I loooove children's books. I think you know this. Here and here and here, are just a couple of postings on children's books that inspire and speak to this growing-older child. And Jill Barklem's stories of Brambly Hedge are among the many that continue to inspire and speak to me. Like Beatrix Potter, Jill Barklem's … Continue reading My Brambly Hedge
Category: Philosophizing
More Gifts
There are times when a comment left on my blog leaps off the screen, splashing my face with the cool water of affirmation, of prophetic words and inspiration. Such were Alex's words on my last post, "..kinda like storyboard..." I'm sure that those who leave comments have no idea their words could be so meaningful … Continue reading More Gifts
Gifts
I received a gift this weekend...a book titled, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp. I have only read the first 29 pages, but I'm caught by her poetic voice as she tells her story of "daring to live fully right where you are" (subtitle). I don't know exactly where she's headed with the 1,000 gifts...but … Continue reading Gifts
Processing the Process
I've told you a bunch lately that I love, love, love drawing these little Bic drawings. But what I haven't told you is that there's a point, in just about EVERY single one of them, that I think, "Oh no! this is going horribly wrong! Will this be salvageable?" To keep myself from declaring, "I … Continue reading Processing the Process
New Year’s Revolution
Among the definitions of the word Revolution, are these- 1. a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm 2. motion of any figure about a center or axis My typical response to the old year leaving and the new year beginning, is to assess what I've … Continue reading New Year’s Revolution
Dare to stay where you are!
There are certainly very difficult, painful moments and seasons in one's life for which we could understand a flight response to be totally reasonable. But seriously, people, standing at a stove, stirring, sauteeing, whatevering can manifest that same flight response in me! Same with laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc. I am being encouraged by the writings … Continue reading Dare to stay where you are!
THIS moment is THE moment
The kind of "waiting" I'm a pro at, is the hand-wringing kind. You know, the oh-golly-i-don't-know-how-this-is-gonna-turn-out kind, or the i-gotta-do-somethin'-about-this kind, or the it-shouldn't-be-this-way kind, or the i-gotta-hurry-up-and-get-through-this-so-I-can-get-to-the-REAL-stuff-of-life kind. When I find myself in this state of "waiting" through life's moments, I do try to stop it. But I then typically fall into another kind … Continue reading THIS moment is THE moment
Waiting: Where Real Life Happens
Veteran's Day found me at home, with all three kids home from school, doing loads of laundry, grocery shopping, baking for a baby shower, cooking dinner and the endless dish washing that ensues. If I haven't ever said it plainly here, let it be known this day: THESE ARE NOT MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO!! … Continue reading Waiting: Where Real Life Happens
More Thoughts on Play
As I relaxed on the beach, listening to waves lapping, I mused further on the benefits and need for "play" in our lives. Just as we need to play with our art materials, we need to have time to play in our work-a-day worlds. Even if we enjoy our "work", we can become hunkered down … Continue reading More Thoughts on Play
In Praise of Watercolor
Wolf Kahn says in his book, Wolf Kahn Pastels, "I believe that every artist has one medium that determines the way he uses every other one. In Turner's case, for example, the artist's oil paintings aspire to the quality of watercolor. Daumier's use of line and tone in every medium recalls the marks that a … Continue reading In Praise of Watercolor