Remembering 1977

Jimmy Carter was elected President

The Apple II computer went on sale

Queen Elizabeth celebrated 25 years as Queen of England

Snow falls in Miami, Florida, the only time in its history

Elvis Presley dies at 42

Fleetwood Mac's Grammy-winning album Rumours is released

A nuclear non-proliferation pact is signed by 15 countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union

Average Cost of new house $49,300.00

Average Income per year $15,000.00

Average Monthly Rent $240.00

Cost of a gallon of Gas 65 cents 

The Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to the Rev. Martin 

Luther King Jr 

Alethea Elizabeth Gaume is born on March 24 at St. David's hospital

Happy birthday to my darling second daughter and this post is all for you!

Remembering some of your other birthdays:

Your "birth" Day

Home from the Hospital...too soon as it turned out.

Your first birthday-Not too sure about a rabbit cake!

Your second birthday.

 I know there is a photo of all your birthdays, but I can't locate the other box filled with photo albums.  Did you take some home?

Dalí on Youth: "The problem with the youth of today is that one is no longer part of it."

Archer Dougherty

Even as we grow older and more experienced, the younger generation is  following fast on our heels and bringing fresh ideas to the art world.    Today, I would like to introduce a  young artist, Archer Dougherty.  Archer attended the Christian formation programs I worked in at St. Mark's on the Mesa when she was a child.   She showed early promise as a creative person, although I remember mostly her acting and musical talents.

She has become something of a celeb in our art community with her work being shown worldwide and gaining an audience on the web as well.  Here is a look at some of her work.

Part of a the show "Menagerie" at Modern Eden Gallery

 Read more about the Menagerie Show here: HiFructose Magazine

Archer was the Featured Artist for March at Circus Posterus

This is how they describe Archer and her artwork:

"Archer Dougherty is a multi-media artist creating and focusing her POP surrealistic visions around female central themes that deal with transformation and the portrayal of the inner journey. Her dreamlike characters sometimes whimsical others complex and deep…Are no longer children and not quite adults navigating their way through the labyrinth of internal demons and the outer world of demanding super imposed influences. Her masterful figurative surrealistic narrative paintings and drawings are composed with icons and archaic symbols that deliver a unique visual magnetism that draws the viewer in to Archer’s narrative. Delivered through emotional portrayals, visual theatricality, iconic symbols, animal spirits and symbols of long forgotten childhood toys…All part of her visual symphony expressing transformation."

Work in progress...yes she does sculptures as well.

 If you find her work as intriguing as I do, you can buy something small such as a T-Shirt,  IPhone case or an IPad cover at Zazzle.  If you would like to make a significant art investment, go to her website ArcherArtworks.

28 Hours in Austin, Texas

Tuesday morning Norm and I boarded a plane for Austin.   Norm was part of a team of folks from New Mexico who attended the 2012 Texas/New Mexico Rio Grande Compact Meeting.

After arriving we headed downtown and stopped off for a late lunch at the iconic Stubb's BBQ

Stubbs...a few blocks from the Texas State Capital

  The Bar-B-Q

"I guarantee you one thing, you ain’t gonna cook no better than I can. Another thing, you’re not gonna love people no better than I can."

Mr. Stubblefield at the grill

 Remind me next time I visit Austin to split a plate with someone.  Loaded down with brisket, chicken, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese, I could hardly move for the rest of a very busy day.  Sadly, we sat on the patio, and missed the exhibit inside of 'Selected Works by Dennis Hopper." This fact, I found on the restaurant's website when I was looking for the above link.   Especially sad, since an old friend of mine,  from when we lived in Santa Fe, had briefly been married to Dennis and has a daughter with him. 

 Norm headed off for meetings, and my dear friend Carolyn picked me up at the hotel for a festive evening of Chicken and Dumplings, her husband, Dick's specialty and a birthday celebration for Dick's brother.  Both men are musicians so the evening ended with an impromptu concert.

It was my first visit to this house of Carolyn's in Austin although we both lived there years ago.  I think you might like to see a few bad photos of a cute house.

Guest room with wonderful brass beds and corner windows on both sides.

Table extended to seat eleven had to be turned diagonally.

Love this painting of hollyhocks.

And this lovely nude.

And these vivid floral watercolors in the dining room.

Next post...less eating and more sightseeing!

A Tiny Taste of Morocco

Last week for my birthday, we did indeed dine at the Kasbah Mediterranean, located on the fringes of that very hip Nob Hill area in Albuquerque.

