...and "I" became "We"

I realize it has been a while since there was regular updating, here on Ye Olde Blog.  As noted in a previous post, sometimes the actual living requires all of the available energies…  Such is life.

I also realize that this blog has inadvertently become a verbal shrine to What Was.  In order for that to change, I need to get back in the groove – return to the reporting of  What Is, and What I Hope Will Be.  With that in mind, I am here to share a pretty big chunk of What Is…

As of April 28^th, in the year of our toilet paper scarcity, 2020, I became Penny L. Weaver (!)  I have alluded to some pretty significant changes in the minimal posting I have done here in the past 3 years.  A little over 2 years ago, I chanced to meet an amazing individual who thought me fairly amazing, too.  We learned and grew together – there were adventures and much sharing and the making of incredible memories.  About a year ago, there were whispers of a shared future.  There were things that we both wanted/needed to deal with first.  As John Lennon famously said:  “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”  This has never been more true than now…  Sometimes, love looks like sunshine through the storm clouds.

The Groom and His Bride

 After more than a month of “wait and see” with regard to lock-down, isolation, and uncertainty surrounding the stasis of COVID-19 living, Tim decided that “better safe than sorry” was a good idea.  Sometimes, love looks like not waiting until everything is perfect to proceed.

He has been increasingly anxious due to the fact that I am uninsured.  When he looked across the table at me, late Saturday night, and said “this is probably the single most un-romantic proposal ever,” I had to disagree.  What speaks more of love than wanting the best for those that you love?  Sometimes, love looks like taking care of those that mean the most to you.

The Kiss 

SO…  With the question asked and answered, we were faced with the additional questions of “How?” “Where?” and “What?”  Getting the first two answered revealed that we also needed to answer “Who?”

How does one get married in the middle of a virtual global lock-down?  Well, firstly one needs to obtain a License to do so.  In order to accomplish that feat, we had to make an appointment with the Register of Deeds.  Having made several calls, and listened to many recorded announcements, we were able to do just that.  On Monday, April 27^th at 1:00pm we obtained the official paperwork to proceed.

Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
Ring on index finger made from 1897 quarter,
backside of new *albeit temporary* wedding band,
the earrings B was given as my Maid of Honor in '97,
and my skirt and Tim's shirt.

 Another phone call answered the question of where one gets married during the pandemic event of COVID-19:  the County Magistrate informed us that he was available for such business between the hours of 9:30 am and Noon.  He did request that we not come at 5 minutes before 12, as the paperwork and ceremony would take about a half an hour.  This was also the point at which we were informed that there was a necessary “Who?” beyond the primary players in this event.  We needed two “Whos,” actually – and they were easily obtained after we checked in with of our nearest and dearest.  M, Tim’s youngest and B, who was actually my Maid of Honor at my 1^st marriage were quickly on board to be our required “Whos.”

The Wedding Party:  Masked and Distanced

 That left only the question of “What?”  …which, ironically ended up being the most challenging part of this whirlwind affair.  After the acquisition of much knowledge Monday morning, I innocently asked “What are we doing about rings?  Do you want to wait until later to deal with that?”  We thought it would be simple enough to swing by the local SuperCenter outpost of Wally World after dealing with the paperwork on Monday afternoon…  Turns out:  not so much (!)  His thought was that we could grab some “temporary rings,’ and find what we really wanted later.  A sweet thought that turned into an epic adventure that ended up with us being the last two people in line to enter Jery’s Pawn & Gun at 10 minutes to 6 (a.k.a. closing time) on Monday evening.  *honestly, I couldn’t’ have made this up if I were trying to be comedic!?*

Fine Wedding Jewelry
brought to you by Jery's Pawn & Gun Shop

 Now… With all of the pieces assembled, we set forth on Tuesday morning to do the deed.  We convened at the Magistrate’s Office at just before 10:30 am, and proceeded to gather in the tiny vestibule that served as the containment of his kingdom.  Money changed hands, by way of the protective flap below the tinny speaker in the bulletproof window.  Paperwork was reviewed and signed by the stalwart Witnesses.  The ceremony took place and the Fine Jewelry was exchanged.  Then, it was done.  Congratulations were received, and we headed back to the Register of Deed’s office to file the paperwork.  Leaving minutes later with certified copies of our shiny new Wedding Certificate in hand.

