Jon pulled together a Kickstarter campaign recently to help him raise money to finish a sculpture piece in a series he is currently doing. I have been really impressed with the response. Not only did his project get funded, but it has exceeded the funding amount. People aren't just donating money, they are giving great feedback on the work Jon is doing. This type of response is so important to Jon. It has really helped him realize that what he is doing is important and beautiful.

I wish we could all put ourselves out there in this way and get so much positive attention and love from total strangers. Wouldn't that be a great way to live- unafraid to share your true self?

For more information on Jon's project see his Kickstarter campaign.

I'm closer to 40 than 30, or even 35 at this point, and it feels as though everyone is in their groove but me. I do recognize how whiny I've been lately, but just go with it- you obviously don't mind, if you keep coming back. Either that, or you derive pleasure from knowing someone else (being me) is worse off than you. Whatever the reason, take a break from your wonderfully put together life and read about how mine is so un- put together. Also, to make it seem less depressing, I will give one positive thing for every negative thing. See, I'm not a total loser. Ok, that's not true. I may seem balanced, but it comes from working with psychologists all day and editing their articles and reading the links they share via email. Fake it 'til you make it.

1. I have an education I don't use in its entirety.
                  - At least got an education.
2. My entire future hinges on the job market for Art professors.
                  - Baby boomers are starting to retire.
3. I haven't gotten a consistent amount of sleep in a week.
                  - I have perfected writing things down in the dark.
4. I have library books that are due, but I haven't finished reading them.
                   - We have a library.
5. The hardwood floor in my foyer is covered with enormous, ugly, mismatch rugs so no one gets four-inch splinters in their feet.
                   - I don't currently have any four-inch splinters in my feet.
6. I desperately want to sit on my couch and eat an entire cake, but I can't have grains, or sugar, or butter.
                   - I can still eat bacon.
7. I don't own a house- not even a small one. I'd settle for a shed that's all mine.
                   - I don't have to pay property taxes or worry about how I'm going to pay to fix the roof.
8. I can't afford to send my kids to fancy music camps in New England.
                   - I can afford a summer pool pass.
9. I signed up for a zumba class, but what I really want to do is just watch while eating a bowl of ice cream.
                   - No one there knows me, so I could get away with not attending.
10. I haven't had a true vacation in several years.
                   - I live in a beautiful area where there are many opportunities for staycations.
11. I think I need bi-focals.
                   - Sorry, I can't find a positive here. At least I can see???
12. My dogs are more excited about getting up at 5:30 than I am.
                   - Just two more months and I can start getting up at 6:30.
13. Half my clothes have stains on them and I don't have infants or toddlers to use as an excuse.
                  - The stains can usually be camouflaged or covered with a sweater or something.
14. I have not met my potential.
                  - Not sure what my potential is, so I could have met it without knowing.

Junk in the Country is not only fun to say, but it's an apt name for this annual sale. Each year, Robin Lowe, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has a sale at her home. Robin uses recycled and upcycled items, as well as plenty of ingenuity, to make beautiful home decor. For all you tree huggers, (I use this phrase kindly.) this is a very "green" event. There are no stickers that say Made in China and no worries of child or otherwise unfair labor practices. Okay, Robin might debate the latter, but it would be her own doing. :) The items, hand painted, handmade and wonderful, are on display in a beautiful barn next to her house.

Robin is a woman like no other. She is resourceful, kind, brilliant and artistic. Once you meet her, you want to be her friend for life. I've bought a few things here and there from Robin over the years, and I have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of some beautiful gifts as well. She always has something to brighten my life and my home.

A beautiful chest of drawers available at Junk in the Country

Even if you think you have no need for what Robin is selling, just the drive to her home is worth the trip. She lives out on Kidd Island Road (signs will point the way from there), just a few minutes' drive into the country outside Coeur d'Alene's downtown. The sale is August 4, 2012 from 8 am to 3 pm- the same weekend as Coeur d'Alene's Art on the Green. If you're out that way, or even if you're not, put this on your calendar.

You can see more of Robin's items on her Facebook page here.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a favorite stop of ours whenever we are in L.A. Recently, we visited the museum specifically to see Chris Burden's Metropolis II. The exhibit is amazing. Unfortunately, we were there on a day when it was not running.

Take a look at the YouTube video below to find out more about the installation:

LACMA was also featuring:

California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way"

It included some amazing architecture, furniture, automobiles, art and textile designs. 

It was definitely worth the trip. It didn't hurt that there were a dozen different food trucks parked outside the museum for us to peruse for lunch.

While in Los Angeles visiting our friend Tony (who is single, ladies) we went to LACMA- the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  Anyone who is hip, calls it LACMA.  Anyway, we chose this museum over the Getty because we had never been there before.  It was great.  We got to see everything from Renaissance to Contemporary art.  Jon also was able to see some of the paintings he had just studied in his art history class.   Only art in the permanent collection was available to photograph, so I don't have pictures of some of my favorite pieces.  Two of the traveling exhibits that we did see were the Hearst Collection, from William Randolph Hearst's castles, and the Vanity Fair Portrait Collection.  Both of these were wonderful.  

I think that the next time we are in L.A. Jon and I will have to go back without the girls.  Moira was tired after one exhibit.  

Here are some of the photos I was able to take.