One of
the things I'm really enjoying about living alone (or at least as alone as a
woman with two dogs and a cat will ever be) is the complete freedom to decorate
as I please. No negotiating about where to hang a picture or place a piece of
furniture. Zoë and Fannie and Millie never ever say, “Where are you going to
put that?”
I
think I may be turning my house into a gallery. I keep finding pieces of art
that I can't resist, and locating one more spot to accommodate the new
acquisition. There was that watercolor from the estate sale a couple of weeks
ago, which seemed to open the floodgates. The next time I went garaging, I
picked up another original painting…for a dollar.
I love it; reminds me of the
creek I now live on (though my location is nothing like so rural – I'm only
about 10 blocks from the state capital!). The next day I went to the Baptist
rummage sale, and there was another original oil, this time an autumn scene of
a covered bridge. (Did you know we have more than 50 covered bridges in western
Oregon?)
The price was two dollars, so there was no incentive to resist.
Hanging next to it was a beautifully stitched and framed crewel embroidery,
probably from the 70s.
I believe it was a Paragon kit called Poppies in Bloom
(for some obscure reason…). Whoever stitched it did a beautiful job.
Of
course art comes in all formats, and I've always loved folk art. Which certainly
describes my newest bunny, who comes from Russia with love. (MY love – I'm crazy
about him!)
When you swing the wooden ball he paddles his boat; it is fabulous.
I keep taking him down to play with.
Found an
area rug for my living room that was art to my eyes. Thick wool plush, looks
like new, twenty bucks. Yes please.
And I stand
firm in my belief that well-designed, practical items we use every day are a
wonderful form of art. Into which category I put my new paring knife; don’t you
love using a good knife?
In fact, a big part of the enjoyment I get from
cooking (and oh yes, I do love the eating part!) is using the terrific kitchen
tools I've found on driveways over the years. Excuse me while I go make a note
to do a future post on a tour of my favorite kitchen stuff…
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