In the Garden

giving up

sometimes i feel like giving up.

i know that sounds dramatic,

but what i mean is i feel like giving up on trying so hard.

there are some things that just can't be forced and only time will shift things into place.

do you know what i mean?

like when winter knows to give up because spring is awake and all her little buds and sprouts are pushing up whether the ground is white or not...

or like when you wish for something to happen so hard that nothing happens at all,

but as soon as you focus your attention on something else

and just work on being happy with what you have at the moment

things begin to flow

and wishes come true.

living in the moment.

slowing down.

living life with open eyes

and appreciating what is around you.

doing things your way,

for yourself,

to make only you happy.

this is what i am working on.

do you have anything you are working on?

a goal?

p.s. i would like to add a huge heartfelt hug to all of you that follow me and a gigantic yay!

and thank you to everyone who leaves a comment, it makes me smile!

Textures outside my door

I can't get over how amazing nature is.

I love the texture,

the depth,

the color.

The flow in motif of each fiddlehead and fern,

and each tree's bark.

The delicate structure of woodland flowers and leaves

and each decorated fungus.

The smell of the rich,

sweet de-composting forest floor.

Of deciduous tree bark

and pine sap.

Moss, lichens and ferns covering boulders

and downed branches.

It makes my soul glow.

The dampness of leaves breaking down

feels like home.

And I love the familiar faces that I see in the bark on trees

and the branches swaying overhead,

each whispering their own chatter in an exotic idiom.

Do you love the forest as much as I do?

What do you love most about it?

I finally have a nice space set up for painting.

I get to look out the windows,

listen to the birdsong

and the chimes in the wind!!!

Selkies and Merfolk

The Sea is such a powerful inspiration for me.

Not just with the ebb and flow of the tides

-high tide around here is my favorite-

but the sound of the waves lapping,

beautiful boulders

and collections of shells, stones and driftwood...

I love the magical mystery of the deep sea.

The selkies and sea sprites,

the merfolk,

and all of the fantastical creatures associated through history's tales.

I love the shapes and textures

and the smell in the air

of salt and earth.

The sea has wrapped itself around my soul,

taken hold

and become a part of me.

(ha! I always wanted to be a mermaid!)

In the Secret Garden.

There are finally flowers,

big and small...

And vivid colors,

emerging as each day passes.

Colors on the ground,

and on surfaces unyielding.

Makes my senses quiver with joy!