Blue Heron Blast
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Dead beat sale
First time in twenty four years someone has stiffed me on a sale. Pretty girl of course. Came in with her brother, mother and niece. Lives here supposedly but from Orange County, originally. She bought four pieces of Roseville . Rather than take a credit card I told her to drop off the check for $200.
Nobody has ever not come back since the store opened in 1997.
Until now.
I hope that she just forgot and will come around. Like to keep what little faith in humanity I still possess intact.
Friday, March 5, 2021
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Monday, March 1, 2021
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Sunday morning to do's
Mine went to Northern California for a small buying show and a little fraternity with a couple friends.
She is coming back real soon so I had to make an assessment; is there anything I have forgotten to do around the house that will cause even a small conflagration upon her return?
Catbox is clean, check. Wet bathmat off the floor? Check. Recyclables out? Check. Did I save her the Sunday funnies? Check. Cat bowls scrubbed? Not yet but they will be and I don't think the cats are exactly talking so I am probably out of the woods on that one.
Dishes are out of the sink, bathroom sink is reasonably free of the detritus of shaving.I have been real busy with work and floods and things are lagging around here a bit.
Allan Gracey glued up about two hundred feet of new 1 & 1/2" schedule 40 water main and it will probably get tied into the system tomorrow.
Tom helped plant a beautiful specimen beaucarnea recurvata that I got from Bill.
I should say, I helped, as he, as usual, did most of the work.I fed the birds this morning as I have done every day during her absence. It is quite a complicated chore.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
New offerings from the gallery
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Masked figure - Robert Bradshaw |
I sent this letter out yesterday which I copy here in case you are interested in checking it out:
Friday, February 26, 2021
Objects of Art update.
Heard from the show promotors who have been working feverishly to iron the bugs out. Server is upgraded. Sometimes you need to make a mistake or two before you get the thing wired. Supposed to be humming along now.
You may enter the American Indian and Tribal shows for free, here and here. If you experience any problems whatsoever logging in, please let me know.Hurricane Ray's
I asked Jamie what he and Kathy were doing for lunch and he turned me on to Fallbrook's newest culinary sensation, Hurricane Ray's.
Ray's is a food truck parked on Industrial, the same people that now own the old Texaco on Main.They do pretty much one thing there, chicken. You can get the chicken sandwich two ways, spicy or regular.I went with the spicy. And let me tell you, this is a giant chicken sandwich.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Well dressed insurrectionists
All three Beverly Hills defendants had spoken out publicly about their participation in the Capitol riot before they were arrested, including in newspapers interviews and on social media.
“I’m like, I didn’t know we were storming the Capitol. I should have dressed different,” Bisignano told the Beverly Hills Courier before her arrest, noting that she had worn Chanel boots as well as a Louis Vuitton sweater to the riot.
Hope she at least had time to color coordinate.
Best laid plans of mice and men
I had a new sharpie and a new spiral notebook and I was ready to start writing tickets until my hands fell off.
Sadly the phone calls and orders never came. One dealer inquiry last night, bless his heart.
I have been feeling a little big for my britches of late and yesterday was a real punch to my overly inflated ego. Thanks, I needed that.
I had spent so much and worked so hard for two months for this show and had expected a monetary payoff but I am in a business where you don't always get one.
I glanced at my fellow dealers booths and didn't see much if any action there either but I didn't look that closely.
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cochiti drum |
Four more days left in the show, maybe something will fire? Whatever comes down the pike, made the decision to back off and not be a nervous wreck, doesn't help anyone.
Had a good nights sleep. Fed the cats, fed the birds, took a breath. I stopped over at Main Street and had a good breakfast.
So today I am once again not hearing the phone ring and just starting to think bad thoughts about my merchandise when I get a couple calls from friends; they can't even access the site. Yesterday or today. Virtual wheels just spin.
Apparently it isn't me, there is in fact a server issue, the show pulled more people in the first hour than they thought conceivable in their wildest projection. So rather than me being on hind tit, it is all of us consuming the same effluent sandwich.
