Playing with Fashion: New Phenominoes Pendants Feature Blind Artists Phenomenal Artwork on Real Dominoes

Unique fashion accessory adds a fun, playful pop of whimsy to any ensemble while serving the greater good; Stylish low-cost pendants support disabled artists seeking financial independence

Art of Possibility® Studios (http://www.aopstudios.com/), the only art brand exclusively representing physically disabled artists for-profit, today announced the launch of its branded line of Phenominoes®, the wildly popular line of pendants featuring extraordinary works of art on real dominoes. In addition to adding a unique twist to any ensemble, this meaningful fashion accessory also helps support disabled artists in their quest to become financially self-sufficient and not depend on charity and disability benefits.

Each pendant in Phenominoes new 27-piece Art of Possibility Studios collection is accompanied by color-coordinated ribbon necklace and a special clasp making the pendants interchangeable from one necklace to another. All available designs may be viewed online at http://www.aopstudios.com/store_necklaces.php.

The pendants themselves feature spectacular artwork by two inspirational, award-winning blind painters: Ketra Oberlander, Art of Possibility Studios founder whose award-winning work has been featured on ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and George Mendoza, who has been featured in the two PBS documentaries The George Mendoza Story (1989),narrated by Robert Duvall, and Vision of the Soul The George Mendoza Story (2006).

Phenominoes Art of Possibility Studios collection currently retails for $26.95 U.S. online at http://aopstudios.com/store.php and offline at select boutiques nationwide.

Question for Gardeners

I want to order a few plants that have been recommended to me and can't find locally: a corkscrew vine and Arctotis plants. Please tell me your favorite mail order gardening companies.

Celebrate Easter with Family & Friends

excuse my cross posting today - but just wanted to share:


I am really missing my Mama today. She loved Easter just as much as she enjoyed Christmas. The celebration of faith in Christ Jesus was foremost.

But she also loved the trappings of the day: cooking the ham, making potato salad and green beans. She dyed eggs until she was probably 68, always bought a new hat, suit, shoes and "pocketbook" for Easter Service.

My mother has been gone almost four years now and I have a new "family" of friends who have embraced me and I will enjoy an Easter feast with them tomorrow. In the meantime, celebrate the joy we have because of the Resurrection and the love of friends of family.

Happy Easter!

Bahama Burnout by Don Bruns

Don Bruns is back with the fifth book in his Caribbean mystery series featuring music journalist Mick Sever in Bahama Burnout. This time Sever is on assignment for Newsweek in Nassau, Bahamas. He is there to tell the story of the resurrection of a music studio that once produced legendary music. After the changes in the music industry when anyone with a laptop and the right software can engineer their own CD, the studio fell on hard times. Then there was the fire with an unidentified body.

Sever is friends with the new owners of Highland Studios, Jonah and Rita Britt. So, when he learns of the urban legend concerning a ghost and other strange happenings, this becomes more than just a news story for Sever.

At first the question is who burned down the studio a year ago, and is there really a ghost, possibly the spirit of the charred unidentified body causing all the recent mayhem. Is it simply teenagers seeking drug money or fun that busted one guitar and stole another – from a locked room? Or is it as the islanders and Rita believes the work of the ghost?

Bruns has created a story that entertains on many levels. You have an island paradise setting, and enough music references from Elvis to Robert Palmer and Sheryl Crow to light up your iPod along with a solid whodunit with many twists and turns. Old fans and first timers will enjoy Bahama Burnout from fiery start to the surprising ending.

My 1st Blogging Award

WOW, Dorte is so kind. She awarded me the "Your Blog is Fabulous" Award!

Dorte, is a fellow book lover in Denmark. So I guess I can say I am an international winner...LOL. Thank you so much for your kindness. Now I truly must do better.

Believe it or not, I think about the blog everyday. Most mornings on my way to work, I think "today I will just do a quick post on XYZ. "The next thing I know I am in the car the next morning, fussing with myself about the fact, I did not post anything the day before. I am seriously considering the idea of buying a bluetooth just so I won't look so odd arguing with myself in the car, but I digress.

I am asked to award another newbie blogger, however all of the wonderful folks I read are experienced pros. So I will pass on the honor to encourage another newbie as soon as I can.

Thanks again Dorte.

No, I'm Not Compulsive

I have no idea why anyone would think I am compulsive!

Just because my GoodReads to read list is at 200, does not make me compulsive.

Just because I, who has never grown a vegetable in my life and recently went an entire week not eating any veggies [unless french fries count] spent over $40 today [$19 last week] on seeds, starter trays, potting soil and liquid seaweed - that does not make me compulsive.

It is unfair to suggest I am compuslive because my Google Reader is tracking 897 blogs. And there is nothing wrong with the fact they are categorized.

I do not consider myself to suffer from any sort of compulsive behavior disorder. I prefer to think of myself as a fascinating, dynamic woman with a wide assortment of interests.

You agree don't you?

The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis

The Long-Legged Fly, originally published in 2000, introduced James Sallis’s detective Lew Griffin. The book feels more like a short story collection than a novel, as the focus is not a single mystery. Instead, the common thread is Griffin himself. Although he frequently finds missing persons, Griffin struggles to find himself.

The book traces his life and career over a twenty-six year period (1964-1990) as Griffin shifts from women, crimes and sanity. The last chapter is perhaps the most haunting and enigmatic. It involves Griffin’s search for his grown son, who failed to return to America from Europe as planned.

Narrator G. Lamont Thomas expertly draws the listener into the sultry and somber atmosphere created by Sallis. The combination of Thomas’ voice and Sallis words easily encompasses you in a melancholy world, where all to frequent there are not happy ever after endings.

The talent of the narrator was a key reason I enjoyed this book. It was a rainy week when I listened to the audiobook. The combination of cloudy days, and Thomas’ narration left me wondering, if the sun would ever come out again.

The Long-Legged Fly is perhaps not a great mystery story but it is a well written examination of the title character’s life and dark world. I give the book a solid three stars.