I said something similar over at Dee's and then found the above quoted in this old post from October 2021. I keep reminding myself of this. We will be okay. I am not sure if I'm convincing myself.
I started this post last night, while feeling rather down about the state of...the state of everything.
Spontaneously, I've been thinking about the times of Trust Thursday. Remember that? I've been considering how that felt at the time, how it may feel now...how I've had such an overwhelming feeling of 'you can't trust anyone' over the past couple of weeks. The horrors of the music industry...the depth and width of those involved...so many involved. This story on top of the political arena, news media scandals...on and on.
"Too much", as a young toddler used to tell me.
ECM of ECM #ResistanceLive talks a lot about self-regulation. I'm working on that part. Today she offered up some "hopium" - now that is something we can all use.
I've also been considering the "Power Sticks" I used to make, back in the early 2000's, after Wendy mentioned something about Magic Wands a few weeks ago. Anyway, truthfully, I only made a few, but they really stuck with me. Each one was unique and held feathers, knots, beads, buttons, trinkets and a long list of empowering words, which could be unrolled and read.
Between the lack of glasses and the lack of motivation recently, I've not been making much. However, this idea of my Power Sticks keeps popping up in my head. I'm feeling a slight pull to make more. We'll see.
I will be making two Christmas Stockings. I was planning on one of them (waiting on my glasses) and now have learned of another little one on the way. I'm hoping this will get me back in the swing of making again.
May you look for, find or create yourself the light that is needed
May you pull out any tools needed to self-regulate
I start with the unfortunate passing of SoCal's beloved P-22. After the many news reports the last week or so, one could only guess that something was not right with this big cat. While, I may fear meeting one on a hike around here, P-22 has been loved from a distance. An old man of 10. You can read more HERE.
Goodnight P-22, rest well.
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This bare-bones tree, near our local community college, is a favorite of mine. Every time I go past, I look for the resident Hawk. He was there on this day, so I stopped for some photos.
One of those moments when I wish for a really good camera!
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I've been out and about at different times and places recently, which allows me new looking in different light and time to pull over for photos. Can't complain about that! This is why after so many years, I could finally capture the Hawk (above). Or this 'cowboy' - which I pass every commute day. I can't tell you how many double takes I've done at 40MPH, thinking he was real! haha
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The morning light continues to hold my heart and my imagination.
Driving towards the light
Yesterday there were watercolor clouds
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12/13/2022: In the First Two Hours
Out front: Hawk calling, evades being spotted
Murder of crows circle in ring-around-the-rosies nearby
Agitated by the Hawk? Perhaps
Few miles away, another Hawk sits motionless, for an extended period
Walking out of building, flock of ducks flew low overhead, quacking, stripes on necks clearly visible
Man in waiting area wore sad clown face mask, red nose included
Blood pressure, fine
12/13/2022: Next
Questions come
Answers will come soon enough
I will "live the questions"
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Dear Friend of the Perfect Books, also sent a perfect sticker.
I placed it on my computer to see it daily.
I like how 'Hope' is held in light in this photo.
Thanks friend
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12/15: Trust Time Thursday
Focus would not come
Mind in circles
Thought: Is trust circular in nature?
Conclude: Isn't everything a circle?
Watched leaves fall through an oversized window
Looked at lines, reflections, patterns...
Forgot to consider 'Faith'.
Later I heard this song, actually an even faster version, which I can't seem to find. Anyway, an old song, more religious than I, but with lines that still speak to all. There are many versions, even acoustic. But, that super fast part I'd hear had me wondering what it would be like if auctioneers sang!
I bought myself a treat yesterday. I spiral datebook for 2023 and a two section spiral notebook.
They will be good companions to my free Hallmark calendar, which I've already picked up of course.
I like that it looks like cloth Glennis would make 🙂
I also like that it has big boxes for the dates and also big spaces for the weekly days pages and then room for 'notes' too. Lots of space to write, draw and keep information all in one place. Now I have to remember to use it and not scraps of paper or the backs of envelopes!! haha
Today the treat will be new pajamas of some sort. It's been years! lol
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I already did some doodling yesterday...
😁
Today we look at our 'jungle' noticing how huge the plants have become. We joke that they'll find us one day in here, suffocated - strangled by houseplants!! haha
May you have what you need or the ability to get it
I loved Jude's post today. I could relate. Some edges get softer, blur a bit more as we age. I appreciate that.
There are things we lean into, or away from...depending.
There are times when we stand tall and the sky's the limit, which then means, there are no limits!
It seems there are so many layers lately. Cloud layers, one behind the other. Tree layers, one behind the other and only seen if you change position, Layers within the trees: hidden pinecones, birds that land and then cannot be seen. I wonder what else is there, that I can't see?
Birds seen and unseen...
...and pinecone surprises!
Cloud stories
Trust Time Thursday: Scattered like the clouds in the sky
12/1: Trust on the wind
Can one be tapped out on Trust? Tired of trying? Yet, just keep showing up, keep trying...can one, can I trust in that? Loyal to self, to Trust...
