creative faery

More Sunday Blessings

Today is the day to count blessings!

One blessing:  I'm learning and understanding 3D art better.  I'm even enjoying quite a bit of it!  For me, it's easier because I can create and build things.  It's much easier than drawing and painting for me.   Though, with practice, I could be better at those I'm sure.  With projects, sometimes the hardest part is thinking of the idea of what to do...then, the next hardest part is executing those really cool ideas as you see them in your head!  So wish I had a team of engineers who lived with me.  I could come up with the ideas, and they could put it together!  My first project I made a kite mobile with some really cool new paper discoveries I made.     Next time, I will have to weld it so the armature stays better.  The colors were cool!

The second one, we had to use everyday materials and give it a new function.  I took coffee bags and sewed them together and added some really interesting coffee stamps to make an umbrella.  The stand is made from coffee beans in a repetitive pattern.  I made it moveable; AND, I added some coffee smell to complete the experience.  It was fun! 

Boot camp didn't kill me!  As a matter of fact, it got me to realizing some important things, like how easy it is to say I'm too busy.   It still takes a chunk of time, but it's worth it.  Half the battle is getting there.  I LOVE being at the gym once I'm there.   And though I really enjoyed my special boot camp workouts, they were a little too hard on my body for my age...I have heel spurs and joint problems...and concrete (running and sprints) doesn't work well with it.  But honestly, I learned some pretty cool  and fun exercises that I can do at home!   Results:   I am able to do over 50 pushups in 2 minutes - vs - 17.   And yes, they are regular military kind of push ups!  YEAH!  I have better breath recovery.  I can jumprope faster...so all is well.

I hope that all of your lives are blessed and happy.  I shall give that prayer to the universe everyday because I know you deserve it.

Bootcamp Boogie update...

Well...my mission is going well.  I've been really excercising and trying lots of new things.  Brandon is a great teacher at the Y and really gets us moving and doing interesting exercises...the best part, is most everything can be done at home.  His main goal is to improve our running time...well, mostly those runner guys I've been telling you about, who are trying to get in under 5 minutes...Though at the end, my results will be better because I've the furthest to go...I do hate being last all the time...but someone has to...it's supposed to be our own personal best, and we're not supposed to compare ourselves...but when you're dog slow, what are you supposed to do?  People lap me 2 to 3 times!   Well, I AM getting fast-er...will never be fast...I'm built for endurance baby!   Lots of push ups too.

In addition, I started a fun art class this week.  I'll have to update you on Sunday...maybe I will have some pictures?  enjoy this sunshine!  It's finally summer in Boise...we've hit 90s 3 days in a row...hee hee...

In defense of July - In defense of Summer

 

Below is a wonderful poem about July.  I decided to use it as a writing prompt to get me out of the slump!

MIDSUMMER DIRGE

What can you say in defense

            of July,

after the holiday is over

and you are beginning to grow

            tired of strawberries

            and the smell of barbeque,

and even watermelon,

and you have eaten so much

            of your mother’s potato salad that

you wish it were May again

so you could start over

and each morning, soon after dawn’s early light,

the sun scorches your skin

            with its too-close kisses,

and by noon the asphalt has softened

            to the point that the solidity

            of the whole earth comes into question

and in the evening, waiting

            for a breeze to lift the wilted leaves

you wonder if even rocks are melting,

and what can you say in defense

            of the world

when your best friend’s dog is lethargic all day

            and the next morning is found

            lying dead on the parched grass

                        of her lawn,

and the 6 o’clock news is full

            of violence and war

and even the newest movies are about

            alien invasions and serial slashers

and somewhere a grandmother is indicted

            for manslaughter after leaving a 2-year-old

            alone in a locked car,

and the air conditioner runs all day and still

            it cannot cool the room

where you sit drinking your sixth glass

            of iced tea, the ice melting

            as fast as your ambition to move

and at night on the deck,

looking up at the star-spangled sky,

you see a meteor streaking brighter than any

            you have ever seen in your life,

breaking apart into golden embers

            as it falls through the inky atmosphere

and what can you say in defense

            of yourself

when you close your eyes

            against the sequined darkness

and the memory of fireworks flashes

            inside your eyelids

and when you look up at the moon

it is huge and dazzling through

            your tears.

Linda Barnes

 

*What would YOU say in defense of July or even the summer?

In defense of July, I could never grow tired of Barbeque...it's the smell of family, both old - my dad is the best barbeque chef; and the new, our family has many get togethers and parties and games in the solarium and swimming...July is ENERGY!  I get so much done...I wake early and stay up later...I get to ease more gently into my day...July is reaeding just for recreation...for the joy of story...for the happiness of escaping into another world, not my own of responsibility...Ahh...I understand the need for Ying and Yang...without winter, I would not delight in July so much...but oh, how I wish there were more July than December!

