Applique quilt taken from images from the bus. 
2006/02/26
Thailand
Thailand, a country that is very much part of our family. It is an inspiring country for a designer. There is color, composition and atmosphere in every mind picture.
Walking the pavements of Bangkok you come across situations that make you think…. The gal on the corner who sits with her treadle sewing machine amidst the car fumes, street chefs and vendors of ‘everything’. (in fact you can buy a new treadle for 1400 Bt $50)
The blind woman who sings like an angel as she stands on her small patch, microphone in hand and amplified music to accompany her voice in a box over her shoulder.
We ate local food in a small restaurants, traveled on a tuk tuk through the traffic, walked without a map and found ourselves amongst the locals on little back street klongs and Jasmine scented temples. In one Wat (Temple) we observed the Senior Citizens sitting and chatting under the shady trees in the compound waiting their turn for their free haircuts, medical checks and advice. Saffron robed monks walked amongst them and added serenity to the scene.
Of course shopping is a top priority in Bangkok and our bargains were excitedly examined when we arrived back at the hotel each evening…. One for each kid, some for friends and of course the grandkids feature high on the list. Having extra luggage on this tour has been a real bonus. I usually have to watch every pound.
Yesterday we visited the War Cemetery situated next to the Bridge on the River Kwai. 6500 headstones lay in carefully tended lawns each stone accompanied by a beautiful flowering plant…. Sometimes it was a rose, often a bright pink frangipani. Keith found his Uncles name in the book of names at the entrance and it directed us to the grave of Thomas John Mortimer Holland. We stood silently paying homage to an Uncle Keith and his brothers never knew, who aged 27, in terrible circumstances, died as a prisoner of the Japanese in WW2. I think we are the first members of the family to view his grave. Sadly his last brother passed away last year, it’s too late to show him the photo.
We drove through bright green paddy fields, crisp white salt pans, fields of sugar cane all accented by bright colored buildings, cars and the most amazingly decorated buses you have ever seen. They are art pieces on wheels. We sped down the river on fast water taxi's and sampled the wares of the boat vendors. I just don't know how they can cook on those little canoe type vessels!!!
We return home tonight and I have just a few days before I take off again to teach….but it's sure been an experience.
Walking the pavements of Bangkok you come across situations that make you think…. The gal on the corner who sits with her treadle sewing machine amidst the car fumes, street chefs and vendors of ‘everything’. (in fact you can buy a new treadle for 1400 Bt $50)
The blind woman who sings like an angel as she stands on her small patch, microphone in hand and amplified music to accompany her voice in a box over her shoulder.
We ate local food in a small restaurants, traveled on a tuk tuk through the traffic, walked without a map and found ourselves amongst the locals on little back street klongs and Jasmine scented temples. In one Wat (Temple) we observed the Senior Citizens sitting and chatting under the shady trees in the compound waiting their turn for their free haircuts, medical checks and advice. Saffron robed monks walked amongst them and added serenity to the scene.
Of course shopping is a top priority in Bangkok and our bargains were excitedly examined when we arrived back at the hotel each evening…. One for each kid, some for friends and of course the grandkids feature high on the list. Having extra luggage on this tour has been a real bonus. I usually have to watch every pound.
Yesterday we visited the War Cemetery situated next to the Bridge on the River Kwai. 6500 headstones lay in carefully tended lawns each stone accompanied by a beautiful flowering plant…. Sometimes it was a rose, often a bright pink frangipani. Keith found his Uncles name in the book of names at the entrance and it directed us to the grave of Thomas John Mortimer Holland. We stood silently paying homage to an Uncle Keith and his brothers never knew, who aged 27, in terrible circumstances, died as a prisoner of the Japanese in WW2. I think we are the first members of the family to view his grave. Sadly his last brother passed away last year, it’s too late to show him the photo.
We drove through bright green paddy fields, crisp white salt pans, fields of sugar cane all accented by bright colored buildings, cars and the most amazingly decorated buses you have ever seen. They are art pieces on wheels. We sped down the river on fast water taxi's and sampled the wares of the boat vendors. I just don't know how they can cook on those little canoe type vessels!!!
We return home tonight and I have just a few days before I take off again to teach….but it's sure been an experience.
