Confession: I'm partial to a couple of characters in this months summer read 44 Scotland Street and look forward to the installments that feature them. The main voice of Pat, the twenty-something Scottish student on her second "gap year" strikes a cord. . . the adage: life is something that happens to you while you're busy making other plans, applies to her outrageous misadventures. Her part time job at a small gallery is full of intrigue including a misplaced masterpiece (?) and ensuing interactions that offer a delicious "slice of life" as she prepares to return school.

The frustrations of her neighbor Irene, are too wicked! Comically portrayed as the misguided mother of a protege in the making, her over involvement in his preschool and subsequent melt-down leads to a visit to the local psychotherapist. . .but for who? Another story altogether!

Hope you're well into 44 Scotland Street, and enjoying this little trip to Edinburgh!

Confession: I'm already half way through this month's book: 44 Scotland Street, by Alexander McCall Smith. It's true. . . in one sitting, just couldn't put it down!

44 Scotland Street was initially serialized daily for the newspaper The Scotsman. Each installment reveals more plot and tells the tales of an interesting, and mostly unrelated group of people who's lives intertwine curiously: "Characters, all of who reflect human types I have encountered and known while living in Edinburgh," writes the author.

If you liked Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, try 44 Scotland Street for a late summer read, and let me know what you think?

Ed. Note: This month's Book blog is dedicated posthumously to Sylvia W.
Sylvia, you shared your enjoyment of 44 Scotland Yard with me but left before I could convey my heart felt appreciation to you. RIP

Children's Health and Safety First! Wednesday

Confession: I recently declined to host a discussion on H.R. 676 for a local union of which I am the Health and Welfare Trustee, sighting conflict of interest. My resignation is pending a review of the executive board. Why would I take a stance in protest of a bill that would benefit all US citizens offering comprehensive health insurance coverage . . . especially when the union plan currently offered to our members many of whom cannot afford it, continues to increase in price but dwindles in coverage?

Because I'm a parent who believes more can be accomplished with the passing of H.R. 2055 and/or H.R. 3162 ACT of 2007: "To improve children's access to health care coverage under the Medicaid Program and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)" (also see CHAMP Act). Maria Cantwell's recent efforts in the Senate finance committee to pass the reauthorization plus an additional $35 billion over the next five years of federal support to fund children's health insurance will directly benefit Washington as well as other states. In 2010 we may see health care for all Washington children.

Are these opposing views? Not necessarily, according to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Editorial Board's Opinion: Insuring All Children, The People Want It. (Seattle P-I, 7/20/07)Insuring children is the first step in changing the system. "Insurance for all kids is the first place to loosen the partisan knots holding America back from better access to health care."

Is SCHIP just a baby step in US health care reform? Maybe.
In my opinion it's the step in the right direction.

For more information on SCHIP and children's health care and advocacy visit Children's Alliance
http://www.childrensalliance.org/

Confession: Permanently placed on our refrigerator: Buckle up. It's the law. The recently published, easy to read, and colorfully illustrated pamphlet provided by the Washington State Booster Seat Coalition included in all CHILD PROFILE mailings. . . consider sharing it with family, friends and those who care for your child.

It's most important message is delivered in simple terms: Beginning in 2007, the law will require children to ride in a booster seat up to the age 8, or until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. Seat belts are required by law for everyone in the car.

Three wonderful illustrations demonstrate car seat scenarios:
Infant's Rear facing, birth-1 year.
Toddler's Forward facing seat, 1-4 years, and
Children's Booster Seat, 4-8 years. Additional info is provided on the reverse side of the pamphlet regarding weight and size restrictions in the form of a helpful checklist.

Thanks to King County and the Safety Restraint Coalition mailings, everyone receiving the CHILD PROFILE mailings will know that starting in 2007: infants, toddlers and children under 8 years old and 4'9" riding in a vehicle without the benefit of a car seat is against the law.

Buckle up. It's the law*.
'Nuff said?

*To get your copy of this wonderful pamphlet to share with family, friends and caregivers, visit www. booster.org or call 1-800-BUCK-L-UP

Monday Morning Art Talk

Question: Have you heard of eco design or green art? It's popping up everywhere from Linda Loudermilk's clothing to Alchemy's bags, and Rebecca DeVere's mosaics/collage pieces of found art. Refreshing use of artistic license and reusable materials, with sometimes whimsical results . . . but mostly a statement aesthetically, about limiting resources to promote sustainable living.

