Public Bookstore [Installation]

The time has come, and not a moment too soon.

Actually, it's about three or so days late.

But, we've gotten the first stage of Public Bookstore installed in the gallery. And oh, my, is it GOOD.

These pictures are from yesterday, and since then, we've cleaned up the place, put the finishing touches on (adjusted lighting, added descriptive labels, etc...) and hung some work. I say some work, because we have so much to show, we will display all the work on a rotating basis over the course of the show, which will run at least through the New Year.

I thought I'd show you these shots of Tim installing his genius display system. He had a huge helping hand this weekend when our friend (and Public Bookstore contributor) Bret Wills opened up his studio and worked with Tim. They rigged up a system of some old wood boards (from our friends' house, now undergoing renovation,) and a heavy-metal strip down the center. I could use up a hundred words to describe it, but it might make much more sense just to look at the photos. More soon to come of the actual, you know, artwork. Although I think Tim's installation may be a work of art unto itself.

But, I may be biased.





And a gratuitous shot of the one waiting out front while I take pictures.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

Where these hydrangeas came from.

We're home, and I am feeling quiet, but wanted to stop in here and say hello.

::

I grew up in this town, in a house built in 1969 that, until we sold it five years ago, never was home to another family but mine.

This house, on a little half-acre, was surrounded by woods and fields full of tall grasses, and lilacs, and apple trees, and pricker-bushes, and hydrangeas, and bittersweet vines tangled all the way up the limbs of tall, tall trees.

One day, a few years ago, all of that land was sold, and someone came in and chopped down many of the trees, and paved over much of the field, and built very,very big houses.

For a while Tim and I lived in a small cottage on the edge of this property, and I would still walk over and cut branches of pretty things all year long to put in our house. I felt that I grew up in those fields and those woods, and that it was my right. I'm sure it was wrong, but still, that's what I did.

After a while, all of the flowering bushes and trees disappeared. Bulldozed over, or died off, or, maybe, were moved.

Today driving through that place for the first time in a while, I spotted a hydrangea tree all pink and healthy, and pulled over in a space where someone had moved the boulders that line the road. I trudged right through the un-mowed grass left in one of the few un-built up lots, and cut off some branches for home.

I'm sure it was wrong, but still, that's what I did.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

Hello, August.

I'm truly not sure how it got to be August. But here we are. A little slow out of the starting gate, with all of the big girls away for this first week, but then...we're off and running.

::So far we've been spending our time with an "only child" in the most unstructured way, which is so different than when you have six kids around and you need some sort of plan. Even if the plan is just to follow their lead and then clean up after.

Anna's a little lonely, I think, but pretty happy. She's been doing some of the most incredible artwork lately. Mostly with watercolors, but also with the markers and pencils we set up at her desk. That desk is the center of her activity. I really can't overstate how great it is for her to have a little spot of her own to go to, either when she's bored, or when she needs to get away from her sisters. It's been so wonderful watching her interest in making pictures develop these last few weeks.

::I've been spending some time "researching" things to do and see in Portland, Maine, in anticipation of my stay next week in a house in Gorham. (Research is such a fancy word for reading blogs.) I dug up some wonderful pieces from last year, most notably Jen's piece for Modish, and this blog, and SouleMama's 50 things, and Design*Sponge's city guide.

There's so much information just in those few pieces, my mind gets a little mushy taking it all in. But, if any of you would share a favorite spot or some insider tip, I'd be really grateful. For now, I'm just looking for ideas of things to do in and around Portland, for me plus three. Later on this month we'll be travelling up the coast, and I'll bug you all again for suggestions in that area.

::If you're wondering what the sangria pictures are all about, well...I thought you'd never ask! My friend Stephanie makes some awesome sangria-it involves green tea, so it's really smooth, and not too sweet, although it does pack a wallop. Ahem.

