Origami

A giraffe, dog, and fox! Go to Origami Club for other models, all with outstanding directions.

Poets for Friends

With running shoes dangling from his backpack, Weston was waiting in front of the white steps of the train station. He pressed a little lacquered Czech nesting doll keychain into my hand after we hugged and Daniel suggested we go to the Nussbaumer Distillery. Weston found a fertile goddess figurine at the back of the store near the copper distillers and we tasted liqueurs and brandies and the staff was all family.

Then he talked about publishing his book of poems in India. In my mind I pictured a violet, handmade paper book with gold embossed lettering on the cover. We talked about the sun and the moon, the feminine and masculine, bees and shamans, fertilization and that night he read aloud to us.

We did yoga the next morning and then meditated and he felt so close to me even though he was a room's length away. Was it because he said his third eye opened during those last ten minutes? Then I had to work and Daniel took him to an ancient Celtic site in the mountains and that night we ate a lot of eggs and soup and bread that was as wholesome as I could find and the compost bucket was full of tea leaves.

We visited Daniel at the morning market on old bikes. He was serving tea to a woman with a pink child in a stroller when we arrived. Francois the cheese seller asked how I was, 'my charming and resplendent Miss?' and offered us a Comté cheese chunk. Weston and I bought a pretzel and walked to Saint George church and I forgot how beautifully Gothic it was and Weston found a wooden statue of Jesus and wrote a poem about it that night and I admired his creativity, openness to inspiration, and confidence in reading it passionately aloud.

The following day, while I worked, Daniel took him to visit Le Donon, a sacred site for the Druids and Romans and a double rainbow followed them until Strasbourg where Weston caught a ride with a Russian to his next destination. What a special thing it is to have a poet for a friend.

The Quarry Restaurant

The Quarry Restaurant in Kokomo ("offering the best dining experience possible for less than you would think")is now open and on one of the walls hangs a Daniel Sutter masterpiece! Photo found on the Quarry Restaurant website where one can also see photos of the inspired interior and exterior masonry work of Marc Anderson, my dad of whom I am so proud!!!

Rouffach: Church Galloping turns to Contemplative Awe

When I'm not teaching English, I'm at the morning markets with Daniel. Sometimes we take turns walking through the village as the other plants himself behind the stand. When its my turn, I usually make a bee-line for the biodynamic vegetable stands, then the cheese stands, then the mushroom stands, and then with arms rigid under the weight of exploding bags, I quickly dump it all into the car and go church galloping. Every village has got one. The one at Rouffach I found to be especially splendid.

Built in the 11th century, I felt a sense of calm and awe as I sat in the front pew and gazed at its intricate interior elements.

I make it a point to always pop in and take a contemplative moment between sales and I'm never disappointed in Notre Dame de L'Assomption church in Rouffach.

Belleville Trays featured in INSTYL magazine!!

This issue coming out soon!

Bobby's Mouse

We all know and love Flutterby from the Ditalini Press, but we didn't know her sweet cat Bobby! Here he is playing with one of the catnip mice! Thanks for the photo's Flutterby!

Market Week Three: Barr and Gosh Katie Would like this Town!

One thing I know about my sister Katie is that she loves puppets and trains. At the outdoor Saturday market in Barr, I saw both! A train shop was just in back of our stand and a marionette shop just a short block away! Photos dedicated to Katie with love.