February 4, 2009
Oh, did you hear the one about the teacher who moved into an old cottage when she was 57 years old? Uh, that would be me. Suffice to say, I have had to guard my health, my heart and my wallet this winter.
looking south
This has been a cold, snowy winter. That should not surprise me, since I’ve lived in the Chicago suburbs for 26 years now. However, it did. I had to buy, in short order, a leaf vacuum and a snow blower. My mother died suddenly, I had a bout of lowdown bereavement, and through it all, the bright spot is me singing, “I love my house!”
If someone had told me a house could comfort and support a person who is suffering, I would have smiled. How sweet, and how odd. Now, I would nod deeply, sigh and say, “Oh, yes. I understand.” This house is my refuge and my joy. I am still just crazy in love. It was within the safety of its private walls that I felt free to sit for hours, writing in my journal and drawing, soaking in and releasing a lot of changes in my life.
I am just now getting my studio in working order. I thought it would be the first room done. (No, that would be the kitchen, then the living room, then the dining room, then the bedrooms, and then, finally…the studio. Whew.
My first concentrated effort is the biggest mandala so far: 18″ diameter, a polymer clay piece – organic, growing interwoven rays. It will be in honor of my mother, called, “Liberation – Flying Free.” The drawings sustained me when I was at my weakest.
And, for giggles, here’s my horoscope today. They nailed me:
“All bets are off as impulsive Mars enters independent Aquarius, feeding your natural instinct to lead by example, rather than follow by duty. Reckless behavior in the days ahead may be tempting, yet it’s smarter to save some energy for later on when you will need it most.”
