anything; everything.

Artists’ Handmade Houses

Artists’ Handmade Houses is a collection with images by Don Freeman and text by Michael Gotkin of 13 homes handcrafted by the finest artists and craftsmen in America, including George Nakashima, Henry Varnum Poor, Sam Maloof, Wharton Esherick, and Russel Wright. Built over the course of 75 years, from the late-19th century to the mid-20th century, these homes were each designed and built by the artists as an expression of their aesthetic sentiments, and in many cases, as extensions of their artwork. As such, these private domains are utterly unique and deeply imbued with each artist’s singular vision and talent. A few of the homes have been awarded National Historic Landmark status, and several are open to the public, while still others have sadly fallen into disrepair or are now in the hands of new owners. In a few cases, the photographs in this book represent the last record of the house as created by its artist resident.

Okay, so here’s the deal.  Tali loves the fridge.  I don’t know why, but every single time we open it, she bolts for it and jumps in.  She crawls into the back of the fridge and nestles int the smallest little corner she can.  Now naturally, my biggest fear has been that I’ll close the fridge without knowing she’s in there.  And of course, today I went to go grab my Brita filter to pour myself some water.  I wasn’t really watching the fridge, and I just opened and closed it really quickly to put the Brita back while I was looking somewhere else.  And then I looked around and realized that Tali had been in the kitchen, and now she was nowhere in sight.  So immediately, I throw open the fridge door, and there is is, hanging out in the back, content as can be.

A Week Later

I am still angry. Angry at having to fight those that seem focused on judging the life of others, angry at the love affair with guns, angry at the feeling of frustration and hopelessness, angry at the Cheeto Jesus and his hate rhetoric, angry at feeling that there are no safe places in the world, angry at the hypocrisy of sending prayers while denying basic human rights, angry.

Forty nine people, twenty three of them Puerto Ricans, guilty of nothing but living life. Another gunman, like all of them regardless of race or religion, intent on killing for the sake of killing, the idea of hurting others to make up for their own shortcomings their preferred option in life. Thinking of all of you out there, regardless of religion, national origin, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, familial status, disability… be safe but don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Images identified from the top:

The City Hall and Grand Place of Brussels illuminated in rainbow colours for the victims of a mass shooting in Orlando on June 12 are reflected in a puddle in Brussels, Belgium, on June 13. (Oolivier Hoslet/EPA) 

Students light candles around a rangoli, or mural made out of colored powders, for the victims of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando inside an art institute in Mumbai, India, on June 13. (Danish Siddiqui/Reuters) 

Trashina Cann (left) and Vixen Noir, both of San Francisco, attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Orlando attack against a gay night club, held in San Francisco on June 12. (Beck Diefenbach/Reuters)

People light candles during a vigil for the attack at the gay club in Orlando, on June 13, in Bangkok, Thailand. (Dario Pignatelli/Getty Images) 

A rainbow flag is seen at Sydney Town Hall as it is illuminated pink to remember victims of the Orlando night club massacre on June 13 in Sydney, Australia. (Daniel Munoz/Getty Images)

A Swiss LGBT activists places a candle during a vigil for the victims of a mass shooting in Orlando at a church in Zurich, Switzerland on June 13. (Ennio Leanza/EPA) 

A couple embraces as people gather in front of a makeshift memorial in New York to remember the victims of a mass shooting in Orlando on June 12. A gunman opened fire inside a crowded nightclub early Sunday before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers. (Andres Kudacki/Associated Press) 

People attend a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting at a gay nightclub, held in San Francisco on June 12. (Stephen Lam/Reutes) 

Flags fly at half-staff around the Washington Monument at daybreak in Washington with the US Capitol in the background on June 13. President Barack Obama ordered flags lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the Orlando nightclub shootings. (J. David Ake/Associated Press) 

A note saying ‘love always wins’ with the colors of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) flag, is seen left at a vigil in honor of the victims of a mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando outside the US embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 13. (Diego Azubel/EPA)