2nd Saturday

Rhett's new place is really nice, it has a great vibe. Hung out there for awhile then headed out with some friends for some grub & beer at Streets of London (delicious, greasy, fried stuff). Tonight feels like summer...it's warm, people are out, sounds and scents float thru the air.

Still raw from the emotional hang-over from losing Hank, we headed home early.

Saying Goodbye to the Big Brown Bear

A year and a half ago I found an old, chocolate lab wandering aimlessly in a nearby field. Long story short, we adopted him. He was about 15 then which makes him over 100 now. Despite his advanced years, he would prance around on his stiff old legs, goose me for the heck of it, and loved to play "Big Brown Bear" (he'd lay on the floor while I pretended to attack him with my hand and he would pretend to bite me with his few, remaining teeth).

For months he has been barking in the middle of the night, sometimes for help up, sometimes just for the company. The lack of sleep and cleaning up his "messes" (the carpet is going to the dump) has been hard, but now that he can no longer get up on his own and I know he is in pain, it is time to say goodbye.

Last night as I sat with him, knowing that it was his last night, I prayed to my dear, departed, dog lovers to take him to that big, sunny meadow in the sky. The image of him frolicking with my father and others - happy and free of pain, got me thru the night even if I don't really think that that's the way it goes down.

We will be with him today when he "passes". I can't think past that now. Hank will be greatly missed, I know that much.

Flower Friday

Some of my Succulents

Rhett's New Digs

My dearest friend, Rhett Neal, has a new live/work/gallery space called MIDTOWN ART STUDIO (MAS) and it is awesome! The address is 1727 1/2 "I" Street, Sac. CA 95814. It's above and behind Michelangelo's restaurant.

He is having his first reception there this Saturday 5-10pm. He will have 100 pieces for $10 each! I will have at least one piece up, can't do 100. Hope to see you there!

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For those of you artists out there, MAS is also having a Dia De Los Muertos show in October that is open to submissions (a 25% commission to be taken if your art sells). The reception will be on Second Saturday October 9th, 5-9pm. Pieces need to be to the gallery by October 4th. If you are interested, get a hold of him via his blog: http://mymidtownlife.blogspot.com/.

SPACE15 is also having a show that night, we are 5 years past due for our Second Annual Spooky show. The last one was a great mix of halloweeny/funny/scary/slasher/goth....we are also looking for submissions- same commission. Our reception will be 8pm-12am. The address is 2650 5th Street, #15 (inside the Sac. Farmers Market, 1.5 blocks south of Broadway). Let me know via this blog if you would like to be involved.

A Craigslist ad had us up "early"

and off to a nearby, small, rural town in search of a plant sale. Always a sucker for succulents. Cathy, also a plant enthusiast, gave us a tour of a bit of her quite large property. It was like a little bit of paradise stuck out in the middle of the mostly flat and dry Rio Linda. I am going to go back when the light is kinder and do a little "story" about her and her place.

We drove around and I took some photos of the place I once called home. As a child we lived in an old, two bedroom farmhouse in Rio Linda. My first memories are there. My first memory of having a memory is there. My father had a worm farm and enough acreage to hide, get into trouble, and just be kids. My mom always had a vegetable garden. I had a pony named Nugget. We were a sanctuary for unwanted farm animals (a goat, sheep, chickens) as well as other strays (cats, dogs, peacocks, a white barn owl) that found their way to our happy home.

I took photos of the old stop light where my father said Trolls lived as well as the concrete structures he'd take us to see. I can't find any information about their creator, even from the locals. I walked around, despite the no trespassing signs, and felt really sad that it is no longer being taken care of. If I can find him, if he is still alive, I want to help. We have very little outsider art left around here and it could be a cool thing to get some kids or other creative-types involved.

We stopped at some yard sales and met some interesting characters, picked up some unnecessary odds and ends and ended with some great Mexican food. Good day!

Flower Friday