Saturday, 1 October 2016

Sunday this and that

Hi Everybody!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Today is Elizabeth's 2nd on the 2nd, so I am re-posting a story written long ago, as well as my autumn piece for Art Journal Journey.
It is a hybrid piece, using a quick scene, painted with diluted acrylics, to which I added some ink pen scribbling and stamping to give some details. The face and other bits and bobs were added digitally:




This is the 10 minute original:


For 2nd on the 2nd I am re-posting a story written way back when I was still working at the Old People's home after retiring from school:

One day when I was sitting in the cafeteria of the home where I work, one of our old ladies came in, very upset and excited, and shouted "Someone has stolen my teeth! Good teeth, nearly new, I've only had them for a few weeks!"

Looking for dentures is one of the tasks which we do on a frequent basis. They find their way into waste-paper baskets, get dropped into the loo, left on benches in the park, forgotten in shopping baskets at the supermarket and left on dinner plates or dining tables. A lot of the oldies regard them as a decoration which is in the way when they are eating, others just find them uncomfortable, or they just get "forgotten". If there is a loud altercation during meal-times it is nearly always about teeth as some residents do not like looking at other people's dentures grinning at them from the table cloth or bread basket. Well, I think we can all understand that. Some hide their dentures on a regular basis - under the mattress, in plant pots, in flower vases, in wardrobes, in other people's pockets etc, and then forget where they have hidden them. I remember reading a limerick once - I don't know who wrote it - which went something like this:

There once was a man of Blackheath,
Who sat on a set of false teeth;
He jumped up with a start,
And cried from the heart,
"I've bitten myself underneath!"

But to get back to the day in question, when Mrs D. thought her teeth had been stolen. I tried to calm her down, and said I would help her to look when she had finished her coffee and cake. Every time someone came in, she told the story again - getting more and more excited all the time; "There are thieves here in the house - a burglar came when I was sleeping and stole my new teeth - someone will make a lot of money on those teeth - we should call the police!" When she had finished her coffee, I got up to bring her upstairs to look for the missing objects of value. On the way out of the room she saw some dentures lying on an old man's plate. Before I could react, she swooped joyfully onto the teeth and stuffed them into her mouth. Well, she tried, but they didn't fit. The old man sat there staring open mouthed and wide eyed. Mrs D. took the teeth out again, said "Sorry, they're the wrong ones" and went her way.....I saw how the old man reached for his teeth and before he could put them back into his mouth I swooped down on them and grabbed them to disinfect them. This was too much for the poor old boy, who cried out, "Oh, no, not again, another thief! Is nothing sacred in this house?"

Some more early morning photos:








Have a great day, take care,
and thanks for coming by!


26 comments:

  1. What lovely art, the overlaps are beautiful! What a story about the teeth, I'm constantly loosing things myself... The horses are beautiful too.

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  2. The autumnal scenes are so beautiful Valerie with a lot to look at and admire.

    Such a great story about the teeth and I can well imagine the scene you described.

    The horses look very shiny and sleek as always. Such majestic animals.

    Sleep well and enjoy Sunday

    Love Chrissie xx

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  3. Your painting is gorgeous and I loved the story, I can really imagine your old biddies and their teeth! I must remember that one! Hugs Sarah

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  4. Beautiful autumn piece, I can tell how much you love the season. That is a funny story! Enjoyed your beautiful photos today Valerie.

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  5. Wow, Deine Journalseite ist der Oberhammer. Das Gesicht dort so einzuarbeiten ist eine geniale Idee. Deine Fotos sind - wie immer - ganz große Klasse.

    Ich wünsche Dir einen schönen Sonntag

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  6. Golly, Valerie, you put that 10 minute artwork to great use today. It is beautiful. I only wish I had time to create something, but today I had to install a new shower kit, including new handles, hardware, copper and brass fittings, and diverter, then throw the old ones away, since the entire unit was leaking badly. The joys of being a home owner! Tomorrow I'll be working in my main floor bath.

    That Second look story was both funny and serious. You told it so well, and with such grace. I've lost things lately, but fortunately, all my teeth are still attached to my gums. I really love how you led us along until the final punch line, too.

    Great photos today of early morning at your place. Thanks for sharing your Second on the 2nd with us this month, dear.

