ODDS & ENDS

2011-07-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Serendipity is the art of making an unsought finding.
- Pek van Andel
I am an open for adventure person willing to see what happens when I say yes to an invitation, when I walk through the next door... You can imagine my excitement when I was contacted by a sponsor of the art show who revealed he was quite taken by my Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi.
In fact he said he had gone back to look at my wearable art object more than once and wanted to know if I was going to attend the First Friday Open Gallery in Rochester that week.

Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi

shown here at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) & The Surface Design Association present 28 artworks that expand the definition of fiber art
http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/mediaroom_fiber11.html

We did meet at the gallery and spoke for the better part of an hour about the process and concept behind my artwork as well as my journey as an artist. Content with that discussion he asked if I would be agreeable to his visiting me in my studio space in my home in Clarence, NY.

It is impossible to get to know me without breaking bread with me so I invited him to arrive in time for a small meal we shared my al fresco on my deck as we spoke.

Here of some of the images he shared with me from our meeting on May 27th 2011.

Sanctuary -
steel wire, wool yarn, bees wax, burning with fire, paper pulp, rust, my hair, a paper wasp built a nest in my sanctuary

Hat with floral elements made from up-cycled used paper coffee filters.

silk screen patterns

talking about the process

how my vision will manifest in my art work

Here I am sharing the vision with Rome for my new collection of art work which will include silk screened images on used coffee filters. Some of the works will be garments as a metaphor for people along with a variety of 2 -D and 3-D art works.

These series of images caused me to blush when I saw how deeply I was willing to share my emotions for this new collection.

Samples of experiments with the casting molds of my form that will eventually work their way into my art work at the appropriate time.

Special thanks to Rome Celli for capturing and sharing these images of my passion and creative energy in my studio.

Since this is the begining of a rather large on going art project up-cycling used coffee filters I would appreciate anyone willing to help me gather materials. Simply dump the used coffee grounds, preferable into a composting container, then store the used filters in a water proof bag. Perhaps the freezer would be a good place to prevent molds and keep the odors down until you let me know it is time to pick them up. I do all the washing and ironing of each filter.

Your help is deeply appreciated and you will have a vested interest in my art project. Location of gallery where this work will be show will be announced at a later date.

Have a Very Creative Day, Carol

Please visit us on Facebook @ Rice Rafferty or Rice Rafferty.com

"Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about… say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe." — Rumi

2011-06-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

I have the pleasure to lead a workshop

Saturday June 25th. 2011

Silk Painting

Hyatt's All Things Creative

910 Main St.

Buffalo, NY .

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hyatts-All-Things-Creative/15743184165

The students gathered at 11:00 am to learn the basics of how to work with the Jacquard Silk Painting Kit available at the Hyatt's Stores.

The week before the class I contacted each student with sample images of my work as well as links they could view for creative inspiration.

Each student was asked to create numerous sketches developed from sections of these works or something that speaks to them so they were ready to get started as soon as they arrived.

First I demonstrated numerous ways to attach the silk to a variety of framing devices.

Next I demonstrated how to apply the resist to create the desired design patterns.

Soon the students were enjoying seeing their designs come to life in living color.

While they painted with silk dyes I demonstrated various textural effects they could achieve by adding water, salts or rubbing alcohol.

Although the time during the three hour workshop passed quickly I made sure all of their questions or concerns were address before anyone left the group.

After a rush of preparation each person felt the relaxing joy of creative energy.
They each left with a sample size piece of art work, their own Jacquard Silk Painting Kit and the confidence to continue to work on larger pieces at home.

They also have my contact information in case more questions arise in the future ;~)

If you have a small group that would be interested in any of my workshops please feel free to contact me with special requests.

http://carolannricerafferty.com/
or
http://carolannricerafferty.com/

"Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards." Author: unknown

2011-06-20T04:51:00.000-07:00

" Remember...

Stressed spelled

backwards is Dessert "

Unknown

A visit to New Orleans is a great way to forget about life for awhile. There is so much music, food, laughter and fun that your cares will surely melt away in the merriment.

Sorry we did not learn the name of this talented group of musicians playing on the corner on St. Peter St. right outside of the fresh food market that offered a wonderful selection of fruits, veggies,
cheeses as well as wine and beer.

Night time on Bourbon Street Statue ala New Orleans flavor ;~)

Many women set themselves free on Bourbon St. in New Orleans ;~)

Killing Me Softly
There are almost too many talented artists competing for your singing, music and dancing dollars in clubs, bar, cafe's and out in the street.

Interesting mix of Religious and Voodoo cultures.

Roach -You are going to see a bug like this when you are in the south.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roach_(cannabis_culture)

These precious little angels are enjoying a break from morning classes to dance.

When the Saints Go March In - Louis Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA

Art for sale @ Jackson Square

This cemetery is lovingly cared for by a group of volunteers.
A nice man took us to this open grave for a look inside.

Because there was so much vandalism this grave is left open for curious people to see inside the tombs.

Lafayette Cemetery Number 1

1400 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115

Right across the street from this cemetery is the Commanders Palace.
" Particular attention was paid to the heart and soul of the restaurant; the kitchen and the dishes created there. Commander's cuisine reflects the best of the city, both Creole and American heritages as well as dishes of Commander's own creating. Seafood, meats, fruits and vegetables; everything is as fresh as it possibly can be."
http://www.commanderspalace.com/

"What we play is Life." Louis Armstrong

2011-06-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

St Joan of Arc

"What we play is Life." Louis Armstrong

The people of France gave the golden bronze statue of Joan of Arc to the City of New Orleans in 1972. (Note: This statue is an exact copy of the famous 1880 Emmanuel Fremiet equestrian statue of Joan located at Place des Pyramides, Paris.) This statue was originally located in front of the International Trade Mart building but it was moved in 1999 to its present location of the 'Place De France" on Decatur Street in the French Quarter next to the French Market on Decatur Street.

New Orleans is wonderful playground of music and food.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Preserves the origins, early history, development and progression of jazz: includes information on facilities and programs.http://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm

Every visit to New Orleans must include rest at Cafe Du Monde.
http://www.cafedumonde.com/

These workers are busy all day

The tables and air are sticky with the sweet taste of confection sugar and chicory flavored coffee.

Jimi waiting patiently for his coffee and beignets.

Here is a link for some recipes to try making these famous fried dough at home. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/msg021302169917.html
The dough has an distinct taste of baking soda that is offset by the confection sugar. One order of beignets was more than enough for two to share.

I ordered the salad while Jim enjoyed the Oyster Poor Boy when we stopped to enjoy lunch in outdoor restaurant The Gazebo Cafe. The music entertainment is wonderful. While you are here you might want to try the deep fried alligator.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d426423-Reviews-Gazebo_Cafe-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

Savory Seafood Cheesecake was an excellent snack to share @ the Crescent City Brewhouse

French Quarter: 527 Decatur across from Jackson Square. We enjoyed this with at Beer Sampler.

"In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home. It was rich, almost sweet, like the scent of jasmine and roses around our old courtyard. I walked the streets, savoring that long lost perfume."

2011-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

"In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home.
It was rich, almost sweet, like the scent of jasmine and roses around our old courtyard.
I walked the streets, savoring that long lost perfume."

— Anne Rice ( Interview with a Vampire )

In early April 2011 I was fortunate to enjoy an adventure in New Orleans to attend a family party. Evidently there is a festival in New Orleans almost every week; the weekend of our travel was a particularly large event called the French Quarter Festival. We were fortunate to find a room in the French Quarter with late travel plans.

Chateau Dupre French Quarter Hotel
http://www.neworleansfinehotels.com/chateauduprehotel/
Picture of our room, perhaps one of the last ones available for that weekend, behind this curtain is a view of a brick wall. We had to pay $35 each day to park the rental car. It was a joy to be within walking distance to anywhere within the French Quarter from our hotel.

Being able to walk a few blocks down to Bourbon Street is a great way to begin an adventure.

New Orleans is a strange mix of Alcohol, Sex, old time Catholic religion and Voodoo.

Poor Jimi looks like he has seen a ghost after a visit to this shop ;~)

The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States.

St. Therese , the Little Flower, my patron Confirmation saint. http://www.littleflower.org/abouttherese/learn/index.asp

http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/

St. Louis Cathedral looks like Disney Castle from this view in Jackson Square.

I have more images to share from New Orleans that I will include in my next blog entry.

" "The highest compliment that you can pay an artist is to come to their opening reception, and to see their work. An artist makes something not to be in a vacuum." Gerald Mead

2011-05-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

"I have kind of an insatiable appetite for art -- for art and artists -- because really, the two can't be separated," Mead said. "The highest compliment that you can pay an artist is to come to their opening reception, and to see their work. An artist makes something not to be in a vacuum. They make it to be experienced and enjoyed and to be part of the public dialogue." Gerald Mead

http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/article406069.ece

The curtain falls, the house lights dim, it is time for my

Dressing Gown to Filter Our Bad Chi to come back to my home/studio. For the past few weeks she has been having a life of her own at the Northeast Regional Contemporary Fiber Exhibition at Rochester Contemporary Art Center (April 1 – May 9, 2011) Rochester, NY.

A call for entries went out in Fall 2010 and over 100 artists entered the juried exhibition, which is a joint effort of the Surface Design Association and RoCo.

"The submissions from 9 Northeastern States were juried by Gerald Mead, a Buffalo-based artist, independent curator and writer who was a long-time curator at the Burchfield- Penney Art Center; Mary Giehl, artist and adjunct faculty member in the Syracuse University Fiber & Textile Arts Program, and Marie Via, The Memorial Art Gallery’s Curator of Special Exhibitions. The jurors have also chosen three substantial cash prizes: First Place $500, Second Place $250, Juror’s Choice $250. "

" Rochester Contemporary Art Center Director Bleu Cease is excited about the works chosen. “Our jurors have strong backgrounds and expertise in fiber art and they selected works that will intrigue and challenge viewers. The pieces range in scale, concept, materials and process. The artworks in the exhibition also represent a range of artistic voices. The exhibition will generate a lot of discussion and debate, and that is the kind of dialogue and exchange that Rochester Contemporary Art Center exists to create.”

It did not take matter that Dressing Gown was not selected for a prize in this show. I was so elated to have her selected along with the 28 artworks and 22 artists on view in that promised some of the most challenging and engaging works made by artists using fiber materials or processes in the Northeastern US.

Here I am Opening Night April 1, 2011 getting used to seeing Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi take on a life of her own @ RoCo gallery.

