Category: Uncategorized

Permission to Take a Break

Some days are harder than others. The kids are not going back to school this year. While I am not averse to staying home and spending more time with my boys, I am acutely aware of how NOT normal all of this is, and how unsettling and anxiety-provoking these days have been. My boys are varying degrees of upset and perplexed and unsettled and otherwise “off.” As am I.

So today I stepped away from my habit of busy-ness and asked myself what do they need right now. I asked myself what do I need right now. I asked myself what would I have needed, back when I was their ages, in a time of unsettling disruption and crisis. I went about trying to be the person I would have needed. I tried to be the person I needed. The person I need.

So, I didn’t make myself clean the house or brush the dogs or do my chores or even take a photo today. I gave myself permission to take a break. I didn’t repeatedly ask my boys to do their chores or check in on their schoolwork or ask how much time they had spent on screens today. I gave them permission to take a break. We just took a break.

In the midst of it all, I realized something. I felt an undeniable urge to share. A need to write something. A need to offer pieces of my work out to anyone who might need or want something to see. To share.

So, I am here. Reaching out. Writing. Offering a couple of photos from the past few days. In case you have use for what I have to offer.

Evening Reflections
Woodpecker on a Rainy Day

What do you need today?

Stay safe, humanity.

Pattern. Recognition.

Patterns.
April 8, 2020

Lots of nature photos lately. Returning to my roots. The ancient kind. I thought maybe the photographs were redundant (and therefore boring), but I am revising that thought. Patterns are fascinating, and illuminating. I have missed seeing patterns in my life, but now I want to take time and pay attention to recognizing and identifying and naming the ones I encounter. Starting now.

Where do you see patterns?

Stay safe, humanity.

Stand in a place. Let your feet feel the earth. Exhale.

Exhale.

The world turned upside down. Remain home. If you go outside, wear a mask. And gloves. And don’t touch your face anymore. Wash. Sanitize. Repeat.

Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Until you feel your center steady and can ride with comfort and ease the rotation of this upside-down world.

Remember this feeling for the moments when you will need it.

Stay safe, humanity.

Socially distant.

Miss Bella finds a new spot.

Sometimes I just sit. And gaze. Especially lately. Nice to have something soft to sit upon.

Today I cut the foam for this window seat. Looks like Bella approves. Cool.

Make smart choices. I say this all the time to my kids. It is possible that by this, I mean: When faced with a decision, take the life-preserving, compassionate, high road option.

Stay safe, humanity. Make smart choices.

Painting. Acrylic.

“A Brand New Day”
Acrylic on canvas.
February 2020

I finished this painting about a month ago. So much seems to have changed since then, and this painting languishes at my studio without me these days. But I was thrilled to have painted it and look forward to visiting it soon.

In the meantime, hopefully we can all wake soon to brighter days.

Stay safe, humanity.