Quarantine Reads

I love to read historical fiction, but during the school year I tend to read books that are shorter, like graphic novels. I'm using this excess of time to sink my teeth into some more substantial stories.

I always love to read historical fiction, but I think it is important at times likes this to think about the past; what tragedies have occurred, how people have endured times of grief and uncertainty in previous times so that we have keep our current situation in context.

This time has been very difficult for most people, but I remind myself of how fortunate I am. I still have my income, I have a loving family that is still healthy, and we live in a home that is surrounded by woods and gives us many oppurtunities to be outside, enjoying nature, even if we cannot go anywhere else.

Based on a Holocaust survivor's account

A historical fiction book about romance and the Titanic

A science-fictiony horror story, set in an asylum in the 50's

And because I love a good asylum tale, this one takes place in 19th century. It's more mystery than horror, but it contains some wonderful parallels to Jane Eyre, and centers around one of my all-time favorite literary criticism themes: the Mad Woman in the Attic

Now I need to find more books to read.

Wendy

One of my favorite things to do is watch film adaptations of my favorite stories, and then compare them and analyze them and reflect on what the differences mean.

The more film adaptations that are available, the better it is.

Classic stories, like Little Women and Peter Pan have so many versions available that the story seems to become more slipstream, because so many people have seen at least one movie version but most of those people have not read the original text.

But I'm not necessarily talking text here, I'm talking about the films contribute something new for viewers to consider.

A couple days ago, we watched the new movie Wendy. I have seen every film and TV version of Peter Pan I could find. Last year we went to a screening of Hook, and I cleaned up during the trivia competition.

We watched it as a family, and I warned my son that this Peter Pan was probably going to look a lot different than the other Peter Pan movie he has seen.

This movie takes a lot of chances, and in some ways it really trusts the viewer. The movie isn't called Peter Pan, or Pan, or even Hook, it's just  a girl's name, but it trusts us to associate the girl's name with the famous story.

And it doesn't take place in Edwardian England, it takes place in Louisiana; if it's not 'present day' then it would probably be dated at least in the 80's or 90's. But, we are trusted to follow along, without any explanation for it. (In the movie Hook, the American setting is explained by way of Peter Pan being adopted by American parents).

Wendy lives with her mother and her brothers in the back of a tiny diner, where the whole family works. She longs for an escape, not from her mother necessarily who seems very loving, but just from the drudgery and monotony.

****some spoilers ahead*****

One day she sees a boy go out to the railroad tracks, and disappear. We are not given much of an explanation, but in the next scene, there is a flyer showing the boy's face with the text Lost Boy above it, including one of those age progression images that sadly accompany pictures of missing children. That's our introduction to the Lost Boys, and the only reference to that term.

In Barrie's story, Peter Pan comes to the nursery window, and lures Wendy away with stories of fairies and mermaids. But this Wendy sees a mysterious boy on top of a train, and runs after him, effectively claiming the story as her own.

This story doesn't have any fairies or mermaids, it doesn't even really have flying. (Which spares us the need for CGI or ropes that will look dated within a few years). The only supernatural resident is called Mother, some kind of being that lives underwater and seems to communicate with children telepathically. Mother is the heart of Neverland.

What it does have is a much more diverse cast. Peter Pan has little dreadlocks and an accent, and is played by an Antiguan boy.



Wendy isn't flitting about in nightgown, she's wearing an oversized t-shirt that says Prison Rodeo on it. I actually appreciated how this Wendy is a tomboy, and there is no romance at all with Peter Pan. She's not looking for love, she just wants adventure.



The movie also explains the origins of Captain Hook and the pirates in a new way. The pirates are not the classic type that sail under a black flag, in fact, they were once Lost Boys. However, when Lost Boys start to feel sad, it gives way to despair, and they inevitable begin to age.  Wendy even tries to help them at one point, trying to engage them in imaginary games (much like the imaginary dinner scene in Hook) in the deserted diner where they all gather. They will not order invisible food and pretend to eat it. They won't dance. They won't even smile.