2006/02/23
Last day in London
Our last day in London was spent visiting the city of Reading and an ulterior motive http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/ It was a short trip on the underground and then a half an hour on the train. Unfortunately we were held up on the way back and the trip took almost an hour and a half because someone had jumped in front of the train. I had just seen a documentary on the very same situation the night before on BBC Television. The effects on the police, train drivers and passengers was terrible. It was sad to be in the same situation ourselves the next day. The day was so cold, just 3 deg. I just went from shop to shop to keep warm. It doesn’t matter how many clothes you wear…. Your face and hands freeze. The plane trip was 2 movies and a long sleep. 11+ hours and once again a serious time change which always seems to affect me going home…..
Just on 30 years ago, Keith and I came to Bangkok on our first trip overseas. We came to pick up our Son Joshua, just 3 weeks old…. Now he’s almost 30. We were so scared. We stayed in the Maya Guest House organized by the adoption agency. It was made of bamboo for goodness sake. We awoke the next morning to find the room 5” under water…. I can’t actually remember why, I just remember that we only had cold water out of a hose like thing for a shower. They were making a movie just outside our window and after our compulsory 3 weeks stay, we worked out that the guest house housed a Brothel on the top floor… I wondered why there were so many men hanging around downstairs.
Joshy was handed to us out of a taxi at 9.00 am the morning after our arrival, he weighed just 3 lb and we managed to care for him in that interesting place toting him in the Bangkok taxis by day and staying up all night when he cried.
What a contrast as I sit here and write this note. We are on the 16th floor of the Marriott and in the executive lounge. The hotel is world standard, just sheer luxury as I look out over the city of Bangkok.
Joshua is almost 30, 6 ft 3” and gorgeous. This is about our 20th visit here and travel is matter of fact in comparison with 30 years ago.
We’re in for a day of shopping today and then sight seeing the next two days… then home…..
I would like to recommend a book I purchased in Minneapolis. It's called 'She' written by Kobi Yamada and published by Compendium Publishing. ISBN 1-932319-14-X
It's simple and to the point and will sit on my kitchen bench for all to read.
Here are just some of the quotes.
She had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities - celebrate her magic.
She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she could fly - celebrate her faith.
She was an artist and her life was her canvas. - celebrate her brilliance.
Just heard they are planning big demonstrations and a possible coup here tomorrow, so maybe another life experience.!!
Just on 30 years ago, Keith and I came to Bangkok on our first trip overseas. We came to pick up our Son Joshua, just 3 weeks old…. Now he’s almost 30. We were so scared. We stayed in the Maya Guest House organized by the adoption agency. It was made of bamboo for goodness sake. We awoke the next morning to find the room 5” under water…. I can’t actually remember why, I just remember that we only had cold water out of a hose like thing for a shower. They were making a movie just outside our window and after our compulsory 3 weeks stay, we worked out that the guest house housed a Brothel on the top floor… I wondered why there were so many men hanging around downstairs.
Joshy was handed to us out of a taxi at 9.00 am the morning after our arrival, he weighed just 3 lb and we managed to care for him in that interesting place toting him in the Bangkok taxis by day and staying up all night when he cried.
What a contrast as I sit here and write this note. We are on the 16th floor of the Marriott and in the executive lounge. The hotel is world standard, just sheer luxury as I look out over the city of Bangkok.
Joshua is almost 30, 6 ft 3” and gorgeous. This is about our 20th visit here and travel is matter of fact in comparison with 30 years ago.
We’re in for a day of shopping today and then sight seeing the next two days… then home…..
I would like to recommend a book I purchased in Minneapolis. It's called 'She' written by Kobi Yamada and published by Compendium Publishing. ISBN 1-932319-14-X
It's simple and to the point and will sit on my kitchen bench for all to read.
Here are just some of the quotes.
She had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities - celebrate her magic.
She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she could fly - celebrate her faith.
She was an artist and her life was her canvas. - celebrate her brilliance.
Just heard they are planning big demonstrations and a possible coup here tomorrow, so maybe another life experience.!!
London Underground
As I mentioned before I find the whole ambience interesting. I imagine that if I used them every day I wouldn't be quite as interested.
At least the advertising
agencies should be pleased that I enjoyed their posters and signs. The colours were also a strong contrast to the "compulsory black" that most people wore.My red shoes, jacket,
shirt and bags stood out a little.
London Underground
Which one is the Beached Whale and which one is the native?no I'm not suggesting it's Keith
2006/02/21
Documentary Camera.
