Monday, December 1, 2014
Author Joyce Oroz: Meet Barbara Scoles.....by Joyce Oroz
Author Joyce Oroz: Meet Barbara Scoles.....by Joyce Oroz: To know Barbara is to love her Santas. No wonder Barbara Scoles is the ARTIST OF THE MONTH for December at the Dragonfly Gall...
Meet Barbara Scoles.....by Joyce Oroz
To
know Barbara is to love her Santas. No wonder Barbara Scoles is the ARTIST OF
THE MONTH for December at the Dragonfly Gallery. She is an active Aromas Hills Artisan member, and a real professional when it
comes to slicing and dicing big blocks of wood, ultimately revealing the
beautiful smiling Santa hidden inside each block.
If
you would like to meet Barbara and see the actual carving process, please plan
to attend the “meet and greet” at the Dragonfly Gallery, Saturday, December 13th,
2:00 to 4:00 pm. at 380 Blohm Ave., Aromas. Enjoy refreshments and conversation
while Barbara demonstrates her carving techniques.
Her
Santas are very popular, but it’s what she adds to her Santas that make them
personal—such as a bear, a bird, a kitty or a pup. Ever see a Panamanian Santa
in traditional dress—comes with a parrot. How about a Santa with five adorable
panda bears? My personal Santa comes with a Mama bunny and her baby bunny, the
perfect decoration for my two favorite holidays. Like so many people, I keep my
Santa in a prominent location all year, every year.
Barbara
says that the hardest part of her job is including all the things and creatures
her clients request. She perseveres until her Santa passes the strictest client
test–until the client falls in love with Santa.
Twenty
years ago Barbara began formal carving lessons. She had carved wood most of her
life, and also worked at creating custom clothing. When she decided to get
serious and take lessons, she was able to develop her own unique Santas and her
own carving style. Her Santas have full wavy beards and laughing eyes. Their
robes, hats and costumes vary. No two Santas are alike.
Scoles
carvings are known for their “wood-look.” She paints the wood with rich color
but typically leaves parts of the piece unpainted, letting the wood add it’s
richness to the creation. She uses gold-leaf to accent some pieces. And not all
Santas wear regulation red coats.
The
most fun happens when Barbara adds special details to her Santas, such as
animals, birds, flowers, even landscapes and seascapes.
Robert always says my carving is like opening a present, I
remove all the wood and find a wonderful Santa inside.
https://www.google.com/search?q=barbara+scoles+santas&biw=906&bih=530&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=whF9VP_1GoilyASLy4DABQ&
ved=0CC4QsAQ
See you at the Dragonfly Gallery Saturday, December 13th 2:00 to 4:00
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Surviving Turkey Day..........Rosalinda and Joyce
It's Thanksgiving and I'm up to my elbows in giblets. I'am so thankful that Rosalinda did my writing for me, and a much better job than my yammering could ever be. She actually knows what she's talking about--you know the type, educated, pretty and successful. She is about to help you to pleasantly co-exist with an undesirable stink-bomb of a relative at Thanksgiving.
So I'm off to the turkey farm and turning over my megaphone to Rosalinda Randall.
Thanks for listening!
Newsletter for
November 2014
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." --John F. Kennedy
The month of November seems to introduce and bring to light the spirit of gratitude. Please allow me to express my gratitude to you for taking time to read my words, for forwarding my words to others and for sharing your comments with me. Thank you.
Holiday Dilemmas and Tips From the Audience
Dilemma 1: "I can't stand having my brother in-law stand over me in the kitchen, pointing out what he would do if he were cooking. I'm ready to smack him with the wooden spoon! How can I get him out of the kitchen? --Megan
Options: Dear Megan, Evidently this is not a new thing. Plan ahead. Invite him to assist you, selecting a dish that he can create in the kitchen with you. That will keep him busy and contained. He'll also feel satisfied, needed and have a little something to gloat about.
Dilemma 2: "Every year I have to sit at the kids' table...I'm 15 years old and I want to sit at the regular table, but my mom just laughs and ignores me. Can I just eat in my room instead?" --Emilio
Options: Dear Emilio, Have you behaved in a way that would make your mom think that you can't handle sitting at the "adult" table? If not, when she is calm, ask her again. Ask her for a chance to show her that you are ready to sit at the adult table. Avoid getting all pouty, yelling or walking away; that will only prove her point. If she still insists, after the meal pull up a chair next to the adult table, listen and participate appropriately.
Dilemma 3: "My neighbor makes his own wine. On holidays and special occasions, he always gives me a bottle, asking me how I liked the last one. Because I'm in recovery, it is very awkward to handle the bottle and express genuine thanks. I prefer not to disclose my recovery, however, during the holidays having a bottle in hand can be detrimental to my recovery. What should I do? --Vicki
Options: Dear Vicki, First of all congratulations on your recovery. Second, contact your sponsor, I'm certain he/she will have a much better solution for this dilemma. For now, here are a few options to consider: if telling a white lie is acceptable to you, you can explain to your neighbor that you are not a wine-drinker, or any alcohol for that matter...It never appealed to you. Or, it just doesn't "sit well" with your physical make-up or health-minded lifestyle. If your neighbor insists or dismisses your reasons, keep in mind that your well-being is of most importance, even at the risk of insulting someone.
