At Home: Eucalyptus

Sprigs of eucalyptus in the shower.

I'd pinned something onto a Pinterest board months ago, in anticipation of actually using the tip some time in the future, unlike your average Martha Stewart-like devotee who has no intention of working with her hands. No offense ladies, but I'm no voyeur who fantasizes about other people's wealth and leisurely pursuits. I ain't got time for that. Unlike those of that ilk (again, no offense), I actually started making stuff before I was completely aware of it, like so many of us early humans. Unlike the rest of the herd, I splintered off into that specialized camp who actually succeeds in creating regularly, to such an extent that I knew better than to ignore it. I decided to make it my life's work.

To be honest, I have nothing against dreaming housewives. I spend a lot of time at home, and I've always enjoyed my own company and making spaces feel livable and healthy and good, like many, many women have before me. Even as I knew my life would be fuller than most, I cherish the time I have for hobbies, especially those devoted to hearth and home. So when I pin something onto a bulletin board, either of the cork kind or the newfangled  digital version, I really mean it, just like everything else I do.

It's that kind of authenticity that people have come to rely on me for, and I cherish that, too. I respect myself, and my audience. Years ago, my doctor (a very intelligent woman, and here's the full disclosure: all of my health care workers are women. I mean, like, every single one. Another feminine bias of mine;) advised me about the benefits of eucalyptus oil in a humidifier or steaming bath to naturally unclog congestion, just like those oily, thick, petroleum jellies of yore, except this is good for you AND it works.

With that in mind, I took another leap, and I promised myself that the next time I soaked in a hot bath, I'd get some actual branches of it to hang around the shower head, letting nature do the rest. What's great about this new bathing system (in addition to cleaning my sinuses without drugs), is re-using some of the dried leaves in a steamer pot that I have on the radiator. More natural health benefits: the steamer filled with water humidifies my environment, and gives off that beneficial eucalyptus steam. I get some branches of it from the local florist that they have leftover from the week's other arrangements. Thank you, Schweizer Florist!

When I come home hours later, the good, clean smell of it still lingers in the air. That's a tip on the house from me to you, which is way cheaper than a bunch of OTC pills and a doctor's visit. Take care out there, and remember, winter's almost over.

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/homedecor/

Type: Time/Travel

Titanic Sans Serif: big, clean, eye-catching, well-spaced for easy reading.

I saw the bulk of this monster special one night streaming video online, because the title caught my eye. I thought it was another gloriously bad SyFy monster movie of the week. Even better, we go back in time millions of years, when actual living monsters roamed the earth. It's got plenty of wacky humans though, if you desire that same level of human engagement typically present in the modern day scifi flick. Here's a tip: poorly dressed scientists hunting snakes in the wild. 'Nuff said. Check it out. It's gross and scary and awesome.
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/full-episodes/titles/16708/titanoboa-monster-snake

For the armchair traveler: "Come on in and take a look."

The next excellent type sample came through the mail, in the form of a travel catalog. It's a simple but extremely effective form of visual communication; a seemingly average piece of printed information that masks an underlying intellectualism that's quite keen and very sophisticated. It's warm, inviting, and friendly, asking a timeless question to its' audience: "If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would that be?" The expectation is thus: some practice winter flight, a panic brought on by the cold and the snow, indicative of someone who is at odds with themselves and their locale. Many will see the high price tags and be satisfied with a cheaper (and easier) form of travel that's available to the armchair traveler; a wishing and hoping that's a pleasant form of dreaming not needing actualization to have a lot of value to the viewer. Still others, would-be adventurers and wealthy donating alumni surely, want "in" immediately, for their future. What kind of trekker are you? Think on it, and dream.

 http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/travel/

Street Art: The Sewer Monster

It crawled out, from within.

I found this particular nightmare walking back from a real estate excursion around town. Whoever thought to pair a Cthulhu-type octopus creature with the faceless body of a businessman in suit and tie is one twisted monkey, and my type of freak. We know monsters lurk in more places than the dank depths of a city's bowels. Sometimes, they even live and walk among us, perhaps secure in their anonymity, but no less evil because of their every day banality.  
Who is it that walks among you?

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/street-art-sacred-spaces/ 

Hudson Valley: Store Signs

....unless you're a Mixed Martial Artist.

I love store signs, especially the antiques, the more retro, the better: neon ones, hand drawn ones, and those tall peeling paint signs from the last century. There's an abundance of great store fronts in my town. Have a look for yourself.

Peckman's Wines & Liquors.

Sneaking down the alley...

A small town sign: the homegrown militia.

Type, glorious, type, of all shapes, colors, and sizes.

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/type/

Humor: Bear Hugs

Hi there. Just hanging out.

