flying with pigeons ---

when you really thought you were

--- soaring with eagles

***

some times you mess up.
It's OK.

these are from my photo walk-about the other day.

I found this awesome mural in one of the back alleyways... and had to photograph it.

such coolness.

this sunny city

this spot on the map marked "here"

you are here... right now.

***

sometimes you have to just live in the moment.... no matter where you are.

Today was spent exploring around Nob Hill... taking photos... and enjoying the sunshine.

in the mid-winter

I burrow under blankets

and dream of the spring

***

hope your weekend is going well...
it's a good weekend to rest and re-coup.

I feel the kindness

resting in our mother's hands

and healing begins

***

No... I'm not Catholic. (but I did go to a Catholic college... and have many friends and family of the faith)
But I do believe that we all have a sacred Mother, just as we have a sacred Father.

Parents... so to speak.... who watch over us.... guide us... encourage us. 

Whether is be the Virgin Mary, Gaia, Shakti, Anu... whatever you call her... today I feel her presence.

faded and tired

full of life's overwhelmings

time for a long rest

***

I think I was hit by the "post holiday" let down today... 

having gotten all my commitments fulfilled and mailed out....

 my body just suddenly quit. 

Not slowed down... not weary... done. 

And so I am resting.

inviting peace and 

tranquility in a cup

my afternoon tea

***

well... I got it done in time!

And I really like how it all turned out.

30 of my photographs, paired with 30 of my original Haiku.
And then I added notations about the photos... where they were taken, etc.

Now--- off into the mailbox :)

sand between my toes

awash with love from the sea

no better feeling

***

I am thinking about the ocean today. 

It was so incredibly gorgeous... so peaceful... so perfect.

***

looking through the stash of paper in hand... I noticed similarities.

No... I didn't need a "power chair"... or hearing aids... or a condo in southern Florida.

Sorry... I am not in the market to buy a new car... sub-lease that time share... or refinance my mortgage.

I hate clipping coupons... and oh yes... there are some bills.

Such is life.

The weekend has almost gone.

Having hurt my back (again)... it seemed all I could do was lie about... and even that was painful.

And so; I got myself in some semblance of motion, and did some much needed tasks.

Alas, I failed to get my flag in on time for "The Hope Project"... and so it will be left somewhere in ABQ here as free art... but I've gathered photos and Haiku ... and hope to finish assembling of my Sketchbook Project journal; and get it in the mail by Tuesday. I got packages put together for the 3 winners of my blog "give-away"... and another 5 packages of goodies to folks who signed on my FB page for a handmade items "give away."

The clock ticks. Time sometimes goes by much too quickly... and I worry I don't get enough done.

Perhaps I do need that "power chair"...

Not sure why... but I feel completely overwhelmed with everything today... 

And so, I am trying to slooooooow down a little... and am enjoying some brie, crackers,

 and fresh blackberries. Oh... and coffee... lots of coffee.

winter winds blowing

smell of pine cones in the air

cleanse my foggy brain

***

...it's really, really windy here today... and mostly overcast...

but if you go outside, you can smell the pine from a couple trees down the street
... and it is good.

dance with the music

like a puppet on a string

who dares to break ties

***

I am still not feeling well... but I am trying to remain optimistic about the whole thing.

((this photo is one I took in Petaluma, CA.. last February. 

We stayed at this wonderful french inspired hotel, and everything was just so awesome.

From the french drip coffee.... to the artwork... to the down filled comforters on the beds...
and the fresh roses in the lobby... to the little knick-knacks all over... it was a visual feast. 

This little puppet theatre was in the office, and it really caught my eye))

there's nothing like the

comfort of your own pillows

when you feel like crap.

***

sick. 

But at least I have a snuggle-buddy

greeting the morning

love is a sacred language

spoken to the brave

***

some days are harder than others.

You feel useless.

Directionless.

Treading in deep waters.

And then the sun comes out.

((photo take early this am... gazing outside))

you're getting braver,

wiser, more wonderful... year by

fabulous (new) year.

***

time for some fabulous finishes... and some equally fabulous new beginnings

I came across this quote form Elisabeth Kubler-Ross:

"People are like stained glass windows. 
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, 
their true beauty is revealed only of there is a light from within."

