September sweeps ...

Oh. My. September is nearly done.

We have created a lovely show at Art Gallery 21 at the Woman's Club of Wilton Manors: the art of Nia Nakis. And, what an absolutely delightful human being she is! A lovely group of her friends and students have visited the gallery and they've all agreed with me about what a gifted artist she is! AND, she's sold a couple of pieces, which is always fabulous for an artist! You still have time to see Nia's show if you're in the neighborhood. It doesn't close until Friday, October 10.

I recently visited a passive park out west next to U.S. 27 ... Chapel Trail Park Nature Preserve in Pembroke Pines. Walked all the way out the boardwalk and took photos to share with my students this year. I think it's important to show them what's out there; places where they can go and experience the Everglades for themselves.

I've been doing a little design work for my darling daughter, the social media maven with the Master's Degree! This is a sample of the things we've created together ... (SoFi is pronounced like the name, Sophie) and I'm enjoying the entire process! It's been a fun way to, once again, dabble in some graphic design and to work with my girl. I'm so proud of her, my little entrepreneur!

My day job's kept me jumping, too! Research projects, prepping for school visits and wrapping up the budget for 2014-2015. Danbo will attest to that, too! He's been hounding me to clear my desk!

And, let us not forget that 30 days from today I will be with dolly friends, old and new, at the 2014 Integrity Toys Convention in Orlando, Florida where I and 499 likeminded folks will play for three glorious days with all those gorgeous Integrity girls!


C'mon, October!

Around here ...

September. It's still hot here in south Florida, but the light is changing. That's how I know that those "crisp autumn days" are approaching. Nope. No colored leaves here. And, no, the temperature changes are infinitesimal ... maybe one degree cooler than August, so we're talking 89 or 90 instead of 91 or 92. Still, the light is changing, so I know fall is in the air.

I like the beginning of the school year. It gives me an excuse to deliver pencil bouquets to the teachers in my 12 elementary schools along with a newsletter reminding them about our environmental programs. The kids are all decked out in their new uniforms with freshly cut hair and polished shoes! It's a time of great hope that THIS year will be the best one ever!

Art Gallery 21 will open its 2014-2015 season next week, so I've been busy preparing for the first show with artist Nia Nakis. She uses acrylics on canvas to create vibrant images of Florida and the Mediterranean area where she was born. It's her first one-woman show and I'm very excited for her!

I'm anxiously counting the days until I leave for Orlando and my second Integrity Toys Convention! Last year I traveled alone to Los Angeles and had a fantastic time, but, this year, I have several doll friends who will be in Orlando with me, so that will make it even more special I'm sure! I've applied to be a table host, but they're not notifying people until later this month, so I'm eagerly waiting on that, too! I wish there was somewhere on the internet where you could post a sign that says, "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

People who aren't doll collectors don't understand why we love doll conventions. In addition to the IT Convention, there's the National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention and the United Federation of Doll Collectors Convention, and there are conventions in Japan and Paris that, if I had the resources, I would gladly attend.  I'm certain it's because we doll collectors form our own tribe and there is no need for explanations about what many perceive as an eccentric hobby. When you meet another doll person, there are so many things that are simply understood via osmosis. It's truly the most wonderful experience one can have and I highly recommend it!

We had another Super Moon this month, and that was awesome to see! It's like something out of a movie right outside your front door!

As you'll see, the days between now and the New Year will fly by fast! Halloween's just around the corner, then, Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to go by at warp speed. Hang onto your hat and have a good time! Wishing you all a glorious September!

around here ...

"Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high"
~ from 'Porgy & Bess' by George Gershwin

One of my roommate's photos, shot on
our balcony at the Hyatt in 2013 ...

jumping up and down with delight in anticipation of the Integrity Toys Convention in Orlando in November! (Attended my first convention last year in Los Angeles and had the most wonderful time! Wrote about it on my travel blog, here.)

designing a brochure for our network of environmental educators to share with returning teachers in August

crocheting a sock which I have undone three times, so far ... can't seem to get the tension quite right ... yet

dealing with a pulled muscle in my back (ouch! ouch! ouch!)

catching up on the ironing; I'm always amazed how quickly it piles up!

experimenting with salad recipes for summer meals

planning for "Tea with Barbie" in July ... this is our fourth year doing this event; it's been sold out every year and it appears this year will be no exception! It's a delightful afternoon of little girls dressed in their finest fashions accompanied by their moms, grandmothers and aunts and, of course, Barbie!

sorting photos I've shot over the past 7 years along Viele Road, a 1.5 mile stretch of rural road in the middle of a growing metropolitan area that I drive every day on my way to work ... been thinking about making a book. The entire road is a veritable feast for the eyes!

scanning Public Theatre photos from pre-digital days (1992-2000) and sharing them on Facebook in a "secret" group ... here, from the Public's production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams 

So, what have you been up to?