She looked so alone and confused when I first arrived at the RoCo..

While out for her maiden debut, Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi made quite a splash with the public. She gained mention in the RoCo Press Release.

"Massachusetts artist Jodi Collella’s three-inch round seed sculptures were created by repetitively hand punching colored wools with a needle and Vermont artist Michéle Rattè’s large scale assemblages incorporate cable, fiber, stones, shells and even applied gold. Buffalo-based artist Carol Ann Rice Rafferty’s Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi, a muslin shift whose entire surface is covered with used coffee filters and beeswax." http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/mediaroom_fiber11.html

In March 2011, Dressing Gown to Filter Our Bad Chi caught the eye of Coffee Dramatist blogger http://coffeedramatist.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/dressing-gown-to-filter-out-bad-chi-at-the-rochester-contemporary-art-center/

Not wishing to influence the experience of the viewer with Dressing Gown in any way I stood back to enjoy patrons coming in for a closer look.

" The exhibition is a departure for Rochester Contemporary, says director Bleu Cease, as this is a show built around a medium rather than the work of one or a group of specific artists. Works range from expressions of peaceful meditations to studies in form and color, to political concerns; from adornments, like Carol Ann Rice Rafferty's ruffle-y cocoon of muslin, used coffee-filters, and beeswax ("Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi"), to Marilyn Beal's glowing, crisscrossing threadwork in "Snowless Winter," to "Apothecary," an arrangement of shimmering fabric bottles by Saberah Malik. " Rebecca Rafferty ( no relations)

She rather enjoyed the attention throughout the evening ;~)

http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/entertainment/art/2011/04/ART-REVIEW-Northeast-Regional-Contemporary-Fiber-Exhibition/

and

" While we're on the subject of talismans, Carol Ann Rice Rafferty of Erie County likes to inject a little luck into her playful fashions. She uses coffee filters and beeswax to construct Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi." Stuart Low

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110508/LIVING/105080303/Fiber-fantasies

Later in the evening when patrons discovered I was in the gallery we share the concept behind my work and how it related to them.

No an artist does not create art is a vacuum. As Mr. Mead said, "The highest compliment that you can pay an artist is to come to their opening reception, and to see their work. An artist makes something not to be in a vacuum. They make it to be experienced and enjoyed and to be part of the public dialogue."

A gallery show does is not created in a vacuum either.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors of the Northeastern Regional Contemporary Fiber Exhibition; Rome Celli, Robert and Jeanne Beck, Surface Design Organization and Xpedex.

Thanks also to the jurors who selected this collection; Gerald Mead, Mary Gihl and Marie Via.

Rochester Contemporary Art Center Director Bleu Cease and his staff for hosting two First Friday evenings and making patrons feel welcome during gallery hours. Special thanks to all of you who came to see this show either to speak with the artist for a quiet peek on your own.

Kara and I will pick up Dressing Gown on Friday during our adventure across New York State to visit Barry and Meghan in West Chester this weekend.

Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi will take her place of prominence in my foyer until she is once again called to participate in a gallery show. She will be filled with good memories of all the attention and comments from the Fiber show. I am sure it will not be long before she is back out for viewing in a gallery near you.

"At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer; a wordless trust of the same mystery is the foundation of your work and its integrity."

2011-04-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

"At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you are a healer; a wordless trust of the same mystery is the foundation of your work and its integrity." Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, author of Kitchen Table Wisdom

I believe in GOD, Supernatural Creator, Higher Power, LOVE... No matter what the name to me the driving force of creativity, the energy, the desire for Peace, Love and Oneness comes from the same source. I believe we are all connected in this bond of LOVE and that when we are in the act of creating this powerful, healing energy flows through us too.

As those who follow my blog already know late last Summer into the Fall after many tests I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 breast cancer. If you have not yet ever had a life threatening experience, one day you will. The first time I heard my name and malignant cells used in the same sentence my heart stood still for a second. I could have been knocked over by a feather. I am a mature woman; this was not my first brush with adversity. Long before I had learned when life throws me lemons I will make a sparkling, refreshing, ice cold pitcher of lemonade.

In the mist of my CT scans, Pet scans, Mammograms and MRI to chase down cancer cells before they even formed a lump; my daughter Kara suggest I pull together a collection again this year for Runway 4.0 fashion show. At first I thought she was kidding however when I turned away from my computer then looked over my bifocals into her smiling face, I said YES !!! I said, "YES, if you promise to help me." Help me she did.
The concept prospectus for Diversity Fashion Mash Runway 4.0 was wide open. Participants could select from Fantasy, Ethnic Diversity, Classical Timeline or my choice Recycle, Regeneration, Repurpose. http://bscrunway.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/bscrunway-4-0-fashion-diversity-mash/

Dress Pocket - features beads, satin floral element and stitching on recycled denim pocket.

Work in progress beads sewn onto recycled denim will be embellishment for denim camisole.

Stitches from 3-D Floral element from recycled denim, button and beads.

Statement Necklace with hand dyed tulle, up cycled beads and jewelry adds elegance to blue jean denim.

Bringing it all together on models adds life to my garments. Runway time is too fast and exciting to appreciate the details in all of my garments and adornments.

While working in my studio I decided to share my joy by making an Award Basket of Inspirational Supplies sewing items to share with a student in the Fiber Design Program.

As an Alumna of the Fiber Design Program and Adjunct Instructor for two years the Fiber Studio will always be " home " in my heart. I wish I had a basket to give each of the students. Everyone who made the effort to enter the fashion show is a winner. We all grew from the experience of creating designs, garments, meeting deadlines, working with composition of the collection, setting up installations as well as hair and make up for models.

My criteria for Fiber Student Award was;
must be in the Fiber Program for two more semesters,
not the same person who received the Runway cash prize,
someone who will put these supplies to good use.

Rice Rafferty Fiber Award Basket in Trashions Installation @ Runway 4.0

Here I am April 20th 2011, exactly three months to the day of my surgery, in the Buffalo State College, Fiber Studio presenting my Basket of Inspirational Supplies. I feel strong, healthy and had a wonderful time creating my garments and sharing my passion for creating joy. Every time I visit my doctors they tell me I look great and ask what new projects are keeping me busy.

YES, I believe in the Healing Power of Creative Energy and the Power of LOVE ;~)

Assistant Professor Jozef Bajus, Coordinator of Fiber Design Program

Professor Elaine Povinen, Head Coordinator of Fashion Technology Program,

                                     Fiber Student Award Winner, Erin Curry and Me ;~)



please visit Kara and I on fb riceraffery
  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756
or shop on line for rice rafferty
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?sk=app_169505045786

                                                      Have a Very Creative Day ;~)

" I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. "

2011-04-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

" I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. "

Abraham Lincoln

During the turmoil of researching my way through a diagnosis of early stage breast cancer my daughter Kara enthusiastically suggested, " Hey Mom, why don't you summit another collection for Buffalo State College Runway Fashion Show? " I looked over my bifocals at her smiling face as we were sewing late into the night in our studio. At first I thought she was kidding. Then I promptly answered, Why not ;~) To my affirmation I quickly added, " You have to promise to help me. " Help me she did.

Kara was the with me all the way...

I am an Artist and Designer.

Dreaming researching, sketching, gathering materials, making sample, working and reworking until I get the look I want, setting up compositions and installations all comes natural to me. Locating , maintaining communication and managing models, trend research for hair and make up, photography and pubic relations these are Kara's strengths. Together throughout the cold, long, days and night of this past winter in addition helping me recovering from surgery Kara and I kept preparing for Buffalo State College Runway 4.0 2011.

Backstage there were no stage freight jitters with these ladies. No they were READY for THE SHOW ! ! !

Resting between the 4:00 and 8:30 show

Kara takes a pic to help us capture the memories of this moment.

Special THANK YOU to Amy Lee Reusch and Emily Wiech Christ

These lovely talented ladies brought my garments to life on the Runway 4.0

Ann Hertzel and Alicia Feye

Alicia gives the patrons one last look

Someone in the crowd has a picture of Laura Elizabeth Lemke's back ;~)

Jenifer Mergenhagen did an excellent job featuring our bird cage veil head adornment, denim bib necklace and co ordinating meditation belt.

Less than three months after my surgery, a testament to the healing powers of art and creativity, I am enjoying the excitment and joy of the day ;~)

It truly takes a village to bring a fashion show to life.

Runway 4.0 April 16, 2011

Recycle, Re-purpose, Regeneration of denim and vintage fabrics used to reinterpret fashions from the 1970's.

Designer - Carol Ann Rice Rafferty

Accessories - by Rice Rafferty

Marketing Coordinator, Design Consultant, and Fashion Stylist - Kara Rice Rafferty

Special THANK YOU to the following talented women who helped make our portion of the show possible ;~)

Styling by Rachel Mancini

Hair by Vanity Salon

Makeup by Michelle Mclaughlin - Estee Lauder, touch ups by Kristen Legg

Please visit us on face book fan page rice rafferty

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-State-College-Runway-40/116359321710369#!/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150223409301757.350855.203899441756

for more Runway 4.0 images please follow this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/finn1flintlock/5631574026/in/photostream

" One man's trash is another man's treasure

2011-03-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

" One man's trash is another man's treasure

As one woman's junk gives others pleasure." Tom Zart poem Garage Sale

The inspiration to make the "Trashions" from the shopping bags came while I listened to NPR radio as I worked long hours in my studio. I was applying for a work positions during the summer of 2009.

People called into the radio interviews with horror stories about how the economic recession, stock market crash 2008 was ruining their plans to retire, downsizing, layoffs, growing unemployment of people my age no matter how much education, experience or skills they possessed.

I began thinking people were in such economic distress that we would be have to make our garments from the throw away bags.

Playing in my studio I taught myself a way to melt layers of bags together creating my own "material."

Land and Sea # 1

Using plastic shopping bags that I has collected from recycling bins I cut, melted or sewed the seams together to create a unique garment that is the result of a near-total transformation of the material.

Land and Sea # 2

The color of the plastic bags influences the design of the dresses.

For example, "Land and Sea #2," the blue and neutral hues reminded me of sand and sea during the many hours I spent alone on Tybee Island in Savannah, Ga.

This dress is inspired by a 'Mandarin Wind,' a tropical hibiscus plant I bought for myself in Savannah to make me feel happy. The bright, red orange hues provided me with a joyful feeling while I explored making small samples for graduate classes I was taking at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Mandarin Wind

Hula

Hula inspired by grass skirts and leis begs to be put into a dancing motion.

