"Dear Diary..."

Christmas letter 2009

December 9th, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Since we finally have the technology (we bought a printer this fall), I decided I would use the snow day we’re having here to compose a holiday letter. Granted, many of you will receive it by way of e-mail rather than the “old-fashioned” way, but know that you are all in our thoughts as we slide into Christmas and 2010.
I continued to do a lot of substitute teaching in the 2008-09 school year, and the more I did, the more I enjoyed it. I find it quite curious that I especially enjoy the days I’m called for the elementary school. When I was teaching orchestra, the LAST place I wanted to be was in the elementary schools, but I realize now that it had much more to do with the scheduling of music lessons at that level than with the children. And, I’m older. Yes, really. The amount of ibuprofen I now take proves it. The reading specialist at Southern Door Elementary says I have that “oma” quality about me. At first I was a bit put out by the reference to “grandma.” But she’s right, I could easily have been a grandma by this time in my life. And I guess all those latent maternal instincts come flooding to the surface when I’m around all those children. I’m quite addicted to their hugs, and love it when they see me, and ask, “Who are you today, Mrs. O’R?” Anyway, when school ended last June, I felt a little lost for several weeks. But I had found a summer job, working at a little bead shop in Sturgeon Bay. Unfortunately, the economy has hit the Door County tourist trade quite hard, and by July, much too late in the season, I was looking for work. It was a blessing in disguise. I truly did not want to work in retail again. Been there, done that. Patrick encouraged me to use the time to explore the possibility of getting a teaching license. I called UW-Green Bay, thinking that since I had gotten my first teaching license through them, it would be easy to get an add-on license. Not so. But after considerable internet research, and a few phone calls, I found the Accelerated Licensure program at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc. We talked a LOT about it, and I finally made an appointment with an advisor.
College is very different than it was when I enrolled in the 70’s. It’s different than when I went back and finished my degree in the 80’s. Gone are the days of long lines for registration and buying books. A few clicks of the mouse, and I’m all set, and books arrive by UPS. My accelerated program allows me to continue subbing, and I attend classes on weekends, and turn in assignments online. It took some getting used to, making sure that everything was exported and formatted properly. Many of my instructors and department administrators are nuns, and I must admit I’m a bit intimidated by some of them, being the left-wing Druid that I am! The language of Education has also changed quite a bit since I was a full-time teacher, but it’s just a matter of terminology, not philosophy. I enjoyed my one Friday night and Saturday morning per month on campus. Luckily, I finished this week, just ahead of the snowstorm that keeps me home today. I was quite pleased with my progress, I haven’t forgotten how to write a research paper, and look forward to next semester. I took three classes, and will take three more, starting in mid-January. That will leave one or two classes for summer session, and one next fall. IF I can do a long-term subbing gig of at least 6 weeks in one classroom, I may use that for my “student teaching,” and would not have to be assigned to a classroom teacher, full-time, for an entire semester - and not be paid! I’m keeping my fingers crossed, burning sage, praying for pregnancies. Whatever it takes.
I have also returned to the podium, quite by accident. Last year I noticed a young woman in the parking lot at Target, and had that I-should-know-who-that-is feeling. We’ve been in Door County ten years, so sometimes when this happens, it’s hard to pinpoint the where and when. I decided I’m too old to appear threatening, so I marched right up to her car, explained my curiosity, and asked who she was. After a bit of history exchange, we discovered that she had been one of those happy campers at UW-Green Bay summer music camp, a very promising cellist, when I was “Mrs. E,” not “Mrs. O’R.” She had gone on in music, graduating from Lawrence, and was now the Director of the Door County String Academy! Small world, indeed. We agreed to keep in touch, and Lori eventually persuaded me to come work with her students as a “guest,” and to adjudicate their spring music festival of solos and ensembles. I had a ball! I had not completely forgotten how to wave a baton, and I was hooked. Her older students did not have a large ensemble component to their program, so we made one. We rehearse one Sunday afternoon per month, mostly high school students and some local adult players (including our neighbor, Peter Sherrill, on the string bass) and will “debut” next week at a holiday concert in Sturgeon Bay. You may follow our progress online, here: http://www.doorcountystringacademy.blogspot.com/
Patrick is well, and continues to amaze and delight me, with his support, good humor, encouragement, and cooking! Although there have been changes at the mill, Patrick’s job is fairly secure. We’re just happy that he still HAS a job, and each year that goes by is another year of seniority, and another year closer to retirement. The economy forces us to stay close to home, so there haven’t been any trips to relate. Last spring and late this fall, he went to his father’s, in Fort Wayne, IN, to help with seasonal projects around their home and/or lake house. Our niece, Jessica, was married this summer, and we attended a reception they held in Milwaukee, in October. It was nice to see Patrick’s sister and her husband, and Patrick’s brother. The bride’s brother, James, is in the army, stationed in Afghanistan at the moment, and our thoughts go out to him every night when we watch the news. His wife and their two adorable children were at the reception, and it was fun to see how the kids are growing and changing. Rachael, our youngest niece, was absent. But she had a good excuse - she was studying this fall semester in Ireland, at the University College in Cork. She has really enjoyed it, if her Facebook page is any indication, and there is even talk that she will go back for graduate studies after finishing her degree at U of I, Champaign-Urbana, this spring. Finishing college! Those four years certainly flew by! About the only way I can keep track of her adventures is on Facebook, so feel free to “friend” me (Patty Calkins O’Rourke) here: http://www.facebook.com/
We worried about Snickers last Spring, when he suddenly had trouble walking, getting up and down stairs, etc. A trip to our vet, dear Dr. Neil, and x-rays confirmed that he has arthritis, and after experimenting awhile with medications, he’s doing great. He even chases and plays with Spike, the little orphan cat we took in two summers ago. Spike is very vocal, very entertaining, and although he wants to keep tabs on us and be close, he’s not the “lap cat” that Thumper was. Thumper passed away this last year, after a good, long life, and I miss her terribly. But this summer we were reminded that orphans are never very far away, and they will probably always find their way to us. Twice we were visited by sweet little kittens that were looking for love, and we scooped them up and delivered them to the Humane Society’s animal shelter in Sturgeon Bay. Both were adopted soon after. Yes, we were tempted both times, but I think we’re at capacity right now, at least until I finish school. These, and other adventures, can be found on my blog: http://paporartist.typepad.com/dear_diary/
I’ve not pursued any art in quite awhile, with the exception of projects for my Creative Arts in the Classroom methods class. So I’ve enclosed this little origami Christmas tree, complete with teacher-gold star sticker, the project I used for my final.
(I’ll be honest, I was going to do a crane. But when I finished, it looked more like an airplane that had crash-landed.) Here’s hoping this finds you all well, and with bright prospects for the new year ahead.
Love,
Patty, Patrick, Snickers and Spike O’Rourke

