JUST DANCING

 Just call me twinkletoes, I guess. After writing that last blog a few weeks ago, I was blessed to receive a lovely email from a former student, who had started, along with her sister-in-law, to play in mixed media years ago when Suzette and I taught weekend workshops at the Sawdust Art Festival. 

They have gone on to take more classes from Suzette and me after we moved them here to my studio, but not for several years. They went on to take workshops from a lot of other instructors and are quite addicted. I would love to see what they have created by now as I'm sure they have gotten quite good at it. That's one of the beauties of mixed media play...the vast array of possibilities.

So, yeah, I'm dancing for joy that we were able to start someone on this wonderful path of creativity. And of course it's super to receive a note from someone like that. Purest joy! So, play me a tune, Piano Man.

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!!

 

TWO + TWO= ONE

Two doses of vaccine + two weeks = one happy gal. What a weight off! And what a thrill to be able to spend time with family celebrating our daughter's birthday! It's funny how I didn't realize the weight I was carrying in trying to maintain all the careful edicts to avoid bringing covid-19 into our milieu. And what utter joy it was yesterday to be able to hug and laugh and just be together again. Even if you don't think you are worried, go get the vaccine when you can. You might be surprised. I was.

A STICK IN TIME SAVES...

Off to Coronado for the second dose of the Moderna vaccine today. High Hopes...for so much, not least of which is that the forecasts for further deaths here in the US (which passed the half million mark now) are just flat out wrong.

I look forward to again taking road trips with daughter Jenna, dining out with friends, visits with family, hugs and more hugs and more hugs, and workshops and........... And so many other fun times that have been sitting on a back burner for almost a year now. Yes, we are moving forward quickly, but time is also moving fast so let's get that stick in the arm...NOW!

  

 

MILESTONES

Star-bellied Sneetch

It is said that babies are such a nice way to start people. While this little Star-Bellied Sneetch was not a baby at picture time, he was young enough to have that still apply. And today? Hmmmm. He has reached, as of today, the ripe old age of fifteen. Still on the way to being a "people," yet definitely all a teenager and a boy.

Love this young man and the man I am sure he will grow into as the years move on...and, of course, still love the youngster and the Star-Bellied creature that he was then.

Happy Birthday to my eldest grandson! A momentous day it is!!

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.

'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.

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.)

NOW POINTS

Cleaning find

As we enter what is for many the busiest, most hectic time of year, I find myself pondering this old art piece found while cleaning.

Time is not a line, but a series of now points.__Taimen Deshimaru

"Now points" brings me into the moment more with clarity. Can we try for this, rather than stringing ourselves out ahead with all there might be to do? Can we just be?

Now points...the warm sunrise in cool morning air on my face.

Now points...the lap of the sea on the shore--gentle, steady, calm.

Now points...two ducks scouting on the low water as they drift along near shore in clam beds.

Now points...focused watching as a blue booby goes through his grooming ritual

Now points...the cracked caw of a crow sounding nearby.

Now points...shadows and diamonds that glisten on a wave, shaped by the slant of the sun.

Now points...the rising sun chases the waning moon across the morning sky.

Now points...what are some of yours?

THE LAUGHTER KALEIDOSCOPE

RR Journal page section

Early morning. Fog shrouding the canyon, its moisture dripping from the eave. The first waking sounds of small birds....I love this time of day. Lying wrapped in sleep's leftover warmth, considering the day ahead.

The day would be a full one, even as I fight off a wanting-to-be head cold. After a good walk along the shore and a hot shower, I head off to a couple of scheduled meetings. Then, that taken care of, I can apply myself to finishing this month's Round Robin journal entry.

I had lingered too long over this one as my injured finger healed. Once the bandages came off after eight weeks, would I even then be able to draw and paint and freely create what I wanted to do?

Well, after the first shock of not being able to bend the finger, without manually helping it.... And, now, a week later, finger things are mostly back to normal, thank goodness. So I begin the play. Crazy little bird creatures, that I think of as wizards popped up. Then, a lovely quote from Jean Houston: "At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities."

Seems just about right to me. What do you think?

FOG BLOG

Morning fog

Ah...a walk in morning fog along the coast...what's not to love about it? Fog creates contrasts unseen in normal light. Colors are both muted and more vibrant. Sounds are muffled at times and yet, at other times, seem to carry farther. And, overall, the fog creates a lovely meditative state, at least for me.

And, so, on this morning walk, I could hear the sharp sound of black oystercatchers somewhere in the grey, but could not see them. The sounds of a Laughter Yoga group carried much farther than usual, it seemed. The stalk of a century plant seemed to stand out in sharp contrast rather than the usual blending in. Yellow hibiscus seemed radiant in the shroud of grey.

A wonderful start to a beautiful day!

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.__E.L. Doctorow

Sometimes, seeing only as far as your headlights is just perfect.

LEFTOVERS

Workshop fun

Shave and a haircut two bits

 Leftovers can be for more than just dinner remains. Here are some borrowed funnies from other Halloween blogs.

Hope you enjoy these...and they won't make you fat (or satisfy that sweet tooth either...darn!)

Witch humor

Art teacher treats

Black humor

LOVING THE ROAD

Sorry no pictures this time. Having to do blog from my phone and in a hurry. Daughter #2 and I are still on our road trip adventure, having gone through Arizona and New Mexico and arriving today in Colorado. There will be plenty to share , but the highlights are time together, rivers, and great hikes. More to come 
Signing off for now. 

