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 (!)

Looking Back on a Weekend FULL of Wonderful

It would appear that my last post was bit premature!  I provided what read like a wrap up of June, with a big ol' hunk of it yet to enjoy!?  A week ago today (06/26/14), I ventured forth on yet another Road Trip -- this time to Richmond, VA.  It was hot as all get out, but that didn't diminish the big FUN of catching up with some folks I don't see near enough of, not to mention the excitement of meeting a whole bunch of new folks!

The Fountain at The Boathouse

After arriving at the hotel, and checking in with the buds, I ventured to the other side of town to meet up with Richmond herself!  I have mentioned before my admiration for the women of 3x3x365 (Hendersonville *nee Asheville*, South Bend, and Richmond).  I had the pleasure of meeting them all in person at Camp, last year -- and since I knew I was coming to her town, had made arrangements to have a quick visit during my time there.  

After a little 'catch-up' with some ever-so-lovely vino *and much loving on the ever-so-amazing Cheeseburger (aka:  Bergie!)*, we enjoyed a lovely, late evening stroll through her beautifully wooded community to partake of dinner and sunset over the lake.  The Boathouse (at Sunday Park) is well worth the trip, gentle reader, should you find yourself in Richmond, VA and in need of great food, a beautiful view, and the best service I have encountered in recent memory!  We lingered over dinner, and well into the Summer evening -- how time flies in such pleasant company!

Here's to good food, good friends, and great company!

Then, it was back to the hotel, and all the happenings of the 2014 International Paper Doll Convention!  ...yep, Yep, YEP -- there is such a thing!  Several years ago, I met the amazing Jenny Taliadoros at Art & Soul in Hampton, VA.  Jenny is the publisher (nay, Genius) behind Paper Studio Press, and publisher of the magazines Paper Doll Studio and Paper Doll Review.  Are you surprised to learn that "paper doll love" is alive and well in this technological, iDriven age in which we live?  The enthusiasm of these fanciful aficionados is nearly contagious!  Richmond was surprised, too -- and wrote the sweetest post about her second-hand encounter with the Convention.

The 3 Amigas!

I can only imagine your wonderment, and believe me when I tell you that this is not my "new thing" -- but it was a splendid opportunity to spend some time with great people in a fun and festive environment!  I had the pleasure of meeting many of the artists whose work was featured in the multitude of books and magazines available at the show.  ...and I always love a chance to learn something new :)  The Competition, staged on Saturday, featured treasures from the Collectors in attendance.  It was incredible to see the history portrayed in the array of paper dolls and paper toys from over 100 years ago up to modern times!  Cultural, historical, and advertising angles were all covered by the display of beautifully preserved paper dolls from private collections all over the country.  It was truly wonderful to see.

More wonderful still was the chance to hang out with two of my favorite people!  I am pretty sure my face didn't quit tingling until Tuesday!?  ...we laughed, and Laughed, and LAUGHED some more!  Not finding any steps to recreate our now "traditional" photo, we opted for stacking ourselves on a chair just outside the lobby.  I am already looking forward to the next meeting of these kindred spirits (Chattanooga -- no choo choo required -- 2015)!

After many good-byes to friends old and new, it was back in the Cute Ute, and down the road again!  Headed almost home -- an overnight stop in Raleigh with more friends before my 2nd Workshop of the year at Jerry's Artarama.  My students and I enjoyed the cool creativity of the classroom on such a hot day, and I was thrilled with how they made this project their own!  

Reflecting on this weekend, I am amazed *once again* how fortunate I am to do what I love in this world -- and to know and be surrounded by such remarkable people as I do it!  Happy doesn't seem a large enough word for what I am.  I have heard several friends jokingly say that life gets better after 50.  If that is the case, I don't know if I can stand it *ha!* -- OR, perhaps more appropriately, if anyone will be able to stand me!  

Margaret D.
work in progress

Deb A.
work in progress

Which brings us full circle, and finds me back at home in HoCo!  One would think that all of this juicy goodness would be about all the weekend one girl could stand.  You would be mistaken, though!  I was welcomed home in a lavish manner by The Man and The Wonderdog.  Dinner was underway, and my Official Duty was to procure a beverage and pet the dog -- in that order *thankyouverymuch!*  Never a slouch at following clear instruction, procure and pet I did -- enjoying for the umpteenth time this year the simple seclusion of our lovely patio with its whispering tree surround, delightful bird song, and sweet evening breeze.  Happy to be Home, indeed!  ...and with a welcome feast such as this, is it any wonder?