Gaga

This dress was made by my daughter, Kara, inspired by the Lady Gaga's meat dress at the Video Music Awards September 2010.
Meat Dress was designed by Franc Fernandez's

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/13/lady-gagas-meat-dress-photos_n_714117.html#144466

Using clothing as a metaphor for shared as well as personal concerns,

"I am creating beauty from ashes, seeing positive in negative, using throwaways to create something of value."

Come see Hula and Gaga dancing on live models at the VIP evening party. Mandarin Wind and both Land and Sea Dresses will be part of a display in VIP lounge along with work from Fiber Design students.
I am looking forward to the show and talking with you about my collection.

Buffalo State College

Runway 4.0 Diversity Mash Fashion Show

April 16, 2011 http://bscrunway.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/runway-4-0/

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you"- Ralph Waldo Emerson

2011-03-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you"- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kara took this image of me in my studio surrounded by our
" Trashions " .

Land and Sea #2 was shown in Pittsburgh 2009 as part of the Paper or Plastic ? @ the Luke & Eloy Gallery.
" Artists don't hold anything back in Luke & Eloy Gallery exhibit - That was certainly the case for Carol Ann Rafferty of Clarence, N.Y. Her dress, "Land and Sea #2," is part of a series she is working on using plastic shopping bags, of all things, that she has collected from recycling bins.

Using clothing as a metaphor for shared as well as personal concerns, Rafferty says, "I am creating beauty from ashes, seeing positive in negative, using throwaways to create something of value."

Rafferty says the color of the plastic bags she uses influences the dresses. "The blue and neutral hues reminded me of sand and sea during the many hours spent alone on Tybee Island last year in Savannah," Rafferty says."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/museums/s_652704.html#ixzz1Hib3lqz9

Live models dressed in rice rafferty " Trashions " will mingle among the patrons in VIP Party Lounge .
More " Trashions " will be on view in a static display along with works from current students of the Buffalo State College Fiber Program.

Gift Basket of inspirational sewing supplies will be awarded from rice rafferty to a student from the Fiber Program after Runway 4.0

Short video of me delivering  Ultra Feminine Denim Collection to the panel of jurors at Buffalo State College Fashion Department. taped March 24th 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x185rQ9IGe4&feature=player_embedded#at=12

Save the date, buy your tickets early and plan to be seen at this festive celebration where art meets fashion.

Fashion Diversity Mash - Buffalo State College-Runway 4.0 presented by Fashion Textile Technology Program. There will be a presentation of Buffalo State College’s Fashion Department senior designers, fiber design students, alumni, and local designers. All proceeds go to the Fashion Technology Scholarship Fund.Date: Saturday, April 16 at 4:00 and 8:30 PM

Address: The Pierce Arrow Building
               1685 Elmwood Avenue
               Buffalo, NY 14207
Cost: General Admission: $30.00

Purchase tickets at Wegmans That's T.H.E. Ticket locations. Check your store for availability.
for more information or to purchase VIP tickets follow this link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-State-College-Runway-40/116359321710369#!/event.php?eid=118139591596019

" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. "

2011-03-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

" I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing. "

Coco Chanel

Kara and I have been working on a collection of rice rafferty hair adornments and accessories. Kara did a photo shoot of our new bridal veils, head pieces with and without bird cage veils, feather fascinators, head bands and communion veils.
http://kararice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rice-rafferty-white-birdcage-veils.html

Hats were a normal accessory when I was a young girl as it was mandatory to wear a hat before entering into a Catholic Church. I had seen the nuns drop a dirty dust cloth on my peers who neglected to bring a hat to wear to the weekday school mass. No dirty cloths for me.

My mother worked for years as the Head of the Coat and Dress Department for Lerner Dress Shop in downtown Pittsburgh.

" Lerner Shops was founded in 1918 by Samuel A. Lerner and Harold M Lane in NYC. The Company was acquired in the 1960's by Rapid-American, a holding company. In 1985 it was purchased by the Limited, Inc. and when sold in 2002 it was operated as Lerner New York and New York & Company. "

Fashion and style is in my blood. My mother who looked like a composite of Marilyn Monroe and Doris Day had the most wonderful collection of stylish hats. My eyes danced as I squealed with delight every time she carefully lifted down her hat boxes, untied the ribbons on the lids, slowly pulled open the tissue like a flower blooming in the garden to reveal another wonderful HAT ;~)

Wearing a head piece always makes me feel special .

Lovely Chapeau hair adornments can be made with or without bird cage veils because it is important to feel special as often as you wish ;~)

Why should brides have all the fun ?

In the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, women used to express their femininity through waves and curls that represented the perfect “accessory” for the curvy and sexy silhouettes they had and which were considered as being so hot.

Chapeau stylish from all angles with bead adornment.

Retro means classic beauty and ultimate femininity.

Not quiet ready to add the bird cage veil yet don't want to miss out on the fun ;~)

Beautiful Moire, watery silk look, plays with the lights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moire_(fabric)

Remember you're never fully dressed without a smile ;~)

visit us on http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/rice-rafferty/203899441756?sk=app_169505045786

Feel free to contact us for more information or questions about custom made work.

" In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful ."

2011-02-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

" In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful ."

Abram L. Urban

We fill our days with a series of activities designed to help us forget we are going to die one day.

One of my favorite places where I return again and again to find my balance is a garden.

As a young girl I used to walk around the garden of my childhood home talking with my mother. I learned how to tend a garden by following her as she dead headed the faded blooms of each plant to encourage more blossoms.

February 12, 2011

A few weeks ago I shared images from the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Winter Show. We returned to the Gardens in the middle of a cold February weekend to enjoy the http://www.buffalogardens.com/p-136-night-lights-at-the-gardens.aspx

Main Dome at entrance

The gardens look different at night decorated with lights and wired with interactive sound machines

close up of cactus during night time lights in the garden show

Waterfall with interactive drum and light display

Moses- in- the-Cradle

Lady Slipper

The little girl in me searches for a secret place to enjoy the peace and beauty of the garden

Kara and I found this hidden garden bench just the right place to stop and it a spell.

New friends are all around when you play in a garden.

The Most Important Part of a Garden is the One Who Enjoys It ;~)

In the depth of Winter a visit to the Botanical Gardens does wonders to lift your spirit and make your heart sing;~)

As a member of the Botanical Garden I strongly encourage you to visit the gardens soon.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

2011-02-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

This image of me on Christmas Day 2010 is perfect to show how much I love and insulated myself while preparing for a life changing event.  Out with the Old and In with the New I entered the New Year ready for anything. Throughout my challenge I am happy to say I never questioned, " Why Me" ???   Self piety is not going to be helpful for anyone. Everyone has a cross to carry.

My focus has been and will remain on having an Attitude of Gratitude. After all, I have enjoyed 54 wonderful years of rather good health.

The only times I have ever stayed overnight in a hospital before this was to deliver two healthy babies natural child birth.  Each time I was out the door and back home by the third day.   My children have been both healthy aside from strep throat, cold and flu along with a few minor accidents they enjoy good health, which is another thing for which I am THANKFUL.   Health is Wealth !!!

How does one prepare for a life changing event? Sometimes it happens in a flash that does not allow us the luxury to prepare.   Thankfully, I had five months to grow as I gathered information, asked the experts then made the best decision for myself.

The first line of defense that often come to mind in times of trouble are Friends and Family. Cell phone companies even have a Friends and Family Plan for the people you talk with the most.  Since my parents died 15 years ago my family of origin pretty much fell apart. Other women I met along my journey often were accompanied by their mother, sister or close friend.

Not having the typical resources available has made my husband Jim and daughter Kara particularly good at selecting priorities and time management. Life has an interesting way of unfolding in unpredictable ways. Please note that I am not complaining as I have been receiving flowers, notes, phone calls, casseroles and thoughts of well wishes thought out my journey. Maybe not from the people I would have previously thought of as on my Friends and Family Plan but from unexpected sources of LOVE.

Prayer, mediation, exercise, preparing and enjoying eating nutritious foods as well as always returning to an Attitude of Gratitude helps to keep life in perspective.

One year ago I began attending Al Anon Meetings.
Although I met many nice people I never found a " Home Group". I did however find peace in the belief that " All Things work together for good for those who love the Lord. " Romans 8 : 28    Even if we never would have selected our present cross it is an opportunity to us to grow. I was determined not to miss the Wisdom that would be mine from my present challenge.

Everyday as I rode my stationary bike between 5-8 miles as I read from three different Al Anon Meditation books.   No, God does not bring bad things into our lives, sometimes it is a direct result from choices we made. More often than not it just happened as a way to help us learn to be more loving to ourselves and others.

Through the trials that have entered my life I have come to believe;

there is an all Powerful Creator of the Universe who is LOVE,
does not matter what name you choose to call this LOVE...
we are all One in this great POWER of LOVE
this LOVE binds us all together,
there is no need for envy or hatred,
what happens good to one of us happens to all of us,
sadness that happens to one of us affects all of us,
we are really never alone as LOVE is with us in our darkest hour,
life as we see it here on earth is a classroom,
we either join in this LOVE or miss opportunities to LOVE
one day we will return to this Great Power of LOVE

For anyone who has been following my blog, my pathology is more than I could have prayed for.
I am humbled to say that I now have the ALL CLEAR ;~)

I am both elated for myself and saddened for the people who have not received this good news.

I feel stronger everyday...   I can not wait to get back out helping other peoples lives be a little bit brighter again. Life changing experiences can have a way of making us better not bitter.

My latest ricerafferty artistic endeavour has been to create a new line for the Alumna portion of the Buffalo State College Runway 4.0 Fashion Show.  When Kara first suggested this project to me last Autumn I sort of looked at her over my bifocals as if she had to be kidding. Didn't I have enough on my plate back then.   As all Artists know creativity is one way we tap into healing powers.

I was told the theme of this years show was actually inspired by my love and work with Recycled and Up Cycling Materials.   Repurpose, Reinterpret, Regenerate ...

As I said from the beginning of my latest life challenge;
Life threw me a BIG bunch of Lemons,
I am going to make a enough Lemonade to have a PARTY for the rest of my life ;~)
Hope you come join me in the DANCE !!!

"One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated."

2011-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hero in Me

"One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated." Hinduism: 3200 BC, From the Hitopadesa-

http://www.thegoldenrule.net/quotes.htm

Luke 6:31 Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

What if the relationship brakes down or communication gets lost in translation???

