MY BOX OF TOOLS

Before I start painting, I need to make sure all my necessary tools are at hand. I need a canvas, brushes and/or knives, water, a rag, a palate and of course, paint.

 

 

Without the proper tools, I wouldn’t get far,would I?

A painting doesn’t just ‘happen’ because I want it to even if I have a clear vision of how I want it to be. And if I wait until something goes wrong in the painting process to acquire a necessary tool....I just might find myself in some deep doo-doo.

Creating a good day requires the proper ‘tools’, too and a good day won’t just ‘happen’ either.

A clear vision of what we want is a good thing, indeed, but all the vision in the world won’t create anything all by itself.

So, it would seem that if I want to create myself a good day, perhaps the first thing I should do....before any other action is taken...(except maybe putting the coffee water on) is to check my tool box and make sure it’s got everything I need to create this good day.

I have learned that THE most necessary tool I have is an attitude of gratitude. Without that, I won’t get very far into making a good day.

I need, also, an expectation of good.

I need an open heart-free of resentment.

I need the ability to calm myself (learned from practicing meditation) whenever life throws a curve my way.

Every persons tool box won’t contain the same tools, but every person needs their own specific ways to ensure they face each day properly prepared.

And checking to make sure all our tools are ready, right at hand, first thing each day, just might eliminate some unwanted piles of deep doo-doo.

And that’s a good thing.

I am grateful for my box of tools.

NESTLED IN

There's a place called Texas Canyon which I wrote about here.  Just as you enter the canyon from the West, a brief glimpse can be had of an old ranch house and some barns.  I've always thought I'd love to live there...except that I think all those rock outcroppings are just too attractive to snakes!  They look like one gigantic snake condo to me.

But, if I could banish the snakes....ah....I'd be there in a heart beat.

As I was re-doing a painting of an old barn, I kept imagining it being safely nestled in amongst the rocks and the hills...sans creepy crawly critters!

And as I painted, I felt as though I were nestled inside many precious memories I have of Texas Canyon.

I doubt I'll ever do too much more climbing around in those boulders, but I can always go there in my mind.

NESTLED IN
16 X 20

I am so grateful for so many good memories!

And I intend to make more.  I hope you do, too.

MELANCHOLY

Yesterday, I did another 'do-over.'  The texture and the tones from the previous painting show through here and there giving it some more interest, I think.l

It does have a melancholy look about it. I'm not sure I meant for it to, but, I guess I'm still in a bit of a blue mood after the death of my friend.

It's also possible that it was inspired by my friend announcing that there was new snow on Mt. Hood!  Doesn't it seem way to early for snow?  Then another friend, from Idaho, made a similar weather observation.  It was snowing there, too!

I don't know exactly what inspired this...but for now, I'm enjoying looking at it.  And I've given it a name.

I think I'll let it hang around a while.  But maybe, one day, it'll get done over, too.

Who knows?

EARLY SNOW

24 x 36

The Journey

On Monday, my friend died.  She had been fighting the good fight for many months, but now, she can rest easy and fly free.

I will miss her, so very much!

I have told before about an on-line book study group that began over eleven years ago.  The book was THE ARTIST’S WAY.  She and I were both in that group along with many others.  From that very large group a smaller group was born.   The originator called it The Cup of Kindness Café.  Our café membership dwindled until eventually there were only eight of us left as active members.  We have been through all the stages of life together now, from the birth of one members’ daughter to the death of our dear friend…..and everything in between.

Then, several years ago, I found my way to Oprah’s on-line study of the book, A NEW EARTH, by Eckhart Tolle.  Eventually, lots of us made our way onto Facebook where we all still gather together today.  We support each other.  We tease each other.  We cry with each other.  Sometimes, we disagree with each other.  But always we are aware that we are ‘together’ for a reason.

Many of these people, mostly women, have become as dear to me as any friends I’ve ever been blessed to have.  I know you will understand that.

This internet thing is such a marvel.  Somehow, we can bond so completely that it doesn’t matter one whit that we usually never meet in person.  Many times, we don’t even have a clue what a ‘friend’ looks like.  But, our heart knows their heart.  Our Spirits know theirs.

I was contemplating all this in the last week of Darlene’s life…the ways in which we all share each other’s journey.  I was moved to begin this painting.  I don’t know if it is yet finished.  But for now, I am done. 

The morning after she passed, I put a few more touches of light, here and there and wondered if it needs more ‘something.’  I don’t know what kind of ‘something’ but it seems almost too simple….

But maybe it all really is ‘simple.’

Our journeys are supposed to be taken together with other souls.  That’s what makes the journey sweet.

I am grateful, from the bottom of my heart, for each soul, each beautiful Spirit traveling with me on my journey.

Thank you.