Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Practicing

While the dancers were practicing their routines today, I was practicing taking photos with the new camera, and Jack decided to practice staying in the middle of things.


My camera and settings stayed the same. One second, I'm taking dancers, the next Jack, and then dancers again. This little series really shows Jack's personality. He's developing his Stand Up routine to get laughs and always be in the middle of things!

I talked with the Publisher of the local paper today. I just stopped in unannounced and she spent 25 minutes talking with me, reviewing and critiquing my photos. That is definitely something unique to this Small Town living. She even invited me to participate in a Photo Editing Workshop they'll be having for the Newspaper Staff soon. She said "we pay for it anyway, we might as well have others attend!" She was pretty excited about a few of my photos... I need to gather names of the subjects and submit them for possible publication. :)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Singing and Dancing the Knight Away

Jack has been attending a Summer Song and Dance Camp since last Monday. It is just an hour and a half in the mornings, but he's been enjoying himself. Today he was watching his Knight Costume's "Chain Mail" move in the mirrors.


Jack will be performing "Splish, Splash", "My Girl", and "All for One" this week on Thursday evening. If you would like to attend, it would be great to see you there!

Today I played with my new camera (a gift from Tom's best friend, Keith) during the class. After class, the teacher ask me to get some pictures to her to be published in the newspaper. This got me thinking... I contacted the paper and they do accept amateur photography, but do not pay for it. Still, it would be such a thrill to have my photos published, as well as being something for my Life-Portfolio. I think I'll stop by with a collection of my recent photos on CD for the editors to review.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Arbor Day at Shadona Central

Yesterday we planted five trees (with the gracious help of some local teens to dig the holes). I found the planting of trees very joyous and inspirational!


Yes, I know the trees look a little lean. Last week, when I bought them, they were lush. Then, the wind kept blowing them over and they started to dry out. After just a day in the ground, the leaves are cooling off and moisture is returning. The trees will be fine!

Jack keeps going outside to check on "his" tree, and saying "Look! My tree grew!!!" True to his nature as the "baby" of the family, his is the tree in the center, right in the middle of things, center-of-attention and all that. Funny that he chose "his" tree and it's location all on his own!

PS: Tuesday Jack went out to check on his tree and "pull weeds". He came back in and proudly declared "I pulled all the leaves off my tree!" I wonder if it will still grow. One thing is for sure... if the trees survive our family's "gardening", they will be stronger than ever!

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Creative Juices

I just spent three hours hanging out in my sewing room. I think it's been a good month (probably longer) since I did that. Just went in and played. It was great! So relaxing!

While working away on an old sheet, turned Renaissance / Pirate Shirt, I was thinking about how I believe we each need to let our creative juices flow. Actually, I feel better in general when I give myself regular time to play (at least each week, preferably each day).

What I am curious about is how you let your juices flow? Do you write, paint, sew, stitch, mold, sculpt? Are you musical or mechanical? Do you tend a garden or cook or bake? What do you do that just feels second nature to you? Do you have one thing more than others that truly relaxes you?

Personally, I do many of these things, but feeling cloth in my hands and hearing the hum of a sewing machine is by far the most therapeutic thing I can do for myself... and it has been for many, many years. What about you?