Cha Cha Cha ~ Changes April 17, 2012

Everyone looks at time in a different way. Everyone looks different in time. It's always on the move, but I've never considered its passage as something to be feared. With age we gain perspective, wisdom and sense of self. 

Rod and I have travelled through three decades together, now waltzing blithely through our mid-sixties. Oh sure the hair is silver, we've cornered the market on wrinkles and age spots and the sound effects of moving around are getting louder and more frequent. Like everyone else, we have our share of ups and downs. But when we catch ourselves whining (to protest in a childlike fashion) we invoke the "There's a $5 Fine for Whining" rule immortalized by songwriter Chris LeDoux.

No Whining

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Whining, complaining or dwelling on the negative accomplishes absolutely nothing. Attitude is everything, so get up in the morning and choose a good one. If you're having a crappy day, it's probably your own fault: clouds have silver linings, doors close windows open, plant a seed harvest food, call in well and take a time out. As a cancer survivor I know the power of staying positive. Life is too short to waste any of it on the dark side. You have choices and options Cupcake so make 'em count. I mean really: 

• We no longer give a rat's patooty what others think
• We get senior discounts
• We are free to move about the cabin and not act our age
• We are free to follow muses and dance with abandon
• We know things that younger generations are still in the dark on
• Live up to your expectations not those of others
• Let people go who bring you down
• Keep a journal (they're fun to read decades later)
• Take a camera every time you go outside
• Mentor a kid
• Research your history
• Volunteer some time ~ you'll be amazed at the returns
• Commit random acts of kindness

Time Stream 

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Life is a moveable feast and the memories will travel with you for the rest of your life. Build some good ones! Henry David Thoreau got it right:

"Time is but the stream I go a fishing' in"

Just a Thought Series ~ May 12, 1970

All you have been and seen

And done and thought

Not You but I

Have seen and been and wrought

Pilgrim, Pilgrimage and Road

Was but Myself toward Myself

 And Your Arrival

But Myself

At my own Door

Come you lost Atoms

To your Centre draw

And be the Eternal Mirror that you saw

Rays that have wander'd

Into Darkness wide return

And back into your Sun subside

I knew these words weren't my own so I did a little early morning research. The lines are from a poem called A Face in the Mirror by 12th Century Persian poet Attar.

Serendipity
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My whole life has been a series of serendipitous connections and threads. In retrospect these words were a prescient prelude to my month long adventure of self discovery in the Northwest and Canada that began August 18th of that same year. At the time of this journal entry I had no inkling of what was ahead, but then again, perhaps I did ~ food for thought.

The Neighborhood ~ April 6, 2012

Daylight savings and a change of season often bring minor league chaos for a week or two. The weather's been cold and wet and we've all been inside for far too long ~ cabin fever is afoot.

Cabin Fever

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Not ones to squander time we got creative while awaiting the warm. We read and scheduled playdays that weren't weather dependent. I volunteered time at a local non profit and learned how to do collage. Rod got his shop cleaned up and gear organized for bass fishing. But be that as it may we were still chomping at the bit to get outside, get our hands dirty garden and open up the house to some fresh air.

We live near the end of a lane that's far enough in the country to be quiet, but close enough to town we can walk the mile or so to the theater, a park or a restaurant. We've lived on this little piece of paradise for 24 years, but the real magic is that we have the best neighbors in the world.

We watch out for each other, take turns feeding critters or watering when one is out of town. Over the proverbial back fence or on the driveway we often share home grown produce, conversation and goodies from fresh fish to cut flowers, from homemade pies to soup. We've known the resident kidlets since they were born. We share friends and laughter at BBQ's, birthday parties and spur of the moment gatherings.

Dahlia

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Our four families hadn't seen each other for almost a week but today was the quintessential day to exhale winter and breathe in the spring. At the first hint of warmth the bears emerged from their lairs. We got the barn organized and talked dahlias over the back fence. We toured the garden with the moms and kids to harvest fresh greens and got caught up standing in the sun on the driveway. I suspect that all of us, at one time or another during the day, stretched out like lizards on a rock to soak up some warm. We are so lucky to live where we do and to share this bond of friendship.

Planet Shared

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Do you know your neighbors? Have you ever spoken to them? Maybe it's time to go next door and say hello with some fresh baked cookies? Get to know the kindred spirits that share your little corner of the world. You might be surprised.

