Challenges

Greetings -
Every day holds many challenges. This morning I'm trying to ignore the every-ringing chinging head. Time to start Year Two of let's diagnose this thing already!

But enough about reality. Here's a scribble about Possibilities. Dare today to write down two or ten things you'd love to try in this new year. Then do at least one. Report back on your experience. Or simply do it and then tell a friend or stranger. Inspiration comes in many forms. Be that pat on the back for somebody else, and hope that if you need one, it comes along at the right time.

On to adding to the joys of the universe! And time to cross "blog" off the list for today. On to "eat better" and "call Mom."

Happy January 2nd! Time to spend an hour with the pastels. And thank Todd for fixing the microwave.

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Another Attempt at A New Year

Happy January 1, 2013!
 Yup. We've made it to a new morning, and with luck, we'll make it to the next and next.

Watching The Rose Parade for a few minutes. In younger days the HORSES were what I waited for, and they were the groups that seemed to usher in every commercial break. Sigh. Now, as a gardener I pay attention a bit more to the vegetation.

This past year held a new sort of artful fun. My friend, Karen, joined the Facebook group Art Abandonment, and so I followed her lead.

As it says in one of their tags - "Art Abandonment is a group designed to encourage random acts of art, left in various locations around the globe."

Today I left a greeting card at the local McDonalds. One has to give up caring about the outcome of the deed and just go ahead and do. It's fun to sneak something somewhere in hopes of making someone smile or laugh or know that "You CAN get something for nothing." And we abandoners get the joy of giving a tiny bit back to this great big tiny world.

Here's an example of another recent leaving. Some folks leave birdhouses in trees. Some folks leave comforting goodies in hospitals. There are no particular rules. I've sent things to friends to leave where-ever they choose. It's fun to share the adventure!

So, on to this day, week, month, and year. This is the first year in for-ever that "lose weight" is not a goal, but "try to get a correct diagnosis" is. Some things are more organized; others still need work. Want to get more artistic work done in the studio, as well as cull images used for cards and magnets. It's tough to say "toodle-loo" to some oldies but we have to make room for new possibilities. And of course the "culls" will still be useful as beauties to be abandoned! Win win?

I still want to encourage you all to do something you love doing, and perhaps find joy in a new adventure. A banjo is sitting in the bedroom wanting to be strummed. I will be brave in the attempt - ha!
If you USED to like to draw or write or paint or sing - this is the year to start doing it again.

So, this is it for the first post of the new year. If you'd like to join in the Art Abandonment adventure check out: www.facebook.com/groups/ArtAbandonment/

See ya there?
Fare-thee-well,
Sue

One More Saturday

Greetings -
Today is the last Saturday of 2012 - a year that went dinging ringing chinging far too slowly and quickly.

Medical bleahs aside - the year held new friends, old truck adventures, and our best garden ever. Or, so far.

I've discovered the great pleasure of an early morning light-box. the rest of the family HATES the brightness. Oh well. Right now they are still abed.

But for me there is oatmeal to eat, tea to drink, and a backpack to prep. Heading for a shift at the Gift Gallery in the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wisconsin. this facility is well-used year round, and we are lucky to have it within an easy drive.

Here in Stillwater, Minnesota, our Artreach St. Croix building is coming into its own as a center for writers, artists, and performance artists, and class instruction. Ever-changing exhibits are bringing in more and more viewers, and this year has also brought some excellent programs featuring writers, storytellers, musicians on a frequent basis. it's located across from our treasured Stillwater Public Library.

Another Stillwater art doing is the Van Gogh Cafe. After a couple months off, this group of folks interested in learning more about artists should be convening again shortly. Topics vary WIDELY, but each presentation has been well received. Open to all - free free to bop in for a visit. We have been meeting at Valley Booksellers but hosts are looking for possible different location. Google Van Gogh Cafe for more info?

So, on to the day. Book-keeping awaits - oh, goodie! But I'm bring a sketchbook, too. And a good book. Books, books, books.

Oh, there is an excellent hand-made paper/hand-made books exhibit at the Stillwater Library. It will probably be up only for till the end of the month. Inspiring work for us paper and word addicts.

On to 2013 and all it's Grand Adventures! GO PACK!!!!

- Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Using Stuff

This coming year I'm re-newing vow to use the stuff we already have around. This morning I thought there was so little ink in an old Sharpie Marker that the pen could be put to use on one last bear and then tossed away with joy and satisfaction in Job Well Done Old Pen.

Not to be. So a piece of paper is no longer blank, I've learned a lesson in potential, and the pen remains on the table - resting up for it's next adventure.

A day before Christmas I mixed up a batch of molasses cookies for the first time in two years. Lack of ambition and ill health had yielded ZERO cookies last Christmas Season. Not good. This year our ancient vintage old heavy-duty Hamilton Beach mixer came down from the cupboard and roared to life. It whipped those spicy buttery ingredients into shape with speed and efficiency. Appliances made in the 1950's continue to bring Joy to our household. Especially ye olde 2-slice Sunbeam Toaster (1950's) whose bread goes down automatically and come up the perfect golden brown. I have a life-long love of these toasters. My husband thinks I'm nuts. I love their style, toasting, and continued loyalty to the art of toasting.

                              On that note, here's a toast-colored bruin made fresh this morning.

On to the last days of 2012. May 2013 find you where you want to be, or on the journey, path, adventure heading on the way!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Remembering

Remembering Pearl harbor Day. Somberly, respectfully.

Remembering Summer Garden 2012. With Joy and Hope for 2013.

Snow and ice are forecast for tonight. It's time for some Stillwater Summer Greenery:

Now we can face Winter head on

And start the planning for unfrozen soil

On to our varied days. Time to frame a custom order, send greeting card orders, and hope for the best for the future. Looking forward to the movie, "The Hobbit." A reading by an 8th grade boy to our 5th grade class of the part where Bilbo and Gollum first mention "My Precious" changed a part of my brain forever.

Like a great tomato will. And Pearl Harbor Day...

Fare-thee-well,

Sue

A Bear for the Day

Greetings -
Too many tiny tasks.
Must remember to tackle them, as stated by Anne Lamott's father, "bird by bird."
 Keeping Lists in small notebooks is a must this days. Just don't start writing in too many notebokks.
AND DO NOT LOSE THESE NOTEBOOKS!!!!!

Sent one Christmas card. Am hoping to have ambition to write witty Christmas letter this year. Last year, well..... adventures, good and bad, were not chronicled.

Here's a Bear for the Day:

Some days that's all you can ask.

Time to get back to organizing greeting car orders and finishing custom work and finding some "Not Really Balanced - Don't Really Care" tees in the basement bins.

Playing excellent jazz all day in honor of the passing of the great Dave Brubeck. Some days are filled with Bach. Today it's Mr. Brubeck's turn.

On to this December and all that it brings - may you find a bit of Play in your day!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue
Our Sue Rowe Studios Facebook page is always willing to take on a few more "Likes". Sitting at 99 - maybe we'll hit 100 before year's end? And who knows the Mysteries waiting in year 2013? Must get back to some Challenges. Suggestions?

Quick Post

Greetings -
For fun, and through a friend's joining, I, too, have become a member of Facebook's Art Abandonment group. Sharing a surprise gift is usually a wonderful thing, and it's amazing to see folks from all over the world doing this sort of thing.

So far, and with the help of cousin Ginny, last Friday, I abandoned a lovely floral greeting card AND a great book on many things botanical, somewhere in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

This was the day of the Annual Venison Feed - so Todd and I joined the lines of folks waiting for their venison burgers. The morning was gorgeous - and colorful. Lots of camo, blaze orange, and Packer Green and Gold. Two thousand burgers got grilled pretty darned quickly. It was fun chowing down our burgers and chips at an event we'd never hear about - though this was it's 47th year. Hunt safely, mighty hunters!

Am working on a series of quickly-drawn bears, done mostly in the morning, but sometimes while waiting for the chiropractor. (Yes, a whole year of "interesting" health stuff.) But, if you have a small plastic bag with paper, pens, pencils, and the like, it quite amazing what can be scribbled in the "I'll be back in three minutes" time - which may or may not be three minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I am thankful that a sister-in-law is hosting the day, and I bought the ingredients for our bit of food to be shared. The squirrels and birds appear to be thankful for the sunflower seeds that they seem to be sharing.

On to our Grand Adventures, and where in the heck did November go?
Scribble if so inclined!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue