Me Knows Better Than to Say This… but I will. Jimmy was reminded of my misadventures in stained glass when I received word that a friend from high school, Colleen Smith, was publishing her novel, GLASS HALO. This is very coincidental on several fronts as now I have a reason to read a book for the first time since high school… and since I know her, this is my one degree of separation from a celebrity. (Just hope she remembers to sign my copy likes she actually knows me).
The story line is intriguing and getting great reviews. A portion of the synopsis begs for more… “GLASS HALO is the story of an intellectual, romantic and spiritual relationship between a lapsed Catholic stained glass artist and a charismatic but alcoholic Catholic priest. Through one another and with one another, the two investigate the mysteries of life and death, love and lust, spirituality and creativity. A passionate story of hellish temptation and heavenly grace, above all, Glass Halo addresses vocation, conversion, and the healing power of art.” I couldn't do justice to the fine work, so I copied the paragraph from Colleen's website.
The story line is intriguing and getting great reviews. A portion of the synopsis begs for more… “GLASS HALO is the story of an intellectual, romantic and spiritual relationship between a lapsed Catholic stained glass artist and a charismatic but alcoholic Catholic priest. Through one another and with one another, the two investigate the mysteries of life and death, love and lust, spirituality and creativity. A passionate story of hellish temptation and heavenly grace, above all, Glass Halo addresses vocation, conversion, and the healing power of art.” I couldn't do justice to the fine work, so I copied the paragraph from Colleen's website.
I am asking that my two followers log onto www.fridayjonespublishing.com/Friday_Jones_Publishing/Glass_Halo.html for more details and purchase advanced copies… or by the time my followers read this… it will be on its second printing and in paperback.
What more can you want from a book that delves into the mysteries of life and death, lust and love… Well that is where the similarities end for Jimmy other than the mystery of my foray into the art of the stained glass world.
It all started as a brilliant idea near the end of finishing my basement. My thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to have matching stained glass panels on either side of the fireplace?” I had an extra day or two in the schedule, so why not slap a couple of chunks of glass together and finish this project off right.
I found the nearest store and sauntered in, glanced at some of the fine work hanging from the ceiling and tracked down the clerk. “Hey, can you direct me to the part of the store, where I can get a few pieces of this colored glass to assemble my stained glass window idea?”
The clerk had a puzzled look on her face, so I asked again. “I’m looking for some parts to assemble. Where do you keep the kits?”
I found the nearest store and sauntered in, glanced at some of the fine work hanging from the ceiling and tracked down the clerk. “Hey, can you direct me to the part of the store, where I can get a few pieces of this colored glass to assemble my stained glass window idea?”
The clerk had a puzzled look on her face, so I asked again. “I’m looking for some parts to assemble. Where do you keep the kits?”
Her mouth hung open… no words came out. Since she didn’t understand me, I pantomimed hand motions with the words, “Pieces… put together… where?”
Finally she spoke, “Ah… It doesn’t work that way.”
“Huh? I know what I want; I just need some help with the colors. I’m an engineer… I can put anything together… How hard can this be? As a man, I’ll make an exception and actually read the directions… but I’m pretty sure I can slap these bad boy parts together this afternoon.”
To her credit, she refused to sell me anything stating that I would not be happy with the results.
Three classes later, a year down the crapper and a boat load of equipment, I tackled my idea. I guess she knew what she was talking about. Glass is an art which can not be measured in equations. There is a feel and it takes inspiration to create the treasure.
Next time I will commission the work from someone that knows what they are doing… Colleen, is Nora Kelley available? Everyone else, you will just have to read the book to understand.
Finally she spoke, “Ah… It doesn’t work that way.”
“Huh? I know what I want; I just need some help with the colors. I’m an engineer… I can put anything together… How hard can this be? As a man, I’ll make an exception and actually read the directions… but I’m pretty sure I can slap these bad boy parts together this afternoon.”
To her credit, she refused to sell me anything stating that I would not be happy with the results.
Three classes later, a year down the crapper and a boat load of equipment, I tackled my idea. I guess she knew what she was talking about. Glass is an art which can not be measured in equations. There is a feel and it takes inspiration to create the treasure.
Next time I will commission the work from someone that knows what they are doing… Colleen, is Nora Kelley available? Everyone else, you will just have to read the book to understand.
No comments:
Post a Comment