Enchanting Abandoned Witch House Of A Famous Artist - What Happened Here?

Since this video is long, I watched it at a higher rate of speed. Old, abandoned structures fascinate me and I felt my time well spent.

Beauty in Strange Days

Last week our convalescing friend Phoenix requested a ride to his prosthetic specialist. I’m sad to say that the 70-year-old buddy who’s been driving him around landed in hospital with decreasing heart function. I pray he recovers enough to return home. In this sad scenario I found gorgeous artwork adorning the office. Staffers told me this patient draws something new at every visit. What talent!

A stunning dragon rendition...

Do you agree that anyone this talented should be a paid art teacher? Should I ask if he would sell some of his incredible sketches?

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Kintsugi: The Centuries-Old Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Gold

Dear Ellen made an intelligent guess on the meaning of wabi-sabi that caused me to look up the term titled above. Wabi-sabi is an appreciation of natural beauty’s impermanence as sweet Sandee mentioned in her comment.

The esthetics are almost identical as this article states. As well as learning about the history, I saw some beautiful modern examples plus discovered a link to DIY kits. I’m even considering buying one since I have broken so many things over the decades.

~rolls eyes~

I sincerely wish I’d not discarded either of my two champagne glasses broken at different times. ~sigh~ Bought in Austria when my high school choir toured the region, they served at our wedding almost a decade later.

But I digress. Kintsukuroi is an alternative name for kintsugi, which translates as “golden journey”. That alone made this brief research a joy.

Alas, my favorite fictional band broke up...
Heh...

Can you believe I just paid around $36 (USD) without knowing how I’ll use it? Or should I try redoing this repaired mug?

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Random Joys in Troubled Times

Humans have forever been warlike but it’s hard to believe we haven’t moved beyond it. Meanwhile, my husband thinks bearing witness is a duty. He’s a good man, while weaker me sometimes wishes for blissful ignorance and that the twenty-four hour news cycle didn’t exist.

So I drown my sorrows in beautiful and often silly things. A few seemed worth sharing. The first is absolutely under the silly category.

My chalk kitty has an ear tipped in honor of
all you TNR heroes out there...

I have a Halloween decoration inside that shows partway through the glass, so that was my template. Reflected from the yard is my giant pumpkin a friend made for us probably two decades ago.

My $1 Walmart mum survived winter '22-'23 in our garage!

A neighboring tree left this upon my hellebores...

My two solar water features have been set up again since the weather is nice. While not a pretty display, I still enjoy it on these lingering warm days. As a bonus, it draws insects for me to observe.

Did you know butterflies and bees sip on mud for the minerals?

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Fall Fun at the Garden Center

Browsing garden centers is one of my favorite relaxing activities, even if I leave wishing we had the space and money to bring home half the plants. A coupon gave me the excuse to shop and what a delightful surprise to find elaborate decorations around every corner and down every aisle.

Spongebob Squarepants (!) greeted me...

Upon checking out I praised their efforts and learned that one employee spent that very morning bringing over all her creations one by one. My timing could not have been better. Skeletons, witches, scarecrows, festive flower displays, and every type of ghoul and creepy crawler abounded. I don't want to overdo it, so here a few more of the most unique.

Cousin It among the perennials...

 With these next two, one was beautiful and the other downright creepy. I'm sure you can guess which is which.

The Lady of the Harvest

At least it's not the 'Headless Horseman'!

Are your local businesses and neighbors going all out as ours seem to be?

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Another Classic from the Mind of Gary Larson

This frame's joke is so subtle that my husband needed a few moments, he said, for it to sink in. Please let me know if you get it or not.

 

Isn't it funny how brand names become so ubiquitous that we lose the meaning? And, if you're unfamiliar with advertising in the United States, is the punchline meaningless?

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A Giggle for the Day

Thank heaven Gary Larson is back with The Far Side comics. His humor is just what my husband and I need this year.

 

Do you get the punchline? Is his warped mind not genius?

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He's Back!

Though eight years older than me, my husband shares a lot of my interests and experiences. A perfect example is the comedy of Gary Larson's 'Far Side'.

On his website Mr. Larson admits he dreaded the act of drawing (!), hence his 1995 retirement. Thank heaven making people gives him pleasure.

And hurray for digital drawing tools inspiring his comeback. Not all his jokes make sense to me. But sometimes I just burst out laughing.

Are you familiar with his work? Can you imagine returning to something after two-and-a-half decades on hiatus?

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Community Spirit

Uplifting Art by a Neighbor Child

There is not much my husband and I feel capable of doing for society outside maintaining social distance. But our Southwest Ohio community here in the United States seems one of the most fortunate. Several commercial and consumer operations remain functional, the latter offering curbside pick-up and/or delivery. So my food loving husband started utilizing a restaurant delivery service, providing others a little financial support while boosting our own morale.

It’s funny. We mostly stopped dining out following my early retirement, even more after his, while in recent past many working families almost never ate a home-cooked meal. I did not realize the prevalence until my husband passed along news that this higher demand is why grocers struggle to maintain some seemingly random supplies; it’s not toilet paper so much as odd items like artificial butter spray.

