Whimsy Wednesday - Poetic Pondering

Wishes and Wonderments

I wish I could awe you

like Huxley or Bukowski.

I could only hope to stir your heart

like the words of Browning or Shakespeare.

I am a little known poet

with the aspiration to inspire,

but most times…

 my words start flowing thick

And I wonder if I should retire,

Before I embarrAss myself too much.

I wish I could crawl into your head

Running my fingers along the walls.

Wondering what it would be like

To be you,

And wondering

If you ever thought the same

About me too.

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,

Erin

Whimsy Wednesday - Dale Chihuly

 Dale Chihuly is an amazing American glass blower, don't you think?  I find so much color, life, and movement in these 3-dimensional pieces.  

 A few of his pieces are still available for viewing and purchase at the Franklin Park Conservatory, but there are not as many on display as there used to be a few years ago.  I am not sure if this is because of the Bruce Munro display (which is amazing and has been extended) or that they have spent their time at the Franklin Park Conservatory and now it is time for many of these beautiful works of art to grace another gallery.  

Wow, right?  Amazing, colorful, rich.  There is also at least one substantial piece at the Columbus Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Be sure to check his beautiful artwork out when if you have a chance.

Whimsy Wednesday - Doo Dah Days

If you are local to central Ohio then you may be familiar with the Doo Dah Parade held in downtown Columbus on July 4th.    This tradition is one full of satire, humor, and freedom!  

Anyone is allowed to enter the parade.  You don't need to sign up, you just need to show up on time!!!  :) Go to www.doodahparade.com to learn more.

I have attended a handful of these parades in the past.  It was much easier to attend when I only lived to blocks from High Street in the Italian Village.  Driving and parking wasn't necessary since I could just walk.  

This is one of the most interesting parades I have been to in Columbus, short of the Gay Rights Parade.  

The above picture is one of the many Fidel Castro's in the parade.   This group just stops periodically and takes naps on High Street mid parade.  It's silly and I like it.

Watch...

The Doo Dah Parade.

1:00 p.m.ish – 3:00 p.m.ish

It’s Free!

Bring a chair or blanket

Umbrella

Sunscreen

Leave the water guns & balloons & pets at home please

March...

in the Doo Dah Parade.

Line-up @ noon on Park Street

(between Buttles/Goodale)

heading north bound.

Enter in from Goodale Blvd.

There is No Entry Fee!  

You Just Show Up!

No Pre-Registration Required.

(ya, we know that's unusual)

 

 

OK how funny is this!  The lady above is holding a sign that says "Abolish the environment! It's hard to keep clean anyway!"  Satire, remember?  

Below you see few more of the cars people decorate to drive down the main drag during the Doo Dah Parade. 

  

As you can see even Spongebob made it one year.

The Red Hat Ladies wouldn't miss this parade for the world!

Ummm, I don't know either. 

Wow, He is tall.

Just a few more interesting people I have come across at the Doo Dah Parade!

This last gentlemen I have seen at many outdoor social functions.  If he sees you with a camera he will walk up to you and tap you on the shoulder and point to the camera and then to himself.  He wants his picture taken.  As you can see I have done so a couple of time.  I still do not know his name.
He seems to always have those keys around his neck and a measuring tape clipped to his belt (god knows when you will need one of those).

 If you ever have a chance to check this out, you should!

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,
Erin

I had to sneak into this photo one day as the Red Hat Ladies walked by.  Can you see the look in that one ladies eyes up front.

Whimsy Wednesday - Holiday Whimsies

Christmas can be such an exciting and whimsical time of year for so many of us.  We start pulling out ornaments we may have made as a child, or just a cute knick-knack that tickles our fancy.  My husband is a huge fan of this time of year. He owns more Santa Clause's than I do underwear.  Nostalgia sets in for him and he is like a "kid in a candy store" when the Christmas totes come out.

Today I roamed around the house to photograph of few of our Christmas time whimsies.  Please come meander with me.

Santa is getting the holiday season ball rolling! Can I get an O -H …..

I think Santa could be protecting our liquor cabinet. Anyone who tries to steal the top shelf vodka gets a football to the eye.  

Santa busy in his workshop readying for all the children!

Santa & Rudolph

Santa is catching up with Rudolph to make sure he has been eating well before the big day and also to make sure he has polished up that rosy red nose to guide Santa's way!  Rudolph shows us that it is not only OK to be different, but sometimes it's useful!

Hermey!

Who doesn't remember Hermey the misfit elf?  All Hermey wanted to do was be a dentist!   Hermey is a great example to follow your dreams and do what is in your heart!

Yukon Cornelius

Mr. Yukon Cornelius is a prospector of silver and gold: two very important colors come the holiday season!

Charlie in the Box

Do you remember Charlie in the Box, from the Land of Misfit Toys?    Charlie believes that no child will want him because of his name.  Hasn't anyone told Charlie that a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet?  Charlie's ending is a happy one. Eventually he realizes there are children who love Charlie's in Boxes.  

Matryoshka Dolls - Russian Nesting Dolls

My nephew is quite fond of the Matryoshka dolls shown here.   Also, commonly referred to as Russian nesting dolls they are well known for the intricate paintings on the exterior and the themes ranging from soviet political figures to holiday related mythology as seen below.  I am amazed at how long my 8 year old nephew will take apart and put back together these amazing dolls.  

The last figure is turned from a solid piece of wood.  

Are you all getting in the holiday spirit?  Obviously we are!  

Peace, Love, and Good will on Earth,

Erin

Whimsy Wednesday - Children at the Museum

Photo by Steven Hartline 2013

Photo By Steven Hartline 2013

My nephew and I decided to visit the Columbus Metropolitan Museum in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend.  A lego exhibit was in and he loves legos.  He especially likes when artists build huge things out of them.

 I think the bicycle was his favorite!  

We also were on the hunt for a white mouse.  We almost thought we were not going to find him, but with a little help from a museum worker we were able to scope him out.  Our hint was to look up!

Photo By Steven Hartline 2013

Here are a few other photographs of the lego exhibit!

I love the museum as well, so I am really happy there was something that motivated my nephew in going.  I haven't been in many years. The painting below is my favorite in all of the museum.  It is titled, "Shoko with Red Hat".

William and I had a wonderful adventure in the big city.  We viewed so many beautiful pieces of artwork on our trip.

Chihuly Glass

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,

Erin & William

Whimsy Wednesday - Ceramic Whimsies

As you all may remember me mentioning in an previous blog, I was married earlier this year.  My wonderful and whimsical Aunt Di and her handsome husband Glen (my uncle) purchased this lovely gravy boat as one of our wedding gifts.  My most awesome father and his lovely confidante Hope purchased the matching butter dish, also for our wedding.  Do they not make a wonderful pair!?!


You can find these two wonderful items and many great other fantastically fun ceramic items @ www.alissaclarkclayworks.etsy.com .


I cannot wait to pull out these two beauties tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner!  I use the butter dish all of the time, but I have yet to use my gravy bowl!  I feel so grown up now that I 

own one.

Not only do they awesome imagery with the hearts, but I love the teal and green hues, and absolutely die over the textures and prints. I almost don't want to use them.  

If anyone wants butter or gravy tomorrow, ask and it shall be 

served.:)Joking (of course), or am I?

Peace, Love, Handmade Paper, and Thanksgiving,

Erin