It has been awhile since I have checked in with everyone. Things have been magical, stirring, crazy, uncomfortable and prickly all at the same time. I just got back from visiting Lovely, Exquisite Liz in California. We had a magnificent time driving all over LA, catching up on life, reminiscing, venturing to the Getty Villa, LACMA (Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art) and the main motivation of my trip....dunt ta da da.....participating in a workshop with an amazing group of women at the Carol Parks home studio http://www.carolparks.com/. The pictures above give a microscopic glimpse of the magic of this place.
Every nook and cranny of the house engages you and stirs your imagination. Tiny, colorful birds sing in birdhouses so artistically placed that they become a part of your surroundings. They blend so well into the background that it took me until the end of the the first day to realize that they were even there. Pots of bright red begonias scattered on tables with twinkling lights overhead all adding to the magic. Curtains hung with clothespins, old suitcases from years of travel form a wall reminding you of where you have been and where you are going. Every nook and cranny of the house is filled with wonder and imagination. This is only the inside...The garden is a magical place all on its own. Bright colored flowers are scattered throughout the garden. Birdhouses dressed in their best jewels glow in the temperate sunlight, an inviting swinging bench worn from years of enjoyment sits nestled under an umbrella of vines, a succulent lemon tree is nested among a wall of bamboo and an enchanted red standing mailbox which awaits further engagement. There is no end to the energy and liviliness of life that can be found even in this tiny nook in a big city.
The workshop allowed me an opportunity to get messy and not worry so much about the outcome. I sprayed, spritzed, collaged, painted, wrote, dreamed and got still for the first time in a very long time. Liz and I both have more to express within our pieces and promised each other that we would share when we were done. If we are brave we will post a part of our work with you when we finish. One of the things we reflected on was what we are holding onto. I wondered if any of you would share what you are holding onto?
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Today I hold onto tension in my body that I don’t want or need, cherished memories of the past, sunshine as it emerges from behind the clouds, the breath of my being, exuberance for life and passion for today.
Today I am holding on to the stress of family burdens, the tension of unsaid words, the fear of the unknown future. I want to embrace the promise of tomorrow, the TRUTH of tomorrow, and the reality of NOW! Living in the DAY in the MOMENT is my biggest goal right now!
Happy Sunday Everyone!
Today I hold some sweet sorrow as I celebrate the life and death of a friend. My sorrow is mixed with joy and it always amazes me how seemingly opposite emotions can be so interwined. I guess without sorrow, I would not be able to identify the joyful memories I have of one highly spirited, colorful and vibrant lady like Trish. It was my privilege to know her. I will miss her smile and the warmest, grandest hugs I have ever received. I know her energy is still embracing the ones she loved. Last week I found a wooden ladybug with some sticky stuff on the back in the gym parking lot. I stuck it on my truck. That night I heard a buzzing and something was playing in the light above my head. It was a ladybug. Trish? It comforts me to believe it was.
Remember to tell those that you see everyday that you love them and equally important, reach out to those you don't see everyday and let them know you love them too.
Peace to all.
I couldn't help but think about Suzy's lady bug and be reminded of Trish myself yesterday. I had a delightful gardening adventure with my friend Sue this weekend. The day slipped by unknown to us as we meandered among the rows of carefully scattered plants, trees and scrubs. As we admired the perennials at Holdridge Farm Sue found a lady bug in my hair. At Stonnington gardens we found one nestled among the sugar packets. I took this as a sign to go with the flow as there was no cream for our coffee. For the first time ever I drank mine black ~ I didn’t die and actually enjoyed it!
I must say that I have not been completely invested in my CT garden and often found myself so sad at leaving my cottage garden behind. This is going to change. Even though we are looking for a new house my gentle "lady bug reminders" have made me decide to live for today, enjoy my garden while I am here and pass it onto the next person to enjoy. Yesterday I planted Lady's mantel, Siberian iris, and Jacob’s ladder. These were always the first signs of spring at the cottage and reminders of my wonderful gardening friends Martha and Karen. They were always so generous sharing their flowers with me as I started my garden at the cottage. I will be reminded of them when they bloom. Maybe this is why I missed my garden so much.
I will be keeping my eyes open for lady bugs and fairies...Let me know if you have any sightings! smiles & love, Laura
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