Inside the Characters of Read My Lipstick.......by Joyce Oroz

What makes a person a trend-setter? Extra good taste? A strong personality? Access to impressive or unusual clothing? If Josephine wants to know the answer to that question, she should look no further than her own mother. Here is an excerpt from READ MY LIPSTICK.......

........Looking down West Alisal, I saw multitudes of people already
congregating in front of the Civic Center. As I plodded down the street
leaning into the wind, two Greyhound buses stopped in the middle of the
congested traffic and let a hundred or so senior citizens disembark. As soon as
the old folks hit the sidewalk they unrolled bright green banners and began
chanting as they marched over to the plaza. The women wore clear plastic rain hoods, the men
donned baseball caps and everyone wore raincoats and galoshes. Someone familiar
caught my eye.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” I shouted through the down-pour.

“Hello, dear. I brought some concerned friends with me.” She smiled and
waved her hand to show that these were her people. Mom wore a green visor over
her clear plastic hood and her overalls were lime green, the same shade as her
rain boots.

She had always been a trend setter.

Big Bubba in the Backyard........by Joyce Oroz

Top 5 Reasons to Harvest Rainwater!
Protect our rivers and streams from runoff
pollution
Divert water from the municipal storm
drain system
Conserve this vital natural resource and
reduce your water bills
Use the rain water to grow healthy and
lush plants
Control moisture levels around the
foundation of your home

Keep emergency water on hand

Last year I decided we
should install a rain barrel in our backyard because I thought it was a cool
idea. Being a lucky person, I turned out to be right. Our Big Bubba water tank
holds 550 gallons of rain water, straight from the roof-gutter of an out-building. I
turn the red lever at the bottom of the tank and the water is fee to move
through one hundred feet of hose, down a slope to my precious plants.
My husband and I installed
the tank ourselves through trial and error—or you can follow the easy
instructions when you buy the tank. There is a big hole in the top (with a screw-on
cover) so you can look inside and see the water level. A little further down is
the inflow port and the overflow port so you can direct excess water somewhere else—maybe another
storage tank. At the bottom is an outlet hole where you hook up a hose. It’s
all very simple, especially if you are of the male gender. For other genders, the rain tanks and barrels come in many sizes and colors. If you like this
idea, please let me know.

Buy Local, made in USA......by Joyce Oroz

The Dragonfly Gallery event last Sunday was a big success. Thank you, Kathryn. Goods were sold locally, made in the USA. For the sake of our economy we need to buy American products and support American workers. I recently came across an article on the subject and want to share it with you.

I DIDN'T KNOW HALLMARK CARDS WERE MADE IN CHINA! I don't buy cards at Hallmark anymore. They are made in China and are more expensive! I buy them at Dollar Tree - 50 cents each and made in USA. Yesterday I was in Wal Mart looking for a wastebasket. I found some made in China for $6.99. I didn't want to pay that much so I asked the lady if they had any others. She took me to another department and they had some at $2.50 made in USA. They are just as good. Same as a kitchen rug I needed. I had to look, but I found some made in the USA - what a concept! - and they were $3.00 cheaper. We are being brainwashed to believe that everything that comes from China and Mexico is cheaper. Not so. I was in Lowe's the other day and just out of curiosity, I looked at the hose attachments. They were all made in China. The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA. Start looking, people . . ...In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - most often, their job. My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is now marked "made in Mexico." I don't buy it anymore. My favorite toothpaste, Colgate, is made in Mexico... I switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything. This past weekend I was at Kroger . . . I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy -- was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared them: they were the same except for the price . . .the GE bulbs cost more than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was that that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - you guessed it - the USA at a company in Cleveland, Ohio.

So, on to the next aisle: Bounce Dryer Sheets... yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand cost less, and was MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years, at almost half the price.
Costco sells Goodyear wiper blades for almost half the price that you will pay on the outside and they are made in the U.S.A. Unfortunately our politicians and top CEO's have pushed for trade to China and Mexico for years so Americans are now out of work. Did you know that there are no electric coffee makers made in the US? I have been looking at blenders available on the Internet. Kitchen Aid is MADE IN the US. Top of my list already. My challenge to you is to start reading labels when you shop for everyday items and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbor's! The people at the Dragonfly Gallery understand this concept.

Please tell us what you find and give us the good news!

The Breath I Breath.......by Joyce Riley

Capitola Beach in the Winter

A meditation written by my cousin, Joyce Riley

The breath I breath renews my soul,
Cleanses me and makes me whole.
A peace returns, for I am still,
Surrendered to a higher will.
And, as the cycle strengthens me,
Truth becomes Reality.
The breath I breath, the Vital Force,
Is Love, the One, the only Source.