(Names have been changed for anonymity.)
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." --John F. Kennedy
The month of November seems to introduce and bring to light the spirit of gratitude. Please allow me to express my gratitude to you for taking time to read my words, for forwarding my words to others and for sharing your comments with me. Thank you.
Holiday Dilemmas and Tips From the Audience
Dilemma 1: "I can't stand having my brother in-law stand over me in the kitchen, pointing out what he would do if he were cooking. I'm ready to smack him with the wooden spoon! How can I get him out of the kitchen? --Megan
Options: Dear Megan, Evidently this is not a new thing. Plan ahead. Invite him to assist you, selecting a dish that he can create in the kitchen with you. That will keep him busy and contained. He'll also feel satisfied, needed and have a little something to gloat about.
Dilemma 2: "Every year I have to sit at the kids' table...I'm 15 years old and I want to sit at the regular table, but my mom just laughs and ignores me. Can I just eat in my room instead?" --Emilio
Options: Dear Emilio, Have you behaved in a way that would make your mom think that you can't handle sitting at the "adult" table? If not, when she is calm, ask her again. Ask her for a chance to show her that you are ready to sit at the adult table. Avoid getting all pouty, yelling or walking away; that will only prove her point. If she still insists, after the meal pull up a chair next to the adult table, listen and participate appropriately.
Dilemma 3: "My neighbor makes his own wine. On holidays and special occasions, he always gives me a bottle, asking me how I liked the last one. Because I'm in recovery, it is very awkward to handle the bottle and express genuine thanks. I prefer not to disclose my recovery, however, during the holidays having a bottle in hand can be detrimental to my recovery. What should I do? --Vicki
Options: Dear Vicki, First of all congratulations on your recovery. Second, contact your sponsor, I'm certain he/she will have a much better solution for this dilemma. For now, here are a few options to consider: if telling a white lie is acceptable to you, you can explain to your neighbor that you are not a wine-drinker, or any alcohol for that matter...It never appealed to you. Or, it just doesn't "sit well" with your physical make-up or health-minded lifestyle. If your neighbor insists or dismisses your reasons, keep in mind that your well-being is of most importance, even at the risk of insulting someone.
(Names have been changed for anonymity.)
Sometimes
a dilemma cannot be resolved. What are your options then?
Avoidance: Find
ways of avoiding a situation/person, or at least curtailing the frequency of
the encounter. This can be stressful (thinking up excuses) and awkward (getting
caught because of your excuses).
Attitude of Acceptance: Throw up your hands and say, c'est la vie. Know that the dilemma or interaction is brief and seldom; something we can all endure with a little practice. Besides, you can't change people but we can change how we react to people and their quirks.
With all of my best wishes, may your gatherings be civil, joyful and filled with tasty dishes. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Attitude of Acceptance: Throw up your hands and say, c'est la vie. Know that the dilemma or interaction is brief and seldom; something we can all endure with a little practice. Besides, you can't change people but we can change how we react to people and their quirks.
With all of my best wishes, may your gatherings be civil, joyful and filled with tasty dishes. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
ETIQUETTE IS AN ATTITUDE.
Kind regards,
Rosalinda Randall
Etiquette and Civility Consultant, Author
E: rosalinda@rosalindarandall.com
T: 650.871.6200
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Just Hanging Around..........Joyce Oroz
So I'm sitting around in my black and yellow checkered pajamas waiting for a UPS delivery. I hear the roar of a truck suddenly go quiet. I run upstairs on bare feet as truck noise fades from the neighborhood. A small box containing a packet of flea medicine sits on the front porch for my pet wolverine. I am so disappointed. Yeah, Snuggles needs the medicine, but my books haven't arrived yet.
The Derby Girls are lining up at the rink for their copies of Roller Rubout, anxious to find out what I said about them. Yikes! Will they find out where I live? Oh well, I'll just turn off the lights and hang around by the lava lamp downstairs where there are no windows to give me away.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Dorothy at Work......Joyce Oroz
A couple years ago I wrote about my mom. Dorothy is special
in many ways, but her book donations are the subject of this blog.
Mom is still making picture books for children out of discarded magazines and calendars,
and sending the books to children’s hospitals all over Arizona, California and
Oregon, including St. Vincent de Paul and El Zaribah Shrine. She has mailed away
over four thousand books and there are no signs that she will stop her project
any time soon. She is as sharp as her scissors, immersed in her work and full
of joy as she reads the many thank you letters.
