An Old Polaroid...

I was rummaging through some boxes of old photographs that I borrowed from my mom today.  I was certain that there was this one old polaroid photo of me as a child dressed in a yellow coat and hat, holding a purse.  It is one of my favorites and since I don't have a lot of photos of me as a child, it is a treasure.  I was so excited when I found it, but disheartened to find that the image had cracked and was peeling. Makes for great art, but certainly won't make it for the long haul! 

This picture was taken when we lived in Connecticut. I have to laugh because I am standing in front of one of those old record players that came in a unit the size of a deep freeze!  My parents owned it for years! 

I spent some time lingering in the past as I browsed through the boxes of old photos.  I laughed, smiled, remembered good and bad times as well as teared-up a little, especially when I saw pictures of my pop.  The anniversary of his untimely death is next month and it is always a sad time for me.  I did find a photo of him actually smiling and I stared at it a long time. Which brings me to this...I always heard it said that after someone dies we think about all the things we wish we had said. I believe this to be true.  Life is short.  Hug those you love, send a card or e-mail just to say hello and don't be afraid to share your feelings with those around you in a spirit of love and edification!

Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: our love to others, and others' love to us. ~ Thomas Trahern

Have a blessed day!

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A Full Moon...

..and I don't mean the one in the night's sky!  Okay, I realize that the women's locker room at the gym is meant for showering, changing, etc.  But, today I was just a little unprepared when I walked in and just around the corner was a woman in her early sixties bent over with her uncovered back-side in full view!  I stopped short and I know I must have gasped. I quickly dashed into the bathroom and I just had to laugh!  Call me modest, but locker room or not, I would be behind the curtain!

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Thoughts on Friendship...

Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief. ~ Joseph Addison

To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings. ~Unknown

Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of getting out of one's self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another. ~Thomas Hughes

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What We Give...

I ventured out to Barnes & Noble last night to search the shelves for whatever caught my eye.  Seems I was drawn to a book by Sark titled Eat Mangoes Naked: Finding Pleasure Everywhere (and dancing with the Pits).  I thumbed through the book this morning and this caught my eye:

"I want to learn the pleasures of conscious giving and receiving.  When we consciously receive, we give another the opportunity to be generous.  Receiving is a gift to the giver.  If we cannot receive, then we cannot truly give.  I want to gloriously and graciously receive, without count or measure.  I want to lose track of 'who gave' and 'who received.'"  I want to eagerly do both, with truth and integrity."

Are you a giver or a receiver? 

Have a blessed day!

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Do the Unexpected...

Today has been like most days.  See, I live quite well by the "routines" I have placed in my life!  I am a creature of habit, which includes holding "most" of my thoughts to myself. Today was a little different and I must say, that I felt a little liberated and left that Starbucks with a smile!  There have been many times that I have wanted to say something, but didn't.  I am referring to those times when you see someone with, say, their fly unzipped or maybe spinach in their teeth.  You know what I mean...you don't say anything because you don't know them or don't want them or yourself to be embarrased and on and on...  Today I decided I would change that! 

While waiting for my coffee at Starbucks a middle-aged gentleman walked up to the register dressed in a light t-shirt and Khaki pants.  His pants were unzipped and although I was not checking him out, I could not help but notice this as his underwear were a dark color.  Okay, here me out now!  The thought crossed my mind to tell him, and of course I just could not.  I thought about what I might say, and even how he might react.  I decided to do the "unexpected" for me and tell him.  I wandered over after I got my coffee, took a deep breath and said..."I would want someone to tell me, but your pants are unzipped.  I realize that I don't know you and this is embarrassing for both of us, afterall I am a woman and you are a man, but I thought you might like to know."  He laughed.  He zipped up his pants and then he threw up his arms and yelled that he was on medication!

Try doing or saying something today that is "unexpected" for you, but be kind!

Have a blessed day!

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I am strong!

I've been involved with a round robin group hosted by Celine Navarro since last year.  There are a lot of great artists in the group!  It is called PlayArt Journal and I just finished the journal page shown here as part of Donna Downey's journal.  After a "long" break from my art room this summer, it was nice to get back to "work" on something fun!  I titled this one STRONG. "Today I  learned I am strong. I can handle more than I thought of myself before now."  Are you strong?

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Priceless...

A new toe ring...$4 dollars!

An excellent pedicure...$25 dollars!

A new pair of supportive, comfortable and fashionable Reef  flip flops...$37 dollars!

A new pair of supportive and comfortable, but "un"fashionable Asics running shoes...$65 dollars!

A HAPPY pair of feet...Priceless !!!!

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The Nation's Oldest City...

When I lived in North Carolina a never did visit The Biltmore Mansion and when I lived in Orlando I seldom went to Disney World.  It is funny how when you live somewhere it is easy to have the mind-set that "one day I'll go" and then you either move or just never take the time.  Yesterday I spent the day visiting The Nation's Oldest City, or at least St. Augustine, Florida claims this title.  St. Augustine reminds me of Charleston, South Carolina, where I grew up and a little like Savannah, Georgia, too. 

