ANGEL FLIGHT TWO

Exuding calm

Thank you, Dianna, for this serene expression. In this time where so many experience frustration at almost every turn, she is a welcome reminder.

One of the things I like about all of this is that there is opportunity to re-think so many of the ways we have been accustomed to doing things. It calls for some ingenuity, some calm, some kindness--both to self and others--and good old fashioned buckling down.

It is important, I think, to be grateful for what we do have, to get some exercise daily, to laugh, to stay in touch however we can...and, of course, to wash our hands LOTS.

ANGEL FLIGHT

First angel in

After posting the blog about angels the other day and then sending out a request to some students...
nothing happened.

It is so hard to have patience in these troubled times, so I figure this was a challenge and a test for me. All good things come to those....

So here is the first one. It flew in from Phoenix, Arizona from Gloria Gardner. I like the whimsy of it and hope you do too.

Anybody else participating?

ANGELS ABOUND

With the stay at home order in place here throughout California many of us will have plenty of time on our hands for creative play. It occurred to me that to mark this moment in history I might add to my collection of angel cards with one somehow commemorating the coronavirus and the effect it has on our lives. 

Then...the AHA moment! Why not ask my many students who have taken a workshop where we made these to create their own and share with all the rest of us.

And, then, going further, why not extend this even further out, broadening the circle. So if anyone reading this wants to participate, you are definitely invited to do so.

Angels can be posted on your Instagram, here in comments, on Facebook, or you can send them to me and I will be happy to post. Email to emmagine@cox.net 

We all need more angels, right?

POLLYANNA???

Abundant azalea

Walking friend Dean startled me a bit by referring to me as a Pollyanna yesterday. In some way I felt I could own it, but....."characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything." Yeah, probably more true than not. But other associated terms like "sweetness and light"...well, nah!

We are probably all struggling some with the issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic (and the panic pandemic as well.) I was disappointed to feel the need to cancel my own mixed media workshop for this weekend once the governor requested all of us over 65 self-isolate. It was only out of an abundance of concern for others that I succumbed to the wisdom.

I feel great (and am well over that cut off of 65) but others are at greater risk and so compassion wins out. And I am shocked a bit by those who would say things are under control and we should be going out to restaurants and bars to support them. How can the risk of disease spread be supportive? 

So, while, yes I am optimistic and I know that this like so many other things shall pass (and I actually do see some good even coming from much of this), consciousness and caring are important too.

So remember to wash your hands, please...and often.

THE INTROVERTED LIFE

Self explanatory

As a card carrying introvert one would think this whole thing of social distancing would be an easy thing. 

Not so much. 

Perhaps it is just a natural resistance to being told what to do (yeah, I have that) or some kind of stubborn refusal (like about being referred to as old and/or elderly maybe?) but the distancing is challenging.

One recent night in a need for some "social" I hosted a Scrabble gathering of four over-60 women at my home. Risky? Not so much. Needed? You bet. We all gained, I think, from this convivial time together. Hand sanitizer at the ready, we noshed and noodled and played two games, with laughter and good conversation and a few challenges to odd words along the way.

Much as I love my morning walks and view them as completely safe in this time of worry, even for this introvert it just isn't quite enough. I am not lacking in concern about the virus, and in fact, think I am doing a pretty good job of staying abreast of it all. BUT, this introvert also needs contact, I guess.

I am grateful for the healthy friends (and friendships) that I have and wish the same for all of you.

"NEW EYES"

Landscape on a distant planet?

 Marcel Proust said it well: "The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

I was drawn to the drops of morning dew on the aloe leaf, but on closer inspection realized how much it looked like some interplanetary landscape. This got me thinking about seeing...how we see, what we see, how we interpret what we see, etc.

I love the mysterious and the small things that can be re-seen in other ways. Friends like Suzette and Nadine are of the same ilk I believe and I love the photos that they take as they travel around towns. 

New eyes can marvel at the simplest of things and see the magic in them.

WOW! WHAT A DAY!

Blues and greys

After a restless, mind-boggling night of mostly no sleep, rising early and heading out into the cool morning air seemed to be the thing to do.

Because of time constraints it was speed walking time, but I just could not resist a few pictures and even a video. The early morning was beyond glorious in blue tones shading to grey.

Before long it was time to head out to the desert for some time with my sister. We went through the items she had pulled out of cupboards and drawers after my mother passed. Identifying old portraits, passing on items so familiar and yet not needed, laughter, sharing stories...it was a pretty full day.

Then, back home to heavy cloud cover and the promise of a storm. Still, I look forward to getting up early again and heading out for yet another wondrous day.

THE PROMISE OF PREP

prep tools

There are times when the preparation is at least half of the fun. It's titillating to think of what the tools could become.

I started today to gather the items I may need for the Round Robin Journal entry for March. Ideas are percolating. We shall see what shows up.

Sometimes there is complete failure of the idea, but experimentation and exploration is part of this process of journaling anyhow, so...what the heck, right?

The play is the thing, for sure!!