Small Tasks

Hope is what we do when the odds are long and the options limited. It is the stubborn act of trying when despair feels easier. Rather than passive optimism, hope is the commitment of those who believe they can make a difference, however small. 

Hope is not a promise. It is not a guarantee of success. It is the courage to act in the face of uncertainty. And right now, in this fragile moment for our democracy, it is the most important responsibility we share. Marc Ellis, Democracy Docket

The sedum is starting to turn red...a sign of the late summer season...and the bees are busy.

Today was a house day...through and through. I was joined for a few hours by a new cleaning lady...that always kicks me into gear. She's actually also an artist and thinks of cleaning as an art. How awesome is that! 

I tended to all kinds of house things big and small including putting a new blade in my utility knife. A small task...with big payoff. 

I've needed to do that for about a year....and thanks to Becky...I knew exactly where the new blades were in the hall closet. Sometimes it's these small tasks that can make your steps a little lighter.

And speaking of Becky...look what I finished today during lunch. This was a fun one...and went together pretty fast.

 

I did spread it out over the past week since she left...because that's what I like to do.

The puzzle was called Beach Trash...and it's hard for me to believe that this stuff was left on the beach. Toothbrushes? Really?

Thanks Becky!  It was nice having you woven into my day today! 

Powerful Connections

I met my friend Marita for a walk this morning....it had been way too long. Our friendship goes WAY back to our early days of teaching and we've seen each other through some tough stuff. We lost touch for a stretch of time...but reconnected back in 2019. No matter how much time passes between visits...we pick up right where we left off. We have a powerful connection. 

We came across a small sunflower patch on our walk...and Marita was patient while I paused to take a few photos. That's what friends do.

I could leave this post at that....because that it enough. But connections are a powerful source of joy for me...and there is much more to this connection story. So if you have the patience...and interest...read on. If not...that's just fine and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Back in 2019 during our reconnection years, I talked Marita in to starting a shared journal project. Marta is a poet...and I am an artist/crafter...so why not combine the two. We each would pick a journal/notebook for our work...and trade them back and forth each working in the other's journal. I would do art...and she would write. Sounds perfect...right?

I chose a beautiful handmade art journal from a local artist...and she chose a composition book. Perfect choices.

I did a few pages in my journal and she shared a work in progress poem at the beginning of hers...then we traded. 

Here are my first couple of pages.

I should add that Marita is also a full time English teacher...as well as an accomplished poet...so her creative time is limited and precious.

Marita chose the working draft of her poem called In One Scenario to start her journal. It's not always easy for me to interpret poetry...but it helped to read the finished poem...and it's powerful. Marita writes about her experiences and connections with others and the world and uses her poetry as a way to work through the tough stuff in her life including a difficult and complicated marriage and divorce.

The last line of the finished poem goes like this. 

Forgive me

for not accepting you

for the yellow 

balloon

you were.

In that scenario

I stand in my kitchen 

alone,

imagining.

(The full finished poem is below.)

I started my response by quoting one of my favorite poems...The Journey by Mary Oliver which seemed just right for Marita who finally knew what she had to do and had the strength to save herself from a difficult situation. I wrote out the poem around a yellow balloon cut out...making visual connection between Mary's poem and Marita's. 

When she flipped the page....another quote got framed by the balloon cutout.

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anyone or anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.

My next page was more Mary Oliver quotes...and some doodles and paper collage stitching....all the things I love to do. Then I waited for Marita to tell me she was ready to trade.

But life was too overwhelming and Marita finally admitted to me that this was not something she felt like she could do. And that was just fine. I respected the fact that she could be honest with me. We kept our own journals and just moved on. 

Side note: That journal of mine has sat untouched since then...although I have tucked some things in I thought I might add. And funny thing is...Becky, who was just visiting, picked it up and I briefly told her the story. I knew then that I should just embrace it and start working in it again. 

Marita tried to give her composition journal to me today because of my artwork that was in it. But I told it was hers...and she should just use it however she wanted. She thought she might use it to take notes from her writing group...and we agreed that both journals should be used. 