It reminded me today of alot of things... but foremost on my mind today... is the thought that...

even though we think there is little we can do to change the world... or to change out little portion of it...
we still have this light. It shines ... not dependent on others for that light...
but comes from deep within us. it is something only we can do... only we have...
and it has the potential to illuminate every dark area... completely wiping out any negativity or darkness....
even from such a tiny flame.

((this photo is one I took from inside a gorgeous church in Bradford, PA))

I usually "leap" before thinking... and in the past, that has certainly gotten me into trouble.

However, it also can be a very good thing.
You see... I am a worrier. And if I were to wait on a decision...
usually I end up talking myself out of it.
 I'm no good.
It is a bad idea.
Why do I think I would succeed?
The list goes on....

So it comes as a bit of a surprise to me... that (while I was laying awake at night) ...
it occurred to me that this is my 15th year in business for myself. Wow!
Whoodathunkit?

Now. I am not a grazillionaire by any stretch... but there is alot of job satisfaction in knowing that you are your own boss,
you are in control of every aspect of your business... and you are the final say.

***

what do  you desire?

bravery takes all shapes, forms

leap and you will find 


***

((the photo for today's post was obviously taken at the Grand Canyon.
It was one of my "spontaneous" trips last year))

Look up to the sky. You'll never find rainbows if you’re looking down.

--Charlie Chaplin

***

I am prone to depression. It never really makes logical sense... it just creeps in and before you know it; it's filled the room with it's desperation. And so I try to distract myself. To step outside of this room...

And so I am trying to finish up a few projects I've recently started (and a couple older ones as well).

I have about a week left before I need to turn in my journal for The Sketchbook Project... I am sending a prayer flag to Leighanna Light... who started an art project to make peace flags for the town of Newtown, Conn... I had a give-away in celebration of having 1000 sales in my Etsy shop; so I am sending out gifts to 3 lucky winners... and today I signed up for a craft project; whereby I send out 5 homemade crafts to 5 lucky responders.
 I am also preparing a gift box for a friend of a friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

It's really a selfish act... by giving my time and energy into preparing something for someone else... I am really escaping my own thoughts
... if only for a little bit... and that is good...

And hopefully... they will enjoy it as well.

((the photo for today's post was taken at Java Joe's ... a local ABQ coffee cafe))

sometimes you don't always see "the forest for the trees..."

I've been trying very hard to "clean out"... "downsize"... whatever you want to call it... for several years now.

I set a goal over 5yrs ago... to give away an item for every day of the year... and have more than made my goals each year (this year... I gave away 470 items). Now... an "item" can be a simple gift (handmade piece of jewelry) or it can be, say... a bag of clothing... or a huge lot of firewood. All of which I have done thru Craigslist, gifting, Freecycle... etc. Not only does it help me organize... but hopefully, the receiver can really use it/ appreciate it.

Not so coincidentally, I've  been trying to make some extra cash to help pay off some bills. And I've been thinking of items I already have to re-purpose and re-use to make into something new... and I've come up with quite a few! All of which will be made from items I already have... and was trying to figure out the best way to use them. Which is awesome. So... just like the guitar picks that I make out of recycle gift cards... we will be listing some "clever" new stuff in the shop this coming year... and it's exciting.

Also (not so coincidentally)... I was racking my brain to think of a new word for the year. 

This is an idea that a friend gave me (and she got it from another friend)... whereby you pick a word that you feel compelled to focus on for a year... and see what it brings to your daily life. How it helps you to focus on things... be more mindful... be more grateful... you get the idea. Anyway... I had it narrowed down to a couple words (including the one I chose)... and then today it just hit me like a ton of bricks. FOUND. 

My word is FOUND.

How ironic that this year... I am hoping to concentrate items in my shop (things I actively make) as being made from found objects, recycled goods... re-purposed items. That can't be happenstance.

***

the photo for today's post is one I took on a trip to California last February.

It was my first time seeing the Pacific Ocean... and one I will always treasure. In many ways... it helped me to "find" myself more clearly.