small, small world

I just received a very generous "tip" from someone who had stumbled across my blog, a friend from high school I had not heard from in more than 35 years!

amazing, this internet thing, the world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.

so, a thank you goes out to Mike in Indiana, and I hope he keeps reading.

and speaking of Indiana, I recently received a call for art from Artlink in Fort Wayne for POSTCARD ART - ooh, gotta love that!

go here for more information, and a link to download the prospectus.

I will certainly be sending them a few entries - there's no jury, no fees, no specific theme, no return of your artwork, and all participants will be listed on their website.

all postcards will be sold, with the proceeds benefiting Artilink's exhibitions.

I will also post my entries here, and I hope others will send me pictures of their entries, and I will post those here, as well.

going postal for an artistic cause!

later,

Patty

"And the nominees are..."

I received an award this past week from Isabel, (thank you so much, and yes, I hope we will be able to meet someday, too!) and I am pleased to be able to pass it along to the following people:

Tracy Roos

Kathy McCreedy

Ricë Freeman-Zachery

yes, I did read the instructions, and it says to nominate at least 7 blogs.
but, frankly, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of blog/website/e-mail crap that I am so very far behind on, and decided that I could follow through on three.
not seven.
sue me.
Tracy's blog was the first blog I stumbled upon and began reading on a regular basis, so all of this is her fault.
just kidding, she inspired me to do my own blog, and I'm very grateful.
Kathy's blog is a more recent "acquisition," and we share a love of words, have exchanged mail art, etc.
I have never had the pleasure of communicating with Ricë, but her blog is fabulous!
she says exactly what she thinks, and if it includes the word shit from time to time, so be it.
irreverent, and great fun.
there are so many others that I could list, but just don't have the time or space.
back to work,
later,
Patty

