I'm glad the Artella Angels have added this forum as I've so often found myself wanting to share my thoughts, excitement, or praise for the features in the Daily Muse.  

I LOVED the April Fool's Day issue and laughed out loud about the ways to be a memorable friend (not!) and Constance's wacky photoshop tutorial, written mainly in the bathroom.  It was also so exciting to learn that Elizabeth Barrett Browning had actually written her famous poem for her beloved cat.

I'm a big fan of Paulette and loved her recent dalliance with the chakra colors. 

 And my day would not be complete without the jigsaw puzzle and "Ask the Artist."

I've loved seeing Chameleon's beautiful keepsakes in the Calmics lately, too.

full of admiration and gratitude,

KateSinging 

I'm coming to The Artella Daily Muse from a different perspective.  But I love...

... that delightful lightbulb moment when I first came across The Muse and said out loud, "OH!  This is going to be FUN!"

... that SO much of the best of The Muse comes straight from Artella Cafe artists and writers!

... working with the Artella staff!  They are tops -- in creativity,reliability, flexibility, lifelong learning and life learning, support for one another, and commitment to Artella principles of joy, community, creativity, and paying it forward.

... that The Muse speaks to so many creative folks, on so many levels!

... saying, "I work for Artella, where among other things, I'm copy editor for The Artella Daily Muse."

... and where else can THIS happen? -- working for a paper where! you! can! never! use! too! many! exclamation points!!!!

cb

 Fabulous, Constance!  I especially love those great principles of joy, community, creativity and paying it forwards.  That is pure inspiration right there.

There's much more to say.  Something else I loved recently was that fascinating article about the tribal people (in Africa?  South America?  I should have printed it out!) who HEAR color.  I'm very interested in experiences of that kind - synesthesia, I believe it's called.  The implications of this for artists are quite intriguing.  I wonder, for instance, if any of the Artella visual artists hear color or see music?   Does anyone remember the details?  I'd love to read more about them.

 Today's epitaphs were hilarious, too!  I liked the balance of sweet, funny and serious in all this epitaph-talk.  And I'm really enjoying the companion-piece poems to the Wedding quartet.  And I may move my bedside table now that I know about those poison arrows...

 KateSinging, eager reader

Hi Folks!

I just found this forum so I thought I would put my $0.02 in here.  OMG, Constance! I surely hope that your world doesn't tip over and you don't fall off. You would certainly be sorely missed and I don't think you could be easily replaced! And, I couldn't agree more about those exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You can also count me as one of those who love those principles of joy, community, creativiy, and paying it forward. I can also honestly say that the Musepaper is the only newspaper I read!

 Lots of Hugs to Y'all  (Extra BIG Hug)

Absolute, Amen, Sister!!!  And so many things to love about Constance..... 

Did you guys know that the book "Pay it forward" took place in Atascadero, which is --- like --- half an hour from me?  So we have lots of "Pay it  Forward" bumper stickers around here, including front and center on my own little wagon.

 I love, love, love, the "Today's Brew".  And the "Using my Powers for Good" lady that does the Friday laugh thingee.  And the Daily Map!!! Love that.  And of course, I always run over and check what's on the daily Clip Art.  And if they have Card of the Day today I love that.  And I love that I can scroll down to the huge big field that says "Go Back to the Front Page" that has the little Artella lady dancing her little dress.  No hunting around the page! 

 Gratefully,

sooz willa muse

 I'm enjoying Paulette's visit to the world of grains and starches, too...

 And today's thought of the day made me laugh out loud.  Couldn't have said it better myself!

KateSinging 

What fun it has been to see all the wedding poems, and I've also really been enjoying Vicky White's articles that have to do with the law of attraction (hope I got her name right).  And today's quote of the day was a humdinger and rang in my mind all day. If you didn't catch it, it said (more or less):  "At the day of judgement, everyone will be judged for the things that he could have enjoyed, but didn't."

Fabulous!

KateSinging 

 Man, Constance, that was one fabulous poem you put in there today!  I read it with my mouth agape (well, you know what I mean) - astounded and plain old tickled by the rhyme-scheme and the wit.  Hot stuff.

Thanks very much -

KateSinging 

 Wow!  I LOVE that map of the circus tents in today's Muse.  For some reason, just the words  "Animal Men's Rest Tent" fill me with a kind of zest - and the notion that in 1947 there was still a need for a blacksmith's tent (not to mention a "Grease Joint") surpasses my dearest hopes.  This is a whole world, and looking at the map, I feel I'm there, touring among the dog tent, the donnickers (look that one up!), the clown alleys, and the cockhouse.  At last I'm getting my chance to run away with the circus. Thanks, Musepaper editors!

KateSinging 

 On the other hand, I've studied the map even more now and spotting the "Colored Laborer's Rest Tent" gave rise to a different feeling.  And a poem, which I'm posting in the National Poetry Writing Month forum, since it is my poem for today.  But what excites me about this is how idiosyncratic is our organ of inspiration.  Who knew how wrapped up I might become in this map?  So thanks again for the spark, editors.

KS 

 I was so moved to read of John Beal, the man who has undertaken to clean up one of Seattle's waterways.  Given just four months to live, and carrying wounds from the Vietnam War both in body and soul, he decided to use his time to restore a stream near his house.  Now, more than 20 years later, that stream is alive with fish and wildlife, and John Beal is still living and still dedicating his time to improving the world.

 A great reminder that there is always something positive to do:  always.

I'm inspired.

KateSinging 

 Paulette, I love you!  I love this whole beetle series so much, and today she has outdone herself with the metallic tones of the sacred scarab beetle!

I also loved Basho's beautiful haiku in the thought of the day:

    The temple bells stops

    but I still hear the sound

    coming out of the flowers.

I also loved P. Mosca's mantra today:  I create!

And finally, the desserts sounded wonderful, but I liked even more the quirky, funny, well-written, and even piquant descriptions of their preparation.  First class!

I loved today's "Daily Giving" column.  Of course, it's a great concept, but this article was well-written and outlines ways to overcome all of the objections that I imagine would exactly come up.  Good job on this! 

 Cute drawing, too...

sooz

 OK, I know I keep saying this, but every day I love Paulette more.  I could NOT believe it when she came dressed in the colors of the Flower Beetle last week.  I laughed for about ten minutes straight!  And now that she has been joined by her brother Hugh for the birds, I am still more beside myself. This column is guaranteed pleasure at breakfast time.  Thank you for your zaniness and inspiration, Fred Hintze!

KateSinging