Monday, Monday . . . Monday.

Mondays.

Eeek. It's like we should all be gulping chicken soup just to get through the day. Yet, this one, even early on, it had some nice moments.

I'm not a morning person. And when you're not a morning person, that goes doubly . . . quadruple-y. But, this past weekend I jumbled a day and time and left one of my favorite new artists sitting alone, waiting, waiting, waiting . . . . while I was largely at home doing nothing except watching Spike, working on a few mosaic projects. I could have been there with her -- at the Eden Bar at Enzian -- but I was CERTAIN our meeting was to be, yes, same time and place . . . but the next day. These things happen, of course, but with zero Jewish or Catholic guilt in my veins, I've created my own concoction and it's a volatile mix which conjures images of the albino monk in The DaVinci Code lashing himself for falling short of expectations.

Okay, yeah, this is dramatic, perhaps a bit over the top, but I have an active imagination.

And having FINALLY met with one of my new favorite artists, Dawn Schreiner, this morning, I found the delay was perhaps punishment enough. Dawn is one cool lady.

Among my contemporaries -- as among your's, anyone's -- there are analogies and comparisons, ideas and memories, shared experiences which bond and endure. Dawn hits lots of contemporary nerve endings with her wonderful, delightful art. Her humorous, warm style creates a Slip 'n Slide -- yeah, youngsters, it WAS an actual product once upon a time -- back to another time and place.

I show up at Panera this morning to find Dawn already settling in to just the location I thought I'd plant myself if I arrived first. It was strategically perfect. So, not just an artist, but a SMART artist!

She's got her iced coffee already, so I speed inside for my own version of cold caffeine and a bagel, hoping if I keep my mouth full I'd shut up and let her talk. That part did not work, but we managed.

My column on Dawn and her work will be in this week's Winter Park Maitland Observer along with one or two photos. Our talk was delightful, seeing her works firsthand a treat.

Dawn is the kind of artist who tempts my inner child to come out to play, frolic about. If you were a child in the 70s, you may react similarly to her work. I don't want this to be redundant to the column, so I won't go on more, except to say it was wonderful to meet you, Dawn, delight in your creative and fun works, energy.

First time I've done an interview / discussion and write the piece in the same day in a long, long time. It's great for how fresh all the information is, but it also looses that fermentation stage, when you allow a conversation to come back to you, highlighting the conversation in a very natural way. As usual, more I wanted to include that I could include. But, ah, the blog . . . another chance to share about her and her work.

I finished writing the column early afternoon, then went to work completing a few pieces I had worked on over the weekend, rather than meeting Dawn. The mosaic pot I did over the weekend is one of my custom pieces, allowing inclusion of words into the design. This one is a special THANK YOU gift. I also did a few of my mosaic light box pieces, great for sitting in windows or even in front of brighter lights to act as a night light. My hands are now dry from working with the grout, but not gouged as with others

I've done using larger tiles. These were part of my Monday, so I'm sharing them as well!

Later in the day, as our CRAZY dogs were anticipating the mailman -- today a mail WOman -- I ventured outside for a break and to intercede in the forthcoming yap fest. I noticed a package which I found included a book called 'Winter Park Chain of Lakes: Boathouses Past & Present". In the next few weeks I'll also be writing about its author, Elaine Sullivan, and telling her connection with Winter Park, discussing the book she's written. Some wonderful photos in it, just having breezed through it earlier.

In uncharacteristic fashion, I'm wrapping up tonight with only a few subjects covered. Hey, it's Monday!

In closing, as usual, let's try to 'Give A Dog A Home'. Holli is ten years young! She may look old, but she still loves play tug and fetch, although tug is more fun. Her tail nub is constantly wagging and she loves to give Boxer Kisses. I was found running loose in Tampa and was never claimed. I am a beautiful fawn female, spayed, vetted and ready for the next adventure in my life. My muzzle is quite gray, but that just adds character. I am pretty thin right now, but I eat like there is no tomorrow and will eat anything that happens to be hanging around. I am currently in a home with another male boxer and two kitties. To find out more about Holli or other Boxers available, please visit the Florida Boxer Rescue website.