A Creative Rendezvous, Part 1 CCRT

My sister Carol and her husband Paul have created an online business called Grow Me a Story. Their mission is  "to create a virtual community for those seeking to deepen the joy and meaning that come from practicing the art of creative living." I have participated in this community by doing a book study of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron via Zoom they led,  by contributing to the online Sacred Community Garden, reading their blog and listening to their podcast that includes interviews with people leading a creative life. You can find their website here: https://www.growmeastory.com

One suggestion for fitting creativity in your life is to do a Creative Rendezvous. They suggest you take yourself on a fun and playful outing each week. This is to provide inspiration. The main goal is to have fun.  

This last week I planned a Creative Rendezvous for more that a few hours. I planned a four day stay at a vacation home in Missoula, MT. My friend Tracy, another member of the Sacred Community Garden joined me, We also brought my dog Riley on the road trip.  We were so excited my sister Carol could join us for a couple of  days.

Carol created flowers on a floral scrapbook sheet.

I created a collage celebrating our family dinners,

It was an amazing Creative Rendezvous. We planned many parts ahead in case we needed supplies. We did some fun crafts using paints, photos, lettering, and other mediums. Tracy surprised us with sheets of photos she found on our Facebook pages and had printed. The little pictures were perfect for many of our craft projects. Carol created the row of flower paintings at the top of the page.

Fiesta Ware at The Import Market

We wanted to visit places that would inspire us. The Import Market was one. We all had memories of shopping at the Import Market in Spokane. Walking in the store was like walking back in time with the baskets, incense, candles, bright lanterns, posters, and now Fiesta Ware. Just all the bright colors were an inspiration. 

Tracy created a special collage of Riley photos for me.

She also created the front door of my house with photos and flowers. I just love it.

We engaged in creative chats, we read, we wrote, and we created. I think we met the goal of the rendezvous.  We were inspired and we had fun. Riley always wanted to be near, but couldn't do the crafts. Poor Riley. Stay tuned for more of our creative adventures in Part 2.

“Wherever you are is always the right place. There is never a need to fix anything, to hitch up the bootstraps of the soul and start at some higher place. Start right where you are. "

― Julia Cameron

The Import Market

It was a cozy and comfortable vacation rental.

Ten Things I Could Do When I Can't Garden

 

Ready for a road trip

The weather is cold. A few days ago there was snow. I can't dig in the soil yet. What can I do instead?

Ten Things I Could Do When I Can't Garden

1.Thumb through my collection of old garden magazines and plan a new low-maintenance garden.

2. Clean the fireplace.

3. Try to locate the slip of paper that had the list of lilies I planted last October.

4. Think about organizing the garage... the key word is think.

5. Browse paint colors at the hardware store. You always need paint samples laying around.

6. Take a friend/sister/Riley road trip.

7. Think about washing the windows.

8. Binge watch every show someone has recommended to me (I think the list is about twenty shows).

9. While I am binging I can organize every pet record belonging to every pet I have ever owned and figure out what to keep and what to throw away.

10. Grab a blanket, pillows, lights, books, coffee, and Riley and go to a blanket fort until spring really comes.

Honoring My Friends

I just loved this quote when I read it today. I am blessed to have friends from childhood, friends from teaching, friends in my neighborhood, friends that share interests with me, and new friends that have come along the way recently.

 I work hard to honor my friends. They have carried me through good times and sad times. They have checked on me, sent me cards, sent me flowers, and just listened. I appreciate each and every one of them. The main reason is just what the quote above says: "They accept me exactly as I am."

You know who you are. Thank you. 

If you haven't done it today, take a moment to honor a friend that has touched your heart. It may just make your day and their day special. 

 

The Shed Notebook: Making a New Friend

Today I made a new friend. It is hard to decide whether a person should be a new friend at this time in life. They need to be honest, sincere, share valid and true information, and treat me with respect . Dr. McGinnis did all of this today and more.
I went to this orthopedic specialist today about my knees. Five years ago I visited another doctor in Colville and he said, "Yes, you have bone spurs, you don't want knee surgery yet, wear better shoes. "

Today I learned that my knees are bone on bone. Arthritis doesn't get better. Knees  won't get better. I can buy the most sensible shoes with the most expensive inserts, but nothing is going to fix my knees. Fortunately I can still get  around and only have pain when I climb stairs. or overdo walking. I am one of the fortunate ones.

My new friend Dr. McGinnis kindly and gently told me that he is doing knee surgery on me , but not yet. In fact he will do both knees three months apart. Guess what folks? I am chubby. I am at higher risk for the surgery.  He helped me by outlining a plan to get me unchubby for surgery, set me up with PT, got knee braces,and gave me shots in my knees for my pain.

Why do I share this? At our age we often get fearful  about what is going on in our bodies and don't want to take that next step toward healing. I took it today, found a new friend, and see a rosy future. If you are in a similar situation, take the next step. I felt the stress just flow out of my body today.

It Is All About the Process

 Today I met an old friend face to face for the first time. Jane and I got connected on Facebook through my brother Bill. We share similar interests and today I met her face to face. It was like visiting with an old friend from the past.  As we toured her home, gardens, and studios today I learned that we have very similar beliefs about how we create things in our lives. She has created beautiful gardens. She has done a complete remodel of her house. She is creating a lovely gallery to display her husband James E. Hansen's sculptures. 

The two of us share a common thread. We embrace the process of what we are creating. In conversations today we both discovered it is not about creating perfect gardens that show up in magazines. It is not about reading all the books available on gardening or architecture, but it is about doing. She has put her energy into the doing and the results are all around her.

The end product is what we always strive for.... but I truly believe the learning and growing takes place in the  process. I will continue to have an awareness of that process whether it is in writing, gardening, cooking, teaching, or art.

We also both have the belief that you create a place that feels right. A place to call home. I loved the place she has created and calls home. Thanks Jane.