"Free At Last" (For Laura)

"Free At Last"  (12" x 17") was created for abused and hopeless women--to symbolize that their despair, deep and crippling as it is, doesn't have to keep them trapped.  While changing is potently difficult, painful, and frightening, we CAN change.  By continuing to put one foot in front of the other, by rising every time we fall, for holding on when nothing else is possible---we WILL break free, we will love ourselves.....I know.

Deep Thoughts

Gulistan

If of thy mortal goods

thou are bereft,

And from thy slender store two

loaves alone to thee are left,

Sell one, and with the dole

Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

Mu-slih-uddin Sadi

"See, No See"

It's been way over a month since I last posted.  I have been SO busy--mostly with meaningless things as I now look back.  I find myself at this same place in my life over and over--I forget to be in the present and, next thing I know, the present has become a past of which I'm barely aware.  Gee...guess I'm gonna have to keep practicing being consciously present in the moment (since better time management skills won't increase my awareness!).

"See, No See"  is 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" and is about the many "windows" of beauty and meaning that we see, or not...that we are alive in, or numb...that we gain, or we lose.

 

OOPS!!

OOPS!!! Part II

I  finished a piece for the exhibit, "No Place To Call Home."  I got ready to pull everything I needed to send---and found that, way back when, I had written the minimum size incorrectly---and I made it TOO SMALL to enter (20" vs 24") !  I cannot believe I did that--eye rolling--sigh--laugh--oh well, on to the next!  However, I am  going to put it here:

But Enough About You---Let's Talk About Me!

I just took some of those "tests" that tell a person about herself.  There was a concensus that I am strong-willed, courageous, honest, and a healer---that healing and art come naturally to me.  They revealed that, while I am not an idiot, I am also NOT smarter than a fifth grader.  The tests also showed I score very high in "weird" and that I'd like to take over the world. 

Hmmm.....This is actually not too far off....   

Deep Thoughts

Our true home is in the present moment.

To live in the present moment is a miracle.

The miracle is not to walk on water.

The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh

When The Women Come Out To Dance

       A few years ago, I was reading book reviews and saw a title, "When The Women Come Out To Dance."  I have no idea what the book was about--this image and its message flashed to me.  Women have forever toiled physically, mentally, and emotionally for others.  We have arisen each day to cook, clean, wash, mend, plant, and harvest.  We have fulfilled our duties to our parents and mates, borne and reared the children, cared for the sick and elderly, and served neighbor, church, country.  All this we are supposed to do with humor and happiness before, or without, acknowledging our own dreams and needs.  But in this piece, our spirits leave our bodies in sleep to meet in a clearing to dance wildly under the moon.  We sing, shout, and move however we please.  In secret sisterhood we offer support and sustenance to each other because we must return to our duties before the sun rises.
       This was hand appliqued, embroidered, beaded, and quilted.  The colors had to be vibrant and wild, the movement abandoned and individual, every person and thing sparkling and alive to suggest the depth and breadth and heighth of the inner, and so often denied, lives of women.   (16 3/4" x 13 1/2") 

Shelter From The Storm

Another Trip Around The Sun!

     My birthday quickly approaches--another time of year I contemplate my life.  Have I lived my beliefs and values? Is kindness more quickly my reaction to the unpleasant than irritation and anger?  Am I learning and teaching and learning?  I want to be a woman of compassion, wisdom, and courage--one who aids in making the world better and who passes this on to the next generation.

 "Shelter From The Storm" is  17 1/2" x 18 1/2", hand appliqued, embroidered, and beaded.  Another goddess piece, reminding me of Mary, Kwan Yin, nature spirits....It's a Bob Dylan song, "'Come in,' she said. 'I'll give you shelter from the storm...'"   

    

Back From The Living Dead--Tired!

I can't believe my last entry was in April!  My daughter's husband got transferred here close to me with two weeks notice at the end of April.  I've been helping them paint, clean, and move--and I've also made a kitchen full of red-and-white checked curtains.  I was reminded again why it's not always a good thing to be the only one who sews.  She and her two dogs stayed with me through the first part of this year while she was in school (college).  I do miss them being here in the house; however, not seeing dog hair tumbleweeds roll by has been good.  Just a few more cleanings and the dog hair should--mostly--be gone-- maybe.  I'm sewing again for me, am finishing up a piece for an exhibit and need to hurry--hard to speed up when doing handwork though!  Hopefully, I'm going back toward normal again, or somewhere close to there.