Wednesday, February 18, 2026

My World of Wonders: February 18, 2026


Where have I been this week? Into DC to have lunch with a friend, to Belle Haven Exon for my annual car safety inspection (passed.) To the art supply store. The pool. The Library, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe's. Aldi. 
 
Who have I talked with this week? Erica, Marcel, Sweet Bear, Amy, Anna, Michelle, Eric, Amy (a different Amy), Giuseppe, Larry, Warren, the water aerobics ladies, and Mary.  

What have I been up to in the kitchen? Shredded pork quesadillas (drawing a comment "didn't you get enough Mexican food in San Antonio.) Steaks and gratin potatoes, fried potatoes and eggs, avocado toast with salsa. Chicken corn chowder. Beef stew. 

What have I been reading? I finished "The French Art of Living Well" it was okay, a little academic at points. Backstage, by Donna Leon. Well written, some chapters are literary criticism that means little unless you have or intend to read the book, other chapters are brilliant prose. 

What is on the easel? A 16 by 20 canvas with a deep red base coat, that is earning its stripes as it emerges from my mind.  

What other arty stuff am I doing? I am curating a show that goes up in late March, titled New Works and First Works.  New works are anything created in the past year, First Works can be your oldest work, the first work you ever showed, your first work in a new media, your first time showing with Arts in Montebello.  When we were brainstorming themes we talked about doing a show of all first time creators, and someone pointed out that excluded a lot of people, and we are trying to be inclusive, so we combined New and First works into one show theme.  Submissions are starting to come in.  I have two pieces for the show, one new and one I first showed in 1977. 

What is the quote of the week? "She is taking a one week cruise in the caribbean, she doesn't care where the ship is going, as long as it is warm." I need to remember to do this each winter. 

Who deserves a slap this week? The Spam Commenters, I have been fighting off a major spam attack over the past week.  Spam is being posted to old posts, and neglected secondary blogs, a sure sign that a business is paying a "marketer" to spread the word about their services, probably a pittance per placement. I slap them by reporting them as spam and deleting them. About 20 slaps in the last week, and as many as needed in the weeks to come. Blogger needs to shut them down, lock them out. Redirect them to Adsense where they can buy legitimate adds. 


16 comments:

  1. You've been very busy as usual. I have comment moderation turned on if the comment is made more than three days later after a post is published. I've found that works quite well to protect older posts. I am receiving minimal spam at the moment.

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    1. The spammers seem to run in cycles, really bad for a few weeks, then nothing for weeks.

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  2. Your last comment snippet. Mine used to be worst, but it's now the opposite. Mine spam has almost dropped off. And never stop telling us what is going on in the kitchen...some good ideas when one get brain farts what to have or make at times.

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    1. I so enjoy creating in the kitchen.

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  3. Spam and bots, ugh! Most of my spam is culled into a spam folder for me to check just in case. I clean it every day. I could eat quesadillas every day. Not easy to find here.

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    1. A high school classmate of mine lived in Germany for a couple of years, and complained bitterly about the lack of tex-mex food. He had lived in Texas before the assignment in Gemany.

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  4. I seem to go through phases with spam, some weeks I get it every day, others not at all. But I check daily and mark it as spam and delete it.
    I love the idea of a New Works and First Works show, especially for those who can offer a piece for each section.

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    1. Someone emailed me her first macrame piece from about 1975, and I know she will have something from last week to add.

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  5. "New Works and First Works" -- I like that theme and how you've explained it! Should be interesting!

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    1. I hope draws a broad spectrum of works.

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  6. The quote in your photo is just wonderful for so many reasons: it's message, the lettering (so many different fonts), all the colors, the man sitting in the lower left corner to give some perspective about its size. Very cool!

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    1. It was in the convention center, made up from signs left behind by exhibitors. Recycled art

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  7. What a great idea for an art exhibit. I like it.

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    1. There are two of these signs in the convention center.

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  8. I'm looking forward to your March show, New Works and First Works!

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  9. I like to use red wine, when I make beef stew.

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