The skeleton of Barrie's story is here: Wendy and brothers (even if they have different names), Peter Pan, a colony of children that do not age, pirates.  .  .even the epilogue involving Wendy's daughter is there. But this movie rejects the fantastical whimsy and grounds the story (literally, because like I mentioned, there is no flying).

I already have several favorite versions of the Peter Pan story, so I don't think this version will become part of the regular viewing party but I appreciate it for its originality.

Taking chances with classic stories doesn't always work; the 2015 movie Pan was a steampunk re-imagining which featured Nirvana-singing pirates, and the story seemed to fall apart. This movie takes chances too, but they are not as contrived. Everything feels more natural; even the soundtrack. There were no songs or lyrics, it mostly sounded like a Sounds of Nature CD with windchimes.

I just found out that Disney is planning a new live-action Peter an Wendy movie, so I guess I won't have to wait too long before I get to watch another new version.

Hippie Camper from from Recycled Cardboard

In order to practice safe social distancing, we have been doing a lot of grocery (and wine) delivery services. Eric signed up for Misfits Market and the produce came packaged in this rippled cardboard that immediately reminded me of aluminum roofing, so I saved it for another project.

I've been wanting to do a miniature camper, and I had my eye on some kits online like these ones:

But I didn't want to spend more money on more dollhouse things, so I decided to try and make my own. We have a ton of cardboard around the house from all the deliveries we've been getting, so I used that to make a basic shape, and I attached the roof with hot glue:

Next, I covered the front and back with gesso to strengthen it, and make a good painting surface. I chose to paint it white and pink, so it would look vintage and colorful. The roof is painted metallic gold right now, because I couldn't find any metallic silver. I used some Tim Holtz paper for the flowery wallpaper, and some dollar store shelf paper for the 'wood' floor.

I had the sink saved from a previous house, which got damaged beyond repair and thrown away.

I added some little tassel decorations and the mattress was in my stash- the blanket is a vintage linen, which goes along with the Flower Power theme.

Since there are no working lights inside the structure, it's a little dark. I added these dollar store flower lights from my stash (whenever Dollar Tree has mini lights, I stock up!)

I still have more work to do to make it look more polished, but it will be fun to collect some groovy accessories to fill it with.

I wish I had a tiny hippie to live in there.

Dollhouse from Recycled Cardboard

Throughout this social distancing/shut down, I've actually been doing pretty good. I know a lot of people are agitated and frustrated that they can't socialize or go out, but it honestly hasn't bothered me too much.

 I remember a few years back, a friend said something which has stuck with me ever since. I was telling her how sometimes I feel like I'm being anti-social because I don't enjoy going to big parties, like the staff parties for school. She told me she often feels the same way and the way she phrased it "I'm only bored when I'm around other people- I'm never bored when I'm alone" is the exact struggle I have dealt with for much of my life.

I'm not anti-social, but I need a lot of time by myself. It's how I recharge, and channel my creativity.

Since I can't wander around Hobby Lobby or art stores to get inspired, I decided to try some new things, like watercolors, indulge in some projects I enjoy, like art journals and mixed media collage. I also decided to give myself a challenge, and make a dollhouse constructed completely of recycled and reused materials.

Since we have to do the majority of our shopping online right now, we have a ton of boxes around. A cardboard box is like an empty canvas- so many possibilities!

I started by reinforcing the box with some white duct tape. I cut out opening for two widows and the front door. Then I coated the entire thing in gesso, to make it stronger and give it a better surface for painting:

Then I painted it gray, and used some egg crate packaging to make 'stonework' on the exterior:

Then I used another piece of cardboard to make the roof:

I cut shingles from cardboard and covered the roof with them. I used more cardboard to make some trim around the the windows and door. The door is an ornament I got on clearance from Hobby Lobby after Christmas, and it's been in my craft stash since then. I used some duct tape magic so the door really opens and closes. The little brass lantern was also in my craft stash.

