Good Clean Living

Our friends Penny and Jim hold an Artisans' Fair in their barn a couple of times each year. The last event took place last weekend. This is the welcoming committee. I don't know if the cow has a name. All I know is she's pretty big and I am always grateful there's a fence between us.

A shot of one corner of the barn. There were so many different types of art and some of the artists demonstrated their talents. I watched a basket being made, saw a woman hand-looming fabric, felt the tinsmith's hammering right down to my toes and learned about soapmaking, glassworks, jewelry creations and leatherworking. Also, I had a first-hand account of what it's like to fire pottery at ridiculously high temperatures! Amazing, the creativity lurking within so many friendly faces! The barn is gorgeous. Penny and Jim have worked for years to make this structure a gathering place. It is warm and welcoming, not at all "barny." Is that a word? Whatever--you know what I mean. No one needs to watch where they walk in the big red barn--a very good thing, I think.

Snowshoeing, anyone?

Good clean living at its best. I know this barn sale made one very special angel smile!

Mona Lisa's...brows?

Hey, what about the smile? Isn't that what we're all supposed to be obsessed with?Ah, I see... It's time to focus on a different part of the lady's face. *sigh* Isn't that typical? Just when interest over one body part settles down, a new issue comes under scrutiny? Who can tell how long it's going to take before we all stop staring at her eyebrows? The smile thing took five hundred years so two brows and two sets of lashes? That could take forever.

Yesterday's revelation by a French engineer, Pascal Cotte, that Leonardo da Vinci originally painted his masterpiece with brows and lashes was well received. A collective sigh of relief, one heard round the world, followed. Apparently many have speculated about the elusive brows for some time, spawning as many theories about her lack of facial hair as there are stars in the sky. Who knew? I have to admit I've never given them a single, solitary thought. Never. Sorry, Mona. My apologies, Leonardo.

And while I find this interest in art and the beautiful lady heartwarming, I still wonder about that enigmatic smile she wears. I can't help myself. I see the set of her lips, the way her cheeks have a faint blush and the knowing stare she fixes on me and my pulse quickens. My mind races. So many questions unanswered...possibilities to be explored...scenarios that may explain her smile. Has she witnessed a crime? Scorned a rival? Sought satisfaction for an ancient vendetta? Made love with the most wonderful man?

Let others focus on Mona Lisa's brows. Let's face it; I'm just not ready to get past the smile.