Around Town

What I like about Lafayette is that there continues to be new things to like about Lafayette. The city seems to be constantly changing and and adapting and adding, for the better. With various construction projects around town, it's hard to know what will pop up next. Many of the projects are city improvements, you know the ones that make our underground pipes better but make us groan at the torn up roads. Other projects this summer have been for the betterment of the community.


The windmill that popped up at the library is a perfect example. What a surprise to see a windmill installed on the front lawn of the public library. You can see the library in the background with the Lafayette Miner's Mural on the side, one of our 9 public art installations.



The city is making a big effort to go green. This is just one example of how they're doing it. And, according to the Lafayette Library's facebook page, solar panels are next. I'll keep you posted.

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And to keep you posted with what's going on at the studio... While it's been a relatively quiet summer, in the little blue studio, life has been anything but quiet for Kerry and Rachel! Wow! I wouldn't know where to begin...

Now, we're ready to rev up for the fall. Our plans include a fall launch party, our 4th annual artist sale at the studio, and a new line of jewelry.

We got together to work with new materials, new designs, and a new process yesterday. We are so excited with the outcome!!! We'll share photos soon.

We've even found a "green" way to patina silver! The process uses a plastic bag and a hot hard boiled egg! I'll bet you can't wait to hear how that turned out...but for now I'll leave you guessing.

Don Quixote

The other day I was writing about windmills. I couldn't think of the fabulous musical that I had taken my students to that had the great windmill icon. I called Kerry, she was not available. I called my friend Lisa, she was not home either. So I ended my blog with the great Bob Dylan lyric, "The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind."

(Bear with me, there will be a connection) Today I have been thinking about the old adage about having all of your eggs in one basket. (Or, don't count your chickens before they've hatched.) This has been pertinent in my life because Kerry and I have been trying to diversify our business. We have found that no one retail (or consignment) outlet is the end all, be all. There is no website that is the panacea for our art/business. This year is about expanding.

It is frustrating when you feel that you are doing all the right things to move down your chosen path, and you still feel you are not progressing. But, I guess that can happen when there are outside factors that effect your progress.

So, tonight while I was thinking of having all my eggs in one basket, I googled it. (Kerry already told you about my googling habit :) ). And what should I find, but a quote form Don Quixote! Just what I was trying to think of the other day! I guess life always comes full circle; sometimes it happens more quickly than other times.

"It is the part of a wise man to keep himself to-day for to-morrow, and not to venture all his eggs in one basket." --Don Quixote. Part i. Book. iii. Chap. ix--Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Maybe Don Quixote was trying to send me a message... windmills are good, and be wise to diversify! Take what you will from it. I guess for me, it is just one of life's small ironies. Another lesson that I will have to learn and relearn over and over.

Both Dylan and Cervantes were both correct. The answer eludes, even the wise man. It always keeps us guessing.

Blowin' in the Wind

Over spring break, we took a quick road trip from Colorado to Utah to visit family. Anyone who has travelled I-80 across the western United States, knows the meaning of wide open spaces.
For miles and miles, through Wyoming and Utah, there is nothing but wide open spaces. Few houses, few buildings, no industry, no factories, no malls, no stores. Even the gas stations and rest areas are few and far between.
What occupies this stretch of highway? Tumbleweeds, antelope, coyote, sage brush, and wild grasses all populate the open prairie.
And wind.
The wind through this area is relentless. We have travelled this stretch of highway in all seasons, and all types of weather. The one common denominator is the wind. The wind can lengthen or hasten your trek, whether you have to drive with or against it. This trip we cautiously watched several semi trucks as the cross wind tilted and tipped their trailers as they sped down the highway. It was frightening.
What, you may ask, do they do with this land? In this particular part of the country, we saw very little farming. I imagine the wind would blow any seed a farmer tried to plant. Perhaps the very topsoil needed for growing also blows away. There is one type of farm that does quite well: the wind farm. seriously!
There are rows and rows of wind generators that use the energy of the wind to generate power. (see the photo). These turbines are huge! They stand in rows and rows across the prairie, like sentries standing guard, their arms rotating, fast or slow with the wind. With no buildings or cities nearby, the wind farms appear other worldly. They almost look out of place sprouting from the dry grassland below. They are impressive, to say the least.
It was interesting to see several of these farms on our trip this year. Some of the energy that we use in our home and at the art studio comes from these farms. It is good to know that some of the energy we use comes from a completely renewable, non-poluting source.

I am still not sure of the question, but I like Bob Dylan's response:

"The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,The answer is blowin’ in the wind."