NATURE CALLS...TO REST AND RELAX AND ENJOY

 It was definitely time. So off to the mountains for time away from the "normalcy" of everyday life. Was it worth it? Oh, yeah!

The Stellar's Jay came to visit first, but the birdsong from the nearby trees said that more was to to come. I could identify the robin, the grosbeak, the house finches, and of course the crow. There is also the chatter of the tree squirrel, perhaps scolding us for intruding.

The sunlight casts its light through the trees, shading and enhancing the various greens and warming the wood colors in tree trunks. The light also illuminates nearby stark peaks in all their magnificence. 

A brisk breeze picks up just as I am basking in all of this wonder and reminds me it is time to go out and explore. And so I shall!

THANKFUL

Thanksgiving just might be my favorite holiday of all. No, it's not the turkey or stuffing or mashed potatoes or even the pumpkin pie. It is the pause to reflect on the things for which to be thankful.

For me, thanks are due not so much for things, though I am grateful for a roof over my head and food on my table. No, gratitude for me is about people and connections, I think.

I am thankful for a supportive family unit that is healthy and whole. I am thankful for friends and relationships that give me joy and opportunity to grow. I am thankful for the opportunity to give back through the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund--philanthropic arm of the Sawdust Art Festival--and for the many wonderful connections through this giving. I am thankful for creative juices that continue to flow. I am thankful for the opportunity to hold art workshops that fuel me in innumerable ways, not least of which is the delight I feel when joining together with the many creative students involved.

And, last but not least (and I'm certain I have forgotten so many things), I am thankful for each and every day in this beautiful place I call home.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Shadow and light rest on the hills like casual clothing as the sun eases its way down the western sky. As I watch I can feel the world around me and in me. And I wonder...what do I choose to have pass through me? 

The answer rises up. I choose energy, creative energy, and the connections engendered by this.  I am reminded of the words of John Muir: The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing.

For me, this connection exists not only in nature, but while utilizing energy to create, whether an art piece or a special meal or a home or garden design. This is flying. This is gliding and singing and tingling and vibrating. 

Let me at it!!

 

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS AND...

Dear World,

Hard not to be hopeful with this kind of beauty around. Call me a Pollyanna if you will for the stereotype of young girl with infectious optimism does not insult me at all. If my optimism, my hopefulness, my own joy in life extends to just one other person in the world I can be glad.

2020 has without a doubt been a truly rough year and more so for some than for others. Still, out of this year have come many beautiful stories of hope amidst struggle. I choose to hang on to those stories. 

There is much to hope for on the horizon. We have vaccines beginning to be approved and administered and, while it may be some time before the full effect can be felt...well, how hard is it really to wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance, etc? When the going gets tough.... We ARE tough, and the toughest have found ways to work through. The future is pretty bright after all.

Life has thrown us a big curve this year, but we cannot operate well ruled by fear. It takes an attitude of joy and hopefulness to surmount the tough days along with gratitude for all that we do have, however little it may be. Choose joy. Choose beauty. Choose gratitude. Choose awe. Choose hope and optimism.

Love, Pollyanna

SWEET TIME

 

Sweet time... as in "They took their sweet time about it." At least that seems to be the usual way we view the two words.

But sweet time can be something entirely different. Seems like there might be myriad possibilities for sweet time. Where would my own "sweet time" take me?

Clearly, it would often be outdoors. Beautiful, sunny December days beckon and I can think of no better way to respond than to put on my walking shoes, grab a bottle of water and a mask and just get going.

Birdsong and crisp morning air greet me each day as I step out the door. No rules. I can go anywhere I choose. And, in fact, it seems that during this enduro-pandemic that most of Laguna and a few other shoreline vistas have been explored on my sweet time, either alone or with walking companion, Catharine.

Post walk the days drift along, filled with household and gardening chores, time to read, card-making and other small art projects. No rush, no push/pull, no sense of must do or shoulds. Taking my own sweet time is just that and all about the beauty of simply being.

Sweet time stretches out like a long, soft ribbon floating on the ocean breeze. Absorption in the colors of the season, the warmth of the sun, and the cool touch of a breeze fill the sweet time. Treading along familiar roads and hidden pathways the time is filled with reminders of the beauties of our coastal town and how really fortunate we are to be here.

So often we are told time is of the essence. Perhaps so. Also, though sweet time IS the essence.

SOMETIMES GREAT BEAUTY...

 ...just stops you in your tracks. Such was the case over the weekend as I walked in an alleyway north of town.

I pulled out my phone and took a thirty-second video of the amazing colors dangling over the wall. It somehow seemed such a shame to have such beauty so hidden from usual view.

