Beaded Bracelets

An inspiring collection of bead crochet bracelets, designed and created by participating artist Robin Bergman, an award winning designer of knitwear.

Booth Shot

Art glass, ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, fine furniture, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, wearable art and wood by 125 juried artists from 25 states. This Paradise City show was held in Philadelphia's historic 33rd Street Armory, now host to many shows and events like this one.

A Simple Mosaic

This simple mosaic design does not begin to convey the wealth and complexity of mosaic murals scattered throughout the city of Philadelphia but I like its simplicity and off-centeredness.

The Rocky Steps & Other Philadelphia Sights

The Rocky Steps started it all. This is the name given to the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I learned about them when I came across an article on a book written about the people who climbed them. They are well known for the role they played in a famous scene in the film Rocky, in which the fighter, played by Sylvester Stallone, runs up the steps to the accompaniment of the song, "Gonna Fly Now." Visitors to the museum can often be seen mimicking Rocky's famous run up the front steps. I did not plan to run up the steps but I was hoping I would see others do so ... and, oh yes, tour the museum as well. I was not disappointed.

Looking up the address of the museum, I saw that the Rodin Museum was nearby. We decided to add this to our itinerary. But, before starting out, we stopped for lunch. Since I like dogs, The White Dog Cafe already had my "let's try" approval. Loved the doggie lamp and all the doggie paintings on the walls.


The Rodin Museum was the gift of movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum (American, 1872–1926) to the city of Philadelphia. Mastbaum began collecting works by Rodin in 1923 with the intent of founding a museum to enrich the lives of his fellow citizens. Just three years later, he had assembled the largest collection of Rodin's works outside Paris.

This was the first time I had seen Rodin's work in person and it was a wonderful experience. It's difficult to explain the emotional impact of being face to face with work that one has only seen in books. Just as we were leaving we had the added pleasure of listening to this docent give her lecture on Rodin. She was so well-informed and entertaining, that we re-toured the museum with her.

Next stop, the "steps." This is what I found at the top of them. It was an interesting feeling stepping onto Rocky's footprints and no, I did not do the dance, but I saw a few who did.

When I was studying art history in college, I learned that those lightly veined white marble Greek statues that appear in every history of art book were painted. Maybe they looked like the statues in this frieze at the PMA?

On our way back to our hotel room, we passed an arched entrance to a school. It's the first time I have seen Michelangelo's name split in two and the first part spelled Michael, not Michel.

Yoshino Cherry

I will probably never get to Washington D.C. when the cherry trees are in bloom but I can appreciate the spectacle on a smaller scale in my own yard, that is, when I am not leaving on another trip. My chariot is about to collect me.

Another wonderful bridge. I think it is ironic that the sign says Washington, PA. We have miles to go.

Blackboard Calligraphy

Bamboo

I loved the way this clump of bamboo contrasts with the woods behind it. Even though it was a still day, it looks like there is a wind blowing.

A different stand of bamboo on my friend's property. This winter's ice storm bowed and broke a goodly amount of their bamboo. But, bamboo is resilient.

Old Christmas Tree

Walking my dog this evening, we passed this discarded Christmas tree. It's been lying in the owner's drive for months. I wonder what is keeping him or her from putting it on the curb for yard waste collection.

A Face to Love

Lessons We Can Learn From Canines*

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps and stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you're not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

• These lessons (source: unknown) have been around a while ... if only we humans could be as easily satisfied as our canine companions.

Witchhazel: Spidery Beauties

My three witchhazels bloomed at different times this winter. This one, the last to bloom and not the one I originally wanted, has turned out to be a favorite.

Collections & Books

I love books and have been collecting them for as long as I can remember. I rarely buy fiction anymore because I don't usually reread this type of book. Instead, I borrow from my local library. The books I buy are primarily reference books and art books, books I will use over and over. I have a nice collection of craft books as that is my primary interest and smaller collections of gardening, photography, home repair and remodeling, cooking, and computer books. My art books are primarily fine craft, folk, ethnic, and outsider art books. Several years ago, I started collecting children's books and pop-up and moveable books when I came across some inexpensive ones at my local thrift shops.

I collect other things as well. On the bottom shelf you can see some of my mini collection of Beanie Babies. This little collection, most of which were found in thrift shops, represents pets that I have rescued. I am missing one kitten, an all gray one, to stand in for my latest rescue.

Winter Aconite

Any of several low Eurasian perennial herbs (genus Eranthis, especially E. hyemalis) of the buttercup family Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae) with solitary yellow or white flowers which often bloom through the snow.

I love this flower. Although it spreads and is working it's way into my lawn, the leaves die back after the bloom has gone, just about the time the grass needs its first mowing. I won't see it again until next year.

Window Decorations

Deer By The Roadway

These deer emerge every evening from the large city park in the background, undeterred by the traffic just a few yards away.

His Favorite Things

It Tried to Snow All Day

Today, it snowed intermittently all day with very little accumulation. Exiting the grocery store, it looked like a blizzard. Snow was blowing sideways across the parking lot. But, in the time it took me to buy a box of cookies to support the Girl Scouts at the exit, it stopped.

Blue Skies & Clouds

Who could miss the spectacularly blue sky and cloud formations today? Hard to believe but some people never look up.

My cold lingers ... the reason for some missing photo days