There is also an old adage which says,

"He who owns the gold makes the rules." http://www.womensgroup.org/gold_20000311.html

In both saying we are talking about " GOLDEN RULES "
Have you ever thought about what is your point of view?

Do you see life as an opportunity to bring good into you own life and others or do you see life as an opportunity where the winner takes all ???

How much time do you spend "grooming" others?
Do you care about anyone aside from " Numero Uno" ?
Is everything you do rewarded by monetary gain?
Do you have the feeling you can never have enough money or goods ?
Have you learned that it takes a really steady hand to steer a lot of goods ?

I was watching an interesting program about the effects of STRESS on the health of members in relationship to their social pecking order.
Dr. Robert Sapolsky has dedicated over 30 years watching social standing and the effects of disease on the living body. He is shown here speaks with an interviewer from Linked In focus on Stress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtjU0-dOTLM

He found that members higher up on the pecking order, having power and little to do, can take great delight in picking on the lower members of the group, namely females and subordinate males who will not fight back.

While this may be great FUN for the BIG MONKEY it can bring on STRESS followed by DISEASE in the member who are being pushed around.

To see the entire broadcast about stress
http://www.pbs.org/stress/

Remember your reality is seen from your point of view.
If you would like to see community pecking order in action go visit you local zoo Monkey House.

For all the Alpha Aggressive out there I have no suggestions because from personal experience you take no responsibility for aggressive behavior. Please know I am praying for you ;~)

Took My Breath Away

For the vast majority of people who have to deal with the self absorbed be sure to find many positive ways to create stress release and make it part of everyday activities not just once a week or month;

take a walk,
pray
read a good book,
take a long, comfortable hot bath
make something creative, doodle, draw or sketch
listen music, why not dance too
call a friend,
go to a support group meeting such as Al Anon,
buy yourself some flowers or better yet plant a garden
cook and enjoy nutritious organic foods
avoid aggressive people where possible
try yoga, Qui gong or Tai Chi exercise
swim, fish, camp, ride your bike,
or wear a

Dressing Gown to Filter Out Bad Chi

Kind in mind God is Good and All Things are passing.
Life grows better and more interesting with experience.

Better with Experience

Best advice, we all make mistakes, an apology does wonders to heal a broken relationship.
Make a continuous effort to error on the side of kindness.

Don't keep the LOVE, pass it around ;~)

http://carolannricerafferty.com/

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

2011-01-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Add caption

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

Buddha quotes

With complete understanding that we take are party with us, create our own heaven on earth and peace comes from within sometimes it is nice to find a quiet place to get away from the maddening crowd. November 21, 2010 the First weekend of Advent was such a time as this. Instead of attending liturgy at my home parish I decided to drive my husband 45 minutes away to Lewiston, NY.

This was the evening of the http://madmikesamerica.com/2010/11/full-beaver-moon-and-a-blue-moon-on-sunday/

Tucked away on Swann Rd. in the middle of Western New York farmlands is the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. http://www.fatimashrine.com/

Creche - behind the alter is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_scene

there are various chapels for quiet prayer

Here you can write out prayers of Thanksgiving or name the burden that is heavy on your heart.

http://ampoleagle.com/josef-slawinski-peace-mural-on-the-move-p2494-124.htm
The Peace Mural, created by Professor Josef Slawinski and installed at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston, was moved Wed., July 15 about 50 feet back from its original home behind the altar of sacrifice in the basilica.

Two flights of stairs, consisting of 63 steps each, lead to the top of the Dome, from where one enjoys a beautiful view of the Shrine grounds and surrounding hills.

The large statue of Our Lady of Fatima is 13 feet high and weighs 10 tons. It was sculptured In Vermont granite. The grayish color of the stone disappears at night under the spotlights, and the statue seems to beam as a star for all people. Four coats of arms decorate the pedestal of the statue. They represent the coat of arms of Pope Paul VI, who bestowed upon the Shrine the title of Basilica; the coat of arms of the Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y.; and the coat of arms of the Barnabite Fathers and Angelic Sisters.

Festival of Lights - In all there are over 75 displays to be viewed, the Basilica itself is gorgeously illuminated on the outside; inside warm candlelight glows to reveal a fabulous Nativity Scene behind the Main Altar.

During the Festival the Lights are on from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm every night. The Shrine Gift and Book Shop are open until 9:00 pm and the Cafeteria is open until 8:00 pm. The Festival runs from the Saturday before American Thanksgiving until the Epiphany. http://www.fatimashrine.com/festivaloflights.html

Giant Rosary. In front of the Basilica, a giant Rosary, believed to be one of the largest outdoor rosaries in the world, consists of 59 lights ending with a beautiful marble Corpus of the Lord Jesus nailed to a cross. The Rosary Pool is shaped In the form of a heart to symbolize Mary's Immaculate Heart and her concern for our salvation.

The Basilica. The construction of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Basilica was started in 1963. This unique church measures 100 feet In diameter and is 55 feet high. The Dome is covered with two layers of glass and plexiglass depicting a contour of the Northern Hemisphere, upon which rests a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima: Our Lady Is very much in the midst of the world helping humanity to reach the Lord.

This Church was dedicated in 1965 and consecrated on October 5, 1974. On October 7 1975, his Holiness Pope Paul VI, conferred the title of Basilica upon this church. A Basilica is a church associated with the Holy See. One of the privileges accorded to a Basilica is the Plenary Indulgence to all those who gather here for prayer, according to the intentions of the Holy Father.

Our visit to Lady of Fatima Basilica was made even nicer when we stopped in the cafeteria that offered a variety of homemade style entree like; Eggplant Parmesan, Stuffed cabbages, homemade soups and pies. Shttp://www.fatimashrine.com/facilities.html

As beautiful as the Festival of Lights was I look forward to walking the grounds in during the summer daylight hours to enjoy the gardens.

While you are in the area take a short drive to visit Niagara Falls, New York.

Peace is within your heart that is true still sometimes it is important to get away from daily stress to a place that calls your spirit to prayer.

FRIENDSHIP BEGINS WITH A CUP OF KINDNESS,

2011-01-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

" FRIENDSHIP BEGINS WITH A CUP OF KINDNESS,

Make the time to share a cup of TEA with someone you love.

Tea With Thee

When I need a little lift
I get together with a friend
and have a little Tea with Thee.
We have alot of fun and talk
the friendship means alot to me

It really does a heart good

to have a friend like you.
How great this world would be

if they could see you and me

and find a friend as great as you!

than they too could have someone

to have Tea with Thee...

I really miss your presence,

I like to hear your views,

I wish that we could visit,

and catch up on the news,

since we can't do that often,

the one thing I can see,

is we can dream together,

and have a cup of tea.

Thank you Jim for treating us to a Christmas Tea to escape the madness of the Holiday Season

from the doll collection in the Tea Room

Looking past, present and future as we got ready to celebrate the New Year 2011 ;~)

You can hunt for this Santa when you visit Murphy's Orchard

http://www.murphyorchards.com/

Murphy Orchards 716-778-7926 Burt, New York 14028

Historic Underground Railroad Site, Fresh Fruit in Season, Pick Your Own Fruit, Country Barn Store, Tea Rooms, Gift Shop, Homemade Jams and Jellies, Personalized Jam & Jelly Favors, Gift Baskets, Apple Gift Boxes, School and Social Group Tours, Member Site - Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

Hours of Operation:

Our Online Store is open all year.

The Tea Room, Gift Store, Country Barn Store,
and Historical Exhibits are open April 1st - December 31st.

Country Barn Store:

9:00 am to 6:00 pm everyday, including holidays

The Orchard Tea Rooms and Gift Shop:

11:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday

" God intended motherhood to be a relay race. Each generation would pass the baton on to the next. "

2010-12-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

" God intended motherhood to be a relay race. Each generation would pass the baton on to the next. "

Mary Pride

During a Structural Materials and Process/3-D Fibers class at Savannah College of Art and Design,we spent spent weeks researching artists, identity issues and up cycling materials into our work.

My time was spent on self awareness making choices and discovering where I stand in the world as a contemporary artist. In the end I came back to the choice I made as a young girl; being with my family is the highest priority for me. Apron is the best metaphor for me as mother, gardener and home cook.

Aprons have used there for centuries. They are even considered as the most ancient of all garments, with one of the earliest mentions being the Biblical Story of the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve discovered they were naked that they fashioned aprons from fig leaves.

The hue for my Apron had to be green. Green is considered the luckiest of colors. Green signifies a positive change, good health, growth, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. It is also symbolic of ones strive to gain recognition and establish ones independence. Money, wealth and jealousy are often associated with this color. Light green symbolizes brilliance.

While I was in graduate school I longed to return home to start a cottage industry created for women and by women with my daughter Kara. I wanted the cottage industry to be larger than myself, to be eco friendly, to an have appreciation for the past while having an eye for the future.

This past weekend I observed with great pride and joy the fruits of my labor. Our indie designer cottage industry, rice rafferty, was among the talented artists featured at Chatham University Holiday Art Sale.

Together with my daughter, Kara Rice Rafferty, we have spent the last year building our dream cottage industry, designing and making one of a kind handmade fashions and accessories.

After we set up our table it was time to look at our work.

rice rafferty fashions and accessories are created from hand dyed fabrics, upcycled jewelry, hand build polymer clay rose.
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for more information and images please see

http://www.ricerafferty.com/

and

http://kararice.blogspot.com/2010/11/rice-rafferty-accessories-november-2010.html

“The kiss of sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth”

2010-12-01T07:12:00.000-08:00

Poinsettia"flower that grows in residues or soil."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_pulcherrima

“The kiss of sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth”
Dorothy Frances Gurney

Looking for a place to brighten you mood, maybe put you in the Holiday Spirit ?

Why not visit your local Botanical Gardens ?

Join me on an adventure through Buffalo Erie County Botanical Gardens http://www.buffalogardens.com/

Here I am wearing my own creation Devore Burnout Velvet Scarf by rice rafferty
http://www.ricerafferty.com/

Why not DOUBLE the FUN and go with a FRIEND ?

There is something for everyone to enjoy in a garden.