The exchanging of the rings
with festive signage
in the vestibule of the Magistrate's Office

There you have it! Love in the time of Pandemic.  A story for the ages!  We are still giggling over the surreal nature of the double-time manner in which all of this was accomplished.  Sometimes, love looks like making the leap – before everything is “perfect.”  It has been quite some time since either of us has been this happy.  It has not escaped me that I am so very lucky, once again, to be held in the arms of a great love.  Today and ever more, my song is one of gratitude.

These beauties arrived
about an hour after we returned home
- many thanks to MDP and Stan!

Onward and upward!

Words of Wisdom for Today:

You were born together, and together you

shall be forevermore.

     You shall be together when the white

wings of death scatter your days.

     Ay, you shall be together even in the

silent memory of God.

     But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

     And let the winds of the heavens dance

between you.

                                    ~Kahlil Gibran

5

In many ways, it's hard to believe that you left us 5 years ago today.  Today is the 1st time this anniversary has fallen on the actual day -- that has made it harder, somehow...

I will never stop missing you -- nor will I ever cease to be grateful.  I am so very thankful for all that we had, for what and who you allowed me to be, and for all of the memories that we made.

I encountered this quotation this week.  I can think of no better words to mark this day:

“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.”

― L.R. Knost

I remain amazed that love found us and sheltered us for the many years we had together.  I am likewise amazed that love has found me again.  I carry you with me today and every day ❤

Onward and upward!

4

A full moon, like a spotlight,

hangs over my shoulder

in the darkness of this early morning.

Just after daybreak,

two young rabbits chase one another

in circles around the back yard.

A loud blue jay

spends the early afternoon

swooping in and out of Shirley's tree.

Time is illusive.

You are with me always,

but ever more so on this day.

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

Remembrance and reflection how allied.
What thin partitions divide sense from thought.

                                             ~ Alexander Pope

The 3rd Time Around

forever entwined

'new' life, and the one before...

you:  always with me

I have been called forth --

to come away from beneath

lonely trees of woe

laughter:  deep, rich, true

I can find no greater balm

to mend this bruised soul

my heart is lighter,

music and the sun are brighter,

greeting this me -- now

permanently changed,

moving forward, secure in 

knowing you'd be proud

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

There is a comfort in the strength of love;
'Twill make a thing endurable, which else
Would overset the brain, or break the heart.

                                             ~ William Wordsworth

Zoom, Zig-Zag, ZIP!

Ahhh, fickle February with your actual and virtual highs and lows:  new work, new opportunities, slight set backs, and a return to a familiar place.  ...and just like that *snap* February is taking her leave...  SO much news, time just flies right by.  Let us onward, shall we?  Lots o' loveliness in store, and I don't want you to miss a single bit.

New and lovely things are happening in the work realm.  Here are a trio of examples:

Melodies of the Sea

This series (and another:  From the Night Sky) was inspired by the exercise of finding a visual line connecting the random patterns afforded by this marbling process.  It happened quite organically during the #50for50 project, last spring.  It was then replicated purposely for the creation of some special gifts this past Christmas.  Working with a set color palette, and within an established theme is the latest twist.  I have to admit:  I am loving it!  The decision to incorporate different sizes of the mini canvases has opened whole new pathways in my mind.  More happening here -- be on the lookout.  This whole adventure came about as a result of discovering this medium and the company behind it at Art of the Carolinas in 2016.  While I have encountered many loves at that show over the past 10 years, this one has had an abiding effect like no other.  Which leads us to our next nugget o' news...

It's "official" and I am delighted to share with y'all:  I am now an Artist Educator for Marabu.  This means various and sundry things, not the least of which that I get to be an ambassador for a line of products that I genuinely enjoy working with.  While at present I seem to be consumed with ways to use their Easy Marble, I am actually getting my hands dirty with other items (!)  I look forward to sharing some of my experiments with you, here.  I also look forward to incorporating these new goodies in my workshops. 

