RIVERS and their care

We love the waterways of Georgia, and spend many hours in or near them. Conservation is very important. There are ways to get involved. 

Cindi with an Eye participated in the "Sweep the Hooch" event this year alongside Mr. Kip. It's run by the Riverkeepers. https://chattahoochee.org/sweep-the-hooch/ Our team collected over 40 bags of trash at the Island Ford hiking and biking area of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area. Sweep the Hooch returns for the 16th year! This watershed-wide trash cleanup brings together hundreds of volunteers at dozens of parks, tributaries, and access points along the Chattahoochee River each year.

Eye am also donating an original painting titled "Walleye" for the annual meeting silent auction for the Upper Etowah River Alliance. All of the funds raised to purchase this painting will benefit river conservation. 

2026 UERA Annual Membership Meeting

April 11 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Jones Mercantile Building Downtown Canton

Upper Etowah River Alliance  https://www.etowahriver.org
Vision:
To inform, educate and partner with communities to work together to conserve, sustain and protect the environmental health and water quality of the Upper Etowah Watershed.

Mission:
Provide regional leadership, resources, consultation, education, training materials and events to protect, conserve, enhance and sustain the natural beauty, environmental and economic resources, and recreational opportunities of the Upper Etowah Watershed for present and future generations.

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Reclaim and Reuse - Art framing

Reclaiming Frames: Breathing New Life into Forgotten Pieces

There’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing an object that’s been overlooked, discarded, or forgotten. An old frame leaning in the corner of a thrift store. A stack of dusty pieces tucked away in a basement. A chipped, worn, or outdated object that most people pass by without a second glance. Where others see something finished, EYE see something waiting.

Reusing materials that still have so much life in them is more than a creative outlet—it’s a mindset. It’s about seeing potential instead of waste. It’s about honoring the history of an object while giving it a fresh purpose. And for me, it starts with the hunt.

The Thrill of the Find

There is an undeniable excitement in searching for pieces that others have let go of. Flea markets, estate sales, thrift stores, even curbside finds—these places are full of hidden gems. Old frames, in particular, are some of the most rewarding discoveries. They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, often with craftsmanship that’s hard to find in modern mass-produced pieces. Mr. Kip and I love heading out on adventures to discover what is calling our names.

Seeing Beyond What Is

Reclaiming is an act of imagination. It requires you to detach from what the item used to be and envision what it could be. A dated gold frame can become a modern matte black statement piece. A damaged frame might benefit from repair or a cut down to a smaller dimension. A foxing fabric frame that is yellowing can be cleaned and painted (see the turtle frame, its painted).

The Process of Transformation

Breathing new life into an old item is both technical and intuitive. It might involve sanding, repairing, painting, or reconfiguring—but it also involves letting its character guide you.

There’s no single right way to do it. Each piece demands its own approach.

Why It Matters

In a world driven by convenience and constant consumption, reclaiming materials is a quiet act of resistance. It reduces waste, yes—but it also reconnects us to craftsmanship, to creativity, and to patience. Every reclaimed frame carries a story. When you choose to reuse it, you’re adding another chapter instead of closing the book. 

More Than Just Objects

What I love most about this process is that it reflects something bigger. It reminds us that things—and people—don’t lose their value just because they’re worn, outdated, or overlooked. With a little vision, care, and creativity, something once discarded can become something extraordinary.

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Painting my way back to myself

Life can be overwhelming. Not just too busy, or too expensive, or too demanding. or too much, but your body starts to revolt, and your priorities are blurred. Then all of the sudden you feel numb, hopeless, lost...

I turned 50 this year and had a revelation of sorts.

            some may say "mid-life crisis"

                        some may say "perimenopause"

                                   others may call it "depression"

                                                "identity confusion"   "loss of purpose"   "feeling less relevant"

DOES IT HAVE TO HAVE A LABEL?!

The answer is no.

DOES IT STILL HURT?

The answer is yes.

I quit my job. Took an ambulance ride. Stopped the world from spinning around me. Took a road trip. Reconnected with family. Went to too many doctor appointments. Breathed deeply. Read my Bible, like really read it, slowly and intentionally. I started therapy again. I slowly began to recognize myself again. Not the woman I was before I quit working, not the mom I was for the past 23 years, not the wife/partner I have been for close to 30 years. The person God created me to be. The person my family saw me as, not as I saw myself.

Now what?

I enrolled in a continuing Ed course at Kennesaw State University for Advanced Painting. The healing continues...

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