Spontaneous or Planned Art?

Today after hubby went to work and I ate lunch I went to my artsy fartsy craft studio and made the above wreath. I normally find myself struggling with what to do on such days, but today I dove in and completed this project. I'm discovering that if I lay out supplies, patterns, plans and watch certain videos I tend to be more creative and productive. If I simply go into this creative space I flounder with no ideas. Oddly enough, if I go in and start cleaning or organizing I will pull together ideas and find myself creating something. I also find myself compiling ideas and supplies for future projects. I have very limited time for crafting as I'm busy cleaning and maintains a home of 4,200+ square feet. I also tend to eight domestic pets, four dogs and four cats. For this reason I want my free time to be used creating. Whether I'm playing my accordions, keyboard, autoharp or pianos, sewing, making cards or some other craft I want to see something created for my efforts. Just as children have different learning fashions, I have a creative style. I am rarely spontaneously creative, though once I get ideas, I can compile supplies and then watch someone else do something similar and then productively create.

I've also discovered another idiosyncratic thing about myself. I don't simply create for the sake of creating. Whatever I make needs to be useful and fill a purpose or a need. I'd have a difficult time just throwing purpose to the wind in order to create. My frugality and purpose driven nature doesn't mix well with complete spontaneity. Not sure I can stretch to that level of creativity.


Love never fails...

Time Flies

Wow, time flies whether I'm having fun or not. I have no earthly idea how long it's been since I've posted, but I'm awake before 6:00am this Sabbath morning and so here I am. 

As I sit here in my recliner I hear the noise of a distant truck revving its engine, the ticking of our grandfather clock, and hubby's steady breathing as he sleeps. 

I love the semi quietness of early morning. I've already read about half of my daily bible readings. I need to still my heart and fall asleep again, but I've missed writing here so I continue. 

My life used to be so integrated into the ticking of the clock. I would rise around six, get into the word, have a cup of tea, make my list of "to dos" and start my day. I still make bible reading, prayer and meditation a daily first, but now it's whenever I rise. My life is no longer ruled by the predictability of the clock. My new husband of two and a half years is very spontaneous, therefore I am learning to be spontaneous. Well sort of. 

I'm looking forward to watching a favorite Messianic Rabbi teach on the weekly Torah portion, but his teachings are either video or audio so that will have to wait. I'm also hoping to do something artsy in my craft room. My time is spent much differently these days.

I've actually been doing some gardening this spring! I've planted begonias, impatiens, forget-me-nots, tomatoes, spearmint, peppermint, garlic, moss roses, and basil. Of course before I planted I had to weed. Our little flower bed was full of grass. I have loads more grass to yank, but I'm doing it a little at a time. I soak an area then I wait and lastly I yank and toss. The garden is already full of baby four o'clocks and Mexican primroses. They will most likely take over the back of the flowerbed, they always do. 

I just realized I have been having fun. That explains why time has flown by so fast. I'm ready to nap a while and hit the day resting. 

Until we meet again. 



Love never fails...

Family Finds Four Feral Felines

I wanted to record my musings about the feral kittens I've trapped and the adventure of taming them.

Episode 1: Working to catch the little feral kittens under our home. Hubby bought me a live trap. Set the trap with canned cat-food. Trap has tiny mesh on the sides, but cats outsmarted the designers and pulled the can to the end with larger mesh. Cats 1-me 0.  Trap reset with pastrami. Hope it's too far for them to reach it! (March 24, 2015)

Episode 2 of "Trapping the Feral Kittens". Watched as two kittens walked in and out of trap enjoying the pastrami I had so carefully placed. They are clearly too tiny to trigger the door. Rethinking this scenario. (March 24, 2015)

Episode 3 of "Trapping the Feral Kittens". Moved trigger device and put lunch meat in smaller portions on triggering device. Kittens remarked they were quite enjoying tonight's smorgasbord. Back to Acme drawing board. Feeling like a pathetic coyote I once laughed at.