Big News this week in the land of Your Creative Connection:  We are officially a TRIO!  Michelle and I had the opportunity to spend part of last weekend creating and planning with our fabulous Guest Artist, Jeanne Faith d'Orleans.  We are SO excited for all that this brings to our efforts to provide a unique, innovative experience in October.  We have some delicious magic hidden up our sleeves, and I am SUPER excited about being able to share that with you, soon!  *ironically, if you were a subscriber to our Newsletter you would already know what I am talking about!?  ...they get all the juicy stuff up to a week before anyone else*

...oh, the giggles that went into getting this photo!

I suppose, in the face of all of this metaphorical sunshine, I should have been ready for a spot of rain -- yet I was not...  With the virtuous plan of heading across town to meet a friend for a good walk on the Cape Fear River Trail, I hopped in the Cute Ute last weekend -- and after a confusing sound and the refusal of said vehicle to run, I hopped back out.  Following a rather entertaining exchange with the delightful Stephen of Mitchell's Towing (courtesy of my AAA membership), I watched my wheels roll away on the back of a large tow truck.  It's amazing how badly you want to go somewhere *anywhere* when you know that you can't (!)  After much less delightful exchanges with various and sundry parties, I was able *with a little help from my friends* to secure a back-up vehicle that in addition to getting me where I am obliged to be in the interim, will also be quite handy and helpful once this crisis has passed. 

"You say good-bye, and I say hello -- hello, hello!"

Finally (and one of the many reasons I could not be without transport for a couple of weeks), I wrapped up the month with a return to the Demo Table at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh!  I spent a happy afternoon on the final Saturday in February demonstrating Nature Printing with the GELLI Plate.  Had some lovely conversations with folks who lingered a while, and *add drumroll, here* it looks like I will return to teaching at Jerry's in the summer!  This is a "homecoming" of sorts, for me; I am thrilled to be returning and will have all of the details for you, soon!

Whew!  ...and, without a moment to waste, March is knocking at the door!  A few more firsts, and some comfortable regularity -- readying for more new-ness on the horizon, and seeking out additions to the creative roster.  I'll see you back here shortly, with more to share and look forward to.

Onward and upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

No winter lasts forever;
no spring skips its turn.
                           ~ Hal Borland

New – Now – Neat-o

     Greetings folk of the online realm!  Am I the only one who has trouble believing that today is the last day of January?  *2018!?!*  I suppose that time flies whether you are having fun or not (?)  Luckily, I have been doing much work and having much fun – in spite of some wildly wacky weather for January, in these parts…

     After much planning, and putting off – hemming and hawing – pondering and dismissal, the time has finally come!  …yep, Yep, YEP!  Gentle readers of Blog-land-ia, I offer you *insert drumroll and/or maniacal laughter, here*:  ART PAPER LOVE (AKA my latest love-child OR a newly minted wonderland of visual merriments -- with more goodness arriving weekly, for the foreseeable future)!  I am immensely grateful to the eagle eyes of MDP and mi madre!  Lucky am I to have such vigilant editors in my corner.

     Over the course of the next few weeks, visitors will be treated to loads of new stuff including, but not limited to:  new Blog posts (to further highlight the joys of web-based wonderments), the addition of an interactive Events calendar, and the arrival of an actual purchasing portal (with work, by me, for sale)  *…hey:  Go BIG, or go home – right?*

     More big news is in store with regard to my latest collaborative creative endeavor:  Your Creative Connection.  If you haven’t yet, please do visit our nook on the ‘net for additional information about this unique, creative experience.  …and if you want to be among the very first to know the all of the latest news and developments, remember to sign up for our Newsletter!

     What else is New, Now, and Neat-O in my neck of the woods?  Well:  *thanks for asking!* I will be back at the Demo Table at Jerry’s Artarama Raleigh in the coming months, I have been invited to teach in a new *to me* venue this Summer/Fall (The Yadkin Valley Fiber Room), and I have scheduled what I hope to be the first of many Private Engagements this year *this one a Birthday Party for a CMMAG chum*  So…  as 2018 continues to un-spool before me, I look forward to having even more neat, new, and nifty creative happenings to share with you *some of which are so close I can taste them*!  What has kept you busy throughout the 1^st parcel of this most amazing New Year?  I’d love to know!  Drop me a line, or leave a comment.