Random Musings April 5, 2012

I just had my annual physical. As I left his office my Doc said "You're the poster child for doing it right. I can't scold you about anything." Music to the ears of a certifiable member of the Silver Squadron. As you get older you realize no one's going to take of your body but you. It's the no excuses tour baby, time to get on board!

Sunrise Squadron

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On that high note I headed over to the Apple Store to assess the cost of replacing my vintage Dell with an iMac (it's going to happen because I'm worth it and life is short). As I'm walking back to the car a literary bolt of lightning momentarily derails my train of thought.

"Keep a clear head and always carry a light bulb."

It's a line from  D.A. Pennebaker's documentary of Dylan's 1965 English tour Don't Look Back. Why it should surface now I have no idea, except that I walked past two dumpsters on the way to my car. Say what?

My friend Kelly and I saw the film in 1967 while we were at UCLA. The theater was in downtown LA. We ended up getting there a little early and decided to take a walk.

Bob Dylan ~ Warfield 1979

As we strolled down the boulevard something caught his eye. I didn't give a second thought to following him into an alley behind a retail store (the Sixties were a different time). There he liberated a couple of fluorescent tubes from a dumpster.  A new idea for a piece of conceptual art? Star Wars light sabers before there was Star Wars? No telling what sparked that moment, but when we heard Dylan say "Keep a clear head and always carry a light bulb" the meaning was obvious. 

You never know what's important until it is!

Just a Thought Series ~ June 16, 1975

Aspen, Colorado ~ Curled up in a down filled nest at my friend's house sipping a cup of morning coffee ~ my thoughts wander to the very large boulder that occupies part of the space and then to home. I see contradictions in where I am there and where I could be. This isn't negative space, but the start of a learning phase. Things I want to change will take patience and time and it begins with me.

I need to be my own resource and expose myself a little more to the world. It's so easy to become complacent and caught up in the minutia of the every day. Practicality keeps one secure, but not always stimulated. Time to start thinking outside the box.

Outside the Box

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Coming to the Rockies on this little adventure has awakened my mind from the stillness of a long winter's spell, literally and figuratively. The buds of spring are full to bursting, creativity and inspiration flow like a snowmelt river. I am aware of an unrestlessness I have not known for awhile. Time out and adventures need to occupy a larger percentage of my time.

Synchronicity ~ March 31, 2012

I was at the dining room table setting up for our morning cribbage game while Rod was making pancakes for breakfast (with the last of our blackberries). We're listening to KJZY our local jazz station and this base line comes through on one of the songs that we just can't ignore. Rod's shuffling round the kitchen and I'm dancing in my chair.

We looked at each other and I said "You know what, we should dance for half an hour every day." After we had breakfast I came out to my studio to do some work. Rod sat down on the floor to look through the books in our little bookcase of favorite reading. About 20 minutes later he walked into my studio grinning from ear to ear. He's holding a small book called "The Daily Book of Positive Quotations" that was a gift from my friend Trisha.

He has it open to March 30th, the title is "Dancing Every Day" and the quote from Oprah Winfrey:

Every day brings a chance

 for you to draw in a breath

kick off your shoes

and dance

Dance Along the Light of Day
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"When opportunity presents itself, we need to be willing to stand up, take a breath, and commit ourselves wholeheartedly, even at the risk of looking a little silly. Life is short. Let's engage it as passionately as we can."

Dance Me 'Round the Kitchen

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We have a dance date in the kitchen at 11:30 this rainy Saturday morning, maybe some blues or a little rock and roll to warm up.

What a Novel Idea II ~ March 30, 2012

I recently finished a trio of books called Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock. I found them at a used book store and was so intrigued by the premise and imagination of the writer I had to add them to my library. 

 Book I

It's an extraordinary story of intertwined romance, mystery, and art. Each page is a piece of correspondence between Griffin and Sabine. The letters must be pulled from their envelopes and unfolded to read, each postcard is a delightful artistic creation. You become part of the story as it unfolds.

Email, Facebook, and Ecards have a place in this day and age (like when you've forgotten someone's birthday or want to get some news out in a hurry), but there's nothing like receiving something home made or hand written in the mail ~ as in from the mailbox!

Fantasy Bird Post Card

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I've been scissoring photos, magazines and old cards for a couple of years because I've always wanted to explore collage as an artistic outlet. I now have a large collection of paper ephemera to draw from. Griffin and Sabine have gotten me off my duff and I'd say seeds have been planted.

