Off for.......

.....the rest of the day, possibly part of the weekend. We're under the gun for weather again and I thought I would just post a tranquil sunset that appeared and disappeared with amazing speed the other evening. I ran barefoot in nightclothes to capture just a bit of it......the glow that was present all around was wonderful, but unable to be retained in the photograph. One of *those* moments....then gone.  ;-)
Hope everyone has a good weekend, Happy Mother's Day to all that applies to and I'll be back Monday for sure...hopefully with some new steps in a project I am working through.
Now off to check the Weather Radar and see if I need to duct tape myself to something solid....
And I was the one whining about wanting Spring! LOL!!!

Pax.

Up To The Sun!

A quick post.......had a lovely weekend here; lazy, doing little, reading, running out mostly to take photos. I found this darling little clump of Dutchman's Breetches in the ditch along the road where I walk. Little heads popping up, bits of dew left. Four tiny blossoms, like clothing on the line.

I am planning on getting more photos the week; it looks like everything will come into full blossom all at once. My weeping flowering cherry looks like a lovely bridal veil!

The studio is closer to completion and now it's a matter of pick up and put away......the job that I do NOT excel at. Alas, that is my life...a lot of pick up and put away.

April 7th is both Sisterfriend Day (as declared by Ces!) and No Housework Day. PREPARE TO CELEBRATE!!!!! I can think of no better combination......  ;-)

And now I am off, slowly, gently walking into this beautiful day, tasks before me but nothing that cannot be put off a little longer so I can enjoy some moments of quiet with nature.

To you all.......

Pax.

Delivery Today

I will be off on the road today installing the church banners. This is just a quick teaser to show the tassels that I built for the center point of each of the pieces. I can't describe the weight on these alone; some of the beads don't show well in the photo. I'm going to have to remember to pick up some batteries before I hit the road too, as I am sure I have drained the set in the camera.

It was a great relief yesterday to complete this project that started before my fall last year. It was just one of those *utterly wipe you out* things......I got the inner portion of the car covered with a quilt, and gently lugged the behemoths out there, smoothing them so the canvas letters would not get curled, tucking them in so nothing got stuck when I closed the Cruiser hatchback.

It was odd because the fancy bottom edges were peeking out and I thought how it reminded me of an ornate wedding gown.

I am going to attempt to get up in the choir loft to get photos of these hanging, but then, it is not Easter yet so they may not put them up. If that is the case, I'll stretch them out on the floor and shoot down, to have a better visual record of them.

I think the desire to get them out had an effect on me not doing the usual photo-recording of the process along the way. I burned a couple of shots the other day when I was still stabbing the canvas letters into place, but overall, not much in the computer.

Perhaps that is okay....too many memories attached to this work, through no fault of their own.

I am completely mentally and physically exhausted, and also relieved that they are going. This may be, after the delivery, a great *nothing done day*......LOL!!! (and I feel like I am trying hard to catch cold too....pfffft!)

Tomorrow I'll get a better post of pics, etc up.

Today.......hmmmm.......I'm doing good to hammer keys and sort brain dribble.

So have a good one, enjoy your day whatever you do and remember.....Spring is somewhere out there (just not in Indiana yet!).

Pax.

Worthy Of JOY!!!

(It is both sad and  ironic that the morning I discover the dear Renee of Blogland has crossed her final bridge, my post--written yesterday--is about joy. I almost pulled this, in respect. But Renee's correspondence brought so many love and joy, it is left as a memory for those who knew her well and were touched by her words and mirth........)

While yesterday's post about being worthy of love came somewhat easy, trying to find the words for this one is harder. I know, in my heart, that each and every one of us are worthy of deep joy and meant to feel it intensely.

