WILL IT GET DONE THIS TIME??

What is this pile? You wonder, right? Doesn't look like much...and in fact really isn't. But....It has potential, I think.

Every time I receive an order from my printer the green paper that pads things calls out to me with that potential. I see birds especially...sculpted from the lovely stuff. Plump little green guys. Maybe painted. Maybe not. Maybe with wire legs, button eyes? Possibility. Potential.

But each time, after a while, I have not done it and the paper goes to the recycle bin. Will it happen this time?

Does anyone else have more ideas than time to explore them or is it just me? I doubt it's just me.

CH-CH-CHANGES....

Then

Now

"Hope rises with our collective realization that humans imagine these systems that are killing people and the planet, and that we can imagine our way out of this mess." (Brooke Larsen)

The beauty of the vine seen on my morning walk two weeks ago has changed drastically. This got me thinking. Change is always with us. And, yes, this simple and indisputable fact and give us hope.

Reading the children's book There Must be More Than That by Shinsuke Yoshitake only served to further my thinking on this. The scenarios in this fun book are reassuring while being at times ridiculous. As is stated on the flyleaf,"...it's often just a matter of choosing hope over hopelessness, and seeking an affirming alternative to challenging situations."

While that is exceedingly difficult in these trying times, perhaps we can consider the possibility of good. Change is always with us...always a possibility exists. Grab hold.
 

DAY 10 THE FINAL DAY OF BITS AND PIECES AND FULL OF FLOWERS

For the final day of the self-challenge here is a flurry of flowers. Now it is time to finalize prep for an upcoming workshop where we will do nothing but create postcards to send. (Well, we will also laugh and talk a lot after not seeing each other for such a long time. 😀)

 

DAY 6 BITS AND PIECES DEPARTURE ON THEME

Thought the theme might have been getting a bit boring so here's a slight departure. In addition, the sparkly blue eyes seem so full of joy to me that resistance just could not be . Many of these young ladies have appeared in the cards, each with something special to say it would seem.

 

JUST IMAGINE...

Imagination. Seems like we need a lot of it right now in these troubling times. And it is working...in some pretty amazing ways.

Not only are parents and teachers tapping into their imaginations in order to teach and keep young people engaged. Not only are hospitals and staff tapping in to find new and creative ways to handle shortages of supplies and the glut of Covid patients with all that entails.Not only are restaurants and other "essential" businesses quickly imagining new ways to keep employees busy and business going. 

So much more can be attributed to imagination.

As I read through what scientists are achieving right now and the work done to re-fit plants to produce what is needed (but where the heck is the toilet paper?),I am truly amazed. Plants like GM and Ford are re-tooled and manufacturing ventilators. JPL scientists have designed one ventilator now that uses even fewer parts than previously thought required. Samsung has made a wristband that, among other things, buzzes when the wearer comes within six feet of another person. This last is being tested and used in some of the aforementioned plants to help maintain a safe work environment.

And, of course, there is so much more. I am sure many of you are aware of the innovative things that are taking place now. Please share.

We will get through this together...and apart because of these things and more.

Imagination. Ingenuity. Resourcefulness. Resilience. Spirit.

LOOKING AROUND

Colorful nasturtium flowers

During a day of not feeling well in which I finally had to admit it was only stress and tension, I opted to be a couch potato and just binge watch series that I like.

That left me invigorated and ready to go today. Heading out the back door for a walk in the canyon, I ended up going down the hill into neighborhoods and Coast Highway. Nothing new to see, really, yet looking around in new ways and with new eyes toward...what? creativity? possibility?

On the way down the hill I had spotted several patches of nasturtium and, while I don't really care for the bitter taste of the leaves, I thought I might pick a big pocketful of the flowers to saute. Of course, when the heat and oil hit, they dwindled to such a small bit that I now had to think of what could I possibly do with this tiny handful of sauteed nasturtium.

Omelet for dinner! Eggs, chopped spinach, crumbled feta,,some spices, and of course the nasturtium saute. Voila! And pretty yummy.

Guess I will have to keep just looking around.....

And when I'm not.....

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 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!!

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?