Anyway, you may remember me going on and on about Stephanie's store, Pretty Funny, in the past here, but now I can send you all to her blog. Go check it out. Lots of eye candy, photographed by yours truly.

::Ok, so I've certainly rambled on enough for this morning. Enjoy your day!

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

My (second) favorite street in town

Grove Street, Tarrytown, NY. I can't do it justice, so these are just a few shots from our walk to the Strawberry Festival yesterday.

Oh! the things we take for granted when we're young, and eager to move on and away from home.

I'm so glad I wound up back where I started.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

Sunday night on the Hudson

All the good pictures tonight were taken by Callie. Not these, these are mine. But she ran off with a smile and my camera, and on Thursday, maybe, you'll see some of those. But they are not mine to share. They are hers.

Mine show a slice of the Hudson River that sits before us, at our tiny little beach that juts out into the river, with a few picnic benches, some new sand, and everyone we know, there (at some point or another) for the same reason we are. To sit, watch the kids play, and be relaxed by the wind and the water and the sunset.

We all have that in common.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

The View

from eyebuzz. Tenth in a series.
Dear Lisa and Maria,

Thank you for coming into the gallery today. And snapping me out of my Flickr-induced trance. And bringing (buying) me an essential cup of tea. And making me laugh. And inviting me to lunch (sorry Lisa), or to sit in your back yard (that's better, right?). And for making my day.

I totally forgive you for calling me a "townie" last summer.

Best wishes,
Tara

My view, today. Thanks for reading.
tt

Friday Happiness

Welcome, Friday. Weren't you just here? Wasn't that yesterday?

::

It's a little grey and rainy today, and thank goodness for that. I need a day where it is less compelling to take a walk, than it is to fold the laundry.

::

I have two books on my table to devour today:

My fellow Tarrytown mom, Lynda Fassa's second book: Green Kids, Sage Families. This is a thought-provoking, invaluable and entertaining guide to all the small changes we can make to raise healthy, happy kids. There is so much enlightening and important information in this book, and at the same time it is down to earth, and real-life inspiring.

Lines and Shapes journal FEAST: this is a small jewel of a book, with evocative pictures and simple drawings. It moves me. I hold it like a bird. I may sleep with it under my pillow.

::

I am in thrall to the trees. I am in love with dogwood. I am mesmerized by the redbud. I am inebriated with lilac.

::

I am counting the hours until the first Stone Barns Farm Market of the season, today.

::

I don't think the laundry stands a chance, after all.
Enjoy the weekend! Thanks for reading.
tt

This is not a Claritin ad.

Blogger was completely uncooperative for me today, and so, left blogless, I wasted some time playing around with Picnik. (Thanks, Beth! Just what I needed. Another black hole of time.)

This morning, Tim and I made a run to the nursery, to pick up some plants. We're planning on doing some guerrilla gardening along Kaldenberg Place, to spruce up the block in anticipation of the opening reception for Jen's show on Saturday.

I was hesitant to go with Tim, but I'm loathe to turn down a kid-free outing with my husband, even if it is just to buy some impatiens.

At some point in the greenhouse, though, it became clear that I may have had ulterior motives. I've got this picture taking thing real bad. I'm starting to view life as one big photo-op. At least the store cat was willing to go along.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

The View

from eyebuzz. Ninth in a series.

My view, today. Thanks for reading.

tt

Saturday dispatch from the Gallery.

Are you the kind of person, upon leaving the farmer's market and rummaging around the basket for the bag holding a full quart of giardiniera, and finding that the helpful vendor had tied up the container in yet another bag, and twisted on one of those little twisty things, who would rip the bag right open from the side to get to the stuff as soon as possible, or who would take the time to untwist the twisty thing, thus insuring that you could safely re-twist the leftovers, assuming there were any, back into the extra plastic bag, so it wouldn't spill all over the basket in the car?

Just wondering.