Word is they are trying to switch the thing over to an industrial server, going to extend it at least another day. Who knows, maybe the thing will indeed fire? If I hear that it is smooth sailing I will pass the word. Those that have an interest will hopefully be able to check it out, one day soon.
*
I think that things are ironing out. To get into the shows try here and here.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Sky was yellow and the sun was blue
Bill Warmboe took this picture up in Sonoma today. A native Upper Peninsula Michigan guy, he says that you have to love California in the winter. CJ offers a wonderful shot from the frozen tundra.
Arise, shine, for thy light is come...
One of my newest acquisitions, one that I really like and want to share with you:
Eduard Buk Ulreich (1889 - 1966)
Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the lord is risen upon thee
24 x 20" Gouache and watercolor mural study on paper
Original art deco frame
signed BUK lower left
This is probably the best art deco/ Works Project era painting I have ever owned. Buk was a noted WPA muralist who created murals at Radio City Music Hall and in many public buildings. I see traces of both Leger and Picasso here, personally love this painting. Especially like the juxtaposition of elephants and trees with protean distaff figures that remind me of iconic characters like Justice and Temperance.
You know you're getting older...
This was the morning's junk mail I pulled out of the mailbox.
Cremation discounts and hearing aids.Oh, joy.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Albert Collins
See you in the virtual world!
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assorted beadwork - Blue Heron Gallery |
Early buy in starts tomorrow. I have a booth in each and I can not believe how long it took for me to set the things up. But I know it will be worth it. I think virtual is the way to go. Saves on hotels and food too. Feeling good about this one although you never can tell.
I am definitely totally bushed. I don't remember feeling this tired after fourteen hours of driving to Santa Fe, 'course I am older now. This thing took forever to shoot, catalogue and post.
I am very happy with my presentation and everybody else's looks fabulous too. Some of the best dealers on the planet, definitely needed to find my game to represent in this crowd.
If you are interested in seeing the show, spend the twenty five dollars and get in tomorrow morning while everything is fresh and available.
Visit this website for the Tribal show and this one for the American Indian.
Here are some screenshots from one of the promoter, Object of Arts, last promotional blasts. The greatest thing about the show is that a lot of the money is going to Toadlena Trading Post's Blessing Way Foundation and helps to feed and provide relief to poor native people, who have been disproportionately hit by the ravages of covid 19.
Fallbrook agit prop
Well, all but mine anyway.
Not sure why I was skipped, perhaps they ran out of scotch tape.
My first thought when I read it was being reminded of John Lennon's Christmas 1971 release, Happy Xmas, the war is over.Unfortunately John was off by several years. And I think our scribe is calling the game and claiming victory a little prematurely too.
Social distancing and masks are still necessary, although covid rates are dropping we are not yet out of the woods.
You may choose to live your life based on "your own decisions for your own health" but you still have a responsibility to be a responsible member of the hive and not get anyone else ill, Mr. or Mrs. Libertarian.
And I as a business owner have my rights too and I bristle when somebody tells me what to do in the best of times, and more so in dangerous times like these.
It sounds a bit authoritarian to declare that all businesses are to return to business as usual because you are telling me to. How about you piss off and stay out of my business. But thanks for letting me practice the guidelines as I see fit. Very big of you.
In a way this smacks of religion. There is a little of the "if enough people believe it at the same time we can make it happen" quality to the sign. I admire your faith but will stick with the medical authorities on this one, thank you.
Would be interesting to see who is responsible for this and how they figure to speak for the rest of We the citizens? Some idiot is going to read this false tract and actually believe it. I find it highly irresponsible and dangerous.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Pearls from my friend Will
My doctor asked if anyone in my family suffered from mental illness. I said, "No, we all seem to enjoy it."
Telling a person to calm down is about the same as baptizing a cat.
I thought the dryer made my clothes shrink. Turns out it was the refrigerator.
I thought growing old would take longer.
Went shopping while hungry – now I'm the proud owner of Aisle 6.
Being an adult is the dumbest thing I have ever done.
I'm a multitasker. I can listen, ignore and forget all at the same time!
Went to an antique show and people were bidding on me.
I won't say I'm worn out, but I don't get near the curb on trash day.