12/9: (Not Thursday, but fine with that). Trust is like a prayer. Trust and identity. When an identity changes, what happens? What happens to that related Trust? Trust as an act of Bravery. Trust as an element of resiliency.
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~~~ Marking Time with The Grandsons ~~~
Over at Grace's...the idea of "Faith Friday" came up. Part of my comment read: "It's funny, this week...Trust...I thought how well this would work with many other words. It sure gives a different feel to my commute!
So, this could be considered then? 'Faith' would be an interesting word for me to consider as I am not a "religious" person in any organized sense of the word. So, to consider this word, would be to reframe how I have always looked at it, understood it. All of that could be interesting. Grace mentioned Trust as a 'practice'...for me (again perhaps because of the commute) it has been more of a consideration, very verbal in nature. I reflect in words. Perhaps one day, someday I'll practice differently? Right now the wordy considering works well for me. I still am enthralled with how the words, questions or phrases pop into my head, fully formed and ready to be examined. That is really something to me.
Almost the same shot above...but not quite. Each photo taken within yards on the same street, at the same relative time - moments apart. The sky-blue-pink always grabs me. But I also had thoughts about how one (me) is attracted to the Outstanding...the Glorious...the Dramatic...but when those colors begin to fade and turn to gray, why I think oh darn. As if the clouds should stay this Fantastic. But, why? What is wrong with the shades of gray that come right after?
The photos below show the darker side of clouds...the fading of clouds...all to be appreciated as well. I think it has taken me some time to get to this place. When capturing these photos, I was noticing the lines and layers - the formations...and the edges of color. Beautiful.
Yes, I'm pretty sure I've put this here before, probably really recently... like HERE. You can scroll on by if you don't love this song as much as I do! However, I'll say anyway how much this one speaks to me and that I love the whole album, which holds a lot of memories for me.
It occurred to me that often there is an element of Joy in singing. It occurred to me that often one cannot sing with a heavy heart, while under pressure. As soon as I consider this point, my pendulum swings the other way. What about all of the sad songs? The blues? The worry songs or protest songs? Songs of loss or bittersweet life events. I come to the conclusion that it depends a lot on where you are, who you are with...the reason you are singing in the first place before you can really think about if or why or why not you are singing.
I continued with my bird play. Their shapes morphed a bit and I tried my hand at other critters or shapes...even a hand! I haven't photographed all of the little Doddle Birds and some have spread their wings and flown already, which is all fine by me.
J. saw this in the grocery store and was so excited to share with me:
STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS!
Ha
That couch..."At the "man's shrine hill used to be" - "trash" corner, the couch someone slept on, now tagged."...has been pulled over under the freeway overpass. There is a plastic tarp and piles of things in bags or ? next to it. It has become a home. The old 'shrine hill' now has plants of some sort on the chainlink fence, at each post. I'll have to look next week. I think: It is has if these places of no consequence (except to those that live amongst them)...a random corner, a freeway underpass, a hillside...have their own seasons.
The morning and evening skies continue to lift me. I never tire of looking up...because it is never the same, right?!
Last week I worked the early shift, so I got to delight in the sunrise skies.
I watched as the Crows flew out from their nightly roost location and then broke off into smaller groups, fanning out in several directions to their daytime locations. Friday evening's commute, I was lucky enough to watch the whole process in reverse as they flew back 'home' to their nightly roosting spot.
This led to a little online research...on Crows and where they go at night. I found interesting information HERE and HERE - (Notice the beautiful photos in this link!!) and HERE
When I leave early in the morning, working the first shift, I leave in the mostly dark. It softens the edges, hides the grime, disguises the despair, lessens the traffic...all a welcome respite.
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Trust Time:
Hard to settle-remember "T Touch" (from the television show heartland)...T Touch works in circles...my mind goes in circles, from trusting others to the question about trusting trusting self. Can others be trusted? Can one trust self? Mmm...
To Be Continued...
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Wednesday PM: Sky blue hair, creative dressing and legs like spaghetti → outside of the local smoke shop → step, step - bend down...step, step - bend down...she carefully inspects bits of trash in the gutter and finds some worth keeping.
There are times when I can't tell if a pile of cloth, blankets, clothing etc. holds or hides a human being underneath. There are times.
~ I remember the "once" thoughts and think that perhaps "There are times" could be a good prompt ~
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Friday when I got out of my car at work, my eyes fell immediately on this beautiful butterfly wing.
Just one, laying there still as can be.
A phrase jumped into my mind.
'You can't soar if your wings are clipped'
I'm not sure why, but I felt compelled to gather up this one precious wing and bring it home.
So, that's what I did.
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Also Friday, on my lunch, I listened to NPR's FILM WEEK, October 21, 2022.
I am not a film buff, in the least, but I did find the section (@32.50) about the movie "Till" really interesting. It may be where I heard the question: "What do we owe each other in life?"
