Category: ART

A woman I loved once said “ifs don’t count.”

But, what if…we were all born with our expiration date tattooed on our butts? How would we live? How would we live in relationship to each other? Would we use more care, pay more attention? Would that date imprison us or set us free?

We’ve known each other for a long time — almost all of our lives — yay! Since we were about 13. Not many of those friends left for me, but I am slowly reconnecting with them when I can. I went to the courthouse yesterday to look up someone else I knew from Junior High days and it felt so good. A homecoming of sorts — back to who I was before the real world creeped in. Who were you when you were 13? I read that recently in a book — usually, the question is, who were you when you were 10, or some variation, but this time it was, who were you when you were 13?

While I can’t afford SAW yet again this year on my birthday (my 50th fell right during Squam last year), I am excited about the art show on Saturday. I am hoping to see many “rockstar” bloggers that I read including Denise, Pixie, Susannah and I think she is going too. Oh yes and the divine Thea with whom I must book that photo gig I won on this lady’s blog this summer. I hope to someday meet Stef, McCabe and Lea.

** when I am blocked and can’t write I move — my hands, my feet, whatever it takes to release the block — when I was stuck over the weekend, I made tree charms, walked and biked. Yesterday I blogged and edited photos (I started shooting in RAW — no idea what it is, I just listen to people who know more — so my learning curve with photography continues to creep along), today I visit my middle school girl pal for an organic breakfast.

Yes, it’s already August 10 — summertime blues are making it hard for me to write — I have my blocks, and haven’t done much with my book or women’s group lately.

But, I did get out today to Edie Vonnegut’s open studio in Barnstable and enjoyed chatting with her. My sister bought me a signed copy of her domestic goddess book for my birthday several years ago. It’s a favorite from my goddess dancing days and middle motherhood. A friend I thought had moved to New Mexico is sharing an incredible schoolhouse studio with Edie.

It was a place I’ve been to in my dreams and now for real. The old windows were wide open to the harbor’s breeze, the light fixtures were straight out of the 1930’s (I’m just guessing, could even be earlier), and it reminded me of how much I love old schoolhouses — they have an airiness and openness to the outside world and nature that is key for my learning process.

I’ve noticed in the more modern schools, the classrooms and windows almost seem to suffocate, rather than open minds. I used to have a hard time going back to my old high school when my kids were attending, and could not blame my son for opting out with the Teenage Liberation Handbook.
** book image from Amazon, Edie image my own taken today in her studio

First of all a disclaimer: I’m not sure I have only one true voice or even one life to live, but here goes.

What is your one true voice? And “what do you intend to do with your one wild, precious life?” I’m determined to scoot down to Provincetown one day this summer for the sole purpose of meeting Mary Oliver, the writer of that quote. Imagining tea and chat and hoping to get a polaroid or two. That and scattering Evelyn’s ashes. And popping in to say hello to Aimee. Just those crazy, random ways of meeting people to say hello (and goodbye).

But I understand from my favorite bookshop that Mary Oliver is very private, having turned down the New York Times for an interview. I will at least hopefully get to meet her in October when she celebrates Titcomb’s 40th anniversary with a talk. She’s on my Mondo Beyondo list though, as is a survival guide I’m starting to finally write.

** Photo From Beacon Broadside (the mention of St. Vincent Millay got me going on another post)

I was working on a post about my crush on India today, but I can’t get Sister Carol’s version of “Wild Thing” out of my head.

My son’s doing an 80’s show tomorrow night down cape so I’ve been watching my favorite 80’s movies — Something Wild, Desperately Seeking Susan and Married to the Mob. They remind me of myself when I was in my 20’s and 30’s. The 80’s and 90’s. A magical and free-spirited time infused with love, life, adventure and heartaches.

So, I’m gonna be looking for some Sister Carol to download to my IPOD. But right now, I have the backpack loaded up with writing goodies, inspiration and am heading out for a 21st century adventure.

** Sister Carol’s image from her website, Something Wild from Amazon

I have been super busy today what with our website, domestic goddesshood, errands, and what not. And I don’t even have a paying job. I’m grouchy because I have a writing project and a self-discovery group I’m trying to work on and no time to devote to either. Granted, I like to call it creative unemployment, but dang, I’m busier now than when I was raising kids on my own and working outside the home to boot. I need some creative time. Okay, it felt good to vent here.

“Suppose, instead of living to get money to spend, we lived by not spending?”
~Rumer Godden from one of her memoirs, A Time to Dance, No Time to Weep

Check out the Kitchen Sisters latest project — What’s Your Story? — the secret lives of girls and women around the world.

Not at all what I was going to write about today but it has me too excited to blah blah blah my own thing today.

** image from Kitchen Sisters

Other bloggers who inspire me. McCabe, her humble and gentle soul, her awesome videos, and her welcoming spirit.

Jen Lemen for putting it all out there from the beginning even though she had no idea where she was going with it all.

Stef for hanging in there even when she gets discouraged, and inspiring me to do so too. Now she’s starting a new year fresh with some shiny ruby shoes that are gonna take her over the rainbow.

Pixie cuz she’s another Virgoan mystic who totally gets how sublime going into the mystery can be.

What’s that saying about making a difference? If you have made a difference to one person, you have made a difference to the world?

** postcard image from pixie campbell’s animama series **

I am a wanderer, a traveler, a gypsy, I love going places. My dad was in the Marines when I was growing up so I moved a lot up until the end of high school.

Southwest is running this spectacular sale through today. I’ve had a longing to revisit San Diego County where we lived my first two years of high school — I can only imagine how much it’s changed — Fallbrook, Vista, San Luis Rey, Oceanside, Julian, Escondido, Carlsbad, all those towns I remember — but Marty’s never flown and I feel guilty taking another trip without him. So, I’m thinking if we take advantage of this sale, either North Carolina (where I also lived), or Tennessee (never been there). I have a credit I have to use by January and these crazy offers Southwest has from time to time are just too tempting to my gypsy soul.