::

This is a funny thing for me, to sit idle (more or less), in the gallery, for hours every once in a Saturday while. When I came in, Tim had set the computer up for me, with Pandora going. He's mentioned it before, that he's been listening to it here, but truth be told, I hadn't really focused on what he was telling me about it.

I typed in Bon Iver (yes, I'm still on that), and for the last three hours I've been listening to some of the best music I could hope to hear. Jose Gonzalez, The Shins, Iron and Wine, M. Ward, Wilco...it's kind of like having a cute boy you have a crush on making you a mixed tape.

::

I've been occupying myself by taking pictures (none of which I can post yet, as I don't have the proper cord down here at the gallery), picking at all my farmer's market loot, which I have with me because I came straight here from the market this morning, and watching YouTube clips,which literally had me in tears of laughter. (Thanks, Alexis!)

::

My stepdaughters and their friend came in and yanked me out of my Flickr-induced stupor, and were kind enough to run up the street for a cup of tea. So I'm wide awake now and watching the clock, ready to step out of the hush and still of the gallery, into the glare of finally sunlight, and start my day over again, in real life.

Hope you shed a few tears of laughter today, too.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

Friday Happiness

Running away from this computer as quickly as possible! Wanted to stop in and say...

Hi.

and,

Enjoy this incredible day, weary citizens of the Northeast.

and,

Come visit us tonight at Third Friday. There's so much going on in town, and finally the weather is on board.

and,

Check this out; seems like an inspired project for a photo-happy mother and daughter. I think my girl and I might have a try at it.

and,
because it's my blog and I can do what I want to:

I love you, T.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

Friday Happiness::Local edition

This is a major Friday, as it is leading into a week off from school. To that I say, without reservation: Yippee!! We all of us need a break, and with no real plans for the entire week, I think we're bound to get one.

I just wanted to point out a couple of local items:

::Sweet Grass Grill is opening! It's taken them some time longer than anticipated, but they've done a beautiful job with the space, and Robert Welsch of Westover has created some exquisite containers for the front of the restaurant. Spruces up the whole block, I daresay.

We've been waiting so long for this place to open; Tim's joking that eyebuzz is going to move a few of it's hours over to the bar there, where they'll be serving up beer on tap and seasonal, local food. At least, I think he's joking.

::Cowberry Crossing Farm, my favorite organic vendor at both indoor and outdoor farmer's markets in the area, has announced a CSA this summer. For anyone interested in taking part in a CSA, I can't think of a better place to put your support. Their website is a work-in-progress, but you can get all the information about their farm and where to find them. Their produce, meat, and eggs are of amazing variety and quality, and their business is truly family run: two charming kids are always working right next to their parents at the markets, year round.

::And speaking of markets, the indoor market at Briarcliff Manor is on tomorrow. If you haven't made it there yet, go. I swear you will not be disappointed. If nothing else, go buy some cheese!

::If you're wondering what the pictures today have to do with anything (not that my pictures usually do), I'm tickled by the contrast between my pretty little pansies set out on the bench just so, and what actually takes place around that bench on any given afternoon. It makes me think of that quote about cleaning the house while the kids are still young being like shoveling while it's still snowing. Certainly whoever that was, was winking and gesturing at me when they said it.

I hope you all enjoy the weekend!

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

Friday Happiness

So. Friday. So happy.

Things are looking up, weather-wise. Yesterday, it was grey (which way do you spell gray? grey, gray...I love it both ways.)

Yesterday it was grey, and I noticed in that cloudy-bright greyness, colors really popped. Women's faces, and school buses lined up outside the Music Hall. Backpacks bumping off the hips of kids flowing down from the high school. Awnings and street signs. Colors popped.

I noticed that it was beautiful.

I am so ready for a good, old-fashioned rain, and last night we got a little taste of one. But I want thunder and lightning. I want soaking sheets falling, and wind gusting.

And then, afterward, I want the sun to come out, sheepishly at first. Then, full force. Then all those little sprouts and shoots will know it's safe for them to show themselves.

