Donna Bogosto Kearns

July 5, 2015
by dbkstudio
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Ribbons and Yarns and Pizza Pie, Oh My!

I had so much fun visiting the Osborne Elementary gARTen. Osborne’s principal, Barbara Mellet and her associate, Erin Dierker, were so enthusiastic about this project it made me want to pick up a shovel and dig.

Osborne’s gARTen is a collaborative working garden that provides food for an annual pizza party, smoothie day, and enough greens to share with a local food bank. Parents are heavily involved while the children are learning how food actually gets to the market. By working in the garden they become a part of that process, a win-win for sure. The children’s art surrounds this beautiful, healthy garden and it is so uplifting to watch the ribbons blowing in the wind, hearing the chimes and seeing the ripple of the crocheted ropes. Ms. Mellet told me that they, like many gardeners in Western Pennsylvania, have had an ongoing battle keeping deer away from their garden. After a few failed attempts with other methods, they were inspired by the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh’s Knit the Bridge project which covered the Andy Warhol Bridge in knitted and crocheted panels. The good news….it’s working. The deer are staying away and the plants are thriving.

Why don’t you take some inspiration from Osborne and tie some colorful ribbons around your garden. Even if the deer still come, you’ll love watching the ribbons blowing in the breeze. This was indeed a very special gARTen!

June 28, 2015
by dbkstudio
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It’s a White Week

I recently reconnected with someone whom I consider to have been my angel at a time when I really needed one. Have you ever known that special person who when you’re in a tough place doesn’t say, “let me know if there’s anything I can do”? They just seem to know what that is and then they just do it, boom, done. They won’t take any argument, they’re just there for you and to that I say thank you and I’ll work harder to be that kind of person. So that made me think of angels which then made me think of white so that was my focus this week. That also reminded me that I can’t do everything alone so I ventured out to other gardens. I’ll be doing that more often. I have a very special garden that I’m going to share with you next week. You’ll love it. Anyway, back to white. Here’s a little info about the color, or non-color, white.

White is the color of purity and ultimate peace and surrender. It’s the color of clean, light without color. You can almost smell fresh laundry blowing in the breeze hanging on the clothesline when you think of white. It is a recall of youth and simplicity, innocence, and softness. It’s said if you wear white to bed you’ll have pleasant dreams. I like white. How about you?

p.s. I had to include the green frog – he’s too cute, and alas, not mine.

Enjoy your week!

June 21, 2015
by dbkstudio
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RAINDROPS

It rains a lot in Pittsburgh in June…this year, really a lot. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when it feels like the sun is never coming out again. Don’t be afraid of a few raindrops, ok, well a lot, and know that eventually the sun will shine, if only for a little while, so be ready to enjoy.

This is sort of like life because we wouldn’t truly appreciate the sunshine or how good the rain can feel and sound if we don’t make the effort to find its splendor. I don’t know who wrote the saying “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain” but that certainly is true. We have to keep our eyes open for the opportunities to dance in the rain, close our eyes and hear it hitting the roof, and then being able to bask in the moments of sunshine.

They say every life has a little rain. Well, some folks have to make their way through a tsunami or two. I’m lucky because I’ve learned a couple of secrets along the way. Keep your eyes open for the break in the clouds and bask in that sunshine. Always have a raincoat ready so you can get out there and boogie in the raindrops.

Happy Father’s Day!

June 14, 2015
by dbkstudio
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WEEK 3 – THINK PINK

This week let’s have some fun and THINK PINK. The color pink is sweet, romantic and charming. It’s cotton candy, a celebration and fun, excitement, youthful, warm, playful and tender. Pink is nurturing and soothing. It represents the feminine principal, the survival of the species. If you like pink you’re loving and sensitive. You’re friendly but you often tend to keep your inner feelings hidden. Men who like pink are comfortable with their “feminine side” so ease up guys, it’s a good thing. A pale dull pink is calming, low energy, deferring, and placid. A bright pink has high energy and exciting. It’s been said that large amounts of pink can create a physical weakness in people, known as the “weaker sex”. I don’t know about that whole weak thing as being an accurate description.

June 7, 2015
by dbkstudio
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I MADE IT!! WEEK 2

So far, so good – week 2. That says a lot since this was really a tough week. I find it so hard to believe that it has been 10 years since Joe’s gone. It’s hard to go through the motions, move forward, begin again, after such a difficult loss. The good news…my grandchildren are here so there are lots of giggles and it’s been a very happy day. They are staying tomorrow to help me separate the zinnia seeds that are Joe’s garden. The cup with seedlings represents my last mother’s day gift from Joe, 10 years ago and the beginning of this garden.