Episode 4: of the continuing saga, "Trapping Feral Super Sneaky Kittens". The trap is set on "hair trigger", smeared cat food under the trigger plate. Keeping eyes peeled for either the road runner or Bugs in case they are behind all this sneakiness. Fingers crossed. (March 25, 2015)

Episode 5: Welcome to the ongoing saga of "Silly City Raised White Girl Attempts Trapping Cunning Countrified Feral Kittens". As we visit the rural setting we see the girl sitting in her recliner typing goofy scenarios on Facebook. Why? Because the ever stealthy feral kittens are way too smart for her. Her next move? Wait for country raised hubby to be at home and to set the trap for her. What will hubby do? What will his strategy be? Can they rescue the little furry bundles from their eventual doom as outside bait for any stray dog that happens upon them? Stay tuned for our next episode. Hey I'm a computer geek, what did you expect? (March 26, 2015)

Episode 7: City Raised White Girl Traps Hungry Over Curious Feral Kitten! Success. (March 29, 2015)

Episode 8:

Episode 9: of the ongoing saga "City Girl Gets Knack of Trapping Notso Sneaky Feral Kittens". At 4:00am when hubby came in from work she had trapped number two kitten. Hubby remarked that two of the little black kitten's siblings kept circling the trap and one larger cat stood on top as if to try to figure out a way to free the little black fuzzy captive. Smurfette was very glad to have a sibling join in the party. (March 31, 2015)

Episode 11: Fuzzy Feral Felines Frustrate Female Finder. Yesterday's adventure sees the kittens allowed out of large pet taxi. Placed in a "safe" room, the guest bathroom, they are allowed to exercise and overcome their fear. The little imps find a way to open a drawer and basically block the bathroom door from opening. After much prayer and maneuvering our determined care giver slowly edges the drawer out of the cabinet and proceeds to put kittens back in the safer taxi. Whew! Today the pet taxi is put in front of drawers therefore preventing a repeat of yesterday's drama.
 (April 2, 2015)

Episode 19: Guess Who We Just Caught? Yes we've added another member of the feral kitten clan to our ranks. I'm thinking it's a boy and if it is his name is Wiley. His last uncaught sibling was on top of the live trap laying flat with her paw reaching into him. He was licking her as if to comfort her. She was touching him to comfort him.

Caught kitten number four. Now comes domestication phase 2. Dottie and Smurfy are happy in the house. Next comes Wiley and sibling. Not sure what sex either are! Fun, fun, fun. (April 11, 2015)

Episode 20: City Girl 4 - Feral Kittens 0. Well we have no Wileys only girls. Finally handled the two new kittens and both are girls. They are way more feral than their two sisters. What a difference a couple weeks makes. After handling them with gloves they finally decided to eat and drink. I guess they decided I wasn't going to eat them. (April 12, 2015)

Episode 22: The Cherry Menagerie. This morning Mousey started vocalizing at around 5:00am. She wanted out. She cried and then went quiet intermittently. At 7:00am I took her from the pet taxi and handled her for ten minutes. No purring, but no squirming either. Violet wants nothing to do with being held. At present they have been in the bathroom let loose for nearly 30 minutes. They will be back in their taxi and I will let Smurfette and Dottie out. Dottie played keep away very late last night. Only after opening the pet taxi and holding her sister did she enter the taxi to eat. Snap she was shut in with her sister and I got to go to bed. (April 14, 2015)

Episode 24: Mousey Joins The General Populous. Mousey reminds me of a nervous puma. She continues to come up to me for reassurance that all is well. She was ready to be out of her smaller pet taxi and I figured that Violet might be more conducive to affection if she was left alone for a while. It's interesting learning their individual personalities.

Today was a very successful day as far as cat wrangling goes. Mousey played almost all day outside with Smurfette and Dottie. I finally got to really handle Violet and didn't get bit or scratched. Smurfette loves Frek and Luba and they all three play famously. Today after having a "goodie" session with Frek and Smurfette the two were lounging on the living room floor. Frek's tail was just a twitching. Smurfette was mesmerized and reached over and slapped Frek on the hiney. Frek just glared at her and offered a hiss. Two minutes later Frek stood up, walked over to Smurfette and slapped her as if to say, "Don't ever do that again"! So hilarious. What a circus I have here.
(April 16, 2015)

Episode 25: The Perils of Pawline. Today I got up early, cleaned litter boxes, washed food and water dishes, did my household chores, fed the critters and released three of the four kittens before I headed uptown to run errands. I was gone a little over two hours and when I got home the house was still standing! I had thrown all the kitten toys on the living room floor and they were strewn everywhere when I got home. Nothing else appeared to be out of place. Yay!! (April 17, 2015)

The weekend edition of Four Feral Felines Find Fun and Fulfillment. All the girls now have pretty collars so mom can ID them quickly, plus bells mean they can be heard. Violet is watching the fun from the big pet taxi. She is more and more curious about getting out to play. Smurfette has claimed the alpha position and has claimed my lap. Our daily goodie "free for all" is a favorite activity. Frek even joins in for this one. So far I've left twice for at least two hours and returned to find the house in one piece.  My goal this week is to see Violet come out and joined the fun. Vetting is next. One step at a time. Sunday

