next

Learning continues every day.
Goals and objectives for this summer through next year:

continue with New York, New York
continue blogging and plan about how much, when to blog
increase physical activity
increase writing and relaxation
increase fruits and vegetables
fiber is fine!
Revisit the fish and make a quilt or lap spread.
Think about starting/finishing another crazy quilt -
perhaps, less crazy - more planning.
think about dying as we live
everything is precious
or so it seems
sometimes, we forget.

another river

It is the Smith;
no, the Chetna
I am at the shore
the edge of things
the trees call my name
they whisper softly to me
rocking my cradle
the first notes of a parental voice
I ever heard sounded like
the hum of tree frogs
and I am at once sad, angry and
alone, again.

finished projects

Although I am not blogging as planned; I have finished many tasks and
projects.

I wonder whither the writing?

The two major changes from without have proven to be daunting on
some days.

I have felt captured and captivated by the possibilities, the endings and
the beginnings and by the fast pace of life - at times, so swift.

Musing seems to come naturally to me.  I write in my thoughts, on paper and
in blogs and yet, sometimes, I stay away -- from myself.

how do you know you are playing?

Playfulness contains spontaneity, a sense of adventure, a glimpse of something new or hopeful just
around the corner and an air of suspense.
 It employs our senses and calls us to examine a tree, smell a dog or watch a small child stack
packages at the grocery store.  We capture moments, snapshots and "sights" for our sore and
weary eyesight of worldly woes and cares.  We are transported.

back to playing

To play or not to play - is that a question?

To not play is to become bitter, withdrawn and angry or
to be apathetic and not even know you are.

To play is to engage at whatever point, level or space is available or one
you can enlarge, exploit or create.  Play may be built upon much work.
It is not a solitary activity but requires companionship even if
that is meeting the self.

How to Play Well

spend time alone each day
walk with the dog
hug the one(s) you love
put your hands in the dirt
run your fingers through your hair
and fiber
and across your loved one's chest
listen to the leaves rustle
watch the flowers bloom in the fall
lavender asters
amid poke salad berries handing overhead
rock faces always permanent and ever changing
hear the noises of a changing sky
birds on the wing
and acorns not falling any more.

pictures worth many words

pictorial comments

playing with your 'presentation'

many people adopt a style
or fashion
early in life
and it stays and stays
exactly the same
the first time someone told
me about the boy they knew
at school
who wore an orange sock and
a blue sock
and always made sure to wear
two different colors every
day
liberation
followed
with a heightened experimentation
in the way I wear my hair or a hat
the clothese I pick and the accessories
mine say "different" , "a little kinky"
and a mix of vintage and hippie.
While it might not be original is is
originally mine and I like feeling good
and comfortable with the me I present
to the world as well as the inner me I
continue to dress each day with values
like loyalty, integrity, questioning and
exercising the whole brain every opportunity
I have. Getting older means not taking much
for granted. Going to the bathroom regularly without
difficulty is often a blessing.
Being able to clearly read a pattern or see a stitch
without squinting is relaxing. Best of all, each sunrise
and sunset and day passing is the world anew each time.

how to play with art constructively

Playful Art

laugh a lot
if you sell your art for love or money
make sure you know why
and for what cause
as your art can boomerang and
exploit you
and you become less valued.

try
new things, say "what if" everyday
and realize it still might not
work for the result
you want
and asking yourself the question
will help
soon.

browse
through shops
watch people
see how they work
how they relate to each
other and objects d art
do not move toward conclusions
observe
and wait.

touch, taste and smell your way
into the world
and as you follow your muse
you might not
feel successful or valued
or even important
and you will know your own
way
most of the time.