BE YOUR OWN HERO

Earlier this year I was invited to give a brief meditation drawing class for a small group of women from the local battered women's shelter.  I was very happy to participate since the event was scheduled for the day before mothers day.  Cathy, the woman who invited me, owns a wonderful spa called Adam and Eve.  She told me that she does something every year for them.  Cathy planned a wonderful lunch along with some spa services.  She gave us each a card that was hand lettered with a saying.  I was amazed at what mine said and I have been thinking about it ever since.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN HERO...........

Well, if that didn't give me pause for thought.  All of a sudden I realized that I wasn't entirely sure what a hero was.  So I looked it up.  Words like bravery, ethics, morality, hopeful, were words that jumped off the pages.  I searched for a better definition and this is what I found.  "A hero or heroine is a person or character who, in the face of danger or adversity or from a position of weakness displays courage or sacrifice...or heroism------for the greater good.

Okay.  I kept reading this over and over again yet I still didn't know how I could be my own hero.  I have never been particularly brave and some might say that morally I might be on shaky ground.  Never-the-less, it was quite thought provoking.  There is one more thing to consider......one more question to ask.  Do I have the courage to be my own hero?  I don't know but I do know that I am foolish enough to try. 

CATSKILL ART SHOW

The show is up  and it looks great.  There is no  end to the  talent that is displayed on  these walls.  I  am feeling quite privileged to have my work among them. 

 

HAPPY NEWS!!!

I am delighted to say that the Greene County Council on the Arts chose this drawing to be in the May art show titled Linear Language.  I have not heard back about the other two I submitted but hopefully I will soon.  Here is a link to the gallery: http://www.greenearts.org/  I love to volunteer there and do it once a week on Mondays.

Today is one of those blustery days where being outside is a bit hard.  The sun is out thank goodness and it is Saturday after all.  Today, Jessica is coming for an overnight visit.  She is my model for so many of my wearable art.  She is perfect for it.  This is one of my hats I made out
 of recycled denim.  I have fun doing these.  They remind me of my hippy days for sure. Yeah man!!!!

THE MANY FORMS OF MEDITATION

TRADITIONAL

 Where is spring?!  Right now it is not outside....there are no signs that it will be here in a day or two.  My saving grace is my daily meditation practice.  My practice has taken different forms over the thirty years.  I was trained in what is considered the traditional sitting method.  Eyes closed, observing my breath as it flows in and out, gently, softly.  Calm, quiet mind.  It is a form that I still practice.

Over the years I have studied other types of meditation such as walking meditations, yoga, and drawing.  I have found them all to be wonderful ways to quiet the mind, soothe the soul, and relax the body.  My fiber art is a form of meditation for me for when I am creating I am in that special place.  In my studio there are no boundaries, no limitations, including what materials I may or may not have at hand.  It is my bliss, my meditation.  Whatever stress I am feeling melts away.

It is so important to find a way to reduce our stress in these times. Being in the moment is the only way to be;  no matter what you are doing be there as you are doing it.  In the meantime, help me bring spring into being, even if it is only in your minds' eye.

WHEN THE SPIRIT MOVES ME

FACES

When Mother Earth begins to stir like she has in the past couple of days, it is hard to contain my excitement.  Soon there will be flowers. and leaves on trees.  I get so excited like I used to when my grandparents were coming for a visit.  There I would sit, by the kitchen window, looking out over the field in front of our house, anticipating their arrival.  What a rush it would be when I saw their car turning the corner and drive up Ambach Lane.  I get the same way when I know spring is arriving.  I can't stand the wait!!!!!

Despite the cold weather we had here in the Catskill Mountains, I tried hard not to let the winter get the better of me.  Sitting by the fire every night was a comfort and it is where I spent a good deal of time drawing and knitting.  But the comfort did not come without cost.  Jay lugged in wood all winter long.  It was a hard job especially in such brutal weather and wind chill factors below 25.  However, without the cold, the warmth would not feel so so good.  The fire never so appreciated. I spent the winter being grateful for the fire and its flames and for the flicker of lights it gave; so bright in the darkest of winter.  I would turn off the lights and dance by the fire.  Sometimes Jay would join me.  It is moments like this when the spirit moves me. How wonderful!

IF ONLY

in between 

I do not want to live in regret.  No sir I don't.  Yet, I am still the biggest procrastinator in the world so it seems.  Where does that come from?  I am not sure.  There is so much fun to be had, art to be made, snow angles to make (yes, I still make them) and ...... oh yes, good wine to drink.  But I feel like I am in between.....things, life, the universe and everything.

It has been so cold for so long but daylight gets longer.  I keep promising myself that I will get up early and greet the day wide awake and ready to create something wonderful.  Alas, I have fallen into a chain of morning events that keeps my course the same.  I need change but I know I am the only one that can do it.  So I sit in between.......young and old, brave yet afraid, uncertain yet knowing.  In between.

It isn't good enough to be in my minds eye sitting quietly knowing what needs to be done but wanting to hibernate instead.  One thing is certain though.  When it is my time IF ONLY will be the last thing on my mind.

BTW....this is a picture that I took and have decided to make a quilt out of it.  I am thinking of a one woman art show called IN BETWEEN.  I think that is a good idea.  Don't you?

A LITTLE MOUSE TOLD ME SO

Here it is, the middle of January, and I am already two weeks behind.  My inspiration continues to be zentangle when I am feeling stuck and this time a little mouse showed up in my drawing meditation.  He is sweet isn't he?  There has been a great deal of activity around here as I prepare for my next set of workshops that I am giving.  It is terrific to be able to share this new form of meditation.  The people that I have met in the workshops are really delightful and the support is growing.

Currently, I am anticipating doing a class at Columbia Greene Community College, in Hudson, NY (time will be sometime in the spring).  I am also giving a talk on February 25th ( Wednesday) from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Pamper Thyme Country Store in Leeds, NY.   The topic will be stress, meditation, and zentangle.  This will be a hands on presentation with a small fee ($5.00) to cover material cost.

I am still working on my web page and hopefully soon, will be able to post the link so people can visit the site.  My little mouse tells me to get moving even though it is dark and dreary out there.  My little mouse helps me keep the sun shining in here in the studio.  The new year holds promise.  A little mouse told me so!