Mr. Toad's wild ride

well, although everything I make is crap (I say this annually, right before this show, but I get past it, don't worry), I'm feeling pretty good about the packing progress I've made.
usually, I'm up half the night before we leave, making price tags and packing up all the little odds & ends you need when you do a show, and basically live in your tent for two days.
instead, I was up half the night LAST night, doing that.
but it's done, a day ahead of my usual time, gold star for me.
and Patrick packed the car yesterday with all the tent stuff, panels, poles, weights, etc.
today will be kind of a mad dash to the finish line with everything else.
Patrick has a dental appt. in Green Bay this afternoon, and from there we go directly to Weathered Goods, for the gallery night event.
I better go finish packing, and double-check my list.
later,
Patty

the luck of the Irish

instead of gold stars today, I'm sending out shamrocks.
(you'd expect that from someone named O'Rourke, wouldn't you?)
true shamrocks are actually a type of clover, a very tiny ground cover, and should not be confused with the Oxalis plants that you can buy this time of year in most grocery stores.

I found a wonderful site that has bulbs of several varieties, and a fair amount of information about them.
but for real luck, I thought I'd throw in a four-leaf clover, too.
my grandmother and I used to search for them in her front yard, and she always carried one, pressed in wax paper, in her wallet.
when she died, I transferred the little treasure to my wallet, and when I find others, I press them and send them to people.
wishing you all a lovely St. Patrick's Day!
later,
Patty

H is for Handmade

yes, I'm still on a Spell with flickr kick, but it's just so much fun!
quick post today, lots to do.
came across this on Lisa's blog, and had to sign up and share.

we need to support each other, and all who create unique, one-of-a-kind items, not just at Christmas, but all through the year.
(I also send extra gold stars out to anyone who uses recycled materials.)
take the pledge and spread the word!
later,
Patty

in the beginning...

happy new year!
hope that whatever celebrating you did was pleasant, and safe.
we normally choose to stay home, take it easy.
Patrick had to work last night, so I made myself some snacks, poured a glass of wine, toasted 2008 (at about 9:30 pm!), and went to bed early.
such a party girl!
anyway, I don't make resolutions in any formal way, but the very nature of the year ending and a new one beginning usually makes me take some time, reflect, take stock, and dream a bit about what may come.
I hope that I will be more faithful about blogging, among other things, and started my day by going through all my old e-mails.
yes, ALL of them - I'm horrible about saving e-mails, always meaning to get back to them, file them, copy down information, check out new websites, reply, etc.
and it was downright frightening what I found in my IN box!
some pleasant surprises, as well.
like this one:
I was TAGGED for a meme quite some time ago by collage artist Nancy Lefko - we "met" this last year through Illustration Friday, and I saved her e-mail, fully intending to get back to it.
sorry it has taken me so long, Nancy, but here goes...
I had never been tagged before, so I wanted to make sure I had the time to read through it, do it right.
the rules of this meme are:
· when tagged, you must link to the person who tagged you.
· then post the rules before your list, and list eight random things about yourself.
· at the end of the post you must tag and link to eight other people.

8 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:

1 - I am an only child.
not sure why that came to mind first, except that with the holidays, family has been on my mind a lot.
I don't think that my lack of siblings caused me to suffer any, growing up.
but because my parents were older when I came along, I may have had to grow up a lot faster than most of my friends.
and all that stuff that must be faced when your parents age, and reach the end of their lives, well, I had to do it alone.
I have two dear friends and two nieces who are Only Children, and I'm thinking of starting a club or something.
if anyone out there wants to join, let me know, and I'll get back to you on that one...

2 - I was a conductor.
music, not trains.
taught public school orchestra, grades 5 through 12, plus some college gigs. and did a fair amount of travelling as a guest conductor/clinician.
and I miss it very much.
not the adult politically-correct crap, but working with kids.
I always thought that maybe some day I would teach again, but with every year that goes by, I have more doubts.
but I cherish those memories, and hope that there are kids out there that grew up, and think back on their experiences in my class as positive.

