Empty Nest - Full Heart

(Altered Carte Postale post card winging it's way to you my friend)

Earlier today an e-mail correspondence 

back and forth with a dear friend

caused me to take a step or ten backward in memory. 

My own version of Time Travel. 

The discussion centered around a subject,

which at first glance to anyone not personally familiar, seems small. 

To myself and my friend, it is as huge as the void 

that is felt deep within in the midst of it all.

So I will present a morsel of what this subject is 

from my experience, and not trample on my friend’s personal chapter.  

I know that many of you dear Bloggies 

have gone through similar times.

When it’s time to say goodbye to one of your chicks 

as they leave the nest and head out on their own, 

the family dynamics change instantly.  

In my case, it was the oldest child 

who was heading to Boston to share an apartment 

on Commonwealth Avenue with two female friends 

who were going to college nearby.  

He struggled with the decision to take this leap of faith 

that he would find a job and live outside of the 

security of home.  

His dad and I struggled with everything that parents struggle with when presented with such an idea.  

My personal turmoil was very dimensional. 

On the one hand I wanted all three children 

to feel they could set out on adventures 

with the belief that had they NOT tried, 

they might regret it later. 

“You don’t know until you try” was typically what I would say.

At the very same time, while mentally cutting apron strings, the invisible but very strong heart strings were pulled painfully taut.

The frenzy of gathering items and packing him up
for the trek to Boston helped to waylay the emotions 
of the letting go.  

The drive there was filled with the distraction 
of discussions and laughter as we crept closer...
and closer... to the moment.  

What’s not to like about Boston and Commonwealth Avenue? (Brownstone #409 to be exact) 

It is exciting and filled with everything a young man should get to experience at least once in his lifetime.  

You unload the caravan and see the place for the first time and you are………concerned...

about the cleanliness

and evidence of creepy crawlies that this child,
....your firstborn, 
....your friend, 
....your entertainer, 
....the big brother to sister and little brother

has never had to encounter before.  

The noise of the street and the possible Axe Murderers 
(god, they hated when I used that term!!) 
that might be roaming the city, and what if he needs you 
and you are over two hours away…………………and you hug him hard and swallow big to hold back the tears 
so you can smile and let words of encouragement come out instead of the sob you feel welling up at the very pit of your stomach and beginning to suffocate your very breath

………..and you wave as you get back into the car 
and drive away feeling like a big piece of your heart 
has just been ripped out and nothing 
will ever be the same again…..
and the tears are huge and fall silently like giant raindrops on your lap.

The drive home is painfully quiet as both mom and dad are struggling with the letting go.

I missed him like crazy.  

The laughter seemed to stop for a while 

and the new momentum of the household was unfamiliar 

and so strange.  

For a while.  

Then little by little it became all right again.  

Because this is what is supposed to happen for them 

and for you. 

When the first one leaves you learn how to say goodbye 

to the next one and its a little easier 

because you have learned that it’s all inevitable, 

.............it’s all necessary,  

and it’s all good.

A NEW DIRECTION ~ A NEW GIFT AWAY

My most favorite of all are paper dolls,

particularly faerie dolls. (Of course!) 

I don't know what it is about these one dimensional dolls, 

but I have loved them since I was quite little.

I remember not only the card board types with tabs

on the clothing you would fold over to keep on the doll..

but the sets you could get with those thin, 

plastic "stick to stuff" clothes. 

Remember?? 

I date myself, but that is of no concern. 

So, as an adult I would collect the Mary Englebreit magazines mostly for the paper doll that was always included in the back. 

They have names like 'Audrey Ann' (Oct/Nov 2004) and would be so adorable with little pets and accessories.

Well, fast forward to NOW. 

I enjoy making and collecting all sorts of paper dolls 

and here in my 'StUdIo wItH a bEd' 

I have several gathered around me from art friends 

from all over the country. 

The ones I tend to create now are not usually cute. 

They may have unusual body parts. 

They may even have disproportionate heads.

But what they DO have is personality, 

whimsy, and perhaps even an attitude.

