The Dragon-Fly

When the heat of the summer
Made drowsy the land,
A dragon-fly came
And sat on my hand,
With its blue jointed body,
And wings like spun glass,
It lit on my fingers
As though they were grass.
Eleanor Farjeon

May

A May calendar with one of my studies which you are welcome to print a copy for your personal use.

Liquid

A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. ~Henry David Thoreau

The theme this week at Mama Says Om is Liquid.

Mosaic

I feel so proud of myself for creating this mosaic, OK it was really easy and no big deal except I just learned how to do it today. Try this fun filled page http://flagrantdisregard.com/flickr/

Ten Most Beautiful Birds Meme

I was taged by Endment for a meme of the ten birds I think most beautiful. Only ten how am I suposed to do that?

• Painted Bunting*
• Glossy Ibis*
• Sandhill Cranes*
• Red Wing Blackbird*
• Great Blue Heron*
• Green Jay
• Scaled Quail*
• Scarlet Tanager*
• Red Start*
• Wood Thrush*
• Mute Swan*
• Scissor Tail Flycatcher*
• Morning Dove*
• Snowy Egret*
• Whooping Crane

* marking the ones I've seen

I am taging Greenish Lady, Jill Writes and Rebekahs Musings

Sunday scribblings

My Grandpa had pure white hair. His shirt, pants, and baseball cap were all alike and always kaki colored, he wore them with heavy work boots. The only other thing I ever saw him wear was his suit when he went to church. He always fell asleep in church. He was always working, and if he sat down without doing something or reading he would fall right of to sleep. He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.
Although I never heard him yell, he had a deep voice that scared me more than thunder.

My grandfather used to take youth groups backpacking in Yosemite. Sometimes an adventurous adult or two would join him. I remember one year he had 60 teenagers hiking with him on one trip. Groups that big are no longer allowed to hike in Yosemite. I was 13 the first year I went along with him without my parents. Our group was much smaller than 60 because of the new Park Service size regulations for groups.

The youngest of our group's parents had gotten his shoes a bit big - so he’d have room to grow, but they caused him a lot of blisters. The other hiker who had a lot of trouble with his shoes bought jungle boots from the army surplus. I would love to own a pair, they were beautiful shinny and black but not for wearing backpacking. Fortunately my Grandfather knew to carry plenty of moleskin. The rest of the hikers were ether luckier or more experienced in their choice of footwear and got by with only a couple blisters.

We quickly all acquired nicknames. I can remember less than half of them. There were two brothers Dean and Dale one had long blond hair to his shoulders with lot of body he was given the name Mop Head, his brother wore a crew cut and acquired the name Light Bulb. There were two females in the group an adult woman named Clare and myself. We all affectionately called Clare Mom. I think a lot of us were secretly homesick during the two weeks. The young men were all amazed that my grandfather could easily out walk them. Grandpa’s theory was enough walking will keep them from getting into trouble.

Grandpa was called Old Billy Goat, not to his face, but he knew about it. His eyes would twinkle and he would get a cute grin when my mother would tease him about it.

Alcatraz, Hot Lips, I have no ideal what their real names were or exactly why they acquired those nicknames. There are only two others whose monikers I can recall Carl who later named his daughter after my Grandfather was over six feet tall and was bestowed the name Big Foot with very good reason. My own nickname was Barefoot. I’d take my shoes off as soon as we would reach camp and once I had my shoes off I'd rather endure the pain of sticks, pine needles and pine cones than put my shoes back on.

To find more Sunday Scribblings go here
http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/

Healing Celebration

I just got back from the Healing Celebration with Peter Goldbeck and YJ Lee.It was an incredibly spiritual experience, absolute serenity a beautiful ending to a horrid day. I was in a truly horrid mood when I got there but that quickly changed I didn't want to leave afterwards and I wasn't the only one but Peter told us we didn't have to go home but we couldn't stay there
I would tell you more but its 12:30 and I am going to find out if I can get some sleep tonight. I am wishing you all many blessings.
Good night.

Book of Dreams Project

The cover of my book

I just found out about the Book of Dreams project at http://artsymama.blogspot.com/
It’s been several years since I have done anything new in my altered books I started a book called Dreams that I've done less than 6 pages in I keep thinking I should work in it some more, and then I never do so this is a perfect opportunity to get some more done in it.

BlueVase

encaustic with oil pastel

"Love is a portion of the soul itself,

and

it is of the same nature as the

celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise."

"Life is a flower of which love is the honey."
"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved,

loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."

"The reduction of the universe to a single being,

the expansion of a single being even to God, this is love."

~Victor Hugo~

Energy Workshop

I meet Peter at St Vincent's stress reduction clinic where he has been giving me acupuncture and energy treatments. I went to the clinic because I was going threw a very bad time. The treatments have helped me with both my emotional stress and my physical pain. I have encouraged my friends, my Mother and my son to also have treatments from Peter. O.K. I did more than encourage my son the first time it was more like “I want to stay home, I don’t want to go.” “You don’t have to want to go; you just have to do it.” Why?” ’’ Because I am your Mother, now get your shoes on your coming with me.” I no longer have to drag my son, he enjoys the energy treatments( I was so good I didn’t even say Sam I told you so) and my Mother wow I knew the treatments were great but I was still amazed at how much they helped her.
Peter is having a workshop this Friday that I am very much looking forward to and I just want to let my blogging friends know about it. I know many of you live to far away but those of you here in New York do come it will be a wonderful experience.


Sharing Light....A Healing Celebration with Peter Goldbeck and YJ Lee

May 5th Friday at 6:30 to participate in a 2nd Healing Group facilitated by
Peter Goldbeck and YJ Lee.

There will be a guided Group Meditation, Chakra balancing and Grounding. These techniques
will help center, balance and unify one's sense of well being as well as open up one's awareness for the 2nd part of the workshop.

Healing Celebration

Suggested Donation: $15
Location: A.R.E. 241 W. 30th St. 2nd flr. New York, NY 10001
Suite 102 (bell)
Phone : 917 539-3001

May 1 Sit In at Union Square

May Day although not observed here in the US is an international holiday of the working people. These photos were taken at Union Square yesterday as people gathered there asking for the antimmigrant bills in congress to be stopped.

What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up?

What Did You Want To Be When You Grew-Up?
A ten minute sprint from a creativity exercise posted by Lisa atThe Inspired Pen.