It was just enough to transport me to another time and place. While the ambiance could use some work, a trickling fountain dampened the Moroccan music just enough.  There were touches of decor here and there.

Me, wishing these columns were painted on the wall.

But I must admit, the set designer in me was busy, busy, mentally adding more colorful walls, some mosaic tile and more faux archways and columns.   Some built-in banquettes with colorful pillows along two of the walls with low tables, a Moroccan rug and some of those great leather ottomans or camel saddle seats would add a great deal as well.

http://www.justmorocco.com/pd-moroccan-pouf.cfm

However, our waitress was beautiful and reminded me of the stunning Moroccan nanny, Barka that my parents engaged when we lived in Rabat.  Although Barka (whose husband was a resistance fighter in the war for independence from France),

Me on the left, Barka, center, and Rusty, my younger brother. We were standing on the second step Barka is standing on the ground.

from the Berber tribe was statuesque at 6' 2" and this young waitress was considerably more petite, she had lovely dark hair with sloe eyes.  You could easily imagine her in gauzy pants, babouches (shoes), bangle bracelets, and hennaed hands.

Of course, when you dine out the food is of paramount interest, and the Kasbah Mediterranean does that perfectly.  My sister ordered the King's Bastilla

I had the Chicken Tangine

Norm had the lamb Tangine

And Brit ordered two appetizers

Everything was absolutely wonderful.  Norm enjoyed the lamb so much that he returned the next day and ordered it as take-out for a treat for his Mom who needs very tender dishes since she is undergoing some dental work.

And here is a photo to prove the donkeys from a former post, A Necklace of Days were a bit flea bitten.

Left-Rosalind on the back, Not sure who either of the blond children are,  Center-?, Right- Me

 If you cannot travel to Morocco, but do get to Albuquerque, put the Kasbah Mediterranean on your bucket list.

Finally, please visit another great blog, I Hate to Alarm You to see a post about another Moroccan restaurant in the real Marrakesh.  "I Hate to Alarm You" has regular Monday posts of "an image of an interior that reminds me of a work of art either in its palette, composition or mood" says the author, Nicole Bourgea.  As a working artist myself,  I enjoy this blog so much that I have subscribed to it.

My Husbands OTHER Love.

Norm has returned from his trip to Costa Rica where he canoed some of the wild and scenic rivers of this lush country.  His trip was facilitated by Costa Rica Rios.  Norm couldn't say enough nice things about this company.  Friendly owners, great guides, good food, nice lodgings.  Check out their website.  I am going with him next year.  Hope some of our friends will join us.

 

And rode the zip line through the jungle.

Chilled with fun folks

 Avoided some big rocks.

Waterfalls were a big hit.

Viewed the wildlife.

Dined on lots of fruit.

Rested either here at Costa Rica Rio's Bed and Breakfast or 

At the river camp.  THAT'S A RIVER CAMP?  We could learn a thing or two from Costa Rico.

When folks ask me, "Where is Norm?"  I can pretty much always say, "On the river."

And who could disagree the "on the river" is a great place?

So my wish for Norm:  "May the run-off be good this year, Darling."

Where Is That Portkey?

A Portkey is an object which has been enchanted to instantly bring anyone who touches it to a specific location. Most of the time, a Portkey is an everyday object that would not draw the attention of a Muggle. Traveling by Portkey is said to feel like having a hook "somewhere behind the navel" pulling the traveler to their location.

More Harry Potter Planning.  Not a fan?  Skip this post!

Harry Potter Camp is scheduled at the Muggle Camp Stoney outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico from June 10 to 16.  For more information about registration, click here Camp Stoney

Chamber of Secrets-This book will be used to plan the events at the Elementary & Junior High Camp. 

"He was standing at the end of a long, dimly lit chamber. Towering stone pillars entwined with more serpents, rose to a ceiling lost in darkness, casting long, black shadows through the odd, greenish gloom that filled the place"

—Description of the chamber

The Senior High Camp will use the Deathly Hallows for its themes and activities.

Some magical fun will happen in the Arts and Crafts building.  Ideas under consideration are:

Golden Snitch Pendant

Beaded Spider & Web

Felt Owl-(This one is crepe paper, but felt would be more durable)

Or Pine cone owl

Rolled Paper Wand that illuminates

Wand Care Box

Large beaded spider

Stay tuned to this blog for more Harry Potter Camp Planning.