State of Mind...

Fr. Tony Update: A week in the Big Apple...

Meg-Abroad...

Stuff and Nonsense...

STATE OF MIND: Explaining the image above.

Several years ago I was working as a potter. Having done a lot of research on different styles or pottery, I fell madly in love with ancient Greek pottery. Greek Pottery is amazing to me, when you consider that over 2000 years ago they had mastered techniques that can barely be reproduced today! I was also fascinated with the concept of applying scenes of everyday life around the outside of a pot, and had hoped to one day create similar objects. Well that never came about, but I often thought of images I could sketch into the side of a pot, depicting our current way of life. This led to me wondering what a person 2000 years from now, would think about our present day culture....

At the time, one of my ideas was to document the dessert storm saga. Though I never got around to it, we now have another war on our hands, and since I don't have a pot to sketch on, the above image will have to suffice. The title "evolution" seemed appropriate, though I've debated whether to add a question mark or not. Have we really evolved, when you look at the history of mankind, and our propensity toward war? We "civilized" human beings have taken the art of killing one another to a shameful level of barbaric, not only through war, but in may other unmentionable (un-"pc") ways. I feel deeply for our young adults who have been sent into this fiasco, many dying, and even more coming home with mental and physical wounds that will never completely heal. And, for what? I've yet to figure out how to apply the idea to something, so it will remain in 2D for now.

FR. TONY UPDATE: A week in the Big Apple:

Day three in the big apple, and Tony seems to be doing well, though he did sound a bit tired on the phone this morning. Hopefully, he'll get some rest, as he can. He's enjoying meeting with everyone, and visiting with the folks at the ECUSA headquarters. Also, if you've not visited Fr. Tony's blog, he continues to post regular entries. We've also set up a way for you to subscribe to his blog, so you'll receive an email with each new blog entry. You can visit his site by CLICKING HERE.

MEG-ABROAD: Megan on the Thai/Burmese Border:

News from the Border... Megan joyfully sends the following good news.

*SAW (Social Action for Women) just had a washing machine donated for the Safe House orphanage. Many of the children are getting scabies so hopefully this will help with the problem.

*Money was donated to buy creams for the scabies. We will be starting a schedule next week of showering, cleaning and caring for the children and starting them all on the medicine for scabies.

*We have two new donors deciding how much money they will donate and for what.

*SAW has started a Scholarship Program to send all 20 of its orphans to Thai schools. The cost is 1,000 baht per child per month, so 12,000 baht a year. Thats $28 a month or $337 per child to give them a good education. More information and pictures coming soon.

*The Safe House orphange will be moving. Currently the burmese orphans are told almost daily to be more quiet by their Thai neighbors. This new location out of the neighborhood will be much better. Good location, no crabby neighbors, and much more room. Moving day set for the end of February.

On a different note... Oregon State University is in the final stages of reviewing Megan's application. So, cross your fingers and toes!!! She hopes to return to the states and attend graduate school there, acquiring a masters degree in Public Health.

Megan's been catching up on her personal journal, and you can view her latest entries on her website. Simply CLICK HERE to visit her website. Please remember that we continue to request donations to help support Megan while she works with the children in Mae Sot. If you'd like to make a donation, visit our FAMILY BLOG SITE, and follow the directions to the PayPal link. Every donation is important, and No donation is too small.

STUFF AND NONSENSE:

While I have this one short week break, during Tony's visit to NYC, I'm trying to get some sewing done. Have to get a couple of chasubles done, and work on the handbag ideas. I finished the knit purse, and will be felting it today. I also hope to get some Messenger Bags started. Below is an idea for an African themed messenger bag, based on a lovely piece of faux fur I acquired.

The bag will also have some tribal looking beadwork, and I may try making some small tribal masks out of polymer clay, to adorn the bag.

DID YOU KNOW?

During the mid 18th century, women didn't use handbags. Nope! Women carried small items in separate, commodious bags tied around their waists beneath the skirt. Pockets were functional and hidden from most observers. Many women designed them with fine textiles and embroidery, a clue that pockets had some important beyond function. Ya learn somethin' new every day!

I'm quite fascinated by this whole pocket idea.... and may try to work on some new designs around this concept.

I'm feeling the need for coffee, and a Starbucks fix.... Must go brave the snow. Have a great day!!! PitterPat