Did you know Gardens Railroads is one of the fasted growing hobbies ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_railway

close up of Pitcher Plant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant

some offerings you will find in the delightfully, hot and humid Cactus Room

three koi in a fountain

The Koi is able to fight the current of the water and swim upstream.
This can be interpreted in two ways:

Being a non-conformist – Koi swimming upstream can be interpreted as showing the philosophy of non-conformism because of the fact that the Koi does not “go with the flow”. This can mean a person is very independent minded and does not do things the way they are expected of him or her. Swimming upstream can mean that a person is not easily influenced by others and does what he or she wants.
Strength in time of adversity – Koi fish also symbolizes persistence and the willingness to go on even though you are being swept away. It also symbolizes surpassing expectations. The Koi fish swimming upriver can show that a person has overcome various obstacles and not only does he or she keep standing, but he or she has come out victorious. http://www.infokoi.com/The_Meaning_of_Koi_Fish_Symbols.html

Now here is a plant with a history. This plant has been in a family home in Buffalo since 1901 the time of the Pan American Exposition
http://panam1901.org/

Who knows after an hour in the gardens you may even feel like dancing ;~)

http://www.buffalogardens.com/PrivateRentals_Weddings.aspx

Thank you for joining in Carol's adventure's @ the Erie County Botanical Gardens ;~)

If You're Ever Going To Love Me, Love me now, while I'm living; do not wait 'til I am gone

2010-11-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

Japanese Garden

If You're Ever Going To Love Me

If you're ever going to love me, love me now, while I can know,

All the sweet and tender feelings which from real affection flow.

Love me now, while I'm living; do not wait 'til I am gone

And chisel it in marble - warm love words on ice-cold stone.

sunny day, picnic lunch at the " Parthenon on the Sacjaquada " aka Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.

If you've dear sweet thoughts about me, why not whisper them to me?

Don't you know twould make me happy and as glad as glad could be?

If you wait 'til I'm sleeping, never to waken here again,

There'll be walls of earth between us and I couldn't hear you then.

Kara during picnic lunch @ Mirror Lake

If you knew someone was thirsting for a drop of water sweet

Would you be so slow to bring it? Would you step with laggard feet?

There are tender hearts all around us who are thirsting for our love;

Why withhold from them what nature makes them crave all else above?

Japanese Garden @ Mirror Lake

I won't need your kind caresses when the grass grows over my face;

I won't crave your love or kisses in my last low resting place.

So, then, if you love me, if it's just a little bit,

Let me know now while living; I can own and treasure it.

---- Unknown

After I delivered a new selection of rice rafferty Statement Necklaces and Devore silk velvet Scarves to the Burchfield Penny Art Museum Shop, I called Kara to meet me for a picnic lunch. Making hay while the sunshines on a fifty degree Autumn day before Thanksgiving, was a perfect to enjoy an impromptu sushi, soup & sauteed veggies picnic lunch in the Japanese Garden/ Mirror Lake.

http://www.burchfieldpenney.org/

For all the people who are more interested in prejudging; putting people and places in a box without ever tasting to see how good the unknown can be please keep reading. Shortly after I moved from Pittsburgh to Western New York I spent the day driving one house guest all around sharing some a the high points in area. Back at our home later that night she called Buffalo the " arm pit of the United States." I had no response to that remark; can't imagine being so rude as to insult where someone was trying to make a new home. "To him that has ears, let him hear." Mark 4:9

Buffalo, New York has many hidden treasures. One of my favorite places is the " Parthenon on the Sacjaquada " aka Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.

" It occupies the building constructed in 1901 as the New York State pavilion for that year's Pan American Exposition, the sole surviving permanent structure from the exposition. As planned, the (then) Buffalo Historical Society moved into the building after the exposition. Designed by Buffalo architect George Cary (1859–1945), its south portico is meant to evoke the Parthenon, in Athens. In 1987, it was designated a National Historic Landmark." http://nystatearts.org/orgs/one?org_id=2984

My mother often shared her love of poetry with me when I was a little girl. Today's blog entry opened with one of the poem she read so often I could recite it by heart. It was imprinted in my heart at a young age to value time. I often told Barry and Kara, " Money and time can be spent only once, choose wisely."

Time passes much to quickly...

It has come to my attention that people who have not spent quality time nurturing a relationship with me have been asking my husband and children personal questions about my health.

Please do not put my family members in an uncomfortable situation when your concern is more about getting the inside story than about my welfare or that of my family. If you feel the need to know more personal information than I convey in my blog put a little effort in rebuilding a relationship with me; send me a card or flowers, call me or invite me out for a meal when I am in your town.

Working in triangle relationships within a family is not offering an opportunity for growth.

Please talk to me not about me ;~) http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/49/1/115-a

“I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person.”

2010-11-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

“I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person.”

Rita Mero

One of the attributes of being human is to have the knowledge that you like every other living organism are going to die one day. Animals seem to have a instinct that danger is at their door. We had several cats exhibit signs of restlessness as they grew closer to death. They darted around the house or waited near the door as if going outside would allow them the escape the sensation something is wrong inside. Imagine if you will the frustration when humans first became conscious of death, the humans as they stood over a member of the pack who looked suddenly looked very different, who ceased to breath, who was no longer moving. http://arcticcircle.uconn.edu/HistoryCulture/kawagley.html

Only humans have the ability to know there comes a time when no matter how strong, powerful, wealthy, famous, beautiful or intelligent any is one day each of us will face our death.

Having been a caretaker of my parents while they were dying allowed me to be by the side of numerous people as they ceased to breath. In my mid thirty's it became very vivid to me that today is all we have, right now, this very minute is all you can be sure of. The hands on knowledge that life is not a dress rehearsal was the catalyst for me to see what would happen if I went back to college increasing my knowledge for a passion I possesses from a young age.

Even with all the intellectual soliloquies that have played inside my head on the knowledge that I too will one day die, when I heard the word malignant and Carol in the same sentence my blood ran cold. No matter how much money or how large of a family or social circle, somethings you have to do alone. We come into this world with No Thing and one day we will leave this world with No Thing.

I don't know how many people you are going to hear say this but I have found in this situation, Cancer is my FRIEND. Although they may not be aware of how it appears to me, I can feel people reacting to me differently now that I have the Cancer stamped on me. Some people who have been close have pulled away from me. It is not about me, rather, they look at me and it stirs up the fear of their own death.

I took these images November 15th, 2010 8:20 am.

Some people who have been close to my for many years have pulled away from me now. It is not about me that they pulled away, rather, they look at me and it stirs up the fear of their own death.

Some people I never would have expected have come into my life

"for such a time as this." Esther 4:14

So far along this journey I feel very strong, optimistic and profoundly thankful that I have been able to manage and attend to my health care tests and visits alone.

As part of my decision making process, I elected to have a PET CT scan of my body from my brain to my thighs. Perhaps the worst part of having this test done is following the rules prior to the test.

No exercise for two days before the test. This was really difficult as I have made a lifetime habit to build exercise into my day I had to stop myself all day long from working muscles.
No sugars, that includes complex carbohydrates, of any type because cancer cells feed on glucose. We wanted the cancer cells good and hungry for the scan.
Eat only proteins; eggs, milk, cheese, meat, fish... sounds easier than you think until around 2:00 in the afternoon when I got really nauseous from the protein only diet.
Eat only green veggie, that sounded easy also until I began to crave red pepper, oranges, cranberries, winter buttercup squash...I make a habit to eat a rainbow of colorful veggies everyday.

Overnight fast was easy as I had an 8:30 appointment.

As soon as I arrived two chilled bottles of Barium Sulfate were waiting for me. It may sound odd but I dropped my straw into the first container then began to sing The Teddy Bear's Picnic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZANKFxrcKU

in my head.

The song was a favorite of mine back in the days when we listened to blue, yellow, red or black 45 rpm single records on the Magnovox console in our dining room. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnavox

From the waiting room I was taken into a small, quiet room with a Lazy Boy type easy chair.

Somewhere around the bottom of the first container my body was telling me no matter how much fun I tried to make drinking this concoction to be it was a NEGATIVE. " Danger Will Robinson !!!"

Steady at the helm I consumed half of the second container as per instructions. With great relief, Jan, the soft spoken technician took away both containers mumbling that is enough of this.

Next came the metal box that Jan carefully opened behind a very, shallow metal shield she said was to protect her from the heavy exposure she has to radio active material.

YIKES !!!

I was sure to THANK Jan numerous times for performing her job to help people like me.

No way am I going to hang around radioactive material if I can help it.

Once the radioactive tracer in a sugar solution was injected into my vein I was covered with a soft blanket to sit quietly for an hour.

This was the easy part because I had my brown, wooden, rosary beads brought back as a gift from my dear friend Pat when she made a Pilgrimage with her daughter Lisa to Medjugorje. http://www.medjugorje.org/

The hour passed quickly and quietly as I prayed for all of us ;~)

After an hour I was escorted to a very cold room, instructed to lay down on a toboggan sled like table that was so narrow my arms hung by my side. " Arms up over your head. " Do not move at all during the twenty minute test." At this point I closed my eyes as the sled was drawn back into a narrow scanning machine.

Here is where I wonder what people who claim to not believe there is any power greater than man exists. Believe me this part is not for the faint of heart. I challenged myself to lay there perfectly still throughout the entire test. After all my 80 year old father survived this test when they scanned his brain looking for areas damaged by strokes. He did it like the Marine he was. Now I could know for myself about the vacuum like sounds that come from the machine.

Once out of the scanner I was told not to hold any small pet, children, old people or go to the airport unless I wanted the body cavity search of a life time. I was radioactive for the next twenty four hours. Can't even tell you how many cups of green tea or veggies I ate that day to clean that stuff out of me.

Yesterday the waiting ended at the doctors office. The only evidence of cancer in my body is the sprinkling of cancer cells within my right breast. No Metastasis Cancer cells found. My lymph nodes are clear. This is cause for rejoicing indeed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metastasis

Why am I spending all of this time sharing very personal information with you about my health issues?

Because this is not just about me. Cancer is very prevalent in Western Culture both Europe in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Please take time to listen to this podcast by

Dr. Servan-Schreiber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaDt3AJQ98c&feature=related

" I really look at my childhood as being one giant rusty tuna can that I continue to recycle in many different shapes. "

2010-11-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

" I really look at my childhood as being one giant rusty tuna can that I continue to recycle in many different shapes. "

Augusten Burroughs

You ever just know there is someplace you really belong ???
When I read the prospectus for the
re.CYCLE.fiber
Opening November 19th - January 23, 2011 at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
I felt in my bones this is a show where my art work truly belonged.

