close to open

While 2014 will not go down in my personal records as my favorite year, it did have some shiningly glorious moments. My top three -- regaining strength and movement in my right hip which allowed me to walk normally; being the featured artist in a special edition of a national publication where my collage art was showcased followed by an online interview followed by having another of my photographs appear in a national magazine; and arriving at a door on my path with just the right combination that when opened, it revealed a gift I've been waiting for.

As we once again close out a year to begin another, remember all that you are grateful for and hope there will be much more to come.

Wishing you every joy and peace in the New Year ahead. Be happy and…



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holiday inspiration

We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. – Lao Tzu

I remember the first time I saw a ginger jar, its graceful opening leading to a voluptuous bottom; the desire to caress the fullness of round called for me to pick it up, hold it between my palms and eventually have it for my own. I really cherished that piece because at the time I was an adolescent, money had to be earned so I was pleased that the store allowed me to pay over time (they did not have layaway, so they entrusted me with a responsibility that I lived up to, something I never forgot) and that I had enough saved enough to get started. That jar began a love of Chinese and Japanese art, china and porcelain, the jars in their various shapes, sizes and designs, some with tops, that has lasted to this day. Most of the collection I built adorned my first apartment but is now packed away as my current home is eclectic, no one cultural influence taking center stage. Ginger jars, vases, bowls and pots made of any material dot my surroundings, the emptiness of each of them hold emotions, stories, memories and wishes that keep spirit alive around whatever is my abode.

While enjoying the holiday, I happened upon a piece that sent me back to that time in my life when my entire apartment had a feeling of the Orient. Seeing it inspired what I’m writing right now; I think I need to do some exploring in those boxes sitting in the closet and while I do…

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eve

Happy Christmas Eve and May Your Tomorrow Be Merry!

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what is

This past Friday, I arrived at the Willard Hotel for a much anticipated annual holiday tea with one of my good friends. The place was bursting with people bustling around the huge Christmas tree admiring its branches heavily laden with ornaments, bows, garland and lights; it is a show stopper that takes center stage in a lobby decorated with old world warmth and charm.

For the past two years, we have had tea in the Alley location, a cozy softly lit narrow corridor that lends itself to private conversation though there are many seated amongst you also there to enjoy a holiday afternoon away from the crowds. So when we were escorted to a table in a nook just off the lobby, I was perplexed then a bit disappointed. The tables were too close together, the harp right behind us, and the lights were quite bright. As I sat down, the comfort of the cushion beneath my bum immediately welcomed me,

suggested I sit back, relax….all would be well. It was. I barely noticed what others chatted about as I talked with my friend and yes, though the music sounded louder than I like, it did not disturb our ability to hear each other nor did we have to shout. I glanced around the room and got tickled -- it was full of other gal pals and mothers and daughters enjoying holiday tea at the Willard too! I suddenly felt warm, grateful… it was a lovely time.

If we allow the little disappointments to take control we may miss out on all that is so very good. Being in a new spot did not dampen a holiday tradition that's in its third year nor did it diminish the delight my friend and I shared sipping champagne, followed by tea and a tower of tasty finger foods both savory and sweet. My favorites this year were two tarts, one made with goat cheese and caramelized onions, the other a pumpkin pie topped with a

raspberry and crème fraiche, each a tiny morsel of big time sinful deliciousness! I am counting the days until next year when once again it will be time for tea at the Willard.

Sometimes we must be grateful for what is rather than what isn't so...

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happy hanukkah

May it be a luminous celebration for those who celebrate.

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cheer bliss

Really been feeling the spirit since December began; a quiet bliss has filled my heart. So as you shop, enjoy time with friends and family, trim the tree, party hop, or maybe take a spin around an ice skating rink, take a moment to totally soak in all the holiday cheer and…

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woo-hoo-liday!

Live wreath is on the door with a seasonal mat placed below to wipe the weather off my boots; holiday CD’s carol songs everyone knows so well as I sing off tune, a bit of tinsel in my hair; the scent of baked cinnamon apples and pine mingle to fill the air with aromatics that dance from room to room…

…it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! So…

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issues

This past week was rough in more ways than one. Health and home issues first took some nibbles then swallowed me whole consuming time, energy, dollars and my body. I will spare the details. Suffice it to say that I found myself under duress, had to take immediate steps to address what was happening and found myself creating a meditation from sequentially shot pictures…

…each time I look at them, I am stilled all over again.

Paying attention to warning signs however they present, whenever they come is good for the mind, body, soul, spirit so do what you need to do for your overall wellbeing even when others take issue with your decisions and…

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illuminating

When the days are dark and gray, find your light and...

