MisoMiso

I live in a lovely, small, quiet town where leash laws are taken seriously. We are nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, just a village, really, surrounded by farms, woodlands, and the Jefferson National Forest.

I am married with two grown sons. It's beginning to seem like my husband and I are pet hoarders. We have a white dog, four cats, and Bearded Joe, our lizard.

When it comes to movies, I like surreal environments. The Wizard of Oz, Nightmare Before Christmas, Duck Soup, and 42nd Street are some of my favorite movies.

I weep at sentimental movies. Still get choked up remembering Million Dollar Baby.

Love folk songs. I am the child of folkies, play the dulcimer and claw hammer banjo. I love listening to Joni Mitchell, Iris DeMint and Tom Waits. Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize is not controversial in my house. He deserved it. I also am glad that Pearl Jam and Joan Baez are now inductees to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

As far as contemporary music goes, I love the group Joseph, the Lumineers, the Head and the Heart, and - surprisingly - Disturbed. (Have you heard their version of "Sounds of Silence"?)

I absolutely love printmaking, ATCs, art journaling, drawing, papermaking, and crocheting

I also enjoy painting. As to who inspires me, I love emotional work like Edvard Munch's, Jackson Pollack's, Rembrandt's. I also could stare forever at the serenity depicted in Vermeer's paintings.

I've made ATCs for ages. And I like to collect and carve rubber stamps. I love postcards, too, and have a shoebox full of vintage cards that I got from EBay.

One image that always brings a smile: fortune cookies and the little printed fortunes. Both the edible items or any iteration thereof.

Paper of any kind. Rubber stamps, both handmade and store bought; distressed imagery; abstract designs. Real-life stories, memories, and Having never been abroad, images from countries other than the USA are appreciated.

Also, a wonderful sketching subject: I love, LOVE McDonald's Happy Meal toys like the trolls, Pokeman, Hello Kitty, and such. I keep a fairly broad collection right next to the toys that actually cost money.

I try not to have many dislikes, but have to admit that I am not much on stickers or Hallmark card angels. (I loveEuropean medieval and Renaissance, African, Hebrew, Arabian, and Tibetan heavenly beings, though.)

Alien imagery and figurines, Kewpies, sock monkeys, ATCs and shiny objects.

I am so sorry that I have fallen off the map. At the beginning of May my silly muscular dog pulled me right off the front porch. Two broken wrists, and a completely upturned life.

My sister is coming on Monday. She will help me to sort through the swaps that my good-for-nothing neighbor swore she'd get in the mail for me. I thought that everything was swimming along, until I saw NO feedback since the accident.

I had surgery a week ago and pins were set into my wrists. I am unable to drive or lift anything heavier than a dinner plate. Most frustrating, since I can barely tap onto my iPad screen. Mostly I dictate, and hilarious malapropisms ensue.

For you, dear swapping friends, I am going back and editing. I WILL have all of my misappropriated swaps in the mail by TUESDAY. I cannot apologize enough. Please remember, life can get surprisingly in the way. And, think: How well would you be getting along if you couldn't even pull ypur pants up without assistance?!?

Yours in pain and frustration,

Minnie Mayo