The Fisherman and the Syren, by Frederic Leighton, c. 1856–1858

The Fisherman and the Syren, by Frederic Leighton, c. 1856–1858, originally uploaded by the domestic minx.

Our obsessions make us who we are.

-Dan Dorman

Elaine de Kooning:

Her painting style is characterized by a deft line coupled with realist compression and emotionally charged abandon. Her subjects ranged from early still life to portraiture, with purely abstract paintings executed during the fifties. She held guest professorships at Yale and Carnegie Mellon University and painted the portrait of John F. Kennedy from life, for the Truman Library. Kennedy was assassinated during the creation of this work, impacting on her to such a degree that she stopped painting for nearly a year.

wikipedia.org

I'm helping a client with his new blog: About Palm Coast.

This has been a lot of fun and very educational for me as well.

From the beginning Ted told me that at the age of 72 he wasn't as concerned with keeping his opinions to himself anymore. He wrote some things that would not be considered politically correct. I told him so. He said he didn't want to be politically correct. I warned him that if he's honest then he will get angry comments. He said he was okay with that but I wonder if he realized just how bad it could get. Because one of the things I have learned in ten years of writing on the web is that if you want an audience, you have to be blunt and/or controversial, and angry responses are part of the deal.

I'm excited to see where he goes with this.

So I changed my mind about ending this blog. I'm all over the place on deciding what to do.

Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind.
-Catherine Drinker Bowen

Edie Sedgwick - the tragic muse.

The History of Lacrosse
Lacrosse originated in the Native American nations of North America mainly among the Algonquian. In many Native American societies/tribes, the ball sport was often part of religious ritual, played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, develop strong, virile men and prepare for war. Legend tells of games with more than 100 players from different tribes taking turns to play.It could be played on a field many miles in length and width; sometimes the game could last for days. Early lacrosse balls were made of deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood. Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement,befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes. The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game".
`wikipedia.org

mystery plant solved

toxic plant, originally uploaded by tuskart.

rattlebox, originally uploaded by tuskart.

Hi Connie -

I've got a little bit of bad news for you. The plant in the pictures is a non-native species called Rattle-box (Crotalaria spectabilis) and has demonstrated invasive characteristics. It is not listed on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's 2009 List of Invasive Plant Species (FLEPPC) so it's currently not out of control (at least in Florida). Rattle-box is typically found on dry pineland and disturbed sites and reseeds readily. Please be aware that this plant is highly toxic to all pets, farm animals and humans if ingested.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
Thanks,

Kevin Bagwell
www.FullMoonNatives.com

Happy to have discovered my friend Joe's blog.

beauty berry

beauty berry, originally uploaded by tuskart.

Jewels abound in the Florida wild.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

`Emma Lazarus (inscription on the Statue of Liberty)

Florida Sunshine by As Fast As (in my head nonstop today)

You lick your fingers
I'll wipe up the bottles that spilled
I'll just get drunk and you just keep pop-popping your pills

I've got my head in my hands and it's doomsday over nothing
Keep your head up, keep your head up, keep your head up

I'll lay you down in the Florida sunshine if you promise that you will
I gladly gave you something for nothing
But then you moved in for the kill
Cause you are crazier than me
Crazier than me
And I'm crazy for you

You keep on spending
I'll just keep on paying you bills
I've had enough and just ca-ca-can't get your fill

I've got my head in my hands and it's doomsday over nothing
Keep your head up, keep your head up, keep your head up

I'll lay you down in the Florida sunshine if you promise that you will
I gladly gave you something for nothing
But then you moved in for the kill
Cause you are crazier than me
Crazier than me
And I'm crazy for you
Crazy for you

I'll lay you down in the Florida sunshine if you promise that you will
I gladly gave you something for nothing
But then you moved in for the kill
I'll lay you down in the Florida sunshine if you promise that you will
I gladly gave you something for nothing
But then you moved in for the kill
Cause you are crazier than me
Crazier than me
And I'm crazy for you
Crazy for you

I love writing for Examiner. I have an endless list of ideas to write about. If I could write an article a day, I could make some decent money. I just don't have the time to do so, for one thing I've got better paying work to do, and I'm also feeling the physical effects of sitting in front of the laptop all day. My back, neck, elbows, wrists are not happy. I'm lacking exercise. Yoga is what I need, not getting it. Massage is what I need, can't spring for it.

But wow, things are good. Lots of family visits coming up this fall. The weather will finally begin to cool down ever so slowly. Our finances aren't as tight as they were. The boys are happy at school, healthy for the time being, eating really well, and letting me sleep more. I feel like everyday I get closer to my goals, my brain gets full of new ideas, and getting older just means being happier with myself. I'm having a love affair with myself.

We've made some great new friends through Andy's music. He has found the creative partner that he needed, who has a wife I really dig and relate to. He will be recording soon, getting those songs down for all eternity. Our boys will have a lot of stuff like that to remember us by when we are gone: music, art, this blog even.

(I love you, my babies, if you are reading this; never forget how much I loved you when you were my crazy twin-like preschoolers, ages 3 and almost 5. Don't forget our drives to TLC in the morning when we listened to our favorite songs and let the breeze blow in the windows, so dreamy that I would forget about the detour on Florida Park Dr.)

I connected with an amazing artist who just happens to have also been a student that was heavily influenced by our elementary teacher, Elsa Lippel, like I was. Mrs. Lippel made as huge an impact on my life as my parents and grandparents did. If I ever wrote a book it would most likely be dedicated to her. Or perhaps I should say when I write my book.

I've decided a new plan of mine is to someday have a home theater room. Watching films is one of my favorite past times, so why not do it in utter comfort and luxury? I guess I better make some money first. It might not a problem, because as of right now I love my work!

my mother's tomatoes

tomatoes, originally uploaded by tuskart.

night blooming cereus in daytime

cereus 3, originally uploaded by tuskart.

I want a saree!

I guess what I love about The Kills' image is the eroticism of two lovers making music together, then performing not only their music but their relationship as well; I love the way he is so into her on stage, but it makes me wonder if it is a natural thing or if he realizes how provocative it is.

Andy's asleep and I'm up late - what a role reversal. It struck me tonight how long it's been since I've been able to enjoy the night. Since we had the babes. Sleep was such a precious commodity for so long. I guess things are getting easier. But why do they also feel harder at the same time?

One thing is for sure: everything is changing.

I am currently on fascination street with The Kills.