For the interior, I used some Tim Holtz paper that I had leftover from other projects. The fireplace is also made of cardboard with the egg crate stonework. The table is cardboard with a wooden peg. The picture above the fireplace is a jewelry piece with a picture from an artist's postcard advertisement. It's a fairy riding a rabbit! 

The chandelier was torn out of a dollhouse I am restoring- it's supposed to be wired for electricity but obviously doesn't work anymore, so it's just decoration. The bed was in my stash. I made the bookshelf from cardboard and small lace trim. The books are a printable pattern that you just fold into a box shape and glue. The curtains are pieces of large lace trim.

I still have some work to do, like a little painting and neatening up the seams and of course finding more things to fill the rooms, but I am pleased with the way it looks after only two days of work.

I definitely think this little rabbit lady needs a name, and I think her cottage does too.

Just like me, I think she is OK spending a lot of time alone.

CoOVID-19 Art Journal

I have been making art journals from upcycled books for a few years now.

It's a low-cost way of exercising my creative skills when I don't have a lot of money to buy art supplies. Actually, I have plenty of money right now, I just can't go to the craft stores to  make my purchases thanks to COVID 19 and social distancing.

So here's my latest one. I've used paint markers, watercolors, washi tape, stickers, sheet music, magazine pages, old greeting cards and more

                               

                               

                                        

Layers in Mixed Media Collage

My last post was about my struggle with watercolors. Apparently that art form requires much more patience than I used to exercising when it come to artwork.

One of my go-to's when I'm in the mood to create art has always been mixed media collage.

One of the benefits of this form is that you can do it with very little money. I always try to use old canvases (I just put white gesso over them to get a blank slate), and I have been gifted some, or found them in thrift stores, or even on the side of the road in 'free' piles.

I have found that the secret to make a great mixed media collage is layering.

First I layer the gesso. Even if the canvas is already white, it just makes a good foundation.

Then I layer the acrylic paint in my choice of colors.

After that, I start putting down the images I want. I usually get them from old magazines or greeting cards, but you can also purchase vintage-looking ephemera at craft stores for these types of purposes. I use Mod Podge to attach them.

After I have a number of images in place, I use some washi tape to frame the images, or create interesting lines.

I also use some of those word/phrase stickers sometimes to create little poems or stories within the collage.

Then on the top layer, I put ribbons, or buttons or pieces of discarded jewelry or any other accouterments I want. I fire up my glue fun for that step.

After all those layers, it usually looks complete to me. Sometimes if I find a perfect button or something, I'll go back and add it later, but this one is already hanging up in my bedroom now.

So there's my art-inspired blog post of the day, for at least as long as COVID-19 is forcing the closure of my school.

Experimenting with Watercolors

Since I've has a lot more time on my hands recently, I decided to give watercolors another try.

I have never been very good with watercolors, or with trying to paint anything realistic; I'm much more about abstract art and acrylics.

But I wanted to try something new.

This is what I did today; I actually used a combination of Stabilo woody pencils (which are hybrids of wax crayons/watercolors) as well as watercolor brush pens. John did a lot of painting today, too

 

Please excuse the exhibitionist mermaid.

Turtle Power!

Years ago, I made a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dollhouse out of a cardboard box. I put a lot of work into it, and it would always get a lot of attention when I displayed it at libraries or maker fairs.

We recently went to see the original film in Portsmouth at a 30th anniversary screening:

It was great seeing the movie on a big screen again, and the pizza was fantastic! Afterwards, I got inspired to dig out to TMNT house so that John could play with it. I was disappointed to find it damaged and warped though, from years of moving and storage.

I was able to salvage the 'sidewalk' top that I made out of a piece of Styrofoam and coffee stirrers. There's even a little compartment that I made to look like nuclear waste was being dumped:

I made the dumpster out of a tea tin.

