My Mini Art Journal

Yes, I know I haven't written anything in my blog for quite some time.

What I have been doing is working in my new little art journal. 

Fact is it has possessed me.  I don't want to do anything else and my home and health is paying for it.  I don't want to eat, sleep or clean.  All I want to do is play in my journal.

Following is some of the pages I have completed.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed producing them.

I am thinking of starting a new blog.  A blog of the pages in my journals.  I am more apt to keep up with my blog if it is about something I love but right now I have to get ready for a day with my corvette friends.

BYE!!!

Whitewater Rafting

Here it is the end of August and I just realized I have not written about my whitewater rafting experience all the way back in time....June.  Well, I did write a little bit but I didn't tell my story, so here goes!

As my family and friends know I am a reluctant thrill seeker.  Deep down I am a coward but I love adventures so I find myself time after time ignoring my fears and jumping into a new adventure with my petticoat a flying behind me.  Later I look back and wonder why I was so afraid. 

This is the situation I found myself in when Darrell, my sister Mary, her husband Robert, my brother Jim, his wife Shorty and I traveled to Ocoee Tennessee to go whitewater rafting.  Darrell had gone whitewater rafting several times and as is his habit told me over and over again "You're going to love it!" 

Yeah right!  I can't swim and I have a fear of drowning.  That's why I can't swim.  I have been known to panic in water over four feet deep.  It's not a pretty picture.  But not one to miss out on any new experience, I agreed.

My A.D.D. was going nuts the whole long seven hour drive to the beautiful Smokies.  I'm sure Darrell wondered why I was so quiet on the trip there but actually I was babbling only it was an internal conversation he could not hear.  "What is there to be afraid of?  Your family and Darrell love you.  They wouldn't let you drown.  I can do this.  I can't do this.  Yes you can.  No I can't.  Who do I think I'm fooling?"

Darrell and my family members were excited the morning we were to raft down the Ocoee River and insisted we get to the bus early.  We sat for a half hour for our guide to arrive.  Everyone was busy chattering with excitement while my A.D.D. continued it's internal babbling.  Once I walked away from the group unable to handle their glee and enthusiasm while I was so worried.

Finally we were on the bus heading up the river for our all day raft trip down the turbulent waters of the Ocoee.  Upon our arrival at the head water the six of us and the guide carried our rubber raft to the edge of the river all the while our guide explaining all the do's and don'ts.  This weakling was not much help carrying the raft; convincing me further that this was not for me.  Still I jumped in when told to do so and off we went for yet another adventure.

It wasn't long before we came upon our first rapid, a number 3 in difficulty.  Wow, it wasn't bad at all and yes, it was fun.  We continued down the river crashing into big boulders and hurdling through one rapid after another number 3 and 4 in difficulties.  Before I knew it I was laughing and enjoying every second of this heart pounding ride.

We stopped half way down the river for a light lunch and potty break.  Finally I was my old talkative self.  I could now laugh at my fears and rejoice in overcoming them. 

The Ocoee River had been the home of the 1992 Olympic kayaking teams and even though I was in a raft rather than a tiny kayak, I had gone down the river safely.  The Olympic teams went over some type 5 rapids.  The guide explained that they had in years past.  However last year a guide had died while maneuvering through a type 5 rapid.  They no longer traversed through the deadly rapids.  That sounded like a good idea to me.

So how do I feel about whitewater rafting now?  This has got to be the most fun adventure I have ever been on.  If I lived closer I know I would spend every weekend possible there in a raft fighting my way through the rocks and crannies of the Ocoee River.

Door County Wisconsin, Artist Heaven

Darrell and I just returned from a short vacation to Door County Wisconsin.  When I say short I mean WAY TOOOOO SHORT!  We left Friday morning and returned Monday morning.  It is a ten hour trip from Collinsville, IL to Fish Creek Wisconsin with a short break for food and gas so we didn't do much sightseeing Friday.  Still the drive was enjoyable and scenic.

Darrell had told me over and over again "You are really really going to enjoy this trip!"  He was right but I know he had no idea how I would enjoy the trip.  He thought I would love the fish boil, which I did.  He thought I would love the quaint little stores, which I did.  He thought I would love the beautiful country side, which of course I did.  But what I really loved was the way Door County brought out the artist in me.

Everywhere we went my senses were inspired to create.  By the number of artist galleries in that small county I can honestly say without hesitation Door County brings out the artist in many.  I didn't want to bore Darrell by insisting we hit all the art galleries so we didn't see nearly enough (and then too we didn't have a whole lot of time).  But I must tell you about Dovetail Gallery in Egg Harbor.  This unusual gallery is housed in an original dovetail log cabin.  The artists, a husband and wife team, who reside there have created an incredible garden of old fashion cottage flowers, garden art, wind sculptures and the most amazing copper sprinklers designed by the artist himself all along winding pebble garden paths.  As usual I did not bring a camera but I did have my trusty little cell phone so out it came snapping pictures everywhere.

The last image is their mail box.  That is what drew me to the gallery.  Darrell and I were looking for someplace to have breakfast and I made him drive back to check this place out.  The wife of the artist team decorates eggs.  She created a large egg over the mail box.  The husband told me the mail box cover was suppose to remain there for only a couple of weeks but looks like it is a permanent addition since it draws customers in.

And now I have to get to my artist endeavors while the creative juices are still flowing inspired by beautiful Door County Wisconsin!

Lonely kitty

My daughter and her two little girls are in the process of moving.  Today while she was at work and the girls were with their father, I slipped over to the house she lives in presently to leave her some packing boxes.  I was greeted with much enthusiasm by the new family member, a tiny eight week old kitten, Taffy.