Meet the first in my new series of mAgPiE FaErIeS:

Zuzu Magalicious watches over them 

and tries valiantly to keep them in line; 

but as I mentioned, they often have attitudes and certainly DO NOT follow rules. 

(This makes them near and dear to my heart) 

This is Katra (kaytra) who has been trying 

ever so hard to weasel her way into Zuzu's nest 

and make it her own. 

Don't let that little smile fool you.

Look closely and you will see it's a rather mischievous smirk.

Zuzu Magalicious is losing patience with her today 

and has been pestering me all day to get on the 

'puter and start the process of gifting this little knat 

(Zuzu's words, not mine) 

before she goes stark raving mad.

I'm laughing (to myself) about this, but I know that if 'Z' has one of her fits, there will be no rest for me as the distance from her nest to my bed is barely a hop for her.

From the tip of her glittered crown to the equally glittered toe, Katra stands 7". 

She is jointed, and her crown and wings 

are made from the stash of mixed media madness paper I've made. 

Her complete backside is decorated and signed and as you can see, she holds her very own magpie.

(how I love my cutter bee scissors when cutting such teeny, tiny things!!)

With that being said my Bloggie friends, enter your name 

(if you dare) 

for the chance of becoming the new foster mom to Katra. 

Zuzu Magalicious will send her personal thanks she has informed me.

Bonne Chance!

WOOOHOOOOO!!! ThIs wEeK's wInNeR......

Maija's name was drawn today :) and here is the cool thing...she is an Arizonian!!! Wooohoooo!! So, Maija, dear, e-mail me with your snail addy and I will pop this little gem in the mail Monday morning.

And Bloggie friends, if you have not "met" Maija, go on over and enjoy her very cool blog

Maigirlz Madness

and you will feel like you've always known her as her genuine spirit comes through and her art is awesome. I met Maija, oh so briefly, when we were grabbing lunch at Whole Foods in Phoenix in between classes at Art Unraveled. I was "lunching" with 'The Two Lynnies' :) :) :) and Maija was passing by. Lynnie A. (or maybe I should say Lynnie #1) had met Maija before at another artfest, and she introduced us. Brief encounters of the BEST kind!!

ONE MORE DAY TO ADD YOUR NAME TO WEEKLY DRAWING

So my dear Bloggies.....head on down to the Weekly Give Away posting and add your name. Tomorow afternoon I will announce the name. THEN, in a separate post, I will place the newest of pieces up for "gifting".

It's been so fun getting to know new art sisters and finding new blogs. It's so amazing the talent that is out there and I am constantly in awe.

Until then..... :)

COME ON IN BLOGGIES AND HEAD OVER TO THE ART GIVE AWAY FOR THE WEEK

I'll be posting a little more today as this dreary, rainy day plugs along and my muse pops in and out. Mostly, I'd like to wrap up in my sheets and comforter and just let the day float gently along. I keep looking at my art journal and wondering why I can't pick it up and write. Look....I made one entry!!!! I prepared several pages before January even arrived, but I came to a dreadful halt. This happens every year and I so want to stop this silly cycle.

But go on down to the Art Give Away and leave me a note, I'm quite jazzed about this piece and want to see her go off on and adventure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL XOXOXOX

Visiting Mom - November 2006


They are always your children
Their arrival is the beginning of love in the purest sense.

28 years ago on Super Bowl Sunday, my last child arrived. I knew the drill on the third "take" of LETS HAVE A BABY TODAY! Wake up in labor, notify dad-to-be this would be the day, make the necessary phone calls to family and friends all the while trying not to panic. Yeah, right! After the first one, what you know DOES sort of scare you. But you know there's no turning back, (although all three times I turned to hubby and proclaimed that I really didn't want to do this today) and your excited that soon you will be looking into that new little face and holding that itty, bitty hand.

So, on this day those many years ago, I looked into the eyes that would turn a deep, dark brown; and hold in my arms, my last baby...........Joel Robert.