But is it art, or is it craft?
Decisions and comments. . . tomorrow in Crafty Tuesday!

Question: Is art wearable? Well, when you walk into Rhinestone Rosies up on Crockett Street on the West side of Queen Anne it's like walking into a gallery . . . but at Rosie's, you're encouraged to be the artiste, with so many vintage and newly created rhinestone jewelry ensembles to admire, try on and wonder: Why does each piece transports you to another place and time. . . a little more glamorous and formal?

You may recognize Rosie who works in her studio in the back of the gallery from her many guest appearances on Antiques Roadshow. I was lucky enough to catch her in town when I visited her this past weekend to have an heirloom costume jewelry piece repaired. She's replacing stones and a closure to a vintage brooch/pin I used recently as a costume accessory.

Plan to spend a little time to window shop the other wonderful stores on Crockett, including Beverly Hunnicutt's boutique. Beverly was in the middle of a Vera Wang wedding gown alteration when I stopped in to purchase one of her hand made silk soothers: A small sachet made from vintage kimono/obi's filled with sweet woodsy flax seeds. Pop it in the microwave for a heat therapy spa treatment for your eyes.

Wearable art? Definetly!
Be sure to check out ArtWear, the catalog of the de Young's 2005 exhibit of art clothing or American Chic, if you're planning to a visit to San Francisco this summer.

http://www.matthewporterart.com/books/animals/index.html
Confession: I'm crazy about local artist Matthew Porter's children's books and illustrations!!! Matthew Porter and his wife Andrea are also co-owners of the Blue Bottle Gallery on Pine Street on Capitol Hill. His picture books of animal ABC's and Count The Birdies numbers are as beautiful as they are instructional, inviting the earliest of readers to flip the pages and discover what fun books can be!!!

Read on & come and join us on Wednesday in Ballard @ Seattle Public Library's Children's Summer Reading Program!!! Excerpted from Seattle Public Library website: http://www.spl.org/

Seattle author Matthew Porter

Seattle author Matthew Porter will discuss how he created his children's board book "ABC," which features a variety of colors, textures and images of animals, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the Ballard Branch.

More...

Seattle author Matthew Porter will discuss how he created his children's board book "ABC," which features a variety of colors, textures and images of animals, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the Ballard Branch.This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program. Limited free parking is available at the branch.

Porter's discussion will include a video demonstrating how he created illustrations for the book. This program is presented in cooperation with Secret Garden Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

For more information, call the branch at 206-684-4089 or contact the artist/gallery directly @:

Bluebottle Art Gallery
415 East Pine Street
Seattle, WA, 98122
206.325.1592
www.bluebottleart.com
bluebottleart@hotmail.com

For a viewing of Matthew Porter's books ABC & Count the Birdies, and other art see:

http://www.powkid.com/products.html

Work at Home: Friday Meetings

Confession: I just found the best blog @ Seattle P-I: Vivacious Blueprint, perfect for shop at home fashionistas!!! Try "this" she encourages in "purse lust," disclosing many tempting options for replacing her well worn but practical black bag.

Kathleen, I'm not only trying, I'm buying! It's perfect as a hip n' happening diaper bag for my friend Madeleine's baby shower in a few weeks.

Next week: My other job as a theatrical wardrobe union member and costume designer for a national PBS children's show airing in major markets 2008.

Confession: I write grants and find grant money available for non profits. Today I'm scheduled to present sources of funding for two projects; a local church, and a preschool. The church needs capitol for a renovation which includes a much needed elevator, and the preschool is interested in a "Thrive to Five" grant to augment their early literacy and school readiness program for children 2 to 4 years of age.

The research for grant money is the most fun, like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! But as usual, I'm strapped for time. . . . The meeting is just minutes away, and the grant application deadlines loom at the end of the month.

Ella's in the stroller, diaper bag packed. With car keys in hand, I invite you to write back with your WAH! experiences and recommendations of a good "time management" book?

Next week: My other job as a theatrical wardrobe union member and costume designer for a national PBS children's show airing in major markets 2008.