The lilac tree in our driveway has started to bud.

Friday, and I am also ready to cut the rest of my hair off. I'm over it. I'm going greyer by the minute. Or grayer. Take your pick.

Funny, it just now occurs to me, that my most favorite tea is, naturally, Earl Grey. Fits nicely.

::

We have an interview with Elizabeth Solomon, up at eyebuzz now. Tim conducted the interview with her, and when I read it, I was so impressed with both his questions, and her thoughtful, interesting, and honest answers.

I am much looking forward to our upcoming show with Jennifer Judd-McGee, and I have taken the interview reins from Tim, in what is a both a selfish and unprecedented move. It will be my first interview, and I look forward to posting it here, soon.

We have gotten so many amazing submissions for Public Bookstore. Thank you to everyone. This is a project we are excited about, and we are so encouraged by the response and the quality of the work. We'll keep you posted on the publication date, the opening reception, and the summer group show, which will exhibit some of the original work that is included in what, we hope, is the first in a series of collaborative art books.

::

Friday. And I hope to notice a few more things that are beautiful, throughout the weekend.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
tt

The View

from eyebuzz. Seventh in a series.






Third Friday. Cooler than expected, and we had expected that this would be a night when people, fed up with being penned in, would come out.

Cool out, tonight, but people.came.out.

Thank you, to all of you who did. When the last of you had left, Tim said: "We had a party at eyebuzz tonight."

And we had. Met new people, and rediscovered people we've known forever.

This is what we had in mind, years ago, when we first dreamt of a place of our own, in a community we are a part of.

Tonight made us fall in love with Tarrytown, all over again.

Our view, tonight.

Thanks for reading.
tt (+TT)

Monday Morning :: A few random notes on art

Monday morning. It has been so long since we all had to get up, get it together, and get out, that I was almost sure it would be hectic at best, and disastrous at worst.

It was neither thing. Smooth sailing; and now I am left home, alone, for the first time in over three weeks.

We have a lot of things cooking here, both literally and figuratively. When my tech-director helps me out tonight, I will be able to show you what we're working on, but today I will mention a few random other things.

This weekend was art-full for us.

Third Friday was surprisingly, encouragingly busy at the gallery, and a great send off for The Obama Show. We'd like to thank everyone who made the show such a success, not only in terms of how much of the show sold, but measured instead by the enthusiasm, energy and sense of community that surrounded us during it. And an enormous thank you to the artists who participated, and made it such a varied and inspiring show.

Saturday we had a busman's holiday: an opening reception for a show at Rutheny's Brook Street Gallery in Croton. The show, an exhibition by The Cathouse Associates, included two types of work: Not Shoes, shoes that had been altered by the artists with other elements, and Not Books, paperback sized blocks of wood with "covers" made from collaborative collages, and given invented (and inventive) titles and authors.

And on Sunday, we finally made it up to Katonah for the last day of the juried group show, which only happens once every three years. We were very impressed by the work, and loved the museum's setting, which reminded me of this museum, in Denmark. Well...without the view, and the cafe. But Katonah's sculpture garden will be lovely in the spring, and it's an easier drive from Tarrytown.

All of this got me thinking how in this economy which no one can stop talking about, perhaps the silver lining is that people will be forced to find culture and entertainment in the art world, at libraries, and at home. We spent a weekend-admittedly much fuller than we generally like-full of interesting, stimulating experiences, without spending much money.

One of my favorite pieces in the Katonah show was a piece by local artist Nancy Egol Nikkal, called Quote. She took some of the text of a December 2008 Interview magazine article and used it as the basis for a collage; this part, on the value of art, struck me as most timely:

"and it's something that not only speaks to who you are, but that transforms you into who you want to be...the financial markets may be in turmoil, but no matter what happens, we still have art."

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

tt

The View

from eyebuzz. Sixth in a series.
This is our town, on a freaky warm February evening, a few days before Valentine's Day.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

tt