Good Mail Day

I know, I know, I've been remiss in my blogging. But, I've been making lots of krepach for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. If you've ever made kreplach - you'd know that it's big pain in the touches, but it's worth every bite.

I have my grandmother's recipe. She never measures a darn thing, but during one trip to Israel, I actually brought all my measuring cups and spoons and actually got all her famous family favs down on paper. I know it turned out good since last night my brother had FIVE helpings, count 'em FIVE! of kreplach. That felt good.

What was also nice was a little letter that came in the mail about two weeks ago letting me know that some of my artwork will be published in this book, now available on amazon.com.

My soulmate, Lisa, and I had a little personal project going on of sending each other postcards once a month that described something important going on in our life at that moment. There were no rules, just a postcard of whatever we wanted to express. While we absolutely did not begin this project as something for others to see, I think that others will truly relate to the intimacy of our friendship and our messages in the few postcards we shared with the book authors. Go to her blog for more details, she describes it way better than me!

You know You Live in LA When...

ok - I would hate you to think that I'm boasting - but the stars have been out in spades lately! Come on - it's fun hearing about them isn't it? This is all in one week people!

You know you live in LA when...

Gary Sinise is in line behind you for frozen yogurt at your neighborhood joint. He's the guy standing in the middle up there. He's currently starring in CSI New York.

Patti Stranger (of Millionaire Matchmaker) is getting take-out at one of your favorite restaurants. She's wearing no make-up, hair's not "done" and is wearing flip flops. The exact opposite of how she tells her clients to dress. Hmmmm, I guess comfort isn't that over-rated after all?

Nikki Sixx stands next to you on the first day of school, looking a little sad as he hugs his daughter goodbye. She has no apparent tattoos.

You find it interesting that Mare Winningham has the same pediatrician as you. You kinda remember that she was in St. Elmo's Fire, but thought she's was really fun a month ago on Weeds (HBO - great show!).

Speaking of Weeds, that super-cute blonde kid - Hunter Parrish - who plays Nancy's son. Well, yah, he was hanging out with his buddies and his big-ass, hairy dog at the local Concerts in the Park. Yes, he is yummy, and looks WAY better without the pancake makeup. I need the number of whoever does his eyebrows.

En Lee Zman

That's Hebrew.

It's the first line in a great Hebrew saying I heard last week that has been turning over in my head daily:

En lee zman lebazbez zman.

I don't have time to waste time.

Isn't it great? It even sounds good in English. And it's so true.

Maybe it's because my birthday is coming up in about a month, or maybe it's because I'm still trying to Live Each Day. But, I'm really realizing that I just don't have time to waste time.

Here's a gentle reminder that every day we have on this Earth is an unbelievable gift. Our little speck of a soul, on this little speck of a planet that was just lucky enough to be the perfect distance from the sun to support life - within our little speck of a spiraling galaxy in an infinite universe.

Let's love ourselves.

Let's remember that we are all butterflies, and can transform what we don't like in our lives anytime we choose to. Yes, you REALLY REALLY can. It IS a choice.

Let's remember to not waste our time. What that means to you will be totally different from the next person. We don't want to be wasteful with water, Earth's resources, and most of all - our time. Do what brings you meaning, joy, and love.

Droplets of Sun

How about something for a nice summer afternoon where the cool breeze inspired me as I sat on the grass in the sunset.

Droplets of Sun

by Tally Oliveau

Golden droplets

of sun

grace my soft

shoulder

as I look

down upon it

admiring the

curvature.

They warm my glistening skin

and I cannot help

but reach out

to caress

it.

The sounds of

young laughter

quietly fade

into the distance

as I soak in

the moment

where I can

become

one

with the air

that surrounds

me,

that kisses my

shoulder

so sweetly.

New Art

This collage and mixed-media piece is entitled "I am Infinity". It is another take on an assemblage I did several years ago also entitled "I am Infinity" and which was published in Somerset Studio, Winter 2006 issue:

I love the Venus DeMilo - well who doesn't? Her blowing hair. Her not-so-modest stance atop the half shell. Her beauty and allure will probably live on for infinity, and I believe that each one of us - our beauty and presence in the world - lives on for infinity too. On the outside of the cabinet are the words: "I am not this body, I am not this breath" and then on the inside it says: "I am infinity". Remember my "I am Infinity" piece I made at Asilomar with De Meng? I am continuing to explore this idea, and I encourage you to explore and create art over and over based on the same idea.

My new piece has the outline of Venus in the lower right corner. I just kept layering and layering until I was happy - and it took quite a few layers. Something I worked on after the sunset in New York.

I also worked on this face - and I really love it!
She's dark and glamorous. So much work went into the shading - lot of white paint mixed with caran d' ache layered on top of collaged papers. Here I am using those techniques I learned at Art and Soul! Making them my own.

Summer Livin'

Oh my. Please go right away to this link, and read this wonderful story by Jean McBride. Perfect summer lovin' story for a hot summer night - and a special reminder to Live Each Day.

The Hamptons

What can I say about this beautiful area of New York that I am lucky enough to go visit every summer? It is a magical place, beautiful, ostentatious, green, not really snooty as you'd imagine. It's a great place to have a run every morning, which I did. Pass by beautiful dairy farms and mansions.

We stayed right on the banks of Mecox Bay - just as it flows out into the Atlantic.

That's the view from the roof.

It was mezmerizing to watch the reeds blowing to and fro during the lightning storms that passed by relatively quickly. Being from Southern California, as I am, I am not used to the rain in the summer thing. It was glorious to watch the storm pass right by, and then leave with just a few puddles in its wake.

Enjoying glorious sunsets every night, as the birds settled noisily onto their little islet in the Bay. It was hard to tell if anyone else was stirring on the planet.

Yes, that's the sunset behind me.