Curious Bird

our new camp tipi (before we paint it)

in full swing: week one at camp

Hello there,

As promised, I'm checking in to say hello and give a little update on my adventures at summer camp thus far. Not unlike years before, I've been working hard, although not hard enough that I can't manage  to sneak in on several of the amazing art classes being offered or take an afternoon swim, which makes me feel pretty lucky. Actually, I think I may have found my new favorite sport, water basketball. It's fun as long as you don't swallow too much water...

The first week is almost over and the laughter is still endless, which I'm starting to believe might just be what keeps bringing me back year after year. It definitely factors in anyway. There are some very funny people on the planet and several of them happen to be on our staff this year -- we're so lucky.  Honestly, it's amazing what a great group of people we have this year, and in addition to being supremely funny, the people I'm surrounded with are equally kind, committed, and damn talented. We have musicians, visual artists, activists, yogis, dancers, people who know tons about nature, poets, you name it.  Since I only went to summer camp once as a child, I feel like my involvement here is sort of making up for lost time.  My summer camp never had a karaoke night, I know that for certain!

As for the campers, we have 160 of them and they are settling in nicely. I'm still learning all their names and trying to get to know them without invading their space or preventing them from bonding with each other too much. The ones I've spent time with so far are really bright and so inspiring. We have a kid who plays the sitar and he's only 13!   I look forward to getting to know more of them -- I have three more weeks for that, so there's time. Week two is starting up tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it because of the always exciting camper talent show!
more soon, friends!

rest

Hello there,
Thanks to a nearby cafe with WiFi, I managed to find a little time to drop in and say hello before camp starts tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. Eeekkk.
The above photos pretty much sum up my life the last few days.  Bliss. I couldn't think of any better way to spend my time before greeting 200 wacky teenagers for a month of high energy summer camp fun. This time tomorrow will be slightly more hectic. That's okay, I'm ready.

More soon, my friends,
L.

checkin' in

Good times on the golfcart.

Hey friends!
Just quickly checking in to say hello and let you know I haven't dropped off the planet.
The campers have yet to arrive. Arrival happens on Sunday.  In the meantime, I am having tons of fun preparing and getting to know all of the people who I'll be spending the summer with. It's going to be a good summer, no doubt about that. 

More soon,
L.

back in a flash

Photos from a fantastic day spent with lovely friends who mean so much to me.
I miss them already.

The move is only two days away. I'm managing the chaos pretty well considering our house is filled with cardboard, the refrigerator looks sad and deserted inside, and we're in the packing stage that doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Please tell me you have encountered this stage and it's not just happening to me? Here's what it entails: today when surveying the room, I saw several taped and labeled boxes but there was also a board game, a jazz record, some random cords, legwarmers, and a pair of horse bookends just lying around. Why these random items haven't been packed already is beyond me? Perhaps D is playing a trick on me?  The box that all that stuff ends up in will certainly be hard to label. I think I'll just write: Dustin/Misc. on it and call it good.

In addition to all of my/our moving drama, I think the cats are definitely starting to disapprove of the cardboard world we've created for them.  I'm sure they will be elated when we begin the 10 hour drive north. Poor boys. So many moves, and still so well adjusted. Philly is the last big move for a while, we promise.

Before I get back to work, I wanted to say adios and mention that the shop will be closed for a while. Mid August to be exact. As far as the blog goes, I'll be checking in every so often --hopefully once or twice a week, but won't be back in full blogging swing until August due not only to our move, but also my yearly New York summer camp position. Yes, for those of you who aren't in the know, I co-direct a summer camp for 200 amazing kids ages 13-17 every summer in the gorgeous Hudson River Valley. This year will be my fourth year (hard to believe). Dustin has been my camp side-kick for three of those four years and he's in the mix again this year. It's tons of work, but we get to do figure eights in the golf cart, speak trucker lingo on the walkie talkies and laugh hysterically most of the day, so it all evens out.
Stay tuned for camp tidbits and photos, which I'm certain I won't be able to resist posting from time to time.

Bye for now, my friends.
L.

craftastic

Do-it-yourself makes the Times. And they seem to sorta get it. Go My Paper Crane! Go Team!
Also, Art Star was just recapped at SuperNaturale. 

Back to the packing...errrrr.
l.

mountain mama

Our Great Smokies adventure was perfect in so many ways.  We camped and made a new friend who was camping nearby. We swam everyday in clear and very cold water, and I even worked up the nerve to jump (with total grace -- see below) off a not so high rock into that water (I'm scared of heights...and not so keen on ice cold water either). We ate very well (thank you aluminum foil,  coffee press,  and most of all,  fire,  you're the best). We took long hikes on beautiful trails.  But best of all, we did what we wanted for four days straight -- no work, no moving stress, just fun. It was Bliss.

 

more soon, friends.
l.

giveaway part two

It seems like I've spent an eternity going through items for my upcoming move. I had a yard sale today and here are a few items I thought someone out in blogland might want for FREEEEE, only you pay shipping.  email me at leya(at)curiousbird(dot)com and I'll invoice you through paypal. once again, the shipping only applies to people in the USofA.


12 x 16 framed "word to the wise" needlepoint.
shipping $8



12 x 14 "big eyed kitty" wall hanging *with a little ding (see photo)
shipping $5


foxy silver skates size 9 in need of new laces.
flat rate shipping $8.10