 Now, it is time to get a grasp on this vast new month!  ...before you know it, I'll be giving you another summary -- and I predict that there will be loads o' new creative happenings on the horizon in July.  This will be due in no small part to the fact that I will not be doing my Road Runner impersonation every weekend *ha!* No worries, there will still be much merriment to share.  I am already looking forward to the festivities of the 4th, this weekend!  So, until next time...

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today: 

 

"To live is so startling
it leaves little time for anything else."

                                    - Emily Dickinson

Photo Notes:

    All taken with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android standard phone app & edited (cropped & color adjusted) with IrfanView

 

An Art-full Month Was May

Goodness, gracious!  Can you believe it is already JUNE!?  I can NOT!  It seems like only moments ago May was on the horizon, filled to bursting with all the creative wanderlust I had lovingly plotted on my calendar months and months ago.  It also seems like I was away almost as much as I was around for month of May.  I can hear my sweet Grandma, clear as bell, exclaiming "My stars!"

On the Road Again...

It was a grand month, indeed; loaded as it was with the most lovely continuation it what appears to be "The Year of Firsts!"  ...and it was as full of creative happiness as it was 1sts of all kinds!  *I marvel daily at the copious good fortune that laces my days together!*  As it seems that I am geographically removed from virtually all of my endeavors by various fractions of hours, May also included a fair amount of mileage -- what The Man and I refer to as "Windshield Time" (or WT).  In addition to the opportunity to enjoy a good audio book, I welcome WT for the respite it provides from the rush and scurry -- it is a most wonderful time to revel in the visual merriments of greenery & sky, constantly morphing clouds, and the inevitable folly of my fellow human beans as we traverse the byways heading hither and yon.

May began with a much anticipated trip to the most lovely Ocracoke, NC.  After what seemed endless preparation, the actual event was upon us; the resultant triumph of our collective efforts has Jean, Jodi, Theresa, and I still in awe of the wonderment that is ReMe Retreats!  We have hatched a fiendishly fine plot for extending the enjoyment of that magical time, and I have included more info on that a little further on...

Tools of the Trade
...for the traveling book binder

The merry month of May also marked the beginning of my return to Workshop Instruction at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh for the year.  My offerings this year number FOUR (for complete details, visit the "Where to Find Me" tab, above)!  I really like the fact that our workshops are usually prefaced by a turn at the Try Me Table a week or two before class(es).  I thoroughly enjoyed my stint in Demo Mode prior to this months class.  I love meeting folks as they come into the store, curious about the "live arting" taking place.

My workshop this month was entitled "Long MAY you Wave."  We created kinetic color wheels using the Flag Book form.  It was great fun, and I had the pleasure of meeting new folks who share my love of books; additionally, I was able to enjoy a day with an existing friend who was excited to learn a new thing!  Bonuses abounded as we whiled away the day in an exploration of color, texture, and formation of a dynamic structure.  I do love the process of sharing/teaching!
I had the further good fortune to enjoy part of the weekend with dear friends (along with fantastic dinner and wine) and fellow instructors (for an afternoon of fellowship, food, and creative free play), which all combined to make a fitting end to a month of utter marvelousness!

Here's another of those "firsts" for you!

Standing at the helm of this fresh new month, I am tickled to announce that a Re-Cap of the finest order is now underway!  I hope you will join me along with Jean, Jodi, and Theresa for our Memories of May Blog Hop, as we look back at the wonderments of our very first ReMe Retreat.  Every Monday in the month of June we will take turns sharing our favorite memories, photos, and stories from ReMe - Ocracoke, May '14.  The journey begins on our individual blogs, and continues at the ReMe blog; there we will share the experiences of our Students as they share their favorite memories, photos, and stories from the week.  If all of this doesn't have you looking forward to next Monday, there is more!  Each week will present you with the opportunity to win work from each of us in a prize drawing!  All of the details are available in this weeks post at the ReMe blog.
 

Join us for the Memories of May Blog Hop...every Monday in June!

I'll be back soon with more on all that June has in store.  Until then,

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"When we give cheerfully
and accept gratefully,
everyone is blessed."

                                    - Maya Angelou

Photo Notes:

    On the Road & Tools  - taken with my trusty Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS1

    Remainder - taken with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 

    ReMe Group Shot - by Deborah Belica

Mea culpa...

Hale and hearty greetings, Blog Land!