Everything You Can Imagine Postcard

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So here's what I'm proposing: Email your mailing address to me at machelvey@gmail.com and I will send you a hand made postcard with my return address. It would be really awesome if you'd respond with a card or note. Old fashioned correspondence is a dying art form, so it's time to save a little piece of history. What a treat it might be to find something besides bills and junk mail in the mailbox. Are you up for it?

 

What a Novel Idea ~ March 24, 2012

In the world of today we find ourselves constantly plugged in to some diversion that takes us away from being here: TV, cell phones, games and computers. So here's some food for thought.

I'm on the computer a lot for blogging, photography and running two online shops. The cell phone I started carrying for emergencies, but a friend in Oregon (you know who you are) got us hooked on WordFued ~ a scrabble like game you can play with anyone around the world.

Television is hard to justify for any reason unless you just want to numb your mind (granted some things are worth watching like PBS, old movies, and documentaries). We looked at the hours we spend watching evening TV and decided an average of 3 hours a night (more in winter ~ less in summer). What did this add up to? A shocking number!

3 x 365 = 1,095 hours or 45 days ~ 1.5 months out of a year

Lightning Strikes in the Garden of the Gods

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Holy Crap ~ at our age, at any age, that's a monumental waste of time that cannot be recovered. We took the National Day of Unplugging challenge yesterday and unplugged for 24 hours. It was time well spent.

Breakfast and Cribbage

Conversation

Workout at the gym

Massage

Reading

Nap

Conversation

Reading

Studio time to create

Dinner and Cribbage

Conversation

Reading

What did we take away from this experience? A whole new perspective on how we spend or don't spend our time. We've decided to unplug at least once a week, maybe more. I'm setting aside a couple of days a week for studio time to just create. Gas prices may keep us from taking some of the longer trips we like to do, but we've decided to take our camper out for 2-3 day excursions in our own back yard a couple of times a month. Sonoma and Mendocino counties offer an amazing array camping possibilities and additional time to unplug. Less TV for sure! What are you going to do?

Just a Thought Series - Feb 1, 1976

He had such a sweet way of using her

Staying on just long enough

To fill his emptiness

He opened her with his honesty

Broke her defenses with a smile

Then so quietly he left her

With a feeling
Maybe
In awhile

Lady Rider

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A prisoner 
Of his own confusion

He found himself on trial

But it was easier to close the door

Than to compromise his style

Their paths may again cross one day
But she's not the girl 
He once knew
No longer easily disarmed
A wiser woman
Sure of self
Immune to reckless charm

Just a Thought Series ~ Dec 10, 1970

Perched on the dark lime velvet of Tamalpa's robes

Sentries oak and noble redwood

Watching for the spirit wind

Muir Magic

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Far below the ocean cycles in lake like calm

Toy boats rocking in the crispness

Of a December morn

The mountain wraps me in her spirit 

What good fortune to have grown up in her embrace

I am both observer and observed

Resting quietly between all time and no time

The sun warming my face

Mt Tamalpais Reflections

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Random Musings ~ March 19, 2012

Age to Aging to Ageless

It seems to me

Time unmeasured is time well spent

Road to the Lost Coast 2009

A river to the sea

The beauty of random choice

Strength of purpose

Nourishing heart 

Renewed awareness 

Round every bend

Just a Thought Series ~ July 15,1976

Sterling's old red truck sits humbly alone

Feathers ruffled

Against the dampness of evening

Retirement

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Headed for home

Rumbling down the short beach road
I break into a smile
As I turn south onto Highway 1
~

Tomorrow 

has no promises to keep

I called in well
To say

I'm taking the day off

Just a Thought Series ~ On Birthdays

1970 ~ 25th Birthday

Athabasca Glacer, British Columbia

On the road again

A journey that provides miles of learning

Today's gift

Home is where your heart IS

1976 ~ 31st Birthday

Willow Tree

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Wind on the water 

The willow learns to bend

A day of discovery

On creating my own space

Enjoying the company of friends

1985 ~ 40th Birthday

"I don't mind be 70, what really bugs me
is having a 40 year old daughter"
(favorite Momism)

2012 ~ 67th Birthday

I remain a child at heart
Ever the optomist

Following my creative muses

Sharing my life
With an amazing group of friends
And a delightful man
Who brings me yellow roses 

Just a Thought Series October 8, 1976

Full moon hanging in a pin cushion sky

Autumn's subtle footsteps

Warm the soul

Nestled in the hammock

Night air surrounding me like a hug

I'm lost in thought and

Smiling at my good fortune

The Art of Reconnecting

My darlin' husband is in Las Vegas with some of his buddies for NASCAR Week: the boys time out from work, women and the honey-do list. NASCAR 24/7 and a campsite across the road from Nellis AFB. Where else could you find the added attraction of jet flybys with your morning coffee?

