Pterylae, I Say

One of my favorite artists - and favorite people, period - from when I sold my frames at the Portland Saturday Market has opened his own online Etsy store:

Adam Stare of Pterylae Designs

He makes these wonderful geometric pieces of jewelry and art using acrylic squares and thread. And he explains the process SO much better on his site than I ever will .. but I wanted to give him props and a shout out nonetheless ("Yo, Adam!").

His pieces are so striking and interesting, and they were a consistently high seller at the Market when I was there. I think my sister bought something from him when she visited last! Trust me when I tell you that, regardless of how nice his little online shop is and how well his pieces are presented, the photographs do not adequately portray just how exquisite his work really is.

Please consider paying him a visit - and, of course, paying for some of his wares - to help him celebrate his artistry and (future) success!

You Know It's Time To Shave Your Legs When ...

... you can't sleep because you're too itchy.

... you have nightmares about wearing a skirt in public, thinking you're looking fiiiiine, then realizing everyone is staring at your heinous hairy legs.

... your husband says things like "I'm not even going to ask when you last shaved".

... your cats are rubbing up against you with increased frequency.

... you seem to generate more static electricity than usual.

... you start lovingly referring to yourself as "woolly mammoth", "hairy beast" and "Chewbacca"

... you wonder if you might lose some weight if you just up and shaved already.

... small children run from you, screaming something about Big Foot being real.

... dogs seem especially amorous when you're around.

... your legs feel unusually warm for January, and you find yourself thinking "leggings, schmeggings!"

... you consider whether your leg hair could be the next big thing in flooring, replacing bamboo as the ultimate renewable resource.

... Locks of Love contacts you to see if you'll donate your leg hair to make hairpieces for disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss.

... you forget about the wonder that is hemp. Leg hair t-shirts! Leg hair backpacks! Leg hair lip balm! Leg hair protein powder! Leg hair leashes! Leg hair business cards!

... when you vacation in Jamaica, the locals ask if you want the hair on your head or the hair on your legs braided with beads.

... you feel quite confident that if stopped by police, you could successfully get away with concealing drugs or weapons in your leg hair.

... you're writing a blog about shaving your legs.
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Anyone else brave enough to admit to winter shaving slothfulness? (We'll just pretend that I only suffer from this affliction during the winter months.) How about your own "you know it's time" quips?

Please Add "Castration" To That Sentence

A few weeks ago, out of the blue, someone anonymously submitted a comment regarding my post "Boys Are Stupider ... Send Them To Jupiter". I didn't post the comment, not because it varied from my own point of view, but because it was clearly written by a simpleton whose opening statement of "Go jump in a lake" showed less consideration to the topic at hand than I give to my little toe each day.

This is why it's important to think about why society values boys more than girls, and to examine our own hearts to find to what extent we might be guilty of the same sexist thinking:
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Winter Haven, Fla. -- A Winter Haven man was charged with murder, accused of fatally beating his 4-month-old daughter because he wanted a son, authorities said. Marcos Gomez-Romero, 28, told investigators that he beat Ariana Rodriguez Romero to death because did not want a daughter, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office report. Gomez-Romero told investigators that the beatings had gone on for months, the sheriff's report stated.

Gomez-Romero was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The girl died on Christmas morning.

Best News Ever

Aside from the fact that she supposedly believes her son's explanation, kudos!
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."

After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone -- by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady."'

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week -- just for the feedback.

I Love Me Some Quotes

"Defecation is not a toy."

Mike Nelson, host of HGTV's House Detective, upon encountering raccoon feces in a child's sandbox.

Where did they find this guy?!? And can he stay forever?!?