Beauty

Yesterday several local groups volunteered to pick up trash on the Hudson, Wisconsin side of the St. Croix River.

Our group walked the sides of the dike road near Bayfront Park. There was trash (boo) - but not very much. Yay!

And as one was looking into crevices between the many rocks there appeared many cobwebs "floating" in the spaces between the stones.
I had to take a few breaks from the hard work (haha) to study some the delicate, yet, tough formations. Dust particulars had lodged in the threads, and were held firm. They glistened in the sun. Simple magical pleasures.

Here is one of many....

And, here is another - 

These will remain as reminders that there IS Beauty all around us. Of course, we have to decide what Beauty means to us.

Take a few minutes and write down: What Beauty Means to Me. 

I think we do not often give enough thought to what we find beautiful. How the tea canisters are arranged at the local cafe? Cows on sunlit green hillsides? The kinds of fonts we prefer to use while typing?

The tiniest bit of beauty can get one through a wicked tough hour. 

And, yes, I am one to also focus on the not-beautiful, and the current state of piles o'stuff beginning to creep back into life.

So it is time again to do for one's home what one willing does for a river. 

But be willing to admire the beauty that can be hiding in life's cobwebs as well.

On to the rest of another crazy summer week! Stockholm (WI) Art Fair is this Saturday only. Channeling some kind of calmworkfrenzy into mind and body.

Good Luck, everybody!!!

Fare-thee-well,

Sue

Back to the Clutter

Yes. I might enjoy PAPER a little too much. Paper equals Potential. Ideas. Images. Hope. Plans. Other peoples' ideas, hopes, plans. 

So.....  although a sheet of paper is of little monetary value in itself, it's value in other ways is tremendous. Therefore, shelves full of paper might be unwritten biographies or not-yet-designed rocket ships. I only joke a little.

After twenty-plus years of cramming stuff into a particular "linen" closet. Linens? "It is to laugh." Yes, a few - but mostly paper - and some.... of the record albums I might be keeping... for reasons.Yes, I actually have a turn-table and DO play records. But most often from other portions of the collection.... I digress.

So, as it is on the Goals for Week List - it's time to set the timer for one hour - and FOCUS on accomplishing Something. Here goes- 

Stuffed with stuff. But timer is running and on to the sorting!

Dotted papers, tissue papers. used part fair comment books, tiny notebooks, onion papers, un-used sketchbooks, a full-sized iron! Shipping envelopes and boxes. So many partially used legal pads.

Using the hallway floor, I put things into "like" piles. 

Put packing materials into new packing section in Studio B. But iron in a safer spot in house. Yes, It had been balancing on things irons should not be balancing on. Put some items aside for Little Free Libraries. But some things in spaces better suited for their eventual use. They WILL be used.

Timer went off every twenty minutes. I could see Progress with every break. And though the whole closet would not be finished that day it ended up in much better, and useful shape than it had started. Amazingly, there are two EMPTY SPACES in a shelving area. What Magick is this?? Cleaning Magick!

All the similar papers are grouped together now. I know where particular large envelopes are, and how many we have! I didn't find any particular Treasures, but I know where recent Art Fair Comments notebooks are. No, I DON'T know what will happen to those two empty horizontal spaces. There is a bit of Joy in this! The box of picture-hanging wire will stay as is - because it is handy having it there. But many things have moved on - whether into trash, or simply other areas of the house better suited to their being stored. Yes, I know where they are.

Anyway, that Goal box in the notebook has been checked off. Next week will hold another. Baby steps are starting to pay off.

Best of luck with YOUR Challenges and Goals!
Gardening Goals are next!

But first - a jazz album or two.

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Desk - Part the First

What seems to be working best here in the Battle for A Neater Home is to do stuff early and often.

I have a particular notebook that I designed for a week's worth of particular doings. With daily areas, Goals for Week space, and another simply titled Notes.

Lots of little boxes to fill in - I have to have my little spots for baby steps. Most often twenty minute attempts - brave or otherwise.

This morning's Desk Meeting lasted three twenty mintue squares. Two in a row, a short break for breakfast, and another right after.

A large area on the top of shelves is now very much "better." The box with art fair application information makes sense. Some things from the box have been moved to better places for their purposes. Some things were tossed in recycling box! Memories, good and bad, were re-discovered.

