"It's like how hot dogs come in packs of 10, and buns come in packs of eight or 12 - you have to buy nine packs to make it come out even."

I want to fall down and sleep like Rip Van Winkle.
I also never want to eat Trader Joe' sushi again.
the taste was so different
like an assault on my mouth

I am trying to find the right song to be Little Alouette's new website song.
Yeah- expanding beyond the etsy and LA blog soon! woot!

I know it should be a kiddo song-but I really want this.
or this.
I can't shake David Byrne.
I would kiss his forehead. I would wash his feet.

And then you should see the state of my home.
I walk around squinting.
Everything looks better squinting.

And thank you God I am headed to the salon tomorrow night.
I had to wear a hat all weekend.
I am unkempt.

This is not one of those guilty posts. This is not an excuse.

I am tired and working mad and the world spins and all of the sudden one night Finnian pulls right from his little body all the words that make me just fine.

He tells me in sing song how much he loves us and the excitement of his life is just what I need. It can boil my bathwater.
It can curl my hair.
I am wild and frantic but at the end of the day these small arms...
All of these arms wrap around me and remind me of what I am doing.
I am growing these arms strong and one day they will unfold and the hands will straighten and the long fingers will point in the direction of Now.
Go there.
It's all good.
I know I can.
You told me.
You showed me.


title post- True Stories 1986

If You Wanna Make The World a Better Place

Little Alouette at Comfest!

We are on Russell St. midway down the street!
Please come visit and see all the goodies!
I will be hanging out all weekend. Fri noon- Sunday night!
(being v. v. sad about Michael Jackson)

Wood for Wee Ones!

Gearing up for COMFEST

Comfest 2008 Crowd, originally uploaded by tim.perdue.

I will have a booth again at the amazing comfest this year!
Please come down and see us and get some lovely toys!
Bring me a beer and sit in my tent for a spell.
Lord knows it's gonna be a hot weekend!
kisses

goody goody gum drops

I sat on my stairs today eating fruit and sweating from my mother of the year award winning day. I walked these kids all over the town on adventures in 90 degree weather. We played hard. All this after I subjected myself to the city pool for them last night.
Hello swimming with little ones is not a relaxing time.
I guess I have many more years before I can be the moms I want to be- those happy women over by the picnic tables- lounging in teak chaise chairs- laughing- heads back smiling as their older children frolic. Their kids will not drown. They will sit there relaxing with novels and caftans and brown taut skin.

I rolled around the kiddy pool like a freak.

So I sat in my underwear today on the stairs and ate fruit and stared at the beautiful beautiful mobile from Fraizer and Wing.
I won it on Creature Comforts as Ez and Summer had teamed up for a fantastic giveaway.
Holy crap I won! I am pretty darn charmed.

I called Heather to thank her today and was completely smitten with her.
I told her how I had always wanted one of her mobiles- but it was on that list of things for me that never get bought because- well you know. I just don't splurge on me like I once did.

Anyhoo. If it is on yr list. Buy it today. It has made for lovely looking!

Spain Daily- "Music" some videos

blackbird finn from Amy Turn Sharp on Vimeo.

Easter madness from Amy Turn Sharp on Vimeo.

grace in small things from Amy Turn Sharp on Vimeo.

some of our music videos this year...

Check out Spain Daily for loads more music!

i just love this

love her

I've never been so grossly insulted in all my...

thinking about our trip to the UK next month and how I love to visit family in Shropshire.
I was thinking about the first time I went there so long ago and how Joe's sister and her husband took us to the most gorgeous place ever...



It was picturesque and there were sheep everywhere and gliders
(you know those fancy pant areoplaney things like in Bond films)
and everyone was dressed like camping chic and I just loved it.

I recall how when we got back to the house I told my new brother in law-
the handsome and keenly witty Simon:

"Thanks so much for the day. Can we go back to the Long Minge again?"

The whole room laughed right out loud at me.
Joe whispered----"The Long Mynd!"
and I just nodded.

It would take over a decade to learn all of the naughty words the British have accumulated.
Anyhoo. I thought of this today. I also thought of how Joe still thinks my uncle Randy is a funny name and women should never ever wear fanny packs.


title post- Jane Eyre 1944

"There's someone out there for everyone - even if you need a pickaxe, a compass, and night goggles to find them."

I found a bike with a free sign
it needs some work

Joe is ill on father's day
blah
I had wanted to slow dance with him today

I have to cut fingernails like every weekend
their nails grow so fast

I did let the boys eat lunch on the couch today
something I have never done

The longest day of the year is so romantic to me

How was your weekend?


title post- L.A. Story 1991

one more wee thing

I had to pinch myself this week- but it's true:
I am reading at Blogher's Community Keynote- A true honor!

photo via the divine mary ruffle

It's FRIDAY I'n in LOVE/Inspire Me Series #21

Follow the Bliss...