Tomorrow is another day of boot camp...I shall tell you of my adventures of working with 20 year olds!  Sure wish July could make me feel younger?  The only good news right now is that I'm not heaving as much as I did when I started...ha...ha..

Boot Camp Torture

Usually, my blog is about art with a splash of poetry...but since I've not been as inspired, I thought I would talk about the torture I've been through lately...

BOOTCAMP!  Now, when I started this adventure, I KNEW it would be hard...but I thought it would be a good way to start getting back into shape and giving myself more time...You see, as a teacher, my time and attention go to those beautiful little angels...all worth it!  But the years are catching up, and if I want to continue to give my best to those angels, I have to take time for me...so, hence, bootcamp...

When I walked into the "Y", the greeter, whose been there awhile and knows me by name (still a good sign) says "Hi Marie, what are you doing?"  I said that I was doing bootcamp, and she said, really, you?  (not a good sign)...why?  I asked curiously....there's a lot of running!  Well, I'm used to running...no problem...first guy shows up, 20 years old, runner's legs...no problem...2nd guy and 3rd guy, 20 years old, runner's legs...okay, so maybe a little sweat...a couple of girls...all runners...a little bit older...slender...heart racing...the REST of the class, 3 triathletes and a couple of sprinters...not one fat chick (well, there was only one- me!)...I knew there'd be a few token athletes, but this?  They were ALL athletes working on form!   Still, I paid my money, I had to be there...huffing and puffing and all...not enough wind to blow anything down.  I'm slow...I'm overweight..I'm almost 30 years older than they...BUT!!!!  and that's a HUGE BUT!!! (not butt)...I'm still there...this is my 3rd week, and I'm getting better.  I haven't quit...I haven't given up...still tired, and still the slowest...but not as huffing...the young ones ask if it's getting easier.  They think it's my muscle...my muscles are strong and my determination, stronger...but my joints...that's another story...my mind was definitely writing checks my body can't cash. 

Today, they asked for the oldest to go out front to be "the horse."  and they tried to put another guy out front - he's not 40 yet...I said, I'm definitely the oldest, I'm almost 50...they looked shocked and started giving me more credit...that was kind of cool!  They even cheered me on...(easy to cheer the chubby old girl...ha ha)...Though the weight dosn't come off like I think it should, I'm certainly feeling better, and I'm learning a lot...He makes the class fun and interesting...no two days are alike.  AND, like a true teacher, everything we do goes towards making our test results better at the end.  I like that...he truly thinks through what he gives us...

Thursday is the end of my 3rd week...I think I'll tell you about the kind of things we are doing...I think you will find that they're fun, AND easy access to most...you don't need a gym!

Have a fantabulous day...Marie  :)   super jock!   - I will get you a picture of me with the instructor!

Summer poem

 Well, my friends, it's been an incredibly long time for me...not sure why I haven't been around...I suppose one would say a writer's slump or being overwhelmed or thinking I had nothing to say...or even somewhat depressed. I would say it's a combo of all...The sun has finally come to Idaho...after much, much rain and really cool weather.  I LOVE the sun and feel it's power and joy...so needless to say the rain killed my spirit...even when the sun would peek out, it was difficult to be ecstatic because it would soon be zapped by a big ole fat gray cloud!  Don't get me wrong...I appreciate the rain...but I need my sun more...

so in honor and tribute to the beloved Mary Oliver, I am recopying her poem.  She's is so incredibly amazing with each and every detail.  If you've not read her poetry, then you must!  She's inspiring and gets me to see and look at things in new ways.  The picture and copy of the poem came from Poetry Daily...you too can subscribe to get an inspiring poem on a daily basis..

 

The Summer Day
 
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean--
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down,
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

 

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
 
 
~ Mary Oliver ~

 

(New and Selected Poems, Volume I)

 

I shall try not to be gone so long again.  I will recover my summer enthusiasm and find things to be joyful and songful about.  See you soon my friends!

Marie

The Happiest Mother's Day!

I had the happiest Mother's Day of all!  Yes, I was so excited I couldn't wait to tell you about it!  (I just got home too late yesterday.)

First thing, my husband gave me a card and made my car gorgeous.  It was in some need of special time and attention.
Then, my daughter came over about 2:00 and gave me this!
 