You might ask why, at age 91,
she works so hard. My mother comes from a generation that lived through World
War Two, a time when everyone worked at something. They knew how to recycle
rubber and metal, how to ration their food, how to skimp and save on
everything. When people ban together over a purpose, there is no limit to what
can be accomplished.
Mom’s friends and neighbors continue to help her with materials,
transportation and postage.
Dorothy's collage place mats can be purchased at the
Dragonfly Gallery in Aromas. The gallery is another community project worth our
support.
Please drop in on Fridays. That is when I exchange pajamas for street clothes and sit at the Dragonfly desk.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Look up, It's a Bird........Joyce Oroz
Opps, forgot the "before" picture. I decided to add a blue bird to my kitchen cabinet. Thank you, Barbara for cutting the wood I painted.
The bird is a decoy--bright blue feathers engineered to make us look up. Looking up is an instant face-lift for body and mind. Here is an example: I purposely crank my chair into the short position so that I look up to my computer screen. Looking up to my left I see a row of books beginning with The Crafter's Book of Clever Ideas by Currie, ending with Creating a Personal Rose Garden by Truskot.
When I look up to my right I blink at the light coming through the basement window.
When you work in your pajamas in the basement, everything is up--upstairs.
Now put your arms up and do the hokey pokey. If you don't know about the hokey pokey, you need to read my new book, Roller Rubout.
See how it works? Look up and be happy!
GOD IS LOVE
by Joyce Riley
Grace is not a treasure to be sought,
Nor is grace a lesson to be taught.
Never bound by circumstance or place,
“Love in action,” is a synonym for
grace.
When I let go and welcome Love’s embrace
When I let go and welcome Love’s embrace
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
My Schedule.........Joyce Oroz
It's that time of year, red leaves, grey skies and Holiday Events everywhere you look. My new book, Roller Rubout arrived today, one copy--the first copy of my sixth book in the Josephine Stuart Mystery Series--just in time for the Aromas Hills Artisan's Holiday Art Festival, November 22nd and 23rd.
I can almost taste the cider and cookies, and feel the warm fire in the fireplace at the refurbished Grange in Aromas. From 10:00am to 4:00pm I will be sharing the "writer's table" with authors, Giselle Rocha, Debra Smith and Pat Hanson. Surrounding our table will be the various artisans with their fabulous Paintings, Pottery, Jewelry, Photography, Knitted items, Fused Glass, Silk Flowers, Relief Prints, Embroidered Children's' Clothing, Greeting Cards, Beaded Ornaments, Lapidary Jewelery, Woven items, Stained glass, Wood Santas, a sack of lively elves and twenty pounds of pixy dust.
I can almost taste the cider and cookies, and feel the warm fire in the fireplace at the refurbished Grange in Aromas. From 10:00am to 4:00pm I will be sharing the "writer's table" with authors, Giselle Rocha, Debra Smith and Pat Hanson. Surrounding our table will be the various artisans with their fabulous Paintings, Pottery, Jewelry, Photography, Knitted items, Fused Glass, Silk Flowers, Relief Prints, Embroidered Children's' Clothing, Greeting Cards, Beaded Ornaments, Lapidary Jewelery, Woven items, Stained glass, Wood Santas, a sack of lively elves and twenty pounds of pixy dust.
The
Watsonville Elks are hosting another grand Christmas Crafts event Friday,
November 14th and Saturday, November 15th at
the Elk’s Lodge on Martinelli Street.
There will be over forty booths offering
handmade jewelry, knitted items, candles, knick knacks and this year there will
be a local author’s table featuring books by Debra Smith, Giselle Rocha, Pat
Hanson and me. I
will be signing my newest book, “Roller Rubout” and "Read My Lipstick" at the
20th annual
event from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday and Saturday. Debra will be signing her
newest book, Warriors of the Forest, MG/YA. Be sure to look for Laurie Tholen’s
wonderful copper jewelry and mermaids. This is a very popular event—don’t miss
it!
If I survive the first two weekends, I will be signing books at the Alladin Nursery December 5th, 6th, and 7th from 4pm to 8pm at the 9th annual Christmas Open House.
As the night falls, we sit around a crackling fire and
enjoy some homemade pastries with a cup of coffee, delicious hot apple cider, or
a glass of local wine.
We will listen to live classical guitar and when we’ve warmed
up, dance to live jazz!
The nursery will be illuminated with colorful light
displays and the gift shop will be transformed into a Christmas Wonderland, full
of gifts for everyone to enjoy.
There will also be a small craft fair, featuring local
artists, and what else?? A writer's table of course.
But that's not all. Monday, December 15th I will be signing my new "Roller Rubout" books at the Watsonville Hospital in the Senior Circle Library from 10:45am to noon. I hope I will see lot's of friends along my book tour. I will have a fresh supply of "Read My Lipstick" (first time in print).
And don't forget to shop at our local Dragonfly Gallery in Aromas.
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