Go figure…

How lucky for us Door Dash was already well established, and nice that they’re waiving the upfront five or six dollar fee. We order online, paying a reasonable extra on menu items, and add a tip for the delivery person. Then, per our specific instruction, one of those “Door Dashers” leaves our order on the patio table, rings our bell, and rushes off on his or her next mission.

To my surprise, garden centers are likewise considered essential, exempt from lockdown as long as they establish health guideline protocols. On Saturday I called Grandma’s Gardens, purchased a rose of Sharon ‘Hawaii’ shrub (Hibiscus ‘syriacus’) plus a bag of soil, and drove to a designated parking space where an employee loaded my trunk within mere minutes. Yesterday I spent a relaxing midmorning working my plot, exercise and contentment proving the center’s societal value.

It doesn’t look like much right now and the bed certainly needs more tending. Not today, though, as I’m sore from cutting and digging up dense, undesirable roots. Seriously, my shovel wouldn’t cut through. I had to use a landscaper’s blade.

Yeah, it needs cleaned...

Eventually I’ll have converted the quarter-circle space from a tired and overgrown perennial grass bed to a more versatile and easier to mow rectangle. Ultimately this Asian native tops out at five to eight feet high by four to seven feet wide. Its profuse flowers are spectacular, named for the tropical ocean blue, blooming from July to September. Here is an image found online.

Did you know members of the hibiscus family include this and other hardy deciduous ‘althea’ as well as tender hot house flowers? Should I allow my husband to add some tidy vegetable plants this growing season? Or does my solo sweat and effort here justify reserving the space for colorful insect and bird foods? -

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A Walk in the Park – Good Luck, Graffiti, Groundhog Day, & Goofiness

Despite it yet again being grey and gloomy yesterday I visited our local riverside bike path. Likewise I took along my camera for the walk as unique beauties and delights abound there throughout the different seasons, often surprising me regardless of path taken.

(or paths not taken, as in the instances I’ve wandered afield)

And oh my, the place did not disappoint. Walking south showed me interesting sights never before noticed. After turning back, exercise halfway accomplished, I turned on my camera to no avail. Alas, the batteries had drained but… and here’s the good luck, fresh batteries awaited in my camera case.

Hurray!

Of particular interest is fresh, colorful graffiti. That art and the adorned historical structures both fascinate me.

Sorry for the intervening branches.
I wouldn't traverse this muddy ground.
Good message: 'Hang on for Better Days'.
This self proclaimed Alien artist seems a positive force,
much like most of our townsfolk I encounter.

I did tread through soggy leaf litter to
capture this irreverent identification.

'This wall goes out to the best mom in the whole world'

Following railroad expansion, the Miami-Erie canal was abandoned in toto as of 1909 and (I think) comprises much of these surrounding structures. You will note much is crumbling.

I think our town should invest in a riverfront facelift. Maybe I should lobby our officials to host a fundraising effort. Anyway, here are more favorite photos from the foray…

The Great Miami River Monster?

Just a big old tire, I guess, but fun fancy for a whimsical mind.

A notice, which I found interesting in part because...

Mud poses a more direct hazard. I once wiped out on my bicycle at this very overflow spot but, somehow, didn't end up in the river.
My much younger required time to stand and recover...

I should have passed along warning of the goose droppings.
They forced me to weave through on foot and must
pose super slippery issues to bicycle racing tires.

'We are a balloon in a world full of pins.'
I understand the quote includes
a balloon 'full of feelings'
or some such. Still.

Oh, my gosh, it is Groundhog day! And I took this photo:

Bleh... The giant lady saw her shadow....

On a still lighter note, have you heard about Fair Haven, VT raising playground construction funds and children’s interest in civic affairs by running an honorary animal mayoral elections? Would you vote for Lincoln, the incumbent Nubian goat or one of her opponents: K-9 rescue German Shepherd dog named Sammy or Murfee, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and registered therapy dog?

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My Latest Obsession & an Impluse Buy

Today I spent a few minutes on Instagram and Twitter, mainly to see what’s up with Palaye Royale. That band and its truly kind and inspiring members brighten my every day with their words and music.

And the images! Check out this one of drummer Emerson Barrett holding a stuffed elephant.

How Adorable is This?

This young musician is also an extraordinary artist. And he just came out with his own line of quality sketchbooks. Guess who spent money she really couldn’t afford on the ‘Artful Dodger’ book pictured below?

I Find His Intricate Creations Quite Hypnotic

But I figured I deserve a treat. SO keeps buying unnecessary stuff for an often expensive hobby, after all. And art of any kind is therapeutic to me, just as Emerson admits, himself a bit reclusive. I feel so fortunate to have met him last month as he is the first in the band to seclude himself after a show.

And the book has seventy pages! That’s not so bad for $30, is it? Let’s just not talk about the $10 shipping fee. Okay?

Have you bought yourself a treat lately?

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Darla’s Discoveries - March 15th 2018

Tip #5: Rest and Relaxation on the Cheap

Adult coloring books have become all the rage. And why not? My mother discovered the peaceful joy of crayons long ago. She used to sit and color even if her grandchildren acted uninterested.

