5.30.2014

~Meditative Spring Cleaning~



In meditation you try to clear your mind. At first, your mind may be very busy and you might even feel that the meditation is making your mind busier; but in reality you are becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is. Looking around at my life, my home, my vehicle, my phone, and my computer I realize that my mind is not the only thing cluttered with unnecessary things.
For me when I clean I like to listen to music. Something soft, like my stations here.  It helps keep me in a good head space, without slipping into negative thoughts or getting overwhelmed. I don't see cleaning as work, just as a gift I am giving myself, a clean slate. So I cleaned, donate and organized. Sitting down afterwords with a big deep breath. 

5.25.2014

~Sudden Beach Day~

I've been working so hard lately! I've been working at my day job and on the spirit animal watercolor pictures. They are coming out great.  Plus I have a few side projects.  I had to take a day trip to Bangor. It's about 2 hours each way.  I got my nose pierced. I've wanted it for a long time.  I've always seen it on pictures of East Indian  women and loved it. It looks so exotic.  I got it pierced with a plain silver stud but after it heals I want to get a tiny gold hoop. 
A good friend gifted me with a bunch of extra yarn balls that were destined for the garbage.  They are varying shades of brown. I stared at them for a few nights trying my best to decide what to do with them.  Still undecided.  So the pressure of hustling around had me a little stressed.
Suddenly after work the other day I decided that we needed something different.  I was driving with my son and in a split second decided we were going to the beach.  We didn't bring anything, just went.  The beach we like most is Rogues Bluff State Park.  On one side of the road is a lake with two soft sand swimming areas.  Later in the year we will go there to swim. The water is still way too cold. But the ocean up here is too cold to swim in. On the other side of the road is a long row of rose hip bushes with little narrow paths leading to the beach.
There is soft sand at the top and lower rocks wash up with the tide. My son and I spent the afternoon walking together in the heavy sand with our pants rolled up to the knees, carrying our shoes.  We walked the beach plucking sea glass up like tiny jewels. I explained to him how it is made.  He finds a tiny shell here and there.  He found me a beautiful piece, large and smooth with an interesting shape, still clear but a little shattered inside.  He was so proud of his find as I oohed and awed. "Can you wear this on a necklace?" he asked me.  I always wanted to make sea glass jewelry... "I wish you could make bracelets with the sea glass. It's really pretty and ocean-y"

I thought it over I'd need a drill to secure the sea glass. What kind of fiber or metal could I use that is natural or recycled.  I had thought of it before but never really thought it through as an actual plan.  Every time I found a little bit of sea glass I've wanted to make jewelry but never have. I think it's time!  And that quickly another project falls into my lap.
We looked at our shiny little gems in wonder, I'm so excited at the thought of wearing our finds. How cool!
Inspiration comes from everywhere, I thought. Something about nature just makes everything come together for me. I looked out over the ocean, wishing cameras could capture the aura of the place, of our good moods, and the feeling of the warm wind and cold water.
The wind whipped my hair into my face.  I forgot how long it was getting. My bob from last year has grown out. When I put it in a high ponytail the tip of the tail brushes my neck. I'm kind of sick of ponytails.  Headbands would be a nice change.  I think that might be a good way to recycle that yarn...
Enjoy the  pictures from our day!  I think the spirit animal watercolor pictures may be ready for my  next post. See you then.





5.10.2014

~A Day in the Life~



I've been thinking a lot lately about Native American spirit animals and the meanings each animal has. How do you find your spirit animal?  I want to know what mine is so much!  I'm currently in a research  and exploration stage. There are two I gravitate towards, hilariously enough they are complete animal opposites. I need to study more. I am planning a series of posts covering many of my findings about several of the animals. Art work!  The research is so inspiring I've started the sketches for a watercolor collection with the theme.  It's very exciting and I look forward to being able to share my art, research on spirit animals, and maybe what mine is!

Six fawns in all crossed in front of my work vehicle, but quickly scooted into tangled brush. One was a little curious. Adorable!

My poinsettia lives!  Despite being mauled by Great Dane, being tousled in the move, and accidentally placed in a room too cold for it.  It has decided to thrive again.  What a forgiving little thing.  I was given poor thing because after Christmas (2012) the owner threw it in a garbage bag and into the back of a truck for a day or two. I revived it slowly over that winter and spring and it grew huge in the summer, with many leaves and was quite tall as well.  However I had predicted it to flower in November and it has not produced a flower for me yet. Perhaps this year... If not I will still care for it.  The leaves are lovely. I think it is quite photogenic. Once we settle into a more permanent home I look forward to re-potting it into something lovely.

 Herbology! ~ This is one of my great loves.  Since I was small I have always had a love of all things natural and appreciation of how every ailment has a natural cure if we are wise enough to find it.  Every culture has found this. Pagans witches, witchdoctors, medicine men, grandmothers, survivalists, and holistic healthcare professionals they have so much in common:  The wisdom that nature provides. I have studied home remedies and natural cures.  Love, love, love.  Researching more of this for my home garden.

  With so many projects going on I have been telling myself to remember the small things. I want to make sure that the fleeting everyday moments don't pass me by. I took some time to get to know myself better.  I wanted to take notice of the small things that I appreciate and not lose the feeling of the moment. 

5.03.2014

~The View from Up Here~


  These lovely pictures are all taken from the deck of my suite at the Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine. The view is absolutely lovely and the air is crisp and cool. Ahh, I'm feeling a bit like a spoiled brat.  I'm here for a wedding of two of my very close friends.  What a  perfect venue!  I hope I get to come again in the summer or fall when the leaves are changing.  I wish this was my deck.  This morning I woke up before anyone was stirring and had a nice green tea sitting out here while wrapped in a blanket. Spring is late coming here in Maine but you can see the little bits of green poking out here and there.  Spring is all about hope, starting over, and potential.







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