3 - my favorite movie is Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves
the one with Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.
I started watching it shortly after my divorce, probably because it was one of few VHS tapes I had, after the "settlement." (odd word, as it was very unsettling.)
anyway, for some odd reason, it was very comforting to me.
it's hard to explain, but whenever I got to feeling that I just couldn't do it, couldn't go on, couldn't endure one more humiliation, I would watch that movie, and it helped.
needless to say, I wore out the tape, memorized all the lines, and was tickled when I received the DVD as a Christmas present this year, from my husband.
(he "gets" me!)

4 - I tend to write in run-on sentences.

5 - I like to eat potato chips with cottage cheese.
yes, better than any dips I've tried.
and I can fool myself for a few minutes that it's actually better for me!

6 - I hate to shop.
especially in big department stores, or malls.
would rather chew on broken glass.
when I need a gift, or (horrors!) have to buy something for myself, I would much rather go online, and then wait for the package to arrive.
or go to a small specialty shop.
I like supporting the local small businesses, if I can.

7 - I love to get mail.
snail mail, in particular.
a day without mail delivery, like today, for example, just isn't a complete day for me.
that's one of the reasons I started teaching a class in mail art.

8 - I am the Queen of Making Do.
I get so much pleasure out of fixing something, or re-purposing something, rather than running out to buy a new whatever (see #6).
yesterday, I patched several pairs of my husband's work jeans, and it gave me such a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing that it will be several months before we'll have to break down, and buy a new pair or two.
and then there's all that recycled denim, to make other stuff...

well, there's my list.
and here are the people I've tagged: Julie, Rice, Teesha, Claudine, Judy, Keri, Stephanie, and JuJu

have fun with it - I did!
later,
Patty

gold stars

remember gold stars on the _____________ chart? (fill in the blank, you've all had one, of some kind, haven't you??)
it just made you feel so good, to see those accomplishments, and have them publicly acknowledged.
when I was teaching, I used charts of various kinds over the years for my students.
and I kept a secret "gold star" file in my desk, for me...
another teacher had suggested it, when I was feeling particularly stressed out in my first year of teaching.
he told me he saved every kind note, memo, and card he received from students, parents, administrators, and put them in a file in his desk.
whenever he got really down about how things were going, he'd take out the file, page through it a bit, and it always made him feel better, and he could go on, knowing he had made a difference to someone, somewhere.
well, I got a gold star e-mail this past week, and I'm going to share it with you.
it came at a time I was feeling really stressed, and anxious, and wondering if I shouldn't just chuck this whole artist thing, and get a job as a walmart greeter, or something!
thank you, Kristina, it just made my day!
and I hope this brings lots of gold stars to you, keep "playing" and creating.

"Hi Patty-

I wanted to let you know that I got my greeting cards on Monday, Sept. 24th…that was only 3 days after you mailed them to me! I was floored! And they are just GORGEOUS…pictures perfect, like on the site. Your printer did your artwork justice…they are just beautifully done. The March one is for my Grandma Nellie, who really enjoys Bird Art, and the moment I laid eyes on it, I knew she would love it. The Reuse, Recycle card is going to a friend of mine, Holly, who has pledged over this last year to not buy any new products, including art supplies, and to only reuse what she already has, or barter and trade for things she doesn’t have. I’m sending her some stuff, and I knew that would be the perfect card to include in her care package. And I’m not sure what I’m going to do with the Gratitude card…I may just keep that as a reminder to myself. *grin*

Nope, I’m not an artist…I’m a dabbler in the creative arts, which, at this point, means that I’m painting pretty backgrounds in my “Art” Journal, lol (where Art = Let’s Play with Stuff and See What Happens). It’s been this slow process over the last few years of me recognizing and acknowledging that I have some creativity, and now I’m just learning the ropes, and have a technique-learning altered book going. I have a blog on Artellaland, which I sadly never attend to, and only has two entries so far, lol. But you’re more than welcome to read both entries, here: http://artellacafe.com/blogs/kristina/default.aspx.

Thank you again, Patty, for your beautiful cards and amazingly quick response to my order. If you need a testimonial for your website or for etsy, you’ve got it.

Hugs,

Kristina"