Braving the Elements

I have been experimenting, creating and culling new elements. Trying to be brave. Learning new techniques. Fitting the pieces together.

Starting a new sketchbook, drawing on ideas from the past, and playing around.

Expanding on recurring themes - vintage elements in a brave new world.

Still uncertain, still wondering what it will amount to, but going along with it. I am enjoying the journey and braving the elements and hoping for a little sun.

What are you up to?

Undertow

I have been under the water
Under the weather
Undone
I have been under the water for 2 weeks.
I have been muddled, murky, blurred, befuddled, and also slightly deaf.

So, if you've noticed that I haven't been coming 'round well...I'm not quite myself.

The old medicine didn't work, there are high hopes for the new medicine. It's bigger, stronger, faster, but it's undertow makes me even more deep divery.

Another side effect seems to be self portraiture. Perhaps there will be a renaissance of the 'Experiment'. But for now, I think I will take a little break and hope to see you soon on dry land.

Be well.

The Reveal

Whist I lack a certain finesse in the haircutting department, she has refused my attempts to make it come over all even. She has also scoffed at my suggestion of calling in a professional to "do a little clean up". She claims it is perfect, that I am indeed a great hair cutter, in fact, as she looked in the mirror at her new 'Do', she turned and pointed at me me saying, "You The Mama!"
I think she was just a little light headed.

The Weight

After the terrible tragedy in Japan, all the loss and ruin, my heart so heavy with sadness...I felt so grateful, as many of you have, for the ordinary every day life - warts and all. And as we in the little green cottage kept on in our blessed, ordinary every day, another tragic event hit much closer to home.

I will be pausing for a moment, travelling next week to be with family. Rest assured that all of us in the little green cottage are fine. I am grateful that I have this shiny place to come back to, and that is because of you my friends. Thank you for every comment, every email, every kindness, and all the serious goodness you have shared with me!

This weekend, say I love you to those you love; notice the small things; sing out loud; make a mess; make a wish; forget the rules; be good to each other; stay up late; go to bed early; give yourself a nice hug; waltz around the kitchen...just L-I-V-E live!

and be well

Blush

Today there is rain again, the morning is heavy with darkness, and we are out of cat food. Still...this morning there is good coffee, the ladies are laying again after a long egg-less spell, my family is safe, and I am happy.

Here in the first blush of a new year, I haven't yet found a moment to pause...to really consider the days that lay before me. There's a lot of living in the moment going on around here. I've been reading others words for the coming year, goals and resolutions that resonate with me in some way or another. As much as I love list making - oh I really do you know - I haven't made an actual 2011 list. I think I might just roll with it this year and make it up as I go along. I do know that I want to be brave.

It's funny what being brave used to mean to me, compared to what it means now. When I was young, being brave was driving cross country in a car barely held together with duct tape and radio wires - or a yearly solo wilderness camping trip - or moving to an unknown city at the drop of a hat - or jumping off of tall bridges into icy cold rivers - or first kisses. Being brave is something altogether different now, and harder too I think.

I can imagine you reading this, perhaps thinking that my reflections on life are all well and good but, 'didn't she say something about a secret?' You don't miss a trick do you?
Some of you have been visiting long enough to know that I have a passion for music, and that I indeed make music myself. My stitching has slowed down to make way for another sort of crafting. I've taken on a secret project (soon to be much less secret)...and I want to make sure that I say this in the coolest possible way...

This weekend we had the first rehearsal for the new album.

And by 'the new album', I mean the only album. In the spirit of bravery, and to truly live in the moment, I am going to be recording a bare bones album with the help of some wonderful musicians who are getting paid in homemade cookies and beer. All my own material - made to sound gobs better with the talent of afore mentioned musicians. I'm a bit a-flutter about it, excited and nervous, even though it may just end up gifties for unsuspecting family and friends. It is indeed a Brave New Year!

To the sweet reader who sent me a note guessing that I was pregnant, I do hope you are not too disappointed.