Thursday, January 29, 2015

The Visitor 1862 - Free Download



Book I of the Visitor Series
 
The Visitor 1862
 
will be free to download on Amazon Kindle
 
Friday January 30th through Sunday February 1st
 
 
The first book introduces the five main characters of the story
as the Civil War changes everyone's life.
 
The Story of Mirisa Eppes spreads over six books
of misadventure.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Tucson Glass Art and Bead Festival



This is a picture of glass floral beads
though I photograph them as a bouquet they are beads
designed for jewelry artists.
 
I started as a glass artist in 2003
when I was working full time in the corporate world
I soon had many friends who made glass beads
and sculptures.
 
Artists in any medium have very talented people
and quite a few who just enjoy
being an artist. 
I fall in the latter set of artists
who captures their love of something in glass.
 
If I could scatter flower seeds
throughout the world I would be very happy
for there is nothing more beautiful
than fields of wild flowers.
 
I sell my glass floral beads online
and in one bead show held in Tucson every February
 
 
where I mingle with great glass artists
drink and be merry
 
It is going to be a great show!
 
barb

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Snarkiness Is My Attitude


A witty mannerism, personality, or behavior that is a combination of sarcasm and cynicism. Usually accepted as a complimentary term. Snark is sometimes mistaken for a snotty or arrogant attitude.
 
 
I wonder sometimes 'who' writes definitions
for words that are not words that have been around forever.
 
Hello...I was born snarky
though the definition of my flippant sarcasm/cynicism remarks
didn't have a 'cool' word to define it until someone
invented 'snarky'.
 
I think sarcasm is the greatest form of expression
whether it is in words or illustrations
and I think it is so vital in this world of half-truths
and blatant lying that we are immersed
in day and night.
 
Am I arrogant...am I
probably but not arrogant like I am better or more
intelligent or even can see things clearer
but in the fact that others should be more aware
of the crap that fills their days.
 
I love to be snarky
for it allows me to roll my eyes like a professional
as I walk away leaving others to ask "what?"
Humans are very strange animals don't you think?
I think so.
 
We have the ability to create good things
to watch the world open like a morning glory
to build and experience
we have the ability to make the right choices
and yet we squander it.
 
"There but for the grace of God go I."
One of my favorite sayings which I have said before
and yet I am secular for I don't believe
in things that man wrote as true
anymore than there is a clown in the sewers.
 
Believe in the truth
question every thing that is thrown at you
question, question and question again
for only a fool and his money
will weave a story that while entertaining you
steals your right to question.
 
I like being snarky
I love being snarky
I was born to question and explore life
and it is a wonderful world in which to partake
despite the annoyance of humans.
 
barb

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Always Find Personal Time








Today was our first day back from five days in the Pacific Northwest.
Of course, planning a vacation in the NW part of America
in January is probably questionable
but it was a great 3 hour flight and the weather though
very, very humid [ie light rain] and chilly
We really had a great time.
 
The first night we did the Space Needle park and had dinner
at the top...the food was good, the service great
and we got to see the whole city.
The second adventure was a skytrain ride downtown
and a walk to Pike's Market
I don't know why this place is popular for tourists
it is more of an open vegetable and fish market
and we passed many little old ladies who were walking up
the very steep street with their fresh food
the rest of the place is typical tourists with everything to buy
or little restaurants but still it is not 'something'
you must see.
 
We were immersed in the fragrance of legal pot
on the streets, in the hotel...
but we didn't notice any shops anywhere
maybe they are still trying to get those ducks in a row
on 'regulation' - boys don't take too long for the 'taxes' are getting away
and really isn't that what it is all about.
 
Our trip north over the 'boarder' was interesting
no they did not stamp my passport though I thought it was mandatory
I watched several people just show a driver's license...
we had to turn on the 'devices' since the cost to use them in Canada
was a little expensive...when we got lost we just
pulled over at the corner and asked a great guy walking a dog
for directions - the old GPS system worked great.
 
Two nights in Vancouver was fantastic
and we actually ran out of time to do everything but we became
great 'map readers' - it is an easy town
with fantastically friendly people.
The food was good...the weather good and we had a lot of fun.
 
Now going back across the boarder was not so easy
the lines were long and we had to go through the 3rd degree
by a proper person in a uniform who wore the 'really' look very well
but he finally let us back into America.
 
The greatest part of our adventure was two nights
on the bay in Tacoma...
great hotel, made time to visit two very old friends in different areas
one out on the other part of the peninsula
taking us along the waterways and into the deep forests
to a beautiful resort
 
We spent the whole time trying 'seafood'
I think we had more appetizers than meals but the chowder
was so different one from the other
and I am not sure which I preferred except I really like
New England Clam chowder that is thick.
The crab cakes were fantastic but honestly the fried calamari
and fried clams were to die for...the fish was okay
the salmon wasn't any different then you can get anywhere
the shrimp were fresh but small even though they were called prongs
All and all the food was great.
 
The coffee...it was like so strong [and I love strong]
that you would become an addict
within a week of drinking coffee in Washington.
 
So, we returned home feeling great
and woke up to snow.


 
Vacations or adventures as I prefer to call them
should be about 'enjoying' and 'experiencing' life
doing the simple things that you rarely get the time to do.
Enjoy to the fullest.
 
Vancouver Welcome Committee
 
barb


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The World In a Spin

 
 
Every once in a while
the world spins faster than your equilibrium
nagging in your left ear of the possibility
that there is a rift in the sky
that is throwing you off balance like the angry ocean
when you can't cross the deck without falling.
 
That has been my last three days
I feel like a snow globe that some out of control
child keeps shaking with a sneer
and I keep hoping that they don't drop it on the tile
though it might be preferable to this feeling
but somehow I do not wish to know.
 
Things will balance out sooner or later
hopefully once it sucks out whatever matter and energy
the rift has decided belonged to it
leaving behind a silence of appreciation
even though wobbly we still live to see another day
but damn if the ride isn't rude.
 
barb
 
 
 
 


Saturday, January 3, 2015

Tragedy or Love



A new year has graced our morning with promises
of our deepest daydreams
for nowhere shall we give breath to the nagging worries
lying in the nightmares of life soured
on the bare grape vines.
 
The wistfulness of the sweet primal longing
the deep painted lips of desire
with the touch of blooming honeysuckle on the breeze
waiting impatiently I must confess my hope
does he come this way?
 
Broken hearts feed upon the melancholy night
songbirds silent in their nests
prayers upon the parted lips of eternal hope escape into the dark
with the soft regret of words spoken so hastily
between the salt of our bearing witness to death
of one's growing desire.
 
Damn the world of my nights
damn the demons that taunt me without pity and certainly
without mercy of my sinking soul
Damn the world before the first ray of sunlight
dwelling in the misery that has chained me to this destiny
forever berating the daydreams
of my heart...
 
 
Every story in the head of every writer starts with inspiration
pulling forth the emotions from this day or from somewhere unseen
of another time and another life...
if we could write about our deepest dreams and the tears
that soak slowly into our pillows as the moon rises
catching in our chest like a rock travelling
downstream in a rainstorm.
 
barb