Piper is my girl.
She is one of the first people I allowed into my life online.
I was kinda freaked out that I adored someone that lived inside of my computer.
It was weird and immediately I understood how folks use online dating and fall directly in love online. We just got each other straight away and we would be in each others lives if not for geographical fate.
She is interesting and sparkly and funny and very inspiring to me as she makes me want to fall in love with nature more. She writes about life and I just love her journey.
We have double secret music twin brains and will have a blast next month together at blogher~ We are roomies! Yay!
Please read about her and visit her lovely space online!
If you know me well- you might want to leave her some tips for handling me at blogher!
(I am very messy and drink too much beers and perhaps may find a table and dance on it) lol!

I asked her to talk about inspiration:

The place where mountains meet water, that's the most magical spot for me. A glacial lake, a mountain stream, a lily pond in a valley. The colors of nature that collide together there, and the fabric of the air. To breathe the fabric amid the saturation of high altitude hues, to be alive in that space.. it would be impossible for my spirit to find higher illumination.

Anything reminiscent of the childhood I shared with my grandparents. A tiny country church with rows of hard wooden pews that hold worn hymnals in their backs, and tissue boxes on the ends. A lilac hedge. Purple iris and daisies. Pancakes on Saturday morning and fried chicken for Sunday supper. The hum of a sewing machine. The taps and pings of tools made of wood. A redheaded woodpecker diligently hammering its hollow oak home. Anything that evokes those sweet moments of my youth fill my heart with something so wholesome that the only thing I can do is 'create' something emotional.. that's likely to be a dancy ballerina jig, or a singy-song, or a handwritten letter to someone loved.. all the while pushing the tiny tears in the corners of my eyes with my knuckle, and whispering gratitude for my memories.

People who a fearless in their creativity and expression are my ultimate inspiration, I think. People who go for it, balls out, people who live their lives to the fullest are the epitome of who I aspire to be. I find the greatest outlet for witnessing this expression on Flickr. One of my favorite things online is my Favorites collection on Flickr.
I love to look at the recently uploaded feed on Flickr, and I can do that for hours before realizing it. I favorite photos of things that I find inspiring, or just awesome. Other people's creativity inspires me a great deal. A few examples of shots that delight my innards:
*******

*******

*******

********


********

Okay, my favorite things... seriously whittled down

the webcam at Spring Creek Ranch is my daily view of the Tetons http://www.alltravelcams.com/grand_teton_national_park/spring_creek_ranch.php (you can't see it at night, obviously)

Soap & Glory Cosmetics http://www.soapandglorycosmetics.com/

I love the Sundance Catalog, mostly for the jewelry
http://www.sundancecatalog.com/CATEGORY/Jewelry.html

I read my weekly horoscope here: http://www.0800-horoscope.com/

I'm a vivid dreamer, so this site has been very helpful and full of insights: http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/

Thanks Pipes! I luv you!
Her blog is fab- go there and get lost- tell her I said hello. xoxoxo
happy friday

I need a new word for how I feel

I did not like finding a Smirnoff bottle in a plastic bag stuffed in my bathroom vent.
It was dirty and dusty and annoyed me.
It is like she left it there for me.
an archive of a broken relationship
Like she went into the future and knew I would find it
only she thought it would make me miss her
make me sentimental for the good times

she was wrong though
how could she know
that I found it on a day
that was sad and particularly confusing and
and my response would be to take it to the back yard
and throw it against the concrete
and watch the slivers of glass sparkle in the sun
a reminder to stay away
to learn that glass cuts
smooth skin
I need a new word for how I feel
none of the other ones capture it
like watching that glass shine and shine

Spain Daily -street fashion

Had to post these shots again for spaindaily as this is the theme is street fashion this week and this is the most fashionable street fashion I have seen all year! (my little boy Blaise)
Enjoy it over at spain daily

"I create feelings in others that they themselves don't understand. "

I can't really sleep in cars.
I have had the terrible affliction since young adulthood.
I have to stay awake and alert in a car that someone else
other than my father is driving.
I have to be the navigator and soul saver.
I have fear of motion.
Planes are fine.
I relinquish control because it way bigger than rolling wheels.

Once on the Mass turnpike I saved my whole gang of college friends from certain death. We were coming home from a concert in the days of opening my mouth freely for things and we were stupid to think a few hours makes a difference blah blah blah...
I would not sleep even though my body ached for it.

I would be in the front seat awake and alive and there to save.
Look out Meg!- I remember it so vividly.
If I wouldn't have been there-
we all would have died.
It has happened so many times since.
My husband hates to drive with me now.
He doesn't believe in my magical power.

