I have been reading Karen DeGroot Carter’s blog, Beyond Understanding, for some time. I can identify with how she thinks, and her beautiful writing always makes me think. After reading Karen’s latest eloquent post, I came across this TED talk. Synchronicity is alive and well, and for this I am grateful.
As I sit here, I hear the cardinals and chickadees outside. The goldfinches at the feeders are sporting faint yellow feathers. The snowdrops are up. Rain is pouring on the metal roof, its familiar sounds comforting me.
The stream is racing, water cascading over rocks and winter debris. But mostly, I smell dogs. Dirty. Wet. Dogs.
Mud. Season. Is. Here. Squishy boot sucking mud. Everywhere. It is part of the promise of spring in the Valley. And for this, I am thankful.
I continued to work on the triptych yesterday. Saturday is a busy day in the Village of Peninsula, and there was a steady stream of visitors in and out of the studio. People are interested, and it is wonderful to share the process. It is, however, impossible to work without distraction. Being quiet and attentive to the process is a challenge.
We’ve both been working hard in the studio. Steve was trimming cups and putting on handles:
I was working on these small tiles, and a larger triptych:
I’ll continue working on the triptych tomorrow and see how it evolves. There is something magical about the process. When I am quiet and attentive, the clay lets me know what I need to do.
Yesterday, a friend sent me these wise and timely words:
“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”
The septic problems have thankfully been resolved. A broken pipe was the culprit, and once it was diagnosed, it was easily fixed. Temperatures in the low teens made working outside a challenge.
Today is sunny and very cold. I always forget how penetrating March cold is………..until March. I am drinking my morning cuppa watching the birds gobble seed and suet at the feeders. Soon I’ll be off to the local ski lodge for #2 daughter’s ski and snowboarding club. It’s near the end of the season around here and today will be pizza for all. This is my last year as the adviser of the ski club. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to share the time with such a fine group of folks.
So here we are in March. Cold again today, and the winds make it seem even colder. The sun is peeking through the clouds, giving the impression that it is warmer than it is. Anyone who has been here before knows that it has been a long hard winter in my neck of the woods.
For the next couple of weekends, March 6-8, and March 13-15, 3 communities in this area will be hosting a Cabin Fever Tour. This is an opportunity to get out of the house and visit the Western Reserve. There are opportunities to eat (always good), purchase locally made products, tour parks and historical societies and see what folks like us have to offer.
Come and see us at our gallery, Elements Gallery. In addition to new work of our own, we will be displaying work for Cups of Kindness, a benefit to support the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. All work has been donated by local artists; and the proceeds from the sale of the work will benefit the Foodbank, where each dollar raised provides 7 nutritious meals. (The website, with new work added, will return in April.) I toured the Foodbank again last week. It is an amazing place, serving 8 Ohio counties, providing a most basic need.
Get yourself a cup of something good and take a relaxing look at spring wildflowers in NE Ohio. It won’t be long before the Village of Peninsula, population 602, will be like this.
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