Perry Mason. While in elementary school, on days when I was at home sick, I would watch Perry Mason reruns and Dialing for Dollars. I knew I wanted to be an attorney. Perry Mason, my Dad, my Uncle, Frank Bondono, Ralph Baker, Gerry Spence and Lynn Buzzard, these were my heroes, righting wrongs and saving people from injustice.

When my Mother told me about Earl Stanley Gardener’s books, I read all of them I could find. By high school I had attended a couple of attorneys' conferences and was reading about Son of Sam, The Onion Fields, The Lindberghs, Helter Skelter, Witness to Evil, during my classes instead of doing my school work. The last two gave me some major insomnia. At other times I wanted to be a rodeo rider, a fireman, a basketball player, a dancer, acording to passing whim but I was sure I wouldn't be any those because I was sure being an attorney was my calling.

This creativity exercise is posted on the The Inspired Pen. give this exercise a spin and leave a link to your post in the comments at The Inspired Pen.

Under The Sea

Under the sea is this weeks topic at Illustration Friday, this is my endeavor.

http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

List Friday 10 jobs

List Friday 10 jobs I'd like to try:

Acupuncturist? Anyone want to let me poke needles in them?

I’ve been thinking about what kind of job I would like for some time and I’ve come to realize that I have some very specific requirements:
No.1 Low job stress, this is essential as I think it might be an understatement to say that I don’t handle stress very well. …maybe I should have said no stress.
No.2 I must be able to sleep in. Actually on reconsideration … my bed is my favorite place. It’s cozy. I feel cozy and happy there and if I am not feeling happy, its one of the best places to be. In the past, I’ve done my homework, written , painted paintings, sculpted and of course, read books, watched movies, and listened to music (O.K. so no one is likely to give me a job listening to music) but I even babysat three children from my bed. We all sat on my bed, I gave each child a pillow, a blanket and a bowl of popcorn. (Feeding three small children popcorn while they were sitting on my bed was not the smartest thing I ever did.) Then we watched movies together, well they watched movies I dozed a bit. Fortunately, it is imposable to sleep soundly with three wiggling children on my bed. It was an emergency---, I had insomnia the night before and their mother was very sick but anyway, No.2 is, I don’t want to get out of bed when I work. This leads us to No.3 I want to dress comfortably for work. An old nightshirt and bathrobe should do it. I am a little concerned about these about these requirements, not that I don’t think they are realistic, I am sure they are, its just that the VESTID job counselor said I wasn’t employable when I didn’t have any job requirements--- but I think these job requirements will work in my favor. Job requirement No. 2 well help me not be tired as will job requirement No.3 which will keep me from using all my time and energy dressed and making myself to tired to work. That said here’s my list: *

Orchid photographer
I want to photograph orchids in the wild I suppose I could wear my PJs but I would have to get out of bed to this. Could be some stress --- snakes, wild animals, but except for alligators’ I think wild animals and snakes would be less scary than riding the subway.

Accessories designer
Shoes, scarves, jewelry etc.

Poet
This would look so-o-o impressive on my resume.

Novelist
A whole book is so intimidating…but at a page a day, for 290 days, I could get it done in a year and still have 75 day to mess up --- if only I could think of a plot.

Comedian
My son tells me that I have no sense of humor but why should I let a little detail like that stop me?

Healing Arts Instructor
I really like this one but as I see it will probably involve getting out of bed and getting dressed…

Sculptor
E-mail me if you want to hire me to do your portrait or if you want to let me practice acupuncture on you.

Street performer
I could probably get away with wearing my PJs but I don’t want to sleep on the street.

Women’s issues consultant

Food writer
I could write in bed and have food delivered.

Snake breeder
I am not sure if I am O.K. with having snakes in my bedroom or not .Thinking about it makes me feel a little twitchy.

Pomegranates and PaperWrites that she would like a job Training dolphins I thought that sounds so much more fun than anything I choose. Why didn't I chose it? Then I thought Tiger trainer but no, that’s not right – Pumas -- the last job on my list is:
puma trainer.



* a word to my disability investigator and job counselor: literary license. O.K. two words.

Pears

Oil pastel on gray charcoal paper

“We are the music makers
and we are the dreamers
of dreams...”

Arthur O'Shaughnessy

Poetry Thursday The Lady of Shalott

John William Waterhouse


The Lady of Shallot

by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Part II.
There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving thro' a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot:
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village-churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls,
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad,
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes thro' the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often thro' the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed;
"I am half-sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

collage

Chocolate

You Are Chocolate Ice Cream

Dramatic. Powerful. Flirty.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Chocolate, when I close my eyes and think chocolate I feel its richness its creaminess the way it loves my tongue and offers comfort …divine memories of chocolate. Wait there just a minute…. O.K. I am back I had to go get some chocolate mints, I couldn’t write about chocolate without eating some. What kind of chocolate are you in the mood for? Dove bar? Chocolate creams, chocolate shake? Oh I could use a chocolate shake right now ice cold chocolate sliding down my throat… excuse me…sorry about that, thank you for waiting I went to get some chocolate ice cream but I am all out, but I have a Klondike, would you like one? I got one for you to, here. Now where were we? Oh yes Sunday Scribblings and chocolate I googled chocolate and found that chocolate is the way to true inner peace. "My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barr
I wish someone had told me this before but now that I know I am making a resolution to eat more chocolate.

The other day my son used a dirty word, I wasn’t sure how I should handle it but today when I googled chocolate I found the following from Charles Schultz "Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate" - I wish my parents had known about washing your mouth out with chocolate when I was a little girl they mistakenly used soap.

sundayscribblings

List Friday on Saturday

From the Mets Collection

This weeks list Friday is ten things I love about where I live. Part of the time I live in the city and part of the time in the woods, so I've made two lists.
This week I am posting Friday's list on Saturday, I thought I was just tired from spending to much time on the computer I was trying to put a graphic in my blogs header-computers are so much easier when you know what you are doing- my eyes were burning and I felt achy, I blamed it on to much staring at the computer. Turns out I was coming down with rubella I think I am to old for it but that doesn't seem to matter. I am visiting my parents, which is good for me because no matter how old I get to be, nothing/no one is the same as Mom especially when I am sick.

First list
Being close to family
Beaches
The parks
The art museums
The fall colors
Spring flowers
The quaint coffee shops
Street musicians
Magnolia trees
Acupuncture energy and sound healing on Tuesdays and Thursday

Second list
Being close to family
Bears
Fall colors
The wild turkeys
The river
The quiet
Wild mushrooms
Coziness
Lady Slippers
Dogwood trees

Poetry Thursday

At the Sea-Side
When I was down beside the sea

A wooden spade they gave to me

To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup.