Episode 26: Furrier and Furrier. Today I am attempting to finish hubby's birthday present. Surprisingly enough Miss Mousey decided she needed to watch me. She got up on the kitchen table (a real no no) and play with the pieces of my project. I hated to do it, but "squirt" was my response and down she went. If she is to find a forever home, she needs to have table manners. Smurfette was bored with the whole affair and slept quietly on the chair next to me. Who knows where Dottie was. She finally came out to play "goodie free for all". I needed a break so I got Violet out of her big pet taxi and just held and petted her. She shivered for a few seconds but settled down after she realized I wasn't going to eat her. She is THE most feral kitten I've ever seen. I didn't talk this time, just soft touches. Frek is not happy about the visitors. Her only concession is that she loves this new goodie game and participates in it with great relish. (Like she needs even half a goodie!) (April 20, 2015)

Episode 27: Felines, Fur and Fun Oh My! Today started slow for me. Hubster didn't sleep well so yours truly did NOT want to get up. I finally convinced my body it HAD to get up and get moving. I was met with a gray streak as I entered the living room. Miss Smurfette was ALREADY up and out of her pet taxi.  Bad daddy, bad daddy! After all the cat boxes were cleaned, water dishes cleaned and filled, food dishes filled the real fun began. We now have a communal food dish. Luba (chihuahua), kittens AND Frek (grown cat) are all eating from said bowl. Oh yes, Frek's bowl is now fair game for kittens that have braved the scary laundry room and scaled the notso protective baby gate. Such is life.

I got to hold Miss Violet for a few moments before I sensed her "I'm nervous and uncomfortable beyond measure" squirm. Miss Mousey has discovered curtain climbing 101. Before she masters this skill and goes for sofa shredding 101 I will be introducing her to squirt bottle 2.0! Sorry sweetie, but you need to have house manners in your new home. Stay tuned for another breath taking adventure with the menagerie at the Cherry abode.

Presently all furry creatures, including four canine cuddlers are resting before their second recess. Pinterest take me away! (April 21, 2015)

Episode 28: "Bad Daddy, Bad Daddy Part Deux"! Mr. Compassion aka hubby decided Miss Wild Thang aka Violet needed mashed potatoes and gravy. NOT!!! He took his plate and put it in the big pet taxi with her. That being said, he failed to latch the pet taxi. I'm thinking his whole agenda was to let her out. He kept saying, "I feel sorry for her". Now she is out and other than one brief flash of fluffed and bristled gray, I haven't seen her. I now have an almost fully feral feline footloose in the house.

On a happier note, I made said hubster catch Dottie and I crated her and the others. I was able to handle them this morning. Mousey is much more calm and receptive to handling. Dottie purred, but still offered some resistance and Smurfy is her old "play with me until the cows come home" self. They are all playing like rowdy Cowboys this morning. Wrestle Mania, eat your fur-less hearts out! (April 22, 2015)

Episode 29: Too Much Furry Fun. I'm running on slow this morning. I need to get motivated. If only I could tap into the seemingly endless supply of energy the kittens have, I could fly to the moon unaided by mechanical devices.

Violet finally came out of hiding last night, but it was a brief lapse of judgment as fear gripped her and she immediately headed back to her hiding place. She and Mousey are presently playing chase and wrestle mania down the hall. Smurfette and Dottie and wrestling under my keyboard and there is a great deal of growling associated with the game.

Frek is lounging in front of me quite bored with all the kindergarten activity going on.

I need to clean litter boxes and get dressed, but I want to sit and veg. I doubt that will happen as I have ironing and errands to run. At least the dishes are done, the bed is made, and the house is straightened. Considering the fact that two kittens in varying stages of feral were loose all night, and the fact the house is still standing I'm doing good!

Stay tuned for the rollicking good fun here at the Cherry home for feral and formerly feral kittens. Yes, Frek used to be feral too. (April 23, 2015)

Episode 30: Surprise! Miss Violet AND Miss Dottie are both safely sequestered in the big pet taxi. There is no explaining to them that IF they can't be socialized, and that IF they continue to run and hide when humans are present they will die. SO, that being said Smurfette and Mousey are out playing like kittens because they are already ok with the human touch. Failure is not an option so we are back on course with Socialization and Domestication 101.

The biggest hurdle now is convincing hubby that they are better off in the pet taxi, than out free doing whatever they want, whenever they want. True freedom has boundaries. If one cannot live in society with rules, one must be contained until such time as one IS willing to "play by the rules". Sorry lover, that's just how it has to be.

