…days 51 to 53
After reading the book The Dictionary of Lost Words I was inspired to create a double spread of collage and sketches that highlight some of the themes from Pip Williams’ book. The novel covers the making of the Oxford dictionary, protests by the suffragettes, World War 1, women as second class citizens, birth, death and romance.
…this little book inspired today’s sketch
Elisabeth Bailey’s outlook on life changed when a friend gifted her a pot of violets into which she placed a wild snail. She was suffering from a mysterious disease which left her bedridden and separated from her from the natural world. This tiny creature helped her reconnect with life and she slowly started to heal.
….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World
Do you use paper money? If so is your money organized sequentially according to denomination?
I do use paper money and I do use debit. I try to avoid using the credit card but when I do I try to remember to pay it off right away. I’m not alway successful. I can’t get my head around people who use their debit card for small purchases like a cup of coffee. Don’t they know that they add to the cost of each cup when they do that. Maybe they just have a better bank plan or maybe things have changed in that department and I haven’t kept up with the times. Time to visit my bank.
Anyway I do like using cash for smaller purchases and I organize my money by denomination in my wallet with a separate compartment for my change. Doesn’t everyone do that?
You are comfortable doing nothing? For long stretches of time?
Not really. I don’t consider sitting at my computer or watching TV as doing nothing, although some people might disagree with me. I get too antsy just sitting and doing nothing. I have to keep my brain working and even after sitting and doing stuff I have to get up and move around.
What is your greatest strength?
I think my greatest strength is my creativity and my work ethic. The latter is what my husband said which surprised me a bit because there are days where I feel very lazy. I also like to do things for other people and I can pretty much be relied on to do what I say I’ll do.
What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination
Last week was pretty uneventful. I finished reading a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
On Friday my husband and I drove to Hamilton to spend the day with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. We signed the ownership of our second car over to them and went to lunch at a local sushi restaurant. Believe it or not it was at Winnie’s request that we went there. How many two year olds do you know that love sushi?
Thanks to my husband who took this photo.
The other thing that did bring a smile to my face last week was the onset of some beautiful sunshine and warmer temperatures. Finally!
….this week’s questions are all about the home
Thanks Cee for hosting this challenge.
Would you prefer a one floor house or multiple levels?
I currently live in a two story house. I think climbing stairs for the last 35 years has kept me fitter than many people my age but I do know people over 60 who would definitely prefer a one floor house. Arthritis, bad knees, hip replacements and poor circulation make stair climbing difficult. Fortunately I don’t suffer from any of these ailments. As I get older I often wonder if I’m going to have to give this place up because of the stairs.
If you have a TV, would you prefer the TV in the living room or another room?
We have purposely put the TV in a room other than the living room. When we have company we don’t want a TV to distract from stimulating conversation. I also like having a room where I can work or read in a quiet space without the noise from a TV.
When you leave a room, do you turn the lights off behind you or keep the lights on throughout your house most of the time? Explain your answer.
More and more I turn the lights off. When the kids lived at home we kept them on because everyone was on a different level of the house. Now we turn the lights off to save energy and money.
What’s your favorite room in your home?
My favourite room in the house is the living room. It’s the one room that’s always tidy and it’s where I like to read and work on my laptop. When we have company everyone gravitates to the kitchen. It’s the room most difficult to keep tidy because my husband loves to cook and bake and if I’m not right behind him cleaning it can get messy in a hurry. Luckily my girls are pretty good at cleaning when they come to visit but I like to make sure that the kitchen is somewhat presentable before they get here.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
It’s been a tough week. We were over the moon with the news that my husband didn’t need the radioactive iodine treatment but a week later we found out that he needed to go for a biopsy on his lungs. The procedure took place today and I’m grateful that it went smoothly and without any complications. Now we wait again for the results.
This week I’m looking forward to a less stressful working environment and some down time at home. It’s definitely time for some art therapy and reading.
…..the book, Young Frank, Architect, inspired our art lesson in Kindergarten
Two weeks ago I reminded my kindergarten class of the book we read in the library. The book was Young Frank, Architect by Frank Viva and published by MOMA.
The story is about a young boy named Frank and his grandfather, also named Frank. Both Franks are architects. Young Frank builds chairs, curvy buildings and models of entire cities. His grandfather tells him that architects don’t design chairs, buildings should be straight and architects design one building at a time and cities take a hundred years to develop. Young Frank is discouraged and he doesn’t want to be an architect any longer. Old Frank decides to take Young Frank to the museum, the MOMA, so that he can show his grandson the buildings that architects design. In the end it is Old Frank who learns that he was mistaken and he apologizes to Young Frank. The book ends with briefs bios about Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry.
The art lesson introduced the kindergarteners to collage and city landscapes. They were reminded about foreground and background and were taught how to create a night sky with stars and a moon. Students were encouraged to cut out at least three high rise buildings and make windows and doors in different shapes. It was up to them whether they wanted to create straight or curvy ‘Frank’ buildings. The shapes of some of the buildings are delightful. It’s amazing how much their scissor skills have improved since last September. Enjoy!
Mama Cormier 