Sunday, October 1, 2017

Tongue Twisted


I think most of you are familiar with Poppy Tooker, the radio host for NPR.  She's the one who drawls out the name of her show - Lou-weeee-siana Eats.   It a great program that covers history of local foods, processes and techniques.  She also interviews famous chefs and travels for food related stories.  I like to drive around doing my Saturday morning errands listening to her.

Most of you probably are not familiar with my old, long-lost pug - Took.  Took was my very dear buddy for many years and I still miss him very much.  He was playful all his life - like a puppy.  So I always affectionately called him Puppy Tookie.

Maybe you can already see where this is going.

So one day my friend Pemmie, who owned the Oil & Vinegar store in Covington, invited my friend, Dian, and I to a book signing at the store.  Poppy Tooker was going to be there to sign her newly- released book.  We agreed and showed up.  Dian, who knows everyone in this hemisphere, introduced me to the author.  And then lightening struck.  The verbal disfunction of a lifetime came over me. It was the most bizarre moment.  I opened my mouth and blurted,  "Nice to meet you PUPPY TOOKIE."

I shook my head and laughed, a little embarrasesd.  "Sorry," I said, "I mean, PUPPY TOOKIE."  I laughed again.  "No, wait  I mean PUPPY TOOKIE."

At this point Poppy was staring at me and starting to pull back her hand, a little afraid to shake mine.  I just know she was full-on having thoughts about 'crazed fans' and was thinking of making a break for the door.  I glanced over at my friend Dian.  I felt horrified.  She looked mortified.  Later she told me that she thought I was having a stroke.   I had to wonder myself.

I finally just mumbled something like, "Sorry --I --- I have a dog."  Then I just gave up.  I walked away laughing, red faced and kind of mystified.

Dian said a few words to Poppy and then followed me.  "What is wrong with you?" she hissed.

"I know!  This is even weirder than normal for me!" I said, shaking my head,

A couple of weeks later I learned that Poppy would be doing another book signing at an art show.  I decided to try to make amends.  So I painted a little painting of her in her wonderful, signature fork and knife earrings.  When the art show came around I went and found her.  She saw me coming and looked around for an escape.

But I was ready.  All morning I had practiced her name,  "It's not Puppy Tookie, it's not Puppy Tookie! Just stick with just Poppy and you'll be alright."  I walked up and said loudly, "POPPY!"  Once I got her first name out right, It was like a spell was broken. I explained to her about my dog and gave her the painting.  I think she got a kick out of the whole thing.  She is a pretty gracious person and we were able to laugh about it in the end.

My takeaway from this is that it's not every day you get to fix something you screwed up so when you do, be grateful.  And I am grateful.  Thanks for the do-over,  PUPPY TOOKIE.  Aw Dammit!

On Being a Chameleon


There is nothing certain in this life except change.  Some people fear it.  You'd have to be crazy not to be wary of some of it - it can be dangerous -(e.g. the changes you go through when your house floods from a hurricane.)  But life is full of lesser changes (e.g. job changes, location changes, changes in marriage status, changes in social status, changes in style ,etc, etc, )  and, for the most part, I've always embraced them.  Welcomed them even.

When I was younger I used to watch and admire people who dug into their stations in life and stayed in line and came out the other side in one piece, steady and strong.  I still admire them.  They were the kind of people  who knew who they were and stayed true to themselves -  they made life-long friends, held one kind of job, in and around one location.  I used to think something was wrong with me because I had a VERY hard time with that.  I'd be on a track going along just fine and then I would hit a point where other ideas, adventures - yes changes - would occur to me.  I would have thoughts like "What if I did that?  What if I became this person?  What if I lived over there?  What if I studied that? "  And those thoughts would not be fleeting.  They would haunt.  But here's the main thing - I loved those thoughts.  Still do. These were the moments in my life that brought great joy and excitement.  They brought the juice.

It took many years for me to accept the fact that I just like changing it up.  It is who I am inherently.   I like tasting different aspects of life - and I like doing it in different locations with different lifestyles, wearing different types of fashion and in different occupations.  I accept now that it is OK for me to go where my heart sings.  And to be a chameleon.