I walk by a child's day care center most days, with its' lovely complex of old farm houses on a wide stretch of land. In the afternoon, you can hear the cheerful sound of children playing in the big back yard; it always makes me happy to hear their sport. This morning when I walked by, the bear was hanging out again, this time on the roof of a car. I wonder what child he belongs to, or if he's simply a mascot for the house, the toy that gets passed around to whichever child is most in need of a big bear hug that day. You know the feeling.

Hello again. Just doing my job.

Need a good laugh today? Same. 

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/humor/

Small Town America: Halloweentown

A total home reno. Oh, the horror. Hi, Pete!

I live in an Irish town, and let me clarify once again: not "Irish-American", but an actual hamlet that's predominantly 1st generation "off the boat", as they used to say, though now it's straight off the flight at JFK to Pearl River to the massive supermarket, with an Irish Foods section that's mostly tea, canned beans, and biscuits. I know, because I've seen the jet lagged Paddy wandering the massive store aisles with the same look of shell shock that I have when confronted with American excess. I also get it when I travel, though it's going across the pond in the other direction, with more crystal and wool sweater shopping involved. We have a shop for that here in town, too.

Wonder Woman!

There's been a recent interest in the spooky and supernatural in pop culture, what with teenage vampires and Sleepy Hollows that go bump in the night. Truthfully, the Hudson Valley has always been perfect for Halloween, because this is where the very traditions we celebrate as Americans began. Happy Samhain, Celts.

Yeah! I'm Batman, and you're SuperGirl!

Welcome to Halloweentown:

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/halloweentown/.

Food: Dining Out

Stepping up to the plate.

I grew up eating at home, usually cooking my own food, because that's the cheapest, healthiest way to go. I also come from a big family, and I had a lengthy love life, so I didn't eat alone until recently, when I became completely single. It was fun for me to cook whatever I want, whenever I wanted, without taking into account some one's diet or picky food preferences. I embarked on a culinary freedom I never knew before, and I was in my late 30s. Of course, I already knew my soul food was Italian American, because that's what I cook the most at home, but this exciting time period has allowed me to add as many spices as I want, in any combination, and to experiment however I see fit. Occasionally though, I find myself wanting to taste another person's food, and for the first time in my life, in my 40s, I actually began dining alone at restaurants. I thought it'd be weird, like a spotlight was on me or something, but it wasn't. 

Cozy dining room.

I know good food really well, so once again, I can indulge myself in this knowledge, drinking it in fully without distractions, because I typically have to order for the table, making recommendations or translations, explaining menu items to those who are less informed, or lack a seasoned palate. I did lots of other firsts solo, too: I went to the movies and ate all the popcorn (once again, because I could). I find my own company enjoyable, as I always did when I was at home alone or working in the studio. It has become another part of my artistic life; yet more chances I have to savor the aesthetics I have worked so hard to learn and refine. It's great to be able to walk into a bar or a restaurant in my hometown and not be afraid just because I'm a woman alone. In truth, I'm really not alone (you're there with me, readers); I'm just sitting by myself. I can enjoy the service even more by really focusing on every bite and sip that I take. That's the stuff life is made of. Savor it.

 

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/food/

Hudson Valley: The Fall Edition

Leafy overhang on road.

The colors of autumn.

Leafy sidewalk.

Leaf filled street.

Fallen leaf on sidewalk.

Leaf progression of colors.

Enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of these late autumn days: 

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/nature/.

Birdhouses: Mystery Chair

Going to the birds.

I found the juxtaposition of an empty folding chair and a tall birdhouse sitting next to each other in a front yard rather odd, and a little unsettling. There was a stillness about the scene that made it eerie, like some crime had been committed. I guess we'll never know how it came to be. It'll remain one of life's little mysteries, a charming and eccentric part of life in the Hudson Valley. 

What's strange and surreal where you live?

A quirky bit of local color that's for the birds:

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/birdhouses-and-treehouses/.

Home: Houseplants

Me lucky charms.

You really oughta be down with the green thumb, because indoor plants are healthy all the way around. They look great, they create oxygen, and they make a space feel better. It's basic Feng Shui (http://www.amazon.com/Feng-Shui-Health-Accelerate-Recovery/dp/0609806610/ref=pd_sim_b_12), so get with it already, will you?  

A spot o' the green will do you a world of good.

Welcome to the jungle.

Home is where the heart is:

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/home/.

Hudson Valley: Old Stone Walls

Cornerstone.

I've always loved the old stone walls scattered around Rockland. 
Some are stranded in the middle of the woods like something out of a 
fairy tale, to be happened upon in the middle of a hike as remnants of an old homestead, and others are still part of the landscape, serving their original purpose by demarcating property lines. 