People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.
Retired: under new management. See spouse for details.
When you can't find the sunshine ... be the sunshine.
I don't have grey hair. I have wisdom-highlights.
I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream.
Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.
My heart says chocolate and wine, but my jeans say, please, please, please, eat a salad!
Hold on while I overthink this.
My spouse says I have two faults. I don't listen and...something else.
Never laugh at your spouse's choices. You are one of them.
"dammit I'm mad" is "dammit I'm mad" spelled backward. (You will have to work a bit for this to make sense)
One minute you're young and fun. The next, you're turning down the car stereo to see better.
I'd grow my own food if only I could find bacon seeds.
Losing weight doesn't seem to be working for me, so from now on I'm going to concentrate on getting taller.
Jameo breakfast
I couldn't wait to look at this year's red tailed hawk nest in daylight this morning. It was dark but I still managed to catch the beautiful light morphed mother to be consuming a small rodent. It is her first day in the newly reinforced nest.
I absolutely love watching these beautiful creatures! Can't wait for the new brood.
Friday, February 19, 2021
Perfect timing
The critters are getting restless.
Leven had a large hawk land four feet from him in the brush yesterday and just sit there.
I had a hawk at my feet in the bushes the other day.
I saw the gigantic ringtail the other night and a surfeit of owls in the evening light on the way home.
Stephanie got into a long stare down with a bobcat on her back deck.
Hal has seen the first Swainsons hawk in Borrego.
We all watch the Santa Margarita River valley pretty closely. We know that the scrub will offer us a small white flower in a few weeks as a precursor before the ceanothus turns the canyon its beautiful shade of blue purple. Then the echium start their spires. Then poppies and lupines. Its all like seasonal clockwork.
As I drove by the hawk nest this morning on the way out I noticed that it had doubled in size. Wow, I thought, somebody has been busy. The nest was small by our normal standards last year, two years after the big nest blew down. Here is the picture of the diminutive red tailed nest.
But small or not it worked and we had three beautiful babies.I thought about how cool it was to see the hawks work, how smart they were and how they got down to business.
What a joy it was to see them build these nests, twig by twig.
I noticed the most beautiful hawk I had ever seen on a dead tree near the sycamore last week, I think it was the male, very orange in color.
And lo and behold tonight, what do you know, we have a mother hawk sitting in the nest. I always thought that nature was so smart, having babies hatch just as the trees can sprout the leaves that can give them privacy and color. All works so well, like a well orchestrated symphony.
The sky is always falling.
The Liz Peeks and Michael Goodwins of this world were quick to pile on with a whole host of negative blather about his failure to unite the country and he hadn't even had time to shave yet.
Ted Cruz did something admittedly dumb in a political sense the other day, he took his wife and kids to the Ritz in Cancun to get out of the cold.
Not exactly a cardinal sin but the left wing media pounced like he had beaten a kitten to death. It was cold and he saw a way to get warm with his family. I get it.
The problem we have today is that every political act is this country is instantly processed by two polarized and equally partisan news silos. It has become so freaking predictable. If MSNBC takes this road, Fox will be on that road. Very few news outlets even attempt to call them down the middle. Huntley Brinkley and Cronkite and those that did are a mere distant memory for a few of us old fogies. Now they are all playing to the home crowd.
As my conservative friend Jeff profoundly pointed out; the media makes a lot more money when we are at each other's throat. And the new installment where Trump and McConnell go at it like they are on Jerry Springer should be great for ratings.
The metaphor of a divided electorate being like a bad marriage is tired but unfortunately true.
And I have been in a bad marriage and I know how shitty it can get, do you?
Well when I was, this was the book that got me out of it and kept me whole. Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends. Bruce Fisher, Citadel Press (or it was when I bought it for a dollar thirty something years ago.)This was the best book I have ever read about emotional healing. I have loaned it or recommended it to practically every person I know that has had a break up. God knows where my copy is now but you can buy it cheap. Common as the AA book or Gideon's bible at this point.
But it makes some great points. Like stay out of each other's way for six months and don't pull the emotional scabs off.