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  7. Great page - the colours are gorgeous. Photos again - my favorite of course, the horses. They are in such beautiful condition and so well kept. Yes, lost teeth can get people rather excited. Lucky dessert was 'soft'. I remember my first day while on contract in the Northwest Territories. I went into the Hudson's Bay Post, and there on the bulletin board, hanging for all to see, were a set of false teeth with a sign attached which read, "ARE THESE YOURS". Have a great day. Hugs, Donna

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  8. Fabulous second look piece, wonderful combination of elements and by the way I love your changing blog headers :)

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  9. Wow Valerie!!!! This is fabulous. Love the way you incorporate digital images on your art. You are one talented lady.
    Loved the story of the lost teeth too. It must be a nightmare for all involved

    Have a lovely Sunday and thank you for your regular comments on my blog

    Hugs
    Annie x

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  10. Herrlich Deine Geschichte ... man stellt sich das direkt bildlich vor.... klasse!
    Auch Deine Rückblich .. ein tolle Idee das Bild nun hybrid zu bearbeiten...sehr schön ist das geworden und tolle Bilder zeigst Du!
    Hier hat es zu regnen begonnen!
    Schönen Sonntag !
    oxo Susi

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  11. Haha, love that poem, nice to have a chuckle...love your glorious post too, lovely as always.xx

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  12. I like how you used your great 10 minute sketch. I must say I'm sitting here in the early morning giggling at your teeth story though.

    Darla

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  13. The very same man from Blackheath,
    (Who claimed he'd been bitten beneath)
    Had a similar adventure,
    With a German Denture,
    Before branding our Valerie a thief!

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    Replies
    1. Oh dear, now the cat's well and truly out of the bag - you sank your teeth into that one!

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  14. Wow- who would have thought that false teeth would be such an issue-but it does make a lot of sense when you think about it. I bet you have a million teeth (and other) stories. I am loving your piece from the 10 minute sketch. It is a great sketch, but really rich when you add in the face and the pen marks. And I am also loving the crow photo on the branch. That is really autumn. Why is it you see so many more crows in the autumn? Happy rest of your weekend. Hugs-Erika

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    Replies
    1. I don't know, but this morning the tree was full of them again!

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  15. Aw those dear souls. What stories you can tell. Patience had to be a huge part of your job I'm sure.
    Your painting is wonderful in its original state AND the way you transformed it with such a perfect quote is magical. ♥♥♥
    Beautiful photos as always. The crow sure did pose nicely for your fab photo and those chestnut brown horses are so very handsome!
    Happy Sunday oxo

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  16. Eine köstliche Geschichte liebe Valerie, man kann sich das bildlich vorstellen,skurril wie alte Leutchen manchmal sind.Deine Herbstbildkreation gefällt mir sehr, schön wie du das gezeichnete digital ergänzt hast. Ich wäre gerne die auf dem Pferd und würde dann durch die leuchtende Herbstlandschaft reiten. Deine Morgenbilder sind auch so gelungen. Früh Morgens, wenn Alles noch ruhig ist und die Natur langsam erwacht, ist es am schönsten Draußen. Da würde ich dann gerne bei den Pferden sitzen und ihre beruhigende Gegenwart genießen. Der Rabe auf dem Ast ist super, würde ein schönes Halloween-Motiv abgeben.
    Liebe Grüße
    Sabine

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  17. Lovely pages to see again. Funny stories about the teeth. So true that older folks(not us of course, ha ha) lose things and worry about our stuff being stolen. xox

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  18. A gorgeous autumn scene Valerie, makes me want to sit in the picture and soak up the peaceful and warm scene. I loved the story about the teeth, and can picture it happening.
    Yvonne xx

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  19. Love both of your Autumn pages Valerie! What a great 2nd look story - I can just imagine! More lovely photos too! Chrisx

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  20. Thanks for sharing your story, your fabulous pages that sing Autumn and the wonderful photos (especially the silhouette of the bird!)

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  21. Love the Autumn piece ♥ When I dabbled in water colors on a more regular bases I used to do the ten minute sketches with them. Fun and relaxing in a sort of way as it frees you to be looser with the brush :) Love the story of the missing teeth.

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  22. Ha!! Your story was wonderful!! Did the old gal ever find them?

    I love the images you put together in this piece Valerie- very cool! hugs

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