I found a new cardboard box to make the turtles' lair. It's not finished but it looks pretty good so far. I added some tiny pizza lights that I found at Dollar Tree, and I let John set up all the furniture the way he wanted inside, and he did a great job:

He loves to turn the lights on inside at night time and play with it, and it's great to have something to occupy him for a while:

Not too bad for something we slapped together in a couple days!

Exhaustion of All Sorts

Well, this wraps up the first week of distance learning. It was actually only 2 days of official online teaching, but it might as well have been a whole week because I am exhausted.

It's not the same kind of exhaustion I am used to feeling after a busy week at work; I'm used to teaching classes, rushing to accommodate students who come in between classes, get books checked in and shelved, recess duty, etc. It's mostly mental and emotional exhaustion.

I am mentally exhausted from scouring the Internet for good resources to pass on to staff members. I am mentally exhausted from news reports and social media that I see every time I get on the computer. I am mentally exhausted from trying to review and re-explain concepts to the students that we discussed in class, but now seem to have gone out of their heads, through a never-ending series of emails. 

I am emotionally exhausted from the stress of my new job situation, absorbing some of the stress from my husband's new job situation (also a teacher), and trying to keep our son occupied for more than a few minutes at a time so I don't have to explain to him yet again that Mama and Dada are not on vacation; just because we're at home doesn't mean we're not working.

And just for fun, there's the physical exhaustion that comes with constantly doing laundry and dishes because since we're in the house all the time now, we're dirtying the sheets, blankets, dishtowels, plates, silverware, etc.

We are trying to get into some kind of routine but it's going to take some time.

I am trying to find some time during the day to do creative things, but I end up feeling guilty if I do too much, like I should be checking emails, or entering grades, or checking out new resources, or recording a read-aloud.  .  .

I think the most important thing I have to do is to be there for the students. I have already received emails from several students saying how much they miss me and the library, and it kind of breaks my heart. So far, my favorite email from a student said:

"My mom started a homeschool, and my sister is a teachers pet and I was suspended. So everything is great, except the fact that I am bored, I HAVE NO BOOKS!!!!!!!!!"

That email made me laugh out loud.

A couple months ago, I treated myself to a new box of watercolor brush paints. I have never been very good with watercolors, so this is my first attempt:

It's supposed to be my cat Bella, but instead it looks like one of the humanoid-cat actors in the recent film version of Cats.

Update on Friends dollhouse

I posted in January about the Friends dollhouse that my husband made me as a Christmas gift.

I have been trying to work on it since then, and it's looking pretty good:

During February break, we took a little trip to NYC, and we visited the Friends apartment building (the one used for exterior shots).

I know the people who live in the building don't like this part, but I loved reading all the quotes and messages written on the wall by adoring fans:

Right now, I am on a quest to find (shopping online of course) a small duck and chick and monkey to hide somewhere in the scene.

The More (Mary Wickes), the Merrier (I am)

John recently watched the classic animated Disney film 101 Dalmatians. I hadn't seen it in a long time, so I sat down to watch with him.

As the credits were starting up, I noticed the name Mary Wickes, and I got excited because I love that actress.

For people who do not recognize the name, she played the 'grumpy' nun  Sister Mary Lazarus in the Sister Act movies:

as well as Sister Clarissa in The Trouble with Angels, which is one of my favorites:

Great Aunt March in the 1994 version of Little Women, another favorite,

as well as the ballet instructor in one of my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy:

She also appears in a couple episodes of Punky Brewster (as a nun again in one episode!), but I wasn't able to find any stills from those episodes.

Anyways, I kept waiting to hear her distinctive voice, but it never came. So I did some research to figure out why she was credited if she didn't seem to be IN the movie at all, and I found out some interesting trivia.

Mary Wickes was the real life model for Cruella DeVille!

   

Disney animators use real life actors as models as they draw, but I never knew that she did that.

I love to sing the song "Cruella DeVille" to Johnny now, and now whenever I sing it, I can picture one of my favorite,  often overlooked, actresses.