The more we talked....she thought maybe she would pass it to me for sometime...and I would add a little art. THAT....would be fun. And maybe...just maybe she will write a poem in mine. 

At the end of our conversation....she made the connection that her In One Scenario poem made it into her recently published book, Wild Nest No Prison. 

I attended a poetry reading a few months ago...and bought one of her books. It's a treasure. 

Here's Marita's completed and published poem, In One Scenario. Pardon the terrible photos...but I was afraid that if I typed it out I would screw it up.

Our lives are full of connections....many of them powerful. Sometimes they're clear...and sometimes they're subtle...we just have to be open to them.

If you are interested in a couple more great Marita stories and connections you can read these posts. 

This post showcases Marita as a poet:

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2022/10/beyond-words.html

And this one showcases her as a teacher and my connection to a project in her poetry class:

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2024/01/sentimental-supplies.html

Days Like this

The air was crisp and cool today....warm in the sun and almost chilly in the shade. I love days like this! 

The sumac along the back road in our condo neighborhood is starting to turn...I'm going to keep an eye on it.

And there's nothing like a bright orange zinnia to shout end of summer while at the same time giving a nod to fall.

So many flowers are starting to fade this time of year...but the zinnias are going strong! 

And I especially love the zinnias on days like this.

Sight to Behold

We have a couple of hummingbirds that visit on a regular basis. There may be more...but we only see two at a time and they don't seem to be very friendly as they shoo each other away from the flowers and feeder. I plant annuals every year that I know they will love...but they still also choose to drink from the feeder. We love having them around.

This little guy perched on a bare twig on the tree by the patio...and just hung out for a while just looking around. His/her tiny black silhouette against the blue sky was a sight to behold.

Remember what E. B. White said....always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.

Begin Again

To complete the art group circle....I'm making an altered art journal and junk/joy journal for Tracie. I've already done this for Becky and Brenda...now it's Tracie's turn. To save on postage, Becky brought a big pile of ephemera from Tracie. It's a mixture of Tracie's art....her grandson's art...some vintage papers....and bits of this and that. I can work with this!

All three of them bought the same art journal that I used for mine. These journals have nice medium weight paper that is easy to tear, but strong enough to stitch and paint on. 

And the spine bends well to get the pages under the sewing machine. 

It's time to begin again....the hardest part is tearing that first page.

I use a metal ruler to tear the pages....it works really well.

I don't do a lot of planning ahead...just a couple page pairings at a time. I do try and create some sort of flow from one set of pages to the next. It's kind of like curating a collage wall. 

These additions are just meant to be starting off points for Tracie to fill the pages with her own art and ephemera....to inspire more art play. 

And just like that...I've begun.

And I love how the orange slice mirrors the center of the flowers.

Little moments like this make me smile.

Once I get rolling...it's hard to stop. If I was younger...I could do this for a living.

Tracie and her husband Loon are coming to Portland mid September...and my goal is to have her two journals done to hand to Tracie in person. I won't post much...because I want them to be mostly a surprise...but I will share a few favorite pages here and there. 

I'm quite fond of this simple rainbow page....which likely was done by Anders...her grandson. He's quite an artist.

I cut out three sides...and I love the way it lands perfectly on the page. Whatever Tracie chooses to do on the next page will peek through around the edges. 

This is the perfect project to ease me back into a daily art practice. It's time to begin again! 

New Home

What a beautiful day we had here in Portland. Paul and I had a nice walk this morning and I followed that up with a swim. By the end of the day....we felt rested as we eased back into our routines. And we enjoyed sharing our adventures...we both had plenty of stories to tell.

I was thrilled to get an email from Lori with photos of my Swirls 2.0 piece in its new home. 

Lori has a gallery wall in her project room with art she has collected over time. I'm thrilled to be part of this amazing collection. The colors blended in so well with her other pieces. 

I'm impressed that she is such a supporter of other artists. 

I tried to zoom in and study every piece.

I think the swirl looks great in its new home!

It's a Wrap!