THIRD IN MY ART GIFT AWAY

Some of you know that one of my favorite artists of today is Misty Mawn and once in a while I create something following her wonderful technique outlined in the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors. I'm still not sure if I love the background ideas more or the collage technique. It doesn't matter much, really, but I always wonder after the project is completed because both parts of the process totally excite me. Sometimes I have so many layers of background that I want to stop and just save the piece as is because it's stunning all alone.
So here it is, my latest little piece, yours for the winning. Leave your name in the comment section in order to be put in the hat to draw at the end of the week.

Bonne Chance!
(Please note that I retain the right to use copies of these original pieces that I am giving away. I expect that you will not copy or use as your own. It's a code of honor)

...AND FOR WEEK TWO OF THE ART GIVE AWAY............

SING ALONG WITH ME TO A BEACH BOYS OLDIE BUT GOODIE.....

"The East coast girls are hip, I really dig those styles they wear......" :)
Yes indeed, it's an East coast girl, Audra Mae!!!! Off to you 'darlin' on the next Pony Express....or Snail Mail. I have her packed up with some extra goodies. Enjoy!!

I am finding it extremely rewarding to simply create a piece for the pure joy of giving it away to like minded souls who visit me here and share a word or two. Thank you all for your visits and art friendships.......AND, come on back tonight when I list the next one that is ready to go. Another ATC (although I may venture out soon and do a 4X4 or an altered key card) that was totally directed by muse that seems to do quite well when given total carte blanche.

See you all later my dear Bloggies!!!
xoxoxoxox

LAST CHANCE!!!!

I've decided to have the ATC drawing one day early. Tomorrow morning the name will be drawn for "Listening to the Sea" as I just can't stand it any longer! A week seems so long. So, if you are just lurking around (in a good way), put you name in the comment section where the ATC is shown, so you can be part of it. I don't want anyone to miss out. I'll also include a few little goodies in the envie just because it's raining right now and that's always special here in the desert.

NOW GO DOWN TO THE POST AND LEAVE YOUR NAME....GO!!!!!!!!!!!

O.K....THAT DIDN'T LAST!!

So that moment of domestic activity lasted all of 15 minutes. Laundry in, floor mopped.........made a latte......looked around and had a genius moment. I thought how fun it would be to showcase one of several stamps that I have from one of my favorite places to shop - STAMPOTIQUE, right here in Arizona. They have some really fab and very original stamps that they make right there in the back room of their great shop.
So I grabbed the stamp 'Relaxin', the Stazon in black, and a frosted candle holder. One that is a little larger than the average votive holder. VIOLA!!! It freakin stays on!!! And I love it!! One of the things that I love about this particular line (Jill Penney & Daniel Torrent) is that they are quirky, Corpse Bride, Nightmare Before Christmas types of designs that really speak to that 'outside the box, not really cute' thing I've had since forever. Don't you just love her??!!! Head on over to www.stampotique.com (go to my sidebar to get their fast) and take a look at what they have. I guarantee you will be smiling. Oh, and on the back I am going to stamp the "blah, blah, blah, blah" stamp that is also from this line. Have fun..................o.k. now I will head back to the chores. Until my next brain storm. LOLOLOLOL I feel storm clouds coming.

DAY OFF!!!

WoooHooooooooooo!!! Thinking a little ahead, I chose today as a vacation day to add to the three day weekend. It's been magnificent to do whatever I want...which is usually flit from one thing to another, many projects started, and nothing really finished. In between I aspire to clean and do the Domestic Goddess thing; however, I fail miserably. What I HAVE accomplished is a big mess. Now the good news is that today I created an ATC that I am so jazzed over and so in love with that I feel giddy. I confess that I don't say that about everything that comes from this 'studio with a bed'. But bloggie buddies....this one just touches my heart. Stay tuned!!! :)

Now, I also want to mention that as I continue to find great blogs, I will be adding them to my sidebar; so keep checking that so that you, too, can enjoy these delicious new finds. Today I already added two more. If you are visiting and would like to swap sidebar spaces, leave me the link with your comment here.