The country needs marriage counseling. The current atmosphere is so nasty and twisted and emotionally charged that we stay permanently triggered when we run to our respective corners and media silos to see what the hell is happening in the world.
You can't help but get a twisted view when the people shoveling it down our gullets have such an obvious agenda. And I should add, when we are so easily manipulated.
So let's take a time out and try to stay away from killing each other for a round or two. Rope a dope, bob and weave and try to play nice. The conservatives didn't invent nastiness and neither did the liberals. But there are forces out there who figured out they could make a lot more money if we were constantly at each other's throats.
You have to have noticed. We have an awfully lot invested in how rotten the other side is and it is honestly really tiring.
Hopefully one day we can find the more respectful middle again. The last eight years have been rather bruising. Let's try to heal, shall we? And for god's sake diversify your sources of information. Start listening to the other side. Maybe they have something legitimate to say?
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Anti-social distancing
Covid 19 has certainly taught humanity a whole new set of lessons in terms of how we relate to our fellow hominids. We are zooming, masking, bumping elbows and crosswalk buttons, forgoing smiles and all in bad need of a decent haircut. And we need to pat ourselves on the back, we are doing a pretty good job at dealing with all of that. Certainly better than those folks back in the black plague did anyway.
But I wonder what the long term implications of this pandemic will be, as it relates to our interpersonal behavior? Because honestly I don't ever see the genie fitting back in the bottle.
We have had two dear couples cancel planned rendezvous with us because they were worried about catching the deadly microbe. And these were events that they had set up, we weren't exactly pushing them. And I get it, we are not yet 65 so we are not in a tier that can get vaccinated yet. They had. I could push the cancer card and probably get one but where would that leave my wife? Anyway people are worried, rightfully so and covid is definitely crimping our interpersonal communications.
Anyway that is not the point of the ramble, the point is this. I think that people are enjoying their solitude and private space in a way that they may not have imagined. And they won't necessarily feel comfortable after the threat has ended. I think that it will be difficult to revert back to the pre covid crowded human maelstrom when and if this whole microbe thing is finally over. Our social behavior has changed for ever, on a global level.
In my own case I believe that I have long suffered from some mild case of agoraphobia. I don't feel comfortable around crowds of people, especially when they are drinking. Concerts are excruciating. I like my humans fine one or two or five at a time but even then... There is no getting around it, I like my own space. And that is why I wander far into the fields to shoot big and little birds with my camera, because it keeps me as far away from humans as I can possibly be.
My shop has been appointment only for about fifteen or sixteen years. Lately even good customers have pointed out that I get antsy when customers stay too long in my private clubhouse/warehouse. I subtly or not so subtly find myself herding them to the door like a nipping Australian cattle dog at a certain point when I need my space. And it is pretty unconscious behavior.
So covid is maybe magnifying and accentuating my previous misanthropy and need for private space somewhat, giving it an excuse. I can only take my fellow hominds for so long, even the ones I really like.
I know that many people are fleeing compression right now. Redfin used to have about .05 of its queries looking for rural real estate, now it is 30%. I have had the trails in my valley to myself for thirty years, there is not a day that goes by that their are not ten to twenty cars of people roaming around.
It will be interesting to see if sports attendance post covid ever matches pre covid numbers again. Covid may hang around like influenza for perpetuity, will the mask become an essential item of the new paradigm for the next several decades, the twenty first century version of the necktie? Certainly makes more sense then the vestigial necktie but we still wear them. Will we ever be truly comfortable socializing again?
Won't draw this out, have a lot of work to do. But make no mistake, Covid has changed us forever. Ain't no going back.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Early Morning Rain - Foxes & Fossils
I have spoken
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Sioux strike a light bag |
First a big basket and pottery collection, then a great beadwork and plains collection. Wonderful Napoleon III Louis XVI ebonized cabinet.
I have two virtual shows opening up next week. I would say that I am about sixty percent ready for them.
baskets anyone? |
We had a nice light rain last night. I think I see a multitude of wildflower seeds I cast around popping up.
Shawn sent some pics from his garden in Thailand. Puts mine to shame. But I don't live in Thailand.