Blowing Bubbles

Feeling Down Today

Do you ever have those days when you feel down, kind of lost?
This is one of those days.

Lost

Hope I snap out of it soon. I don't like feeling down.
Maybe it is because today is the first day of spring and it is still raining and cold and we are expecting snow tomorrow. Maybe it is because I miss my family. Just one of those feel sorry for myself days. It sucks !

Art Created on a Typewriter

He lived at Rose Haven Nursing Home ( Roseburg , Oregon for years. Paul Smith,

the man with extraordinary talent was born on September 21, 1921, with severe

cerebral palsy.

Not only had Paul beaten the odds of

a life with spastic cerebral palsy, a disability that impeded his speech and

mobility but also taught himself to become a master artist as well as a

terrific chess player even after being devoid of a formal education as a child.

"When typing, Paul used his left

hand to steady his right one. Since he couldn't press two keys at the same

time, he almost always locked the shift key down and made his pictures using

the symbols at the top of the number keys. In other words, his pictures were

based on these characters .... @ # $ % ^ & * ( )_ .

Across seven decades, Paul created

hundreds of pictures. He often gave the originals away. Sometimes, but not

always, he kept or received a copy for his own records. As his mastery of the

typewriter grew, he developed techniques to create shadings, colors, and

textures that made his work resemble pencil or charcoal drawings."

This great man passed away on June

25, 2009, but left behind a collection of his amazing artwork that will be an

inspiration for many.

What an artist. Can you imagine how long it must have taken him to do these?
Hats off to you sir Paul Smith.

Amazing story from Kentucky tornado relief

Earlier today, I spoke with Gary LeBlanc at Mercy Chefs and first and foremost he asked me to express his profound gratitude to every Grassfire team member who has helped out. Gary also shared that they are seeing amazing stories of hope in the midst of the devastation. As of this morning, Gary's team had already served just over 4,900 meals and he expects to continue at a pace of 1,000-1,500 meals per day while these communities deal with the shock of what took place. Soon after they started preparing hot meals, Gary heard about a small, neighboring community called Crockett that was also devastated and without power. Gary's team packed up 400 meals and headed for Crockett. As it turns out, Crockett had a relief distribution site set up but no relief agencies had yet been to their town. With the community totally without power, the people were praying that someone would bring them food. That's when Gary and his Mercy Chefs team arrived with 400 hot meals. Gary told me many tears were shed as they served the hot meals. It was literally a godsend. Gary promised the people of Crockett that Mercy Chefs would continue to bring meals at breakfast and dinner until power was restored. And yesterday, Mercy Chefs adopted two more small towns in similar situations. Simply put, the need is great -- and thanks in large part to Grassfire team members, Mercy Chefs is responding. As I noted to you a few days ago, it costs about $2.50 to provide a hot meal to a victim or a volunteer in West Liberty or the other places Mercy Chefs will reach this year. That's the raw cost. That means it costs just $10 to provide a hot meal to a family of four; $30 to feed 12 people; $50 to feed 20 people; $100 to feed 40 people. If you want to help, go here to be directed to Mercy Chefs' donation page where you can contribute. If you have already contributed, on behalf of the Mercy Chefs team, thank you so much. Gary said when he has a moment he will contact you personally. Thanks for your consideration, Steve Elliott Grassfire Nation P.S. Below are some overhead shots of the devastation in West Liberty. Shocking. GO HERE TO HELP MERCY CHEFS PROVIDE A HOT MEAL TO A VICTIM OR VOLUNTEER TODAY IN TORNADO-RAVAGED KENTUCKY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES MERCY CHEFS WILL REACH THIS YEAR. (Photos courtesy of Allen Bolling Facebook page)

The Looking Glass

My latest collage.

The Looking Glass

A Wedding Cake Keepsake Box

This month our Etsy Team had a challenge. To make something from recycled things we had lying around. I have lots of that kind of stuff but had a round cardboard box that a friend had given me to alter so I used that.


I covered the outside with satin ribbon and lace and added a satin bow to the front. The top of the box is orginal but I embellished it with a picture of a Victorian Bride and Groom and put it in a metal frame between glass and accented that with a pink fused glass heart and added the pink spotted feathers.

I had no intentions of making a wedding cake but when it was finished it lookes so much like a wedding cake I named it "Wedding Cake Keepsake Box".

It would be a great place for a new bride to keep her garter, petals from her bouquet or the key from the honeymoon suite or any other sentimental items she would like to keep from her wedding or honeymoon.

So...what do you think?
It is for sale in my Etsy Shop today !