My father though
I trust him
I can lie my head down and sleep while he drives
I am sure I still can
I think about asking him to drive me down to the river
or to the Badlands
or anywhere really
that is far enough to go away for awhile
just to sleep
alone in my own head and quiet
to a place where I am free

Once I liked to drive.
I took a cross country trip with some friends the summer that my friend died.
We fled away and rolled from Chapin, South Carolina to Los Angeles.
I drove the entire way across Texas.
Me.
It was kinda amazing.

I also have memories of driving in Nevada and the warm warm air against my young hand out the window and Metallica was playing and the desert was soothing and then how I slept so hard in the back of that shitty Toyota Corrola as my friend Bryan drove faster than he would ever drive now I bet and how I had been drooling against my backpack when I woke
face creased and sweaty

and I would just get out of the car and open my arms to the next great thing


title post- Cars 2006

but I was hell bent on agony back then, so I missed the boat.

pirate smile

I wonder what my grandmother feels like approaching her 90th birthday.
What does her body feel like and is she scared of being so very old?
Most all of her friends are dead.
She is keenly aware of this as she collects their obituaries
in shoe boxes categorized by year-all the way back to the 1960's.

I am scared of death like every single flipping day.
She just hums and bakes pies and loves Jesus and tells me things are just fine as she traces circles on my hand with her long nails.

In the car a few weeks ago the Athens, Ohio sunlight saturated her skin through the window. She looked so old that she almost looked like a baby.
Her skin is so relaxed and wrinkled that it is as soft as my toddlers.
I had to restrain myself from randomly stroking her.

Tonight on the telephone she told me how she went to The Randys concert last night.
She is 89 and out way more nights a week than me.
Damn.
She talked a whole bunch about the weather and berry picking
and what the women's club made for the July's nursing home craft drop off.
I said "yep"a bunch of times and stared out the kitchen window.

But when she's gone I will miss the nonsensical babble of Kroger's grocery store charging entirely too much for Crisco or the way she calls me Matilda even though she is fully aware that my name is Amy.

Imagine yr on a beach.
Like a good one in California
and the wind is warm with just the touch of cool that you like
and yr tan without it being bad for you
and "Tiny Dancer" is blaring out of waterproof speakers
and yr not worried about anything...
That's the kind of feeling I have with her in my life.

He's a hunk this one

Joe is amazing.
He just finished a beautiful wooden sign for his client and friend DesignSmith.
I can't wait to see it with patina and hung up on the wall.
Joe is so dreamy.
I may implode.

I'll only hurt you in my dreams

Belly - New Music - More Music Videos

"I dunno. Get a pizza, watch "Degrassi Jr. High."

OMG.
OK. I found my summer go to dessert.
My pal Kate told me about this super easy and insanely good icebox pie.
Holy hell...Run to the farmer's market and grab some strawberries and make this today!
I did not use vanilla extract or a true pie crust- just whizzed some graham crackers and wee butter
in food processor and it was fine! Blueberries next time!

Strawberry Cheesecake Icebox Pie
1 cup plain fat free STONYFIELD FARM yogurt
1 8oz. package of fat free cream cheese
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup strawberries, diced
1 9" Graham Cracker Crust

Directions:
In a medium-size mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar. Blend yogurt and vanilla extract into this mixture. Fold in Strawberries, and pour filling into graham cracker crust. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until set. Top with whipped cream if you like, and allow pie to warm slightly before serving.

Yields: 8 Servings

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:
Calories 150; Calories from fat 35; Carbohydrate 23g; Protein 6g; Fiber 1g
recipe from stoneyfield

title post- Chasing Amy 1997

the queen of all he knew

I dream of riding the Orient Express

for two nights in a row now

I am in a bright cabin with paper and pencils

and very Bohemian in an authentic way

like the way I used to wrap scarves around my head in college

and head out to the bar for a drink

when it was not even chic- just odd

scarves that my Kurdish friend would give me

and how they were so bright turquoise

that I stood out from miles away

like a beacon to other strange girls

blinking and calling out

be the person yr supposed to be

and later you will be fine with it

I am on a journey and at some point in the dream I freeze frame for a second and hit some sort of intense epiphany- only I wake up right as I feel the hairs on my body stand and stir

it was like that yesterday too

only I was walking in the heat of the day down the street here with the boys and we were headed to the creek

finn was jabbering away with so many questions that I thought my head might explode

only it didn't and I just gave in and started answering the questions

and as we walked the crickets were loud against the landscape of suburbia

and I came right to a place that at the same exact moment long rivers of sweat were snaking down my back and pooling into my underwear I knew this was one of those days

where I was the queen of all he knew and I had come here

just here to make sure he knew all about the world

and we talked for over an hour about things that might have bored me senseless just the day before but this day they excited me much like the time I was the first person to show him The Mona Lisa or the first rock he ever broke himself against

right as the moment came I was present and able to feel it

everyday as a mother there are moments that stop you

wouldn't it be lovely if we could save them on some portable device like an ipod or something

take em with us and hit repeat

feel it viscerally

anytime we needed to know we were just fine

that we were here for them

and they were here for us

like a glove

"When I seduce you, if I decide to seduce you, don't worry, you'll know."