Now I feel more certain I won't miss the number of art fair applications I missed this past year - a few by one day! The master list for applications was been blocked out, as well as anaother sheet of paper for other possible events for which to apply. It is good to mix up events from time to time - new shows might add new fans to one's work. One never knows what jurors will decide, though, and some shows remain favorites through the years. Applying to art fairs is almost the only way I gamble...

Also worked on is a small wooden box on the left-hand side of the desk. Papers thought to be "important" go there. And then lie ignored - sometimes for years. Again, some sheets get tossed, and others get re-filed (so to speak). All of the single pieces I touched are now no longer in this box. More baby steps. Many more memories.

Now I am back in Studio B for an hour of dealing with greeting cards. Most of them are under control, but there are always a few that escape, and must be rounded up and put back in their proper numbered boxes. No, they don't escape on their own. Yes, it takes longer to put them back than to take them out...

It's time to quit typing, and start listening to the Golden State Warriors battle the Cleveland Cavaliers. This Packer fan actually enjoyed watching Vikings fan husband go slightly crazy after that most unlikely post-season victory by "his" team. Listening to sports  on the radio is just enough unreal reality for the brain to relax and focus and almost enjoy working at mundane tasks. Yes, I know. Multi-millionaires moving balls to other places, and other multi-millionaires trying to stall their progress.

As Kurt V. wrote: "So it goes."

Fare-thee-well,
and today a pal inspired me to attempt some different artwork - 
now to do the doing!

Sue

New Day -Fresh Start

 Monday, April 10, 2017.
7:35 A.M.

Studio A is one hour more organized and cleaned.
This one hour of doing relaxes both eye and spirit.

There are hours in all studios to go. 
But one is done.

Now to figure out how to stay mostly on this path.
Till some things are finished completely.

Other things yell to be started.
They will have to wait.

Clean Hard Fast: 9

CLEAN: the interior of my main black back-pack style purse! This is a Big Thing. I can see the things I'm looking for! Coinage isn't weighing down the leather. Pens are one pocket; small notebooks in another! Though wallet and checkbook are both dark they are easily found! For the moment. For moment. But for Now.
Once upon a time I carried no purse. For years only a wallet. Will this time ever come again? It might be something to aspire to. Hmmm. Might have to start shopping for cargo pants - ha!

HARD: to know that our beloved Green Bay Packers' quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is injured. Sports folks get hurt all the time, as regular people do. But we wish magical protections around certain individuals, whether they be family, friends, or favorite public figures. In sports Physics rules. Sigh. Heal well and quickly. We have friends who enjoyed last night's Bears victory at Lambeau Field. Daughter and I toughed out the game at Stillwater's Buffalo Wild Wings till, literally, the last minute. So I have the game - minus one minute - journaled, of course. Woo hoo. And Boo hoo.

FAST: how this past Saturday went at Stockholm, Wisconsin's Stone Fern Gallery. A gorgeous drive there and back along the Mississippi bluff country of central Wisconsin.

This was on ride home, and yes, I know it's not safe photographing while driving at any time, much less along a curvy swervy road. But I clicked till the camera's battery said "No more." Trees are keeping their leaves much later into the season than usual, giving us opportunities for Fall Beauty into even November. The leaves on our apple tree are still green, though most from the maples have dropped.
Saturday's event was fun, if not profitable. Made new friends, ate great pie (the Double Lemon from the Stockholm Pie Company), and drew a few new bears. May have jinxed the Packers last night by getting my first henna design on Saturday. Right now on my left wrist is a beautifully drawn "frame" in which is written: Trust the Bears. Eeek. What was I thinking! It should disappear in about two weeks. Sigh and whew? And always Ha!

FAST: how I'll have to work to create new pastels for Blue Lake Gallery. Heading to Duluth early on Saturday, Nov. 9th, to hang around the gallery (11AM - 3 PM), deliver our goodies, demo some techniques, and basically goof off in a nifty city for a day. Come visit this lovely gallery and clothing shop if you are in the area or feel the need to head out on a road trip. New goodies are being added for you Fall and Winter shopping consideration. And the staff is friendly and helpful. Yes, they are!

Continuing a Thankful November - What are you Thankful for Today?

