Backpack, Sweet Backpack

At first I couldn't explain this new pattern of my repeated visits to eBay in search of black backpacks. I had bought several. Some made me reasonably happy. Some furthered the learning curve down "What I Don't Want Street". Going down that road helped me to discover my preference for backpacks with lots of obvious and accessible compartments. Then I realized that since I was travelling for work more than I ever had before and since I am a Taurus, (a home centered sign), a backpack has become an extension of home to me. Compartments are rooms. A central compartment that is able to hold my massive planner equals a large family room. An area with loops to hold pens and pencils plus a notebook is the office. No matter the size, it sure is easier to clean.
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Leslie

Time In Another Dimension

That is what house sitting is like. There I am in a space that has no emotional hold on me. In my case it was only a few miles down the road and yet I felt light years away. The first thing I noticed was the instant calmness of mind. At home everywhere I looked sparked some thought that started with an "ought to", as in " Oh, I ought to clean that, organize that, attend to that." I watched movies, read or visited with the upstairs neighbor, my friend Grace. I would get up and head home to work. Each time I returned to the studio I was aware of the jarring feeling of coming into such a chaotic mess. I referred to my workspace as "studio verite". Now I am thinking that a little faking the level of organization and cleanliness might be better for business not to mention my own peace of mind.
Two weeks of living like that have made me promise myself that August is the month to devote to making the change. I just have to change my motto from "If in doubt don't throw it out"
Gracie, I owe you big time!
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Leslie

Motivation By Osmosis

Recently I went to the Peabody Essex Museum http://pem.org/homepage in Salem to show Lynn, the gift shop buyer, some new designs. Their current show, "Wedded Bliss" (oxymoron?) inspired several new designs despite my cynical view on that topic.

After the meeting I sat in the atrium while waiting for my friend, Alexander. I just sat and felt the energy of the place, the warmth of the sun and the people around me. More a "human doing" than a "human being", sitting still is not easy for me but I was powerless to do otherwise in this setting. That was last week and the motivation that I soaked up is still powering me.

Redo- A New Concept

My friend, Lauren came by the other day. I was friends with her mom, Suzanne first, but Lauren and I have developed our own friendship of equals. I remember when she was born that it took her parents three months to name her. And Lauren was the first of the next generation to pass me on her outgrown clothing. She is now twenty six and living the kind of life that you would want for someone you love. Sitting in my studio with her mom and I, Lauren tells how her long term boyfriend asked her to marry him. It seems as though his first attempt, undermined by his runaway enthusiasm, was a bit lacking. Lauren offered him a "redo". And so, the next day he asks as if for the first time, perfectly.
What if we all did this for the people in our own lives? What if we had that option ourselves?
What harm would there be in saying, "This did not work out as I envisioned. May I have a "redo' "? We could then go on to undo the negative action and leave a more positive one in it's place. I have seen the future and it includes "redo's" for all!
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Leslie

Someone Gave Me A Man For My Birthday

But he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Gosh, I'll miss him

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Leslie

59! Who me!

Today is my birthday and the whole thing feels surreal. How can I be this age? How could so much time have passed since my 40th birthday when older friends said that forty is so young and I thought they were crazy? How could I have changed so much in some ways and remain so stuck in others? How could it be that I am just starting to feel like I am getting the hang of what living is all about?
Since my last birthday I have lost two family members. That does kind of change my perspective on getting older. Gratitude reshapes a lot of perspectives. And choices. This is definitely the year to recalibrate. Everything, from who I let into my life and why to attitudes that need to be updated is open for examination. This is going to take constant mindfulness, but hey, I've got the rest of my life to do it.
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Leslie

Spinning Off the Bunny

My booth at the Jamaica Fiber Festival had the advantage of being in the perfect spot to see Bella, short for Portabella, sit contentedly in Ruth's lap as Ruth "spun off the bun".

I love this show for the small town factor. The sense of community is strong enough for even those of us not living there to feel. And then there is the display of fiber and fiber related items. I was also in the perfect position to see Green Mountain Spinnery's booth which was filled with beautiful yarns and sweaters and other items made from the yarn.

Lunch was a varied selection of sandwiches plus a fabulous corn chowder. Despite the too good a price of $1 for two deserts (home made) I resisted.

Thank you Margi's Muse, http://margiesmuse.com/ , for making this happen.

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Leslie