Now where is that padlock so Mr. Freedom doesn't free a couple Willy's while I'm not looking? (April 24, 2015)

Episode 31: Back on Track. Dottie and Violet are now in the bigger pet taxi. I held each girl and brushed them for quite a while. I am sitting listening to them growl at each other as I type. Smurfette and Mousey are in the other taxi where they spent the night. I'm about to let them out so cleaning and feeding can commence. Of course that means frolicking and festivities begin as well.

Dottie is not happy with the present situation. Perhaps she will cooperate with the cuddle sessions and I can let her out again. She simply can't continue to avoid human contact and make a good house cat.

Episode 32: AWOL Kitten Recaptured! Miss Violet made her escape last night, but the good news is that she was MUCH easier to recapture than ever before. I had no need of welders gloves, a goalie's mask and biker's leathers to grab her! No, I simply cornered her in the bathroom and talked to her as I picked her up. After last night's escape I was ALMOST ready to take her to the pound. Today's recapture showed me I AM making progress with her, even if it is PAINFULLY slow.

On the other hand the other three girls are playing wrestle mania combined with death race 2015. Lots of zooming, grabbing and growling on. Little Miss Smurfy Jones instigates wrestle sessions with her sisters, but when they over power her and begin to win, she cries, "calf rope"! That's "uncle" for all of you NOT raised in the south.

Miss Dottie "Rambo" has proved to be more than a match for Smurfy. She gets fed up with Smurfette and goes postal on her hiney. The last time she did so and Smurfette started screaming both Luba and Frek decided to play Aunties and thumped them both. It can get pretty loud in here when the games begin. Interestingly enough, hubby has been able to sleep through ALL the noise.

Not sure what the day holds, but I'm quite confident these critters will add some interest to the mix.

I've decided to copy my posts recording this adventure, but was surprised to find many "episodes" missing from my timeline. Not sure what makes FB record or erase, but interested to discover the truth.

Off to do my cat tending. (April 25, 2015)




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Big Shot Bundle Sale At Stampin' Up!!!

Mr. Big Shot!

I  don't sell Stampin' Up any longer, but my daughter does. Stampin' Up is offering their Big Shot die cutting machine at the regular price of $99.95, but if you do purchase one you can also get a bundle including dies and matching stamps worth up to $54.95 for absolutely free. It's on my "must have" list as I gave my daughter mine and miss it like crazy.

I've included a PDF of the offer and if you are interested you can order yours through Janine. Don't daudle as the offer is only good this month (August 2014).

Big Shot Bundle Sale!!

Janine's Website

A Perfect Rose

I've been crocheting a scarf using sea foam green sport yarn and the crocodile or scale stitch. I love how it's turning out as it reminds me of rose leaves. With that in mind I decided I would end the scarf with cabbage roses. That meant the hunt was on for a perfect rose to embellish my scarf. I was surfing on Pinterest and found a tutorial (with illustrations) for a gorgeous, but simple rose pattern! I thought I'd share it with the whosoevers that visit my blog.

Enjoy!

http://katicrafts.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/crochet-rose-pattern/

P. s. I plan to post a picture of my finished scarf when done.

Freebies: Wedding Crochet

Hey gals. I don't have an upcoming wedding to crochet for, but I do have a link to some freebies for those of you who do.

http://www.mooglyblog.com/free-wedding-crochet-patterns/

Enjoy!

Gigantic Doily!

Love the look of doilies, but the thought of using tiny thread and minuscule hooks intimidate you? How about making a doily rug that uses big ford and a big hook? Here is a link I found to a website with a free doily rug pattern!

http://www.craftfoxes.com/how_tos/chunky-doily-rug-free-crochet-pattern

Get artsy!

Freebies: Embroidery Patterns

Another love of mine is embroidery. My Nordic heritage plays a driving roll in a lot of what I enjoy. I love to cook (most of the time). I enjoy needle arts. I love wood working. I really enjoy painting and crocheting. My life as a full-time wife, mom, grandmother and minister keep me busy, but when my regular work is done I make sure and spend time creating using the gifts God gave me. I'm also somewhat of a geek so I share my loves in blogs and with social media. Here is a link to free embroidery patterns you might enjoy? 

 http://freeembroiderystuff.embroiderydesigns.com/stockdesigns.aspx

Once again, enjoy!

Freebies: Crochet

If you enjoy crocheting as I do you are always on the lookout for free patterns to either inspire or follow. Here is a link to download a bunch of free ebook patterns!

http://www.allfreecrochetafghanpatterns.com/index.php/hct/Latest-Free-Crochet-Afghan-eBooks?utm_source=ppl-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hookedoncrochet20140409

Enjoy!

