ART SMART

Sorry for the disappearing act but I was on assignment for Log Home Design magazine.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until early February until I can share a link for one of the most fascinating homes I’ve written about in a long time.The lodge is built on an 84.5 acre wooded site formerly owned by a sportsman's club. The homeowners knew it was the ideal setting for a log home and for wildlife preserve the moment they set eyes on the property.

On a completely different subject, please join me in Alexandria, Virginia, again, where our day tour ends with a visit to THE ATHENAEUM, a beautiful Greek Revival building constructed in 1851.
FAST FACTS:
• The Athenaeum was constructed to be the Bank of the Old Dominion. Robert E. Lee did his banking here, as did many other prominent people 150 years ago.

• During the Civil War, the building was Commissary Headquarters for the Union Army, and housed wounded Union soldiers.

• In 1905, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop bought the building to use as a factory for grinding talcum powder, a popular necessity during hot Southern summers.

• Later it served as a church before becoming a cultural center and community art gallery.

The current exhibit is called TXT MSG and it features two artists' pieces--“Four Letter Words” by John James Anderson and “Song For Europe” by Mark Cameron Boyd.


As a writer, I was attracted by the fact that both use typography and words as design motifs but in radically different ways.


The Four Letter Words aren’t what you think!

One modular work is called MONEY.

Others showcase HOMOPHONES and ONOMATOPOEIA. Okay,class, does everyone remember what those words mean?

But my favorite is composed of UNCOMMON WORDS.

The docent gave me a printed glossary and told me that this piece was a big hit with Scrabble® fans.

Did you know a jehu is a bad driver? I didn’t, so I googled the word and discovered it's a slang term for a crazy cab driver. It comes from the name of a crazy chariot driver who became a king!

Now it’s your turn… what does ZEBU mean? One lucky commenter (chosen by random, of course) with the correct answer will win an uncommon but wonderful prize. I'll chose a winner on Friday October 17th!

In the adjoining gallery space, Song For Europe invites viewers to pick up a piece of chalk and contribute to the artist’s on-going dialog in Greek, Latin, French and English.

I’m off to Los Angeles at dawn and, thanks to the time difference, I will arrive in plenty of time to meet my son Fred at his office for lunch.

On Saturday I head to Gene Autrey's former ranch in Palms Springs to attend Jenna and Ira's wedding. (The ranch is now a posh hotel.)The bride, Jenna, is the sister of Abby-- whose wedding in NYC I posted about on June 24th.

Have a great Columbus day weekend! Coming up next week, a Haunted House Tour!

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***
Touring art galleries can be inspiring. For another dose of creativity visit www.color-stripes.blogspot.com.

COASTAL REFLECTIONS

It has been a very busy week! I had two assignments for Log Home Design magazine to finish, Section 2 of The Mystery Project to work on, tickets for two Bruce Springsteen concerts, and Thanksgiving to plan.

Before I tell you more about what I’ve been up to, I’d like to explain today’s Coastal theme.

Outside my house the leaves were falling. Inside I was gathering gourds into bowls, and stockpiling ingredients for our Thanksgiving extravaganza, like a crazed gourmet squirrel.

Why did I have a few starfish sitting on top of my printer (instead of tiny Jack Be Little pumpkins from my garden) and a handful of seashells sprinkled on my desk?

I needed to get in a Coastal mood.

Section 2 of The Mystery Project deals with several different decorating styles, and this week I was writing the chapter on Summery Seaside Style. So, I alternated playlists of Caribbean music (does anyone else out there love the Mighty Sparrow?) with Springsteen’s new CD, served lobster rolls for dinner one night, and tried to think coastal thoughts.
(photo from Roadfood)

I added several photos of Aquamare, a luxury beachfront villa enclave on Virgin Gorda (one of the British Virgin Islands) to my virtual bulletin board.
Sent to me by my friend Rachel, who knows I love to write about – and dream about -- quiet island destinations, the villas are luxury to the max. Each villa has an unobstructed view of breathtaking sunsets, a waterfront infinity pool, private balconies, and a secluded outdoor bathing pavillion with a rain forest shower. Wonder what all this costs? The bad news is at www.VillaAquamare.com.
I even displayed my car keys near my computer. They dangle from a Wriskey in soothing turquoise shore shades. Crafted by Tara, at www.bellapinkcafe, Wriskeys make great stocking stuffers—and they come in dozens of fabulous fabric patterns.Dee, a friend of mine since my days as editor of Country Collectibles magazine, cheered me on with one of her Sock Monkey cards. Dee’s book "Friends Knock Your Socks Off" is coming out in late January, and I can’t wait. The book – and over a hundred themed Sock Monkey note cards -- can be ordered at www.sockmonkeylady.com.
On the Log front: It’s time to get your copy of the January issue of Log Home Design. In addition to several stunning log homes in rural Illinois, Southern Virginia, and the mountains of Colorado, the new issue features my story on designing the perfect Master Suite.
Since magazines work far ahead in order to meet their production schedules, the assignments I was finishing up this week are for the April 2008 issue. One article was about a couple who built their dream home on a Florida cattle ranch that had been in the family for several generations. In my experience, folks who build log homes are the nicest most hospitable people. I now have an open invitation to come for a fish fry and stay in the couple’s guest cottage (in one of the ranch’s renovated barns). How cool is that?

As for Springsteen, while the shows are now well under three hours, they were as terrific, as always. Bruce and the E Street Band are supporting their new album, "Magic.” The hit single, "Radio Nowhere," is streaming at Springsteen's MySpace page.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Mary Poppins (no, that’s not her real name!) loves hearts, vintage lace, anything embroidered and brocante finds. Even if the only Italian you understand is “tiramisu”, you’ll be enchanted with this fascinating blog. Go to
www.atmosferadicasa.blogspot.com