Life at the moment.
Chapped lips need Carmex.
Reading glasses.
Michael Connelly’s newest, The Crossing, which I’ve just started.
The newest scarf in its very beginning stages.
In a rare reversal, Don was up and about much earlier than I. I slept in, partly because I had trouble getting to sleep last night. I rarely sleep in and when I do, I find I’m groggy for a good while. Still groggy and it’s 9:40 am.
Oh, yesterday. Yesterday, I decided to go to the antique barn and see if that Maxfield Parrish was still there. It was about three weeks ago that I first saw it. It was gorgeous and a good price. But I couldn’t afford it at the time, so I passed, thinking I might buy it in a week or so.
Well, of course, I left for Florida suddenly and was gone ten days and then I came back and it wasn’t until yesterday that I roused myself enough to go back to the antique barn. I was thinking that it would make a good birthday present – either from me to me, or from Don to me.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know what happened.
It was gone.
I searched every inch of that barn. Twice.
Someone wiser than me snapped it up.
I can’t explain the sadness I felt, except to say I cried. And then I cried again when I told Don about it. I had been thinking about it all this time, and though I knew the chances of it still being there were slim, I held a secret little hope that it would be. I could see it hanging above my desk in the new office/studio space that is yet-to-be.
I’m still sad. You know that feeling when you are absolutely sure something was meant just for you? That’s how I felt. Silly, but real, nonetheless.
As I said on Instagram, it’s a lesson learned, or rather re-learned. If you see something you want at an antique store or a flea market, grab it. We all know this, don’t we? I certainly do. But I didn’t follow my own advice. At the time, several of you suggested trying to put it on layaway. I didn’t follow through, but to be fair to myself, I flew off to Florida a few days later.
Still….
If you see it and want it and can afford it, get it.
This is one I’ll regret for a long, long time.
By the way, do you do Instagram? I reluctantly got on board a while ago, and I really love it. I don’t post all the time, but I post fairly regularly. I’ve found lots of interesting accounts to follow – everything from animal rescue organizations to farmers with gorgeous sheep to McCoy collectors to fellow bloggers to readers and friends of this blog. It’s visually stimulating and fun. I often pull out my phone when I’m waiting somewhere and scroll through my feed.
A lot of people seem to be using Instagram as a blog nowadays and sometimes the captions under the photos are rather long. If they’re too long, I usually move on to the next one. I like short and sweet. Longer is for blogs, in my humble opinion. But I’m getting used to reading longer captions (yes, even I can change) and do my best to comment when I can. I tend to use my iPhone for my photos instead of anything shot by my big girl camera, though lots of Instagrammers use professional, styled photos.
It’s a wonderful way to connect with all sorts of people who don’t blog and who are incredibly creative and interesting and with bloggers who share moments of their day that might not necessarily be covered in a blog post. If you want to follow me, you can click here or you can click on the camera icon at the top of my sidebar.
I like it a lot.
Happy Wednesday.
I love Instagram. Don’t do Facebook, but my daughter kept telling me I was made for Instagram and about six months ago I let her set me up. Such a wonderful way to see the world!
I do, too. At first I avoided it because I didn’t want more social media to deal with, but I’m so glad I changed my mind!
I am still so sad about the picture but yes I’ve done that also and it’s a hard lesson to learn again and again. I just started the new Michael Connelly book last night. I got it from the library and it’s a good book to curl up with while I’m still sick. I’m starting to think I will never feel good again. sigh…enough of my woes. I am new to Instagram also, but like you I enjoy seeing the photos when I have a few moments waiting for things. Easy to follow. I hope you have a good day Claudia.
hugs,
Linda
Oh, Linda, I hope you feel better soon! You’ve had more than your share of physical woes lately. Take care of yourself and cuddle up to Charlie.
I really like instagram. I’m even starting to like it more than Facebook.
I’m so sorry you missed out on getting the painting. I know how disappointing that can be.
Very. I’m still not over it!
It’s the worst – thinking back on the things “I shoulda” snapped up. Mostly it’s happened, for me, with things at the flea market, when there isn’t a chance to go back the next day, etc.
I have an Instagram account. I love seeing what others post, but for some reason I don’t post much myself. I like that it’s more the short/sweet kind of posts.
Me too. It gives us options for when we don’t have the time to sit down and read blog posts. But, we can still keep in touch.
I have no idea if these are close to what you are looking for but did a quick search on ebay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Maxfield-Parrish-Art-The-Dinky-Bird-1974-Issue-Large-Book-Plate-Reproduction-/380738881518?hash=item58a5ce47ee:g:0DcAAOxyHntSU3Bm
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MAXFIELD-PARRISH-BOOK-PRINT-DINKY-BIRD-NUDE-BOY-ON-SWING-DISCRETE-CASTLE-/201465671961?hash=item2ee84a3119:g:EjAAAOSwo0JWM3ft
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Reproduction-of-Dinky-Bird-by-Maxfield-Parrish-15-X-11-Unframed-Print-/251263822989?hash=item3a807dac8d:g:qloAAOxyn9BRcwbQ
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Maxfield-Parrish-Arts-Crafts-Women-Art-Deco-NEW-PRINT-Illustration-Dinky-Bird-/252151469803?hash=item3ab56616eb:g:OQgAAOxyJ-FRkvJR
Maybe not exactly what you’re hoping for but worth a shot to peek!
Sincerely,
Chy
Thanks, Chy – you’re so sweet. Thank you so much for taking the time to find these. I’ve already checked out eBay. I want an original print in its original frame and the ones I’ve seen are either too expensive or too damaged. Waah!
