Tag Archives: escape

December 2, 2024 · 11:13 am

Dr. Seuss Wisdom

I love my life.

Sure, there are challenges – I have to remind my husband that I have the tractor guy on ‘speed dial,’ ready to dig a hole for me to throw him in when he is being particularly ornery, for example, but mostly all is good.

I usually spend the morning writing posts for this blog and doing exercises with weights in-between posts. This way I don’t have to have a particular time designated for working out with the weights, and it doesn’t seem so bad when I can then enjoy writing another post.

I truly love spending time finding things I find wonderful to share with you. I’ve become friends with some of the readers of this blog – a thing I wouldn’t have had the opportunity for, otherwise. What a gift that is!

I escape from my ‘challenges’ by –

  • writing the posts or finding wonderful things to include later
  • listening to music – either upstairs in my art room, or finding new wonderful talent on YouTube
  • reading – I just can’t get enough of diving into an ‘old friend’ or discovering a new author, learning something new, and more.
  • playing in my art room – playing at being an ‘artist,’ trying new techniques, using new tools, or old tools in a new way, being inspired by things I see on Pinterest, Etsy, or other places that get my juices flowing.
  • gardening – spring is my favorite season, with perennials blooming from my efforts in the past, new things to plant, veggie gardens to plan, hacking down all the stuff that tries to recapture the wildness that was here before we came, and more. There are good things to do in ALL the seasons, though, and I love to spend time outside, pruners in my gloved hands, walking around.

My husband and I are reasonably healthy at this point, even though we’re older than dirt. He is still grumbling about turning 81 last month. “80 had panache” he said, but 81 is ‘just old.’ I’m trying to watch what he’s eating, though he thwarts my efforts when he can. He refuses to exercise, but that’s just him being ornery. He’s excited about his new welding table, but doesn’t have a new project yet.

He did say he was proud of me recently about my efforts to lose the lard and make what is left stronger. I’m still happy about his compliment.

So, I’m a happy, spoiled lady, and I love my life now. I’m hoping that Dr. Seuss’ words are true for a good, long time.

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June 8, 2024 · 9:12 am

Another Dream Place

BeaverState2-Fiza-Pinterest

I would love to walk and dream here. We can be there vicariously, though, just by sharing this image, closing our eyes, and…

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July 14, 2022 · 10:12 am

Fun in My Art Room

Book Riot

Each afternoon I’m spending time in my art room, working on the presents I’m making for my friends for Christmas. I try to make progress on two of them each day, waiting for paint to dry on each before the next step. I’m making 8 presents, and each is different, so I’m taking my time and really enjoying the process.

We converted a third bedroom to be my art room several years ago. I go up there, shut the door, turn on music I don’t listen to anywhere else, and start experimenting, immersing myself in color, determination, hope, and fun.

Even when all I create is a mess, the time there is well spent. I emerge refreshed in spirit, free and happy. I’m very lucky to have a space like this.

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September 6, 2020 · 9:46 am

Withdrawal

Ronit Baras

I finished the 11th book in “The Rise of the Iliri” series by Auryn Hadley last night.

My main reaction is sadness that it is, indeed, the end of the series. There won’t be any more in this story. I was totally caught up in the world Auryn created, plus the unique characters and their interactions. I love the fact that the main character was a super strong female. Her world was SO different from mine it was a good escape. I’m a go-along to get-along type basically, trying to not upset anyone. The main character, Sal, was the complete opposite, challenging everyone and everything in order to make the world a better place. She was a shining example to everyone around her, bringing out their strengths, as well. Great story.

In the meantime, my husband suggested I read the “Honor Harrington” books by David Weber next. Another strong female character. I started the first book in the series last night.

I hope that YOU have the luxury of diving into the beloved books of a favorite author, or finding new, exciting ones that take your breath away.

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July 3, 2020 · 9:44 am

High Hopes

Emily Dickinson-keepinspiring.me

Each time I go up to my art room, I’m filled with the desire to make something I like. My head starts working overtime, swirling with the possibilities of what I can play with.

Lately I have been playing the game of, “Cleaning up my Art Room.” What this ACTUALLY means – unless someone is coming who wants to SEE it – is that I START gathering things up to clear off my drafting table and quickly get caught up by an idea for making something. “Cleaning” drops off quickly as I get out even more things in order to play.

Yesterday the cleaning up stopped as I started a new group of earrings. I found some things I want to try,  plus I have a couple of new shapes, so I spent about half the afternoon up there, first painting one side of the earring shapes, letting them dry, then painting the second side. Last night I sprayed the glaze fixative on the side that was ‘up.’ This morning I sprayed the second side.  Today I’ll do a bit more work on them in the art room, and then bring them downstairs, here to the office, where I put them together.

I love the fact that I have enough supplies to try a lot of things, ‘dwelling in the possibilities.’  Even though things never turn out the way I envision, my time in the art room is priceless. Possibilities abound. I can escape from any stress. I can lose myself in the joy of the game, ‘What If…”

 

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May 12, 2020 · 2:47 pm

Joy on a Rainy Day

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I’ve been having a wonderful time in my art room this afternoon.

I started some new wooden earrings to which I’ll attach posts. I have the fronts finished, but I need to wait for them to dry so I can paint the edges and the backs. Then I’ll bring them downstairs to glue on the posts.

I also started some small hard canvas boards, using Unicorn Spit paints. When they dry, I’ll add some of my favorite quotes.

I truly love the Unicorn paints. Thanks FOREVER to my wonderful sister-in-law, MaryLou, for sending me a starter set – just because she saw them and thought I might have fun with them. The possibilities are truly endless, and a joy for any level of ‘arty-ness.’ If you haven’t tried these, they are such FUN. You can use the paints on almost anything. I’ve painted totes, tee shirts, paper, wood, and these hard canvas boards so far. You can paint with brushes, or use them like fingerpaint. They are non-toxic, water soluble and are not permanent until you spray or paint them with fixatives. Truly wonderful stuff!

Hopefully, I can show you my latest batch of things soon.

 

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