Whoever is present are the right people. Whenever it begins is the right time. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. And when it's over, it's over. Anne Lamott

Having people you love stay in your home is a unique and intimate opportunity. You share the ups and the downs of day to day life...drink coffee together....and have endless chances to share stories and dig deep into each other's lives. And of course you visit all your favorite places.

I/we've had overnight guests for 18 of the last 21 days...and as of today...it's officially a wrap. There are a few more friends and family coming our way yet this summer, but they're not staying overnight in our home. And I'm looking forward to every single visit.

With just a little help from me...Becky finished the Rainbow Pencil puzzle just in time. So it's officially a wrap too! 

I spy missing pieces...that's just the way it goes.

Joy

Joy doesn't have to wait until the hard stuff is over. It can exist in simple, ordinary moments alongside the mess. Joy isn't a reward for overcoming pain; it's the practice that helps us get through it. Tiny Buddha

This was Becky's last full day. She leaves tomorrow at noon, and Paul gets home late tomorrow night. 

Becky and I practiced JOY today... in several tiny moments.

The Pile of Magazines....

...and a family reunion.

Do anything, but let it produce joy. Walt Whitman

Becky and I have a tradition when we are together of getting a pile of art/craft and home magazines....a treat to share...and parking ourselves at a table at a bookstore like Barnes and Noble. We visit...get and share ideas...and just relax.

It was hot and humid out...so today was the day for the pile of magazines.

And...I had $100 burning in my pocket from art sales and bottle returns....so Becky and I headed to Mardens. I bought underwear, socks, and cleaning supplies for Maine Needs.

I was so tickled that Jeanette was my cashier again....she remembered me from my previous visits. I did the math in my head as I was shopping....and this time it came to $91. I could have picked up a few more items.

I love continuing to do this work for Maine Needs...and it was fun to do it with Becky.

Then THIS happened this evening. My nephew Fred is working for the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and is spending a few days in Ocean Park (just where Becky and I were) for a few days with friends. He stopped here for dinner and Sam was able to join us. 

The two cousins are the same age...and have lots of memories growing up together at family reunions. It was really fun seeing them together again. 

Fred was a key player in an important time of my life with my dear friend Connie. If you are the sentimental type...you can read a bit of the story in these posts. 

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2017/08/two-journeys.html

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2017/08/my-turn.html

Game Changer

Late yesterday afternoon Becky and I headed to Ocean Park for a low tide beach walk with Jane. 

The sun was starting to set and the temperature and dew points were just perfect. 

Walking with the sun low in the western sky then enjoying the view and waves into the dusky hours was a game changer. I think this is my new favorite time of day to be at the beach.

 

Then we parked ourselves in the chairs until dusk watching the people...dogs...and waves.

Dusk as always been my favorite.

And the sunset behind us was wonderful.

Ocean Park recently had Illumination Night...so Jane and Andy still had their mermaid up. 

They always have a fabulous light display for the community event.

Then THIS happened today! Becky helped me empty out the hall closet and sort...pitch...and reorganize. That's true friendship! 

    An organized closet is a game changer!!!   

Lobster for Lunch

This was the first day Becky and I mostly stayed home. (We have a fun evening outing planned.) But I did head to the grocery store this afternoon to pick up four steamed lobsters. Becky LOVES lobster! And so do I!

We each had one lobster for lunch...

and we shucked the other two for lobster rolls tomorrow.

All is well in Vacationland! 

Joyful abundance. Becky is the one who gave me my 

white rain lily bulbs and they're putting on a show.

Dew Point

It's been perfect weather since Becky arrived....so we've been out and about and enjoying the patio as much as possible. Warmer and more humid days are coming...so we can settle into some indoor projects on those days. 

Becky and I are both very tuned into the dew point...which is the true measure of how humid the air feels. Sometime one of us just texts a number...and we know exactly what it means. Right now the dew point is 58.....and with the temperature at 72....that's about perfect.

We stopped at Folly 101 yesterday....always a feast for the eyes. 

We did a little beachcombing and had lobster rolls and chowder for brunch.

And my parasol came in handy at Art in the Park in South Portland.

The day was about as perfect as the dew point!