Weird dreams all morning before waking…about being at parties and enjoying myself…I hate parties! Woke at 3a.m. and couldn’t fall back asleep until about 6a.m. Had some tea and read…so this morning was not very productive or active….still trying to summon up some sort of energy to make it through the day. I know…day-time sinus meds…it works everytime!! haha…

The day is beautiful and full of sunshine and warm air. I will sit outside until time to go to work…

Cheers…

Finished!

butterfly wings, feathers, insect wings, old stereo parts, shells, smashed nut and bolt, rose hips, bottle nipple, stones, torn paper, linen, acrylic and ink mounted on hardboard. 8″ x 8″

Working on this found object piece…

“…2 bags of ice…”

butterfly wings, feathers, insect wings, old stereo parts, shells, smashed nut and bolt, rose hips, bottle nipple, torn paper, linen, acrylic and ink mounted on hardboard. 8″ x 8″

(Click image for a close-up)

While Rich was talking to his daughter last night she told him that she has an assignment at school where she has to write a letter to an Iditarod Musher. And that she choose to write to Dee Dee Jonrowe because she thinks that Dee Dee looks like me but with blond hair.

One of my greatest themes in book reading is about living in the north woods. When in school and in my early 20’s I dreamed of being able to live in a remote area of Alaska hunting for my own food and building my own log cabin. (And yes, without a man!!…back then anyways). My heros include women who have done things like this.

WoodsWoman a.k.a. Anne LaBastille who wrote “Woodswoman” (1976) and “Beyond Black Bear Lake” (1987) is one of those women. She built and lived in a cabin in the Adirondacks with her dog. It makes for empowering reading!

“A Dreamer’s Log Cabin: A Woman’s Walden Laurie Shepherd Re Dember Enterprises New York 1981

Laurie Shepherd quit her art teaching job in Wabasha, Minnesota, at age 28 and built a log cabin on the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota. Building the cabin was her dream. The book is basically a diary of her trials, tribulations and joys in building the cabin. .She refers often to Thoreau, but I think she had it tougher in her cabin. She’s reduced to a poverty level existence, but loves her life alone in the wild.” North Woods Writing

…check them out and be inspired!

The doorbell just rang, Mattie went crazy with barking and sliding around on the hardwood floor and my order from Amazon has arrived!!

1. The encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy by Mechthild Scheffer
2. The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook A Home Manual by James Green
3. The Healing Power of Herbs by Michael T. Murray, N.D.
4. Celtic Devotional Daily Prayers and Blessings by Caitlin Matthews

Ok…I need to go and browse!!! Just what I need on this dreary, rainy, groggy feeling day.

Not feeling well today…just kind of run downish…like a cold coming on. Taking echinesha and vitamin C and drinking lots of hot tea.

The work areas are all organized.

She is emerging…turning into something…

Heard on an IFC channel movie when two men from India were talking about why Americans strive not to eat sugar or rich desserts…”Americans want to die healthy”. Such insight!! haha

Found on today’s walk…

• 2 blue jay feathers
• one large bolt with nut (kind of rusty)
• one rubber nipple from baby bottle (colour, blue)

All are in safe keeping…

Here is the deal on making things (artwork)…lately as you have noticed no new works have been turning up. The making of things had become a chore and something competitive. Not fun any longer. I was quite fed up with not living up to the idea of what an “artist” should be and what kind of work one has to make in order to be considered an “artist”…it is all BUNK!!!!! All the mumbo jumbo of being an “artist” and putting that label on yourself and what you make! It’s horse-shit all the hype and flash and self promotion! These are the things I have finally woke up to and feel much relieved to know that I don’t have to fit into any pigeon hole in order to make things that make me happy to make. The goal is not to be able to sell the things…there is NO Goal!!! And that is the whole point…just make what ever it is that comes to you and be happy with the process of making it. It is as simple as that…and so in the end it is nothing but very simple and uncomplacated and fun and creative and experimental. No longer do I say or consider myself a self professed “artist”….I’m just a person who likes experimenting in making things…AAAAHHHH …such a relief and comfort to know that there are no rules or pressure to be something others can classify.

I have so many interests that when I find something new to become immersed in I feel guilty for spending my time indulging in it instead of “working” on painting or beadmaking…the thing is to go with the flow and branch off if that is what your heart is leading you to do…

Yes, I know…sometimes it takes me awhile…and I tend to have to learn things the hard way…such a young soul here!!

Everything is nothing but an experiment anyway…Enjoy yours!!

Listening to “This American Life” and sipping some morning blend coffee…Rich’s brother is coming to stay for a little over a week and will arrive tomorrow night sometime. So, lots of cleaning to be done today…my day off.

Woke this morning at 4 a.m., wide awake! I love when that happens and I actually rise from the bed and do something with the time instead of trying to go back to sleep. There is something magical in being up at that hour, alone, reading and sipping on some tea.

Oh yesterday was great! Work is usually always…well…I can’t believe that I get paid for what I do…let’s put it that way…because I enjoy what I do and feel appreciated and needed and like I am doing something good for someone else…so in that area, I am blessed! Plus, my sweetie surprised me with flowers and candy…yes, really surprised me! Because of my age and much welcomed laid back attitude of late, Valentine’s Day is no biggy (for me anyways)…but I do like making things and giving…so that part of it is fun.

Don’t ask what the
world needs
Ask what makes you
come alive
and go do it
Because what the
world needs
is people who
have come alive
***

Howard Thurman

¨¨¨¨¨¨

Trying to keep up with healthy eating habits…mostly it has been a success…however last night I made spaghetti with meatballs and garlic French bread and over did it! The wine didn’t help…or again…maybe it did.

Not sure if it is the age thing, hormones or something else but this past year fat has been depositing into places on my body where it was once unknown. I eat way less now than I ever have. I eat foods that are mostly fruits and veggies. But I do know that since moving here my level of exercise has dramatically decreased. Mostly due to no safe nearby place to walk. Mattie and I used to walk everyday on the bike path of the Belvidere Park. Here it is walking the subdivision or taking a busy road to get to a country road of some kind. However I must make it a priority! Dimples are not something I was graciously born with…they have been acquired just recently via little excerise, lowered metabolism and lowered energy levels.

With the coming of springtime temps I am hoping for a renewed interest in physical activity.

Gardening
Walking
Yoga
vegetable and fruit diet

Springtime…I’m waiting…in the MEANTIME, I’m exercising.