How Great The Art

Sometimes having a visit to a sunflower garden on a rainy day is just what you need. I needed to look at the bright side of things, even as the rain came pouring down and I slipped and fell in the mud. Yes, I felt like running (well really walking very carefully on grass covered mud) back to my car and leaving. But, then I knew summer was running out and I wouldn't have this opportunity again for a long time. Life, right now, is not what I had pictured or dreamed of. I am facing a lot of uncertainty and the days have been challenging. My reality is going to be very different. So, I am not at a fork in the road, but at a traffic circle. I used to say my life feels like it came full circle and I am just filling up the well with travel and watching my children and family grow. But, now the circle has been broken and I have to find my own way for the rest of my journey. Thoughts in my head about my future are going around and around. But, each morning I wake up and feel ...

I feel like I can finally breathe. The last two months have been a whirlwind. Nothing of what I have expected from this journey and everything I have feared for this part of my life. Luckily, I have had the time to myself to fully process the situation and act quickly to make sure the rest of my journey is not so rocky. The last few years I have really appreciated all of the sunflower farms that have been in the area. When I was able to be in Provence and Tuscany in July five years ago, I finally saw in person only what I had dreamed of my whole life of seeing. Rolling hills full of sunflowers. So, while traveling during this difficult time I have visited sunflower and lavender farms. It is the most important lesson of my life. The lesson of "the grass is always greener on the other side". We can want and dream of a better life for ourselves. Wanting something that may not be within our reach. A deep desire for something that might take a lot of money to get to, o...

Ebay was a great way to earn some extra money. I was quick to use it in the beginning to subscribe to Hulu, netflix, amazon and disney plus last summer. I learned that is a way to watch your paypal account disappear quickly. By, February I cancelled all of my subscriptions. I then concentrated on saving for this Christmas and using any extra on Trades of Hope. Which was great and was able to buy some birthday gifts with the earnings there. This summer I learned the most. I bought a light box to take better pictures. We started to get the house ready to show to sell. So, I had to pack away all of my listings. I worked really hard getting up to 110 listings only to take them all down. I donated everything I made since October including all the boxes and all of my shell art. That felt really good! Then I had a shelf in a closet cleared. I was able to list a few lots with an auction lasting a week. Auction listings end up costing a lot if they are constantly renewed. So, ...

Music in times of trouble can instantly change my mood. Or, when I am feeling fine it can remind me how good life is. It is assessable at any given time. Sirius radio is the most random. It can play the most random songs, but be the exact song I needed to hear at the very best time. Having a google home or Alexa can give me an access to a library of songs at any time. Sometimes I don't feel it as much. But, lately it has reminded me how much it can get me through anything. My tastes are starting to change, with a more deeper appreciation of Americana music. I visited Danny Clinch's Transparent Gallery and he is the official photographer of Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam. His collection is vast and I will share some pictures on Instagram today with some of most favorite songs which have carried me through. Quote of the day: If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of mu...

This part of the journey is rocky, for sure. But, I am making the best of it. Working really hard to get out of my house, is daunting. I made several trips to special places to donate my artwork, Kaylyn's college artwork, supplies and clothing. I went out to Ewing to Homefront and brought them a ton of supplies to make scrapbooks, and artwork. My Art boxes I made in October went to Parcel in Montclair. My blue and white project including the framed decopauged shells and collages went to the Coastal Art Co-op in Point Pleasant. Now, this week is a garage sale with a good friend I majored in Art with at Georgian Court University. The Sale will be at her house on 615 Meadow Run in Brick, New Jersey. Her house just went up for sale. The Moving Sale is 9am-2pm Saturday, August 7th. So, this week I'll be gathering and packing my car with LOTS of art supplies, small household items, and framed artwork. I am also celebrating success with Weight Watchers and I am now pr...

Yes, another summer weekend spending an afternoon at a lavender field. I am blessed with a really good support system right now. And, I need this in my life more then I ever have. We visited three really wonderful places yesterday. First we went to Pearl S. Buck house. The grounds are beautiful with wonderful gardens and sculptures. We met a friend who works there and visited the wonderful shop. It is full of different women artists' work. I am including some pictures in my instagram stories today. Then it was on to Peace Valley Lavender. The lavender fields I have visited lately bring me calm and awe. The fields aren't in full bloom right now. But, they still are a sight to see and SMELL. There are butterlies fluttering about. Bringing a feeling of lightness to my mood. The lavender field looks over Peter's Lake and we took a ride to park and overlook the lake. Drinking cucumber and lavender water and watching paddle boats and picnics. It was a beau...