O.K.....now I really have to put on the Domestic Goddess crown and accomplish something out there. Wish me luck.........I'M GOING IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS HOW A PADDLE CACTUS LOOKS AFTER TWO NIGHTS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPS

Here is what happens when the juicy, thick, paddle cactus find themselves in the midst of the second night of temperatures in the 20's. (the sky is really THAT blue) Frozen and heavy they fall (crash) off onto the ground!!! I actually heard them falling and could not believe my eyes this morning when not only the one in our back yard looked devastating, but just about everywhere in town. Tonight we will have another freeze. Amazing. People had water pipes freeze in some of the older towns and cities as water pipes are outside the homes and not protected. This house, however, in a town that is barely 25 years old, had a previous owner that was prepared for everything. And to think I laughed out loud when I saw all the outside pipes insulated in this amazing cushioned aluminum looking material. I have a new found respect for Guido (Yes, his real name) the same man who put in 6 fig trees and 10 ceiling fans (including one in the toilet closet, the garage, and two on the patio) Here I was thinking this was a compulsive gentleman. THANKS GUIDO!!!

THIS WEEK'S ATC DRAWING

Remember picking up shells and holding them close to your ear and really believing you were hearing the soothing sound of water?

A few years later you then lost the innocence for a time. Coming full circle I'm not so sure the magic is not, in fact, embedded within the mystery of the shell regardless of science and book smarts.

If you believe it's so, isn't that enough?

This is my ATC gift of the week.

It is truly a gift not only to the name pulled on Sunday next, 

it is a gift to me. 

I am meeting some kindred spirits 

which allow everyone else who visits 

another magical door to open, 

another blog, another arttist, 

another adventure. 

The gift comes full circle.

Say hello and leave your blog address or e-mail, and let simple fate take over.

Bonne Chance!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE..................THE NAME DRAWN IS....

BETH!!!! :)

Well, here's the great part of whole thing: I might not have had the pleasure of coming across Beth were it not for this drawing for my ATC. I'm thinking this is pretty awesome. Art sisters (still waiting for the brothers) from everywhere will get to know each other. The amazing world of blogs and websites. Everyone sharing art, prose, life stories, photographs.

So this week's winner, Beth, has a great website

Seaside Dreamer

Great art, fun writing, lovely personality coming right through. Her header just makes you smile. Seaside Dreamer: She doesn't fly to extremes, she lives there.....How fun is that??!! Go visit and have some fun. And don't forget to leave a comment even if you just say hi because this is how we get to know everyone.

Thank you, everyone, for leaving your comments and for taking a chance for the little ATC. I am putting this week's ATC (and a few little goodies in the envie) up a little later today so go back in and put your name in (do it each time...SOMEONE HAS TO WIN) even if you don't have a blog because that is not a requirement... and say hi.

THE MAGPIE HAS A NAME!!!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH HER NAME. I THINK YOU WILL AGREE, THIS IS A FABULOUS NAME!! TWO "THANK YOU" BOOKMARKS WILL BE HEADING OUT NEXT WEEK. :) SURPRISE!!! (Jennifer, leave me your e-mail addy so I can contact you-Audra Mae...I have yours :) )

Now don't forget, tomorrow is the drawing for last week's ATC. This week's ATC will be posted directly afterward. Good luck bloggie friends!!!!

FIRST FRUIT

WOOOHOOOO!!! Here is my luscious bounty from the back yard that was over the top sweet and juicy........AND I don't have to compete with my feathered friends for it!!! I watched with glee as two of the three orange trees began to push out little gems this summer. Ever so patiently (NOT) I began to check on them daily the past few weeks trying to determine if they looked ready. Knowing zippo, nadda, zilch, about growing citrus didn't deter me from the daily treck out to scrutinize the progress. Yup, they looked "orange"! But when to pluck was another thing. Seemingly heavy today, I just took a chance and twisted two specimens off and ran for the kitchen. Two minutes later, washed and sliced here they are. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Closing my eyes I recall my Connecticut childhood and taking orange quarters, fitting them in my mouth with the skin side out and giving one crazy, orange smile to whatever buddy I was snacking with. Then quickly popping it out since my mouth was and is small and the oils from the skin would begin to burn my lips. Crazy, kid things.........hmmmm, let's see if I can do it now when NO ONE is watching :D :D :D :D :D :D Yawza...still burns!!