Joyce Riley
2-3-1989

Lentils, a Wise Choice.......by Joyce Oroz

If you are leaning toward lentils, let me explain the lentils in my life. From the beginning they seemed bland and I didn’t like their texture—they had no particular smell and they weren’t even pretty. So what’s to like about lentils?

The answer is my easy crock-pot lentil soup! Gluten-free and vegetarian if you wish.

I happen to have a “chopping disability” and I’m always running late so I tinkered around with a few recipes and came up with a really good one. Fire up your crock-pot or slow-cooker and here we go………

Crock-pot Lentil Soup Ingredients

One pound lentils, rinsed

7 cups vegetable or chicken broth

3 T grapeseed or olive oil

3 T dehydrated onion flakes

2 t garlic powder

1 T cumin powder

1 T curry powder

2 t turmeric powder

1 T coriander

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in crock-pot or cooker. Cook on medium temp for 5 to 7 hours or until lentils are soft.
Stir in 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda….a little at a time. Stir until the foam disappears. Ladle soup into bowls and enjoy.

Katherine Stutz-Taylor in her own words..........

Katherine Stutz-Taylor is known for her jubilant personality, her warm hugs and her excellent prints made from original wood cuts. Kathy is an active and valuable member of the Aromas Hills Artisans. Here is Kathy's story in her own words..........
........when I was in second grade I decided I was going to be an artist. I loved to draw, trying to capture what I saw before me. My family traveled a lot, exposing me to wonderful landscapes throughout the United States and Canada. My fascination of plants and landscapes began at an early age with architecture coming in a close second after I saw the castles and ancient buildings in Europe in my twenties.
I was twelve when I became fascinated with the printed curtains that my parents had made when they first were married, botanical plants my mother had drawn and my father had carved and printed. With my father’s tools and advice I began making relief prints. Through school I explored many forms of printing making with a side step into sculpture before settling on etching and relief prints.
I received my BA from UC Santa Barbara in Printmaking in 1980 and my MFA from San Jose State in Sculpture in 1988. I started teaching art in 1981 through the local parks and recreation department. Always finding a way to share my love of art I’ve worked for SPECTRA, the San Joaquin County Arts Council as Artist in Residence, and as an Art teacher in Tracy. Currently I teach Art as a release teacher in the Pajaro School District.
I turned to copper plate and non-toxic printing in 1998. My etchings and woodcuts are E.V. (edition varies), that include hand coloring and possibly Chine Colle. I have been currently focusing on relief prints. All my work is original from drawings or photographs I have taken of the world around me. Images of my own travels and interests in nature are reflected in my art work. I try to capture the serenity and beauty of the moment.
I have participated in juried, solo and group shows since 1985; including Santa Cruz Open Studios, KPFA Crafts and Music Fair, The Triton Museum, and San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art.
In 2003 I decided to share my work with the public and participated in the Santa Cruz Open Studios, (2003, 2005-2011). From the beginning of making prints one of my reasons was I could share and keep one for myself. I am currently a member of the Valley Art Gallery co-op, Salinas where my work is for sale. The Wild Rose art store in Watsonville carries my prints and my work can be viewed on my website www.stutz-taylor.com. My passion for art and sharing what I see and create continues to thrive.
I may be reached at 831-917-2329 or my email
Katherine@.stutz-taylor.com
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your life's journey through the world of art.

The Heart of Aromas......by Joyce Oroz

Now and then I like to write about local events and promote them as best I can. Since my paintings and books are for sale in the Dragonfly Gallery and many of my friends display their work at the gallery--this event is extra special!

Small-town Big-hearted Event happening in Aromas February 12, 2012

Nestled in the green hills of Aromas, the Dragonfly Gallery sends Valentine wishes to the Central Coast and beyond. Kathryn Aguras, owner of the gallery, wishes to thank artists and shoppers for their tremendous support over the last six months. She is planning a special Valentine thank you event as we speak.

Sunday, February 12, 2012 from one to four o’clock the Dragonfly Gallery will be open, serving up gourmet coffee and free Pacific Cookie Company’s famous cookies.
Folks are welcome to browse through three rooms of paintings, photos, lovely jewelry, handmade dried flower journals, hand carved wooden Santa’s, quilts and knitted items, worsted wool chickens, stained glass creations, fused glass, greeting cards, Dragonfly t-shirts, artistic pottery, homespun wool, handbags, signed books by local authors and so much more.

The Aromas Hills Artisans guild actively supports the Dragonfly Gallery with their exceptional artwork. As you wander through the gallery you will see antique items and furniture for sale. You might wonder how a modest building can turn into an emporium of quality goods. The secret is Kathryn’s vision, the heartbeat of the Dragonfly and the spirit of Aromas--neighbors, friends, businesses all pulling together with high hopes for the future. You are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with us at 380 Blohm Ave., Aromas, California.
The gallery is open weekly, Tuesaday through Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00.