And so without planning ahead to live such a life - it was organic - I find that there's a long list of chameleon-like changes that have occurred.

For instance:

Locations:  I've moved over 30 times in my life.  I own a house and keep it rented out just in case I ever decide to stop moving.  But that hasn't happened yet.  I've lived in many states and in other countries.  I've even lived in many neighborhoods in my own beloved hometown of New Orleans.

Lifestyles:  I've lived in mini-mansions, on tropical islands and dead-broke in a motel.

Occupations:  I've been an employment counselor, a life coach, a real estate consultant, a pastry chef,  a caterer, a law clerk, a copywriter, a public relations manager, a marketing manager, a psychic, a pie company owner, an exercise instructor, a dress shop owner, a radio show host, an author, a speaker, a sales person who has sold art, cars, software, clothes, cell phones & yoga retreats, and, of course, I've been an artist.

Studies:  English, Law, Medicine, Business  & Culinary arts.  (I studies all these and I ended up becoming an artist - go figure!)

Hair: Even my hair has gone thru the changes, I've been red, blonde, brunette, streaked, with blonde and blue, long, short, medium and chock full of extensions.

And we won't even talk about the fashion styles changes I've been through!

Of course, I've paid a price for these changes.  They have been exciting, thrilling even.  And interesting.  I've led a fairly interesting life (isn't that a Chinese curse?)  But they've cost me.  They've cost me a lot of money.  They've cost me, with a few exceptions,  the luxury of lifelong friends, relationships and resources.  They've cost me marriages.  I've made peace with myself over all this - you can't have it both ways.  I couldn't.

Either I had to do all those things in order to find the real person I am - the one who will stay (perhaps this incarnation as an artist)- or the next adventure is right around the corner.  I never know.  And it's OK either way.  I figure I'm healthy so I've still got a couple of decades left to find out. Knock wood.

My biggest take away from this life - the wiser (read older) I get, the more I realize that it's not the WHAT or WHERE I AM in this life that matters.  It is the HOW I AM IN THIS WORLD that counts.

Ever onward.
#NewOrleansart #Jaxfreyart

First Saturday!



I woke up so excited Saturday morning.  And then I did something I have been dreaming of doing for years.  I walked out of my apartment early, early -  got on my bike and rode up the street and entered beautiful City Park.  For years I've wanted to live near this park and I've recently taken a small extra apartment near it.  You will come to realize if you stay with me that I tend to move a lot!  The idea of being able to leave the house on a bike and be that close to the park was something I thought of so often.  And it was surprising - the park on Saturday mornings is busy!  It's full of people running, walking, biking, skating - you name it.  It feels healthy, lush and full of life.  I've always loved this park!  I rode on my old bike with its half-flat tires (guess I have to fix that!) and felt like I was flying - like I was ten.  Like pure life.  So happy! 



One of my art clients had me paint a mini of District Donuts and Sliders on Magazine St.  She made it sound like a wonderful place so that was my next stop and the one I chose for breakfast.  Yeah health food!  I don't actually like donuts very much but I was curious about this place, so off we go.
Well good luck parking!  It is a popular place!  I drive by and could see a long line at the counter inside.  So I illegally parked, walked up and got in line.




There was a glass case full of donuts - biggest damned donuts I've ever seen.  And interesting flavors - Horchata, Cookies and Cream, Miso Praline - odd donuts!!!  You could also order sliders and they smelled awfully good but I couldn't see eating sliders at 9 in the morning.  So I ordered a Horchata donut and coffee.  The coffee was good and strong and lovely.  The donut weighed five pounds (OK exaggerating just a little) but it tasted great!!!  Filled with cream center.  Started not to eat the whole thing but decided 'the hell with it' and did.  Fun place - lots of folks, inside and outside seating, music - feels like the urban young enjoying themselves.  Definitely go try it.


Since I was down that far on Magazine St, I decided to stop in at the Saturday morning Farmer's Market at the 700 block of Magazine.  Cute little market!  Fresh fruits and veggies, more coffee (yes coffee!), cheese, baked goods, pesto.  Everyone walking around feeling good and buying fresh healthy food.  Felt good to be there after eating a five pound donut!  Kid Chef Eliano was there giving a cooking demonstration - talented little fourteen year old chef.  Good for her!  I love entrepreneurs and when they start young, it's just fascinating.  I wish her luck! I sat and sipped my coffee, watched the Chef and listened to the music of Saturday morning.  Aaaaaahhhh!


