Journaling at HPB Humble
Click image to see more on artistic journaling.
January 10t
h, 2013, I sat down for the very first journaling night at Half Price Books in Humble. My customers weren’t exactly sure what to expect, and honestly, neither was I. I brought my prisma colors, glue sticks, some fancy pens, and scrapbooking scissors. We had magazines, scrapbooking paper, free unlined journals for all who attended, and a whole lot of untapped creativity.
Hanging out with others while they drew, doodled, wrote, glued and pasted, was kind of awesome. It’s relaxing to be creative with others, pool your resources, and brainstorm techniques. Relaxing and stimulating, actually; so much so that we plan to gather monthly.
2nd Thursday of the Month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, plan to sit around a table and really tackle the art of journaling with art. This first meeting was a bit of an experimental night, but in the future I hope to incorporate some of those fabulous Pinterested projects that are floating around the web, possibly even start binding our own journals.
There are just so many things we could do at these gatherings and I can’t wait to dive in and pursue every avenue of this hobby.
Come be crafty with me.
Also, check this out: http://artsyville.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-village-in-my-mind-full-color-friday.html
An Evening for Journaling
Journaling at Half Price Books in Humble
Have you always wanted to keep a journal but couldn’t seem to get started? Your HPB in Humble will introduce you to the art of journaling. On Thursday, January 10 at 7 pm use your personal unique style to create your own pages, write your story and use your words as art. The first five attendees will receive free blank journals.
When We’re Not Reading – Pow Wow Adventures!
Today we went to Trader’s Village where we attended the 23rd Annual Texas Championship Native American Pow Wow. Singing, dancing, bright colors, people, and corn in a cup… what more could a girl want?
So many people were gathered to honor Native American Indian culture today, and to dance for a $15,000 prize. The young man featured above picture was dressed to the nines and dancing his heart out when the drums were going. The entire competition was pretty awesome.
There were a few times Kiddo was moving and grooving and clapping to the beat. And every time we took a break from sitting in the stands, we were able to get pictures with some of the friendly competitors.
Books are wonderful sources for information, but when it comes down to it I want Kiddo to go out into the world and experience first hand what she reads about in books. In honor of our adventure today, we’re reading Pocahontas: Princess of the River Tribes
I definitely plan to take her to this event every year, as it is only $3 to park and free to attend.
A Quilting Event Gone Lovely
Quilts are such cozy, beautiful things. Think of a quilt and immediately images of your favorite colors and patterns combine with aromas of cinnamon, ginger, coffee or cocoa, pine, and crisp air. Think of a quilt, and you’ll usually imagine yourself in your favorite chair, maybe near a fireplace, in that old worn out sweater you’ve had for ages. You’ll hear a fire cracking, winter birds chirping if it’s an early morning, the sounds of snoring pups or purring cats if it’s evening.
Take all that and put me in a bookstore or library, and man am I in heaven.
Then, just for good measure throw in the divine flavor of cake balls.
That’s a bit of what happened today in Half Price Books, Humble, with Melinda McGuire, Jo-Ann’s, and The Martin Epicurean. Well, all that minus the fires, bird chirps, dogs, and well, pretty much the rest of it. That part was all in my head.
Melinda McGuire is a Texas author who mainly writes southern historical fiction, but recently branched out and edited a quilting anthology called Rich Fabric
Many people are involved in the creation of this anthology. This book, Rich Fabric, focuses on the culture, tradition and symbolism of quilting with both historic accounts and modern stories. McGuire, handpicked the contributors, and they have come together to create an anthology full of vibrant stories, poignant memoirs, beautiful photographs and touching quotes.
Customers who purchased the book (or any home arts title in Half Price Books) during the signing were eligible to enter a raffle for a gift basket full of quilting supplies that was donated to the event by Jo-Ann Fabrics and Craft Stores. The lucky winner, Doris, went home with quite a treat!
Speaking of treats! The Martin Epicurean catered the entire event and served the most delicious cake balls you could imagine. Chocolate were available, but I repeatedly devoured the delightful rich flavors in the vanilla desserts. They were a bit of Heaven in a baked good, I assure you.
Be sure to stop in the store as often as possible, you never know what might be happening! But, if you do want to plan your trips in advance visit the store’s website: http://www.hpb.com/074.html
A Plethora of Poets
At Half Price Books Humble Poetry Night 11/01/12
Poetry readings are exciting, and often times, unique experiences. Different poets bring a different vibe to each event. But even more interesting is when the night is full of young poets, teenaged poets, High School poets.
These kids are bold, honest, and in some cases fearless in the way they expose their vulnerability in the most expressive form of art. There are the shy, quiet poets sharing grief; the in your face exuberant poetess forcing you to feel every joy and sorrow; and there are simply down right honestly funny poets that are bound to make the next great comedians.
The group last night were students from the Humble High School Poetry Club and their parents and friends. I hope next time we’ll see some representation from other schools as well. Everyone and anyone is invited to join the fun.
