AND ON THE HORIZON...

Early morning horizon line

As 2019 draws to a close I find myself pondering what there might be just on the other side of the horizon line. What do I want? What do I think is there?

Creative ideas seem to abound. Doubt there is anywhere near the time to fit them all in, but considering all of them is part of the process of choosing. And half (or maybe even more) of the fun.

On the horizon are some things over which it feels I may have little or no control. Still, how they are handled is an area where I hold the reins for myself.

And, speaking of choosing...healthy choices, on so many levels, are right at the tip-top of any list I might make for myself. Continuing with, and adding to, daily exercise. Eating those leafy greens and other good choices could be pushed even further. Blessed with good health, I am reluctant to squander it, that is for sure.

Enjoying more sunrises. Basking in more of the gorgeous sunsets with which we are blessed here on the coast, adding to road trips, more time with friends and family......the list goes on and on.

Bring it all on 2020! I guess I'm ready for you.

WHAT'S COMING?

Even as end of year thoughts and questions are being pondered in regard to what this next decade might bring, I find myself happily picking up previous unfinished pieces to work on.

This piece just wasn't working for some reason and then, as it languished, I somehow spilled alcohol inks on it. DRAT! So I merely set it aside to be dealt with later. Well, I guess later has come because I find myself longing to now complete this.

What does this mean for future work? Hmm. More to ponder, I suppose.

Meanwhile, back to playful creating!

DUALITIES

A post-Christmas morning view

"I am both happy and sad at the same time, and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."
(from The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

Walking along the seaside paths in the early morning there is plenty of time for contemplation. This often includes sorting through feelings that arise from life's events. I am often surprised to find that there is a mixed bag of emotions seemingly occurring at one and the same time.

Can this be? Are glad and sad really in the same exact moment or are they flipping so quickly that one cannot tell?

Perhaps another morning walk with sounds of lapping sea and gulls laughing will provide the answer. Or perhaps...simple acceptance of the duality that appears.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS...

The owls have quieted and now the rain begins again. Softly, it falls on the rooftop (no reindeer hooves, for sure...not yet, anyhow.) 

The hour is late and peaceful. The day has been full, with sunshine and good news aplenty. My heart feels full, but I trust that tomorrow will fill it even more.

Yet, in the midst of this joy,I want to remember that there are others not quite so fortunate. There are those struggling with sorrow and loss, homelessness and hopelessness and more. Let us not forget them.

My wish for ALL is for a holiday that is merry and bright and the best it can be.

WHY NOT...?

Why not holiday butterflies?

In the midst of working the early shift and dealing with what life brings into play, the holidays just seem to have taken a bit of a "back seat."

When I blithely said to a friend yesterday that maybe I would just have the ingredients on hand for a nice spaghetti dinner for Christmas day, she was aghast. "Wasn't tradition important to me?"

Don't get me wrong, I love traditions and place value on them.  But...when it comes right down to it, what really matters to me is not the tree, not the presents, not the wrapping, the songs, or the holiday baking. What really matters is having those I love near me, not only at this holiday season, but all the time.

So butterflies, spaghetti,...why not?

LAUGHTER

A quick blog post before a busy day:

I hope in this busy season you are all taking a bit of time for laughter. Yes, it's a tough time for many of us, but laughter is just so darned healthy. 

Just do it. Find the things that can make you smile, laugh, grin, and enjoy those moments in the midst of whatever else might be going on.

Choose joy!

100...IT'S ALL ABOUT GOALS...AND GOING FOR THEM

It has been almost a year now since setting the goal to do two blog postings each week. I was surprised to see the number "100 pop up the other day when I had posted. Sounded like a lot.

If I am calculating correctly, that would mean that after this post I will be a mere three away from the goal with a full two weeks left in the year.  Hmmm. Pretty sure I missed one in October while on road trip. So.... 

It seems like even though I blew it (failures are not bad, by the way) at least once, maybe I played overachiever a couple of times as well. In any case, I am not at all displeased with the result this far. It has been a great challenge and has pushed me (at times when I did not want to be pushed AT ALL.

I'm super pleased that I didn't add any adjectives like "good" or "interesting" or "scintillating" to that goal. That would have pulled in an unnecessary judgment call. Looks like the goal will be reached, with a small glitch or two, and I am happy with just that.

What shall the next goal be? Hmmmmmmmmm

NOT THE ONLY ONES...

Love it!

This week Merriam-Webster announced the word of the year. "They."
I'm all for it and find the emphasis a definite sign of the times that will prove useful to so many.

But my favorite word? A new one to me (seen to the right.) I love the sound of it and I love what it means. I find myself wanting to use it all the time. It represents something I love, something I long to have more time for.

I suppose I could supply the definition, but that takes part of the fun out of this wonderful word. I hope you will look it up and be as enthralled with the mere thought of it as I am.

(Thanks to Kelsey Paprocki for the mug and the word.)

WHAT REMAINS

Rain's remains

The raindrops remained on the leaves for so many hours after the downpour had stopped. It got me thinking about how everything has something that remains, often long after the event itself.

It has been a month since my mother's passing. What remains? Memories, of course, but what of her, what of her essence is still here?

I ponder this as the rain again begins to fall on yet another rainy day. It may take me a while to form clear thought on this.

We shall see.

OH, WHAT FUN IT IS...!

Robyn, her angel, and angel's dog-angel

Robyn's daughter, Kelsey, scheduled this fun Sawdust Art Class with me as a surprise. Nine of Robyn's friends and family shared a fun evening creating, eating, laughing, and simply enjoying.

They were a really diverse-seeming and enjoyable group. Gotta say I love teaching these classes anyway, but this was a really special group.

Next class of Whimsical Collage Angels is December 14th at the Sawdust Art Festival.

Anyone can join in the fun.




FUN! FUN! FUN! 

Some of the angels created