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off the paper

Being highly creative, ideas constantly spring into my thoughts. I realize that creativity is one of my biggest gifts, so I stay open and ready to receive what comes, often scribing detailed notes; many of them live on paper to this day. The ones that intrigue me do wake me up at odd times to record additional information, marinate for as long as needed until finally ready, they unfold into developed concepts. Some get implemented, others wait a little longer resonating so deeply that I know though their time is not yet, it will come. Then there are those spontaneous gems that require no contemplation whatsoever and off I go! They soar or droop or fall flat; regardless of how they end, I am encouraged by what I attempt, which for me is recycled, not wasted energy.

I used to get quite tangled in my creative web, thinking every idea was THE idea. I know better now. Well just maybe I still get carried away on occasion, but here's what I believe --thoughts feed off of each other moving the process along, leading you to those ideas that are waiting for you to arrive. Even when something seems so right there is nothing wrong when the moment of sureness dwindles because another something surfaces with an urgency that can’t be ignored and you need to shift gears. I had that moment on Thanksgiving just before I dozed off. The perfect combination of passions and intentions intersected in my head and heart and though I won't abandon other projects I am working on, this is one to lift off of the paper sooner than later, it's too impactful not to. As I move forward, only time will determine which other things need more, less or no more attention, each will have mindful focus as the need to multi-task no longer serves me.

Thanks giving (yes, I mean two words) took on a new meaning to me as I finished my notes during the last hours of Thanksgiving day, asked for guidance, settled peacefully in bed, went to sleep, and did not wake up to jot down not nary a note. For some reason I drifted off with a sureness that is calm, knowing, and feels like a comfortable fit, so all I can say is...

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giving thanks

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is tomorrow a reminder, at least for me, that time surely has passed quickly and is just one of the things we can’t get back once it passes by. As so many of us prepare to take a little time off, let us be grateful for all that we are, all we have been given, and all that is uniquely ours. May your table be bountiful, your lives enriched beyond measure by those who share your harvest and if you are traveling, may your journey be pleasurable.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and…

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moving curves

…the beautiful moves in curves…Bulwer-Lytton.

And in our familiar curves changing beauty can be found if we change our focus.

Speaking of curves, I recently purchased this gorgeous book of historic “memorable and iconic images” put together by Nichelle Gainer. Vintage Black Glamour is worth every wow I uttered and if you check it out,

you will…

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not yet!

Is Mother Nature bidding an early farewell to autumn…

…to welcome winter way before we’re ready?



I hope not quite yet however, listening to the news last evening, all 50 states had unseasonable chilly weather in some part of their state and the snow in some places has people on house arrest for committing the crime of living in an area of the country where 9 feet drifts now block their front doors!!!

Baby, it’s cold outside all over so stay warm and…

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68 degrees

Arriving home late one afternoon, I exited the car and was immediately compelled to whip out my camera. I had been caught in the traffic nightmare that has turned Washington DC into a most unappealing place to drive and something about the atmosphere suggested that taking pictures was what I needed if I wanted to bring myself into peaceful alignment. Outside it was a pleasantly warm 68 degrees, my ideal temperature. As I looked up into the twilight sky, a mix of soft blues, corals and pinks turned so by a rainstorm that came and blew over while I was stuck behind miles of red brake lights smiled down. Being afforded a quick 30 minutes of shooting time in these conditions was the answer to a disagreeable day. Puddles of mirror imaged scenes from above, wet leaves slick sliding under my feet, still branches letting go of cold water drops, I moved without interruption, without caution no need for brakes, the ability to stop as I needed freeing. My entire being drank in the calm each photograph offered until there it was...

I knew it when I looked down, knew it was a peace offering to fade out agitations now behind me, the water blurred edges of lush colored leaves resting on black ridged asphalt giving me naturally an image that I normally can only create using an editing technique. A feeling of satisfied completion fell over me as I took a few angles, closed the lens and breathed in the freshness of 68 degree air after rain on an autumn eve, perfect conditions for a gift. You will find yours too if you...

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lift every voice

Returning home from a much needed day of pamper, I stopped several times to capture autumn.

Though most of my focus was leaves on the trees and ground, I pulled over after I passed a wild tangling of yellow growing high on a corner beside a blue mailbox. A chilly wind was on the move as I stepped from the car, walked back to that corner to inspect the sunshiny blooms glowing even brighter from the light of the sun. This one bright, happy flower seemed to be saying, "Hey there you with that camera…look at me!”

Its folded petal gave this particular blossom such personality; it indeed spoke loudly grabbing my attention as I was actually fixated on another sunshiny bloom. And then it dawned on me, only natures big sounds resonate with me, loud human voices set my feet flying in the opposite direction! So on these days when the sun retreats into the horizon a little earlier and the air feels a bit crisper each day, get out there. Let your voice be heard in some way but remember, not everyone responds to loud words. Choose yours wisely, delivery them in thoughtful tone with purpose and…

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