Beginnings: Ask Me

Ask Me

Some time when the river is ice ask me
mistakes I have made. Ask me whether
what I have done is my life. Others
have come in their slow way into
my thought, and some have tried to help
or to hurt: ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made.

I will listen to what you say.
You and I can turn and look
at the silent river and wait. We know
the current is there, hidden; and there
are comings and goings from miles away
that hold the stillness exactly before us.
What the river says, that is what I say.
William Stafford

Today I am celebrating my birthday. I found this poem a few days ago and pulled it back out today as a way of reflecting on my life. Stafford reminds me that I need to remember patience. My life has been full of people who helped and people who hurt. I also need to sort out the lovers and haters and move forward from the haters. 

Yes, on my birthday is a good time to take stock and figure out what I move ahead with and what I leave behind.

The photo above is a winter picture of Sherman Creek by Highway 20, Inchelium Highway, Washington state. 

Beginnings: Creating a Space for Inspiration

"Space is important to writers. They need to carve out space and time to be creative. For many writers, where they create is as important to their process as the words they use to create the images and stories they tell." anon.

 I have a small guest room that I have turned into my home office. I thought I knew a few years ago how I wanted it to look.  I wanted books, files, craft supplies, tables, boxes, bulletin boards, candles, photos, and storage tubs shoved into this room.What has happened is the room is in chaos. It is much too busy. I am distracted by the "stuff". I am always trying to reorganize what I thought was an orgainzed room. The room above looks so clean and serene to me. That is what I am striving for.... I think.

I am to the point I hardly use my home office. I feel like Tina Fey in this American Express ad without a baby! One priority for me is to recreate this room. I want it pretty, yet peaceful. I want it organized, yet useful.

 

I want my own space for inspiration. I want a place to write, create, think, and write some more. Thanks to Pinterest I have found a few ideas. I don't want to spend much money, but want to reuse what I already have a freshen it up with paint or fabric. I am going to continue to research and plan. I did pick up paint samples yesterday

I am drawn to the room here. Both the rooms are from the blog decorologyhere.I don't know what draws me to these rooms. Perhaps the colors, the light, the clean lines, the orgainzation, the space. What works for you in your room design? Any ideas?      

Beginnings: Photography 101

I love to take photographs. I did much  pointing and shooting with my first digital camera. To get photos I was happy with I usually needed to take fifteen or more of the same subject! Then I began reading more about photography and was fortunate to upgrade to an even better camera last year. I am still learning how to use all the features. 

Everything I have read about photography says to use a tripod for effective photos. Today my brother gifted me with my first tripod. I now look forward to experimenting with different shots with this new tool. As I have mentioned many times, I live in a place that provides images of beauty each and every day. I live close to spectacular mountains, a scenic lake, woods that provide ample images for photos, and sunrises and sunsets that fill the sky with beauty.

As I begin this year, I have a goal of learning even more about photography. Before the new tripod today my brother gifted me with a book Why Photographs Work by George Barr for Christmas. I am already learning more about this favorite hobby.

The photo above was taken on Sherman Pass between Kettle Falls and Republic. 

Beginnings: Time to Think

My first week back to school after winter break was one that I eased into. Tuesday the students appeared well-rested and ready to be back. Our friend Joan came and spent two nights and even came with dinner! It felt good to laugh together was we recited old poems, sang old western songs, and listened to Everett's jokes. Laughing and singing is so good for the soul.

I was off on Wednesday for jury duty, then Thursday and Friday just flew by. Now it is time to think. As the new year begins and my birthday looms ahead, I need time to think this week-end. I want to continue to focus on goals and priorities so I am headed in the right direction. I look forward to some quiet time to do that. I have other plans for the week-end, but I am going to find that quiet time to think also. Do you ever just sneak off so you can think quietly? I think it is something all of us should try to do.

Beginnings: Taming the To-Do List

 

 

As I begin a new year I decided to reevaluate my organizational style. Sometimes I am really orgainzed, then other times things just fall apart. Does this sound familiar? I just finished reading the book How Did I Get So Busy?  by Valorie Burton.It was a timely read right at the start of the new year. The book provided me with reasons to reflect on my own time and priorities.

The section that really hit home yesterday (confession... I was reading while waiting on jury duty) was the one titled " Tame Your To-Do List." One idea just put me shock. She suggested operating without a to-do list for a week. The author felt like too many people have long lists that never get done. The list is too overwhelming. She suggests to focus on simple tasks that need to be done for a week without making a list. Scary, scary. I always have a list. This will be new territory for me. I think I will give it a try. I just hope I don't forget to go to school or take my coffee in the morning!!

photo looking toward White Mountain, Highway 20, northeastern Washington state

Beginnings: Hidden Beauty

Today I was dreading driving over a mountain pass to the other side of the county to serve on jury duty. I don't drive Sherman Pass much in the winter. It is the highest pass in our state and it usually has more snow that what we have below. Forturnately today the road was bare and the sky was clear. I managed to capture some photos at a few stops as I was reaching the top of the summit. Today was a reminder that even if you are in a place you dread, or on a road that might be unsafe, there is always beauty. Sometimes the beauty is hidden under the clouds, the fog, or the trees. I was glad I captured these photos on the way to Repulic. I wasn't chosen for the jury and headed home. I was pleased I had taken the photos at the start of the day. The middle of the day was shrouded in fog.