acorns

There are 64 acorns my grand mother has collected, sitting in a small white dish. There are 64 different acorns. (And not one looks the same as an acorn from our oak tree in Maine) Some have holes, others cracks, a few are semi-crushed. Most are perfect. Some, with the stems, look like tiny goblets for fairies. I am surprised by how soft and smooth they feel. Cream bottom extends into brown upper and fine as hair lines wrap around. A large, oval individual  feels slightly waxy to the finger tips. The delicate and the humble with potential to grow into something lasting and grand amazes.

Rolling Stone

My brother and I used to subscribe to Rolling Stone throughout high school and into college, but stopped with loss of permanent addresses. Then, I'd just read one every once in a while - my aunt would pass hers along when she was finished sometimes or I'd pick one up for the plane ride. She just gave me the one with Obama on the cover, the October 30th issue, "if you have a chance to read over 'break" she said. 

So, obviously the design has changed. At first I had some nostalgia for the old design - how the former larger format made the magazine stand out from Spin and the others on the shelf. I missed the staples and remembered wondering how they held together those thick, thick anniversary special editions. After flipping through the new version and reading some, I actually appreciate the smaller format more. Its easier to hold, apparently saves on paper, and cuts back on splitting up long articles and having to continue them at the back of the magazine. Plus style and substance remain unchanged. 

books and chairs

whole foods

I walked over to whole foods this morning. Its not my favorite place to shop, but its the closest. It was very very busy today and it felt like Christmas shopping all ready. They were giving out more samples, holiday themed ones like cranberry apple pie, sugar cookies, mint brownies, sugar and spice tea. I'm always hungrier in the fall and realize I am noticing free food a lot lately!

Saturday East Austin Studio Tour

I biked over from MLK and West st. with Jacqueline. We made a loop from 7th and San Marcos down to 2nd and Waller, then across to 7th and Tillery, then back. Hopefully more tomorrow, at least to see Beth :) 

I especially liked the work when it was in the artist's home. Inspiring and energizing. I really don't know this part of Austin very well. Neat, mixed media on wood canvas with grain showing through and incorporated in as part of image, which I like. 

There was a blue tin structure place with a goat that sticks in my mind. A chair made of cement stood near the entrance. We asked the artist how he made it: it was cast over an old school chair, he said.

I saw my friend Theresa Noyes' work at Fisterra studio (though most of her work was at her house instead). Fisterra was a cool house. Made me think of ideas for arranging rooms if I ever have a house. Fisterra was also serving delicious soup for warming up and refueling.

I finally got a chance to visit Iona handcrafted books. Beautiful. The photo albums are nice nice nice. I asked one of the book binders where they get the corner pieces for the albums (thinking this might be a good way to display my daily practice pages because I don't want to punch holes in the pages). He said they order them directly from the corner store company. Really. Someone's job it is to create corners. Oh, Iona had the best cookies (loaded with white chocolate, chocolate, and mint chocolate chips). Anyway, there were so many gallery clusters over there by Iona including a hand-made card studio that smelled like the letter press room.

Music Music Music

Conner Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band with The Felice Brothers. Sticker on keyboard reads: Mystic Valley Band for Obama. Music, Music, Music. Warms one up.  Waiting between sets, nose grows cold, feet get tired standing, lungs don't want to inhale any more second-hand smoke. But one forgets when the band starts playing. A stellar stellar show. Oh, and in between sets, some ideas came for daily practice.

balance

How nice it is to sit in a coffee shop every now and then. To slow down and watch how fast the other people go.

"There is more to life than increasing its speed" - Mahatma Gandhi

I found this quote on a bench in a park in Santa Fe when I was wandering around with no set place to be.