This screenshot is a bit blurry, but I think one can still see just how glorious this sighting was. I am grateful and so happy to share. 

For the video you can go to Instagram and cherrildotystudio

Enjoy...and always CHOOSE JOY!

WHAT MATTERS MOST

Essential playtime

"Is your life organized around what matters most to you?" In my earlier counseling/coaching days this was a staple question asked of clients. It popped into my head again today as I commiserated with myself about the many things that seem near impossible these Covid days.

As the question and the commiserations rambled around in my mind I realized that, while there are so many things like time with family and friends and road trips and teaching workshops--things that matter A LOT to me--other things have begun to show up that still feed my soul. 

My brown-thumb gardening attempts are challenging and yet showing signs of success. Finding ways to stay in touch with friends and family calls on creativity at times. Enjoying the time for reading, watching webinars of unfamiliar, often intriguing authors reading their work and talking about the process of writing for them. Taking ever longer walks and exploring new pathways. These things have begun to fill the time in fascinating ways that have begun to "matter" too.

We humans are really pretty adaptive so perhaps what matters most can adapt and evolve as well.

The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. (John Muir)

LEST WE FORGET

Low tide

Feet mooshing in sand

Sun kissing skin

Breeze ruffling hair

Sanderlings skittering

Gulls squatting together

Waves lapping onshore

Glorious

Blessings

Gratitude

Joys of being alive in the moment

SOFT SOUNDS IN THE SILENCE

Solace

As I drift off to sleep each night the sound of a lone owl softly hooting in a nearby tree brings a gentle smile to my face. It is a lovely sound that somehow brings the solace of normalcy (or is it the normalcy of solace?)

The sounds of nature are often what brings comfort to counter the aggravations of a given day. Whether the soft lap of waves on the shore, the hoot of the owl, the cooing of doves, the trickle of water in a lovely brook, or a soft breeze blowing through the trees, these sounds in their very softness temper the noises of our everyday world. Hearing these things, I for one find myself eased by them.

What are some of the sounds that lift your spirits?

A creek in a canyon

TRICKY BUSINESS

In the garden

"Working with goals in creative work is tricky business."__Beverly Cassell, founder of Artist Conference Network

Beverly's words have stayed with me over the many years since being active in ACN. They were just some of the many words of wisdom that made for breakthrough creative process.

So, goals. In 2019 one of many goals was to write this blog two times each and every week. And, yes, somehow I seem to have managed that. It just made sense then to continue, to "Keep It Simple" as I titled the first blog post of 2020. 

The "tricky business" part seems to have shown up primarily in the form of Covid-19. It seems that (again, keeping it simple) I have lost my commitment to the goal.

We have all been affected by this pandemic in one way or another and sometimes in many ways. So commitment to a goal might have come up for many of you as well. For me, the blog-writing has fallen away in part because it has at times felt there was nothing about which to write. Sure, I know that is incorrect. But, in trying to avoid talking about the elephant in the room I just seem to have found myself lacking inspiration.

Still, I could write about what small things I have been creating. The gardening, which seems to have taken a large chunk of some days, could also provide writing fodder. What about plans for creating workshops in the future? Where are those plans in process now? Or write of the beauties of nature on the many walks each week. With my love for the sights and sounds there should be plenty there. So, yes, there are many things to write on this blog.

The "motor" stalled, but right now I am committing again to the goal. Beverly also stated that the creative process "doesn't tolerate much in the way of 'shoulds' around goals." No "shoulds" here then; just a commitment to being in action and to simply observe what shows up instead.

For right now, I've begun. Now back to the baking and the gardening. Back soon.

COME WALK WITH ME

Just come along with me...

in peaceful meditation

ENJOY

THE SAME BOAT...

Memorial Day weekend. I think picnics and barbecues and other friend and family gatherings. But, alas....

I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss hugs and kisses and even friendly smiles (the downside of masks.) I miss my workshop students and teaching them. I miss camaraderie and laughter and sharing of stories. This time of year, I miss the gathering of fellow artists and artisans as we pick a spot and build the booth that will be home away from home for 66 days of summer at the Sawdust Art Festival here in Laguna. I even miss all the decision-making that goes into that venue for each of us.

Yet, while I miss these and so many other things, I am happy to have my health and a roof over my head, food on the table and gas in my car. I am thrilled to be able to walk 4-5 miles each morning, whether in the neighborhoods, in the hills, along the beachfront, or the harbor. I am lucky. I am grateful. I am hopeful that all these things I miss will return.