Slide Show Memories

 I was raised in the 60s and so my memories from childhood were kept on wheels with a hundred slides. My dad would load carousels of pictures in his slide projector, set up the screen in the living room, and we'd remember events in our past. Of course mom would pop popcorn and make hot cocoa with Jetpuffed marshmallows! We didn't have DVDs or even videos; we had still shots of a given second of a two week long trek to Montana (the place my parents met).

Most of our memories are still shots just like those slides daddy flashed.  The only difference is daddy provided the narration along with some kibbutzing from mom and us kids. Today we (the artsy section of the population) scrapbook those snapshots of time. The art of Scrapbooking has evolved to a finer art. In my childhood I would paste (yes literally paste) pictures in a big scrapbook made with construction paper pages. I didn't consider if the paper was acid free, lignin free, or whatever free paper. I just slapped my token of the time in my scrapbook and went on. Of course the whole affair wasn't complete until I tasted the sweet paste. Hey don't judge me, we ALL ate paste back then.

I'm still not a meticulous CROPPER, that's the official name for those who scrapbook. I love SMASH books for just that reason. No rules!

I've written all this to share a blog website that offers stills of vintage pictures to use in your artsy fartsy projects. They are offered free, and free is good. http://www.making-mini-scrapbooks.com/vintageimages.html. Enjoy!

Cravings

There is a voice calling to me from the fridge. It's a subtle little voice, but at this moment it feels like it's screaming at me. Neatly wrapped in sparkly silver aluminum foil is part of a cranberry orange loaf of quick bread. I made it yesterday to quell my hubbie's insatiable sweet tooth. Answer me this. How does a man that wears dentures have a sweet tooth? I think with his pretty white pain free mouth full of teeth, his sweet tooth has actually grown. Before his teeth hurt him so badly he hesitated when faced with the thought of the pain more sugar would cause him. At any rate I baked a loaf of sweet quick bread and filled it with homemade cranberry preserves. I had a slice with tea this morning and was surprised at just how moist and yummy it was. So now the memory of its soft sweet goodness is making my tummy growl for another morsel or three of its homemade tastiness. It's nothing but a craving, but how vocal can one craving be? Pretty loud that's for sure. I'm planning on a snack in another twenty minutes. I'll make a cup go decaf vanilla chai latte and indulge Missy Craving with her heart's desire. Better get busy so I don't partake before my snack time.


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Growing!

It's wild to rediscover a love for something you learned years ago, but I'm right in the middle of such a rediscovery! I've crocheted since I was very young, my grandmother taught me the basics. I then added to what she taught me at the YMCA IN Sheridan, Wyoming in the 70s. Just recently I heard the term, "entrelac" in reference to knitting. I have a friend that is very accomplished in knitting. She resolved to master this mysterious "entrelac" in her chosen art form. As I searched the Internet for pictures of this type of knitting I discovered that it can be done using crochet as well. My curiosity bloomed from those tiny seeds of words she shared to an all out love this beautiful kind of needlework. Below is my latest project in all it's rainbow glory. Thanks Kath!




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Finished Project

Here is the finished placemat I made using entrelac crochet. Love it. You'll love it too if you crochet. Again, go to YouTube and search for "entrelac crochet tutorial", you'll be thrilled with the end results. I sure am.

 

A New Thing

I haven't crocheted for quite a while, but after learning how to do entrelac crochet (a form of Tunisian crochet) I'm "Hooked". PUN INTENDED

I can't tell you how addicting this lovely form of crochet is, but will tell you that you can go to YouTube and search for "entrelac crochet tutorials" and learn exactly how it is done. 

Below are a couple of projects I'm working on; a pillow and an afghan. I'm about to go buy more yard for the afghan as I have no idea how much it will take. I've used 12 different skeins (with leftovers for smaller projects), but I want to complete rounds in single colors and it takes a new skein to make the round. Loving it. 

 

Creature Comforts

The weather here in West Texas is less than desirable today. Normally the thought of frigid weather (it's 12 degrees here mixed with a coating of the white stuff) and snow stirs up thoughts of holidays and family. Why is it that in February it brings dread and loathing? At any rate my decision for the day was to stay inside and keep warm. It's one of those, "comfort yourself dear" days. So far this morning I've taken my time and savored everything I've done. I had my normal morning conversation and devotional with a dear friend. I've had my obligatory cup of caffeinated black currant tea to shake the proverbial cobwebs from my brain. I read ten or so pages (while snuggled deep within the covers of my bed WITH the electric blanket on) of a new favorite novel. I've even indulged myself in a steamy hot shower ending with the wearing of a new item of clothing carefully pared with boots, a wonderful zippered sweater and denim vest. All of these things are creature comforts to me. I don't often pamper myself, but today I'm all alone with my dogs and have no schedule or "must dos" on my daily "to do list". Sure there are things I "could do" and maybe even "should do", but they are taking a back seat to the "love your neighbor AS THYSELF" list.