In every hole the sea came up,

Till it could come no more.
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Some Wonderful Things I Love

Some Wonderful Things I Love

A friend’s smile
A baby’s laugh
The smell of sunflowers
The sound of aspen leaves in the wind
A Monarch butterfly
Summer sandals
Red and blue glass bottles
Painting
Mom’s bread
Brothers
Seashells on the beach
Painted Buntings
The smell of fresh sage
Kisses (chocolate ones also)
Kittens
Italian ices
Feeding ducks
Reiki
Blue feathers
Summer evenings
Picasso's Girl Before A Mirror
Green silk
Bubble baths
Peonies
The Met
Ice tea on a hot summer day
Apple crisp
Fall leaves
Rhubarb
Baby geese
Of course Tiggers and Pooh Bears

The wonderful thing about Tiggers Is Tiggers are wonderful things.
Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs!
They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun
But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers Is I'm the only one!
A.A. Milne

Sunday Scribblings When we were wee...

I am a big girl now, cuz I am three. I am being very good.
My Daddy told me to be good and help my Mommy. My Mommy doesn’t feel good. My little brother and I are making Mommy breakfast. (I have a new baby brother but he is sleeping; he is to little to help.)

I climbed up on the counter and got the pancake mix out of the cupboard. Then we got the milk, and a bowl; we put them on the floor. It’s hard to get the eggs to go in the bowl. We dropped an egg; its ok, we got some eggs in the bowl. We pour some mix in. I am stirring, Uncle comes in; I say “we are making pancakes.” Uncle says “Oh, may I help you”. I say, “Ok.”Uncle tells Mommy "Stay in bed,You'd better not come out to the kitchen for a while."
He says we should measure everything; he’s good at cracking eggs. We mix them up and cook them in the pan.

We take mommy her pancakes, and we all eat. Then we wash the kitchen cuz making pancakes is messy.
Sunday Scribblings

John Muir

Photo of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt

John Muir meet an Englishman by the name of Chilwell while they were on board ship together. Chilwell called Muir "Scottie". They traveled in California together for a few months. While they were together Muir accidentally shot and wounded Chilwell. They did eat an owl.

Samuel Young wrote Alaska Days with John Muir. In it he tells about their visit to the Yin-des-tuk-ki village.

Lost Blogs

Again in Alaska we had to learn to adapt our habits of eating and this time it was not a shortage of meat. On our canoe voyage northward to see glaciers Scottie invited our guide Tow-a-att to eat with us at our first meal. Samuel Young set out the bread and butter, placing them by Tow-a-att. He looked at the butter and the three of them, took out his hunting knife cut off a third of the butter, cut it into squares and ate it with enthusiasm. Samuel started to show him how to use the butter when Scottie winked and stopped him. Tow-a-att ate his third of butter rubbed his stomach and said “very good grease.”

The first of November: As we were paddling up the Chilcat River we came into sight of the Yin-des-tukki village. The native men came rushing out with guns in their hands; we were greeted with a shower of bullets falling all around us. We ceased paddling but Tow-a-att commanded “paddle! paddle!” Amid dropping bullets we continued up the channel to the village. Men came running down the beach shouting. Who are you? Where are you from? Why are you here? “Stickeen “Scottie shouted back. “A preacher chief and an ice chief are here to bring you a message.” Our answer was shouted to the Indians farther down the beach. Then came a reply: we were to be guests of Chief Don-na-wuk or Silver Eye. When our canoe touched sand forty or fifty slaves came running forward into the water picked up our canoe with us still in it and rushed up the bank to the chiefs house, setting us down in his doorway. The chief's house was large; 50 or 60 feet inside the chief was sitting by a fire dressed in a calico shirt and a blanket. We exchanged greetings and gave the chief gifts of tobacco and rice. The chief said he was worried; he wanted to offer us food in case we were hungry after our travels but that the white Cheifs food was so much better than his that he was embarrassed to give us his food. We said we would be honored to eat his food. Looking relived he ordered food prepared for us. We were seated around the fire. Huge bowls were placed before each of us. The first course was dried salmon; a whole bowl for each of us served with a dressing of seal grease. Our bowls were cleaned and the second course was brought: big chunks of deer back fat served with a gravy of seal grease. The third course was small Russian potatoes served in seal grease. And finally fresh berries and rosehips in, yes, seal grease.

Well, expect you would know who Scottie is by now. Just in case here’s a few things I’ve learned about Scottie

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said this about Scottie:
" a role model to generations of Californians and to conservationists around the world. He taught us to be active and to enjoy -- but at the same time protect -- our parks, our beaches, and our mountains." –
Of course Governor Schwarzenegger does not call the Scotsman by his nickname Scottie as I do.

I found out this morning that there is a vineyard in Sonora California owned by Scottie's father-in-law.

A few of the honors Scottie has received
• A.M., Harvard University, 1896
• LL.D, University of Wisconsin, 1897
• Litt.D., Yale University, 1911
• Member, American Academy of Arts and Letters
• Member, Washington Academy of Science
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• President, Sierra Club
• President, American Alpine Club

An annual theater production of Scottie’s story is preformed by the Willows Theatre Company in Concord, California.

This quote by Scottie is engraved on Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, Scotland
"The battle for conservation will go on endlessly.
It is part of the universal battle between right and wrong."

So if you know Scotties real name post it in the comment box. I hope you have enjoyed reading about our explorations. And do try these links to find out more about Lost Blogs.
Sincerely, Chilwell

The Lost Blogs and Kapgar

Poetry Thursday- Scotties Favorite Poet

Ive chosen a poem by Robert Burns for poetry Thursday Robert Burns is a favorite poet of Scotties. Scottie said,"Wherever a Scotsman goes, there goes Burns." Scottie carries a book of Burns poetry with him. He likes to sing and whistle them.

I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing

Gaily in the sunny beam;

List'ning to the wild birds singing,

By a falling crystal stream:

Straight the sky grew black and daring;

Thro' the woods the whirlwinds rave;

Tress with aged arms were warring,

O'er the swelling drumlie wave.

Such was my life's deceitful morning,

Such the pleasures I enjoyed:

But lang or noon, loud tempests storming

A'my flowery bliss destroy'd.

Tho' fickle fortune has deceiv'd me-

She promis'd fair, and perform'd but ill,

Of mony a joy and hope bereav'd me-

I a heart shall support me still.

