AH, SPRINGTIME...ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

 

Having a lot of fun with these bleeding tissue papers. Different sizes and shapes and vast amounts of possible play. The fun playtime got me thinking of missed workshops, missed camaraderie of friends together creating....and so...a possibility was born and the first workshop of 2021 is scheduled and full with safety in mind throughout all the planning. It does the heart good for sure!!

In the meantime, I will continue keeping the post office in business by creating and sending cards. 

There are so many lovely days of springtime ahead...what are your endless possibilities??

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!

NEED I SAY MORE?

EVERY DAY?

Postcards galore

"Create every day! Make it your job."

Well, my job got in the way of my commitment to twice a week on this blog. It was on my mind to write yesterday, but I just got carried away with a new series of fun pieces and worked on it way into the night. 

How I have found myself creating lately is by finding usefulness in the creations. Cards, postcards, etc.--small things that can be sent to hopefully brighten someone's day. And, it may be my "job,"but it also brings joy into my own day as I work.

So, back to work I go...heigh ho, heigh ho 😃 And maybe I can make up for my oops by posting three blogs this week. We shall see.

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

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.

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.

AH, THE SEESAWS!

Balancing time

Do you remember being on a seesaw as a child and reaching down with your toes, trying to maintain the delicate balance with your friend on the other end?

Sometimes life seems a bit like that...the balancing so very tenuous.

In my previous blog post I spoke of wanting to keep it simple. Talk about a balancing act! WOW!

Two weeks into January and the simple too often already gets out of balance with too much, too many, too busy, too crazy. 

But commitment helps. This morning in the darkness of pre-dawn as I scrunched down into the warmth of the blankets, I heard the hoot of the neighborhood owl. It seemed to be ever so wisely reminding me of the simple, the balance. So, though I wanted to stay snug and warm, up I popped and headed for that first cup of coffee, committed to the healthy and simple choice of a morning walk.

As they say, one day at a time.