Wednesday Window, Bosom Buddies

My self portrait this week involves hugs, friends and the best boyfriend ever! Let me start here...When one friend reveals her struggle and fears with breast cancer, another comes out of the closet with her own previous battle or close call or scheduled appointment next week, not wanting to worry anyone. But aren't we all in this together? We need each other. We uplift and support each other. And no matter what, we are always here for one another. And as fate would have it, just yesterday, I stumbled upon a tiny fabric store, new to me, old to others where I met a woman who is hosting an Art Bra Fundraiser for her Breast Cancer Support Center in Giddings, the tiny po-dunk town just down the highway from me. There must have been 40 decorated, embellished, constructed and outrageous bras hanging all over the store! She needs a photographer for the calender, enter ME! So now I have the privilege and honor again to photograph women and their Art Bras! So here I am, living in small town USA, making a living serving breakfast to travelers, sewing, painting, bartending, cooking, cleaning and taking pictures of semi-naked women...ya gotta love my life! AND I DO. And might I add, that Matt is the icing on my cake, cream in my coffee, sugar in my bowl and BEST BOYFRIEND EVER! and one more thing....I finally got my own clean bill of health after $500, a new doctor and another round of antibiotics. Welcome to the Autumn of my Life!! Losing hormones and elasticity is a son-of-a-bitch!! ~ TMI~

fear of the unknown

a friend came to my house today. she is scared and sad. normally her mood is up, silly, and loud. but today she is down, serious and quiet. she asked me to photograph her left breast, because after Tuesday it will never be the same. She will have a lumpectomy. We took several poses, in different light, from different angles. Her body is curvy and beautiful. Her hair was curled and shiny. I am not a doctor, but I hugged her hard with my healthy breasts and told her "everything will be alright" Of course it's how I think. But it's not my left breast with an uninvited visitor. So I will light the candles, send her vibes of health and well being, along with my other girls who come to mind fighting battles of their own...Stacey, Erin, Paula and Marilynn. Click here if you wish to follow her story. I think it's time for me to schedule my Mammy

heart wishes

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."~Woodsworth~

Wednesday Window, coming & going

I seem to be chasing my own tail this week. Busy with custom sewing orders, new painting jobs, B&B guests, catering and cooking. I feel like I am flying thru my day, chasing my own self. My SP is one day late. That is OK with me. This season of my life allows me the freedom to move slower, dig deeper, play longer and stay later. So for now, I am enjoying the flight, even though I break the speed of light sometimes, my life is blessed, lucky, interesting, always changing, fun, and full of love. ~ flap flap~

“The divine spirit is a wild pinto kicking inside you. Let her run.” Kris Carr

I slept here

For a few days I returned to Beaumont, Texas, a place I used to call home. My son was 2 months old, 25 years ago! I did not know a single soul, much less ever heard of BEAUMONT. I had to look it up on the map to see where we were moving to from Corpus Christi. Now after several moves back and forth, divorces, floods, hurricanes and the loss my home on Village Creek, I returned to my fold of wonderful friends for a short but fulfilling mini-vacation. I have been nourished and nurtured with hugs, big love, reunions and remembrances, delicious foods, fine wines, morning cappucinos, yoga and ART. I slept in The Mildred Building. Just like a Queen! My friend, Katharine, has two apartments there adjacent to her restaurant, so I lived in luxury during my stay. Fresh flowers every where I turned, bed and linens like billowy clouds and books on shelves from floor to ceiling! This historical building was built in the 1930,s when money was gushing like an old oil well! The details of decor are stunning. I plan to return with carbon papers and charcoal to do rubbings of the random textures of brass, tile and oh that layered, chippy peely concrete!! Years and years of good MoJo still linger in this building. I was captured inside this womb of history, and will return to discover and recreate more of my own stories! So to all my Beaumont Peeps, I miss you already and I'll see ya Septemeber First Thursday! For more photos and info on Mildred Building, CLICK HERE