Friday, January 29, 2010

Storm Day


We are in the middle of a storm and thus a long awaited, 'storm day' on the Island. We've discussed them here before. I believe it is the first one this winter though I may be wrong. We did have some storms earlier in the season. I got a day off work as did all students and many other in the work force. The wind has not begun in earnest yet and the conditions will worsen toward evening but it was all enough for a snow day.

The ground was bare to begin with so it looked like a first snow. I got outside for some photos mid morning but did not venture out again. It was so very pretty out there. I kept thinking the winds would soon blow all the snow covered branches clean but the winds have not been as wild as predicted. The day is not over yet though. Just enough for a snow day.

I really felt I needed a day off as I've been working extra shifts and have another tomorrow. I have also been painting and making jewelry with no down time so am enjoying this well-deserved break. I've had a lovely day finishing up some chores and general housework and relaxation, all mixed up into one delightful day. I'm behind in all blogs but have not even begun any on-line work yet.

My son is trying to get my car out at the moment - just to see if he can. If he can I have an errand so am letting him try with my car instead of his. He's just called and got out easily so is running my errand right now.

Catherine MacLellan won several awards at the PEI Music Awards recently. One of her songs, Snow Day, celebrates this kind of day most beautifully. A couple more from the files will do that too. Kate Rusby with Let the Cold Wind Blow and Eels with Girl From The North Country will work quite nicely I think.

Addendum: After Sonny Boy found he could easily get out of the driveway, he's off to town on an errand of his own. The silly boy should stay home I think! Most of the Island is shut down. They've declared it a snow day!!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Moving Day


I sit here, exhausted, in new surroundings. I've been thinking about and hemming and hawing about changing my studio space into something more workable for a long time. Today was 'doing it' day at last. I've only just begun but have all of the painting supplies moved to this room and partially set up. I will tackle the empty room on Wednesday as tomorrow is completely booked. That room I will set up with beads and jewelry supplies and for once will be able to practice two crafts at once. If a glass commission comes in it is much easier to clean up the room of beads than painting paraphernalia. They are all in trays that are easily stacked and put away in their storage spot in a half hour.

The window I will look out of when painting is filled with old blue bottles and heart shaped shells and rocks. It might be inspiring. I am leaving a patio door sized view with a large bit of light. Now I will have two large windows with a light source from two directions, one being north. I think it will be very good.

I've been spending time with two women who recently had their heart's broken in relationships. One woman is young and one is in her fifties. It matters not the age. The feelings are the same. I am feeling heartbroken too watching what these women are going through. The music today is for them.

Here's Sea of Heartbreak by Gray Sky Girls. I know the Roseanne Cash version is hot right now. I have her new album and her Dad's version but I like this cut better and have played it here before. The other song is true in both of these cases. The Guy Who Says Goodbye to You Is Out of His Mind by Griffin House. The men who have hurt these wonderful women so badly will be the losers in the long run.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

What I Believe



I started this post over two hours ago. Got a Sunday visitor, always welcome here in the country. I had just returned from the rink. I was on ice for the first time since my shoulder dislocation/broken arm two years ago. It did not go well. Putting all my weight in a gliding motion was too irritating to my wonky hip. Kind of an Eeeekkk pain which was too sharp to ignore. We don't have enough snow yet but I hope that when we do, I will still be able to snowshoe. To lose two of my favorite winter sports in one winter would be too much to bear. I'll tell you, getting older is not easy. How can your heart feel so young and your body so old?

I'm glad cre8ivity is not something that wanes with age. Happily it doesn't sag or droop either though, of course, a few wrinkles can appear from time to time. I was thinking about this yesterday after discussing a glass project with another drop-in friend and possibly, client. I actually pointed him in the direction of a DIY routine, with a bit of a course/tutorial, for his project. I don't think he can afford what he really wants with me doing it for him. Anyway about cre8ivity, I believe it blooms with age. You begin to know your way through roadblocks when you have them and with age comes experience in your various artistic leaning. I believe the old adage of 'practice makes perfect' comes to really mean something now. It is an advantage finally, to be older.

A friend of mine turned 65 this week and I asked him at a dinner on Friday night if his employer required mandatory retirement. Luckily for him it does not but another of his employers requires full time staff to be under 65. He is a session prof thus part time in that job. I feel better every day that I get older in regards to cre8ivity and I hope you can too.

I made a wonderful CD this week in time for Friday night's dinner party. It was entitled Girlfriends and is kind of special. The dinner was not restricted to girlfriends but it was a definite theme with a good number of the attendees. Ha! I just looked back to a misspelling alert and had written Girlfiends. Too funny!

I'll share a couple of the songs from this CD. These two songs may not seem to go together but they fit quite well into the context of the whole. Yep, age has it's benefits in that I'll say "Respect your elders," if you don't agree. Here's All Grown Up by Holly Golightly and Company of Friends by Danny Schmidt. The latter is one of my favorite songs of the decade and had been featured here more than one time. I believe the words in this song. It is about what you believe.