Creativity Is A Blessing

Ideas follow me around like little children tugging on my pant leg, begging attention. I’ve been brushing them aside, too unwell to give any them any energy, but with summer’s arrival and pending visits at Grandma’s camp, I push myself to get out the paints. Untrained myself, I watch videos to gain knowledge and inspiration. […]

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Shades of Pink

Protested pink, as a child,associated, as it was, with all things weak –or so I perceived. A new generation redefinesthe contours of pink –adds edges and functiona statement of empowerment Now, I adopt the shade,insert pink in place of blue,transform expression –celebrate pink’s invention. (Inspired by Nancy Merrill’s A Photo A Week challenge: shades of […]

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Birthday Art

I started the tradition – a challenge really – to create a painting for each of my family members’ birthdays. The challenge continues, as the birthdays keep coming. What to paint for my daughter-in-law, who has already claimed many of my art pieces? I wanted something personal and meaningful, so I decided to tackle an […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #43: Rain

Raindrops, not tears,blur my vision –the line of trees before mea glistening blur.The pounding in my templesis just the steady rhythmof watery drip, drip, drip,not the incessant roarof my blood pounding –discordant is this day. I wrote this piece while stranded in Mississippi, with eighteen hours of driving still ahead of us, and no idea […]

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Self-Portrait and Mountains

Many moons ago, I won an award for my artistic talents and was immediately counselled to drop the art program. That same year, I wrote my first novel, and after it was graded, I burnt it. I wasn’t meant to be creative, I decided, and obediently signed up for advanced math and other academic subjects. […]

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Shopping Saturday

I promised I wouldn’t inundate this site with our new adventure, however, the thrill of seeing my own designs on products merits sharing. Trouble is, I want to buy everything. So far, we’ve purchased a mug, a tote bag, a carry-all pouch, leggings and a t-shirt. We’re pleased with the quality of products, and can […]

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A Fresh Approach

It started with a tree. Something about the texture of the bark appealed to me, so I took a picture. Then I examined the image on my computer, and pondered what the image was saying to me. Did it need altering? Was it worth keeping? Every time I looked at it, I was drawn to […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #35: Balance

I don’t think I’ve possessed good physical balance since that time I went down in tennis and cracked my kneecap, despite physiotherapy’s best efforts. Now that chronic illness has been added to the mix, I’ve learned to live without that certainty. I’m wobbly; what can I say? Balance in other areas of my life, however; […]

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Inspiration Evokes Stillness

Days slow down as physical challenges demand. I am so blessed to be in this place, water just steps from our door. The Great Blue Heron remains a constant companion. He is a master of stillness, a quality I have challenged myself to achieve this week. I have brought out the paints again, as too […]

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Happiness is…

… every day that I’m able to get out of bed,and even better, get out of the house… …a river nearby, and a camera with whichto capture the glorious gifts of nature… …the love that flows between generations,the wicked freedom of being a grandparent… … the blessing of travel, and the discoverythat enables ongoing learning…. […]

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