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

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

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

Merry Month of Marbling - Week 3 Wrap Up

Greetings!  

Here we have the available Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of May 15-19.  These are now officially up for grabs both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.  I will keep you updated on changes as quickly as possible.  Tomorrow begins a brand new week, and we have more colorful canvases in store!

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!  

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"Life is a great big canvas;
throw all the paint at it you can."

                             - Danny Kaye

Merry Month of Marbling - Week 2 Wrap Up

Hello again!  

Herein we have the remaining Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of May 8-12.  These are now officially available both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.  I will keep you updated on changes as quickly as possible.  Tomorrow begins a brand new week, more visual merriments, and a new approach to this Event!

To claim any of these lovelies, leave a comment with the number corresponding to your choice.  I'll be in touch to wrap things up.  Thanks for visiting!  

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"The colors live a remarkable life of their own
after they have been applied to the canvas."

                             - Edvard Munch

Merry Month of Marbling - Week 1 Wrap Up

Greetings, Blogland!  

Herein we have the remaining Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of May 1 - 5.  These are now officially available both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.  I will keep you updated on changes as quickly as possible.  Tomorrow begins a brand new week, more visual merriments, and my best wishes for one and all as you embrace what the week has to offer!

To claim any of these lovelies, leave a comment with the number corresponding to your choice.  I'll be in touch to wrap things up.  Thanks for visiting!  

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"Mere color, unspoiled by meaning,
and unallied with definite form,
can speak to the soul
in a thousand different ways."

                             - Oscar Wilde

It's here! It's HERE! #50for50no1

Hey, howdy, hi, hello -- welcome to the Merry Month of Marbling!  Henceforth to be forever known as my first #50for50 event.  "But what does it meeean?!"  -- inquiring minds want to know!  Fear not, gentle reader -- forge onward, and all of the particulars are yours for the reading.

For the month of May, I will be posting (on the Arrowood Paper Arts Facebook Page) a series of 50 Marvelous Mini-Marbled canvases.  "But, Penny" I hear you wondering, "how does that work?  There aren't 50 days in May!"  Very astute, grasshoppah!  There certainly are not.  It is for that simple fact (in addition to the heretofore unknown inner workings of Facebook Events), that there will be more than one, one-of-a-kind canvas posted each day.  Furthermore, that is also why there will be three 'events' that make up the whole of this artful happening!

Here's the run down:
     1st two weeks of May:  (05/01-05/05 and 05/08-05/12) I will post two (2) Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvases each day, Monday - Friday on the Arrowood Paper Arts page at Facebook.
     2nd two weeks of May:  (05/15-05/19 and 05/22-05/26) I will post three (3) Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvases each day, Monday - Friday on the Arrowood Paper Arts page at Facebook.
     Last three days of May:  (05/29-05/31) we will have The Grande Finale!  Three days of Marvelous Marbled Give-Aways.  *as of today, these remain super-top-secret! a.k.a. not yet finished {shhh...}*

To claim one as your own, simply write "Sold" in the comments section -- first come, first served.  At the end of each week, any unclaimed canvases will be re-listed by Sunday evening at the latest (depending on my teaching schedule) here on the blog.  To claim one of those as your own, simply comment, on the blog post, with the canvas number you wish to claim -- again, first come, first served.  Because of the nature of this process, no two canvases are alike. However, if you miss out on one you love, another can be made with the same colors -- just know it will not look exactly like the one that first caught your eye.

