As I said in May, I'm choosing to celebrate my sister on her birthday….but today I am remembering her, and her last day….five years ago. You helped me honor her and lifted the clouds. I will never forget that. If it wasn't so hot out I would put on some pink socks 😉
Lots of heat and rain means the clovers are reaching up from earth, wanting to find the sun. The lucky ones always manage to get noticed, at least by me. Evidence:
Something else that wants to get noticed….she always has to see what's going on, and is very much at home with us now. We took down the gate so Lucky has the full run of the house but she's never too far from any of us and we track her with the sound of her little green bell. I didn't think I could open my heart so swiftly and easily after Winston, but she's a charmer and has brought us so much joy.
Lots of heat and rain means the clovers are reaching up from earth, wanting to find the sun. The lucky ones always manage to get noticed, at least by me. Evidence:
Something else that wants to get noticed….she always has to see what's going on, and is very much at home with us now. We took down the gate so Lucky has the full run of the house but she's never too far from any of us and we track her with the sound of her little green bell. I didn't think I could open my heart so swiftly and easily after Winston, but she's a charmer and has brought us so much joy.
First it was hot. Then it was cold. There was rain. And now there is sun! The results…..
Happy Memorial Day!
First it was hot. Then it was cold. There was rain. And now there is sun! The results…..
Happy Memorial Day!
I'm not sure if it's proper blogging etiquette to announce your own birthday. I can't recall what my practice had been prior to 2008, but I know on May 17th of that year I drew attention to it, and told the story that I share the birthdate with my sister Shannon. I made a post about us, flashing big birthday wishes for her, knowing she'd visit my blog from her hospital room. She turned 40 that year. It was her last birthday. We had forty birthdays together. And now I've had five without her. Five. When a loved one departs for heaven, you tend to mark the time by the hour, the day….then one week has gone by, then one month….you notice the date on the calender with every page you turn. The 10th. As time passes that number seems less significant. The day to honor is the day they were born. The day to celebrate is the one you were gifted by their presence on earth. And so today, the 17th, I have to call attention to my own birthday, because it was hers too.
Before 2008 my gardening experience was laughable. A few attempts of growing herbs or vegetables were pathetic. Sure, I potted flowers on the deck once…but then Graham took over and they fared much better. In July, five years ago, I planted a pink rose bush to honor Shannon. Then I planted a few more. I was chicken to cut off that first blooming rose, but learned that the more you cut, the more it grows. So now I have 21 rose bushes and that first one is 10 feet tall. I'm a rosarian. Who knew? I have an angel watching over my garden, I'm certain of it.
While I love discovering the first bloom each May, I also love looking deeper to see all the buds that are waiting to show off. So much life tucked in there. Maybe they will open up today, and wink at me, as a sign from her.
I've shown many pictures of the two of us together on this blog….here's one from the archives that you haven't seen yet. A glorious Spring afternoon, skiing in Aspen with my parents and our brother. I believe it was 1983 but I could be wrong. What I remember clearly was singing loudly on the chairlift together, and giggling. Look at the twinkling smile of hers, I bet she is thinking of that too. *blows kisses to the sky* Happy Birthday to US.
I'm not sure if it's proper blogging etiquette to announce your own birthday. I can't recall what my practice had been prior to 2008, but I know on May 17th of that year I drew attention to it, and told the story that I share the birthdate with my sister Shannon. I made a post about us, flashing big birthday wishes for her, knowing she'd visit my blog from her hospital room. She turned 40 that year. It was her last birthday. We had forty birthdays together. And now I've had five without her. Five. When a loved one departs for heaven, you tend to mark the time by the hour, the day….then one week has gone by, then one month….you notice the date on the calender with every page you turn. The 10th. As time passes that number seems less significant. The day to honor is the day they were born. The day to celebrate is the one you were gifted by their presence on earth. And so today, the 17th, I have to call attention to my own birthday, because it was hers too.
Before 2008 my gardening experience was laughable. A few attempts of growing herbs or vegetables were pathetic. Sure, I potted flowers on the deck once…but then Graham took over and they fared much better. In July, five years ago, I planted a pink rose bush to honor Shannon. Then I planted a few more. I was chicken to cut off that first blooming rose, but learned that the more you cut, the more it grows. So now I have 21 rose bushes and that first one is 10 feet tall. I'm a rosarian. Who knew? I have an angel watching over my garden, I'm certain of it.
While I love discovering the first bloom each May, I also love looking deeper to see all the buds that are waiting to show off. So much life tucked in there. Maybe they will open up today, and wink at me, as a sign from her.
I've shown many pictures of the two of us together on this blog….here's one from the archives that you haven't seen yet. A glorious Spring afternoon, skiing in Aspen with my parents and our brother. I believe it was 1983 but I could be wrong. What I remember clearly was singing loudly on the chairlift together, and giggling. Look at the twinkling smile of hers, I bet she is thinking of that too. *blows kisses to the sky* Happy Birthday to US.
Above: two happy instructors following another wonderful weekend as we took on Far Away Places. Another enthusiastic group of artists met us in the generous studio space where we sprawled out and got messy for three full days of numerous creative projects. Some stellar work and special memories forged at our lovely venue. Oh, if we could just bottle up that energy and feed off it every day! We extend our thanks all the courageous voyagers and hope to meet you again, here or anywhere! Lynne and I had an utter blast and are already looking forward to next year, with lots of ideas for what that will entail. Stay tuned to our websites if you are interested in joining us - annoucement likely in just a few months. We need to catch our breath and soak in all the good vibes generated over these past two weekends.
Unfortunately, I never did the rounds with my camera on the first weekend, my apologies to the artists. Below are just some of the art pieces being made in the second weekend. Most students created three or more works of art – so fun to revisit the work spaces and busy hands through these photos!
Winner for the book giveaway: Diana Wilson!
Thanks to all who entered, and thanks to Julie for the generous offering.
Above: two happy instructors following another wonderful weekend as we took on Far Away Places. Another enthusiastic group of artists met us in the generous studio space where we sprawled out and got messy for three full days of numerous creative projects. Some stellar work and special memories forged at our lovely venue. Oh, if we could just bottle up that energy and feed off it every day! We extend our thanks all the courageous voyagers and hope to meet you again, here or anywhere! Lynne and I had an utter blast and are already looking forward to next year, with lots of ideas for what that will entail. Stay tuned to our websites if you are interested in joining us - annoucement likely in just a few months. We need to catch our breath and soak in all the good vibes generated over these past two weekends.
Unfortunately, I never did the rounds with my camera on the first weekend, my apologies to the artists. Below are just some of the art pieces being made in the second weekend. Most students created three or more works of art – so fun to revisit the work spaces and busy hands through these photos!
Winner for the book giveaway: Diana Wilson!
Thanks to all who entered, and thanks to Julie for the generous offering.
Just back from Connecticut where Lynne and I hosted an enthusiastic and talented group of artists for the first edition of our workshop. This is the only evidence photo I have – so you'll have to believe me when I say it was an utterly delightful crew of travelers, a fantastic venue, and a very special experience to teach, learn, create, and explore together for three full days.
It was such a pleasure to meet new friends and reconnect with returning students. Thank you ladies, for a memorable weekend. It was such a treat to see each of you express yourself so beautifully with individual flare and finesse. Keep the momentum going!
We are looking forward to a repeat adventure next weekend! Plus, Lynne and I have already been conjuring up our agenda for next year! The question is: how do we top this? Ha! I'm cracking myself up because that statement might be hint for our preliminary plans. I will keep you posted as we flesh out the concept and prepare to announce the workshops for 2014.