Monday, October 14th, 2024
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Sunday, October 6th, 2024
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2024
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2024
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Monday, February 7th, 2022
I love painting hearts… and when they can be given as a thanks for a donation… that is even better! Ladybug house is a non profit organization. The mission is to build a house for children who are struggling with life threatening illness. It will be a bridge between hospital and home. There are times that they cannot go home because they need specialized nursing care, or their home isn’t suited to their needs, or the family is struggling, or they live too far away. So many spend their last days or months in the hospital. The family is bound by visiting hours, nourishment from vending machines, and wanting to be together. As Ladybug House builds the capital campaign, Ladybug house has outreach programs to help families with children with serious life threatening illness.
Suzanne Gwynne started Ladybug House after 35 years in nursing mostly in pediatric oncology care. I have worked on so many programs and have been helping from the start about 6 years ago. If you can, have a heart and donate. Those who do will receive a hand painted heart. My fundraiser runs until February 14, 2022. Thanks! Natalie
Thursday, July 16th, 2015
Come by the 14 Carrot Café at 2305 Eastlake in Seattle and see the wall of flowers! I have hung over a dozen paintings on the walls on July 16th. They are all for sale and you can pay for them here using the buy now link. Thanks o Terry for giving me this opportunity o hang my work! Her restaurant is know for the “Best Breakfast in Seattle!”
Saturday, April 18th, 2015
I’m thrilled to be working with Karen and Jane presenting some of our mixed media, encaustic and paintings in a group show at Blowing Sands in Ballard on 58th and 14th on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday April 19th. Come by and visit!
Saturday, April 18th, 2015
Springtime has come early to the Pacific Northwest. The feel of the warm sun on my cheeks just brings me joy. Because of the unseasonably warm weather, the flowers are blooming early. I spent the day up in the Skagit Valley taking photos of daffodils on a gorgeous day. I don’t think I could have caught a nicer afternoon!
Saturday, July 12th, 2014
The first time I remember seeing a cow was in the Chicago Lincoln Park zoo in the farm animal section. Of course from the time we are little we learn the sounds animals make and where mild comes from. I am just not the type to have a “relationship” with an animal… as cute as people think they are… I just don’t relate. But, I love taking photos of interesting creatures. The big dark eyes with long lashes on cows just seem so expressive. Grabbing my camera on Friday, I drove up to Snohomish County with a girlfriend and she drove by several farms with aging pastel barns and fields of cows quietly peacefully hanging out. Then I come to find out it is actually “National Cow Appreciation Day” and I was there to photograph these beautiful animals!
Friday, June 27th, 2014
We are told that our voice is heard. I go to community and government meetings when I can. I learn about the most current issues, find out about the events and meet others in the area or with similar interests. I go because I hope that my voice is heard because for every person that goes to meetings and comments, there are hundreds … probably thousands … of people that do not show.
This week I attended the Westlake Stakeholders Group in Seattle. I have a vested interest in the changes ahead as the Seattle Dept of Transportation creates a plan to redo the Westlake parking and walkway to accommodate more bicyclists and pedestrians in a better designed path. This will eliminate a good portion of the parking affecting the businesses, those that live aboard boats or floating homes, and boaters. With all the comments and emails tabulated, the Dept of Transportation said that safety is the number one concern from the stakeholders. I find that interesting because thousands of people are affected. They may have written about the parking concerns, ingress and egress, commuters parking, and even the cyclists and pedestrians commented … etc.. and added the safety issue. Yes, everyone is concerned about the fact that there have been many bike/car/pedestrian accidents and near misses, but I don’t think the overall feeling in the audience is that they are willing to lose 20-40% of the parking because of safety. The bikers ride way too fast, it is not clear where they should be riding, they are not clear about right of way and are often not being conscious of the traffic. But, the Seattle Dept of Transportation has “safety” on their number one concern of the citizens. I sat there in that room at the table surrounded by people that are impacted on a much greater level and I could feel that maybe their voice wasn’t heard.
I also attended the 
quarterly real estate commission meeting where the six commissioners appointed by the Governor make decisions that affect every real estate licensee in the state. Virtually no one in the industry attends. The Realtor association is represented by one or a few people, the Center for Real Estate Research is there for their report, and a few of us that are educators. I have attended more commission meetings than anyone else has in the state for over 20 years. (I think I missed 6 meetings since 1993) This month two real estate made a presentation about floating homes and the issues surrounding having them sold by real estate agents and marketed like single family homes on the MLS. They have been re
classified in the last year based on whether they are houses, barges, houseboats, and recreational. It was a very interesting presentation. Where it goes next, I am unclear. The MLS wants to follow the DOL which would take years to pass any legislation. Over the years I have been a voice at the meetings with the intent to speak for the thousands of real estate agents that will never attend but be affected by decisions.
The Finn Hill Alliance held a meeting this week focusing on landslides, erosion, and water issues in this area that is newly incorporated into the City of Kirkland. Representatives from the City, a geotechnical engineer, and a woman from the Univ of Washington were on a panel. It was a small course in landslides including information about the Oso Landslide this spring. My house is located at the end of a ravine and bottom of a hill. It is not in any immediate danger which is the same for all this area. there are some upcoming events in the neighborhood. I met some other neighbors. It was pretty clear that though City employees stand and say that they are willing to meet with citizens and are interested in their concerns, I felt that the neighbors surrounding me didn’t share that same feeling.
My voice, though loud sometimes, feels lost in these kinds of meetings. I hope that I make a positive difference for those that do not attend.