As I get older my list has changed. My "creature comfort" in earlier times might have been sleep in, but time is so important to me these days. I am learning to count seconds and use them like Ebenezer Scrooge might use a tube of toothpaste. I get every little bit out of them, I even use a "butter knife" to squish the goodness out of my day.

One of my favorite things to do when I take the time is write. Not like the curriculum I'm working on that is "need to" thing, but free flowing from my heart like this blog. It's funny how I have a need to connect with other people, but I do. My husband looks at my need to share words with others like I am an alien when I do. He loves to write, but writing is for him and nobody else. We are different in many ways, that's for sure.

I'm a social moth. I say moth because butterfly is so cliche. Perhaps hubby is right when he refers to my need to connect as rather dangerous. Like a moth driven to the flame, I am driven to write for others to read. The only difference is that I don't need accolades or acceptance of my writing. I just need a format and hope I have an audience. I have a favorite blogger that emails me her penned thoughts once a week. She doesn't give her readers the option to reply, she simply gives them the opportunity to read her work. She is a published author so her words are appreciated and heeded, but she stops short of having too many "critical reviews"! I like her style.

What else will I do today? What else comforts me? Well I made a second cup of hot tea, non caffeinated peach. I have a pattern for a toboggan (a winter snugly hat) I might crochet. I might make some "handmade" greeting cards. Chances are good I'll meander through the latest and greatest on Pinterest. I love the eye candy appeal of Pinterest. A day like today begs for soup and grilled cheese. I could even bake some cookies. No I better not. I'm in the mood to eat them if I bake them.

A creature comfort day is a day where I am in control. How many of us love being in control? How seldom are we truly in control? The grandfather clock just chimed 9:00AM and I'm ok with it. I'm filling every moment with good things that make me feel loved, cared for, and even happy. I may pay for all this with a wave of guilt come tomorrow, but it will be worth it all. Of that I am sure.


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Getting Crafty

I'm an artsy fartsy gal. I really enjoy opportunities to create things that enhance the lives of those I love and the environment we share. To me well made homemade is special. It's easy to walk into a store, pick up an item and pay for it. It's not so easy to dedicate time and talent to make things. Of course there are some things that one simply can't make that enhance life. The iPad I'm using to write and post this blog is a store bought goodie. I can also appreciate such things as one who uses them regularly.

Today I finished three of four homemade projects. I made twelve snowmen ornaments from tea lights, six "faux" marshmallow snowmen ornaments, and two jingle bell garlands. The fourth project is a gift so I won't post what it is as its intended recipient sometimes reads this blog. It's fulfilling to design, start, work on and complete projects. For this reason I don't typically start long projects so I can be sure to complete the work I start. I don't like finding unfinished projects that have been sitting in drawers forever. I do have an afghan in the works, but it's one that uses scrap yarn so it is a work in progress.

I really enjoy homemade gifts, I also love getting art from friends and family. I have pictures painted and drawn by my grandchildren, my niece and close friends. I love seeing them hang on my fridge, my walls and in scrapbooks. It's like having a very personal art gallery. When I'm alone for long stretches of time, I can look at the art in my home and warm memories can fill the void that solitude can bring.

I know people who turn their noses up on homemade things. I'm not sure I will ever understand why, but they do. Not everyone can draw, crochet, knit, or create something from nothing. I could knit if I were so inclined, but choose not to as I have too many irons in my fires already. I have a friend who is very gifted with knitting. A gift from her is very special to me. I've known her so long that I knew her before she could knit. I've watched her go from novice to master of her art. She makes socks and lace! Both require skill to complete. She fills her spare time creating patterns for other knitters! That is mastery. That is the art of crafting.

I have more projects waiting in the wings, but for now I'm crafting a blog about crafting. Writing is very satisfying to me. To be able to take words and create mental images and feelings is powerful. To even reach and entertain an audience of one is wondrous. It's time to get in gear and get crafty.


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Something Old, Something New...



I've been remarried 18 days and life is as weird as it could be. I keep looking for something familiar with little to no success. Talking to a good friend (also a widow) who has been remarried for two years I'm fast learning that familiar is not to be had. It's all about making new traditions and wearing "new shoes". She keeps using analogies like, "leaving the familiar comforts of the sunny beach, and heading out to deep waters". I'm not a fan of swimming to start with, so the idea of leaving the safety of the beach to tread water in the deep sea makes my throat tighten. Now mind you, I love my new husband and I did ask God for someone different from my late husband, but does he have to be SO different?



