Our Monthlly Challenge! Firebird Flamework aka Deb Batten v. Me aka Mallory

Well, it's that time of the month again,
Stop it, you know what I mean! Deb Batten aka Firebird Flamework and I are challenging each other so that we can develop and nurture our creative souls.

We are trying different media each month with the hopes that, as we progress, we will become more fluid and creative in our greatest love, melting glass. We want to awaken those parts of our brains that govern the creative process and make ourselves more receptive to those creative urges and inspirations.

This month, we are tackling beaded kumihimo. Right now, we are scheduled to reveal on the 26th. Come see what we make! This is going to be fun!!!!!

You can check out Deb's side of the story on her blog here. See you at the end of the month!

Art At Mayo Clinic

In spite of the fact that it was a very busy day,

there were those moments when we stopped to enjoy
some of the fabulous art here at Mayo Clinic.
It seems that you can miss these great works of art, if your thoughts are elsewhere.
Sometimes, you just stumble upon it.
So, get ready,
this is very picture heavy!
This is a Dale Chuhily sculpture.
It hangs at the top of one of the floors at Mayo.
I love this!
Here's another view of it!
You feel like you can reach out and touch it!
I can't imagine dusting all of that glass!

This is another Chihuly!
Isn't it beautiful?
My camera did not capture the true beauty of this work.
As you walk through the halls between appointments,
you walk past walls
full of pictures
and
little expositions of encased art.
Man and Freedom
by
Ivan Mestrovik
hangs in the Mayo building.
He is, of course, a tall sculpture.
He hangs near the ceiling
and he's an over powering figure in the lobby.
Adorning one wall between buildings
is an entire collection of Andy Warhol paintings.
I love this Warhol Rhino!
Don't you just love this Baboon?
This butterfly is gorgeous!
This is one AMAZING wall!
Even as you walk between buildings and appointments,
there are small displays of beautiful art!
I call this unknown, because I didn't record the artist who made this.
Here's another view of this piece.
You walk a little farther, and you find...
this sculpture.
Isn't it great.
I called it A Walking Ballet.
That's not the true title,
and
I don't know the artist, but
I LOVE IT!
I remember the title of this was "Shell."
I don't know the artist,
but it was stunning!
These sailboats were on the wall where Jenny had an appointment.
I call this Mixed Media, and it was in a lounge where we waited.

I've skimmed over so much of the art.
I'll try to post more photos as time goes on.
I was so impressed with these amazing pieces.
If you have to be here,
it's worth the trip to see the art.

We're Here!

This is the outside view from our motel room. We made it safe and sound to Rochester. See the shuttle bus in the corner? I assume that is what we will ride tomorrow to get to Mayo clinic from the motel. We are hoping to check into the Gift of Life Transplant House on Wednesday, assuming that Jenny is feeling better. She has such a bad cold right now. We can't stay at the GOL because she is sick and the patrons there are immuno suppressed. They could get very ill if they caught her cold. Anyway, it's late and I'm ready for bed right now. I forgot my toothbrush and tooth paste at home. I have to get dressed again and go to the front desk to get some. I better get my rear in gear. I don't want to keep Jenny up. I'm just not sleepy right now. Time to read and pray.

The Journey Begins and Continues

The door is shut. The house sitters are in settled into the house. The car is packed. The wind is cold, but the roads are open. The weather is good.

Jenny and I walk out the door and head off to Mayo Clinic for her stem cell harvest. This is the next step in Jenny's journey to a cure for her cancer.

The doctors at Mayo will harvest Jenny's own stem cells and freeze them so that they can be used at a later date. We don't know when Jenny's stem cells will be used for her stem cell transplant. That's up to the doctors. We are hoping it will be a long time before that happens.

This step, the harvest, is now. We will keep you updated. Jenny's caring bridge site can be found here.
Look for progress up dates there.

Now the journey has begun. The first step is taken.
We are on the road!!!!

HAPPY
NEW
YEAR!
2011!