I've started encouraging him to cultivate more of these grand escapes and reconnect with pals he doesn't see too often. My late friend Trisha and I used to take off several times a year to places like Benbow and Reno, or to explore back roads in the Sierras with our cameras. Now my adventures are taken with new friends, women I wouldn't have known had she not been in my life. A gift to all of us.

Rod and I've been together for three decades and love each other's company, but everyone needs some "me" time: Battery recharge, spontaneous afternoons or evenings with no promises to keep, time to reconnect with friends we don't see too often. It's good for the soul.

Jamie of the Jungle
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Yesterday I reconnected with my friend Maureen, a talented artist and a force to be reckoned with. We first got to know each other decades ago doing craft shows.

She is the creative genius behind the Funeria/Art Honors Life Gallery in Graton, an gallery dedicated to cremation urns and personal memorial art. It is filled with incredible works from artists around the world. Take a minute to check out the website at http://funeria.com/

The last time we crossed paths I organized the behind the scenes work area of the gallery and helped her prepare for an international show. We don't see each other too often now so on a whim I called to see if she wanted to go to a concert last weekend. She told me she was behind schedule and couldn't take the time. I'm sensing my organizing skills may again be needed so I told her to expect me Friday at 9am.

We spent most of yesterday packing up works to be shipped to clients or back to artists and re-organizing the back room. Good old fashioned physical labor, chatter and a lot of laughter. We accomplished quite a bit, but I'm going back over on Monday for awhile. It's much more fun than the treadmill and weights at the gym. We both know how important it is to spend time well, every minute is a gift.

 

Just a Thought Series ~ Nov 15, 1975

It's so peaceful here
Hidden in my tree house world
Curled up at the window
Sipping coffee

~

The moon settles into the woods
Bird songs hint at the morning light

Quiet sounds of paw prints
On the forest floor

Treehouse

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The sweet smell of rain is in the air
I think I'll read today
Time to roust my bones
And build a fire

Just a Thought Series ~ June 19, 1975

What is true

Is that when you get down to why

You are doing something

~

Not for the money or ego satisfaction

Not for the expectations 

Or the promises

~

But for the sheer love of what you are doing

There exist no droughts

No dried up wells

~

Awareness of the everyday

Is an endless sourcebook

Rattlesnake Grass, Kortum Trail

Sonoma County Coast

Just a Thought Series ~ Dec 18, 1975

Seasons change

Winter comes to remind you

That your warmth

Your ultimate power

Comes from within

Journey to Within

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Clear skies melt into spring rivers

From mountain pass to valley marsh

Nourishment cascades

To awaiting life

Little Pigeon River

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Startled by the rustle of wings

I'm awakened

From my sleepy solitude

To taste the sweet newness

Of another dawn

Another chance to grow

Just a Thought Series ~ Feb 14, 1971

An adventure to Humboldt County

~

Grey brown smoothness

To electric green

Redwoods, wild mustard and me

 

Back roads

Dressed in bottom land farms

 

Redtail hawks and the sea

Reveling in the solitude

Of a blue highway drive

An adventure of freedom

And of being alive

The photos were taken between 1984-2009: Richardson's Grove State Park, the mustard is along the Hwy 101 corridor, the farm is on the Lost Coast near Shelter Cove, and photo of Mussel Point was taken from the Bodega Marine Lab after a great storm in Winter of 1984. The elevation of the bluff is about 85 feet so you can see the power the ocean generated that day.

Just a Thought Series ~ June 29, 1976

Sailor, Sailor wed to the sea

Moods forever changing

Unpredictable as a stormy sky

~

A warm breeze caresses her cheek
A cold north wind turns her away

Sometimes soft, sometimes sharp

The ambiguity of a coastal summer day

A Hole in the Sky

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Sailor, Sailor

What's the fear in your heart

That makes it so easy to run
Life so difficult to chart
~

She doesn't ask for changes

Only the chance to be herself
Not some image of your mind
You have no right to redesign

Mermaid Behind Her Mask

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All hearts are not the same

Experience makes each unique
Just know 
She will always be true to herself
Strength will overcome weak