I foolishly thought we would meld together seamlessly and easily. After all we are experienced at marriage. Between the two of us we have 68 years of experience. What a cruel trick assumption has played on the newly remarried bride I have become.



We are both accustomed to doing things certain ways. We are both VERY accustomed to doing things certain ways and having spouses that did things certain ways. How odd that we must learn new ways of doing things, and relearn the art of choosing battles and compromises.



The 34 years of marriage experience I went into this adventure with has eased many aspects of my new life. I already knew I would have to compromise, it's part of marriage. I already knew that some things just aren't worth fighting over to begin with. The difficult part in all of this preparation is that my new husband has totally different ideas of what is vital and what is superfluous. I'm quiet a great deal these days. I don't want to be drawn into arguments, I do want to learn all I can from observation of my husband. No matter how much one knows about a person going into a marriage, the final "I do" changes its participants.



Life is short and I know it just a little too well to begin with. Losing my husband to sudden death from a coronary changed my outlook. For this reason I'm not looking at my destination so much, but at how to enjoy the journey. The journey has lots of pot holes, detours and rough places, but I'm not traveling it alone any more. I loved being married the first time. Why else would I have ever considered a second go at it? I have someone to give to. I have someone to share things with. I have someone to blame. Yes, we blame our spouses as a protective mechanism. "I can't do this or that. My husband will be home and he has plans". He is my instant out.  I have someone to hold and to be held by. I have a man who loves to talk and to share similar likes. He also has things he enjoys that are completely foreign. I'm back in school as far as learning to work with someone new. I thought I'd be in junior high (at the very least). It seems I'm back in kindergarten.



I've just barely begun this adventure. I didn't have anything traditional at my civil wedding service. Thankfully the woman Justice of the Peace was a believer and she invoked God and even had us say the Lord's Prayer at our nuptials. I guess I'll be looking for something borrowed and something blue to finish out my very unconventional marriage. Perhaps I'll skip that as well, wouldn't want to be too predictable!

Rest, Recuperation and Play, Oh My!

Life can get hectic if you let it. The world screams, "Make more money" and we follow its lead. The bible tells us that "money answers everything", but it isn't THE answer to everything. If I don't have peace what good is all the money in the world? The Lord asked us "What should it profit a man should he gain the whole world and what shall a man exchange for his soul?" That says a bunch to me. The pressure may be onto have more and more, but I push back equally hard. I want the will of God in my life more than anything. I appreciate that I have what I need to do what He asks me, but if I had to choose between Him and "mammon" as the old English translators called it, I pray I would choose Him.

Today I have scheduled free play. I chose to go to the gym and get on the treadmill, but while there I read a favorite study course on divine faith. I had high aspirations of how long I would work out, but knew when I had walked only a mile and a half it was time to quit. I decided in my car that my next destination would be Barnes & Noble for breakfast, a chai latte (soy) and some relaxing reading about art. As soon as I sat down my writing side kicked in and I decided it was high time to blog. So here I am.

I've been a widow for going on 23 months. My life is changed in a bunch of ways, but there are familiar things that have remained the same. I am still a writer. I am still an artist. I am still a mother. I am still a grandmother. I am still getting over the death of my husband of 34 years. I have a new person in my life and he and I are enjoying each other's company as we recover from the mutual deaths of our spouses.

I've started painting again. I have finished five canvases and have several more sketched and ready to paint. Tomorrow I hope to work on four small canvases I'm working on. It's a new aspect of art and I'm in "learning mode" as I am painting something specific to my ministry call. It's different, but it's a lot of fun. God is doing a new thing in my life and I'm working to hear His voice once again for this new work.

I'm a girl that enjoys lots of different things. My signature style is classic eclectic. I love vintage, I love retro, I love fru fru, I love traditional, but not too traditional. So all of these things in me are speaking, wanting to "get out". I'm holding them back and letting God open the gate. Today it's writing and art, but I just got a text request for ministry so when I'm done with my "me" day I'll go back to my ministry self. Normally on this blog I'm incognito. Today I'm letting it out that my true heart is ministry or loving those who need the real love of God in their lives. I have a huge heart (thanks to God) and there is enough love for whoever He brings along my path.

Praying for you who read this to be brave enough to take a day for yourself and get your tank refueled. God wants you to rest. He has said, "I give rest to my beloved" and you are one of His beloved if you want to be.

Ahhhhh!!!

