Rainy Day Post and SP Wednesday

Okay, this is cheating. It is me but I'd forgotten what day it was until moments ago. It will have to do.

John likes to give his onions a haircut. I like to eat the tops he cuts off on my morning eggs. We're like Jack Spratt and his wife.

I'll give you a real garden tour this weekend when it's supposed to stop raining. For now this is all I could get from the porches without getting doused. This is typical of Oregon in May. We wait and wait for sunshine. But oh, the rain and mist is lovely.

The peony is covered in big, slatternly blossoms. Tree peonies bloom about a month earlier than the herbaceous ones. I like it that we get two waves.

Such a wanton flower normally. This one's shy.

Then we have peppers galore. Lots of kinds. John's head is full of pepper varieties; which ones grow where, which ones are so hot they'll knock your socks off, which ones to use in the various moles. (moe-lays, not those furry animals) Hot ones, stuffers and mild pimentos. Full of good vitamins. I hope in this economy people are putting gardens in. Some to eat, some to share.

The rhododendrons are busting out all over. Our yard is an explosion of color every May thanks to the couple who lived here before us and planted so many varieties.

I brought the grape irises from our previous home because they are heavily fragrant (like grape kool-aid) and because my neighbor Dorothy gave them to me. She passed away a couple of years ago but her spirit comes in strong during the iris visitation.

I wrote poems in the Minneapolis airport between planes by writing down snatches of conversation and making observations about the fellow passengers. It was amazing how the words flowed out. I think I wrote 11 poems in 2 hours. Airports are great places for evesdropping and word catching. Everyone's yakking on their phones, talking louder than they realize and then there's CNN going on and pretty soon you have a great montage flowing onto the page.

Our neighbor has a zillion varieties of columbine that have migrated past the walnut orchard and into our flower beds. Every year they come up in different sizes and colors. Always something new.

And every day I write. I have so much to say. It's as good as cheesecake.

My thoughts have turned toward Asilomar and the road trip I'll be making there to teach. I'll also be visiting friends who live in the area - so much to look forward to. I'm putting together fat packets and packing griddles and pans of wax and pigment and beautiful watercolor paper that will be made into magical books. Cutting lace and whispering a blessing on each bundle of promise. My journal is nearly filled now after 8 months of tee-niney writing and pasting and painting and the next one is ready to take over where the last one left off.

Nurture your dreams and treat yourselves gently. 'Til next time then. xo

Doing the Quick Step

First self-portrait Wednesday. Dreaming, sleeping, enjoying the moment. Actually working down my list, loving the preparations for travelling to teach and thinking about what Valley Ridge will be like. I love new experiences and first-times.

On Sunday I went to a poetry workshop with the wonderful author, Susan Wooldridge. She can get poetry out of a rock. I had a wonderful experience there.

The workshop was held at Innerstandings so the experience was intimate and friendly. We all got to know each other and really listen to what was being said.

Thought I'd throw in a photo of my recent wax medium making project. Some of these blocks will travel with me to Wisconsin tomorrow for my workshop there.

This is what my studio looks like this morning after the packing, shipping and tearing around that has occupied me for the past few days. It never gets back to square one anymore.

Journal pages. My blah blah blah that keeps my wheels turning, keeps me on track and inspired, gives me a place to reflect on the kind of energy I'm creating and the kind of world I want.

I really believe every single person matters when it comes to creating a kinder world where we all can succeed. When I think an unkind thought, it matters. I observe myself here. This is where I meditate, talk with my muse, discover my sticking points.

I'm trying to limit my blog posts to once a week but so far have not been successful at that. Every new habit though starts with an intention and I want to make room in my life for a new project that I will enjoy. The energy for it is building in secrecy. My little big dream.

I'm going to cut back next year on teaching too I think. I'm really beginning to appreciate how it cuts into my time in the studio and my 8 year old inner artist is jealous and wants time to play. So okay, little miss I-gotta-paint. You'll get your way and that's as it should be.

Ripped this image off of the Ffffound site and wanted to share it here because this is how I feel about YOU. xo

Self Portrait Wednesday

Never attempt this feat with hayfever.

p.s. Allegra has posted about a fellow artist who could use a little help and about an opportunity to participate in a give-away on her site. Read about it here.

Self-Portrait Wednesday

One of the more thought provoking conversations I participated in at Artfest was the value of self-discovery through self-portraiture. It was a lively discussion about our relationships to our outer appearances. I don't identify with the person I see in photos of myself. It occurs to me that maybe others feel this way too. That outside I may look like the photo above but that inside I am rich and juicy and forever young.

You must see katie's self portraits too. I wish we could post all of them on one blog. It's an interesting investigation.

I believe I'm finally coming out of this plague of coughing asthma. I'm nearly through a round of anti-biotics for the sinus involvement and had a chest x-ray so it's been narrowed down to allergies. That word sounds innocuous but it's been quite a siege.

One of my favorite homelies is, "this too shall pass" and it is true. I have so many wonderful plans ahead of me; I want to be in top form to enjoy them all.

More soon.