Today I'm thankful that for about  from 5 - 6 AM the ol' tinnitus was so faint that it was almost not an issue. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and I APPRECIATE know that if it happened while I was flat in bed maybe someday it will happen when I'm standing up. Gotta love those Simple Almost Quiet Pleasures.

Today smiles will be on face more. Yup. Giving me/us a Smiling Challenge and Smiling as this is typed. Try it? Even for just part of the day? Even if you are alone? Even if you're cynical? Can't hurt, unless you do it too hard or too long. Perhaps a bout a Smiling will even bring on a Short Laugh. Even if this makes somebody mad. It's sort of fun to smile at angry people. Dangerous, yes, but fun. On to it!

Happy Nov. 5, 2013!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Desk and Journals - 7

Well, well, some progress has been made.
This past week I'd settled in for a quick 15 minute stint on the giant pile of mysteries and a bit over two hours later (yes, I was in The Flow....), well, The Space Was Empty. Where there's been Chaos now was a Zen-like Void. The old wood appeared. A dust cloth appeared also - and woo hoo - a magnificent large hollow clean space came into being.

This was not a baby step. This was a giant stride - at least in my eyes. I left it empty until the next day - and occasionally opened the door  - just for the Joy of knowing this part of the Challenge was Completed. When YOU complete a Task or Challenge or Mission please allow yourself a bit of Pleasure in the Having Done. Don't go immediately to the next item on the list. Have a hot cup of tea or a cold glass of beer and simply gaze at your accomplishment. Remember this. "This, too, shall pass."

So what of the papers???? Well. Armed with an awl, ruler, foam core, needle, waxed linen thread, and such, I've begun making more Junk Drawer Journals. They are not perfect. Some are not pretty. All are somewhat useful, and each one has been a bit of fun to create. In fact, I don't feel much like making Real Art right now. Or finish with taxes.... It's pleasant to sort and punch and stitch and embellish these little nothings of reuse/recycle.
There are twenty journals so far. One's been put to use. One's been given to a friend. Others await their missions.

They hold Potential. Ideas. Sketches. Quotes. Grand Schemes. A child's first scribble. The birth of a novel. That's the magic of the blank page - no matter the size. In fact, the smallness and scrapiness of those volumes might just leave a person feeling less worried about ruining a beautiful and "precious" JOURNAL. I'll bring some along to art fairs - to give to those folks who say "I WANT to draw, but - " Heck, here's little sketchbook. "I want to write, but - ". Heck, here's a little notebook. No excuse now, right?  Write. Draw. Enjoy your new bit of Personal Potential. It's only paper - and a bit of waxed thread. But it could change your life.... (If you'd like one let me know.)

On to the rest of Groundhog's Day. May yours be Happy. The squirrel in the patio seems to be enjoying it - we would do well to follow its example!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Cleaning Time

January. Third. Two-thousand-nine......

What are we doing? Cleaning!!!!! Sorting!!! Ripping up and tossing out! Finding the "new" iron below the pile of pillow cases. Seeing empty horizontal spaces when we open certain doors.

In the studio the whole space under the table is empty. Todd will have to tell me where he put some stuff. The other stuff I know. Every piece of paper and mat-board have been touched and considered. The unused pieces have been sorted from the artwork. The artwork has been re-sorted into ripped and trashed, stuff saved for future possible inspiration, and actual showable pieces. I feel an hour of recreational burning coming on. I am not a complete hoarder - whew!

It's time to go scrape palettes now. The work desk will be tackled soon - but right now it's time to scape paint.

- Sue

Tossing

Wow. I am throwing stuff away. Not in a bag for Goodwill. Not taking stuff down to the antique shop to sell, but after three thoughts simply putting stuff into the trash can. Wow. And Elaine is getting rid of stuff, and Carol is getting rid of stuff.

Perhaps we will create the Light Economy. The less stuff to deal with era. What a concept. Less to dust, less to break, less to move.

I have learned that (sorry, magazine companies....) I don't need to own a magazine, I just have to read it. Hooray for the Stillwater Library! And the racks of back issues!

A square foot a day of cleared space is the tiny goal. Today it happened on the studio counter, and also a tad in Tara's desk. I heart open horizontal space!

On to the day1

Sue