We're enjoying the experience... you should see the looks when a middle aged woman pops out a camera like this and points at objects such as an eye in a poster."Eh what's she doin" ? we heard one young couple comment as I photographed a poster on the wall of Harrods
London Underground
It’s absolutely freezing but the excitement of being in London diminishes the fact that I hate being cold.
I’ve surprised myself….I’ve found the most wonderful inspiration in the most unlikely of places… the British Underground. After filming for a couple of days I felt a little uneasy… (you know security and all that, however it’s completely understandable.) I saw a sign today stating that it’s illegal to take photos in the underground.!!!! eek
So all I can do is explain what I see and why I think it’s interesting.
The first thing I enjoy is the fact that you are in a tunnel, that wonderful cylindrical shape, which combined with the images of posters and artificial light seem to wrap around you as you walk through them. The sounds are magnified and today we were entertained by the most beautiful classical music played by a busker. Almost every tunnel is tiled in one form or another…. The older the better I think. Some walls have repeat patterns, others are interesting images made by some craftsman many decades ago.
I photographed such images in the NY underground immediately under the World Trade Centre. The images were mosaic eyes depicting different nationalities. They are all gone now.
Here in London the train doors are bright red and the silver windows frame the images of the people they are carrying. Every nationality, so many forms of dress. Tunnels lead to yet another tunnel and the wind whispers through telling you that a train is about to approach. I love the posters and the big red and blue round logo telling you this is an underground framed on a mosaic wall…. Well you don’t really need to know because you’re in there…. but they are going to make sure you’re certain of just where you are. As you can tell I want to photograph it all!!! It’s frustrating.
Today we walked the walk. St Paul’s Cathedral, where I photographed the tiles, wonderful images of cupids and some graffiti carved into the wall. “JH 1791” son Jamie’s initials. It’s 215 years old.
It was freezing around Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. We visited the British Museum and viewed London from the London Eye. We ate sausages and mash in a London Pub and dodged the rain before catching the subway home to our hotel.
I’ve surprised myself….I’ve found the most wonderful inspiration in the most unlikely of places… the British Underground. After filming for a couple of days I felt a little uneasy… (you know security and all that, however it’s completely understandable.) I saw a sign today stating that it’s illegal to take photos in the underground.!!!! eek
So all I can do is explain what I see and why I think it’s interesting.
The first thing I enjoy is the fact that you are in a tunnel, that wonderful cylindrical shape, which combined with the images of posters and artificial light seem to wrap around you as you walk through them. The sounds are magnified and today we were entertained by the most beautiful classical music played by a busker. Almost every tunnel is tiled in one form or another…. The older the better I think. Some walls have repeat patterns, others are interesting images made by some craftsman many decades ago.
I photographed such images in the NY underground immediately under the World Trade Centre. The images were mosaic eyes depicting different nationalities. They are all gone now.
Here in London the train doors are bright red and the silver windows frame the images of the people they are carrying. Every nationality, so many forms of dress. Tunnels lead to yet another tunnel and the wind whispers through telling you that a train is about to approach. I love the posters and the big red and blue round logo telling you this is an underground framed on a mosaic wall…. Well you don’t really need to know because you’re in there…. but they are going to make sure you’re certain of just where you are. As you can tell I want to photograph it all!!! It’s frustrating.
Today we walked the walk. St Paul’s Cathedral, where I photographed the tiles, wonderful images of cupids and some graffiti carved into the wall. “JH 1791” son Jamie’s initials. It’s 215 years old.
It was freezing around Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. We visited the British Museum and viewed London from the London Eye. We ate sausages and mash in a London Pub and dodged the rain before catching the subway home to our hotel.
Dull Day but full of Beauty.
There's beauty in even the dullest o
f days.
London barely reached 5 degrees today.
f days.London barely reached 5 degrees today.
Victoria and Albert Museum
This is a ceiling in one of the stairways in the V&A. We must always remember to look up...
London Eye
I love this photo.... it's an unusual photo to say the least but appeals to my sense of humor. The capsul below us had this large picture on it. I saw the potential for an interesting photo and waited until just the right moment.
2006/02/19
Freezing 2
Temperatures in the Osakis area of central Minnesota dipped to 21 degrees below zero Friday morning, with winds of about 15 mph, so the wind chill would have been around 45 below zero.
Folks I thought I would die out there in the cold…. It hurts your temples and teeth when you are outside for too long… and by too long I mean 1 few minutes. A man in Osakis died yesterday because he froze…..
Well traveling is the spice of life. Keith and I left our hotel in Minneapolis at about 10.30 am yesterday morning, arrived in our NY hotel at 8.30 pm. Left again at 5.00 am this morning and arrived here in London at 10.00 pm London time. To be honest, it’s two good movies and a couple of meals duration….
Last night in the shuttle we met an Elvis Clone. I spent the entire time just wondering how he got his hair that high…. Of course I didn’t want to stare, but he was sitting in the front so I could examine it quite well. It rose in coif like spun cotton. I looked at Keith’s hair which is ½” long and thought “what man would spend all that time on their hair” I can’t even work out how he did it…he wasn’t a young pup either.
I’m thinking of starting a Cell Phone revolution. I’m sure someone could design some way to stop people talking very loudly on their cell phones about the most intimate of subjects.
When you’re stuck in a confined space like a line or plane….. you have no choice but to listen….what do you do, stick your fingers in your ears and whistle Dixie?. Before we take off, the conversation increases…. In the USA you can use your phone until the plane moves….I reckon it’s a competition to see who can be the last to turn the darn things off… You should hear it when the plane lands…. Bang go the wheels…… ding go the phones… it’s just amazing. Flossy next to us had an argument with her boyfriend. Another guy was working out strategies with his invisible friend of how to dump his wife. Of course you get the execs making big decisions and talking in clipped tones as they prance around with hands in their pockets and attachments glowing on their ears…(personally I think they are just talking to the neighbor) I’ve learnt the most amazing things really. Who needs the soaps.!!!!
Another drama last night. - I think I’m losing it. I forgot to pack the cord to my computer…… I’m so fussy about those things, but I left it for Keith to get from under the desk and then forgot to ask him to get it!!!!!! However, today I purchased an IGO unit, which will be just super, powers, my computer, and everything else, cell phone, palm, camera, ipod…. So it was a blessing in disguise…. An expensive one at that.
"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." Henri Matisse
Folks I thought I would die out there in the cold…. It hurts your temples and teeth when you are outside for too long… and by too long I mean 1 few minutes. A man in Osakis died yesterday because he froze…..
Well traveling is the spice of life. Keith and I left our hotel in Minneapolis at about 10.30 am yesterday morning, arrived in our NY hotel at 8.30 pm. Left again at 5.00 am this morning and arrived here in London at 10.00 pm London time. To be honest, it’s two good movies and a couple of meals duration….
Last night in the shuttle we met an Elvis Clone. I spent the entire time just wondering how he got his hair that high…. Of course I didn’t want to stare, but he was sitting in the front so I could examine it quite well. It rose in coif like spun cotton. I looked at Keith’s hair which is ½” long and thought “what man would spend all that time on their hair” I can’t even work out how he did it…he wasn’t a young pup either.
I’m thinking of starting a Cell Phone revolution. I’m sure someone could design some way to stop people talking very loudly on their cell phones about the most intimate of subjects.
When you’re stuck in a confined space like a line or plane….. you have no choice but to listen….what do you do, stick your fingers in your ears and whistle Dixie?. Before we take off, the conversation increases…. In the USA you can use your phone until the plane moves….I reckon it’s a competition to see who can be the last to turn the darn things off… You should hear it when the plane lands…. Bang go the wheels…… ding go the phones… it’s just amazing. Flossy next to us had an argument with her boyfriend. Another guy was working out strategies with his invisible friend of how to dump his wife. Of course you get the execs making big decisions and talking in clipped tones as they prance around with hands in their pockets and attachments glowing on their ears…(personally I think they are just talking to the neighbor) I’ve learnt the most amazing things really. Who needs the soaps.!!!!
Another drama last night. - I think I’m losing it. I forgot to pack the cord to my computer…… I’m so fussy about those things, but I left it for Keith to get from under the desk and then forgot to ask him to get it!!!!!! However, today I purchased an IGO unit, which will be just super, powers, my computer, and everything else, cell phone, palm, camera, ipod…. So it was a blessing in disguise…. An expensive one at that.
"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." Henri Matisse
2006/02/18
Freezing.
There's a wind chill of -40 today. The guy on the news said that if you go outside, you have 12 minutes till you freeze. Well this gal is staying inside until we leave for the airport in fact it's unbelievably hot in this room. We've pumped the heater up high because we're trying to dry Keith's sox. The things you have to do on the road. !!!!!!
inspiration
This is where the colours come from. Palm trees. Blue sky, railings,fabrics plants and buildings.