ACT GIFT AWAY

This new ATC needs a home and I thought it would be quite fun to have a drawing for it. I've packaged her up in a celephane envie with a few other bits and pieces and she is waiting to be sent on her way. Leave your name and e-mail addy in the comment section and I will have my partner-in-crime pull a name next Sunday. Then off she goes to a new home. BONNE CHANCE!!!

MEET "WINTER"

About two years ago I began sculpting faeries out of polymer clay and probably finished about a dozen. I actually wear a jeweler's magnifiying visor to work in small detail. Several were gifts, a few sold locally, and some stayed here with me. This one I named "Winter". She is about 2 1/2" and she sleeps in a nest glittered with frost. Her hair is white mohair and her long trailing dress and head cap is glitter frosted white gauze. The little pillow is a white rose petal and there are several petals lining the nest under her. This little fae is heading out to an art sister for a swap that is a bit over due. We were to make a Winter Goddess, and I guess I took a bit of liberty. Instead of a paper doll or stuffed cloth doll, I felt I should do something a little more special since she was so gracious when I e-mailed her that I would be late.

I had to watch carefully because you-know-who was very jealous of her glittery nest lining!!

HER MAJESTY???

I'd say she looks rather proud of herself!! Quite regal, eh? She loves the camera, that's for sure!!!

IT'S TIME FOR A NAME!!

For several months I have had this magpie

n.

(1. Any of various birds of the family Corvidae found worldwide, having a long graduated tail and black, blue, or green plumage with white markings and noted for their chattering call. The species Pica pica, the black-billed magpie, is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. Also called pie².

2. Any of various birds resembling the magpie, such as the Australian bell magpie of the family Cracticidae.

3. A person who chatters.

4. One who compulsively collects or hoards small objects.)
perched on the edge of her nest (in MY nest) with her growing collection of found objects layed before her.....looking over at me with what appears to be an impatient stance. You see, I've never given her a name; and I've never felt bad about that. "Bird" seemed appropriate enough to me. However, lately I have begun to feel like she's waiting for a name........waiting to be acknowledged somehow. So I've given it some thought, only to come up empty. Maggie seems trite, and yet nothing has come to me after all these months.

Soooo, I present it to you, my wonderful visitors. What say you? Can you bestow a significant (and worth the wait) name upon this companion of mine? Give some suggestions as to what she should or could be named?
Because I fear if I ignore her much longer she may take her revenge this Spring when the figs arrive...and prove that not EVERY bird this side of the Mississippi knew about the fig fest here in "Glenville".

COMING UP ON THE FIRST FULL MOON OF 2007 - Wolf Moon

Have you ever wondered what IS it about a full moon that can stop us dead in our tracks in this crazy, 'full-speed-ahead' life we tend to lead? For a moment we pause, look up, and possibly comtemplate how magnificent life is; how fortunate we are; how little we really know or understand. The moon 'does it' for me all the time; and most especially the full moon when the sky has not even turned fully dark. It's magical.

Native Americans, a few hundred years ago kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred.

Here is a listing of all the full moon names, as well as the dates and times for 2007. Unless otherwise noted, all times are Eastern. (Some of the times actually occur during daylight hours, because they reflect the astronomical moment when the moon is during its cycle.)

---

Jan. 3, 8:57 a.m. ET ― The Full Wolf Moon. Amid the zero cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. It was also known as the Old Moon or the "Moon After Yule." In some tribes this was the Full Snow Moon; most applied that name to the next Moon.

Feb. 2, 12:45 a.m. ET ― The Full Snow Moon. Usually the heaviest snows fall in this month. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some tribes this was the Full Hunger Moon.

