Leaky Faucets

I have an old plastic pitcher in the kitchen sink. It is there to collect the water that drips from faucet. It has been this way for about a year now. 

In that year I have lurched, floundered and have a sister that says-"keep on swimming".

(Finding Nemo clip)

I have lost a access to my spouses family and a beloved nine year old niece.

For a while  it was too hard. I miss her and all my nieces and nephews beyond words.  Loving friends and prayers continue to bring solace.  


Begrudgingly, I found a counselor. This precipitated a need for an emotional clean out of epic proportions. I have written seven page letters to both my parents, and secured emotional space. It is an amazing gift and an unsettling void. On occasion the uncomfortable feeling that I have abandoned my eldest sibling post is overwhelming. I feel a loss of balance and adrift.  I am blessed beyond measure with the support of loving siblings and a husband who begins to see my journey.  I am blessed beyond measure to have their love and the love of friends. 

So with these losses comes beginnings. I continue with a prayer in my heart for all those caught up in transitions that seem surreal. 

Highlights of this year of transition-  

My first international solo trip to Finland and Cyprus.

I am re-introducing myself to art by immersion. I joined and become co-VP of the 
Blacksburg Regional Art Assoiciation .  I have had non-client photo work in two solo shows and had pieces in several other joint shows. I am taking pen and ink classes, participate in Plein Air events, and  figure drawing sessions. 

Here are some images from my show entitled- "Along the Garden Path"

                                                         "On the Right Path"

 

"Hearts on the Line"

                                                 "Hearts Listening for the Ocean"
 

                                                          "Almost May"

I became a grandmother in April!!   I have been to visit five times this year. I will be there again in September. And although it is a fair bit to get there, I am so thrilled to be able to go. This blessings trumps all else. I  am now a grandmother!!!

Upheaval comes slowly or all at once.

The faucets still drips.  But I am thinking about getting it fixed.

Images from my show "Along the Garden Path" can be purchased by clicking on the image.


. . 

Blessings

 Kitchen Table, Blacksburg, VA- March 31, 2013

Easter 
curves into remembering

what is hidden 
can be found.

Lostness is just stuckness 
in the in 
between 
parts.

Thank goodness Kirsi sent me just the right quote. 

“Everything will be alright in the end. So if it is not alright, it is not yet the end.” —

quote from the movie-The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 

And  Patti spent the day looking for Eeyore while on vacation in Ireland.

And my sisters both texted me.

And my yoga teacher reminded me to smile.

And my husband is still in the country.

And it is going to be alright. 

Curving into the New Year

Linking with Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art

And so begins 2013.  For the past two years I have chosen a word that I danced with for the rest of the year. In 2011 my word was balance, in 2012 my word was pause. What I have found is the word I choose evolves and expands. It challenges and comforts, it reaches the boundaries where it becomes another word completely. It is a wonderful dance.~

 1987 Hiwassee, VA
With friends~

When my children were young~

 With a few days of thought and several trial fittings with other words, my dancing partner this year is the word curves. I was drawn to the idea of a ladle, the way it curves and holds so gently, whatever liquid it is transferring. It is within the curve of the ladle things settle and safely move at the same time. So there we have it~ curves. Like the curve of the smile on my face, I am ready for the new year.

 Caboose Park, Blacksburg, VA  1986

Glorify God

"So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose tor which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

 O Lord, Your love knows no bounds! May Your precious words fill my thoughts and life. Let me always hold firmly to Your hand.

     Thank You for comforting me in mourning so that I can see rainbows through my tears. Thank You for placing a hunger and thirst for righteousness in  my soul so that I can live well and do good each day.

    Help me be compassionate towards others also that I can truly serve them in love. Then I will not fail to find Your mercy.

Grace for Each Moment~ Compiled by Kylie Munger from the following devotionals by Solly Ozrovech: The Abundant Life, Face to Face, The Voice behind You and A Shelter from the Storm. 

Into Light

Most Beautiful Thing ~Blogsplash Organized by Fiona Robyn April 24, 2012

There on the edge of beauty

I rest my heart.

Within this light I will put my hope.

The fleeting beauty of this world, fits inside the light of love. Where the edge of darkness, brings faith to its knees. In the grasping claws, of  a million losses, one lifts up a silent prayer.  A seemingly pointless pause, ripples the universe into waking.  

"But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" Isaiah 40:31

 

 

 

Photo fun Wednesday

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

You have heard me go on about creativity. Creativity blends the life's contrasts; brings light to darkness. Creativity has in many forms. At the core, creativity is seeing a connection. Some times that seeing is enough. Other times we are compelled to find outward expressions.  Writing, sewing,drawing, knitting, biking, painting, quilting, cooking, gardening,walking, photographing, digital painting and we won't even go into the sciences. Life at is very core is creative, finding ways of being. Allowing blessings- giving and receiving.   

I continue to honor my New Years resolution to expand my use of Photoshop. I have two images that I transformed by just using Photoshop filters. Below them I have images I transformed by the addition of many layers and filters.  Although I am busy with client work, I continue to really enjoy seeing where Photoshop will take me.

Added Note: I meant to mention- Photoshop is only one tool among many for photo editing... (thank you Karen from Pieces of Sunshine, for mentioning that you do not have Photoshop!). I have been using my outdated Photoshop CS3 for many years now only because that is what my husband used. I actually think many other editing programs would be a better fit for me. If you all have any ideas about this, I would love to hear them.

 

I am taking part in the Rendition Me This   Monthly art challenge

This is my digital rendition of Helen Trachy painting.

Original Painting by Helen H Trachy

 

'

With the image below I used a few basic Photoshop filters; and a very tight, tight crop-

Of this photo.

  

I found this terribly exposed photo and gave it a new life. All Photoshop filters.

And this rose was given the Photoshop layers treatment. (I took the photo of the rose last year, on a rainy afternoon in my garden out back.)  I have been busy photographing my own layers. I added (a very light layer- by lowering the opacity and fill dramatically) of a close-up of an old stucco wall, in the Key West cemetery. I also added a photo close up  of the nubby texture of my couch.  I erased the layers (with the erasure tool) that were on the rose.

AND if all that is Greek to you... don't worry.  I have faith that whatever your creative outlet, you are having moments of great love and insight too  Blessings - teri