...baby, it's cold war outside

It is almost pitch black outside this morning and rain is falling steadily. Even the birds are silent, no-one vying for their 1st place at the feeders.Fabrics arrived for the Box Pleated and Empire Swag Valances so I had better get hopping on making those custom window treatments. Competition from other custom drapery specialists somehow doesn't keep me out in the cold and people return to me again and again.
On this day in 1989, Foreign Minister of West Germany Hans-Dietrich Genscher made his speech from the balcony of the German embassy in Prague. He is mostly respected for his efforts that helped spell the end of the Cold War, which led to German reunification. At this speech, in the courtyard, thousands of East German citizens assembled to flee to the West when he announced that he had reached an agreement with the Communist Czechoslovakian government. His words were enveloped with cheers.

'An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.' Mahatma Gandhi

...time

Amidst everything that is going on, I kept thinking about HB and LB for no reason. Well, there is a reason. Maybe the mind is some sort of memory time capsule but, a week ago to the year awesome Hilda Daisy died. I finally emailed Lamia yesterday, still not realizing the anniversary. Does time heal all woulds? Yes, but that doesn't mean that a scar won't be left behind. People break bones that heal for the most part, but sometimes humid weather makes those areas sore. The same can be said for the heart and the soul. Forge on LB! Do you see that light? It may still flicker off and on, but you will be fine. I do not wish the same for the jackass who bought furniture at the Home Depot and then called me to have it repaired. Huh? When I told him to call the, uhm...Home Depot he called me an a**hole. Have a nice day freak! I chose not to get into a debate. I decided to buy a Porshe and then went to a Ford Dealer to return it. Speaking of debates, on this day in 1960, in Chicago, the first televised debate took place between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Our society has always been a visual one but geez. Poor Richard Millhouse! Have fun today, try not to judge people and enjoy your time. Pictured today is Thomasville's "Westport Sofa", available in many fabrics. A sofa is a great place to start when redecorating your room. If you already have one, call me and I can fill in the blanks with the rest of your space. And call soon! The 6% off Sales Tax incentive is almost over.
"There is nothing more uncommon than common sense." Frank Lloyd Wright

...harvest

Hi. The wedding went off without a hitch and it was a great weekend. The weather cooperated and that was a sign, because it took place outdoors. With a subtle Harvest theme, good food, drink and company, everyone left feeling better than when they came. My 25, ooops, I meant 2.5 year old Grand Niece held court for most of the evening and was something else. The Full Moon will arrive tomorrow at 9:15 PM for anyone interested. I love them, as you know. This one is the Harvest Moon. Gather your nuts everyone and get ready for Winter. Speaking of which, on this day in 1888 the first issue of National Geographic Magazine was published. Young boys everywhere instantly took an interest in other 'parts' of the world. I am in the process of making dark red Empire Swags, side panels and Box Pleated Valances. That's a sure sign that people are preparing to head indoors. Shown today, Flower Girl Nolah.
"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." George Santayana

...bewitched, bothered and bewildered

It is sunny and beautiful in Chester County, PA and I'm getting married in the morning. Well, not exactly me but my nephew. And not exactly morning, in the afternoon. Other than that... I don't mind the drive to VA alone, but as luck would have it I am riding down with my beloved Aunt and Uncle. Ironic? Nah. Family. I'd like to be able to twitch my nose like Samantha Stevens did, but driving is the next best thing. I have two return clients on Monday. It's the time of year when people are heading back inside and get bothered by their interior decor. Some can make decisions on their own, others tend to get quite bewildered. That's where I come in. On this day in 1964, ABC began airing the series "Bewitched." Click on the link and whistle along!
"The wise man doesn't give the right answers, he poses the right questions."
Claude Levi-Strauss

...back to school

This is the time of year when Interior Design really kicks in. Children and others are going back to school, Autumn is fast approaching and people tend to 'dwell' on their interiors. Good for you! And for me. The air smells like 'back to school' and will probably always be that identifying mark for me. Way back then school seemed demanding. I cannot imagine tho' being a child today. There are so many more pressures and sensory bombardments. I guess that everyone will be ok. Times change, but sort of always stay the same. Just imagine if you were Mary Stuart! On this day in 1543, at nine months old, she was crowned "Queen of Scots" in the central Scottish town of Stirling. It must have been a teeny tiny tiara! Shown today, "Buffy's Living Room".

"I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things." Henri Matisse

...don't ask, be swell

On this day in 1975, US Air Force Tech Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, appeared in his Air Force uniform on the cover of Time magazine with the headline "I Am A Redhead". He was later given a general discharge. Now, why in Heaven's name would a persons hair color dictate how they operate in life? Can't a redhead run a copier,run a marathon, run a company? I don't get it. It is time for redheads to stop having to hide in order to be what they want to be. No more dying your hair brown, no more hats. This is a huge Universe and it is comprised of all kinds. Let's celebrate it, not persecute it. After all,if it weren't for redheads, our Pop Culture would have sorely missed both Lucille Ball and Carol Burnette. They would have had to call themselves Lucille Bald and Carol Brunette. That's all for now. "Austrian Shade" shown today.

"I'm not funny. What I am is brave." Lucille Ball

...laborious

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. Talk about cutting through red tape! Now, if I could only get back my $400.00 from Merchant Services for sneakily taking those monies out of my account and then not being able to use a telephone!
Labor Day, to many, signifies the end of Summer and I can almost hear the groans. Today I will be swimming and can't wait. No laborious strokes for me tho'. How about you?
"Life is short, the art long." Hippocrates

p.s. custom drapery sale begins 9/11/2010 call (610) 983-9542

Chester County Interior Design ...Jim

...picture this

Yesterday I wanted to photograph a window treatment, but couldn't find my teeny tiny digital camera. What would we do without them these days? I can vaguely remember sitting on a park bench with Joan Rivers, and this has to be about 120 years ago. A man came and started talking about this crazy idea of documenting the two of us by a means other than portraiture. Lo and behold, that same year,(1888) George Eastman registered the trademark Kodak and received a patent for his camera that uses roll film. He did take our photo and oddly enough, Joan looks even younger today. Me, not so much. Have a great Holiday Weekend and try to capture special moments on camera. Times can be fleeting. "Handpainted Mirror" shown today.
"Every good painter paints what he is."
Jackson Pollock

...hurricane

...warning, there's a storm approaching. I had the same dream twice in a row. People were playing basketball and then the rains came. A client's son was inside a house then, and he was trying to open the door for me. A hurricane approached and it was frightening. Then I awoke. It is probably only frustrations manifesting themselves while I sleep, but when it comes to my dreams one never knows. On this day in 1935, a Labor Day Hurricane hit the Florida Keys killing 423. One of my favorite songs of all time is Kim Carnes chilling "Hurricane" that I have linked for your enjoyment. I installed a custom shower curtain and upholstered cornice after work today and the client made dinner for me. It was a great time. Needlepoint rugs and pillows seem to sell still from my website, although customers need some patience as they are taking a couple of weeks to arrive. As long as they arrive dry.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
Frank Lloyd Wright