TALKING WITH JANE GOODALL

It was indeed a special experience tonight to thank Jane Goodall personally for inspiring me since I was a child, to embrace hands and chat with a now 76-year-old woman who has used her life to so significantly contribute to making the change she wants to see. Studying primates since 1960, Jane has made tremendous contributions to science (the discovery of chimpanzees' modification and use of tools), psychology (the effect of the maternal and familial bond on youth development, and the discovery of social and emotional primate behavior), conservation of the natural world, and the launch of a global social movement (rootsandshoots.org) to motivate humans to "...learn to live in harmony with the natural world, because...we need to."

Dr. Goodall spoke from her podium at Leiden University tonight of resilience and hope, despite the ecological and social trauma our world has endured. "You must never give up. There's always a way forward," she quoted her friend Gary Horn. "If we lose hope, there is no hope."

THE BLUSTERY PHOTO SHOOT

Rain, rain, go away. I want to photograph my handmade items today...

My planned day trip to the forest in Leiden, South Holland was rained out :-( My partner Yves and I looked out the window all day at the blustering wind and menacing skies of Holland, stuck inside until sunset. With a break in the rain at last, we darted off to a park not too far away. My little handmade garland and handpainted glass bulbs braved the wind and the wet trees, and we got just a few shots before the last bits of sun left us. Oh Holland, why do you rain so much?

I have a new Canon Rebel T2i and some studio lighting in my atelier, so I managed to get just a few things photographed to put into my Etsy shop. The flower garland is my favorite, with flowers made of felt and fabric and button centers, folded and foxed antique Dutch encyclopedia pages, and beautiful wool pom-poms.

 

SANTA'S SECRET KEY

Oh, the stories I've heard from folks around the world who buy art and antiques from my online shop here in Holland! The most charming stories and thank-you notes arrive in my mailbox, connecting American buyers and their stories to me in Holland and to the very long line of history each antique piece carries. Stories come of European heritage, their or their ancestors' emigration out of Europe, and experiences of lives lived in a new country.

One such story arrived today from Texas, where Suzan and her son have just moved from Europe. Suzan has ordered a remarkable 5" Dutch key from the 1700s from my online shop. Her son, having learned the American stories of Santa Claus climbing down the chimney to fill stockings and deliver Christmas presents, has become increasingly concerned as time grows nearer to Christmas Eve. You see, their new home doesn't have a chimney...

To ease the little boy's worry, Suzan has put this old key, its scratches and rust begging to tell its own long history, at their back door for Santa to enter on Christmas Eve. It's Santa's secret key, so shhhhhhhhhh! Please don't tell a soul!