quick change

I moved into my place a little over 11 years ago and though some of the decor has changed, some has not. Every so often, I do switch accessories, update throw rugs, and move artwork, most often in my bed and bath rooms; this past weekend was a so often event. Let me add that when this mood possesses me and I say possess because once it hits I am seriously in tunnel vision, I cannot rest until I know I am done.

This most recent occurrence actually started when I finally decided to hang some of my own collages and photographs in my home several weeks ago. One of the larger photos became the focal point in the bathroom; time to get rid of the dusty dried hydrangea in the vase along with the faded to lighter than when I first put it on the floor when I first moved in green area rug! Two of my goddess collages were to replace Chinese ink paintings of nude silhouettes bought maybe 14 years ago from a street artist in SOHO that had been over my bed for the entire time I've lived here. However, there was one problem. I have three of them and the arrangement that mixed that old one with the two new wasn’t workin’ for me. I turned to the stash of art in hiding places waiting to get back on the wall and it did not disappoint.

Despite the rain and slight chill that was Saturday, I was at the doors of the stores as soon the keys turned in the locks in search of an earthy warm rug for the bath and a light colored linen textured matte to replace a red one on a picture my mother created when she was a student at Howard U over 55 years ago. Within two hours, I was done and done for under $50! Now I must admit that the rug thing gave me a little challenge since my floor space does not work with traditional sized pieces. After a second trip to get the last of the 2' x 3' on sale jute rugs, I truly was done as I placed it next to the next to the last one I got the first time I went to World Market (realized if I turned it the other way, two would be a perfect fit!)

A quick change of linen, some fresh flowers…my quick changes spruced up my place providing it and me with a personal spring renewal but as a sentimental touch, I did indeed keep just a little bit of that dried hydrangea sans the dust!

Change it up around your spot and before and as you do…

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secrets

I found myself at the same iris two consecutive days, sunshiny bright on the first, overcast clouds on the second. I found myself having a Pat Metheny marathon, noting two, well maybe three favorite CD’s as I edited the iris collection of shots from both days, light rain falling in the background. Note to self -- as Still Life Talking played and vocalists on Letter From Home sang in foreign tongues with searing passion, my still life’s kept speaking from the same mouth just with a different tongue as their look altered with my touch, telling theirs and my Secret Stories.

The pace of the music found its way into the photos, shades and colors shifting depending on how fast or slow the melody unfolded. Black and white pictures, shadowed in secrets of their own left to the viewer to detail and discern...

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a more than passing thought...

Remember to take the time to celebrate fully what is

as it happens instead of focusing on what is not. - TSL

So often, when something good happens we barely take the time to acknowledge the immediate victory before we’re on to bigger, better, more. If others are involved, the message, though unintentional, may then make it seem like the good just wasn’t quite good enough.

As we go about the business of getting things done, today and everyday, let’s truly celebrate every victory, both small and large with enthusiasm and gratitude and surely more will come in time.

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singles by simone

Just when I think I have heard and have everything by Nina Simone, I am pleasantly surprised. A Single Woman has some tracks I’ve heard though on this CD they sound different. I noted the orchestration in a few, did a little digging and discovered that each of these single songs were recorded later in her career. That said, I will never stop being enamored with the lushness of Nina, felt touched down deep on my first listen through the entire collection. “I live alone,” are the first three words of the first stanza one hears floating out with a resolution that jabbed my side, stirred my soul. She then starts out on a journey to find herself, find new loves in Lonesome Cities but remembers that it hasn’t all been bad as she delivers in quiet defiance Love’s Been Good to Me. If I Should Lose You, also found on older albums, has a new sadness, worry perhaps about one who she can’t get out of her heart, rolling over the strings and horns. I had to look up what Il N'Y a Pas d'Amour Heureux meant, it mentioned how love can bruise which I interpret as hurt. Just Say I Love Him, the message to that one who slipped through the grasp who still is the one wanted. And then she rocks through The More I See You to tell that him that yes indeed he is the one and the final declaration delivered in a peppy, hopeful swinging short tune…Marry Me!

I just loved how this CD resonated with me. It tells the collective story of so many women I know at this moment in our lives -- single women on new roads with lots of seriously earned knowledge tucked into every crevice of our minds, bodies and souls, hearts open to happily give to only one, maybe from our past or a love to come. Thanks Nina for singing our songs simply, beautifully. Hey single guys…

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spring affair

I don’t remember East Coast temperatures ever reaching into the 80’s in March. Because the weather is off, the flowers are blossoming early. Right now, I am having the most delicious pre-spring affair with cut tulips that have such a soft delicate scent, kind of like a sweet little baby…

…you just want to bury your nose in the folds and breathe in deeply.

Here’s hoping for lots more blooms to love when spring officially makes her entrance. As we await the arrival, be sure to…

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ps -- if you’re feeling a little nostalgic and want to add another layer to the season, give in to the sounds of Donna Summer's tribute to the time of the year when hopefully you'll never lose the desire for something new...

point pleasure

My Saturday was most pleasant. I had many errands to run but somewhere in the midst of movement, I had a spark of spontaneity that changed the course of my day. I found myself in the home of a long time friend that I spend so little time with; it’s nice to be around those who know us so well that no matter when we last spoke, we pick up with conversation like we just hung up the phone. After a few hours of yak and hilarity accompanied by crisp bubbly Prosecco and serious admiration for the design renovations and art selections that make his space both inviting and functional, we went in search of tasty morsels to satisfy famished paletes.

What a gorgeous afternoon it was! Spectacular sun, fresh air with a twist of cool-warmth, friendly neighbors with sincere greetings, flowers in full bloom so early in the year and thankfully, Lumi was in my bag…

a quiet peek from the front yard…

….walking revealed bright red tulips with glistening petals…

….even the restaurant was a glow…

What a great day! Not only did I complete many tasks (which by the way centered around art and jewelry so I really should refer to them as pleasure points) but put into practice a better way to handle getting together with people…just ask him how many dates we put on the calendar that I cancelled!

All of you folks who have yet to see me -- hold on, I’m coming! So…

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alieNme

There are those days when I feel like an alien from beyond has inhabited my body...today is one of them.

Perhaps I’ll be back to me by Sunday but if not…

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play in the water

When I need a break, I sometimes resort to my paint box to play. Watercolors allow me to be messy or disciplined with my brush strokes depending on just how much liquid I add to each hard oval that is waiting to come alive.

No matter what I create, I always feel soothed after I swish, blot, and/or stroke across a white piece of paper since I’m never wedded to a specific outcome. And on the days when I take a watercolor time out, I also create “green” art…

Heading out to the spa so my tootsies can have a little soothing water play of their own so hope that as you go about your day, you’ll remember to…

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