Weekend Wildcard: Cuteness Break

Posted on August 26, 2017 by Maggie C

This past week has been a tempest of chaos on many fronts and in many parts of the world. We are in the midst of very stressful times, and with 24/7 media, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the crazy stuff going on these days.

While it’s imperative to stay engaged — at whatever level seems right at the moment –, it’s also necessary to step back sometimes, unclench my jaws…

and look at photos of cute pets.

I know, I know… Facebook… Instagram… blogs… they’re glutted with fuzzy/furry/feathered little faces.

But you know what? I’m going to happily and shamelessly add to that glut. I’m going to indulge myself in cuteness overload. My blood pressure will thank me, my jaws might stop aching, and I might even lose that recently acquired eyelid tic.

Here’s hoping.

(BTW: Today is National Dog Day, but we’re going to let a couple of cats slip in here, too.)

Sebastian and Chules are hiding under the bed in response to my rendition of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.

Finnigan has a very colorful personality.

My cat Thursday is trying to look adorable so that I will feed her a second breakfast.

Chules is learning to play chess.

Bella in the snow

Sebastian is out from under the bed.

Chules and his buddy Brisco

Ahhh, I feel much better now.

I wish you all restful and pleasant moments this weekend.

Shalom.

In Harmony ~ three word haiku

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Maggie C

synchronicity
uncoincidentally
reconciliates

The Daily Post daily one-word prompt: Synchronize

Stained Glass Production: at the Corner of Art and Environment

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Maggie C

Interior corner at the Uroboros Glass studio in Portland, OR.

The art glass industry is facing many changes lately, and it’s hard for me to get on board with the direction things seem to be going, even though I feel like I “should” think it’s all for the better. Even though it IS for the better. Likely.

In the Pacific Northwest where I live, two of the three nearest art glass manufacturers have essentially gone out of business recently, in large part due to newly imposed environmental regulations. Growing concern about poisonous contamination from glass factory operations have led to tighter – and very costly – restrictions on manufacturers, and the expense of implementing the revised safeguards has been crippling to the industry.

Glass bins were nearly empty at the Uroboros Glass factory as of mid-July, 2017

One could question the impetus for such strict mandates: How viable were the environmental studies, and did they provide an accurate depiction of environmental impacts? Was there consideration and investigation of other potential sources of contamination in the tested areas? Are the specific restrictions and requirements that have been imposed actually effective and/or what is needed to improve safe factory operation?

Maybe it simply boils down to “better safe than sorry.” Environmental, ecological and human preservation and safety are paramount, and if the art glass industry has to sacrifice certain hues of glass to contain unhealthy contaminants, then so be it.

A no-brainer, I suppose. But still…

Entry to Uroboros Glass Studio in Portland, OR.

Production of art glass previously produced by the two closed factories, Uroboros Glass and Spectrum Glass, has been taken over by another glass manufacturer, Oceanside Glasstile, and moved to a different, less restrictive location. But that doesn’t really resolve the issues.

There are still myriad choices in color, texture, opacity and other facets of art glass, certainly enough to feed my artistic soul for a long time to come. Perhaps I need to be open to “turning the corner,” and seeing what new “avenues” appear, so to speak; non-toxic avenues that will help sustain ALL of us for a long time to come.

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Corner