(Written two months ago)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Five Days and Counting

It's been a while since I've posted here. I'd love to forget the fact that I'm a widow, but though it may submerge deep in my subconscious mind the reality of it is never that far away. It's funny what can trigger the memories. Tonight it was a little book about healing that I picked up out of my library. Oddly enough the book was a gift a friend had given me to give to someone else. Why it never got to that person escapes me. I guess I will see to it that it reaches its intended destination. The woman who gave it has also gone onto heaven. It was the memory of her death that triggered my memory of my husband's passing. She was one of our supporters, and a woman I spent a great deal of time with. She had very little in the way of material wealth, but she was the most generous woman I have ever met. She suffered from COPD, was pretty much home bound, but she believed in healing. She had been healed of lung cancer! She was on oxygen 24/7, but she passed out books on healing to anyone and everyone that she met who might need healing. She was precious to me. She loved me and she loved my husband.

I had a sort of flashback of memories about this dear woman as I read the little note she had scrawled in the front of the little book. I remembered praying with her when her son had been accused of a crime he truly had not committed. I remember praying for him when he was put in prison. He was angry, and understandably so. While in prison, he came to know the Lord. His mother and I prayed relentlessly for him and rejoiced when he found peace for his soul. We also rejoiced when he was released after doing his time.

Over and over my husband and I had interacted with this sweet woman. She was also a trial to my love walk. Her lack of oxygen to the brain and then subsequent overload of oxygen could make her aggressive and demanding. It didn't matter, we loved her and did our best to serve her.

All of the memories I have of her are intertwined with memories I have of my late husband. He was always there either helping her or encouraging me when I was headed to help her. He was so much more patient with people than I. My emotions flooded my mind and the tears began to flood my eyes. In five days he will have been gone two years. I still am amazed that he is gone. I never imagined myself as a widow. I refused to let those thoughts ever have a place in my imagination.

One of the things I've discovered since he passed is that I never know what will trigger memories. Things that seem so unrelated will have a tie to them. If I get quiet and really think about it I can eventually see the connection. There is no way to prevent it, I simply have to get through it. I'm thankful for God's word and glad I spend enough time in it to have comforting verses come up in my mind during the tsunamis of emotions that sometimes overtake me. In five days I'm likely to be a mess as the thought of his death still hurts. Thirty four years is a long time to be with someone. I miss him. I probably always will.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Writer's Block; Love

Ok, it's been a while since I've posted, but I have a really good reason. What is that reason you ask? I'm in love, have been in love and plan to stay there. Though I've written less than I have in ages I've started painting again and my music has begun to flow again. I've picked up my keyboard and played my accordion more times in the past four months than I have in years. You may be wondering (or may not) why my writing has slowed and my artsy side has flourished. I think it's because when you pen things about a new love in your life folks tend to scrutinize and judge. I doubt they mean to, but they do. They cast judgments on you, your new significant other and make "bets" on how long the relationship will last. Phooey. At the same time being an artistic person I need creative release of all the joy bubbling in my soul. My spirit soars as my new love draws closer to things I love and shares all that he holds dear.

I've decided to do less divulging and more living and enjoying this new experience, new relationship. I've already had many judgments issued by well meaning friends. I've never been in this place before so as a cautious person I proceed slowly and with my eyes pretty open. Ok, so there are times when love is completely and totally blind. I am fully aware of that fact, and for this reason I counsel with women older than myself. I do NOT ask for advice from those who have ALL the answers. There are many who seem to have ALL the answers for you, but their own lives are total messes. No thanks.

I'm onto bigger and better things. I have refilled my painting supplies and am making time for music and composing. I'm studying art books to refresh my memory of perspective and composition. These are things I do when separated from my new love. My spiritual side is being stretched. New relationships force one to produce the fruits of the spirit. One needs all of these fruits for the new life that is growing from the new connection. Adjustments will have to be made, but compromise of ones moral and spiritual self is a complete "no no" in my estimation. I can be patient without putting up with sinful practices. I can kind without becoming a doormat. I can promote my new love, again without becoming less than I am.

This new phase in my life is exhilarating, and yet there are challenges. I've laid the relationship down in the Father's hand only to have Him hand it back to me strengthened and renewed. Where I have been weak, He has under girded and helped me. Where I have been blind He has supplied elder women with compassion and wisdom to clean my love colored glasses.

I wouldn't miss this new budding romance for all the tea in China or barbecue in Texas! I am learning to shut off the critics and receive instruction from those who have already walked my path. I may have a writer's block, but it's one of my own choosing. I never put on paper what I don't want the whole world to know anyway.

Rejoice with me in my web silence knowing I'm in a good place. I was in a very sad and dark place at the death of my husband of 34 years. God has provided love that fills in places in my life that have never been filled before. I look forward to many more years of writing about where this new path leads. I hope you'll join me on the journey.