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Stanley Dudek Returns Library Book 99 Years Overdue - Sphere News

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I wonder what they see.

Houston Metro's Light Rail, February 2008

Mark Doty wrote an article in the October 2008 Smithsonian magazine about Houston's strange appeal. You can read it here, if you'd like.

Image taken from the Internet.

Some years this date passes by without my commenting on it. This is not one of those years. I really miss my friend Riley and think of him on this day as I have every year since 1980.

Though I joked around a little about her in A Coventry Wedding, I've never been one to disparage Yoko Ono. In fact, I admire her tremendously. She's always been forthright and true to herself as an artist. Two things I love about her work are the Yoko Ono Wish Tree and the Imagine Peace Tower, a beacon of light that will shine through midnight tonight in Iceland, as it does each year from John Lennon's birthday on October 9 until the anniversary of his death--today, December 8.

In memory of Riley and John Lennon, I created my own little wish for peace in rose petals. After I photographed it, I left it, though I was sure the dogs would plow through it before either Tim or Tom could see it. Instead, all four dogs and the puppy have stepped around it, and it's still there hours later. Never underestimate the wisdom of dogs.





On a less somber note, happy birthday to Famous Author Rob Byrnes and our mutual friend Byrne.

Lindsey has been preparing/finishing a series of canvases and prints with the theme of repurposed materials/urban sprawl that she and Tom just hung at Té House of Tea this morning. To keep me company and share mutual encouragement, she did some of her work here at The Compound while I finished sewing my final collection.

She also brought in a blank 18 x 24 canvas and stuck it under my nose. I often note that I can't paint on larger canvases. All that white space intimidates me, and I'm used to working on 3 x 5-INCH and 4 x 6-INCH canvases for One Word Art, the paintings I sell to raise money for AIDS and HIV organizations. Lindsey suggested that I visualize the canvas in sections and paint them as I normally would the small canvases. I'm not sure she meant for me to take her so literally, but that's what I did.

When I put down my base coat, every section was a shade of blue or green except one, which I painted red. I jokingly said that I was going to call it "Green and Blue and Red." And then, as I layered on colors, I finally said the painting was just "Red."

While Lindsey and I were painting, we were joined by Tim, who started a couple of canvases of his own (in oils, which I love, love, love to smell, since I only work in acrylics), Tom spent some time sketching, and Rhonda helped Lindsey stamp and finish her title and price cards to hang next to her finished works. The creative energy was amazing, and Lindsey occasionally checked out my painting, at one point saying that it reminded her of a patchwork quilt.

Did the suggestion of quilt panels put something in my head? (If you've read here long, you know I'm a several-time panel maker for the NAMES Project's AIDS Memorial Quilt.) Was I subconsciously remembering that World AIDS day was upon us once again? (Because in all honesty, I've been so wrapped up in sewing and other things that I only realized with a jolt at midnight that it was December 1.)

I don't know, but when Lindsey came by this morning to pick up her paintings and Tom, she reminded me of (Red)™ and pointed out that my painting and its title were the perfect way to mark World AIDS Day 2009.

I dedicate this to all of you who are living with HIV/AIDS. You're not alone; worldwide, we're still fighting the fight with you by giving our time, our money, and our efforts to raise awareness.

Red, 2009

I've featured this cup before, but classics--like the Beatles themselves--are always worth another appearance. Today I'll be checking in between sewing sessions, so if you want something from one of these books to be happy about, please comment with a page number between 1 and 611, and another number between 1 and 25, and I'll make sure you get answers during my coffee breaks.

I am a big dork who managed to forget that since Greg was going to be in Houston for a signing, it might be a good idea to order a couple of hardcover copies of his new title. Of course there were paperback copies available at Murder By the Book, and Tim and I each bought one there to give as gifts, because we'll always support our local independent bookstore. But when Insight Out makes special-edition hardcovers available, we indulge ourselves. Anyway, as you can see, they arrived today, so the next time we see Greg, we'll get them signed. As Greg has pointed out, the cover photo is clearly from the French Quarter, whereas the title informs us that the murder is in the Garden District. Vexing to an author, but very few of us have input or approval of our covers. And as Greg also pointed out at his signing, at least it's not a Chinese takeout cover on a novel that has nothing whatsoever to do with Chinese takeout. Our writer fiends friends never tire of mocking our poor Three Fortunes cover.

Here are a couple of photos from Greg's signing:

Writers Gavin Atlas and Greg Herren; me with Greg and Timothy J. Lambert

This past Thursday, we not only didn't have Survivor night (which I still haven't seen, although it's recorded), but I didn't get to see the first episode of the Project Runway finale. We were attending Scout's Honor Rescue's Movie Night and Silent Auction. The Epicure Café provided space for the auction, and California Pizza Kitchen was the site of an after-party. It's always fun to see a movie at the historic River Oaks Theater, and I'll admit that I giggled all the way through Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It's amazing how the Scout's Honor volunteers put such a great night together, and how many donors contribute art, sports memorabilia, culinary treats, jewelry, wines, and other items to the auction. The event is underwritten by the fantastic Don Puryear of Happy Tails Dog Spa and RE/MAX Metro.

More photos from the evening:


Tim and his boss point out some alluring auction items and guests.
The Big H is obviously exhausted from her hard work.


Lindsey, Rhonda, Kathy, Tom, and Tim
Tim holding one of the gift bags given to all the guests



I've been working a lot on the setting for my Runway Monday final collection, but I wasn't willing to start designing and sewing until I saw what challenges/guidelines the Project Runway contestants would be given. I have a theme and some fabric and was thinking I'd be doing five, maybe six, looks. Imagine my surprise when we watched the recorded episode Friday night to learn that the designers were expected to do twelve looks! Then, at the last minute, they were told they'd be doing a thirteenth! Some of the eliminated contestants came back to assist them, but I don't have any cutting and sewing elves. However, last year's runway judge Michelle Hors scoffed at the idea that I couldn't design a dozen-plus outfits. She's right; I can do it. But I can't promise when they'll be done. The PR designers get several months. I may need at least a couple of weeks, but I won't let you down. And neither will my own version of Mood. Wish us luck!

You probably don't have to be the child of a soldier to understand what it's like when they come home. But in case you want to see complete joy, check out this link 'Nathan posted to my Facebook wall with videos of dog and service member reunions. Beautiful and perfect for Veterans Day.

Today is Scout's Honor Pet Adoption Event in the Heights, so Pixie is on an outing. If you're in Houston, go by and see all their wonderful animals available for adoption. This is a great photo Lindsey took of Pixie sleeping on top of her BFF, Sugar. These two have such a fantastic time playing together. Lindsey hopes that Pixie's forever family will want to set up play dates for the two of them.

Going to your local brick-and-mortar store would be a great way to celebrate National Bookstore Day. Remember to be kind to your booksellers, who provide the best links between you, writers, and the nourishment of your imagination.

It's a good day to post a photo of your favorite local bookstore or tell a story about why it's special to you. My favorite Houston independent bookseller, Murder By the Book, will be hosting Greg Herren's signing for Murder in the Garden District at 4:30 today. That's where The Compounders and The Brides will be. Join us!

These buttons are gifts from Marika. Scully'z Recordz is a store where you should all go. No, seriously. GO THERE RIGHT NOW. And since you'll be in New Orleans anyway, please bring me back a beignet from Café Du Monde, 'kay?

The intro takes too much time, but once the runway show begins--THOSE SHOES! Some amazing couture from Alexander McQueen.

Thanks to tinyseams on flickr for pointing me to this.