Additional info:
    - Each, unique Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvas (2x2 in.) includes its own lovely, wooden easel for artful display.
    - These lovely, diminutive works of art are affordably priced at $12.00 each (plus Priority Mail, insured shipping w/ tracking).
    - Optional monogramming in silver or gold is available for an additional $3.00 -- see lettering styles available, and samples in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.
    - Multiple purchases can be bundled together for reduced shipping -- please email or PM me for additional details.
    - Payment by PayPal invoice at conclusion of transaction (I will PM you for your PayPal address and mailing info.). 
    - Every purchase earns the buyer two (2) entries into the Grande Finale:  the Merry Month of Marbling Give-Away drawings that will take place, one per day, on May 29, 30, and 31.
    - To earn additional entries, participants can do any or all of the following:  Share the Event(s) on Facebook (1 entry); Follow the Arrowood Paper Arts and #50for50no1 Boards on Pinterest (1 entry each); "Like" Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook (1 entry); and/or Follow this Blog (use the blue "Follow" button in the right hand column)  (1 entry).  Please leave me a comment, here on the blog, so I know where you shared/liked/joined.  The more the merrier -- please share liberally!

These were a BIG hit for me at the Holiday Shows I took part in, last year -- but they are hardly strictly Holiday fare.  Custom color-ways are available upon request:  drop me a line at parrowood@gmail.com for additional information!  Have a family member graduating this spring, or headed for college in the fall?  Why not a unique gift of a Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvas in their school colors?  How about a special gift for that favorite teacher?  ...a grouping to represent each member of the family on the mantle?  ...a spot of color for your office or cubicle?  The possibilities truly are endless!  Please contact me with any questions or possibilities you wish to consider.

Until next time...

Onward and upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"And after winter

folweth grene May."

                             - Geoffrey Chaucer

49

Forty two years ago, I received a book for my birthday:  Now You Are Seven.  I still have it *no one who knows me can even pretend to be surprised by this* (!)  It is a lovely anthology of pieces selected for the young reader -- a mixture of cultural folklore, short fiction, arts & crafts projects, and poetry accompanied by vivid illustrations.  To this day, I can (and do) fondly recall a line from a poem about Bert (an amorous kangaroo, in a zoo, in love with Betsy Lou, who happened to be a kangaroo too):  "So they lived in one cage/till a very old age/and died at ninety two."  Why this is the line that has managed to stay with me for 42 years, I cannot say (especially since this book was also my introduction to Tennyson & Longfellow) -- but, there you have it. 

TA-DA!
Home of Bert and Betsy Lou

Recently, I mentioned this book to my mom (the giver of this formational tome) -- wondering aloud if it were part of a series.  She did not recall seeing any for other ages at the time. I have never seen another of this particular book, or any others like it.  But it got me to thinking:  Why not?  Wouldn't it be neat if there were an ongoing series of books designed to provide insight/comfort/encouragement as we cross the threshold into each new year and all that it holds? 

SO...  As a lover and collector of words that speak to me, I have merged words with images to create a collection to mark the occasion of turning 49.  Actually, it may be more accurate to say that these are verbal talismans to carry into my 50th year.  Thoughts, inspirations, and reminders to carry with me on the Journey.  This was a great deal of fun, although I must admit:  it took way longer to do than I imagined (!)  Reminding me, yet again, of my mother's supreme wisdom:  "It always takes longer than you think!"  

Rope bridge photo*
Paper Factory Hotel, Long Island City, NY

Book tower and cash register detail
Paper Factory Hotel, Long Island City, NY

Suitcases and cash register detail
Paper Factory Hotel, Long Island City, NY

Bedroom window - Paper Factory Hotel, Long Island City, NY
Zodiac Mosaic - Subway Station, NYC

Stairwell window and painted man
Paper Factory Hotel, Long Island City, NY

I have never been one to worry and fret over birthdays...  I see much truth in the old saw:  "Age is just a number."  Twenty + years spent in the company of an incredible human who lived large by this adage only served to galvanize that truth, for me.  I understand the 'why' behind certain ages being of some significance:  16 and driving; 18 and voting; 21 and drinking; etc., etc...  I suppose I understand marking the milestones of entering a new decade, too (?)  Having said all of that, I have a tendency to celebrate the odd; for example, prior to our marriage, I threw The Man a surprise party for his 45th *hey, any excuse for a good party - right?*  But I have never approached a birthday with any sense of dread.  I have several friends who bemoan the pending birthday, and it always leaves me scratching my head...  Another birthday?  WINNING!  I mean aging isn't always pretty, but it beats the hell out of the alternative!