My friend, Renee was up from Miami with her family and we decided to spend some time shopping and taking pictures. The biggest treasures, of course, were the ones we caught behind the camera lens.

We especially love all the old buildings.  On one corner we found an old pottery studio.  The building most certainly needed to be condemned.  The building itself looked like it was made of aluminum and the front door was wood along with the window's frame.  The whole building was leaning toward the road and the trees at the edge of the street had sprouted up around it, surrounding it with limbs and roots.  The trees really had "grown into and around" the small building. I thought for sure that this building must be on the city's Ghost Tours route!  I'll bet it is very spooky at night!

It was a beautiful day, although it is still pretty hot and humid here in Florida.  We are in peak hurricane season, so any day without a storm looming is a good one this time of year.

Another place we visited was the Huguenot Cemetery.  It is supposed to be haunted, along with a lot of other places in St. Augustine. Makes for good stories by the fire on cold winter nights!

Take the time some weekend this fall and visit a landmark or destination of some kind near you!

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Island's End

If you ever find yourself on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I highly recommend this quaint little place called Island's End Resort in Pass-a-Grille, Florida.  It is located south of St. Pete Beach.  If you are looking for a place to really "relax" and get away from it all, this is the place.  The beach is beautiful and the sunsets are priceless!

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A Yummy Souffle!

I found a souffle that is so very yummy, but it won't go to your waist line!  My friend, Kelly Kimer and I spent a little time together at Art Unraveled and she shared with me, once again, one of the coolest new art supplies:  Sakura Souffle 3-D Gel Pens! These incredible gel ink pens write, then dry to a 3-dimensional, opaque, matte pastel colour line! It is useable on light or dark materials.  The delicate, fluffy line requires only a few minutes to dry, but the results are very eye-catching!  These are a must have for art journaling!

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My friend, Ronnie took several classes at Art Unraveled and in keeping with her every-developing talent for creating stunning jewelry, made several pieces last week. 

She made a bracelet in Sharilyn Miller's  Beaded Bangles class.

She also took a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer called Stick in In Your Ear.  She made two beautiful pair of metal earrings.

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A New Journal

I have to admit that I do get pretty excited about the feel, smell and beauty a new journal!  I have admired the work of an artist by the name of Bridgette Guerzon Mills for some time. Today I received one of her handmade coptic bound journals called "Texture of Life" in the mail and it is beautiful!  The journal was carefully wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a polka dotted ribbon.  I especially liked the handmade tag tied to the packaging which featured one of Bridgette's collages. She also included an ATC as well as one of her gift cards.

The journal is 5 x 7 and the covers are painted and collaged canvas boards.  Bridgette finished the front with a soft piece of fabric and a rectangular piece of copper mesh set off with eyelets. The coptic binding is done in an olive thread, which sets it off nicely from the ivory of the journal's pages.  I sense the pages calling to me and I feel the need to lightly sweep my pen over the them..... Okay, back to reality! 

Bridgette's work is lovely and she has a lot to offer.  Visit her shop at Amanobooks to see all she has to offer!  Visit her Blog also!

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The Line Ends There...

Sometimes things happen in life that make you laugh and truly believe that saying, "what goes around comes around" does indeed have some truth to it!

Background:  Ronnie and I flew Southwest Airlines to Phoenix and there is an open seating policy on Southwest.  Basically this means that you get your boarding pass with an A, B or C boarding order and then you just pick your seat once on the plane. 

Story:  Ronnie and I arrive at the Phoenix airport and head to the gate.  We notice, as there usually is, a long line for the "A" folks.  The line is a bit staggered and it is hard to tell where people are waiting or if they are just hanging out!  We head to what we think is the end of the line to be told very quickly by "Line Police Man" that the line ends..."back there!"  We move to the end and watch over the next thirty minutes as LPM makes sure he keeps everyone who comes up at bay and lets everyone know exactly where the line ends. 

Here is where the good part comes...Ronnie and I were two people behind LPM in line.  As we proceed to the gate LPM hands the gate agent his boarding pass and heads down the hallway to the plane.  An alarm sounds and the gate agent calls to LPM.  LPM comes back up and is told none other than "Sir, you are in the WRONG line.  This flight is going to Orlando and you are booked on the flight to Baltimore!"   Seems LPM spent all his energy to guarantee his cushy spot to Orlando to find himself at the end of the line for Baltimore. 

Needless to say, those of us around him could not help but chuckle.  The girl in line behind him was surly relieved that he would no longer have the opportunity to hit on her again!  Another funny to the story...LPM was wearing a shirt that read, Baltimore Fire and Rescue.  MMMM?

More later on Art Unraveled!

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Art Unraveled in Phoenix

Once again, I find myself in Phoenix enjoying a week of teaching at Art Unraveled.  Ronnie and I flew in on Monday and  quickly settled in after  hitting Whole Foods for those "specialty" items, the grocery store for  sustenance and soft toilet paper and, of course, Starbucks!

I will be teaching three evening classes and one full day class on Saturday. I've kept my days free to relax, socialize and enjoy a little downtime.  So far so good!  The weather is pleasant.  It is hot, but not as hot as last year!  Last night's class went well. Tonight is my biggest class with 22 students.  It is great to see familiar faces and catch up with old friends at these events! 