I think this weekend I will introduce my town to the lady with the crazy big ass hat. My friends made a bit of fun of me in Florida with this hat. It was actually a gift for my friend Jenny. (who I think was secretly glad that the hat was too big for her noggin) I like it. Just like I love my zebra coat and other eccentric things I wear. I know when I am an old woman I will wear way more than purple.

title post- Boomerang 1992

Corner View "Beaches"

where I want to be, originally uploaded by turnsharp.

There are no beaches around me here in Ohio.
So I will show you a beach I love.
It is on a Greek Isle and the feet in this photo belong to a very hedonistic young gal named me.
Oh to be back there again. Oh really.

Check out Daily Spain for more groovy shots of the world playing along.

"Cue the sun!"

Before he went to culinary school
he had lived in Prague for two years teaching basic conversational English
He tells you about the city
and how he would sit and drink his harsh Turkish coffee
every day at 2pm under the statue of Sarka
about the people
and about the woman he followed back to California

He vaguely reminds you of James Dean.
It is now three a.m. and you don’t know how long you have been in this kitchen sitting at this bar talking to this chef. You are drinking tall glasses of cold orange juice and looking at an atlas with Andrew.
He shows you the North Sea and tells you how when he was 19 and in Sweden he lost the sensation of feeling in his legs.
He was at a party on the island of Marstrand
and the dumb Americans thought it would be fun to go swimming
despite the cold night air.
The signs were posted about the hypothermia.
The signs were in Swedish.

He laughs and tells you the doctor assured him feeling would eventually return.
It has been 10 years.
He can kneel in snow you think.
He can walk through fire.



title post- The Truman Show 1998

"When you were a little kid didn't you ever sprinkle Ivory flakes on the living room floor 'cause you wanted to make it snow in July?"

I found this light box in one of the cool little flea markets and shops we tooled around in over the weekend. I don't think it is super old- but it called to me. I think it will live upstairs in the bathroom or hallway. It is cool. It reminds me of Lucerne.
It makes me smile in the dark.

Title Post- The Sure Thing 1985

I wonder what having a highball at Hogan's bar was like back then?

I forgot my camera and wanted to cry- but I still want to tell you about this awesome show over at Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville, Ohio. If yr local you must go check it out.
It was quite amazing. The room was packed with many generations of folks and the show was stunning.

Stuart’s Opera House, Nelsonville, Ohio Presents a photographic exhibition of Vern McClish “Appalachian Families and Faces, 1971-1975 May 29- July 17, 2009 Opening Reception for the public: Friday, May 29, 6-9PM Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville, Ohio is pleased to present Vern McClish’s documentary photographs of the people in the communities surrounding Nelsonville, Ohio. The exhibition, entitled “Appalachian Families and Faces, 1971-1975” continues from Friday, May 29 to July 17, 2009. There will be a reception open to the public Friday, May 29, 6-9PM. From 1971-1975, Vern McClish documented the people of the coal-mining region of Southern Ohio, particularly in and around the communities surrounding Nelsonville, Ohio. Intrigued by the fascinating people and area, McClish photographed there for four years, recording the daily lives of people living in this critically important historical part of America. Now he has returned after over 30 years to share what he saw then with a wish to reconnect and again record what he sees today. “After not being in the area after over thirty years, I decided to return and see if I could retrace my steps. As I drove from my home in Massachusetts, I wondered if I would be able to find familiar sites or if gentrification had changed the area so much that I would never recognize it. Boy, was I wrong, for time had not changed very much, though I did find that Hogan’s Bar, a favorite watering hole in Murray City, is now gone.”

Some of the photographs are here to view.

The images are so amazing in person and there is a particular little girl in a few shots that captivated me. She is gorgeous and to think she may be still living in the area and able to come look at her image shot so long ago is thrilling to me. Many of the photographs held mysteries. Eyes that looked back at you and you just knew they were long gone.
I am haunted by history always.
Some family members were there and saw old familiar faces.
It was truly cooler than cool.
Check it out if you can.
***And locals- The Randys are playing there in June!
Wanna go and drinks some beers on the square?
xo