Stone remnants.

They tie us back to our old farm roots, those of the Dutch, Irish, English, and Huguenot woodsmen settlers, frontiersmen, and farmers who created the first US nation. Plus, I just think they look better than other types of fences. They fit this landscape in a way that's right for this rocky land, a seamless blend of nature and design.

Stone wall and picket fence.

Cottage life: http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/cottages/.

Street Art: Vinny on Fire

From the street to someones wall.

I walked by this sign at the local CVS a few weeks ago, looking all nicely decorated. This week? It's gone. Man, that's some hot street art. Either that, or the fellas I saw doing work to the front of the building had it removed. I hope it's hanging on a local wall somewhere, because it's too cool to be destroyed. That's the power of art.

Git some:  

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/street-art-sacred-spaces/

Around the Way: New Jersey Diners

Cocktails and eats, from way back when.

The only really late night game in our town was either White Castle, or quietly stumbling around your parents kitchen in a quest for drunk food. Jersey, a scant ten minutes away by car, had it so much better: the all-night diner. And the great thing about diners is, the menu is long (for any type of craving) and the food from most places is actually really, really good. Most of the family joints were Greek owned and operated, so you could count on a certain type of quality.

Passing by this empty building one afternoon on a bus back from the city, I felt a nostalgic sadness for a bygone late night life that I never had in Rockland. I bet it hit locals hard to see their go-to joint close down. I am happy to see the Hudson Valley emerge as a happening fine dining kind of place, because with the kind of produce we have here, it's the perfect marriage of locale matched with interest. Enjoy!

Food, glorious food: 

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/food/. 

Nature: Look at the Ducks! Where's the rabbit?

This way North.

I happened upon a darling cluster of Canadian geese nonchalantly migrating through the parking lot of a local hospital. Don't mind me. I'm just passing through, too. So I snapped their pic. Tourists!

Bunny Camo.

In the Springtime, there was a cluster of three very small and adorable baby bunnies, but now I only see one regularly, every evening before the sun sets. He grazes the same patch of lawn at dusk, and darts right into the dirt patch whenever I come too close, or a crow caws loudly overhead. Smart bunbun. He's a perfect example of survival of the fittest. He's somewhat accepted me cooing at him, and even turns my way curiously when I make the sound. I suspect Mother Nature has advised the local animals that the elderly community they thrive in is just about the safest bet around; slower humans (and weaker predators) could not be found elsewhere in the county, thus making it an animal paradise of sorts in their retirement community. No "pot au feu avec des lapins" for this Canadian Thanksgiving. Bon weekend!

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/nature/ 

Travel: Poetry in Motion

Wait. What the heck does that say?

It's about ripping off tourists. Neat!

On a recent trip to and from the city, I found myself sitting behind a gentlemen with a language book. I couldn't help but read over his shoulder because it was printed in very large print, a book designed for the elderly, which he clearly is. 

The funniest parts were the language lessons themselves, translations of certain key phrases from English to Spanish, like "Does the tourist need a map?", or "I just sold a watch to that tourist." and "Does the tourist need a watch?" Definitely not a native New Yorker. Now I know the next time I visit Old Mexico, just what phrases I need to brush up on....and not to wear a watch. You know, just a case a tourist needs one, too.

South of the Border, yo.

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/travel/

Toys: Baby BOO's!

Boo! For Halloween!

Just in time for Halloween, comes the worlds' cutest dog in an adorable small size, with different types of hoodies to match his every mood. 
I took one out and pulled the blue hood on his tiny little furry head myself...and then I cooed at it like it was a baby. 

This particular basket full of Boos caught my eye in the Port Authority bus terminal. The bookstore manager said everyone stops to look at him in the store window, and I know why. He's the world's cutest dog! That's marketing pull. Boo to you!

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/dogs/ 

 

Faith: Horray!

 

When I was a kid, I thought this cartoon was about Catholicism, because I thought the people in yellow hooded robes were friars in habit. It seems funny to me now, but that's how I absorbed one of the most important early lessons we have; to be a fan of nature, to enjoy our natural resources as part of the miracle of creation, and to welcome dramatic events and happenings as part of the mystery of our faith. It made me happy to see brothers cheering the falls, happy to be witnesses to such a great spectacle. Yellow was also my favorite color. I was allowed to pick a paint color for my room as a kid, when it needed repainting, and this was close to the color I chose. When my mom asked me why I picked such a bright color, I said, "Because yellow is cheerful. It's bright and sunny. Like the sun."

