The Everything Post

Lots of photos to share; first a few left over from the beach trip. It seems fitting since the beach trip is weaving in and out of my thoughts and dreams as I continue here at home.

The sounds, smells and flavor of the southern Oregon coast follow me and are just a memory away.

Oka, a root crop from the Andes that will be grown in a couple of gardens this coming season.

Gazing into 2009, wondering what the year will bring and feeling optimistic.

I'm working in the paper bag journal; writing my rusty poetry.

These pages were written at the beach amid the clamor and creativity.

Making marks, writing, painting, telling my little story. You'd think it was important.

It's a way of trying to celebrate every moment. I read about a poet recently who said, "I love life and I never want to die." and I nodded my agreement. Life good. Precious. Never want to leave.

Too much still to do. Still in love with every precious moment.

Journal page. The faces. Good friends who like to make things and play nice. Who also want to live deeply and share ideas.

So for 2 days now I've been working on collaged postcards for a poetry exchange I'll be participating at the beginning of the spring equinox.

One postcard a day for 3 months. That means I have to prepare approximately 90 postcards. This is a good exercise, actually.

And it's a boon for clearing out some of those images that have been cluttering up the studio.

When the time comes to start the exchange I can just shuffle through the cards until one strikes my fancy and then write my little poem on the back.

One woman in our group pointed out that a poem can be only one word if we wish it. That made it seem easier.

Because I can scratch my head for an hour over a single phrase.

As usual, once I get started on a project like this I like to keep going until I'm done.

But 90 4 x 6" collages are a lot, even if you tell yourself to relax and just let them happen.

When I recieve my postcards in return I plan to bind them all into a book.

And I plan to keep a record of the cards and poems I sent too, in another book.

So one thing about 2009 is this - I think I'm going to be a busy girl.

But oh, what delicious fun I'll have. I do look forward to it.

Almost finished now.

Whew! Hugs all around. Prayers for safety, for strength, for the wellness of all sentient beings.