PAREIDOLIA?... REALLY?

What do you see?

Pareidolia...what a mouthful of a word! It refers to the fact that our brains are always on the alert for possible patterns in the world around us. Logic need not apply.

When you were a kid (and possibly still) did you see images in the clouds? in the wallpaper? in the intricate designs of a carpet? Well, then I guess you are already familiar with pareidolia. 

Daughter Jenna and I are off on another road trip soon and perhaps there will be many opportunities for experiencing pareidolia. I hope so. Meanwhile, with 82 blog posts complete for the year, I hope to figure a way to continue my two a week commitment while on the road. And I'm behind this week as I have been too busy with other things so expect another post probably today. Crazy, right? But goals is goals is goals...

WHETHER AND WEATHER...

Coastal currents

Dawn broke to the soft hoot of a pair of owls in a nearby tree. For a while I simply stayed snuggled in bed and just listened. Eager to get the day started, I was nevertheless mesmerized and a bit to warm to want to leap out just yet.

Once up, though, I slurped down my large mug of Sumatra coffee, got dressed, and headed out along the coast for my morning walk. My goal for the day is 12,000 plus steps so I knew I wanted to get to it. 

Once at the shore's edge, though...well, more being mesmerized. What can I say?

Once the trance lifted and I was well on my way, my thoughts turned to the annual road trip daughter Jenna and I will be taking soon. Weather has turned our intentions around and around and there was even a point where I was frustrated enough to wonder whether we would even pull it off this fall.

Finally, we have arrived at our dates of travel, but destination is the "whether" and controlled mostly by "weather." I suppose as the day draws nearer we will get it all together. There's not really much to decide except which direction to go as we always fly by the seat of our pants, serendipity and luck.

Happy travels for us abound no matter the direction or the weather. Stay posted.

ATTITUDE: HALF EMPTY? HALF FULL?

What do you see?

It has been said that your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life...kind of a half empty/half full thing. 

Proverbially, the idea that one sees the glass as half empty is the pessimistic view. On the other hand, half full is an optimistic view. Opportunity? Trouble?
Hmmmmmmmm

Good or bad, I tend to err on the side of half full...maybe even edging toward full. Am I too Pollyanna-ish? Nah! The world swings back to the wonderful all too often for that to be the case.

I ask what do you see in the image above left...I see the full moon in the most brilliant of stormy skies. Just can't help myself. Life is good. Hope you feel the same.

TOO MUCH FUN

Something really special to get to spend ten days with this great young man...grandson #1 also known as CEMA or Christian. Fourteen years old and going to be a freshman in high school.

What fun we had  ! And he was such a big 
help with so many things--Sawdust booth sitting to planting around the yard.
Afternoons were spent on the basketball court of course and late nights watching movies. 

I'm exhausted, but such a great kind of exhaustion. Super to spend time with this polite, thoughtful young man. Love him lots!

NATURE CENTER?

While there is a wide variety of artwork in my Sawdust Art Festival booth (#205) this year, there is a strong feeling of nature going on. I have originals and prints featuring crows, of course! But, in addition I have been blessed for the second year in a row with baby birds. 

This year, the nest is tucked tight up under the roof above the power strip. All day there can be heard chirping in hunger and the garbled chirping of feeding time. 

There is a potted milkweed plant at the corner of the booth. Because of the monarch butterflies I had painted large and small, I thought it might be fun if I could attract the read thing. Well, as of today there are three caterpillars readying to become monarchs. The cocoons are so lovely and jewel-like that I await them with eager anticipation.

It may take a bit more tidying to keep the booth clean with all this nature going on, but it is so worth it and I thoroughly enjoy the many conversations sparked with festival guests.

Won't you come visit? We are open 10 to 10 every day through September 1.

GATHERING...

High mountain wilderness

Like nature herself, creativity is something continually reborn. In nature it seems there is much gathering of precious moments to cherish. Often, creativity is the same.

I'd like to share a time when, high in the mountains, I went a-gathering.

The lavish onslaught begins in the early dawn inside a sleeping bag covered with icy rime.A chorus of unfamiliar birdsong echoes around to waken me in the chill morning air. I want to remember the sounds. I listen hard, gathering.

On through the day I am the willing receptacle of sight and sound, taste, texture, and smell: hot coffee as I bring it to my lips fills my nostrils with familiar aroma; the crunch of pumpkin seeds and tart dried cranberries in  my mouth on the trail; the rhythm of footsteps marches along to the clang of metal on my pack; the distinctive sweet, pungent smell of sage...These and so many more sense-filling moments are gathered here in the heights.

At the end of the day, with the the dwindling fire's smoke in my hair, I am again tucked into the same sleeping bag for the night. The wind plays a song through the trees, a bat swoops, the final call of a raven is accompanied by the rush and shore lap of the nearby river. I look one last time up at the night sky where myriad stars cast their light on the darkness. I close my eyes, then pop them open one last time to record all this magnificence. Gathering, even as I drift off.

Months, even these years later, I can still pull up these glorious mountain memories. They remind me again and again of the value of simply being--of listening and seeing and hearing and tasting and touching without doing another thing. The gathering nourishes long after the moments themselves.