, that there are things about which I can do something, and others I just have to let go.

I have posted the photograph of our lovely orchid, which is blooming again...it lives in our master bath, as it gets great light there...indirect, but just enough...It also likes the humidity our showers provide. I love the orchid, for it represents beauty and simplicity....Which is how I need to live my life....

(Wo)Man Plans and God Laughs

I have a friend who doesn't like that saying; but, for me, it's just about the irony of life...all kinds of plans, and then, things happen. For me, it's fighting a massive infection...lots of antibiotics and pain pills. Laid too low to even try to blog, or do any of the things I was so excited about doing. For now, I read a bit, and sleep alot..sleep is healing...

The marzipan handbag is one I made for a photoshoot several years ago...I love working with marzipan, and again, have some plans for that..my life seems to be more about planning than doing these days. The frame and clasp on the handbag are gold leafed (real gold leaf is edible)..It just reminds me of spring.

I'll be back with bells on...

Is She Ever Going to Talk About Design Again???

Yes, Virginia, she really is a designer, but she is also a gardener, and SPRING has come to Texas...luring her outdoors. First, she will take down the lights wrapped around the pecan trees (actually, would like to leave them, and light them at night, ala Tavern on The Green in New York City....but, I don't think my neighbors across the street will understand - even though they leave all the outside lights on every night). Then, she will cut back the dead Muley (pronouched "mooly") grass...pull the unwanted things and put in new mulch.

I am switching back to first person now. I am very excited, as my neighbor, Sandy and I have become friends. They started to put in an enclosed, stone garden area..(photos to follow), but ran out of money and ideas as to how to keep the deer out...
So, she and I are going to pool our money and ideas and get a garden going.....soon.
Gardening in Texas is a whole lot different that Wisconsin..(see the photos above)..I would post them with this paragraph, but am still wrestling with issues as to this %&)#@$* computer....

So, I am being called by birdsong, sweet breezes, and my little, yellow gardening wagon. Slapping on the garden hat, gloves, sunscreen, and going outside to play.

I do have some projects planned for the interior of my house, and I have a couple of clients, that are considering some projects...so, we are coming out of our houses, saying goodbye to winter, and moving forward...such fun!