Tagged into talking

For weeks I hadn't even been checking my stats; that would give you a hint about how busy I've been!
I barely checked my e-mails. Then i found this in my mail: 

"You've been tagged. If you want to, and have time, the idea is to list seven little-known facts about yourself, and then list seven blogs you find interesting. It's to increase readership and linkage. And to promote your wonderful site to others cheers, e"

"E" is Edith Dora Rey, my art blog friend.
Thank you Edith, your challenge kept my thoughts on the blog even when I couldn't find time to write. So did other good web friends by letting me know that they'd noticed my silence. Thank you all. I haven't stopped blogging really. We just moved during summer.

 

New house, and a bad summer in Scandinavia lead to a rush of guests. - I've been a tad preoccupied, one could say. However, now when my time is my own again, here's my response:

Listing blogs i enjoy - that's pure pleasure, there are so many good ones. (I have to add more to my blog list)

The other part is harder. But in between sorting stuff and stuffing boxes and moving boxes I reflected upon what is little known about myself. A lot, really. I mean, we don't know that much even about the people we think we know. Anyhow, I tidied books and thought about childhood and decided to let the circumstances dictate the themes; reading habits, memories and dreams:

1) While tidying books:
Out of curiosity I counted the books in the stack that had been piling up at my bedside since September last year - 45 books. About one book per week. That is less than I used to read in my twenties, but more than when my boys were toddlers.

2) Packing books reminded me that:
Every summer I try to re-read one of Karen Blixen's books. People tend to know "Out of Africa" but her other titles don't seem to be as well known. I recommend book-lovers to try to find them.

3) Sorting and packing design work made me remember:
I'm always torn between clean graphical design and a still-lasting childhood infatuation with a perfect rosebud.

4) Packing the children's books and memorabilia brought back this:              As a child I wanted to be an archeologist. My grandmother's garden was the perfect site for my playacting; one day I was head of a now extinct culture digging tombs and burying treasures and next day I'd be the lucky archeologist finding it. My finds would be all sorts of small household artifacts and more valuable trinkets like my grandmother's silver coffee spoons. Maybe I outgrew my interest before I had completed digging out the last site - or I was more skilled as Egyptian burial chief than archaeologist; because years later my younger cousin found a silver spoon in that very same corner of the garden. Everyone wondered how it got there...             Photo: Silver coffee spoons, by courtesy of Corey Amaro. 

5) Packing all that boy's stuff brought back another thought:
I've never wished I were a boy or man. Up to the age of about thirteen I thought boy's brains were a little underdeveloped. I have later been forced to modify this view. I have to admit that in our household of five, I'm the only female, the rest are male with brilliant minds.

6) Now packing skiing gear thinking about winters:
If I get cold I'm numbed into apathy. My brain freezes into a state of non-thinking. Most depressing.

Above: My favorite one of Edith's winter tree paintings - this actually stirs up some nice winter memories. By courtesy of Edith Dora Rey.

7) Then I look up and take in my soothing Mediterranean surroundings again:
I've always dreamed of having a lemon tree. A lemon tree is a sure sign of a friendly climate. I now have a lemon tree - for that I'm grateful.

The seven blogs - representing the diversity of my blog list:

1) Check "Doreyme" Edith's art blog for her paintings and the way she lets you in on her thoughts of her daily toiling with motifs and colours. Edith continuously shows new work - a painting a day - which always makes it worth checking.

2) "Tongue in cheek". Corey Amaro's personal observations about living in France rendered with unusual warmth and  precision. She's sharing her eye and flair for capturing all things warm, human, fragile and beautiful in text and painterly photos. Check out her collections of vintage decorations.
- My Christmas-gift-Reading to those who haven't discovered her yet!

Above: Photo by courtesy of Corey Amaro; her vision of books.

3) Life 2.0 - Nick Smith's blog address is what i give to friends in need of a kick or a pull to live life more inspired, more attentive, right now, right here. Philosophical about life, business and human interaction in general.

4) "Charlotte's web" by Charlotte Otter. Charlotte is a writer, sure, but she paints with words - this is good reading and inspiration. About books, living, food, kids, writing. Entertaining about ex-pat living in Germany.(Also see her husband Thomas Otter's blogs).

5) "Freedomwig" - by Martha Rich. What an intriguing title! Found her a few months ago. I'm not sure i want to share her with you, but then it deserves sharing. Art blog again, unpretentious, active, refreshing and sharing.

6) Of course "Art for housewives" by Chyntia Kortzekwa - Wrote about it here.

7) "Self versus self"  by Hazel Dooney. Young Australian painter. Not a typical art blog but thoughts by someone who seems quite committed to making art. Her frankness makes the blog very personal. At times it borders on the private but Hazel Dooney writes so well - it's hard not to be drawn in.

It was May when Edith tagged me. I'm so glad I've never promised to post regularly. That would not fit my profile - see former post.

I would have liked to finish with a splendid picture of lemon trees but I couldn't find one. Enjoy these happy snails in it's place. Quick is not my way!

   
 

Comments

[Charlotte]

Thanks to Edith, then, for getting you blogging again Tittin. I've missed your words here! Thanks to you for that lovely mention.

Hope you've all settled down happily in your new home.

[Thomas Otter]

Yeah!!
You are back. Welcome! Looking forward to some more art education..

[Thomas Otter]

Yeah!!
You are back. Welcome! Looking forward to some more art education..