In my last post, I enthused o'er my new-found technological doo-dad that would allow me to blog from my travels across the sea to Seoul.  Upon landing and getting settled in, I realized that the doo-dad was at home -- many miles/hours away *oops!*  "No worries," I said to myself upon returning home, "I'll get a post up before the next Big Thing (a.k.a. the inaugural gathering of ReMe students/guests in Ocracoke)."  Alas, time did fly amidst the preparations for said Big Thing, and no post was forthcoming.

I have now returned from THAT adventure with even MORE goodness to share, and felt it only right and proper to let you know that it is coming -- all in good time *or...  all in my best efforts to be timely (?)*

It would appear that my 46th year is to be A Year of Great Firsts!  I look forward to sharing each of them with you, right here!  One of them is actually happening right now *multitasking to the Nth degree, today!*  So...  I will leave you with a few 'sneak peeks' of the visual merriments that are to come, and we can look forward to a lengthier visit in the not too distant future!

Magical Moments with Meggie
...snippets of the time spent in Seoul with our sweet girl!

Scenes from ReMe - Ocracoke, May '14
...barely scratching the surface of the wonderments of the week!

More coming, soon!  

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine
on the other side of the world."

                                    - Mary Anne Radmacher

Photo Notes:

    All Photos  - taken with Samsung Galaxy S4

    ReMe Group Shot - by Deborah Belica

...just a song before I go...

So much goodness, and the time seems to pass more quickly every day...  The past couple of weeks have flown by in a flurry of work on every front!  I have been riding a wave of utter joy; mind, hands, and heart occupied with the various tasks at hand.  All the while, marveling over the fact that in x days I would be on the other side of the world!?  The Girl and I are SO very excited, and tomorrow is The Day (!)

In addition to being busy in general, some way cool changes have come into the routine here on the homestead.  The Man and I have started "Greening" -- "Somoothie-ing" just sounds weird *ha!*  Inspired and encouraged by the experiences of a couple of friends, I broached the subject of "juicing" a few weeks ago.  To my utter surprise, The Man agreed to give it a try.  After loads o' research, we decided on the NutriBullet.  We are both beyond pleased with this decision!  To my further amazement, he has *quite bravely* enthusiastically embraced this epicurean adventure.  Now we *who virtually never ate breakfast* have been juicing our way into every day for the past two weeks (less our runaway weekend to The Beer & Bacon Festival, of course)!

Green goodness - now served daily!

 

Even in so short a time, we have both experienced noticeable results:  increased energy, less desire for "junk" during the day, clearer skin, and a bit of weight loss.  All of which is pretty much a side benefit, as our primary reason for starting this was to increase our intake of 'good stuff' -- we now begin our day with more fruit & vegetable content than we were ingesting in a whole day!  ...amazing, really.  Between the booklet that came with the machine, the recipes from their Blog, and a general idea of what works well together I have been daily concocting highly palatable green beverages that have us both feeling incredible!  I am really going to miss this beginning to the day while I am away.

I took some time today to construct a vessel for the Big Adventure.  It turned out to be a grand, chunky affair -- with plenty of room for notes, sketches, photos, and the sundry accumulations of interesting bits guaranteed when traveling.  

 

It's a lovely mashup of assorted things I already had.

A handy pocket holds daily cards, pre-punched for easy addition
to the proper area when needed.

Washi tapes, at the ready, housed on the empty backing sheets
from used shipping labels.

An assortment of decorative papers, watercolor paper, linedwriting papers, and blank card stock all come together in a
substantial, handy, totally customized Travel Journal!

Another nifty travel arrangement:  I found a fabulous Bluetooth keyboard that works with both my phone and my tablet *schweeet!*  In case you may wonder, gentle reader, why this matters in the least it is this:  I will be equipped and ready for Blogging Abroad!  Camera packed, tablet and charger at the ready, and a handy-dandy power converter (along with an equally spiffy Global Data Plan); I will embark fully fortified as a Life Reporter.  With my gadgets and my swell journal in hand, my memories shall be well attended to; I look forward to sharing the sights, as I venture to the adopted land of my *not so* wee one!  I am one lucky gal -- and I know it!  When I set out on the morrow for the grandest trip to date, I will venture forth wrapped in the loving thoughts and best wishes of a cadre of family and friends, and the hearty blessings and amazing love of my Beloved.  It really doesn't get much better than that!

Love, good wishes, and plenty of portable sanitary goods!
Life is good, indeed.

I'll be seeing you!

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

 

 

Photo Notes:
   All Photos in this Post - taken with Samsung Galaxy S4
   Words of Wisdom - from GrowingBolder.com