I was pretty sure you’d want an original, as I would as well. It was fun to look though!
xoxo
Oh Claudia I am so sorry to hear about M Parrish . I am just gonna hope that Don got it for you for Christmas.
I don’t think he did, from his reaction when I told him it was gone. Ah, well.
Sorry to hear about that painting….I know you really wanted that one. I’ve had to pass up things too….sometimes the timing is just not right. I’m not on Instagram, but I follow my three sons….it’s the best way to keep track of my oldest…the world traveler! I have been thinking of opening an account…that would be fun in the spring and summer, posting pics of flowers, otherwise, there’s always my cat! Enjoy your day! ;)
Cats are good, Donnamae. I see a lot of them on Instagram!
I have a friend back in Boise who is an antique dealer and will ask her to be on the lookout for you. I think your loss has happened to most of us antique lovers. Stay positive and with all your pals aiding in the hunt, one is sure to show up. I have been thinking about signing up for instagram. If you like it, I probably will as well.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I think you will, Susan. It’s great for those quick shots you take with a smartphone. I posted some the other day while Don and I were on a walk with Scout. It provides another peek into my day and the same holds true for the Instagram accounts I follow. xo
Hey check out MarysVintageItems on Etsy. She has an original listed for $80.
Saw it yesterday and bookmarked it. I think I wasn’t crazy about the frame, I’ll have to check again. That darned Parrish at my local antique barn spoiled me!
Like you, I wasn’t going to jump into ‘instagram-ing’ but finally did a few months ago and I’m so happy I did. Lots of inspiration out there, posts and pics of far away places and interesting people – including you ! ( I started following you a few weeks ago. )
Did I follow you back? If not, I’ll remedy that immediately!
Oh, the “coulda/ shoulda/ woulda’s”….. we ponder. I’m so sorry this one got away. I never seem to learn, and soon I am lamenting something else I passed by. Wish I WOULD learn.
I do follow you on Instagram. I am not a poster, just a stalker, I guess. ? However, I seldom remember to log on and take time to browse. But it is really a nice “fast” way to see a lot of interesting things!
My husband claims when I sleep in, I am groggy and grumpy. Hmmmmm. He is probably right. I think I always feel like I wasted time, but the extra sleep is never a bad thing.
Hope you are having a good day! We had wind and rain (again) today, but the sun is peeking through now. Chance of the “s” word Friday night into Saturday morning. Boo! Hiss!!! ugh.
We’re going to get rain tonight and tomorrow. They’re predicting about half an inch. Nothing about the ‘s’ word in our forecast, that would be too, too depressing!
I am loving that blue yarn you are using for the next scarf…very pretty….I have learn the lesson with vintage/antiques also…especially if it is something you have never seen before, have fallen in love with and may never see again…oh the things I have kicked myself over…I shall put this on my list of things to look for that Claudia wants…I enjoy having a list of things to look for…it makes browsing antiques feel more like a treasure hunt…I also enjoy checking your Instagram at the side when you post new pictures but I haven’t signed up for it…
If you have a smartphone, you may want to, Nancy. It’s really neat. I prefer it to Pinterest, which sort of drives me crazy. Of course, I know Pinterest and Instagram are two entirely different entities, used for different reasons. But I’d much rather spend time on Instagram.
No smartphone Claudia…just a cheap phone that I buy a card for…$30. every other month for 300 minutes & 60 service days…but at least the minutes roll over so they are there if I need them…I am not much of a phone talker….lol…
Neither am I! Working phone customer service for seven years will do that to you. I use mine for emails, business, and things like that. I have to have a good smartphone since I work out of town so much.
By the way, you can follow Instagram online, I think. http://www.instagram.com
I will give it a try..thanks!
xo
There’s a lot of stuff on the web that I’ve avoided because I spend too much time on the computer enough as it is; can’t seem to edit myself. But I did look in on the Instagram of a blog owner whose blog I liked (although she no longer does Instagram anymore and sticks just with her blog)…and what I loved about what she put up, when she was doing it, was something akin to a mini-video with sound. She’d stand in the middle of the water, for instance, like knee-deep off shore to record the scene with her phone and, for a brief-few seconds, you felt like you were standing right there with her and hearing the wave action; it would just take me away for a brief moment with the sound of shorebirds, a blop-plop of water smacking against water or rock; SO enjoyable. I wish she hadn’t stopped!
Very sorry about the Parrish. I thought you were going to reveal that Don had picked it up for you while you were gone. Darn! I saw an oil painting one time in a sidewalk art show/sale; didn’t feel it was in my single-girl budget; couldn’t get it out of mind; went back the next week but that particular painter and his work had moved on; never saw him or it again despite following the SoCalif weekend sidewalk sales up and down the coast where I was living at the time…literally for months after I’d seen that painting, to no happy ending. It was like the artist and his work had fallen off flat earth into another world. Gone…
And that was almost 40 years ago and I have never forgotten it. Sounds a bit lofty, but I had just returned from my strictly-saved-for, OTO trip to Europe (another reason why the well had run dry on my modest savings) and the painting’s scene/subject reminded me of places I’d been in Austria/Switzerland as if it were a travel photo/memory meant just for me. It was of two nuns in the foothills of the taller Alps, looking down onto a quaint village. Very ‘Sound of Music.’ I don’t think my tastes would have changed enough over the years to not still love it today. $250, an original oil, easily 16×20 in size…I think larger…and an adult lifetime of wanting it when remembering about it. For that price, it would have been well worth the expenditure, had I just given it more than a passing thought at first glance.
There are a few things like that – I’ve passed them up only to regret those decisions years later. There always seems to be a ‘reason’ at the time, but in hindsight…I should have bought them! I understand about your painting, Vicki.