Robert Burns

Want to know more about Lost Blogs? Try these links.
The Lost Blogs and Kapgar

Lost Blogs Part 4 or The Alaska trip

----
I apologize for not answering my messages. The computer did not work again today for several hours.

Scottie came to America from Scotland as a young boy.
He is quite a world traveler, visiting places like India, Canada, HImalayas, Manchuria, Siberia, Australia and New Zealand. I was fortunate to be with him again when he traveled in Alaska. During our Alaska trip Scottie and a missionary, Samuel, had quite an adventure and a close call.

We were traveling together on board ship. Reaching the Hudson's Bay trading post at Glenora about one o'clock, the ship’s captain said we would stay there until the next morning. Scottie decided to climb a mountain for views of the peaks and glaciers in the area, thinking that if he hiked back during the night he would be back to the boat before time to leave; Samuel accompanied him. Shortly before sunset, Samuel took a bad fall. He screamed and Scottie rushed back to find Samuel clutching the brink of a gully that plunged down a thousand feet or more to a small glacier. With great difficulty Scottie managed to drag him back up away from the precipice.

Both of Samuel’s arms had been dislocated in the fall. Scottie was able to set one back in place but not the other. Scottie built a fire and said he would run down the mountain and get help from the boat to carry him down but Samuel insisted he could walk and did not want to be left alone.

Slowly and painstakingly, stopping frequently to rest, they made there way down the mountain. When at last they reached the ship, the captain, Nat Lane, heard their urgent calls and hurried down to help them. Soon they had Samuel on board. The captain gave him a large amount of brandy. Then holding down his shoulders they were able to get the shoulder set. Samuel was then put in bed where he slept all the way back to Wrangell.
----

Want to know more about Lost Blogs? Try these links.
The Lost Blogs and Kapgar

Scottie and I have found a job harvesting in a field in Hopeton. I plan to leave as soon as the job is finished, Scottie says he will most likely stay for a while.

Lost Blogs Day Three

After much wasted effort to obtain jack rabbit for our supper, Scottie suggested shooting a burrowing owl that was perched near our camp. I said “owls are vermin” Scottie went on at length about how good it would taste, what a delicious soup it would make… on and on he went about the owl .I picked up the gun and shot it, I cleaned the bird featherless it didn’t look worth eating. Scottie insisted we not throw it away. We made a soup of the owl cooking it in our teakettle. It was not a tasty soup but we had not eaten meat since Mr. Clark furnished us with flour and a little sugar and tea, and a piece of freshly killed bear meat. I implored, Scottie” when you go to England with me to see my folks, don't you tell them that we ate an owl.”


Want to know more about Lost Blogs? Try these links.
The Lost Blogs and Kapgar

Lost Blogs Day Two

I haven’t posted for a while,catching up a lot has happened bad internet connection and I’ve been on the mend. The Scotsman shot me, not that he meant to…I should start from the beginning. Taking the shotgun we had purchased I went after some grouse we were in desperate need of some meat. We’ve been living on cakes and tea. The cakes are made with flour and water without leavening toasted on the coals, even crackers being more of a luxury than our funds will allow. The gun was worthless every time I shot it missed it couldn’t hit anything. Scottie said perhaps it was sighted too high, he would check it later. Walking through the heavy winter snow we came to an abandoned little cabin of sugar pine shakes, and though we had arrived early in the afternoon we decided to camp here for the night as the trail was buried in the snow, which was about six feet deep. I cleared away the snow from the door and floor of the cabin, and made a bed in it of boughs of silver fir. Wanting to have some meat, I reminded Scottie about the gun. Then I nailed a piece of paper to the cabin as a target. Calling fire away, I went into the cabin. Scottie shot the target…burning agony… God bless us all…but it hurt the shot went right through the wall and struck me. I am not ashamed to say I screamed. The pellets had to be picked out of my flesh with the point of a penknife.

We found our way easily enough over the deep snow to the falls below the snowline, were we spent ten days exploring. While exploring the falls we made sketches, collected flowers and ferns, etc. The night before our return trip we camped near the meadows, as we lay eating our suppers by the light of the campfire, we heard something approaching in the darkness, and then I saw it was a bear! I said to Scottie you take the gun you’re the better shot! Shoot him! The gun was already loaded with bird shot he added some buckshot on top of the bird shot then held the gun pointed at the bear as we sat hushed waiting. After what seemed a long time, the beast walked off. Afraid of another visit we were awake most of the night.

Want to know more about Lost Blogs? Try these links.
The Lost Blogs and Kapgar

Lost Blog Day One

After meeting on board the ship Scottie and I have decided to travel on together. We crossed the bay by the Oakland Ferry and continued up the Santa Clara valley to San Jose, filled with wheat-fields, and orchards, and vineyards, and alfalfa meadows. Glorious sunshine ,fresh spring air I had to admit it was the best I’ve ever breathed—even more fragrant than the air at home in England. We saw a number of small brown birds having crests the shape of a question mark atop their heads. Hills of extraordinary beauty acres of wildflowers, yellow, purple and white. Dogwood and Alders grew along the stream; its banks were blanketed with violets and ferns. Last night tired by the long day walking we camped out in our blankets .I lay looking up into the tree, past the trunk and up into the branches. It was a particularly fine night with the stars above the tree. I felt contentment and peaceful. It had been a lovely day and California is an extraordinary place. I will endeavor to post regularly as we travel so that we can keep in touch with you dear ones, and to share with you the magic of this wilderness called California

About Lost Blogs

I should have posted something about Lost Blogs sooner but I was having so much trouble getting started that I wasn't sure, if I was going to back out or not. I am pleased to be able to say that I have written my first post for Lost Blogs. I will post it later this evening. Actually I wrote two with different characters and I still have to decide which one I am going with. This week I will be writing as a historical person who shall remain nameless until Friday when I will reveal the name of the person. (even if you guess I am not telling until Friday) There are more than forty other blogs participating in this project. Some links about this project are The Lost Blogs and Kapgar I don't have a blog roll up yet, not only have I been crazy busy I've been having some computer problems Secondhand Tryptophan has a list of all the Lost Blog participants so you can find other Lost Bolgs there.

Lost Blogs

I am sitting here at the computer wondering what made me think I could do this? I still don’t know who I am going to post as tomorrow and if I am going to do this I need to write it tonight. The screen and my notebook are mocking me. I visited blogs and left comments until my brain felt to mushy to construct another comment. Then I ate a blueberry muffin, a hotdog, another can of soda, even changed my earrings. I mean we all know I can’t be expected to write if I am wearing the wrong pair of earrings. Tomorrow is the starting day
Kapgar
for Lost Blogs and I need to be writing the first post. Besides I am running out of other things to do. So tomorrow I won’t be posting as myself. Maybe I’ll watch a movie.