It's a fold out book that I got and she asked if she could have it...Then she took an image from an old Amy Brown calendar and added her creative touches...I took the picture too close to see some of the great things she did on the front...but the back looks nice.  She melted crayons and did those fancy ribbons...each page on the inside has a set of wings because she knows I wanted a place to put my poetry.  It was the most thoughtful gift. 

Then, she stayed the entire day and we played together and arted together and just laughed and talked...it's the little girl I remember that I remembered as a six year old.  Then, my other daughter Kelci came over and brought me a card...she was a little tired, so we didn't talk as much, but we hung out and it was comfortable.

Yes, indeed, the best day ever!  But I'm off to work now...I'll write more later.

Girls Only - collage weekend

Last week was my birthday, and because my husband was rock climbing in a Jeep, I got to visit my sister in Utah and play!   It was awesome getting a chance to play the whole weekend...of course, there were many pleasant interruptions of family coming over...even family joining us!  My sister took pictures!  The best part was that our projects were taken from a book my sis gave me called Taking Flight to give your Creative Spirit Wings.  It has my blog name, creative spirit, and it has wings! (my mantra and creative spirit)...how fun the whole weekend was...I definitely need more time to do this kind of thing...rock on girls!!!!
 

Amazing grace and Easter

How appropriate for the day of Easter to be a day that I get feel the most amazing grace and acts of forgiveness....not to mention how awesome it is to be surrounded with family and friends.  I only wish I had a camera to take all those pictures!

To start, my friend Angel invited us over for crepes.  This is a woman who can make anyone feel calm and comfortable in their own skin.  She is laid back and enjoys each person for who they are and what they bring to the table.  Her kids are loving, kind, incredibly smart, and of course, just as laid back and easy going as she is!

Then, people started arriving at our house.  My baby turned 20.  My how time flies.  But here's the cool part, she invited her grandparents...her dad's parents...and we haven't been married for almost 20 years. ...grandma and I have always been friends, but grandpa, who used to be my friend until I could no longer be in relationship with his son, (definitely the most irreconcilable differences I've ever known), came too!  There wasn't an ounce of being uncomfortable.  We hugged; we celebrated; we talked and laughed.  It was AWESOME.  My daughter never thought twice to tell me they were coming, which means she was comfortable in inviting them...this made me incredibly proud that I had been open enough in building these relationships so long over the years, that this event could happen.  I never talked bad about their dad or anyone on his side of the family.  Because I wanted her to have what I never did, a loving caring family.  Time does heal wounds...and grace, indeed, is amazing...several other people who had difficult relationships came to dinner as well...all in the interest of this beautiful, wonderful girl, who loves everyone and wants everyone to be happy.

We had an Easter egg hunt...even the grown kids played...my table was the fullest it ever was...people dropped by that I never expected...we ate to our hearts content and we laughed more than I ever have.  Warmth...peace...understanding...abounding love...
Maybe pictures couldn't capture that...I am blessed.

The joy of Swings

              This photo, Next Destination, comes from Flickr,
              uploaded by pensiero.

Today when I read the prompt for READ WRITE POEM, I almost cried.  I remember when the carnival would come to town or the little street fairs with swings, and my daughter Kendra would stare...stare in awe...stare in amazement at the beauty of swinging so high...she always loved going high...there's a freedom in the air, much like I would imagine wings would make me feel...much as I've felt when I've skydived...I remember that when she was 3 she wanted to go so badly, but she was too short to ride the ride...but the carnie saw how badly she wanted to ride and asked me to come back later.  He let her ride special by herself for more than the allotted time.  I never saw a child more delighted...more joyful than in that moment.  To this day, it's still her favorite ride.  I wonder if it still gives her the same joy at 20, that it did on that day.  I hope so...because a mom has no greater wish than to see her children SOAR!!!

April - Poetry Month

So my friends, March slipped wayyyyy past me...spring was more
Winter, dreary, cold and somewhat lifeless...it even snowed yesterday - blizzard like flakes, it was the craziest thing!  And today, there's sun.....so I think I can get the writing groove going!

But my dear friends at Read Write Poem decided to do a poem a day and gave some awesome prompts...and though I probably won't be able to do a poem a day, I might be tempted to do a lot more due to these awesome prompts!

Today's prompt was to go to an on-line paint center site and use some of the colors to free-write, and take those ideas and create a poem from them.  It was fun!  Maybe the paint center colors will inspire you.  Click on their link to read the prompt and go on the Behr site.

Here are some fun colors I enjoyed and started a fantasy place:

Treasure Isle and Mermaid Harbor.  I have a cool tale I'm weaving and hope

to post later. 

In the meantime, I feel inspired and hope you visit too!  There are several posts that are very worthy of reading, especially Scarecrow's Dream.  ENJOY!