However, it seems that everything around us conspires to keep that joy from ever touching our skins, let alone sinking into our hearts, minds and souls.
Let me ramble a bit.......as an artist, I find joy in the oddest tidbits and, well, *junque* that most would throw away. I love things that can have a second life, a different use, to be transformed. And I feel joy doing just that.
But being *worthy* of joy...oh, yes. There is the stickler.
Society says; "Buy this 20 bazillion dollar car---you'll feel joy." Or perhaps; "These ridiculously priced Italian leather shoes, with too many zeros to count on the tag
(no wait..stuff like that never has tags!) will make you most joyful!"
When I was born, my father plunked down what had to have been a good chunk of his military salary for a gift of "Joy" perfume, to my mother. I still have the bottle. It was so expensive, she seldom, if ever, used it. And while the *giving and thought* behind the gift stayed with her all her life, and seeing it revived the memory, it was the ACT that brought the JOY.
Therefore, what I surmise is that true acts of kindness, with no expectation in return, with no strings attached, to those that we both know and do NOT know, are one of the things that instills pure joy into our hearts. It is experieces and actions as opposed to purchases and flaunting.
An example from my own life--about pure joy. My mother had breast and bone cancer that took her life. Every time I get that letter from the Radiology Dept--usually after three infuriating tries--saying that *the girls* are okay (knotty, uncooperative and dense, but okay) there is a moment of elation that I can't express.
You can't buy that.
When I see someone progress and learn an art or sewing technique that they were sure they never could, that brings pure joy.
It is the very undefinable and unpredictable experiences we encounter daily that will, in the end, seep deep into our psyche and let us know we are worthy of that immense joy! Open your awareness of what is really going on around you, even under some of the harshest conditions and you will find there is a gift of joy to be accepted by you, or an opportunity to receive one by doing for someone else.
Sure, this goes totally against our market driven economy.
But I have to ask you, is that so bad????
Are you not worth more than numbers and acquisitions?
Aren't you worth cutting loose and throwing your arms in the air and saying "YES!" even if it is for no reason, other than to acknowledge yourself and the joy of the moment?
You are worth every single joyful ordinary thing. You are worth the time to look for them, or perform them. You are worth the effort of stockpiling true joy, for the hard days and the dark days.
Because it can never be taken from you, unless you choose to give someone else permission to do so, and then usually it is to strip you bare emotionally, and leave them gloating.
Put on your armor of joy....because you are very worthy of it, every single day you live.

Oh, and the woman by the side of the road, or in the parking lot bent over and snagging smashed, rusted bottle caps and odd pieces of wood or stone? That will be me; engrossed in my joy meditation.
Please do not run me over.
And if it looks like I am stuck with my nether regions in the air and head down, a helping hand to an upright position would be greatly appreciated.....  ;-)

I bid you, as always......

Pax.

A Late Good Morning!

(sorry this is late.....the body is not cooperating today.......hmmmph! can't even get a smart remark out!)

This was what I woke to yesterday morning; a golden glowing sky that lasted for a few short minutes, if that long....just enough to run out with the camera and take a slew of shots. My feet were wet and frozen from the dew-soaked grass, the chill in the air had my hands cold but the camera comes first!
It was one of those fleeting things----everything became yellow and orange and golden-warm, like an iridescent paintbrush swiped across the landscape. We had a front moving in and the clouds were progressing rapidly. I shot as quick as I could.
One stellar, beautiful moment captured in a simple silhouette.
I may post some of the other photos later in the week. Work to be done and I am not moving well.......
Keep your eyes open and record all you can. It is inspirational material for other art projects, and nice to look at when the weather has turned sour!
Have a creative day!

Pax.

Sunrise For Sunday

The other morning as DH was leaving for work I saw the beginnings of a dark and stormy looking sunrise. Incredibly hard to shoot, if enlarged, the pic will be grainy and slightly out of focus. I use the auto focus feature, but there was little to focus on!
At any rate, standing in the morning chill in my nightclothes, holding my breath to try and get a good photo was enough to get me awake quickly---I just wish I could have found the tripod for a longer exposure!
Well, enjoy! I love the variety of color in the shot and it is rather restful and something nice to start a Sunday with!

Pax.

Busy As A Bee......

(Leslie, this one is for both of us Celts!!!)

Yesterday was pretty much a blur. I was hopping from the moment I got up but again, by days end I was scratching my head as to what I had accomplished.

Dishes--done. Twice.

Cooking--homemade soup and a delightful coconut cake from scratch.

A bit of cleaning.

Computer work.

Basement work.

Trying to glue angelina onto the candle flames of the church banners. That should have been on video, because what I thought would be quick and easy was a slow, delicate, questionable process. I also spent a good deal of time attempting to locate the proper glue.

Spent time picking out beads for the banners.

Also spent time finding the bowl of beads for the banners....

Finally gave up in the early afternoon and retreated to the chair for some knitting and rest. Feet up time.

I started another pair of socks, this time knitting Noro. It is the first time I have knit a one ply wool, and if the colors weren't so absolutely scrumptious, I would throw it out the window! I have spun and tried to deal with one ply not twisting back upon itself, but socks on---again, stupid pill time---size ONE needles with the squirmy, twisty stuff........whole nuther realm. But the tiny bit of the toes that are finished are lovely....the color flow......oh yes, I think I can tolerate the demands of the wool!

So since basically today may be a *sock knitting day* we have the thistle pic in honor of Leslie and all the knitting she does, although I believe she actually enjoys more of hers..... ;-)

I'm not making any promises on accomplishments today; what gets done, gets done. I have a reception I have to attend tomorrow evening and need to rest up for that---Monday's hospital adventures sort of took it out of me!

Therefore, I give you all my blessing for a day of something easy and fun! That way my guilt-trip doesn't kick in.....

At least not too hard!

Pax.