It's certainly reflects how I feel about nature: a devoted fan of flora and fauna, and the beauty that's all around us. I don't remember the first time I went to Niagara Falls, and the second time I went (in winter), I was so sick that I forced myself through the experience, which seemed dramatically commercialized. The malls and the shopping centers surrounding Niagara seemed to almost overwhelm what was happening outside. I did buy an incredible pair of leather gloves from Canada, and that satisfied the Acadian part of me; seeing two sides of myself reconciled above one of nature's greatest forces, spanning across two countries. And that's how I now see this link between my childish perception and the reality of our practices - the perfect forging of two perspectives into one harmonious whole, which is exactly how it's supposed to be. Happy Monday to you!

http://www.ccr.org.uk/archive/gn0807/g11.htm.

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/faith/

Birdhouses: Indoor Decor

The little white birdhouse.

I bought this pretty little house years ago, when I took care of my bedridden mom, down for the count with a broken back. I had spent some of the money I got from a contractual buyout (http://mariedoucette.blogspot.com/2013/09/sunday-paper.html) to spend a month nursing her through yet another fall, the result of MS and her own inability to cope with the disease. She was depressed, angry, and prone to violent fits. My brothers had warned me over the phone that she had gone seriously downhill before I flew back East: a normally intensely neat women with daily cleaning rituals, her apartment started to become cluttered, dirty, and messy.

Years ago I discovered Feng Shui (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui), and while I wasn't a mad devotee by any means, I bought a few books on the subject out of curiosity. Much of it is simply basic good design sense for any space: lots of light, green plants for color, oxygen, and good health, water features for relaxation, and mirrors to bounce around the light, to make small spaces feel bigger. The different centers of the eight-sided Bagua correspond to different areas of life; there's one corner for wealth, another for health, and so on (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagua).

So, after nursing her physically and emotionally, I set about making her place warm and welcoming. First, I needed a lot of garbage bags. She had held onto papers that had the same year as my grandfather's death, which was never fully addressed in her mental health care routine successfully. I spent days going to her room to show her each and every piece of paper stuffed away into various nooks and crannies. She cursed me and fought me so viciously that finally, out of desperation and in exhaustion, I finally looked at her wearily and said "Look, honey, you can say whatever you want to me, but this process isn't going to stop. So do your worst. It won't change anything."

And like that, the spell was broken. I went to a crafts store soon after to begin bringing some cheer to her place. I created a little area of interest on top of a book case with a basket holding some fake ivy, and intertwining those branches, I stuck in these cheerful little birdhouses to add more interest. After I went back to Colorado, my mom thanked me for pulling her out of her downward spiral. She had gone to see a doctor who tested her for depression, and she had drawn a clock backwards, which is a positive sign of it. Her real recovery began, as so often happens when I am directly involved.

That time period taught me a lot about the power of beautifully decorated space, and how important design in the home is. It's where we spend most of our time. I hadn't really had a knack for interior design prior, because I never had the money or a place of my own to express myself, but once I came back to Brooklyn, my interest caught fire in earnest (http://mariedoucette.blogspot.com/2011/01/joys-of-winter-comforts-of-home.html). This year, moving back home for my own reasons, my mom turned to me on the couch, and asked me, "What is that there?" Only the white birdhouse remained from my time nurturing her through that period. I took the little birdhouse away, into the other room, and there it now lives.

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/birdhouses-and-treehouses/

Gardens: Secret Garden

Children's Garden, at the Good Samaritan Hospital.

Going to the doctor's is hard enough, but it's especially difficult for women and their children. On a recent trip to a local hospital for a free women's healthcare event that promoted breast cancer awareness, 

I saw this little garden out the window, and you know what? It made me feel better, like this was a place that cared about people. One of my favorite charities is Splashes of Hope (http://splashesofhope.org/), an organization that creates beautiful healing spaces, because as artists, they realize that an environment not designed for our senses is one that cuts out a huge part of our life. They give children spaces that make them feel more connected to the outside world by joyfully filling their senses. 

Leonard Nimoy, (SPOCK!) is very active for a hospital in California (http://www.leonardnimoy.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1558:the-healing-arts-&catid=27:interviews&Itemid=14) that did just that: it created galleries out of empty wall space for their patients, so they could stroll down the hallways and look at the art. One women fighting cancer said it gave her a reason to live, because she wanted so badly to get better to go outside to look at a landscape like the one she passed by every day with her portable chemo IV drip in her arm. The greatest gift we can give one another is the gift of hope, a reason to go on living, because we know we're not alone.  

What do your gifts do for others?

http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/gardens-and-green-walls/ 

Cottages: Daily Dose of Cute

Warmth and charm.

American Quaint.

Perfectly Adorable.

Right here: http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/cottages/.