Category: ephemera

Mama’s in the kitchen…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment
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The pie’s the thing

My younger son has been a cooking fool this summer.  He recently watched Matty Matheson prepare his Lemon Meringue Cheesecake Pie and decided to make the pie for his dad.  I did the shopping and he did the cooking, making everything from the pie crust to the meringue himself.  As you can see from the image above, it was quite the success  – and tasted even better!  He gets his cooking inspiration from The Chew, Tasty, The Food Network and Tastemade and our newest favorite – The Great British Baking Show. Have you seen the show?  My mom turned us on to Season 2 of GBBS last summer and we were instantly hooked.  Season 3 just began airing on PBS and once again, my son and I are ready, set, bake!  Do you like to cook or bake? What’s your favorite cooking show or thing to make?  I’d love to know…

Oh Daddy….

Kimberli Simon1 Comment
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Happy Father’s Day

Hey Dad….how the hell are ya’?  Did I ever thank you for teaching me to always ask why? And for making sure that I never take ‘no’ for the answer? And thanks for providing me with an arsenal of tools I can use to survive on my own merits…you taught me to be a feminist long before it was socially acceptable to raise girls that way.  I miss those walks we used to take exploring our neighborhood and racing in Brand X…I really miss talking to you about life and the meaning of it all. I’m gonna let you go Dad, but before I hang up I just wanted to thank you again for being such a great dad to me and a wonderful granddad to those boys of ours.  I love you.
                 …a conversation with my Dad the 1st Father’s Day without him

 

 

 

Almost cut my hair…

Kimberli Simon1 Comment

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Have you heard of Wigs for Kids?  They provide pediatric cancer patients who have lost their hair with wigs for FREE. This guy has been letting his freak flag fly for close to three years now, with the goal of growing it long enough to cut and donate it to a worthy charity.  Our family has been greatly impacted by all types of cancer (except, strangely enough, pediatric forms) so I was touched by this decision and privileged to tag along when the day finally came to get it all cut off… Continue reading “Almost cut my hair…” →

Blood Poppy Red…

Kimberli Simon1 Comment
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Image courtesy of AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Poppies have always meant the start of summer for me.  For as long as I can remember our vets have stood outside of stores and on street corners trading donations for cloth (and now plastic) poppies during the Memorial Day weekend.  Have you ever heard of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London art installation?  All 886,998 poppies that made up the installation were sold, raising millions of pounds which were distributed equally between six service charities.  I’d love to see a version of this installation done stateside to commemorate our veterans.  Until then, I buy poppies from every vet I see as my inadequate way of remembering, and thanking, every military soldier (past and present). for their service to their country and its citizens.

I’m a rocket man…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment
spaceart
Four Nasa Visions of the Future

I’ve always wanted to be one of the first humans to live in space.  Unfortunately, major motion sickness and age make my dream just that.  Earlier today I stumbled upon this awesome ‘out of this world’ art courtesy of Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  I may not ever live in space but with these ‘Visions of the Future‘ I can live with space…on my walls.

Ashes to Ashes….

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment
david-bowie-and-iman-icons
Iman and Bowie (image from MunaLuchi Bride)

Yesterday David Bowie passed from this life into the next.  It was my privilege to see him perform in the 70’s and 80’s and I was never disappointed.  His thoughtful interviews showed his remarkably inquisitive intelligence as he continually worked to evolve his music, paintings, and acting for our pleasure (and his).

Having had my fair share of relatives grapple with complex cancers, I can only marvel that his last days were spent creating his final piece of art, Blackstar.  Cancer treatments are never easy, and 18 months is a long time to battle the cancer beast. I am in awe of the energy, determination, and creativity that he embraced until the very end.

His artistic legacy aside, I find myself most touched by his love for the beautiful Iman. In public they always commanded the limelight but privately, Mr. & Mrs. Jones shared a largely ‘normal’  life (raising children, sharing meals, reading the paper on a Sunday afternoon, and all of the other mundane things that make up a life with those one loves).

As an artist and as a human, Bowie inspirited me in ways I did not realize until his death.  Thank you Mr. Bowie…rest in peace wherever you might be.

It’s gonna be a funky new year…

Kimberli Simon1 Comment
After the Hunt William Harnett
After the Hunt (William Michael Harnett) 1885

I am not a big one for making New Year’s resolutions.  Instead, I’m all about seeking inspiration through books, movies, fashion, travel, and art.  I started off 2016 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to view the Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life exhibition.  I’m still confused by the ‘modern’ selections but the pieces from the 1700 and 1800’s were breathtaking.  I was so excited by the art that I have taken my paints and papers out of storage and am attempting a few still lives of my own.  How about you?  Do you make resolutions?  I’d love to hear what you have in store for 2016…

 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment
rochestersanta
Rochester Santa

Merry Christmas everyone!  My boys gifted me with some wonderful presents with a final gift left to open.  It’s a 13 hour rainy road trip that ends in Philly for a week spent with my family – the BEST gift of all.  I am looking forward to eating my momma’s cooking, catching up on lots of Netflix and movies – Star Wars! The Revenant! The Big Short! – playing cutthroat Scrabble games, and talking late into the night.  Here’s wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas too!