Sunday Scribblings Real Life

Real life will damage your calm.
Life is a knife that cuts my soul, then it takes my tears and builds my dreams out of them. Life gives us pain so deep only death will relive. Life will reach out and touch you with the coldest chill of winter, then, spring will kiss your cheek, and wrap you in her warm embrace. Life gives moments of magic, a baby’s laughter. A song that fills your pores with bliss. A kiss so sweet your souls melt. Life spins you about and turns you upside down. Friends are the rainbows of life; a friend’s embrace can break the darkness. Hold on tightly to those we love with an open hand. Hold on to hope.

This weeks topic at Sunday Scribblings is Real Life.

"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon

Earlier this week Kara, Spiritdoll left a comment asking if I was familiar with Cooper Edens, I hadn’t hear of him before so I Googled his name and found this wonderful quote.” If tomorrow morning the sky falls...have clouds for breakfast." I think it's delightful I hope you enjoy it.Thank you Kara.

Nothing Unusual

Do You ever feel...?

Dear Doctor,

As my psychiatrist, I thought that I should consider the possibility that you might... as I contemplate various aspects of my situation... actually the point of my writing you is nothing really. Well its something of course, but nothing really unusual.

To put it simply and directly - I think directness is a good thing, don't you? I mean directness could be considered a virtue. But of course directness aside, I may have a problem, insignificant as problems go, I am sure. This problem appears to be somewhat similar to fear, although only at first glance. However, it does appear that there may be some areas in which my problem and fear share some commonalities.

In attempting to discern the nature of this problem there are a number of points, in which in my attempt to define the character of my problem, I feel there may be some possibility of benefit to exploring these commonalities (as I say simply as a tool to define the character of the problem) although obviously in reality the real nature of the problem has nothing to do with fear. I simply suggest this exploration as a starting point, as an entrance for analyses, in the absence of a more advantageous starting point. Consideration must be given to the possible sensitive nature of this obviously unusual problem.

Obviously, cowardice is not a point of comparison since the existence of bravery is not in question. On more careful consideration, the presence of possible similarities must be considered superficial and of no true relevance; the problem requires further exploration. Some other aspects might better bear exploration since obviously the nature of this problem bears only a superficial resemblance to fear. I myself - nether at this time or at any time in the past - have had any acquaintance with fear. Obviously the significance of this entire problem must be called into question.

Sincerely,

Distracted

Earlier this week while I was in Greenwich Village I felt myself getting nervous. I started making fun of my fears in my notebook, while I was writing I remembered a response I had read to a question at a senate inquiry, the response had amused me because it went on at length without saying anything of relevance. Then I thought of legal documents - the kind insurance companies have or the ones we are asked to sign if we buy a house.

Anyhow, that's how I came up with this piece of chaotic neurosis. Before I was done my case of nerves had passed.

http://www.mamasaysom.com/

12th street cafe'

pigeon flies

Yellow taxi

sunlit sidewalk

postman passes

open door

frowning woman

walks by

laughing child in pink

dances through

the open door

I Would

The topic at sundayscribblings is
what would you attempt if you knew you would not fail?

• Hug a bear in his lair
• Kiss a tiger on his ear
• Dance with cranes in the noonday sun, flap my wings and beat a drum
• Sing with the whales a song of dreaming, search the ocean’s heart for dreams I’ve lost
• Tell you a story so sad that we both will weep
• Paint a picture so full of love that the paint will kiss your soul
• With my thread and needle stitch by stitch tear by tear make the world whole
• Tie my fear to the tail of a kite casting it far out on the wind
• Run barefoot through the stars gather stardust from heaven above, I’ll dust the earth with heaven’s love
• Then I will reach out to you and show you the love in my heart

sunday scribblings

Beauty, Truth, Love

"For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.

For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.

For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it."

Ivan Panin (1855-1942)

I thought I would share this quote and photo with you. I photographed the peony last summer while it was blooming in my mother’s garden.

Orchid

This is a photo of an orchid I bought this afternoon. After my doctor appointment, I stopped by the newly opened Trader Joes on 14th street, to buy some of their organic hotdogs and soymilk. The store window is full of orchids and they were all calling to me, " take me home with you, you know you love us, we are not expensive, very reasonable, you know you want to take us home with you, yes you do. Look deep into my petals you are getting sleepy…."so there I was in the checkout line with my hotdogs and these orchids. The clerk double bagged them for me to make them easier to carry. That when I had my brilliant ideal instead of taking the 4 or the 5 train to Bowling Green and walking with my orchid to the ferry terminal I would take the L train to 6th and 12th and take the 1 train because it goes right into the ferry terminal. Like many good plans this one didn’t go as hoped. Every thing appeared to be moving along as planned until the Chambers Street stop, where we waited and waited then they announced that we were waiting for the dispatcher and we would leave shortly after more waiting we were told to get off the train another train would be along shortly finally after still more waiting we are told no train. So I get out my map. Me with my soymilk and hotdogs, backpack carrying my orchid pot of course I am tired and thirsty so I stop and buy some ice cream, of course I can’t eat it because my hands are full so now I am carrying melting dripping ice cream finally I had the sense to sit down on the curb and eat my ice cream. Normally the walk from Chambers St to the ferry isn’t bad if I don’t get lost but today I was tired and for some reason it took me almost an hour. All the time I am knowing that if I had taken the 5 train….

The moral of this story is don’t let yourself be hypnotized by an orchid.

word path

to hope
one life
to wander
to wonder
what will be
a journey
an enemys kisses
the enemy smiles
darkness
all is lost
only hope
survives
is hope vain?
a journey
full of fear
dispair
beauty walks in
light he gives
hope regained
love soars
agitated depths
troubled soul
healing spirit
banishes fear
love creates
anxiety eats
trouble creates
healing hands
beauty creates
harmony restored
I am wrapped in
serenity
love fills

Blue Scream

Blue is the subject this week at http://www.mamasaysom.com/
This painting is about my son . When he was small he was twice attacked by neighbors dogs. A large red chow bit him repeatedly. He had bites in his head. The neighbor a huge man considerably over two hunderd pounds had to wreasle the dog off of my son. Afterwards I hated it when he would pet dogs. Sam still loves dogs. I painted this picture several years later. When my ex decided to divorce me he hid my son from me this painting was done during the time my son was gone. I painted my fear and memories of the dog bite because I was unable to cope with his being missing.