2006/02/16
Vietnamese Soaps
It was maintenance day today. Haircuts, nails, computer classes and then a movie....
Maintenance on the road is a bit of a chore at times, however, today was interesting. The gal doing my nails was more interested in the soaps on TV.... I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have any nails left as she came at me with the cutter whilst watching the TV. Suddenly she yelled "Oh No"....
It seems that a fight broke out on the TV.... "Do you watch this"? she asked.
"No, what happened" I innocently said. I then had a half hour of entertaining drama performed for me by my Vietnamese nail cosmetician. Sometimes she waved her brushes around in exaggerated fashion. She changed her voice portraying different characters and with her accent it was absolutely charming. I admit to urging her along a little too. !!!I learnt of the naughty daughter who ran over her brother in the middle of the night.... the father with two girlfriends who was going to end it all and really wanted to go to jail because he had nothing else to live for!!!! I don't know the name of the soap, maybe some of you can recognize it...from my relayed information. It was great fun.
Maintenance on the road is a bit of a chore at times, however, today was interesting. The gal doing my nails was more interested in the soaps on TV.... I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have any nails left as she came at me with the cutter whilst watching the TV. Suddenly she yelled "Oh No"....
It seems that a fight broke out on the TV.... "Do you watch this"? she asked.
"No, what happened" I innocently said. I then had a half hour of entertaining drama performed for me by my Vietnamese nail cosmetician. Sometimes she waved her brushes around in exaggerated fashion. She changed her voice portraying different characters and with her accent it was absolutely charming. I admit to urging her along a little too. !!!I learnt of the naughty daughter who ran over her brother in the middle of the night.... the father with two girlfriends who was going to end it all and really wanted to go to jail because he had nothing else to live for!!!! I don't know the name of the soap, maybe some of you can recognize it...from my relayed information. It was great fun.
2006/02/15
Dear Della
I have a very dear friend who is 78, we laugh, think on similar lines and enjoy time together with friends two or three times a year - and when we’re together I just walk a little more slowly.
I have a good friend who is 40….We laugh at the same things, enjoy traveling together, have similar experiences in life…but she walks faster than me only because she’s taller!!!!!
I have a good friend in her mid 60’s. There’s always a smile in her voice whether it’s on the phone, in person or in an email. She’s walks with a spring in her step always.
I have a good friend just a year younger than I who has my same energy level… we laugh all the time. Walking is out of the question when we get together …. We set a fast pace and run.
I have a good friend who is a wonderful listener and adviser. We walk the same walk although we’re different personalities.
I have 100’s of friends I've met in class and on tours. I usually associate that with a fast walk or in fact, at times plain running.
I have a friend in her 70’s who’s struggling right at this moment. Her walk has slowed completely. I wish I could have her walk with me.
Yesterday we traveled all day and in the solitude of a passenger, my friend was utmost in my mind. Last night I couldn’t sleep.
I lost one of my gold bracelets yesterday… I was shattered…. But losing my bracelet pales into insignificance compared with not being able to walk with Dear Della.
And to the person who finds my bracelet, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I have a good friend who is 40….We laugh at the same things, enjoy traveling together, have similar experiences in life…but she walks faster than me only because she’s taller!!!!!
I have a good friend in her mid 60’s. There’s always a smile in her voice whether it’s on the phone, in person or in an email. She’s walks with a spring in her step always.
I have a good friend just a year younger than I who has my same energy level… we laugh all the time. Walking is out of the question when we get together …. We set a fast pace and run.
I have a good friend who is a wonderful listener and adviser. We walk the same walk although we’re different personalities.
I have 100’s of friends I've met in class and on tours. I usually associate that with a fast walk or in fact, at times plain running.
I have a friend in her 70’s who’s struggling right at this moment. Her walk has slowed completely. I wish I could have her walk with me.
Yesterday we traveled all day and in the solitude of a passenger, my friend was utmost in my mind. Last night I couldn’t sleep.
I lost one of my gold bracelets yesterday… I was shattered…. But losing my bracelet pales into insignificance compared with not being able to walk with Dear Della.
And to the person who finds my bracelet, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
2006/02/13
A collage of the art at HOB
I took so many photos. The colours and honesty of the images are just wonderful
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