INAT

Just to let you know I will be at the New Age International Trade Show in Denver this week, Thurs-Tues. I have no idea what this show will be like, so it's a total adventure for me. It was the Fremont Fair last weekend. There were tons of people on the streets for the parade, the highlight of which is always the nude bicylists. That's right, nude people riding bikes. That is quite a site. They paint their bodies and even glitter various and sundry parts they'd like to highlight. Thank God the Center of the Universe (Fremont) still has that goofy, crazy gig going on....gives me hope. On another completely different note Edith Blakefield died last week. You may never have heard of her, but she's a folk hero in Ballard. She lived in a tiny, tidy house all her life. One by one the houses were torn down for commercial development until she stood alone. Along comes the "big" guns and offer her 1 million dollars for her property to build a giant Trader Joes. She said no, I will stay in my house until I die. Which is just what she did. I drove by her house last night and her fence is covered with flowers and notes. You can still see her little ceramic dog collection in the window. In this day and age it's a phenomena I guess when the almighty dollar does not rule. You go Edith. God bless you.

I will have lots of fun stories I'm sure from the upcoming trade show. Whoopee. Let the fun begin. Argh.

Stay with the Love. Diane

fruitcake

Hey, did you ever have one of those days when you felt nuttier than a fruitcake? You know what I mean. Untethered, a bare string holding you in place. And then there's a part of you watching all that and going, uh huh, that feels kinda bad and weird and yet at the same time, like what's the big deal drama all about? Yep, it's one of those days. To top it all off it's my birthday. So that feels kind of great and awful at the same time too. whoopee!!!!!!!!! Having fun now. What's this got to do with lamps and lighting? Not a damn thing. Here's what someone said to me today......Life goes on...........and it does - so let the light shine, let your light shine, let my light shine. Shine, shine, shine. Stay with the Love. Didi

People are so surprising

The other day I wandered over to Blue Moon Burgers where I get my occasional, ok, every day diet coke. Nick, one of the owners, is a great guy and I have met lots of his staff and they are all really nice. So I'd met Joe a few times. He works behind the counter. Nice looking young guy. So the other day Joe was sitting outside and we started to talk. The weather, what did you do last night sort of stuff. Then he tells me he writing a book and going to publish it. So I ask what it's about and Joe starts to tell me all about it. It's a book on a sort of meditation he's created to link up with the power of the universe. I call it God, but it goes by as many names as there are people. And he's telling me the origins of his process and about the oracle Delphi, "Know Thyself". And suddenly we're talking transformation and surrender and rising from the ashes like a phoenix. Who knew? I can't say I understood all he was telling me, but I like to read that book. You sure never know by looking at someone what stories they have, what talents they have, or really any darn thing about them. I guess we all just need to talk to each other more.
Stay with the Love. Diane

Woman

Here's a quote for the day........

"A woman is the full circle, within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform. A woman knows that nothing can come to fruition without light. Let us call upon woman's voice and woman's heart to guide us in this age of planetary transformation."

Diane Mariechild

I have been blessed with so many wonderful women friends in my life. I am still friends with Jennifer from the 5th grade. She is a rock for me. I have a troupe of girlfriends from high school that I still go on trips with. My friend Dorothy is not only my darling friend, but has been a spiritual teacher of the highest order for me. June 3rd was the birthday of my dear Deb who died in July of 2000. I still miss her invaluable advice and amazing spirit and her love. Linda has been a true friend for me these last two years of transformation and change for me. She is my touchstone on a daily basis. My neighbor Mary is always there for me and just to know you can call on someone and they will be right over...she's a lifeline. A woman's voice and a woman's heart is a deep and miraculous song. Keep on singing girls. I love you.

The charming Francoise

Several weeks ago I had the blessing of meeting Francoise von Dwingelo. As you may recall from the previous blog I saw a show of her paintings on Vashon Island at Kronos. They are Paris cityscapes, absolutely charming in every way. They are what she calls naif, with that beautiful folkart quality, colorful and joyful. We spent a wonderful hour together drinking tea and talking. Francoise was born in Paris and lived there until she was 30 years old. She has lived in the U.S. since then, Long Island, Vermont and now Vashon. We talked about Paris and art and her children and our husbands. I felt like I was with an old friend. What a privilege to meet such a wonderful artist. Unfortunately she does not have a website, so you will have to go to Vashon to see her work. Don't miss it if you are there!

On a completely different note the studio is now open Wednesday - Saturday from 11-4. Other times by appointment of course. I have a ton of new work there, new lamps, the wonderful Yes earrings, lots of new ornaments and bobeche too (the candle rings). Please come see me as I can get quite lonely there in the basement all by myself!