Mad At God

A few months ago Amber Rose, a healer and an instructor at the Swedish Institute, asked me if I was mad at God. I told her that I wasn’t. Afterwards her question stuck in my head and I realized that I was lying to myself. I know that things are my fault and not God's; nonetheless it didn’t matter, I was still angry with God and had been for a couple of years.

Spiritually I was standing in the middle of an unending empty desert, even as an atheist I hadn’t felt spiritually empty like this. I knew I was being unreasonable but still I was angry with God and I was unable to let go of my anger. After years of wondering if there is there a God I really knew there is a God but my prayers felt empty even when I could see God answering them because between me and God was all my anger.

Finally a few nights ago I told God “God you know I am mad at you. I’ve tried and tried to stop being mad at you, I can’t please take it away.” The hollow feeling in my chest left and with it my anger. I feel unsure about God, kind of nervous still, but it feels good not to be mad at God anymore.

Sound

This evening, I went to a sound healing group at St. Vincent's on 7th and 12th Street. The sound healer Ruth Cunningham played a medieval harp and the flute. Before going there I was not feeling good. While listening the toning was energizing, getting rid of my achy grogginess while at the same time relaxing me. I love the fact that even though I am totally unmusical I can participate in the group. My favorite part is at the end when Ruth plays her own improvisations. Afterwards I felt an incredible sense of serenity. I love going to these sound healing groups. Each time I each time I go I feel like it is more enjoyable.

Have you ever been to a sound healer? How was it?

Madison Quote

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." ~~J. Madison

An Altered Book Page

Fridays List

I need:
More time with my son
My lost password
More music in my life
A lot more harmony
Walks on the beach
I need to spend more time with friends
A lot more serenity
Creativity
A new pair of glasses
A copy of "Yearning"
Healing
To get my hair done
A new scarf
Balance
And a new lipstick


I need to get rid of :
The blues
Old books I don’t want
Piles of old papers
My backache
20 pounds
Fear
Meanness
Clothing I don’t wear
Debts
Depression
Chaos


Thanks to Pomegrantesandpaper for this idea

Foundation

Often life leaves me
feeling lost and floundering.
The world shifts beneath my feet.

A lover's love ends.
Towers topple
leaving only ruins.
A spouse is our spouse
until they divorce us,

but a brother
is a brother forever.

When the foundation is broken
and my life is in shambles.

My family is always there.


This weeks theme at http://www.mamasaysom.com/ is Foundation.

In Beauty

As I walk, as I walk

The universe is walking with me

In beauty it walks before me

In beauty it walks behind me

In beauty it walks below me

In beauty it walks above me

Beauty is on every side

As I walk, Iwalk with beauty

Dineh Prayer

Lavender

Acrilyc on canvas

Found this stashed in the back of my closet the other day. This is a piece I did when I was taking a class at the Art Students League a while back.

List Friday

It's List Friday at Pomegrantesandpaper
Heres my list

Spiring is in My Soul

pink
lemon yellow
turquoise
serene blue skies
cherry blossoms
robins singing
warm sunbeams
long walks in the park
splashing in rain puddles
rainbows
chocolate bunnies
red and white tulips
stargazer lilies
laying on the green grass stairing at big fluffy clouds
spring break

Leave Me Winter
mittens and gloves
snow flurries
dangling icicles long johns
below freezing
snow storms
icy sidewalks
frigid winds piercing my heavy wool coat
gray
white
brown
smoke from chimneys
gas heat
dark days
red sweaters

A Page From My Sketchbook

Do You Like to Write?

You Should Be A Poet

You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways. And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery... Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever. You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

What type of writer should you be?

Try the link above and let me know,

what kind of writer you are or you should be.

What kind of writer do you wish you were?

Mushrooms

5 by 7 on 140lbs Fabriano watercolor paper

I grew up eating this it's my mothers recipe. It's been a long time since Ive made it but painting the mushrooms reminded me of it and of sauted mushrooms and garlic.

Quick and Easy
Angel-hair Pasta with Mushroom Sauce

Pasta:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil over high heat... When the water reaches a full rolling boil put in:
8 ounces of angel hair pasta
Cook until just tender. (Follow the instructions on the package)
Drain the pasta and add to the sauce - mix well

Sauce:
Meanwhile prepare the sauce:
½ cup of onion, chopped fine
2 cloves of garlic, minced
½ cup celery, finely chopped
1-teaspoon olive oil
sauté the above ingredients, until they begin to soften in a heavy bottomed or cast iron fry pan

In a large bowl
1 can mushroom soup
1 can chopped olives
1 ½ teaspoon soy sauce
add the onion/celery mixture and the drained pasta, stir to blend

Garnish with
mushroom slices
fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
Serve

Ribbon

Watercolor 5 by 7 on 140 lbs Fabriano cold pressed watercolor paper

Artist way

It’s a warm beautiful day today and I have had the flu. If that wasn't bad enough my hip started acting up again Thursday. I want to go out and play. Instead I am taking muscle relaxers and Advil, staying in bed with my heating pad, drinking tea and eating chicken soup with cayenne, and sleeping. How anyone can sleep this much I don't know.

Didn’t do very well with my artist way assignments this week, I did my pages most days but that’s it .I didn’t finish reading the chapter or do the assignments. Got up a while ago and read some of your blogs. They are inspiring but now I am going back to bed.

What Color Green Are You

You Are Grass Green

Down to earth and a bit of a hippie, you are very into nature and the outdoors. You accept the world and people as they are. You don't try to change things. You are also very comfortable with yourself, flaws and all. Optimistic about the future, you feel like life is always getting better.

What Color Green Are You?

Women's Room ?

While I was at my psychiatrist's office I stopped by the women's room on my way out. As I was sitting in the stall, someone walked into the stall next to me. With shock I notice the shoes… men’s shoes.

First I try to tell myself they could be women’s shoes but no, they are definitely men’s shoes. I am horrified; I can’t believe that I've gone into the men’s room again twice in two months. I decide that I will hide in the stall, wait for him to leave and sneak out. Maybe no one will see me leaving the men’s room. So I sit there chewing myself out for being so spacey. Thinking what’s wrong with me? I am too young for Alzheimer’s.

I hear the water running. I am listening for the sound of the door. Then I hear the door open and click click. Isn't that the sound of a woman’s shoes? I ask myself. A woman’s voice says" this is the women’s room." Then I notice the stall door is painted rose beige.