"Many artists today specialize in using recycled materials exclusively to create amazing work. The term ‘cycle’ can also apply to the creative process as well. Not only can materials of all kinds be recycled, but also the processes utilized to transform them. In recycling, we not only refer to a discarded item reused--the cycle of materials--but to the cycle of the process, the cycle of creating and the cycle of ideas that goes into the creative fiber process. There are many techniques that can be re-cycled and applied to new materials in a traditional way. The outcome is often fresh and inspired.

You are welcome to use the traditional approach to the theme and find some new way to use something old or what might but considered as garbage. Perhaps you would rather look for a more unusual focus and consider the 'cycle' portion of the theme. The word has many connotations. You might want to consider the process or techniques as a cycle or try recycling them!"

http://fiberartspgh.org/guild/node/234

Growing Better with Experience 2009
hand knitted steel wire, paper pulp and rust

This work began as a vision in my head while I was studying in the Graduate Program @ Savannah College of Art and Design.
I was in a fiber program with students between the ages of 21 and 29. For some reason unknown to me instead of taking advantage of the wonderful weaving and computer aided design classes all the young women seemed to thrive in I was making an in depth study of myself, my life, where I had been, where was I going to go from here...
Being the only mature student ( aka 52 years old ) among a group of young women accentuated my point of view on life. Many of them were so full of hopes and dreams, some were in graduate school because they were really good at being students. They used to tell me to stay there for three years because going out into the "real world" is scary.
My answer to the girls was, "No, the real world is FUN jump in and you will see."
The real world is FUN. Growing older can be FUN and SCARY at the same time. When I began this piece it was concentric circles of knitted steel wire. At the same time I was making stacks of paper in my apartment studio for another project. One day I wondered what would happen if I coated the steel wire with the paper pulp ???
A beautiful rust shade, rather similar to my strawberry blond hair, began to appear.
It was then that I Christened this piece, Growing Better with Experience.
Like a woman and fine wine the aging process definitely added interest to the pristine, newly knitted wire circles ;~)

Better with Experience detail

Graduate school was nothing like I had romanticised the experience to be. I imagined graduate students and I engaging in long philosophical talks about life and art. Instead, everyone was so stressed to fulfill reading and art assignments they had little time or interest to talk with me about art.
" Carol, we don't know what we are doing ourselves, we have no time to talk with you." was the answer I received all too often.

Fortunately, Barry, Kara and Jim were used to the lengthy conversation that made my eyes dance as I spoke about art. Over the cell phone, from New York State, they obligingly placated poor, tortured, graduate student, mother with their insight and reactions to my artistic explorations.
Eventually, from long distant conversation with Kara, I came to see the myself as a pine cone.

A cone (in formal botanical usage: strobilus, plural strobili) is an organ on plants in the division Pinophyta (conifers) that contains the reproductive structures. The familiar woody cone is the female cone, which produces seeds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conifer_cone

Included among my favorite things I packed for graduate school was the Wollemi Pine tree my brother Fred sent as a present for my 50th birthday.
I laughed at the joke when I opened the gift. " A fossil tree for an old fossil, me ;~) " http://www.wollemipine.com/watch/issue_12.php

From exploring pine cones I went on to research "Fibonacci Numbers in Nature".
That is pretty much the way it went for me in graduate school; researching one interesting fact leads to another until I was exponentially growing all over place ;~)
http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/fibslide/jbfibslide.htm

Took My Breath Away 2010
mixed media
bell jar, mask made from used coffee filters, bees wax, down feathers from my pillow, steel wire braided, paper pulp, rust, my hair and a skeleton key

This piece I created after much reflection on some relationships in my life.
Relationships can either Take My Breath Away in a good way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEOem7U2LPE

or they can Take My Breath Away - to cause death as in Cease to Breath.

" The Hebrew Scriptures speak of Yahweh breathing the rua, the breath of life into Adam, symbolism of the mankind. Breath and energy turn up again in the concepts of Chi and in Shamanic spiritual journeying. So the root meaning of “spirituality” has to do with the Breath of Life. And Evil may have a lot to do with sucking life out. "
http://radicaldialogue.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/the-breath-of-life/

It is not possible for a healthy person to voluntarily stop breathing indefinitely. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breathing

Took My Breath Away detail

I believe much more exists than this material world we see with our eyes.
All is not lost for the woman in this bell jar, the power of the key to escape is within her reach.
I believe she shall rise again ;~)

Please come to speak with me at Friday evening
November 19th, 2010
Opening Reception: GALLERIES & HOLIDAY SHOP

2010 Artist of the Year, Brian Dean Richmond

Things That Float, Gregory Witt, 2010 Emerging Artist of the Year

Recycle.fiber, presented by The Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, Inc
Holiday Shop
Where Marshall Building,
6300 Fifth Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

“The mother-child relationship is paradoxical and, in a sense, tragic. It requires the most intense love on the mother's side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent.”

2010-11-13T07:19:00.000-08:00

“The mother-child relationship is paradoxical and, in a sense, tragic. It requires the most intense love on the mother's side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent.” Erich Fromm quotes (German born American social Philosopher and Psychoanalyst, 1900-1980)

If you have been reading my blog posts since August it is no surprise to you that I have joined the growing number of women diagnosed with breast cancer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer

As the doctor gave me the news in October that the biopsy on my right breast has a sprinkling of malignant cancer cells I distinctly remember the first word in my mind then I heard myself say was, JESUS !!! Since I am a believer, in my case, I feel sure it was a spontaneous shock response as well as a prayer simultaneously.

The next I remember thinking, " Oh No, I don't want to be a burden on Barry and Kara. " They are working so hard and doing so well in their personal lives and careers last thing I want to do is add another thing on their plate to worry about me.

Not surprisingly the seeds planted early in their lives have grown strong into fruition.
Both Barry and Kara said since I had invested so much of my life energy into their success they that fully intended to be here for me.

We don't spend anytime shedding tears together, in fact, they say being around me is very reassuring, relaxing and uplifting. We each have our own private times that fear overtakes us and we release a tear or two.  This is a time to be proactive not giving in to fear. Fear arises when we lose out focus that a Higher Power has all of us in the exact place we are supposed to be.

Kara says being with me is more comforting than when she thinks about me and cancer when she is away from me.  She laughs the evening I came home after spending 6 hours on my initial visit to Roswell Park Cancer Institute I was dancing in my studio to Steve Miller Band- 1982 Abracadabra
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWPQQbldFjw&feature=related

Hey after all, I am a Baby Boomer-Generation Jones. How else am I going to work out my pent up energy aside from dancing to rock & roll ??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boomer

Barry has been calling me often to keep abreast with my health news flash updates. Fortunately, this past week he was able to come work from our home in Western New York.  Barry agrees with Kara seeing and being with me is less frightening than not being around me.

This week is all about celebrations; Tuesday evening Jim took me to an Arlo Guthrie concert @ Buffalo State College, Wednesday evening Barry escorted me to an evening concert with Emmylou Harris - State University of New York @ Buffalo.

Thursday was Veteran's Day so Barry had the day off. He told me to select anywhere I chose to go on that warm, bright, sunny day.
I chose to spend our day in Niagara Fall, New York @ the American Falls.
http://www.niagarafallslive.com/facts_about_niagara_falls.htm

" The air around Niagara Falls or another turbulent water source, for example, may contain between 30,000 and 100,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter. A negative ion (or to be more proper, a negative-charged ion) is a molecule that has an extra electron attached. The negative ions that we are addressing here, the ions produced by indoor waterfalls and mountain streams, are oxygen ions.

What Do They Do? Negative ions have been proven to have a positive impact on health, mood, and energy, affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Negative ions also bond with impurities in the air, adhering to suspended particles and removing them. "
http://www.discountfountains.com/negative-ions.html

The journey from Clarence to Niagara Falls is a wonderful drive through the country back roads for about 45 minutes is delightful.  As soon as we arrived in the the city Barry caught sight of a sign that read Little Italy Niagara
http://niagaratimes.com/Little%20Italy%20Niagara.htm

Barry treated me to a lunch consisting of a luscious cup of Bean and Greens soup followed by a plate of Cheese Lasagna and Eggplant Parmesan with Gnocchi. Sorry, I meant to take images to share with you but the soup was consumed and the nice waitress had packed up a large portions of the meal for us to enjoy later before I even thought about my camera. Trust me on this one, you have to go to Michael's on Pine Ave when you are at the Fall's.

Barry enjoying Negative Ions

Keep looking for Rainbows

Nikola Tesla http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla

Barry talking to Meghan on cell as he balancing on granite rocks @ Three Sister's Island

Meghan flew into celebrate Thanksgiving with us all together this weekend.
Going out to shop for fresh veggies and organic fed Turkey to make our dinner later this evening.

Wishing you a very Creative Day ;~)

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”

2010-11-11T08:10:00.000-08:00

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”

C.S. Lewis quotes (British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963)

This past summer I fulfilled my burning desire by traveling to Quebec, Canada. My grandmother Clara Rice went on this journey with the AAA Travel Group in the 1960's when she was in her 80th decade. From her journey she brought home stories of her adventures, pictures and a small oval medal for me from the Catholic gift shop @ Saint Anne de Beaupré. I still have this tarnished medal in my treasures collection box.

http://www.moytura.com/stanne.htm

Along with many people in America my husband has been affected by the economic down turn that began in Fall 2008. While I was packing my belongs on a truck to attend graduate school at SCAD he was given the heads up that the career we moved from hometown Pittsburgh, Pa. to Western NY was going to come to an abrupt end before the year was over.

His career as a Facility Manager began with a chance meeting of a man in St. Thomas Moore Church in Upper St. Clair, Monday night Praise and Prayer Service. Both men were in the vestibule with their very restless toddler sons. I am as protective of my children as a mother Tigress. You can imagine the eyes I flashed at Jim when he returned to the pew without Barry. Jim had left Barry in the church vestibule with a man he had just met. Little did I know that man who would soon hire Jim as part of his start up team at the prestigious PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh. http://www.ppgplace.com/

Bob became his mentor and is still his friend to this day. August 4th, 1983 Bob called Jim to begin working at PPG the next day. It was that same morning that I realized I was pregnant with Kara. Since that day I have been aware of miracles happening in my life.

The day before Thanksgiving 2008, after twenty- five years service with one company, Jim comes home with a box of chocolates and an ergonomically correct chair from his office to alleviate his chronic back pain.