     The worktable is calling, and so I must go!  Thanks for visiting with me here – I hope you enjoy the new website as much as I have enjoyed *at long last* making it happen. 

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

Progress means getting

nearer to the place you want to be.

And if you have taken a wrong turning,

then to go forward does not get you any nearer.
If you are on the wrong road,

progress means doing an about-turn

and walking back to the right road;

and in that case the man who turns back soonest

is the most progressive man.
                           ~ C. S. Lewis

Photos and Poetry

Yesterday as I was blogging over at Your Creative Connection for my latest installment in our Thankful Thursday series, I promised to tell the back story of the photos I used in my post.  I also mentioned that I have a habit of finding words to accompany many of my photographic images -- it's a fun way to expand my love of poetry, and an interesting way to honor my own creative efforts.  I have included below the poems that capture, for me, the mood of these images.

The Man and I received this Bradford Pear as gift from my grandparents when his mother died.  It has been a source of endless enjoyment throughout the intervening 18 years *I didn't even know that these trees lasted that long (?)*.  It's an expressive barometer of the changing seasons:  resembling a snow laden tree in early Spring, when loaded with tiny white blossoms; lush and green throughout the Summer; ablaze in it's finery in late Autumn; and both majestic and bleak against Winter's sky.  

The photo on the left was taken late in the day on December 3rd.  I headed out to the back yard after being consistently distracted by this gorgeous tree all day   The one on the right was taken on Wednesday of this week (December 21st).  The day before had been grey and dreary, and I was very 'aware' of how bare it had become -- and so quickly!  I can only imagine that my awareness was heightened by the slow and steady rain that fell for the better part of the day.  They were both then 'arted up' by using the Prisma app.  It is currently my favorite tool for enhancing images captured with my cell phone (I recently upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy s7 from an s4).

How about you?  Do you have favorite poets you'd like to share?  ...perhaps favorite poems for certain times of year?  I'd love to check them out -- leave me a comment, and I'll see you here again soon!

Onward and upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

Autumn is a second spring
when every leaf is a flower.
                           ~ Albert Camus

How YOU Doin'?

Hey!  Hi-ho! Hellooo!

So...  It's been a little while since I joined you here in Blog-Land (?)  SO much has happened in the intervening months (!)  It would appear that any sharing that took place during my absence here was done on Facebook -- and there wasn't that much shared or posted there, either!  

After the hustle of May, I opted to turn my focus toward getting a better handle on the homestead, and being more conscious of my health.  The Summer found me wandering the wilds with Ollie as often as possible, and spending more time moving than in the past couple of years.  I made a vow on my 49th birthday to pursue walking more diligently, and committed to at least one organized 5K a month.  To date, I have walked over 150 miles since mid-April and have completed twelve 5Ks *so far;* I've begun stretching my walks to prepare for 10Ks, from here on out.  The ultimate goal?  I want to embrace the big 5-0 by walking my 1st Half Marathon in the Spring (!)  

Let's take a pictorial look back as we catch up a bit, eh?

Scenes from a boat...
Time spent with
Ollie is never wasted!

Water flora

Water flora (pt. deux)

Just a couple of my "lake buddies"...
..and if that isn't a capital A in the clouds, I'll kiss your foot!

That, plus working was about all there was to June -- July entered and proceeded in much the same way, with a few notable differences:  on the momentous date of 7-17-17, I gave up smoking (!) -- long overdue, and far from easy -- so far, so good; I finally returned to creative work (!!!) -- it felt amazing to MAKE things again (things that had been rolling around in my noggin at night for far too long) -- and I am giddy to report that more is coming (both in this series, and outside of it)!

A new series of work (The Dream Keepers) -- begun in late June,
and the first piece hung in a show in July

Good friends, good food, and good memories:
The best things for what ails ya!
*...and "good bye" to the butts*

August brought the return to travel teaching and a 2nd engagement with The International Paper Doll Convention.  It was wonderful see so many familiar faces, and meet new ones.  I taught a packed workshop, and enjoyed participating in various aspects of "The Swinging 60s" inspired event.  A quick stop to see other pals (and make a new feline friend) on the way home, and then the much anticipated eclipse *which I celebrated by taking part in a Virtual 5K, replete with "Eclipse of the Sun 2017" medal!*  The month wrapped up with another momentous occasion:  The Girl graduated with her Master's Degree in Korean Studies from Korea University (a degree earned with straight As, I might add!).