March 3, 6:17 p.m. ET ― The Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. A total lunar eclipse will take place on this night; the Moon will appear to rise will totally immersed (or nearly so) in the Earth's shadow over the eastern United States. The rising Moon will be emerging from the shadow over the central United States, while over the Western U.S. the eclipse will be all but over by the time the Moon rises.

April 2, 1:15 p.m. ET ― The Full Pink Moon. The grass pink or wild ground phlox is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names were the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and ― among coastal tribes ― the Full Fish Moon, when the shad came upstream to spawn. This is also the Paschal Full Moon; the first full Moon of the spring season. The first Sunday following the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday, which indeed will be observed six days later on Sunday, April 8.

May 2, 6:09 a.m. ET ― The Full Flower Moon. Flowers are abundant everywhere. It was also known as the Full Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.

May 31, 9:04 p.m. ET ― The Blue Moon. The second full Moon occurring within a calendar month is usually bestowed this title. Although the name suggests that to have two Full Moons in a single month is a rather rare occurrence (happening "just once in a . . ."), it actually occurs once about every three years on average.

June 30, 9:49 a.m. ET ― The Full Strawberry Moon. Known to every Algonquin tribe. Europeans called it the Rose Moon.

July 29, 8:48 p.m. ET ― The Full Buck Moon. This is when the new antlers of buck deer push out from their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, thunderstorms being now most frequent. Sometimes also called the Full Hay Moon.

Aug. 28, 6:35 a.m. ET ― The Full Sturgeon Moon. This is when this large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water like Lake Champlain is most readily caught. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because the moon rises looking reddish through sultry haze, or the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon. A total lunar eclipse will coincide with moonset for the eastern United States. The Central and Mountain Time Zones will see the Moon's emergence coincide with moonset, while the western United States will see the entire eclipse.

Sept. 26, 3:45 p.m. ET ― The Full Harvest Moon. Always the full Moon occurring nearest to the Autumnal Equinox. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice ― the chief Indian staples―are now ready for gathering.

Oct. 26, 12:52 a.m. ET ― The Full Hunter's Moon. With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, also other animals that have come out to glean and can be caught for a thanksgiving banquet after the harvest. The Moon will also be at perigee later this day, at 7:00 a.m., at a distance of 221,676 miles from Earth. Very high tides can be expected from the coincidence of perigee with full Moon.

Nov. 24, 9:30 a.m. ET ― The Full Beaver Moon. Time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Full Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter. Also called the Frosty Moon.

Dec. 23, 2:51 a.m. ET ― The Full Cold Moon. Among some tribes, it was called the Full Long Nights Moon. In this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and the nights are at their longest and darkest. Also sometimes called the "Moon before Yule" (Yule is Christmas, and this time the Moon is only just before it). The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long and the Moon is above the horizon a long time. The midwinter full moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun.

So, this may be more than you every wanted to know about the full moon.........and it may be just a little of what you already knew. Either way, tomorrow take a moment from your busy life and look up. My wish is that the sky is clear where YOU are, and you can enjoy the magic and the beauty of the first full moon of the year.

(Photo courtesy of fellow Flickr blogger- Jahdakine)

NOTES FROM THE "NEST"

On this first morning of 2007 I find myself wonderfully ensconced in my nest enjoying the luxury of my last day off, surrounded by pieces from art sisters and my own work (some in progress) the inspiration of my collection of Somerset Studio magazines, and my laptop. The softly filtered sunlight washes my room in a gorgeous golden glow and the only sound in the background is the happy chatter of finches. It doesn't get much sweeter than this. Somewhere I've filed away the worry and fear attached to the new cafe. Right behind that I must have inserted the thought of heading back to the office after 9 days off and have refused to dwell on it. Instead, I am totally enjoying the moment, the sweetness of my nest and how perfect everything is at this very moment. Right here, right now.

I wish everyone of you who visit here today the same wonderful sense of peace and comfort for the year, the day..........for this one moment.