Straddle the Turtle

Learning to slow down, because life's too short ~ ~ ~

Hi Neighbors!!

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Ringo & Roxy finding a treasure

Roxy & Ringo need daily walks so I’m out exploring my neighborhood on a regular basis. It’s because of this that I met Dr. M and her huge friendly, fluffy Mutt. He had gotten loose from her one day and came barreling our way down the road. I corralled him with my own doggies until she caught up, and we’ve been friends ever since.

Our meet-ups have been spotty over the past few years, because she works odd shifts at the hospital. But I’ve mourned with her as she has suffered more than her share of tragedy in that short time: a break-up with her boyfriend, the death of her mother, soon after her dad passed away, too. And if that is not enough, her beloved fluffy ten year-old Mutt needed to be put down because of a serious illness.

But she is a resiliant woman, and recently acquired not one, but TWO beautiful new pups! I was able to keep up with their growth and antics as she posted photos and stories on her Instagram. Sadly, her latest posts have been of the protective gear she’s wearing in the Emergency Room! And I worry…

But one day we walked by her property and saw that she had lashed a sign to her maple tree. She’s been posting daily quotes & jokes!

My neighbor's sign

Yesterday’s entry says:

“Hi Neighbors!! 

Quote of the Day: Let your smile change the world but don’t let the world change your smile.

Juneau Joke of the Day: What kind of tree has a hand? A palm tree!”

I especially love how she’s sketched a mountain range and some trees into this composition. I think of her audacity and her courage. I’m so proud of Dr. M.

My neighbor's sign up close

Makes me smile… and I’m not gonna let the world change my smile 😉

Art of Poetry

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This weekend I’m taking part in the Art of Poetry Soiree, a celebration and fundraiser for Milwaukee SCORES.* This is the fifth year I’ve accepted this invitation to choose a poem written by one of the soccer-player poets in this wonderful program. Area artists are asked to chose from a list of poems the children have created in hopes that it will inspire a work of art to donate to the auction.

I chose a poem by 8-year old Lily which touched me immediately. I’d recently finished reading two books about trees: a novel by Richard Powers called The Overstory and a non-fiction by arborist William Bryant Logan called Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees. Both are excellent! Presently, many trees in our neighborhood are needing to be cut down because they are diseased, which breaks my heart. I love trees… and I love what the America Scores program does to help kids get on the right path.

The title of Lily’s poem is “Trees”:

Trees are tall
Trees are short
Some are maple
Some are oak
Leaves are yellow
Leaves are green
These are the beautiful trees I have seen

Book of Trees
Book of Trees

*America SCORES is a transformational after-school program which educates and prepares 1st-5th grade students to lead healthy and confident lives. For more information: America Scores in Milwaukee

The Art Machine

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Cigarette-size painted block

The first time the Oddball Art Machine was presented to the public, we were there!

My grandson inserted a five dollar bill and out came a cigarette pack-sized block with a poodle painted on it! The first work of art he ever purchased by himself 🙂

It was so fun to be included with the other artists participating in this fund-raiser, some of whom have been my friends for many years.

I’m so impressed by the way they have continued to make their artwork and meet weekly as a group – all while working day jobs and raising families – very disciplined! And best of all, they bring this creativity to the community by sharing their fun energy with the city of Elgin.

Presently, they are gearing up for a scary halloween celebration. If you click on this link to their blog you’ll see delightfully creepy artworks: Hub of Weirdness.

Oddball Art Labs is a non-profit artist based organization created to advance the presence of the arts in the Fox Valley and greater Chicagoland area. It specifically works to build individual artist recognition and to create opportunities within these communities for artists to show their work through various ways:

  • Hosting art shows
  • Featuring artists of the month through various social media platforms
  • Building relationships with local galleries and area businesses
  • Providing resources to artists in preparing grants and putting on their own shows
Oddball Art Machine

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