August moments from August

More natural wonderments with Ollie,
visits with my sweet ones, and a crash course
in DIY home repairs rounded out August of '17

September found me hitting the road again, this time for The Rock n' Roll Marathon Series 5K in Virginia Beach.  The event takes place alongside the American Music Festival over the course of Labor Day Weekend.  My new walking buddy (and long time BFF) and I went all out, and got the 3-Day Pass for the Music Festival -- and the tales we can tell from that weekend would warrant a whole SERIES of blog posts -- it was QUITE memorable, to say the least!  ...and, in truth, it felt amazing to be making new laugh-until-your-cheeks-hurt memories.

Road trip:  VA Beach, here we come!
Medals, fireworks, odd street signs, amazing sushi,
and a visit from a lady bug

The Chihuly at the Museum of Contemporary Art was incredible
The full moon over the ocean on our last night was an added bonus

From just before the middle of September to the present, my attention has been split between getting serious yard work done here on the Acre, and establishing a new business in partnership with a dear and admired fellow artist.  *much more to come on the details of that venture -- I promise!*  October brought the opportunity for some hard-core adulting; you can bet your bippy that it was accompanied by some rather colorful language -- HA!  *kidding not kidding*  Suffice to say:  I now know a great deal more about the workings of homeowners insurance than I can ever imagine needing to have learned (?)  ANYway...  Live and learn, right?  I just keep on learnin'!

Stolen moments in October:  New frontiers (aka lakes) with Ollie,
realizing how old Ms Wito is getting,
and testing my new motto in wearable form

Pieces of November -- so far
A stem full of wishes, the bucket brigade headed for storage,
and laughter really is the best medicine

Which brings us to today!  Just last weekend marked the 10th anniversary of the CMMAG's role as Workshop Fairies at Art of the Carolinas, in addition to my role as Co-Chair of the Committee that organizes our efforts there.  The yard work of October revisited me in the form of tendinitis, and for the 1st time in 10 years, I moved no water on Saturday or Sunday of that fabled weekend.  Perhaps it is time for a changing of the guard?  Other developments of the weekend might hold sway over that decision...  More to come, as details emerge, gentle reader!  Intrigued?  Me, TOO!  I promise to spill the beans as soon as I have them all in one pot!

As always:  
Onward & upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

A healthy human environment is one in which we
try to make sense of our limits, of the accidents
that can always befall us, and the passage of time
which inexorably changes us.
                           ~ Rowan Williams

Merry Month of Marbling - Week 4 Wrap Up

Wherein we *nearly* seamlessly recover from the bizarre, cosmic disturbance that was the actual Week #4...  

Here we have the last grouping of Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of May 22-26 -- #s 36 through 50!  These are now officially up for grabs both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.  Updates will be posted everywhere as quickly as possible. 

I mentioned elsewhere last week how much I was enjoying the creation/composition of these trios...  Given that each piece was created individually, I find it intriguing that they can be arranged as if in series (!)  It was great fun to lay them out for the past two weeks with an eye toward continuing the lines, without regard for color *within reason*  ...well, not so much without regard, as with a link -- but not wholly from the same palette *knowwhatimean?*  

To claim any of these lovelies as your own, please leave a comment with the number (s) corresponding to your choice(s).  I'll be in touch to wrap things up.  As always, thanks for visiting!

Next up:  The Grande Finale -- wherein we blatantly ignore the previously posted dates in righteous favor of "winging it!"  Because of the sheer number of little pieces of paper involved in having Wito the Wonder Dog perform the drawing of the winners, Management has opted for the use of a Random Number Generator to finalize the Winners.  All interested parties *that would be you, gentle reader -- nudge, nudge - wink, wink* have until 3pm (EDT -- Noon, PDT), Wednesday, May 31st, 2017 to complete their final entries (via purchase, share, like, pin, and follow) -- full details in the original post (May 1, 2017) *minus the previously mentioned Finale dates -- we're winging it, here!*

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"You need not fear it, but you must always bear in mind
that the past is never quite as finished with you
as you think you are with it."

                             - Kathryn Kennish