By fromskilledhands (
March 28, 2010 at 5:41 pm)
· Filed under My Town Monday
Mention a flat roof to anyone who lives in Northeast Ohio, and he or she will probably laugh. But the flat roof on the Peninsula Art Academy was no laughing matter. Buckets shared space with art supplies and finished work. A new roof was scheduled to be put on. The folks at the Art Academy pulled out the plastic and got to work covering ——everything. They’d been warned that it would get worse before it would get better.
Truckloads of wood and trusses arrived on Wednesday; and the work was scheduled to begin the next day. Mike, from MBI Construction in the Village, had crews lined up, and had said that the roof would be finished in 4 days. Thursday morning was cold and rainy, and snow came next. No roof work that day.
Friday morning was cold and sunny, and snow covered the ground. We arrived at our studio and gallery, Elements Gallery, which is across the road from the PAA, at about 7:40 am. Workers were arriving in trucks and vans. Mike was already there. Then the process began. Water poured through the roof into the Academy, as workers opened up the old roof so they could put support members for the new trusses in place. We brought over extra buckets and our ShopVac. The plastic protected the work.
It was amazing to watch this beautifully orchestrated project. Everyone had a job and knew exactly what to do, and got to work. By 6:00 pm, the roof was secure. If you’re in my neck of the woods, come on by and see it in person. Don’t stop outside, though—go on in, and you’ll see artists’ studios, a gallery and, if you’re lucky, a class may be in session. Come on across the street and stop in to see us, too. We have a new look and new work.
As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve been by. And take a trip on over to My Town Monday. You never know who will be giving you a look at his or her town.
By fromskilledhands (
March 27, 2010 at 7:44 am)
· Filed under Art, Art, PS22 Choir
I have been keeping the faith that art is alive and is an essential part of all our lives for a long time. If you ever wonder if this is true, look at and listen to these kids for 3 minutes and 52 seconds.
By fromskilledhands (
March 21, 2010 at 11:49 pm)
· Filed under My Town Monday, Spring
Ask anyone in the Village of Peninsula about Spring and you will most likely get a big smile, and a comment about the weather, the gray skies and sunshine (if we have it that day). The last of the snow that seemed to last forever is gone for now, at least. Plants are emerging from the soil, working their way through the leaves and clumps of soil that have sheltered them throughout the long winter.
Each time I go out, I see more signs of the change of the seasons. Here are a few:
What’s happening in your neck of the woods?Visit My Town Monday to see what other folks have to say.
By fromskilledhands (
March 17, 2010 at 9:24 am)
· Filed under Words for Wednesday
The sun is rising over the hillside, it’s light a welcome sight in my Valley. Birds are at the feeders; the woodpecker reminds me that I must replace the suet, as he hangs upside down eating the last bits.
Spring is always a special time. Our winters are gray and cold and, for the past few years, very snowy. The snowdrops have emerged; the scilla will be next. We may get more snow, but chances are it won’t last. Such is Spring.
Pages from the word-a-day calendar remind me of days gone by; each page represents a word. Here are some of this week’s gems:
**Adulate: A verb. To flatter or admire excessively or slavishly
**Denigrate: A verb. 1. to attack the reputation of: defame; 2. to deny the importance or validity of: belittle
**Litotes: A noun. Understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary
**Pilgarlic: A noun. 1a: a bald head; b: a bald-headed man; 2. a man looked upon with humorous contempt or mock pity
**Mordacious: An adjective. 1: biting or given to biting; 2: biting or sharp in manner or style: caustic
**Chin-wag: A noun, slang. A conversation or chat
**Kakistocracy: A noun. Government by the worst people
There seem to be plenty of opportunities to use these words these days. I look forward to having a chin-wag with you.
Artists are a generous lot. We give with our hands and hearts. When we issued a Call to Artists for the 2009Cups of Kindess art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, we received responses from many local, regional and national artists. Seventy nine artists donated over 140 pieces of art; the proceeds from the sale of these amazing pieces benefits the Foodbank.
We still have some wonderful pieces, one of which, a vessel by Larry McCardel, is pictured above. We are holding a silent auction at Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy for these pieces, which will end on April 17. Larry’s piece, which is hand turned curly narra wood measures 3″ x 3.5″. It is a beautiful piece. You have the opportunity to add this piece to your collection and to help the Foodbank. Each dollar that is raised purchases $7 worth of food and grocery items. To bid on this item, leave me a comment or email me : from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com. Take a look at the other items on the Cups of Kindness site, and make a bid.
By fromskilledhands (
March 11, 2010 at 7:47 pm)
· Filed under Spring
Those of us who live in NE Ohio treasure these early spring days, when warm breezes and blue skies give us respite from the long gray days of winter. The snow that remains is crusty and gray with the dirt of cars and trucks, as it morphs into puddles and mud. The dogs are happy since they have plenty of mud in which to roll and to track into the house.
Buds adorn the trees, tentatively ready to open, hoping that frosts that are sure to come will be kind to them.
The mackerel sky tells me that the weather is going to change; rain and thunderstorms are predicted for the next few days. That’s ok with me. It’s another sign of spring.
You can still partner with us in supporting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank through our Cups of Kindness show and sale. Join us for a silent auction and bid on the remaining pieces of amazing art! Remember that each dollar we raise purchases $7 worth of food and other grocery items. Come on down to Elements Gallery and to the Peninsula Art Academy in the beautiful Village of Peninsula. The winning bids will be drawn on April 17, and winners will be contacted by phone or email.
We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need. As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
The quality of the light has changed in my Valley. The heavier tones of Winter are being replaced by the lightness of Spring. That does not mean that the 24″ of snow on the ground won’t have a topping of more white stuff. It does, however, signify that there is plenty of mud underneath just waiting to be caked on the dogs’ feet.
Nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, tufted titmice, chickadees, finches and brilliant red cardinals are visiting the feeders, singing the songs that suggest that Spring is on it’s way.
My Word-A-Day calendar has brought pages of words to me, some new, others, old friends. Here’s a sampling:
**Conventicle: a noun. 1. An assembly of an irregular or unlawful character. 2. an assembly for religious worship, especially a meeting for worship not sanctioned by law. 3. a meetinghouse
**Fulgent: an adjective. Dazzingly bright: radiant.
**Parry: a verb. 1. To ward off a weapon or blow. 2. to evade especially by an adroit answer.
**Infix: a noun. A derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word
**Clepe: a verb. To name or call
**Rectitudinous: an adjective. 1. Characterized by straightness or moral integrity. 2. piously self-righteous.
**Harbinger: a noun. 1. A person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another, herald. 2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign; 3. a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train etc., to provide secure lodgings or other accommodations.
As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.
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The sun is rising over the hillside, it’s light a welcome sight in my Valley. Birds are at the feeders; the woodpecker reminds me that I must replace the suet, as he hangs upside down eating the last bits.
Those of us who live in NE Ohio treasure these early spring days, when warm breezes and blue skies give us respite from the long gray days of winter. The snow that remains is crusty and gray with the dirt of cars and trucks, as it morphs into puddles and mud. The dogs are happy since they have plenty of mud in which to roll and to track into the house. 
photos courtesy 
