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Saturday, December 06, 2008

A Sunny, Good Day

It seems that every time I tick one item off my list, three more things get added. So why do I poke around writing in my journal and on my blog with so much to do? That's the question I keep asking myself. And I suppose the answer is that my soul needs to do what it needs to do. It needs to share, to show, to record and report and mostly it needs to play after so many years of shouldering the burden (which was fine at the time) of being breadwinner, mom, wife and entrepreneur. When the girls were growing up I never thought of time passing. I thought we would be a family living together forever. It seemed like such a long time that we hopped, skipped and jumped across the country (before John) and grappled with survival. I worked as a teacher's aide, dental lab technician, secretary (oh, yes!) and assembly-line worker.

For a few months I worked in California as a go-go dancer (nothing exotic, don't get ideas - I wore a 20's style dress with long fringe, silver high heels and a Goldie Hawn persona ...) I made enough money there to enroll in college; that was when I was barely 21 and thought I knew everything. Yee gods, no one wants to hear all this. Shut up and get to the news!!

So the reason I am skipping with joy is that another dream has come true for me and that is that I'll be teaching in Melbourne in a little over a year. I put my call out to the universe last year and then waited. I waited so long that I thought the universe had other plans for me and so I adapted myself to that idea. I told myself it was okay if I was supposed to do something else. I have lived long enough to trust that way. Sometimes you have to put your dreams under your pillow for awhile and be happy with other things. You know, play like you don't even know their names.

The other news is that both my proposed classes to Portland Art and Soul were accepted so I'll be returning there; happiness abounds. This is what I want to do right now and I know how fickle I am; I stay with a thing until my inner gyroscope tilts in another direction and then I am gone again; quicksilver girl. Later: maybe a book.

Perhaps I've posted this old photograph of me before, I can't remember. But this is me in my hippie days. I'm in the magic bus that went back and forth between Portland and Arizona. I was a jewelry maker then (can you tell?) Ah, wasted youth and all that. It was grand. It is grand. Thank you, mother and father, for that night of love that ushered me into the world. I am so grateful.

28 comments:

Candace said...

Holy Moly, Judy. I was a hippie too, but no magic bus for me, thank you. So who played you in the movie "Across The Universe" in the Magical Mystery Tour sequence?

Don't apologize for reflections and stories -- it's the time of season for it.

And going to Melbourne!!! Fabulous, they will so enjoy your presence and guidance I'm sure.

Take care. (Isn't it quiet in Blogovia? I can't believe I am first in line again... lol.)

Jeane Myers said...

Judy! - first of all, congratulations on your Melbourne gig! high excitment! and I loved this post - so important to nurture our inner self besides all the other things that keep our daily lives on track...

A.Smith said...

Ah, memories...
Who wasn't a hippie among our friends who are our age today, seriously? How could we possibly have much in common with them except a deep love for life, peace and creativity otherwise? Yeah, the things we did to survive. Particularly as single mothers and look at us now!
You already know how I feel about your going to Melbourne, so I can only add: you go girl! they are going to love you there as much as we do here. The sun is out and I am going to decorate the window boxes. Looking forward to next Sunday.

PS: Love that photo.

Anonymous said...

look at that radiantly alive young woman, still radiating warmth and goodness out into the world. no matter what else is on the plate there's always room for sharing & journaling.
AUSTRALIA! wow. bring me back a baby dingo please.

aimee said...

OH this is such a delightful post judy! maybe it's because i'm simply nosy, but i enjoy reflections like this. it was a treat to learn more about you and the events that have shaped your life and art. congratulations on your melbourne trip.

Anonymous said...

Love your hippie photo and that you made jewelry! Glad you will be at A&S again. I am teaching on Thursday and Friday....what days are you teaching?

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that your soul needs to do your journal pages, and write on your blog - because I enjoy both very much.
I particularly enjoyed this post.
Congrats on going to Melbourne.
K

Unknown said...

Melbourne!!! I'll be there, I only live 5 hours away.
ohhhh can't wait

kelly rae said...

i just adore you, judy wise. someday, i would love to sit down with you and hear all of it. you have the best stories, a life so full and rich.

and CONGRATULATIONS my friend on australia!!!!!!!

Joy Logan said...

Love the photo Judy...I also was making love not war back then. My ex had hair down to his waist. Love it!

Kate Robertson said...

I loved going down memory lane with you. Your hippie picture was great.
Thanks for sharing this,

Kate

Heather, paperfollies.typepad.com said...

beautiful then, beautiful now...i am so glad to have met you at squam and know you're out there...xox
p.s. and congratulations on melbourne, what a treat (for all)!

DS Borror said...

i think your readers love that you share and provide insights to the events that shaped you...your our campfire leader and we, your inspired listeners.
congrats on achieving another dream!!

Pilar said...

Judy, I just love this pic of you. You are still one hot mama! I love to hear your stories as I believe you are a modern day bard. I think it is important to share our experiences since that is the way we learn from each other and the human condition. Congrats on Australia and A&S. You are a very special person, artist and teacher. I am glad you put your intentions out into the Universe. :D xoxoxoxo

Bevlea said...

love the story Judy... and the jewellry you had on back then vbg... sooo look forward to meeting you when you come out to Australia

Joy Logan said...

I am just dying to read your journals pages,LOL,I am sure everyone elses life is more exciting! I look in windows at night also when lights are on. From a comfortable distance of course. Man am I so nosy.

Cheryl Connell said...

Oh Judy - wonderful inside and out.

Everything comes when its supposed to right?

Hugs,
Cheryl

Carla Sonheim said...

You look adorable in this picture, and you haven't changed AT ALL, either.

Congrats on Melbourne!

Anonymous said...

YO Judy! - I am listening deeply to your stories from over here and I do love all of it - your gorgeous and open face is the same one that I met at Squam - and you are the light that is leading so many - congratulations to the Ausies - for getting you - over there...

xox - eb.

Anonymous said...

Oh you sweet young thing you, forever a free spirit, there's always an adventure just around the corner. you go girl.
ox
steph b

Lynn Cohen said...

I love reading your stuff...your history...perhaps because some of it parallels my own...hippie, single mom that I was way back when...etc.
congrats on the Melborne class(es)?
And Art and Soul.When is that?
I want to come up to Oregon and play. Pretty young woman turned into a pretty blossomed WOMAN!!!
Hear you ROAR!!!

Chris said...

Oh, thanks for sharing your pages. It's such an honor to read them!

And...

what a babe!

Laurie Mika said...

Hi Judy! Australia here we come! So happy for you....for us! Hey, I LOVE that picture of you and it is just as I imagined you would look, after listening to your wonderful stories of your adventurous early days! You crack me up.....see you around one of these days....
xoxo,
Laurie

Ro Bruhn said...

WOW Judy this hippie finally gets to meet you, I might have to start and count the sleeps. I'll have to show you the town, can't wait.

MB Shaw said...

Congratulations on your teaching gigs, how exciting!! And I love the hippie pic. You are (and still are) adorable. A go go dancer!?!?!? How cool is that!

Kel said...

This post brought tears to my eyes - not sure why, but they were joyful, grateful tears. Maybe for all the roads we travel in our youth and beyond, the hard roads and the smooth roads and how the hard ones are sometimes (often) the richest and most memorable, and how it is all part of how we got to be right where we are and who we are. Coherent,no? And I have the greatest word verification to type in now to post "jollypho" - isn't that great?

Anonymous said...

Ah! Yuu've always been beautiful! Love the turquoise It is still my favorite stone.

xo

Sara lechner said...

Judy, I put a link to you in my blog.
This photo remembers me my hyppie days too!