Sharing my Florida Life Joy

 

I am here.

 

I have to say that winter in Florida has been the best gift ever !

 

I recommend sunshine and warmth to all people who suffer with depression and seasonal mood disorders.

 

I wish I could give it as  gift to all of my loved ones who hate winter.

 

I do have a guest room to share !

 

I still have my hard days, but being in a place where it is green, warm, sunny and that has no snow

has made a huge difference in how deep I go into a funky mood.

 

 

I am working on finding friends near by to play with.

 

I have a new tribe of incredible hearts in Melbourne, FL, which is about two hours away.

 

In fact, I will be teaching eucalyptus eco-dyeing and some other mixed media classes at my new friend, Sherri's art studio, Art More Place.

 

 

But here on my western coast, I haven't really met any friends yet.

 

It is on the to do list/must have because I do have days where I am very lonely and miss my peeps a lot.

 

 

I have been rooting myself in my new studio slowly too.

 
 

 

Little altars and inspiration from gifties from friends make it feel more like home,

 

 

 

The screened in back lanai is lovely in the afternoons and into the sunset hours on warmer days.

The animals can all join me out there, even my indoor kitties !

 

That is where I stitch quite often, listening to audio books or tunes and feeling so very blessed for the place I live in.

 

 

This Florida life is a good thing for this Rock Fairy girl.

 

I am so very grateful !

Saving it for a rainy day ?

So yesterday was a rainy day.

A wet, humid, grey, dismal, sticky, icky, yucky day outside.

A kind of lonely, "I don't have any playmates", "oh poor me", first day of my period, day on the inside.

The silver lining on my rainy, rainy grey cloud ?

My paints and toys and my inner Queen of Arts were ready to play, as always.

I am so very, very grateful for that !

Here's what we made :

"I'm Just A Lonely Girl" - art journal page, June 19, 2009

( done in my art journal, a 9 X 12" Mixed Media sketchbook with watercolor paper in it, bought at Barnes and Noble, hand cut leaf stamp, Indian Ink drawing, Lumiere Metallic paint sheen)

And this one :

"Out of the Darkness" - art journal page, June 19, 2009

- body from Oprah mag photo, head from Anatomy Book Images found on Flickr, butterflies from wrapping paper, Maya Angelou quote

The sun is kind of out this morning. A reprieve before the rain returns for another few days later today, apparently.

That's okay.

I have been saving it up for some rainy days, it would seem.

Have a great weekend.

Simple Grey & Blue Monday

FOR TODAY (Monday, May 18th, 2009)...

Outside my window...it is kind of greyish, white-ish and definitely too cold for May 18th at 43 degrees ! Those maples leaves and the green are something though !

I am thinking...that I am missing friends and family and even David who only left for work an hour ago. I often get this way after a trip back home. It is kind of lonely here sometimes...

I am thankful for...the phone and my unlimited long distance plan ! It is Victoria Day in Canada and everyone will be off and home on a Monday morning to chat !

From the kitchen...radishes ! I guess they are in season somewhere nearby because they have arrived in the grocery store in all of their glorious red ! Love them with just a little sea salt - like red and white crunchy candies !

I am wearing...my red nightgown, my green El Naturalista clogs and my glasses. Sexy, huh ?

I am creating... space for new experiences to come into my life.

I am going...to get my 6 month supply of new contact lenses and I think the craft store next door just may be calling my name...can you say "retail therapy" ?

I am reading... Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman for the ump-teenth time. I saw the movie on tv again recently and the book re-surfaced soon after to dive into again.

I am hoping...for sun and warmth to make my flowers grow and my heart feel better.

I am hearing...a large crow cawing in the treetops nearby. What's the message, Mr. Crow ?

Around the house...there are dust bunnies I have named Dusty, Sneezy and Grey.

One of my favorite things...my white Elmer's Painters opaque paint marker with the Ultra Fine Tip - a joy to journal with !

A few plans for the rest of the week: meditation tonight, and tomorrow, a meeting at Barnes and Noble with a new lady who responded to the ad my friend Lois and I placed on Craig's List for arty women available during the day to hang out and do arty stuff. I need a local community of artists that I can play with and see face to face !!!!! Desperate times call for desperate measures...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

This is Singer, our 20 year old cat, curled into a nest

on the daybed in David's office to keep her old bones warm,

but to be close by the human she loves best. What more could you want

in your old age ?

Grace in small things... Happy Monday - don't mind the mess !