P.S. I woke to discover not only my Facebook badge screwed up and useless but also one of my other sidebar apps that lets me help keep track of comments so I don't miss anything. Another blogger lost all the pics of her followers....what is going on???? Now I get to go BACK into Facebook and try and rebuild my badge, which has gotten picky and I guess just wants wall photos........someone hit me NOW. It's too early for all this thinking....... >:-(

Corralling *The Little Pirate* (or why mothers turn grey)

(Elinor Frances Stewart Huskey July 31, 1923- August 30, 1990)

Yes, that is me with my poor mother hanging on for dear life. We were on board the U.S.S. Patch, headed for our station in Germany in the mid-sixties. And why is she holding so tightly to that Little Pirate??? Because I had a tendency to run as fast as my fat little legs could go and jump! I had this thing about water (still do, though I swim atrociously!) and if someone didn't nearly have me on a leash, I'd be in it.
And I couldn't swim.
No fear. Or maybe it was no brains. ;-)
Mother spent her life trying to reel me in, all the while I was pulling hard, trying to reel myself out. I think the expression says it all......no smile, no cooperating, no giving in, just pure determination. No wonder she wanted me to join a convent, to keep me out of trouble! And seriously, I considered it for a good while, but it was that *unquestioning obedience* part that steered me away.
I learned a lot from her; cooking, embroidery, we had a few vain attempts at knitting until I taught myself. I remember wash day with the laundry baskets lined with plastic from the cleaners, holding the starched, damp and rolled clothing, awaiting the iron. Everything was so fresh afterwards!
I managed to ruin many dresses with bouquets of dandelions for mother; the milk from the stems leaving a trail of brown dots across the cotton........mom would patiently embroider little Lazy-Daisies on each stain, with French Knots in the middle, thus making the dress fit to wear again.
I thought it was tres cool.......it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized she did this because we did not have the money to buy new clothing at the rate I buzzed through my wardrobe. In fact, I was well protected from the fact that due to monthly military pay, at the end of each month, my folks were counting pennies to make it to the next paycheck.
While I was highly encouraged in art, dance and music by mom, I was crushed and disillusioned when, my senior high school year, ready for college and planning on an art degree, I discovered that it was not happening. My god-parents controlled my college fund and they would only agree to what they chose for me to do. Me? An anchor person on some local news broadcast? Give me a break!!!! (or just take a look at that face in the picture....says it all....)
And so, that was the end of a lot of dreams and hopes and the beginning of a tremendous amount of really bad behaviour and being a rebellious little stink in general.
Maybe that is why there is only one photo with this post---because those were still the happy years, without my aunt and uncle involved in our lives, and mom and I were good friends. Maybe it is normal for a daughter to revolt against her mother at some point, to try and leave the nest. Maybe I just like this sweet memory, and the pic really expresses my disposition du jour, or even now. Too determined, too inflexible. Certain of where I am going despite warning.
No matter...........rest peacefully mother.
I turned out okay...............more or less.

Pax.

Sunrise.......

......on a humid Indiana morning; the sun a fiery glowing disc and everything else in neutral, fog shrouded color. The photo doesn't quite capture the languid and heavy air, the smell of damp in the shrubs and grass, the feeling of a slowly paced day ahead.

Take time to enjoy what is around you and allow slow to happen for a change.

As always, I bid you.....

Pax.

Early Morning, Bright Photo!

I tried to pick one of the brightest pics I had for this morning; I had a late night after having the opportunity to chat with a friend I've not been able to really talk with in ages. We bemoaned the lack of time for exquisite gourmet cooking (yes, I used to do that, and quite well too!), the quality of raw food available and how a whole generation of people have never eaten *real*, farm grown, fresh food stuffs. It reminded me of how much I used to grow and how we basically spent Summer having the garden provide almost all our meals. How I miss those wonderful harvests and the incredible flavors of produce straight from the ground!
This evening DH and I are off to meet friends in Wabash for a bit--we've been trying to hook up for the longest time and with everyone's schedules tonight happened to work. Yipee!
I keep asking myself when life became so hectic, and bit by bit, I am paring down. I want quality time--studio time--time with friends and time for more work with my church.
Sometimes it is easy to be swept away by the moment and become involved in far too much. Harder still is the ability to step back and let it go. With some sage advice from good artist friends of mine, I have taken that first step and while it feels a bit odd, it is also like a weight has been lifted off me. Yes, there is still work for finishing up some loose ends, but after that's done, I will have more of my own responsibilities back and less of those belonging to others.
Saying no can be good, but let me tell you, it's hard.
Studio time is worth it though; health is worth it, peace of mind is worth it.
Now to start some serious thinking on a fiber class I will be teaching in the Fall, incorporating the elements of the outdoors into personal work. That's exciting!
And yes, I am still working on the fiber piece I had posted here earlier---the hands just have not been too cooperative. Check back in soon for some fiber art content!
In the meantime, here's hoping you have a bright and productive day, filled with beauty and creativity!

May you have......

....the most glorious of days today.

May the sun shine upon you, may you have time for rest, for dreams, for creativity.

Let your soul soar and your inspiration take flight.

And may it all start right NOW!