But have you looked at the cost of those things? I seem to recall one at my grocery store having a $15 price tag! No way would I pay that for something so frivolous. And the images inside were so detailed that it would have been near impossible to color inside the lines.

I’m persnickety by nature, so instead of relaxing me those books would ratchet my stress! No, thank you.

Instead, I went to a discount store and found a book designed for children. It cost a fraction of the price and includes way more content. There are even word search puzzles, which I’ve always enjoyed.

These Colors Caught My Attention

Do you like to color?

How's This for Fun?

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Another Use for Cheap, Plastic Peach Ribbon - A Darla Discovery

In response to all the great suggestions for how to use a huge amount of ribbon remaining from my wedding, I have to admit to not being very crafty. I don’t even have a Pinterest account because the last thing I need is another time sink. ~grin~ That admission aside, let me get to the point of this.

In the Outer Banks last autumn I found a local artist whose depiction of cherry blossoms caught my eye. It’s surreal like so much of the art on my walls.

Unfortunately, the double sided tape used to mount the piece in an area seafood restaurant got ruined upon removal from the wall. It had been therefore leaning against my bedroom wall atop a little table, which didn’t do it justice.The other day I took another look and decided that, due to the light weight, the small square canvas could be hung with a loop of ribbon stuck to the back using rubber cement.

I Let It Dry for an Hour

It worked! Sad to say, this is about as close to a cherry blossom I'm likely to get this spring. Our neighborhoods are infested with invasive Bradford pear trees.

This Really Brightens the End of Our Hall

Does your area boast any cherry trees?

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Too Many Talented People

It need not be said that the best humor requires no explanation. But when it comes to the talented boys of rock band Palaye Royale I’m willing to break rules. And this gal needs a shout out for her gift with pen and ink.

So, here’s the explanation. The lead singer of Palaye Royale is Remington Leith. His brother, the drummer, goes by Emerson Barrett. You can imagine the cropped nicknames used by fans. And thus we have ‘Rem and Ems’.

Excellent Job, Candy!

Do you like the candy that melts in your mouth, not in your hand? If so, with nuts or without?

Great Likenesses, No?

 

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Emerson Barrett's Art

I decided to share more artwork by drummer and artist Emerson Barrett of Palaye Royale. This length of rolled paper hangs in their tour bus, with another ten feet coiled on the floor. This is a screen shot from video shared the other day.

Look at This Detail

Talk About Being Painted into a Corner!

I Want These Shoes

Would you wear these shoes? I think they deserve a display box.

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A Seat on the Council

Sebastion, Remington, and Emerson Are Palaye Royale

The band Palaye Royale has me so hooked that I listen to ‘Boom Boom Room (Side A)’ every single day now and yesterday joined their street team promotional Facebook group known as the Royal Council. Since I already shared their (awesome) official video for 'Mr. Doctor Man', I’ve provided links to one of their fun little promotional clips and an impromptu acoustic performance below.

For those of you who cannot watch videos due to a lack of time, your employer’s permission, data capacity (sorry, my cynical sailor’s sidekick ~hugs~), or what have you, let me tell you a little about the boys.

Emerson, Remington, and Sebastion are three brothers born in Canada and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Palaye Royale is pronounced 'pal-ay roy-al'. They took that name from the dance hall in Toronto where their grandparents met.

(Isn’t that sweet? I adore origin stories like this.)

Their album’s sound has classic rock influences with a punk sensibility and (I think) a hint of rockabilly. The ‘Side A’ in the title comes from the fact the brothers first intended to release thirty songs, believe it or not. Lucky for us, ‘Side B’ should be out by year’s end.

Not only is their music great, their fashion sense is awesome. And I have to say that Remington’s smoky voice really shines in the acoustic version of ‘Ma Chérie’.

Now I just need to convince their tour manager to book a gig or two at Cincinnati Ohio’s 20^th Century Theater. Built in 1941, the building’s Neoclassical Moderne architecture was made for their fashion-art rock style. The venue’s fabulous sound and intimate space are amazing, too.

Do you think I can convince them to play a four hundred person capacity theater? I mean, heck, if they'll play in an equipment trailer, why not?

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Come Frolic in the Electric Forest

Here in the United States I’ve attended many music concerts over the years. One local campground used to feature an all day festival that rocked my summers. I’m still sorry that era came to an end.

Recently I learned about an eight day event called Electric Forest held at the Double J Ranch in Michigan. I’ve wanted to attend ever since.

Unfortunately the area saw five inches of rain before last weekend’s opening. Still folks flooded in (pun intended) for a fun, crazy time. The difference between this and the average music festival is that so much of the venue has woods versus open fields.

Life and family duties prevented my wish coming true, at least for this year, so I’ve been haunting websites for cool images. Take a look at some of the psychedelic night views.

Welcome to the Forest

I Presume This is a Stop Motion Image

Wow

And Music, of Course

Daytime looks fun, too. At least I can imagine being there.

You Can Try to Get Close or Listen from Wooded Seclusion

Attendees Get Creative

Meet New Friends & Even Marry the One You Brought ...

... Like This Cute Couple Should Do

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