Summer's End

A poem I wrote a few years ago.  

Hanging On

It's been a long time since I've updated this blog.  I could give a few reasons for why I haven't updated, but the simplest is this: I am a terrible blogger.  I'll try to do better though...

The above picture was pained in Painter X3. It was done quickly, and is not the most detailed, but it describes how I've felt for most of this year.  So many things going on in my life right now, I am just trying to hang onto faith and hope with everything I am.  I know I am not the only person with problems, and for that reason I keep most things to myself, but sometimes I just feel overwhelmed.  I am thankful that I have art in my life, the creative process really helps me work out things that are difficult. The creative process and walks in the woods and prayer. Lots of prayer.

As I said earlier, I will try to update this blog more often, especially now that Digital Whisper is here and I would love to participate in some of the challenges.  Hopefully I can stick to this because I think blogging can help me work some things out, even if I'm the only person who ever reads this.

Hope for 2014

It's been quite a while since I last posted here. I've been dealing with a lot since my last post.  My father became very ill and was diagnosed with leukemia in August, I received a promotion at work, but with that a lot more responsibility, and in November I spent 10 days in California visiting my parents, then once back home in Minnesota I became very ill and am only now beginning to feel better. There hasn't been a lot of time for creativity or social networking, but hopefully that will change in 2014.  

I hope this year is peaceful, full of love, good health, creativity and the warmth of friendship. 

Peace... 

Don't Want to Say Goodbye

I have physically been pronounced dead twice in my life, once as a child when I drowned, once as a teen when I accidentally overdosed on diet pills.  Death has never frightened me, just made me want to live my life to the fullest while I’m breathing.

This year my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. My father is and always will be my hero. I am the person I am today because of my father.  He has given me wisdom to live by, encouraged me to be strong and independent, been there for me in my most difficult times, helped me to see the beauty inside myself when I couldn't, and cheered me on when I've done well.  He is an amazing man. I know death is one day inevitable, as it is for all of us, but still…I don’t want him to go.

How selfish is that of me?

The blur that was August

Starting in mid July through August, life has been a blur. Starting in July I was working over time both at work and in the house in order to make sure everything was in order before we left for our trip in mid August to California to see our 21 year old son graduate from Marine Corp Recruit Depot. We drove with our oldest son and youngest daughter out on August 12. It took us 2 days to get to San Diego, and it wasn't a bad trip considering we hardly stopped. I think it helps that our children are not "children" anymore, (our oldest son is 24 and our daughter is  17).  I took quite a few pictures on the way out, all from the car window, and most of them turned out really well. However, I am just posting this one here, as it is my favorite.  This was taken in Wyoming.

Time is flying by...

I haven't been around much this past month. I've been busy with work, art classes and preparing for the trip to California. My 21 year old son is graduating from boot camp in San Diego in less than a month and I've  got a lot to do before we leave on the long road trip from Minnesota to San Diego.  I'm looking forward to it, especially seeing my son and I've heard that Marine Corp graduation ceremonies are amazing. I bought a new camera for the trip, and no doubt will be posting many photos in my Facebook account and some on tumblr.

It's time for me to get to work, so I'll leave off with a self portrait I created last week. Just playing around with some word art!

Nature's Fireworks

Please click on each image to enlarge. Photos taken by me around our home.

We didn't get out to see the fireworks this year. My husband had to work late and my daughter (who is almost 18) spent it with her friends, so I had a quiet night at home.  I didn't mind, however. If you look at the sky close enough, you'll see nature's awesome light display almost every day!