Neutral Position

I've been collecting textiles and other items of interesting texture 

since I was about . . .

well,

never mind how long,

but 

for a

  really

long time.

I'm a lover of textures,

and this, 

possibly,

is why I live in a world of

limited color and pattern.

Many of us collect "things" and then struggle to find the way to show these "things",

without being over run with clutter.

Containment, organization and appropriate display

are not always easy.

Harmony is delicate . . . requiring a trained eye.

A subtle and limited color palette is one solution.

I'm currently

in love

with

concrete

putty

dirt

mud

stone

and similar

"greige"

shades of taupe - y

grayish

brown.

These

 "dirty", 

muddied tones 

are

simple and calm.

Easy on the brain.

They are found everywhere in nature.

They are the neutrals I'm using in many spaces

and

 upon which

I am able to display

many collected treasures.

I find my eye searches for 

innuendo and detail

in this neutral palette.

Weathered 

barn wood

galvanized metal

river rocks

gray seashells

heather

flax

twiggy bird nests

Ahhhh . . . 

More Random Thoughts

As I continue the work of opening another shop in south Denver

I have moments when I wonder

just

how I think I'll ever be able to accomplish everything

that

I 

need

 to accomplish

in

life.

I'm not talking about the biggies

********no*******

I'm talking about the daily chores

 of

laundry

and

housework

and 

having my car serviced

and

keeping up with 

shredding junk mail.

Hair cuts

and

dentist appointments

and

birthday parties

for

my

grandchildren.

I have a plan.

I'm going to give up housework.

........No........

my mother would never approve of that.

I 

AM

taking advantage of 

buying

bakery bread

instead of 

pulling out the breadmaker.

Great Harvest is just across the street from 

my existing shop

and

they are awesome.

Some days I believe I COULD live on bread alone.

OK, and some butter.

A

 LOT

 of butter please.

I have tried to get off all the junk mail lists,

but,

they keep sneaking up on me,

filling my mailbox with

more catalogs

and

insurance offers

and

restaurant

fliers.

If I had the time

I'd do something creative with all that paper - 

like

 weave baskets.

But

I'd rather go on an

 antique buying trip.

So,

I continue trying to simplify life and multi task

and shred

and occasionally

sleep.

My game plan is like this:

1.) Spend one day a week just enjoying family and church.

(Also perhaps, a little nap.)

2.) Whenever possible, have a second cup of coffee in the morning.

(This may involve that bakery I was mentioning . . . )

3.) Relax each evening before bed with a good book.

I'm scheduling an hour into my plans.

4.) Go for a walk.

(Or sit still and envision myself going for a walk.)

5.) Do you think I can entice my grandchildren to clean my house???

5.) Give up trying to shred the mail and just trust that no one wants my identity.

I sometimes put it in the trash and then clean out the fridge on top of it.

If anyone has the strength to sort through that - more power to them.

6.) Stop fretting about being organized and clutter-free 

and just do what I feel like doing.

There,

I have more energy already!

July 4th

Happy July Fourth

to

all 

Americans

everywhere

!!!!

Have a real celebration today and remember what America was founded upon.