A friend of mine told me that I should go to a little Italian market on Esplanade called Terranova's. Supermarket.   He said that he used to go there as a kid and remembered that they had the best Italian sausage in the world.  I knew I would have to paint that night so I thought some Italian sausage and a salad would make a good dinner.  I found this little market and there were Italian women behind the counter.  That made me happy right off the bat.  I made my way back to the meat counter and asked the man for his Italian sausage.  He told me that he was out, but to come back the next day.  He said, "Don't come back too early - not before 11-  I'm gonna party tonight."  Cracked me up.



Gone To Lake Lupin

I spent some years in California and spent a lot of spare time hiking the hills around Monterey.  Every spring the Lupin (some say Lupine) wildflowers would bloom.  And they were always amazing.

Deep purple/blue flowers would cover the fields and valleys.  Viewed from a distance it looked like an intense blue lake.  So I called my favorite field - Lake Lupin.  I spent many afternoons hiking in and just sitting in the Lupins, listening to complete silence and feeling bliss.  I've never felt more peaceful anywhere in the world.

                           

It's been many years since I've been to Lake Lupin but I can picture it in my mind as clear as if it were yesterday.  This picture and the association of Lake Lupin with peacefulness has caused me to make the image - my 'happy place'.  So whenever I need to think of something pleasant or peaceful to distract myself from stress or pain, or if I just want to meditate, I go to Lake Lupin in my mind and sit in the flowers.  It's amazing how well this works for me.  I use it to calm myself when getting my blood pressure taken.  I use it during unpleasant dental appointments.  I use it when I start to meditate and need to un-focus on what's in front of me.  I use it when I'm frightened or angry.  I start by picturing an old wooden screen door and hanging a hand-painted sign on that door that says "Gone to Lake Lupin".  And there I am - in the flowers again.   It always makes me smile.

Just realized that this of course, is what my tombstone should say, "This artist has gone to Lake Lupin."  Perfect, right?

Who is that Person next to you?

While ordering my vanilla latte at my local coffee shop I started talking to my favorite barista - Brad. He knows my drink, yells hello to me when I walk in and makes my latte to perfection. He's used to seeing me shamble in most mornings in yoga pants or something equally enticing haha. But this morning I was gussied up and he noticed. Related image Brad - "You look terrific, Miss Jax, why are you all dressed up?" Me - "I just came came from doing a TV interview at WWL. Had to get there early." Brad - "What was the interview for?" Me - "Well believe it or not, I set a World's Record last week" I always feel weird saying this - like I'm talking about somebody else. I went on to explain about the World's Record for Painting and he looked completely surprised. Brad - "What?! You know we see people everyday and we have no idea of who we are talking to." Me - "That's right. For instance I don't know anything about you except that you make a great latte. Now you tell me something about you." Brad, smiling shyly, " Well OK - I'm actually a Drag Queen. Me - "What? Really?" Brad- "Yep. I'm putting together a new act right now. I studied piano in college and I'm putting together a piano act wherein I play and act." He pulled out his phone and showed me his pictures. Me - "That's pretty amazing! And now that you've said it - I can see it - you've got a really great face, pretty eyes and adorable dimples. Now where can I come see you?" Brad - "I'm all over right now but when I get the act together, I'll let you know when you come in for another latte." I was thrilled because I loved his story. My barista has this completely wonderful other life outside of just serving me my morning addiction. Note to self - you don't know who's standing next to you in this city - or what their story is. Ask and be astounded more often.

author

Mama Jax from New Orleans, LA.
Jax Frey is an artist who creates bold, colorful, super-textured paintings of all things New Orleans. Look for Jax's line of New Orleans mini paintings, her favorite painting series of New Orleans women called the Gumbeaux Sistahs (I love those chicks!) and other favorite Jax products on her website - www.artbyjax.com I hope you enjoy your visit here and your comments make my day!

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