By a strange coincidence the next day while we were delivering Rice Rafferty Devore Scarves for sale in the Burchfield Penny Art Museum shop, Jim gets a call about a position for hire as a project manager for a bank.

Fast forward since April, Jim is now on a new career path as a Facility Manager with EFS,Inc.
He was offered this position by the owner of the company who at one time worked with Jim. Having awareness of Jim's expertise he felt confident that Jim would be a good fit for his company.

Three jobs in two years has not allowed Jim much time off work for vacation aside from visiting and moving me back and forth to Savannah and a few trips to Pittsburgh to visit his mother and his aunt who recently passed away.

Sorry I digressed.

Kara agreed to escort me on my pilgrimage to Quebec in July 2010 so I would not have to journey alone. Three days into the journey we finally arrived at the cathedral.

Saint Anne de Beaupré Church

Saint Ann my patron name saint

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a major Roman Catholic place of pilgrimage and has the only copy of Michelangelo's Pietà (the original is in the Vatican City).

The basilica is also known as a place of miracles. One of the builders of the original church, Louis Guimont, helped build the church despite having severe scoliosis and needing the aid of a crutch. When the church was complete, he was able to walk independently. Subsequent visitors to the church who have prayed have left their canes, crutches and walking aides behind as testament to their healing. The main wall when you first walk into the basilica is now completely covered with crutches.

Votive candles represent the prayers of the faithful

wish you could smell the wonderful fragrance of the burning wax and
feel the heat generated in the room

St. Anne Chapel in the lower level of the cathedral

At the time I arrived at the church I had no clue to the next challenge I was about to enter. I prayed for peace in my heart, the wisdom to know the Lords will in my life and the grace to fulfill it.
It is a very good thing life is revealed to us " One day at a time."

YES !!! Miracles are all around you if you only have eyes to see.

I am very grateful for my adventures with Kara to Quebec and Montreal, Canada.

Come back to visit me again

Have a VERY CREATIVE DAY ;~)

Looking for Rainbows and Yellow Roses in November

2010-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

“I've been getting rid of some clutter — anything that doesn't serve a positive purpose in my life — and making room for things that feel happy to me. Because I get to make my life whatever I want it to be. I get to make the room feel however I want it to feel. I get to make the closet as full or as spacious as I want it. And, if I have more clutter to get rid of after Christmas, I'm not going to wait a year, or two or three to do it.” Jan Denise

Have you ever noticed that you life is made by your own design ??? If you are not happy with what is going on in your life it is within your ability to make changes. Maybe it is just a small change like buying a new pair of shoes to begin taking walks everyday. Or, maybe like I did you may choose to pack up a truck load of your favorite belongings and move far away from home to attend graduate school. The year I spent living in Savannah, Georgia after moving from Clarence, New York to attend Savannah College of Art and Design was a banner year of self revelation.

Whatever you decide to do whether it is a large or a small change in your life the goal is to declutter toxic people and things from your life. The people in your life are there by the laws of attraction.

Be the kind of person you would like to attract and they will be attracted to you.

This morning I woke up to a crisp, light coating of frost on my garden.

How did I choose to greet the dawn of this new day ???

Will I choose to see the cold of winter beginning to set in or will I look for roses blooming in my garden in November???

The summer of 1994 was a huge turning point in my life. In addition to being a Mommy to Barry and Kara both in elementary school at that time I had devoted the past three years to be a caretaker to my mother during her surgery, double valve and double bi pass to help alleviate her heart disease who was a caretaker to my father with progressing dementia from numerous strokes and TIA's
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/transient-ischemic-attack/DS00220

As much as I tried to be all things to all people I often failed in my intentions to be kind and loving. Most of all I often failed to take time and attention to give loving care to myself.
This tension of my life falling apart as I tried to keep it all together is reflected in my artwork,
My Life Unraveling at Thirty- five
selected into the Fiberart International 2007

As is the plight of many caretakers I entered years of The 36- Hour Day.
Being intimately involved with a loved one who is dying can be very exhausting and sad.
Or being involved with a loved one who is dying can help us learn important Lessons for LIVING ;~)

I learned how to look for the miracles in unexpected places like seeing this rainbow of sunlight yesterday reflected in the fountain along my daily walk through Clarence Town Park.

The summer my Mother died I lived in Pittsburgh. There was a yellow rose bush in my garden directly behind the driveway. Each day when I backed my car out of the garage I thought, " There will be a yellow rose in bloom when you back out of this garage to attend your Mothers funeral." As much as I tried to savour each moment the time during the last summer I spent with my Mother felt like it was passing so quickly. I learned how to play with my parents even as they were dying. Fireworks are so important to me that I drove my car up over our lawn to the front door so I could take my Mother to see her last fireworks display this side of eternity on the July 4th, 1994.

Sure enough, just like the voice I heard in my head, November 13th, 1994, as I backed my car out of the garage taking the clothing I had selected for my Mother's burial to the funeral home, there they were to greet me. Yellow roses blooming in November ;~)

I am choosing to be the kind of person that looks for roses in November ;~)

" You're out of the woods, You're out of the dark, You're out of the night. Step into the sun, Step into the light. Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place On the Face of the Earth or the sky."

2010-11-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

" You're out of the woods, You're out of the dark, You're out of the night. Step into the sun, Step into the light. Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place On the Face of the Earth or the sky. Hold onto your breath, Hold onto your heart, Hold onto your hope. March up to the gate and bid it open. " Optimistic Voices Wizard of Oz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nudp1vbaEYE&feature=related

Dear Lord, what did I expect these wonderful people to do for me ??? No one can wave a magic wand and make it all go away. I wonder if anyone was more excited to arrive at a Cancer Institute around 11:00 in the morning than I was yesterday ???

arriving at Roswell Park Cancer Institute with my signature Blessing Basket

As soon as I walked into the front doors I was astounded by the similarity I felt to being in the Charlotte, North Carolina Airport, my favorite place for travel trip layovers. You know, the sunny atrium room with all the really cool, white rocking chairs all lined up near the food court with the good Mexican Enchiladas and the piano bar.

Well this place has a piano in the lobby too. The young man behind the piano must have played non stop for hours; Claire de lune, fur Elise and Somewhere in Time to mention a few.

There is really kewl art work everywhere, in fact, I found one in a hallway by Dianne Baker a local artist I know and am Linked in with in Buffalo. The furniture in the lobby are really comfortable arts and craft Mission style seating. Everyone from the greeters at the front Information desk, the lovely lady who begins the process of registration as new patient, to the lady who takes insurance and contact information is super nice. Everyone was dressed in really nice, bright, autumnal hues and wears a bright welcoming smile.

I filled out five pages of family history facts, listed all of the vitamins supplements that have been added over the years to my regiment of daily heath habits. Instead of waiting in a confined space, I chose instead to wait out in the open hall/ balcony where we could enjoy more serene art photos of plants, candles and outdoor scenes. The nearly two hours in the hall flew by as I occupied my time; people watching, smiling, doing modified Quigong exercises so I did not frighten anyone and reading a magazine about botanical gardens.

After blood pressure check, body fat/ to weight measure, height and more questions about my vitamins I was back out in the big balcony area for more people watching. Since I was not very hungry in the morning and had not finished my breakfast it was around 1:00 when I started to get hungry and thirsty for water. No sooner had I mentioned needing a drink of water when two lovely ladies appeared around the pole with a cart full of goodies. " May I purchase a water from you? " I inquired.
No this is water is for free they said with a smile. I passed on the candy as I drank the much coveted water down in a flash.

inside the patients examination room at last ;~)

After awhile a nice, young intern comes in to hear my story. She has seen my films and read my reports but she wants to hear my story before she beings to examine my breasts.

Then the waiting goes on for about another hour before the doctor arrives apologizing for the delay.
" No problem I tell everyone, I am just so excited and thankful to be here ;~)" They seemed surprised and the intern says something to the effect that not many people thank them for being there.

YES !!! I have an Attitude of Gratitude for Roswell Park, for the doctors and staff, for the people who donated money to make this wonderful institutions available to me at such a time as this, for the people who had cancer before me and were part of research groups that allowed us to benefit from present day technology.

YES, I have an Attitude of Gratitude for all of this and more because having a sprinkling of cancer cells is allowing me to grow and meet people I never could have before.

So the BIG NEWS is " RELAX Carol, you are not going to die from DCIS Breast Cancer."

In fact, the cancer has been caught at such an early stage that now I have options to choose what treatment I want to select. I have been breaking this experience down into baby steps.

Next step is genetic testing to see if I did inherit breast cancer from my mother. Driving my papers back to Roswell Park today to expedite the process.

Please come back to visit my blog again as I share my adventures in Breast Cancer in hopes that I will ease the fears and burdens for somebody else through sharing my experiences.

2010-11-03T05:58:00.000-07:00

" Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be. " anon

This is Meghan and Barry's cat Fever. Meghan rescued him from the streets of Brooklyn, NY when he hung around her band practice four years ago until he became part of her family.
Here is a clip of Meghan singing with her band Calentura, meaning Fever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjQx4ivzWc

The first time Meghan saw me was November 2009. She opened the door to Barry's apartment in Manhattan after a long day at work to find me dancing with Fever in my arms to a Beatles song.

I knew I would love Meghan before we even met. Barry told me he sees so many wonderful things in Meghan that he loves in me. Meghan is an artist, she is a Libra, she had painted her walls the same rich hues i had selected for my home, she is interested in cooking healthy meals, working in her garden and she has a big heart for loving also. She rescues pets off the street just like has been my practice.

After she opened her home to Fever two more kitties found their way into their heart and home. Fever was not happy anymore ;~( He felt crowded and out of place in his home. Barry and Meghan convinced me it would be better for Fever to come stay with me for awhile I agreed to see how he adapted to the change. I did not want to rock their boat. It felt odd taking Meghan's pet away from her, after all, she loved Fever before she loved Barry.

Happy to say Fever adapted famously to living with Gammy. He is very relaxed and gaining the pounds he lost while he was in distress. When they brought him here to live at Gammy's house right before my surgery on September 28th I thought it was Fever that needed my help. Now I know is I that needed Fever as much as Fever needed me ;~)

He sleeps on the love seat in the sunny window in my studio or follows me around my home and garden. He really loves to sit on a stump and watch when we burn branches in the fire pit.

Fever reminds me to stop, to be conscious of my breathing, to stretch, then to break out in spontaneous play.

Fever in Downward Dog Position

http://www.allspiritfitness.com/library/features/aa081001a.shtml

We take cat naps in the afternoon in my studio. He climbs down off the back of the love seat then on to my belly where we drift off to dreamland for a few minutes.

