An So It Goes

Work and been slow but spread out through the week enough so that life still seems full with no room for those creative endeavors that awaken my soul.  Illness has kept me from singing much.  But the vibration of singing seems to soothe and clear the chest.  More toning and singing and drumming and walking will replant vitality in this chest.

A lovely local store in Sebastopol, Art+Life, recently put on a Community Art Day -- masses of collage material and paper and glue and camaraderie.  I stopped by to look in and the pull to put image to paper was strong.  I ended up with a couple of pieces:  First one I called Dragon Jewel.

And the second is called Mud Dancer:

Cat, the owner of Art+Life, took our images as we finished and clipped them on a clothes line with clothes pins and took photos.  They were like prayer flags.   It felt good to be peeling glue off my fingers and playing with composition.  Art+life says they will be putting on more Community Art Days -- the group energy was great, really carried the art lightly and sweetly. 

Heading for a silent retreat soon, but creativity will abound in that framework as well.

For Patricia

This mandala was made under Patricia's guidance many years ago before she started her Mandala Workshops with Caterina.

I remember the first time I met Patricia -- at a Sonoma State 2-day workshop on empowering the feminine. I had made a major life change and was feeling ungrounded and "lost" my sense of self. Patricia was a facilitator for that workshop and became a friend. I continued to take a weekly art therapy group from her and she became a compassionate witness to the many changes in my life. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer the weekly group became my lifeline and my refuge while my life was bombarded with turmoil and change. When my husband died, she became my "standing stone" and helped create a safe space for me to experience deep grief. She didn't try to "fix" things, just witness. And she was there on the other side of my grief as a caring friend.

We moved in and out of each other's lives through these many years and now she has "gone before". I will miss her terribly and celebrate her whenever I see a beautiful flower or taste fresh mussels or hear a beautiful strain of music. Thank you, Patricia, for your care and guidance and support and love. Thank you ...... thank you

Gateway to the North

I love this image of Mount Shasta. On our drives north on I5, it is a signpost, a gateway to adventure.