This Is What I Do: Create

I crochet. Anyone who reads this or follows my artsy-fartsy life knows that. Today, I watched a YouTube video about crocheting in the round, but in a spiral instead of the "slip stitch into the top of the first stitch and chain three" method I have always used. I want to make a tote or basket, if you will, so I watched this video twice. Then I proceeded to try what they were trying to teach me. Failure, failure, failure. Tear it out and start again, and again and again. I finally texted Curley and said "how in the hell do you (who is a pro crocheter and knitter, teaches it, etc) crochet a spiral. She texted back some info, which I didn't know what the heck she was talking about. Try it again, no go. So I fixed supper, did the dishes, looked out the window at the ever-present snow, and watched it falling some more (expecting another 3-5 inches overnight) and then went in and sat down and tried it one more time, telling myself to get my shiz together, pay attention and...

Sunday morning I received a phone call from Texas telling me that my only sibling,  my dear sweet brother had passed away. I can't say I was shocked, because he wasn't well, but still it was. Steve, at the age of 75 had several cardiac related problems. He had had a valve replacement many years ago, but as he aged, he developed other cardiac problems causing some attacks, or episodes as his heart specialist called them. In the past few years, he had also developed Parkinson's Disease. All of this coupled with the fact that he has been a brittle type one diabetic since he was 19 yrs old, did not bode well for his health. That was why I wasn't shocked. But, that doesn't make the loss of my only sibling any easier. We were close. As kids we argued and were as different as night and day. He was an athlete, played baseball and basketball and ran track in high school. He continued to play baseball and golf and was a great bowler, too. I am not. I am the arty and musicia...

I have been watching videos on the internet from Creativation 2019, which for those of you not in the "know" about crafting, is a annual trade expo for retailers and wholesalers put on by manufacturers of craft products from all over. They also feature their top designers like Dina Wakley, Tim Holtz, Gina K, Dyan Reaveley, Jane Davenport, etc. I should never watch these videos. I get all excited about the things that interest me the most and get a bad case of the "wants." This morning while watching one of the above mentioned designers, I thought to myself, "gee Jim, this is just more of the same stuff you already own." Yeah, it's a different design, a new color, another process, but it's still the same stuff you have stashed in the closet and on the shelves. Do I need another stencil? Do I need more acrylic paints or watercolors? Do I need more clear stamps or stamping inks? The answer to all of those questions is a resounding "no." Wou...

Beginning my year with the Facebook Mission Inspiration group again this year. Our mid month Mini mission was "Show me the Color of your Right Hand." I guess this is from the lyrics of some song of which I have never heard. Guess I should look it up!!  LOL!  We could interpret it any way we wanted for our art prompt. Here's mine: I used a blue monochromatic color scheme. I could use white and or black because on the color wheel, they are considered non-colors. Of course, my art prof in college explained that "white is the absence of all color and black is the presence of all color." Well, whatever! I didn't like him very well, and finally changed majors. But, that was a LONG time ago, he's gone, and I'm still here creating art any ol' way I want to. Until next time, Go, create something JF

Note:   This is sort of a guy type post.   I seriously hope none of you gals who read my blog are offended.   If talking about men’s underwear offends you, close out now! Beneath all that we men wear, unless you are a guy who favors going “commando” (no underwear), there is the ongoing dilemma of “briefs or boxers.” Shopping for said undergarments are an ordeal. When I was growing up, there were only two choices.   Either we wore “tightie whities” from J. C. Penney’s; you know the ones that had blue and gold dashes around the waistband.   Or you could choose to wear broadcloth boxers.   These were brightly colored plaids, solids, or the ever popular paisley prints.   They had an extra panel sewn into the seat to accommodate those whose butts were larger.   Mine wasn’t!   So, those panels just got wadded up, and you can just guess where that wad of fabric ended up!   I would always opt for the “tightie whities.” As an adult, I a...

On Christmas Day in the evening my son dropped by to chat. Dropped is a good word used to describe his visit. Yes, he dropped the bomb on me. I am going to be "Papa" again. Come late summer, my son's family will increase once more. Was I surprised you might ask? Yes I was. Was I shocked? Nope, not at all. They already have four lovely children, 2 boys, 2 girls, love having a big family, so I wasn't shocked at all. Surprised that at their ages of 37 and 43 that they decided to have another child, but am okay with that. After all, it's their lives, their home and their family. I just spoil and go home! My one concern is expense of raising a family of that size. It's expensive raising kids today. Heck, it was expensive raising kids when I was little and my folks made it. My wife and I raised our two on a lot less money than my son earns, so I guess they will figure it out. The expression,"Not my circus, not my monkeys," comes to mind. I don't have...

I know, I know, I said I was done. basically I am pissed off that no one reads the damn blog but my friend Curley, and she hasn't read it lately, but I like writing and this is a place to write and publish stuff that I want on here. I might show art work, pictures of my kids, grands, and friends. I might write a rant about something I am passionate about, or I might just write a short story or a poem. But I must keep blogging as an outlet for my creative genes.  My mom wrote beautiful things. My dad had beautiful handwriting, though I never saw anything he actually wrote except lists of "things to do" for my brother and I, and a few postcards he sent home while on fishing and hunting trips. So, No, I am not done. I really don't care if anyone reads this. I will use it for an outlet for stuff I want to get out there. Maybe a subject will interest someone enough that they will respond or comment, and if not, so what! So that all being said, it's late. OMG it 1 A...