All around, it was a great night and I can’t wait for December’s meeting!
HPB Poetry Nights are held the first Thursday of the month, 7 pm – 9 pm. Read your favorite poet or recite some of your own work. Hang out and chat with other students of poetry and maybe learn something new. Snacks are served.
When We’re Not Reading – Critical Mass
As much as I love to read and review books, I’ve really been enjoying finding things to add to my When We’re Not Reading segments. It has forced me to be bold and adventurous in the Houston area, re-visit my attitude from my college years. Which went something like this: It could be fun, Its free, Why not?
This month my best friend invited me to a not-so-little shin dig called Critical Mass. Cyclists all over the world get together in their home cities and take to the streets on the last Friday of the month every month. Hundreds, easily nearly a thousand, people on bikes trekking through downtown together for 20+ miles. It was nothing short of amazing.
I’m not the biggest fan of getting info from Wikipedia, but they do have some interesting tidbits on what Critical Mass is all about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass.
For some people this event is an agenda to gain respect on the road for cyclists, make a statement, and more. From my bike seat, it was a fantastic rolling party. It was a blast that still managed to create a new appreciation for the world of cyclists, and for my need for headlights, tail-lights, and a helmet. I would also like a bell and basket.
One of the guys taking lots of pictures got one of me!
Last night’s ride was a Halloween ride. There were costumes and all sorts of excitement. In advance, my friend and I had agreed that if we lost each other to simply look for “the hat and the tutu” (two costumed people that were easy to spot and part of our collective mini-group). This is a good plan. If you ride a Critical Mass, whatever you do, don’t stop to look for someone… just keep on rolling and catch up to each other when you catch up to each other.
Many motorists cheered, took pictures, and had a general blast right along with us. However, there were the occasional drivers that got really pissed off that 600 people were holding up traffic as we had to roll through the red lights. I understand that this is technically illegal, and with an individual or a crowd of 2-30, very ill-advised. But with 600 riders, stopping at the red light is far more dangerous than holding up traffic. You wouldn’t ask the Macy’s Day parade to stop at all the red lights, and it is obvious that an event is happening. So if you happen across this group on a Friday night, please be patient and don’t hate; 99% of the people involved in this ride are trying to be as safe and friendly as possible.
Check out this awesome crowd:
Photo taken by of one of the members of the Facebook group for Houston’s Critical Mass during the October 2012 ride as well.
Initially, I was under the impression that it was a 10 mile ride. My husband was convinced that I wouldn’t be able to do it, as owning a bike is something that has only been a part of my recent adult life. I’d never taken the thing farther than around the block a few times (most likely about a mile, 3 miles at best but that could be stretching the truth of reality). Come to find out, it is actually about a 20 mile ride. Someone gps-ed it as we went and came up with this map after the fact: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/149370997. Include our ride to the event and back to the house when we were done and I can safely say without exaggeration that I rode 22 miles.
Needless to say, I’m quite proud of myself. Here we are at the first break… 10.2 miles into the evening:
Banned Books Week
One of my favorite novels, Mrs. Dalloway
Yet, people find the book itself and the material in it threatening. I, on the other hand, find it fascinating.
In the comments this week: share your favorite banned books with me.
Challenge this week: read a book from a banned or challenged book list.
Visit DeleteCensorship.org to view lists of banned books.
Articles about Banned Books:
NPR on Grapes of Wrath
The Lord of the Rings Controversy
Happy Birthday Half Price Books Humble!
Today was so much fun for me – a Mommy’s Day Out if you will – spent at Half Price Books in Humble celebrating the 10th year of business. (The whole company’s 40 year anniversary was earlier this year.) Much of my day was spent handing helium balloons to children as they passed by, another solid bit was giving away free stuff over the intercom, and the rest was hanging out with really awesome people and eating Barbecue (Dickey’s Barbecue Pit moved in down the sidewalk and their food is heaven! They donated sample trays for our patrons as well as gift cards to raffle off.)
Delaney Rhodes and customers enjoying a chat.
Karleen Koen and Delaney Rhodes
Karleen Koen
Karleen holding up the “readers” she had to borrow because she left hers at home!
She is also a big fan of the children’s author Rosemary Wells
My apologies for any fuzziness in the photos. I have arthritis in my right hand and it shakes when I hit buttons.
Don’t forget Banned Books Week is coming up! http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek
Also, if you are an author looking to do a book signing, please email me at andiklemm@rocketmail.com.
Poetry Nights at Half Price Books
It all begins tomorrow night! I plan to binge on some William Carlos Williams and Edna St. Vincent Millay.
10 Year Anniversary Party!
As of September 13th Half Price Books has been opened in the Humble area for 10 years! So on Saturday, September 15th, we’re having a party! Come join the fun… book signings, raffles, barbecue, live music in the evening, what more could you want?
Anakalian Whims 