Killing two birds with one stone?


what if everyone who needed help from a charitable organization such as Community Sharing (where what has been donated by some is given freely to those in need ) ..... could come with a voucher from recycling some trash. One bag of paper or trash picked up from the street or even trash from their own homes would buy one voucher that would be reimbursed at a charity. One voucher equals one large item or one bag of clothes, etc.. I wonder if our streets and yards would be a bit cleaner. This idea would allow those receiving charity to contribute to there community and be a part of the solution which is what most want but no one is hiring!  

The recycling bins could be placed by the charities to make this process simpler for all. This could eliminate the problem of someone handing out vouchers. What do you think of this idea? It may also help those who feel despair when asking for help. 

My thoughts go to the effects of cleaning up our environment as well as our homes. It makes for clearer thoughts. I have a need to clear out the clutter before I can really get creative and when I see others who are having a hard time.... one of the first things I see is the clutter around them. There is usually more of everything and they are overwhelmed and seem to be buried under too much garbage or problems. We could start working on problems with simple cleanup and recycling. 

Gil Harrison

Gil Harrison's pottery. Gil passed away while I was in Florida and I put a stop on all sales as soon as I learned of his death. I've since been in touch with his close friend and executer of the estate. They are planning a memorial service for later after the shock of this sudden loss. So many are missing him now. I only knew him this past year as he placed his work in the gallery. One of the more straight forward, honest people I've met. I liked that about him. "What you see is what you get" No reservations.
 Our last conversation was just days before he passed as he was bringing in a larger amount of work. He had an exceptionally good sale in Medford the previous month. As he put it "the kind of customers you want to wish for" . As he put it ...."there was a line of people waiting to get in and they were all there to buy". He had sold most of his work then and had finally some new work fired to bring in. 

We talked about having another artist reception for him this spring during the gallery's 4th yr. anniversary. That would have been the end of February. This is a lesson once again to appreciate every encounter we have. Never take for granted the moments we share with others. When I hear of the memorial service I will post info. 

Back from sunny Florida and into the clouds of Oregon. We took my mother to Disney World for her 80th birthday. She is now back in ND ....20 below yesterday.... Uffda!!

These people all mistook mom for the queen of england.... too much drink, maybe???

Just finishing this floor cloth,  7 ft x 8 ft . Should be on display in the gallery by tuesday 

Almaz and I walked into a salon in Oslo and got new do's.  

Almaz holding her pony tail that she donated for wigs. I brought it back with me and sent it off to Pantene Beautiful Locks.... a charity that creates free wigs for cancer patients. http://www.pantene.com/en-US/PanteneBeautifulLengths/Pages/default.aspx

Almaz after the cut.  

Almaz at the Vigalund park in Oslo, doing a little imitation before getting all her hair cut off

Almaz with her zodiac at Vigalund

With Karin Ingar at the Lundeby farmstead, Norway

park around an ancient Viking castle

Viking castle ruins enclosed in glass to protect it.

This is Oct. beautiful day!!

I call this the spotted owl mirror

Just finished today

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Incolorgallery?ref=si_shop