Changes in Latitudes and Studio Friday: Play

Time away from home and responsibilities, time away with no thoughts about time. Someone asks, "do you know what time it is?" I say, "I have absolutely no idea. " I do not add "and I don't really care," but that is what I am thinking.

Sunning, resting, relaxing, eating good food, finding the treasures deposited by the never-ending surf. Being in the water is one of my favorite things, allowing a force and power much greater than my own to hold, support and carry me.

The cruel and destructive "tourist," Wilma, wreaked her havoc on the island of Cozumel six months ago. One of my new acquaintances, a taxi driver named Victor, explained that the mayor has brought in trees and other plants from the mainland to replace many that were lost. Much of the vegetation was killed by the massive surges of saltwater and powerful winds. It's a strange landscape, to see "jungles" of trees stripped of their bark and bleached nearly white. Manuel, who greeted us at our resort, said, "for us this is the way of life. The rainy season is next month and new things will grow." Victor echoed that statement, and added that the growth is very rapid. The rebuilding is progressing rapidly. The damage is being repaired. Shops and homes have been repainted with the vibrant and intense colors that are celebrations of life.

As wonderful as it is to get away, to rest and relax, it is also wonderful to be home, my personal sanctuary. While I was away the trees outside my bedroom and livingroom windows came into full leaf. I am back in my treehouse!

Studio Friday: Sparkle, Shine, Shimmer

This week's topic for Friday April 21st suggested by christine: SPARKLE/SHINE or SHIMMER.


A basketful of sparkles!

Inspire Me Thursday: Vernal Equinox

Pieces of Spring, Pieces of Seasons Past

Robin's egg, pressed flower petals, seed pods, feathers. Small offerings from Mother Nature, reminders of Spring and seasons past.

Inspire Me Thursday

Self-Portrait Tuesday: April Fool

Fool For You!

Since the day you were born, little boy, I have been a fool for you!

Your laughter is pure joy.

Your tears melt my heart.

You have taught me much in the past three years:

Laugh when you're happy.

Cry when you're sad.

Don't sweat the small stuff because in two minutes it will all be different anyway!

Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

Sleep when you're tired.

Use your energy for play.

Sometimes there is nothing better than a good snuggle.

You have grown so quickly. Every day brings something new for you, and I see the changes taking place in you as you learn new things and find new ways to express yourself.

Little boy, when I hear you say, "Hi, Grandma," I am a fool for you!

SPT: April Fool

Studio Friday: My Work Hands

This week's topic for Friday April 14th suggested by andrea: MY WORK HANDS. These days, making art more often than not consists of doing something on the computer, cutting and pasting.

One of the first things I notice about a person is their hands. Somehow, their hands tell me if they can be trusted, if I want to let them get close to me or if I need to keep my distance. Their hands tell me if they are gentle people, if they are comfortable with themselves, if they are confident.

I come from a family of people who work with their hands. My mother is a nurse. She carries medicines, bathes and comforts children on the Pediatrics floor. She is also a needleworker........knitting, quilting, embroidery, sewing. My father worked in a factory all his life as a machine operator, flipping switches, turning gears, drilling holes, grinding metal. He is also a woodworker, building doll furniture, baby cradles, tables, footstools, chairs, sofas, bookcases. His hands are rough and weathered, scarred and calloused. Mom's hands are soft, with joints that are becoming arthritic.

My own hands operate power tools, work at the computer, stitch, knit, cut, whip up things in the kitchen. They have spun yarn from wool and other fibers, and woven yards and yards of fabrics. They have held paintbrushes and carving tools. They have cast and molded paper pulp and used tweezers to position incredibly tiny pieces in collages. I see my mother's hands in mine with some arthritis in one finger. Several fingers have been broken and needed stitches over the years. Both thumbs have been injured to the point that the nails do not grow properly. I have thumbs that remind me of my father's.

You can't tell it by looking, but I am a lefty. I am not fully ambidextrous because I cannot write or use eating utensils with my right hand. But everything else is done right-handed. I would be lost if I tried to use the left-handed knitting or crochet instructions. Left-handed scissors were my enemy in grade school.

My hands held, carressed, and soothed lovers, babies and grandbaby. They held my children's hands when they were small. They hold my grandson's hands now. They clap and wave in expressions of joy and excitement when dancing with a three year old boy. When words wouldn't come, my hand held the hand of a dying ex-husband in expression of compassion and love.

Thank you, Andrea, for suggesting this topic.

Before and After

The fence that blew over: before I took it down and afterwards.

 

Time

There have been so many people who have commented on my blog posts, especially Studio Friday and Inspire Me Thursday. I appreciate all the comments I have received. Looking at, and responding to, posts is a time-consuming affair. So this morning I decided that I wanted to revisit all the SF entries for this week, and comment on the ones I had not previously sent comments to. Wow! Lots of great artists out there, and lots of entries to look at and read. Because it took a fair amount of time I wanted to illustrate that concept. I placed my flea market alarm clock (NOT the correct time) on the shelf at my studio window (one of the views of my studio) and snapped the pic.

I adore my collection of colored glass. I love being in my studio. I am grateful my computer is in this room as well. And I am happy that I spent time looking at and thanking everyone for their great SF entries. Unfortunately, there was one that I couldn't comment on---I got an error message, and of course now I don't remember which one it was. Another didn't have a spot for posting comments........All in all, though, it was time well spent.

Now I am off to deal with the mess our high winds made over the past several days. Two sections of fencing went down. Time to pick it all up and have it hauled away!

Studio Friday: Room With a View

The Studio Friday topic this week, what is the view from your studio---real or imagined? couldn't have come at a better time. There was actually something to see from my window!

For three years, the view has been of an empty lot after fire claimed the life of the old house that stood there.

Someone came last week and dug a big hole in the ground. Then someone else came and poured a basement. Tuesday morning found a huge crane parked on the street, and police had the street blocked off. Crowds gathered as a semi brought what appeared to be an extra-long mobile home to the site.

Everyone watched in awe as a worker "broke" the house in half. The crane lifted one of the halves from the bed of the semi, and half a dozen men guided it into place as it was set upon the foundation. The front of the house was placed in the same way.

Was I one of the crowd lining the sidewalks, watching in fascination? No. I caught bits and pieces of the action from my studio window. Truth is, I don't like this view. I enjoy the rooftop view from my kitchen window, and I love seeing nothing but treetops from my bedroom and livingroom. The view from my studio is pretty well blocked by plants and a shelf of colored glass bottles.

My fantasy is to look out on mountains, a lake, and trees; or to be tucked in on a hilltop, surrounded by deep woods; or to see rolling hills and meadows filled with wildflowers..........