Writing

I just finished writing a post. Instead of posting it I asked myself why did I write this? Nobody wants to read it. Then I gave the mouse a little push and clicked on save as a draft.

I have done this repeatedly. I want to write things down but I am unsure about anyone reading what I write. Then I opened Julia Cameron's book the Right to Write and read these words "in order to be a good writer, I have to be willing to be a bad writer. I have to be willing to let my thoughts and images be as contradictory as the evening firing its fireworks outside my window. In other words, let it all in- every little detail that catches your fancy..."

I know this is true when I paint; I know it is essential to give myself permission to paint a bad painting. There is no faster way to ruin a painting than to decide it has to be great or, God forbid, perfect. I've learned not to listen to myself when I start telling myself that what I am painting is terrible or fantastic. Experience has taught me that I have no perspective on the quality of a piece while I am working on it. For some reason it doesn't bother me to paint a lousy painting. Sometimes I remember this when I blog but other times I forget and then I don't want to post.

The Tomato Speaks

The tomato is sitting on the kitchen counter screaming.
Why is the tomato screaming?
Maybe he just isn’t getting along with his siblings
sitting there with him:
Is he having trouble with the bush?
Perhaps he heard about what Bush has done to his health care.
Maybe he’s upset about plans for the environment,
bad growing conditions,
air quality,
environmental pollution,
and crowded housing conditions.

That’s a lot for a tomato to have to deal with.
I can see how it might get him down.
Is he just bored and wanting to go outside?
Is he feeling stress and pressure
From all of life’s problems?

Can you hear him?
He is still screaming….

I think he feels out of place because
after all he’s a hothouse tomato you know.

Watercolor on Arches 140Lb rough watercolor paper

Artist Way Task

Earlier this week I read the task Color Schemes: “Pick a color and write a quick few sentences describing yourself.” I thought of celadon, a warm color both blue and green, yet nether blue or green, a color of light magic and serenity. But today as I work on the tasks, I feel like a rainbow gone bad, all the colors got mixed together in a muddy mess. I feel muffled and dingy; my brain and emotions feel foggy. Even though it’s the middle of the day I took a bath and washed my hair to try and wash that muddy feeling away. I think it helped a little. Writing this is also some help; I think writing cleans out the brain.

What I really need is some music… (I just put a CD "The Poet" on by Michael Hoppe, maybe thats what I need)

On to the next task: “List five things you are not allowed to do.” I’ve reached the place where the only one who allows me to do things or not to is myself. What is it that I don’t allow myself to do? I wonder how I am going to answer this question....

Green Onions

Watercolor 9"by 12" on 140Lb Arches Rough waterclor paper

I didn’t know what to paint, but then I remembered these in the back of the refrigerator.

Garlic

Watercolor 5 by 7 on 140lbs Fabriano cold pressed watercolor paper

My sister-in-law told me that chewing raw garlic is good for colds. It certainly cleared out my sinuses, but I think it tastes better sautéed with green beans.

Artist Way Week 8

Watercolor 5 by 7 140 lbs Fabriano

Early patternings
As a child I grew up surrounded by creative people. Such as Jan who blew glass in her garage, Claudia who did sculpting, needle art, and theatrical costuming, Writers and photographers people who painted, sewed, sculptors and other artists. Being creative was normal, my parents are my especially supportive of my art. I remember my Mother teaching 600 children each to make an apple head doll. Frequently after school in our garage my mother would be helping neighbor children work on their art projects.

As an artist my health has been my biggest challenge it feels like it knocks me down strangling artistic progress.

I had a very supportive environment I started selling a few pieces and teaching art classes.

When I married things changed. My ex viewed art with contempt a blocked creative himself. Within six months of marriage I was completely blocked not seeing or understanding what was happening I remained blocked for a number of years. Eventually returning to my art when he was out of town for long periods of time.

Tonight as I paint my hands shake a side effect of medication. I search for a balanced fulfilling artistic life but life seams rather scrambled.

Mug

Watercolor 5 by 7 on 140lbs Fabriano watercolor paper

While sitting at the table water coloring, I stopped for a break and a cup of coco then, I quickly sketched the mug.

Eggs and Chickens

Watercolor 5 by 7 on textured clayboard

Years ago I raised chickens I ordered 100 baby chicks from Murray Mc Murray. They came in the mail. I raised them in my son’s old playpen in the kitchen. After the chicks were out on their own we threw the playpen away. The chickens were some of the most entertaining pets I ever had. My ex wanted some for the table. For a couple of weeks before butchering. We feed the birds cracked corn and powdered milk. My father-in–law came over and butchered a couple dozen of them for me. I wrapped them up in freezer paper then put them in the freezer. I fixed some for dinner by far the best chicken I ever tasted nothing like what we get from the store. I decided it felt to much like eating my pets I thought they were just chickens I hadn’t realized they were pets. The next day I took all the chickens out of the freezer and gave them to my friend Barbara. They may have been the best birds I ever ate but I still wasn’t eating them and I certainly wasn’t going to cook anymore of them. Later a friend of mine gave me a Lt Brahma rooster for eating, so I named him La King. In spite of the name he became one of my favorite birds, he grew up to be a magnificent rooster in charge of the chicken yard.

Green Pear

Watercolor 5 by 7 on 140lbs Fabriano cold pressed watercolor paper

Looking out the window at the snow, ice, and gray sky a beautiful and very cold scene, I thought I should paint it but I felt a strong resistance to painting all that coldness deciding instead to paint a red apple, in the following days I continued to paint other fruit then I added some vegetables. Painting the fruits and vegetables is meditative, keeps my mind calm and the small 5 by 7 size doesn’t tire me as much as the larger pieces do. This is new for me because I have never liked working small. Small pieces tend to lack presence, but they are good meditation.

The Best

Snow, snow and more snow, the fluffiest, prettiest snow I’ve ever seen. But it has interfered with our travel plans, so we are staying another day at the bed and breakfast. Jack made cranberry-walnut pancakes for us; the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten ever.

Cold Cold

Visiting Massachusetts today, staying at the Collage Town Inn , a bed and breakfast. Jack and Charlotte are very gracious people; they both have a gift for making people feel at ease.

We decided to visit Plum Island. It’s a bit of a drive from here but it’s been over a month since I’ve been to the beach. This time I am wearing layers of clothes over my long johns so hopefully the cold won’t be chasing me off the beach.

