My Beta Babes and I went out to eat at Pasta House in St. Louis. I tried to behave, really I did. We had a great lunch and fun talking with each other. But I started lusting after the plastic butter tubs. And the margarine containers. I kept imagining ways I could use them. Then I said to myself, "What will they think of me if I start collecting trash?" I decided, "I don't care. That's who I am. That's what I do. Either they like me for … [Read more...] about Giving in to my Inner Scrounger
Guns, Culture, and the American Way
Culture involves at least three components: what people think, what they do, and … [Read more...] about Guns, Culture, and the American Way
My Son, the Endangered Species
Last month, my son Michael and I went to dinner together at a very nice restaurant in Hobe Sound, Florida. We were sitting at a high-top table, waiting for our food to arrive, when a man came over and said to Michael, "May I ask you a question?" Michael is 25, wears a beard, and on this particular evening, he was dressed in sandals, jeans, and a gray hoody. The man wore a black leather jacket, an earring in one ear, jeans, and tennis … [Read more...] about My Son, the Endangered Species
Love, Crafts, and the Fine Art of Dumpster Diving
Two days ago, I noticed a big red Dumpster behind our apartment complex. It looked to be empty. That's interesting, I thought. Yesterday evening, my husband and I were walking Jax when I noticed the Dumpster had been filled to the brim. Looks to me like the apartment management evicted someone, sending their furniture packing as well. A red sofa extended above pieces of wood, paper, and articles you'd have to examine closely to identify. That … [Read more...] about Love, Crafts, and the Fine Art of Dumpster Diving
An Invitation to Meet Me in St. Louis!
On Thursday, September 25, 2014, from 6 to 9 p.m., I'll be hosting a special celebration in St. Louis--and you're invited! Who: Joanna and her friends What: A book signing party with book swag and refreshments When: From 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 Where: The Jane Allen Recital Hall in the Steinway Piano Gallery, 12033 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights, MO 63043 How: Main Street Books of St. Charles will be on hand to sell … [Read more...] about An Invitation to Meet Me in St. Louis!
Kit Bashing — A Dollhouse Furniture Bargain
"Kit bashing" is a term miniaturists use, and one that every crafter should get to know. You "bash a kit" when you take creative liberties with a project, putting your own spin on it. I love kit bashing. Curiously, I've noticed a big difference between miniaturists and scrapbookers. When I took scrapbook classes, a lot of the participants wanted their finished products to look EXACTLY like the teacher's sample. But miniaturists want to do their … [Read more...] about Kit Bashing — A Dollhouse Furniture Bargain