Fever makes a great lamp to brighten my days ;~)
notice the shade I am creating from used coffee filters and bees wax

Have a very Creative Day ;~)

" A gals gotta do what a gals gotta do." Velma Rice

2010-10-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

" A gals gotta do what a gals gotta do." Velma Rice - fashion merchandiser, excellent homemaker, wise woman of faith and life experience and my mother ;~)

There was a beautiful Red Maple tree growing in our yard when we made this house our new home in November 1998. One year under the cover of heavy winter snow the mole family was so hungry they ate the bark around this tree so much so that I thought it would surely die. As is my practice in my garden and my life I never cut out broken, injured, damaged plants or people. Instead I give the proper fertilizer, light, water and time to see how things develop. The Red Maple survived and to my amazement has flourished in the past eight years since its trunk was damaged. http://www.mdvaden.com/sunscald.shtml

A few weeks ago while the plumbers were here to upgrade my kitchen work space we had them explore why water was back washing into the garage during rain storm and deep snow pack meltdowns. Sure enough the Red Maple had found a well spring by breaking the pipeline of our storm drains. Sadly the day had arrived when I had to admit the tree was more of an nuisance than an object of beauty in my garden. Before new pipe could be laid and a new island garden could be planted someone had to cut down that tree. What to do ??? What to do ???

Being only a 10.5 inch caliper tree trunk their was no need for a big tree service company to get this job done. Confident I could slay this giant myself I asked many of the men in my life to be with me just for good measure. All of the men I asked for help were busy slaying their own dragons. Each one had his own special reason why I should wait. Each promised to help me when they had more time.

On the morning of October 4, 2010 Western New York was blessed with a bright, sunny morning following what seemed like a week of rain. I had sent Jim into Pittsburgh for the weekend to be with his mother so this seemed like the perfect time to get the job done !!!

First I removed as many of the lower branches I could reach without a ladder. This would lighten the load of the trunk working smarter not harder ;~)

my trusty electric saw used to slay the beast ;~)

About this time my neighbors Barbara and Gaylen heard all the noise in the early morning. OOPS I was caught before the deed was complete. My lovely next door neighbors soon joined me in the project.

Gaylen does the honors to carve the bird

Barbara walking home to the right in this image of the clean cut down tree ready for reconstructive work to be done in the island.

Kara arrived on the scene in time to help clear away the leaves and branches cut into pieces perfect to enjoy with a glass of wine around my fire pit.

It was during the clearing of the leaves and branches that I shared with my neighbors that I had surgery on my breast four days prior in search of breast cancer. They were both so kind and concerned that I take care of myself and be sure to contact the doctor for results of my biopsy.

here I am minutes after we cut down the tree sporting the new rice rafferty breast cancer awareness statement necklace

Little did I know then that I would be the new face of breast cancer.

there is no lump,

no discharge,

no pain,

no change of my skin

I feel very strong and healthy

my cancer cells were found from my diligent surveillance of my general health through routine examines.

Today I am feeling truly BLESSED that my cancer cells were found in the early Stage 0, DCIS

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/

Now, for all of the people in my life who feel knowing I have a few cancer cells in my body scares you to death.

Relax !!!

You can not get cancer from me ;~) Cancer is not a contagious disease.

I will have genetic testing to see if I am a carrier of the gene from my mother to my children.

Some people who hear I have cancer cells in my breast mumble something about breast cancer not being in their family as a thy walk away from me. Sorry they are not aware that 90% of all breast cancers are not related to a family history. For those women like me who have a family history perhaps we are very fortunate to be vigilant in a breast health care ;~)

Honestly, no one is sure they are immune to breast cancer.

http://www.facingourrisk.org/info_research/hereditary-cancer/hereditary-genetics/index.php

Go get yourself tested...

You can relax also that I am not going to die from breast cancer right here in front of you.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/cancer/articles/2009/10/22/the-confusion-over-dcis-what-to-do-about-stage-zero-breast-cancer.html?PageNr=1

In fact, my mother, Velma Rice found her breast cancer mass in 1958 when she was just 35 years old. She had a mastectomy of her left breast followed by radiation treatments for 30 days. My mother then went on to live another 35 years and she never was bothered by cancer again. In fact, she died of a stroke. Perhaps her blockages were aggravated by the radiation treatments given to cancer patients back then.

I may in fact never die of cancer either.

" There is nothing to fear but fear itself. " Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hope you find it in your heart to share a cup of tea with me ;~)

in the meantime,

A gals gotta do what a gals gotta do and I have more dragons to slay ...

Are you with me ??? Do you have my back ???

so you plant your own garden...

2010-10-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

After a While

After a while you learn the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn

that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

and presents aren't promises,
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much, so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure,

you really are strong, you really do have worth,

and you learn and you learn.
With every goodbye, you learn.

.....by Veronica Shoffstall

I have cancer cells in my breast in multi focal points. There is no mass. I do not feel sick. It was a shock to me when the results of my bilateral biopsy showed malignant cells in my right breast. I was shocked, stunned when I first heard this news. Oh, Jesus, I said, How can this be ???
My body heals so quickly. Immediately I asked where do I go from here???

I AM HERE back in the middle of another chance to learn lesson for living. I have been in a an intensive learning room before.             All Shall Be Well.

Like a seed planted in the earth I will grow. From this learning experience I will look a bit different but it will still be me.
Souls do not break, they bounce ;~)

I am Ultra Feminine Warrior.                All Shall Be well

Winter will be here for awhile then Spring will come again

Tuesday was a warm and sunny in Clarence NY so I planted my bulbs in my new island garden.

Winter will be here for awhile but Spring will come again ;~)

"What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it."

2010-10-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

"What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it." J. Krishnamurti

I am learning an old lesson in a new way. If you have been following my blog for the past two months you know I have been on a journey with breast cancer. After the bilateral lumpectomies on September 28th I felt wonderful within a few days. So good in fact I cut down a tree in my garden along with the assistance of my senor citizen neighbors Gaylen and Barbara and my daughter Kara using an electric power saw. With my usual Ultra Feminine Warrior strength I bounced back to focus on life leaving the past two month is the rear view mirror. As a reward for myself during all of the mammograms and ride in the MRI machine I promised myself that my birthday would be celebrated with both of my children. We all enjoyed a lovely weekend in West Chester, New York.

Here I am wearing the new Breast Cancer Awareness Statement Necklace I designed for rice rafferty celebrating birthdays with Kara, Barry and Meghan outside of the church where Meghan and Barry are making plans to marry each other ;~)

After birthday celebration mass with my family, Meghan and I are bookend birthday Libras, Oct. 9th and 17th ;~)

On the drive back from Barry and Meghan's the doctors office called to ask why I missed my appointment that day. Kara thinks it was accidentally on purpose as I was so excited to put all of the medical procedure's in my rear view mirror. I am usually organized to a fault for appointments and responsibilities. Today I will attend a new appointment with destiny. After speaking with my surgeon over the phone at my insistence she had the unenviable task to break the news cancer cells were found in the biopsy of my right breast.

Doctor said it is not her practice to give patients news like this over the phone but after getting to know me she thought it best to tell me sooner rather than let me wait until today in her office.

So far I learned I have stage 0 Breast Cancer known as DCIS or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/

I designed the rice rafferty Breast Cancer Awareness Statement Necklaces for women Inspired by the Look Good Feel Better http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/   I took the training certification classes for Look Good Feel Better as part of my continuing education while we still lived in Pittsburgh. The first two statement necklaces I designed I offered to a charity fundraiser in Buffalo, NY and Pittsburgh, Pa.   The people from Viva for Life http://www.roswellpark.org/calendar/2010-09-24/viva-life sent a nice young man out to my home to pick up one necklace.    I did not hear from the Pittsburgh coordinator until she wished me Happy Birthday after their event was over.   Little did I know when I thanked the Creator for health and healing during morning mass for my birthday as I wore this statement necklace, it was not accepted because I would need this one for myself.

I believe in a divine Higher Power who loves all of us and is greater than all of us. The older I get I am learning everything happens for a reason.   Most importantly I believe in the words of Julian of Norwich   "ALL SHALL BE WELL" http://www.umilta.net/julian.html

This statement necklace will be with me on my journey inspiring me to look good and feel better.

Forgive me as I have to jump on my stationary bike for 9 kilometers, read from my meditation literature and get ready for my visit with my surgeon at 1:00 today.

As I prepare myself for this journey I remember the words spoken to me often by my mother during the three years I took care of her and daddy before they died seven months apart.
" A gals got to do what a gals got to do."    Velma Rice

Right now I have to go and take care of myself. Thanks for reading my blogs ;~) Please come back to spend a little time with me as I share my experience of my journey.

Now go make yourself a VERY CREATIVE DAY ;~)   Carol Ann Rice Rafferty

" What if God made a mistake? "

2010-10-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

" What if God made a mistake?

Buddy: Well, the way I figure it, he never makes mistakes. I mean, he made sure we got together." Fried Green Tomatoes

Patricia Neal (born September 21, 1944), known professionally as Fannie Flagg, is an American actress, comedienne and author.

Looking out from my kitchen window I see the tomato plants that served me these past few months are showing the wear from a few overnight frosts. Part of today's work will be to gather the last of the green tomatoes then clear away the old plant material into my composting heap.

This morning I greeted the day with a nice plate of Fried Green Tomatoes.

Sliced green tomatoes coated with corn meal, seasoned sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
Next I heated my wok coated with a little no stick baking spray and a few dashes of olive oil.

The work surface of my island shows the process as well as a pan of oven roasted, fresh beets, washed, tops and bottoms trimmed then lightly sprinkled with olive oil the cooked until tender in a 350 degree heat.

I served these Fried Green Tomatoes with fresh, Free Range Eggs sprinkled with grated, Sharp New York Cheddar Cheese and slices of warmed Prosciutto.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosciutto

Awe, yes it's Autumn in New York ...

Autumn is the end of summer, the beginning of a rest for the fields and a good time for Thanksgiving. God, he or she, the Creator of the Universe does not make mistakes. Everything happens for a reason.
It is that Higher Power brought us together.

Get outside and enjoy some part of this day. Be sure to make some mistakes today also, it will give you practice forgiving yourself as well as provide you with another chance to grow...

Eat from God's Table meaning eat your food as close to the way it looks in nature.

In everything give thanks ;~)