Loving January

Now that the holidays have passed it's like a great pressure has lifted and the brain fog is slowly clearing. I'm able to do some of the fun projects that I dreamed about all summer; altering some clothes to fit me better and trying out some dyeing with procion dye and soda ash. Back in the 70's I worked for about a year as a batik artist with those same dyes but I used a different method then and this is like starting over again. Beginner's mind. The best.

Elizabeth over at Blue Poppy has been working her mighty brain for days now to get the schedule up for the Squam sessions she's dreamed up for us in 2010. You'll want to look at the class listings for inspiration and dream fodder if nothing else. First comes the dream and the longing. And then ... who knows? It all starts with a seed of intention.

I've been playing in my journal every day too of course. That's where I get to make a mess, paint over it, make another mess. No rules, no judging, no one but me to care. It is my sanctuary.

I''m taking an online class with the fabulous Susannah over at Unravelling and these feet photographs are part of this week's assignment. First I had to make my toenails camera ready and then I had to think about those beautiful instruments of travel and navigation. Where those feet have taken me and how valiantly they have served me all these years.

Back in the early 80's a doctor diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis after I experienced a weird swelling in my lower toe joints. A friend who was a healer told me to go home and talk to my feet; to cuddle them and tell them I loved them and that I would wear sensible shoes for them and take good care of them.

I cried a lot over that diagnosis. And then I got busy. I massaged them and held them and told them I loved them and I've lavished love on them ever since and they have never given me any more rheumatoid arthritis.

I only tell you this story to illustrate that I think we think about how we look when we should be thinking about the gift of our bodies and their mysterious workings and we should be so grateful to our bodies down to every cell and fiber because we are miracles walking.

I love my feet. I love your feet. okay. I'm done now.