But I have to admit I'm still sad; I still miss all of it and all of you. So stay safe and healthy, practice that social distancing and wear that mask and do whatever else it takes so that we may all come back together....PLEASE.

Lots to do

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT.....

Glorious day

 It's a pretty phenomenal day outside after yesterday's light rainfall. Super spring weathery! AND I'm STILL in a crabby mood. I accept it and move on. Every day just can't be emotionally lovely, right?

Camillia's angel

On another note, though, I received this fun angel from student Camillia yesterday. The angels just keep trickling in 😃 If you have done one, don't hesitate to send it my way. And Camillia did a smart thing. She copied her angel so that she can use it for many cards or other.
Good thinking!

What are you doing to keep busy and in touch even when not in a great mood?

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS

Laguna sky

I don't know just what made the day seem special. Was it the earrings I put on before heading out for a morning walk? Was it the lovely video of dancers sent early by my daughter's mother-in-law? Was it enjoying texting yesterday with my eldest grandson? Was it the cookies baked and sent over by my neighbor Bina? Was it the delivery of yet another Round Robin journal and some laser images delivered by friend Faith? Was it time spent in the garden weeding? Or the time clearing out shelves in my office in anticipation of a distant opportunity for new flooring?

These things and probably more. Sunshine. A light breeze. Morning fog that felt so sublime and soothing. Birdsong that seems to be everywhere. An array of pelicans flying low over the ocean's waves. A Zoom celebration of friend Eloise's birthday.

And there are probably more little moments that participated in making the day just feel good. So I will hold on to all of these things and hope for more of the same on yet another day...maybe dare I hope tomorrow? Life brings so many opportunities for enjoyment if I only look up from the busy-ness and the lists and the niggling fears. 

Live my best life with what I am given...for the now.

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.

CHOOSING...

Tools of the "trade"

Such a beautiful day! I have to admit that it is a little bit hard to want to spend time inside the studio. Can I choose to just let yesterday's juvenile whale sighting and the gorgeous colors of sky and water suffice? Can I capture them in my mind enough to focus more closely on what I playfully call work?

Choosing joy has such ridiculous issues, doesn't it? To joyfully spend time in the outdoors, basking in color and light or to play joyfully in the studio creating....hmmmm.

What will I choose?

DAYLIGHT

Sunrise

While admittedly not much of a fan of the early darkness since the time change, I have to say the early morning walks are spectacular here along our coast.

The other day I was up and out early before light and walked along the shore's edge in the sand. The sound of the water's movement and waking bird life filled me with joy. What a way to begin a day!

All of life is not easy. Things don't always go the way we might like. Political upheaval and rancor eats at us.
We lose friends to horrific disease and age. And yet...yes, there is the chance to choose joy. Starting the day with these wonderful walks is my way to do just that. Hope you can try it.

POST ROAD TRIP?...JUST SLEEP

Silver City mural

Mexican Trestle

Rio Grande

Animas River

Grand Mesa lake

Home from yet another great road trip and all I want to do right now is sleep, sleep, sleep. So, for now, I will merely share a few pictorial highlights from the road. Clearly, Jenna and I are enamored of rivers and trees...and the very bluest of skies. Our agreed upon highlight was the day in Las Cruces when we first hiked in Cloudcroft to the Mexican Trestle and then visited the phenomenal White Sands National Monument.

All in all, a wonderful trip with daughter #2 (wish I could get #1 out on one of these) filled with sights and sounds to remember, but not enough wildlife sightings, though we saw a handful of deer here and there.

It was a great break and when I am finished with catching up on sleep there is much to do here with a full week ahead. Back to reality, I guess.

MONARCH REIGN AT THE SAWDUST

The milkweed plant at the edge of my Sawdust Art Festival booth is doing its job well. A little over a week ago, the first Monarch flew around, landed on the plant several times, and then apparently moved on. 

A few days later, two caterpillars were spotted munching away on the leaves. Then, one of them left the plant and wandered back and forth across the 2x6 beam above, finally settling after two days on a spot near the corner post.

Meanwhile, two more caterpillars appeared. One of the original two found a spot to make a cocoon near the edge of the planter.

The jewel-like cocoon formed is truly a miracle with the metallic gold line circling it and the silk formed from which to hang. Amazing!

The other two caterpillars were not to be seen when I checked this morning, but I am sure, with closer inspection, I will find them at some point in the day.

I have learned so much about Monarchs and their life cycle since this all began, both from guests and fellow artists, and--of course--Google.

More next time of what has been learned.

And, once again, the words of Rainer Marie Rilke come to mind: Everything is gestation and then bringing forth.

You can watch the progress in Booth #205 at the Sawdust Art Festival.