I hope to actually make some art while I am here as well.  I did sign up for an evening class Friday night. Should be fun!

More later on things in Phoenix!  Have a blessed day!

Think about this...

When you are compelled to ask yourself, "why me?" in times of trouble or despair, realize that you could easily ask  yourself the same question in times of peace, joy and comfort!

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Just For Today...

Just For Today...
I will be agreeable. I will look my best, speak in a well-modulated voice.
Be courteous and considerate.

Just for Today...
I will not find fault with a relative, friend or colleague.
I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself.

Just for Today...
I will have a program. I might not follow it exactly,
But I will save myself from two enemies - hurry and indecision.

Just for Today...
I will exercise my character in three ways.
I will do a good turn and keep it a secret; if anyone finds out, it won't count.

Just for Today...
I will do two things I don't want to do, just for exercise.

Just for Today...
I will be unafraid. Especially will I be unafraid to enjoy what is beautiful
and believe that as I give to the world, the world will give to me;
but, even if I receive nothing, I will still give...lovingly.

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Rookie on a Mission

The fear of the unknown can keep one from stepping out beyond what is comfortable.  On the other hand it also offers a challenge that may well be life changing not only for the person who takes a chance, but also in the lives of those who may be touched by such an act of faith.

Day One:  Although my brother is not traveling with me today to Panama to share in my first medical mission trip experience, I am still very excited!  I am not sure what is ahead of me, but I am ready to face the challenge.  I am fine until I get to Atlanta and realize that I am truly on my own.  There is a multitude of people sporting the bright red t-shirts we are asked to wear so we can be easily identified.  Seems that a lot of people are traveling together and friendships already exist.  I try not to let this bother me, but I feel a little anxious about not knowing anyone.  This does not last as I am befriended by two other travelers and quickly begin to feel at ease.  The flight is good, but I am pretty tired upon arrival.  It takes a while to get us all rounded up and together for our first mini meeting at the hotel.  I get my room key and head to the room for a quick shower and what I hope is a good night’s rest.  Not tonight!

Day Two:  Up at 5:00AM and on the bus for an hour ride to the village and gymnasium, which will serve as the site of the clinic for the week.  Breakfast is served and then we have a morning devo and another meeting.  “Drink plenty of water, don’t drink THE water and sanitize your hands often!”  I hope I don’t get the virus or get dehydrated!    Beginning to meet more people, getting more comfortable, it is VERY hot, I wish I spoke Spanish!

I am assigned to the Optometry team.  After a crash course in taking someone’s prescription and finding the right pair of glasses we begin to serve those in the community.  It is a great feeling to find the right pair of glasses for someone and have them smile at you!  You know that they can see and it is a good feeling. I feel like I am making a difference!

The day is long and after the clinic closes we have supper. At 6:30PM worship begins and I am surprised to find that it is all in Spanish.  It is  hard to focus and pay attention when you have no clue what is being said.  I do my best to stay awake, but must confess that I am anxious to take a shower and get some sleep.  I slept better tonight! 

Day Three: Still having a hard time adjusting and not sure I am cut out for this.  I pray that I can get out of myself and do what I came to do.  I am not the only one who is tired and hot.  The people are gracious and thankful for the assistance.  It is a good day!  The rain has cooled things off a bit and the breeze is a nice addition.  The bats are flying tonight.  They must be drawn to the sound of the singing.  Still a bit tired, but am trying to drink more water and that is making a big difference.

Day Four - Seven:  Wow!  I really should have been writing more.  Each day has gotten better.  Still not easy, but a change of attitude can make all the difference.  If I had been asked after the first two days if I would come back, I would have said that I don’t think I am cut out for this.  Now, I feel differently.  It has been a great week!  I have made a lot of friends, learned a lot about myself and truly have more of an appreciation for the simple things I take for  granted.  The week brought the following: 

• 1805 patients seen

• 6734 prescriptions filled

• 413 heads scrubbed for lice

• 1102 patients seen by the dentists

• 563 teeth extracted

• 1149 optometry patients seen

• 970 pairs of glasses dispensed

• 966 total in evening worship services

• 1 restoration

• 65 baptisms

Day Eight: The clinic closed yesterday and we got to sleep in a little later today. I am thankful for this and looking forward to seeing the Children’s home this morning.  We will tour the Panama Canal later and then back to the hotel.  Our team dinner is tonight and then we travel home tomorrow.

Reflection:  I have been home a week now and can honestly say that there are many things I miss about my time in Panama. I appreciate the humble and thankful nature of the native people I met.  Their appreciation of the simplest of things touched me.  Their desire to know God and learn about Him was encouraging.  I appreciate the people who where great examples of what it is to serve others.  I appreciate those who took the time to get to know me and make me feel welcome while traveling on my own.  I miss the friends I made and the time I spent getting to know them.  I hope our paths will cross again in the future. 

I hope to have more photos posted soon.  Please e-mail me if you have any questions or want to know more about my trip.

Have a blessed day!

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