New Shed (Exterior)

 

Saucy Sign

I paid the magical Nolberto to clean out all of my wild blackberry brambles. He did a beautiful job. This has really improved access to the shed, because now you can actually see the shed. It was hideous. Two sides were yellow (at the neighbor's request), one side was chartreuse, and the front was black and white. So, now all of the sides are the same color. And, there are no more spider webs everywhere.  

Finished

Painted to Cover Holes

Almost Done

Outdoor Shrines

Signs 

Before

The Door

In Recovery

 

I have spent the balance of the summer trying to recover from four years of low-grade mental, and emotional manipulation. And, I'm slowly starting to feel better. Today, I was sitting in an appointment with my very kind eye doctor.  We had a really good, life-affirming talk about behavior, and about change. Although I'm extremely nervous about my future, I know that I will be able to find success. I know I am worth something.

I also want to thank my sister for being my therapist last year, and all during the summer. I always feel so supported by my family, and their love is front and center.

Summer Starts

I'm starting off the summer making season! Some new work is happening, and I'm also trying to wrap up projects that have stalled out, cluttering up my drying rack. I will be doing some work for Dia de los Muertos in my new job. So, some of this work seems quite "memorial-ish".

Photo Boxes

Birdie with Overwrought Stand

Painting Practice (Still) 

Spare Dog Bowls

Wall Box Memorials

Cemetery Donuts

Passed Pet Headstones

Canopic Jars

 

I have decided to knock up a few art history related art lessons. One of the first lessons is on Egyptian art history. We will learn about canopic jars, and then create our own jars with a twist. Originally, canopic jars were carved out of alabaster, and they preserved the viscera of a mummy. Part of the Egyptian belief system, involved a strong theory of the after life. It was thought that a person had to have all of their organs in order to continue on to the after life. Mummification could not be successfully completed with all of the organs remaining in the body. So, the organs were removed, and small pieces of them were stored in canopic jars, which were then stored in the tomb. The brain was removed through the nose, with a long hook, and then thrown away. The heart was considered to be the most important organ, so it was left in during the mummification process.

The jars traditionally had lids which were shaped like specific Egyptian gods, the four sons of Horus: Imsety was a human god who protected the liver, Hapy was a baboon-headed god who looked after the lungs, Duamutef had the head of a jackal and guarded the stomach, and Qebehsenuef was a falcon who protected the intestines.

Some canopic jars were made from other types of carved stone, or wood. Many were made of pottery. That's where we come in! We are going to create our own canopic jars, in a style of our own. 

Alice Version

Ceramic Reproductions

Modern Owl

Hieroglyphics

My Versions

Ancient Jar

Tourist Tsotchkes

Daphne Christoforou

"That's All Folks"

 

I haven't written in so very long. But, I thought that I would return to the creativity that writing often fosters. And, writing gives clarity. Many life changes are in the works as I head on to my sixtieth year.

I have been wracking my brain and heart during the past four years. Recently, I decided to go out on the prowl for a job. I know that I'm way too old to do this, and who would hire me anyway? But, when you reach a point where enough is enough, it's time to pick up stakes, and move on. 

Our school actually has a well-worded civility clause. It is sad that the clause has become completely ineffectual, and that its repeated violation, has become the norm. There have been so many times, during the past four years, when I have felt burdened, humiliated, disrespected, manipulated, irritated, and overwhelmed. These feelings are not normal for me. But, they became my daily fare. I noticed that I started keeping to myself, and feeling angry all of the time. I curled inward. During the past four years, 14 employees have left the tiny school with only ten classrooms. It doesn’t take Shaggy and Scooby to figure out why the employees left. Luckily, my job hunt was a success, and I didn’t have to retire early, or take a giant, pension wrecking pay cut. Focusing on students again, instead of focusing on feelings, will be wonderful.

As of next year, I will be teaching beginning art classes at a neighboring high school. It will be a huge change. I am starting to create content, lesson plans, and work samples to try to be prepared. I am looking forward to building new relationships with students. In addition, I’m excited about sharing my passion for making, and learning. I even have my study guides purchased for the upcoming Single Subject Credential Test.

Best of luck to me! 

Surgery Week Two

I was lucky that the doctor didn't saw off my bakelite bracelets that I've worn for over 20 years. Some of them are really old. Instead, they were lovingly cleaned and sanitized. The dogs have spent the past two weeks, trying to encourage me to heal. Percy, in particular, has been constantly by my side, even skipping meals, at times. Last night, I slept on my side. After having the wound pump removed, and the sutures removed, it feels like I can rest on my left side. So many people have helped me, and have brought food and flowers. It has been lovely.

This morning, I took a shower while standing up. That was a major victory. Hoping for more of these small triumphs next week, as well...

 

Surgery Week One

 

Here we are, with a shiny new metallic hip. And, with a shitload of pills. The folks at the hospital couldn't have been nicer. Awkwardly, the parent of one of my former students was in charge of shaving my hip area, cleaning it, and prepping it for surgery. Won't be able to look her in the eye anymore, for sure. Also, another mom from a past student was in the surgery post-op room. She was so kind. 

I've never had an operation before. It was weird being wheeled into the operating room, just like in the movies. Having the needle placed into my slouchy spine was even more weird. When I woke up, I was having a dream about cartoon deer and cartoon rabbits, from the 1950's. That's about how my brain works, I guess...

It has been hard to stay up and moving. And, to shower. My best friends, and my sister have kindly stayed with me. And, my delightful work friend and her son have stopped by each morning to do my bidding, and to care for the pups. My sister hired a kind woman to stay with me for four hours each day. She coaches me on how to bathe, and makes sure that I'm being safe. She was bored, and decided to clean my stove, and my fridge. 

My OCD is flaring hard, to be honest. Hoping that things will start to head back to normal in the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted. Maybe I'll make some mental changes, and create some new neural pathways?! Or, maybe I'll be like my cat, Eugene, and just sit in the middle of the kitchen at 2 a.m., and meow about the changes. He and I are both creatures of habit.