Stopped at the Massachusetts Visitors Center for directions. I bought a Mountain Dew from the soda machine then decided to visit the women’s room. Imagine my surprise to see a gentleman in the women’s room. I made a hasty exit with as much dignity as I could find (not much). I have to pay more attention to what I am doing! I am glad to say that that was the worst of my day…. Well … the cold was pretty bad….

I saw Starlings, Robin, Mocking birds, a Longspur, a Red-tailed hawk, Greater-black backed gulls, Herring gulls, Canada Geese, Crows, Goldfinch, Mallards, Northern Harrier Not a good day birding!

The beach was cold. Cold. Cold. (Maybe a bit more than cold.) Long Johns didn’t help --- well they probably did help but it was so cold that I didn’t notice if they were helping.
It was so cold our lips turned blue and our faces turned purple (not my favorite style of makeup)

Walking back up from the beach CD hurt his ankle. Slowly working our way back to the car, griping all the way about the ach in our fingers, toes and noses, it was looking like a really bummer of a day. It is amazing how warm a cold car can be when it lets one get in out of the wind.

The sun was beginning to paint patterns on the water as we started back toward the gate. We stopped when we saw a lot of people with scopes, binoculars and cameras staring motionless at an empty field. Pulling off to the side of the road we wandered over hoping to discover what had captured their attention; sure seemed to be a very big empty field. One of the women, who we sort of met at the Audubon Nature Center, told us there was a Snowy Owl out in the field. She told us that the Snowy Owl had caught a goose and offered to let us look through her scope at the owl. How can I express how impressive it was to see such a gruesome site of an owl gorging himself on goose…. He turned his head and looked straight at me as though he actually knew we were there. The only word that comes to mind (all things considered) is still Awesome. My son says that Owl has skill.

Artichoke

Watercolor on 140 pound paper

Tag

Meme Artist Way---

1. Four wishes dreams and desires
a. I wish I felt brave enough to travel alone
b. Wish I could find a writers’ group I could join.
c. Wish I felt good enough to teach an art course.
d. Wish I had an apartment in Manhattan.
e.Wish for serenity harmony light and joy for all.
f.Wish I could visit my family in Texas.
g.Wish I knew whats the point whats the meaning of life?
h.Wish for a cat.
i.Wish for another baby
j.wish to be musical
You must have noticed that this is more than four but after I finnished my list I thought since I am wishing why stop at four.
2. Four Imaginary Lives
a. A Beach Bum
b. Naturalist
c. Botanist
d. Writer
e. a snowbird
f.a puppet maker
3. Four things I should change
a. My weight
b. Walk more
c. Decorate my room
d. Paint more
4. Four people I admire
a. Candi – grace poise vibrancy – she has a beautiful spirit
b. My brothers DK because of his endurance his ability to accomplish things and the way he can always find the answer to anything I want to know. WB because of his calmness,and his compassion.
c. My dad – the way he is calm and the he makes a difference in the world
d. Peter Goldbeck - makes a difference in peoples lives
5. Four things I like about The Artist Way
a. The morning pages – I hate doing them – but they make me more creative and I get used to them the more I do them
b. Reminds me to relax about things and encourages me to try new things
c. Inspiration of the AW community.
d. So many great blogs to read.
6. Four things I still hope to get out of the Artist Way
a. Write more
b. Community with other creatives
c. Inspiration
d. Creativity

Now I am going to tag: Myhealing journey, Changingplaces, Blue Dog, Endment

lily

Acrylic on black clayboard 5by7

acupuncture

Waifan invited me to her classes ground round for an acupuncture treatment from one of the class instructors.The instructor gave me a treatment for my stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen and hearing. The instructor and the class asked me all kinds of questions like, does my stomach bother me, what color is my urine? Did I fell hot or cold? Was I close to my parents, was I the eldest child? Did I have any food cravings? How long had I had problems with anxiety?Then she had me stick out my tongue so everyone could see it. They talked about my tongue apparently it has a few faults one of them being its the wrong color (why do I find that amusing?)The instructor took my pulse then she talked to the class about what was wrong with my pulse.After that about half the class took turns taking my pulse. A personal record for the most people I've ever had take my pulse in ten minutes if only I had thought to count.
I felt a tiny bit self concise, But the class was very nice and everyone was very friendly.
I feel differently after my acupuncture treatment today than I did yesterday, yesterday I felt completely blissful, today I feel serene, calm and very peaceful.

Clam Shell

"Be certain of nothing, for let it be understood that as soon as you are certain about anything you may be certain you are wrong." Kenneth Meadows

Today

Started the day off by sleeping late. Made such a big rush to get things done and get ready to leave but I was late for the ferry and had a long wait for the next one. Fortunately the subway only took me about twenty minutes so I was on time to my appointment at the Swedish Institute

Wow! Acupuncture was fantastic! I feel surreal; nobody could really feel this good. Waifan, the acupuncturist, put needles in my head today. Oddly enough they felt pretty good. One of the needles she put in my left wrist made my fingers feel numb but as soon as she took it out the numbness went away. Waifan invited me to come back tomorrow for a acupuncture treatment at their grand rounds; I am looking forward to that. I feel wonderful! Acupuncture is amazing!

Afterwards I walked by the Regional Thai restaurant. Every time I walk by it I think Tai sounds so good but this time I turned around and went back and ordered some of their vegetable dumplings and a cup of tea. I am amazed that I actually ate in a restaurant alone. I eat in coffee shops or get food to go when I am alone. I think this may be the first time I went out to eat by myself.

It was 3:30 so the place was pretty close to empty. The waiter gave me a window seat; the food was attractively presented; the waiter was gorgeous. As soon as I had ordered I wondered what had possessed me; I wasn't even really hungry. But I am already looking at the menu I took with me asking myself if I want to try the spring rolls or the red curry vegetables next time. They have a vegetarian steak - grilled tofu steak with mushrooms, lime leaf and red pahang sauce. What is red pahang sauce? There is even a lemongrass beef salad. I am making myself hungry and I just ate! I feel like I have been so self indulgent today. Maybe this should count as an Artist date. Can Artist dates just happen or do they need to be planned?

Feather

Acrylic on clayboard 5by7


about clayboard
http://www.ampersandart.com/

A Laughing Matter

This evening I was going through my mailbox and where I found this e-mail that someone sent to me two years ago. It made me laugh then and it made me laugh again today. Maybe you will enjoy it allso.

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST
She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.


WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who
should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up
first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking
around here and you should do it, because that is your
job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it
is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New
Testament and showed him at the top of several pages,
that it indeed says..........

"HEBREWS"