Memorial Tree - Arlington Cemetery

I must acknowledge that I have entered my latest year from an entirely new angle.  After two years that contained profound personal and professional losses, I finally feel like I have reclaimed some sort of equilibrium.  I am eternally grateful for the folks who stuck it out with me, and remain a part of my life.  In truth, there are still dark, difficult days -- but these are no longer the bulk of the days...  I feel stronger in mind, body, and spirit than I have in quite some time.  I am thrilled to have a renewed sense of discovery and optimism!  

Be prepared, gentle reader!  I will be exercising #50for50 well and often in the coming year!  I look forward to having loads of fun, and I hope you will join me!

The Brother in Little Italy, NYC

Onward & upward!

Since todays post is loaded with Words of Wisdom, I am leaving you with a song. *nay, an anthem!*  I first fell in love with this tune when I discovered the album Planet Waves in my teens.  In the intervening years, I have heard covers from a variety of artists:  Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia Band,  The Pretenders, and Pearl Jam.  The version that I am sharing here is *hands down* my favorite, after the original.  The Soweto Gospel Choir brings a power to this song that I have not felt in other renditions -- it gives me chills every time!  It is offered here as both a wish and a blessing!  

*Rope Bridge Photo -- This is actually a photo of a photo -- I would gladly credit the original photographer, had there been a sign (?)  This print was HUGE -- I encountered it turning a corner on the floor below where I was staying, and was awestruck.  It felt like you could just keep walking and go right on over that bridge (!)

Marching On

Spring is springing, and time seems to be racing along!  Greetings, gentle reader – and welcome to April, 2017.  I feel like I am blossoming into this season, as surely as the unfurling azaleas that line the front fence.  I want to share some cool news with y’all, today!  

While attending Life is aVerb Camp in the scenic mountains of NC last fall, I had the chance to catch up with folks I met originally at the first incarnation of this event 4 years ago…  It was also my first experience as an instructor at Camp – which was way big fun, and something I hope to do again in the future.  As often happens when such an amazing group of folks convene, there were many encounters that resulted in conversations that were continued long after the time we spent together. 

One such conversation was with the lovely Terri Belford of Inspired Livelihood.  Terri’s on-line offerings are jam-packed with excellent information, handy resources, and ready answers to any questions that one may have along the way.  She mentioned that she was assembling a new offering about teaching for creatives.  Interest piqued, I told her I would definitely be honored and interested in taking part.  We stayed in touch as things progressed, I am so tickled to invite you to explore Inspired to Teach!  If you have ever considered sharing your passion with others – whatever it may be – this is an amazing tool.  Speakers include artists, writers, yogis, coaches, event organizers, and more.  I am thrilled to be a part of this line up, and would love to hear your thoughts!

To register, please visit:  Inspired Livelihood - Inspired to Teach  (direct link to registration)

Upon completion of your registration, you'll receive a daily e-mail for 30 days with a mix of written, audio, and video content to accommodate different learning styles.  You will have the material forever, so you can work at your own pace.  I must admit:   I like to save up a few days at a time ;-)  I highly recommend subscribing to Terri' blog, too!

About the title:  In my youth, and well into my adulthood, I played coronet in the Salvation Army Band in Raleigh, NC.  Years of immersion in Hymn Tunes – both the playing and singing of – means that a significant portion of my memory banks are filled with this music and the memories associated with it.  Throughout the month of March *…and where the h3ll did it go in such a hurry, eh?* I caught myself thinking of, humming, and/or tapping a toe to a particular tune.  Thanks to the wonders of the interwebs, I am able to share it with you! *happy am I that the visit of the Reading Songsters to Chatham was recorded*

Time marches on, as do we all!

Onward & Upward,

Azaleas:  front yard in HoCo - Samsung Galaxy S4 

Sheet Music:  from Hymnary.org

Video:  YouTube