Paris Clothes

  I have been in a creative slump, a mini one, but it has concerned me.
  The wedding is over, I can think, yet.....putting paint to paper...I feel stuck.
  The weather is perfect, and I think that may be the culprit. How do you just paint, when you need to be out in the sunshine. Yes I could drag all my stuff, out back, and I may, but.....moving stuff around can also, stop my progress.
  This morning, I was thinking about my little problem, and got out my Paris uniform. Black shirt and pants(shorts) and ruby red lipstick ( I wear that all the time, but this morning it was with a plan). I feel inspired, I feel free, and I have that itch, to explore my art. Its my clothes!! wearing cute colors in the summer, sandals, matching earrings, little dresses, stop my mojo! No wonder Europe has so many artists, they paint to see the colors, they don't wear them. I am waiting for my family to say, " Mom, why are you all in Black?" Its coming, that is a fact. This girl is ready, " I need to paint the colors, I need to see them on the paper." How do you explain art? Often I will paint the same picture, with different mediums, and at different times in my life. I love to see the differences, and remember how I felt while painting. I can look at the picture and tell you, about me. I hope all the art you look at, you can see the person, know the person, from the photo they took, to the brush stroke that was used. Art is amazing, and we are all artists, trust me.
BIG LEAP......
  My farmers market is full of artist. My lettuce man, arranges each piece of lettuce in a bowl and it looks like a big rose. All kinds of colors and shapes of leaves. The flavor of farm to table is art. This summer, the lettuce man, inspired me.
  A friend of mine from high school, travels with his wife, all around the world . He takes pictures, that will take you to your knees. Singular shots of beauty, in all corners he travels. His work should be in galleries, he is a master. He inspires me.
  A friend of mine from high school, preaches, and fishes with a voice and hook from God. He is a storyteller, and an artist. He has a "fish tale" that will inspire all.
  This week, our supreme court, became artist, they changed the colors of perception.
   Also the stars and bars, of a long ago flag, is coming down for the right reason. Not to diminish our heritage of being southern, but to be put away as a reminder of what was wrong. People can inspire.
  We are all artists, and some just need some old black Paris clothes, a few precious friends, a country that embraces change, and time.......take time, to love, and look around you....its a masterpiece.

June Bug, Slow Down

    Is there a June bug? There must be, I have heard the simple term, most of my life.
    This June bug, metaphorically, is on crack.
     We are on our third week of high 90's, and I cannot get enough of it.
    I dare not look at a calendar for fear, of winters breath! ( you know I will borrow trouble, way in advance!) ( but....I need to store- up, this sunshine! so my timeline is brief)
    I need to share just a couple of things before, this month escapes me.
    One, read the book Bettyville. Especially if you have older parents, or you are old!!!( Its coming!)
     Second, NEVER LET YOUR BROTHER BE IN CHARGE OF THE SHOES!
     Recently, my son Hart, was married in New Orleans. A lovely affair, with new (OK, mine were old, but brother does not need to know) shoes. All of us ladies, painted toes galore, pulled out the heels. Cousin Leigh ( most prepared woman I know) had a bag for our flip-flops to bring, for wearing, as soon as the "I-Do's" came out of their precious mouths!
     When we entered the reception palace, off they came, and went into the cute pink bag. Three pairs of beautiful high heels! Under the table they went, and the party could begin.
     The evening was full, and came to an end. Brother Benjie, had the bag! The cute pink bag, with all the shoes. What happened after that is up for discussion. We called a cab, Leigh made friends with the driver, and we headed to our pad. We get out of the cab, laughing and talking continues, when Leigh says, " B, where is the bag?" Please note, the cab is long gone.
    My brother says, " I left it in the cab, or I did not have it?" I just keep walking, thinking good-bye shoes. Leigh and Bill(the hubs) ( organized people) start calling, all over New Orleans! Nothing, nada, no shoes!
By now laughter has consumed us. I'm sure there are street walkers very happy this evening to have some new heels for their clients!! We are too tired, so we all retire.
    This story is not near over! The next morning , Benjie feels semi-bad? about loss of our shoes, and he offers to buy us some new ones. ( Good parenting mom and dad) So we three girls, tell him they are Manolo's, and every other expensive shoe we can think of!!! He begins to back pedal, a bit.
We are hysterical, from fatigue and its just so funny, so we all head off for breakfast and to catch planes, trains and automobiles! We are not even out of the car, when I tell him I spotted my shoes on some LARGE woman, on the corner , and I want him to go get them off her stank feet! They are turquoise, I know my shoes. We are now crying and the people are scared to seat us for breakfast! Leigh says that when he is ordering her new shoes, 10 is her size, but she will squeeze into a 9 if they are cute and expensive. Malia, our third sister with lost shoes, says that the ones that are lost, were some of her favorites! We will not let up!! Only a man would leave shoes in a cab!! It was the most fun of the entire weekend, and it continues to make me laugh. I think I will send him some pictures of shoes, that will be to my liking! Plus he has to buy Leigh-Leigh a new pink bag! We were all walking back to the cars, to say our good-byes , Benjie and I hung back, and he said, " You know its all worth it, for this story!"  " The Best!"
  This has been a hectic month, hot and filled with love, a good book, a few stories, wonderful fresh food from the farmers market ( The lettuce story to come) and it needs to slow down, you old bug you!

  

And The Brass Band Played On

    We may not all settle down, after the New Orleans Wedding, but we will try.
     The return to normalcy, to each of our own normals, is welcoming.
  
   It was a wedding for the books, and I choose to remember the best parts.

   My kids, all grown and cute, stood out among the multitudes. I think all mothers, probably think the same thing. Not often are we all in the same house, town or country, so this was nice. Brian, so tall and loving every minute of a party, he lead the parade. Keith, quiet and steady, sweating like someone who lives in New Hampshire! Hart, the groom, excited and nervous. ( I was not really going to TWERK!?) Ward, with us in every thought and heart. ( I carried his picture with me, down the aisle. He was never far from any of us)
Emma, taking care of so many, she looked beautiful. Kelly, Emily and the new Nicole, help round out the Baron Family. It was a very exciting time for us, to celebrate happiness.

I had many favorite things, too many to mention, so I will mention two. ( how can I only mention two?)
   The brass band, playing jazz and dixieland music, as we walked down in the park. It was fantastic. No wedding music, or terrible singing, just good music to celebrate love. For one second, I almost started to sing, but instead tapped my feet for a long time.
   Second favorite were the trees in this park. HUGE, OLD, Oak trees, bowed as we strolled down the walk. Moss hung long and low, on every thick branch, it was breathtaking. You wanted to tip-toe, around them, they were the star of this show. I will never forget them, never. The oaks stole my heart, dripped in humidity, and the brass band kept it pumping.

Joy was in the park, that sweet day, and for that I am thankful.
May all weddings have hope, moss covered trees and a brass band to start your journey.
Hart and Nicole, it was grand.
We love you both, very much.
Keep marching........