I gently lifted the softly purring creature to my face where she began gently nibbling on my ears and cheeks as if she was so lonely for any attention she would gladly smother me in her kitty kisses.  I had this uncontrollable urge to gather her up and hide her in my purse so that I could take her away with me and give her all the mothering attention she was missing.  I found myself softly cooing to her words of love. 

It occurred to me this small little animal was just like you and me.  We started our lives as babies caring for nothing more than to be fed and loved by our mother.  Only difference is that this baby was torn away from the love and security of its mother to live with children who have their own lives to live, often away from their home where the kitten must stay 24/7.

Yes, I know all the pro and cons of owning a pet.  I understand that this kitten will be will cared for all of its life.  It will never be left out in the cruel Illinois weather or search for food.  This kitten will be loved by its new family. 

Just the same, I can't help but feel sad for the little guy who no longer can curl up to her mother and feel the warmth of her body as she gently cleans her baby kit or can no longer romp and play with her brothers and sisters.

I know, I'm just saying .........

Do You Believe In Fairies?

Children are much more observant of nature than adults are.  A blade of grass is fascinating.  A cloud is a fluffy bunny hopping by and there is nothing as beautiful as the dandelion that we adults call weeds.  A child sees beauty in the bright yellow petals and a magical fairy wand when the petals turn into white seeds.  One strong blow and all the happy wishes of a small child float out into the fairy world where a fairy is waiting to receive the child's request.

"Do you believe in fairies?  Say quick that you believe.  If you believe clap your hands."  James M. Barrie author of Peter Pan

I believe.

And I know my grandchildren believe.  Why do I know without a doubt that my grandchildren believe?

Because one day while hiking in the woods behind Papa Les' house Abby came upon a big tree.  Not just any old tree but the home of a fairy.  She knew it had to be the home of a fairy because it was so old and gnarly and all around the base of the tree were growing wild flowers and mushrooms just as if they are been planted there.  She cautiously walked around the tree looking for further evidence. 

To her amazement down at the very base slightly hidden by roots pushing up through the ground she found something that didn't quite belong there.  A door.  Yes, a little door about four inches high with a tiny little brass door knob.  She squealed with excitement and yelled for me to come see for myself.

What should she do?  The proper thing to do would be knock on the door to see if anyone was home.  So she did but no one answered her knock. 

I fear her excited yelling scared the poor little creatures away.  They didn't know it was just a sweet little girl come to call and ask for their friendship.

Abby came back to the magical fairy tree often but never found anyone home.  But that has not stopped her from believing in the wee little people.

Attached is a picture of the captured fairy Abby's little sister Anna made.  She had quite a time chasing the little fairy around the house before finally capturing her and sealing her in a jar.

Bad Guys Beware

Nearly 20 years ago I bought the tiny little cottage I call "Home".  I live here alone with an occasional visitor, mostly grandchildren but also girlfriends and family members.   Les was the only none family member male ever allowed to spend the night with me. This is a "No Men Allowed" club house of sorts. 

Why?  Because I need my privacy and my time to create.  This humble little cottage is where I feel free to be me. 

So what is this leading up to?

I found evidence today while doing laundry where someone has been trying to invade my private domain.  Over the clothes dryer is a small basement window.  I noticed that is partly open.  I have never opened it in all the years I have been here.  (I actually figured it was painted shut.)  Also before I went to work last night I noticed the storm door in back was open slightly.  I remember thinking I always make sure it is secured tightly because I don't want a gust of wind to blow it off the hinges as has happened in the past.  When I arrived home later that evening the storm door was ajar once again.  This time I locked it to be sure it wouldn't fly open.

I don't believe anyone broke in.  Nothing is missing or out of place, but I am now sure a bad guy tried. 

I have never feared for my safety living here alone.  I still don't, however I don't believe in asking for trouble.  I am now going to walk around my home and check all the locks and try to eliminate any easy access from the outside.  If someone wants to break in bad enough they will.  Perhaps I can give them some unpleasant surprises as Macaulay did in Home Alone.  Since I am a "crafter" I have all sorts of things that could be used to booby trap my house.  And then of course there is the baseball bat Les gave me for protection when I refused to have a gun in my home.  I have gotten pretty comfortable in my routine.  Perhaps that also needs to be shook up.  I have some ideas.  It is just a matter of putting them in action.

Bad guys look out.  This little lady likes her privacy and will fight for it.  Trespassers beware!

I Love You

WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE!

I got out of the shower this morning and looked into the steamy mirror to be welcomed by the childish writings of my nine year old granddaughter, Abby.  With an erasable magic marker she had written "I love you Grandma."

Abby is a people pleaser as is her mother.  She delights her teachers with messages across the top of her homework saying "You're the best teacher ever!"  She spreads sunshine everywhere she goes.  When I was growing up the chunky children were ostracized and made fun of yet my granddaughter is chunky and the most popular girl in the school.  I say school rather than class because everyone knows her.  I've walked down the school hall with her and teachers and children of all ages yell out to her by name in greeting.

I was raised to be cautious of showing affection so as not to give someone the wrong impression.  I now believe that is wrong.  I resolve to change that.  (Of course anyone who knows me well knows I have been changing that attitude for quite a few years now.)

I believe God created us in His image.  If that is so, we are good and worthy of love. 

Yes, I know there are bad people out there.  I believe the bad people were created not by God but by others who raised them, who they were exposed to or unfortunate circumstances.  They began their lives as sweet precious babies just as we all did.

I cannot change the world.  I cannot make everyone happy.  But I myself can be happy and one of the easiest ways to do that is to love and welcome love into my love.  I am not talking about the love between a man and woman.  I am talking about the love of all mankind.

So today I am sending you hugs and kisses and lots of love.  Have a wonderful loving weekend.  I know I will.