Posted on August 28, 2010 by Mary Beth Frezon

From the Robert Genn newsletter:

“Artists tend to get used to doing things in a certain order. (OK, yes that’s usually me) Reverse, or at least vary, your usual order. The starting order, particularly, can often be quite arbitrary…

Many of us have a tendency to “conceive and execute.” (OK, yes again, that’s usually me)The “foolery way” is to make it up as you go along. Leave your options open….

If your work depresses you, and depresses you more as you go, you need to get happy. Count your blessings. Count your winnings. Take a few minutes to fly the flag of optimism. I don’t know about you, but I often feel I’m getting drunk on a painting. It’s better to be a happy drunk than a mean one. ”

I know that be-sotted feeling while the work is under way – wanting to work on it always, to look at it in passing and again. Towards the end of it, I begin to worry that something will happen and I won’t be able to finish it. I don’t worry worry about it, but the thought is there. Always has been so.

Sandy D has her own take on this same newsletter so you can wander over and read about using the WHATIFs to help your process along.

Thanks again Robert Genn for all the brain fodder. You know us all too well.

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Winslow Homer

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Mary Beth Frezon

I hope to catch the end of it but if you can find the Ross documentary on Winslow Homer: Society and Solitude – do watch! If it hadn’t been the wee hours already I would have pushed it. The film was not about the drama and petty bits of relationships but really about Homer and how he painted and learned more about his craft. How he explored new ideas, dealt with rejection of new work, what he did in his “down” times. Many interesting photos of the places he lived in and how they impacted his work. And of course many many images of his work and the sea.

I hope I can find it to see the whole thing.

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Progress report

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Mary Beth Frezon

Still feeling a little funky but I got up and eventually got to work. First I got out the last quilt to see if it jogged my memory about how to do facings. It did a little.

Then there was the normal bushwhacking. Replacing the ironing board cover. Tearing off the strips I needed. Pressing the quilt (hence the new ironing board cover). Etc etc.

Looked over the quilt and it seemed reasonably square.

So I’m about to make the penultimate trip around the quilt to attach the facings.

Meanwhile the next quilt is pushing on my brains. What’s up with that?

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To those who are supposed to be in charge, re Park 51 Community Center

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Mary Beth Frezon

Sent to Governor Paterson and Assemblyman Sheldon Silver and a few others today:

Please cease and desist trying to influence the building or moving of the Park 51 Islamic community center near the site of the World Trade Center immediately.

To cave to the fear-mongering whose actions are for purely political reasons is to give up the strength of our country, that strength and vision clearly stated in the Constitution. We need to encourage multi-cultural unity and welcome everyone into our neighborhoods, setting a goal of being open and friendly to all. Then we can act in a united fashion against those who would challenge or threaten our lives without compromising the very structure we are trying to protect.

When we say – no we can’t have Muslims creating a gathering place here – we paint all people with a broad brush. Who will be next to be pushed out of our communities?

The people seeking to build this center do so well within the guidelines of our society. There is no reason to prevent them from being a part of that community, in fact we should encourage such building.

When you and our elected officials dither about seeking a politically correct stance and “an acceptable compromise” to a situation only created by those seeking to create fear and division, you fail in your duty to act on behalf of all citizens and to uphold the laws and principals of this nation and state.

In terms of this building being inappropriate because of its proximity to the World Trade Center site: It is a much more disrespectful action to disregard the ideal of religious freedom in the United States.

Denying the building of this community center is using the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 to underwrite the most base fears of a few and to use those fears for some political end against the very purpose of the United States and its founding principals. My dictionary defines terrorism as “the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims” which is describes the actions of those stopping the creation of the Park 51 Center by stirring fear and isolationism among our citizens.

I insist that you and all of our elected representatives remove yourself from this trumped-up problem and renew your efforts in supporting our state’s and our nation’s ideals for the betterment of all.

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Letter to my local NYS Assemblyman

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Mary Beth Frezon

Emailed to: Tim Gordon

Dear Assemblyman Gordon

This morning’s mail brought my copy of the 2010 Staycation Guide under your name. Please note that today is August 25th.

It is apparently the last day of the Troy Rockin on the River Concert Series, otherwise everything else in the Music and Festivals section is past. I suppose you could argue that there’s a bit more time to take advantage of the area’s parks and museums but frankly, the idea of a guide to local attractions for cash-strapped constituents is probably about 3 months too late.

Normal people generally have to plan ahead to take time off. They plan their activities and budget money for these activities. They have the pleasure of not only planning them, but anticipating them, enjoying them and then remembering them.

This is very unlike the representatives in the NYS Legislature who feel that passing a budget four months late is all right, and that no one cares or will remember this gross negligence of executing the trust of government – to represent the citizens and to act responsibly for the good of all.

The arrival of this newsletter in my mailbox is just another reminder of the painful state of elected representation. I encourage you to not waste money by sending out trivial bits of too-late information and to explain instead how the elected bodies of this state intend to get back to the business of handling THE PEOPLE’s business on a daily basis, making considered decisions, acting in a timely and responsible manner, and handling our tax monies in a responsible manner that fulfills the purpose of government.

Mary Beth Frezon

Orientation::Quilter
https://quiltr.com

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