Carpe Diem

"A La Playa", by Margaret Fitzgerald. Artist's statement and more work here. I like this artist's work and I thought I would check in here to share it with you.

What have I been up to? Lots of planning for family activities, a wedding shower in early October which I am co-hostessing (is that a word?) and a big family party the next day. The gift quilt for the bride is back from the quilter, and I am working on the binding a little each evening.

In a stunning juxtaposition of joy and sorrow, one nephew is getting married at the end of next month, and another (his brother) is coping with the news that his wife's chemotherapy is not working. The family party is to bring our family and hers together. We will enjoy good food, each other's company, and the fine weather outside on the deck. Gatherings like this are her favorite activity, and what no one is saying out loud is that she may not be well enough to attend the wedding.
Carpe diem.

Another Artist to Share

"Engaged Conversation" by Sharon Booma. I really like this artist's work. If you do too, go see more.

Thanks so much for your supportive comments on the last post. Most of the time I try to keep it on the lighter side here, but once in a while it gets the best of me.

I had a really nice weekend and entertained my quilting group on Sunday. I was way too busy preparing to sit around feeling depressed. Jerry and I bought some "color" for the yard and spent a couple of hours sprucing things up outside. Later I hauled out all the indoor fall decorations and had a great time arranging things. Despite the 90 degree weather, I am trying to get in the fall spirit. At least the nights and mornings have been a little cooler.

There is nothing like time spent with friends to help you get perspective. The sad things are still there, but you remember to count the blessings.

Reflection

You may recognize this piece as one of Andy Goldsworthy's "Twig" sculptures. Here you can't quite tell the "real" twigs from the reflected ones, yet they are all part of a whole, transitory and beautiful.

It has been a sad week, making me think about the brief nature of our lives and what they mean. Monday was Sept.11th. Sad news of a more personal nature this week; two friends each facing bad news in their struggles with cancer, also the death of another friend's child during birth. When I got to work, I just closed my office door and wept. Then I went online to look for words of comfort.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." (Ps. 46: 1-2)


and this:
From the Daily Om:

Denying Your Feelings
Dealing with powerful emotions can be challenging, especially when we are going through chaotic, sad, or cruel experiences in our lives. .. Acknowledging your feelings can help you better understand them and help you recover naturally from change, stress, and grief. If you find that facing your feelings head on is proving too difficult during times of emotional distress, you may want to explore alternative ways of expressing them. ...Expressing your thoughts to friends or family can be helpful. ..You can also funnel your feelings into a creative outlet, physical exercise, or chores. Even just accepting and speaking your feelings out loud to yourself can be a healing release. In releasing intense emotions, it is most beneficial to acknowledge the feelings, allow yourself to feel them, and let the feelings go. Those who are willing to experience and release their feelings without judgment also find that their lives become less stressful. Breathing deeply, going for a long walk, or doing a constructive task can help you respond to your feelings in a healthy way. While burying negative or uncomfortable feelings can numb the pain, it also may inevitably dull your ability to experience your more positive and pleasurable feelings. ..In learning how to express your intense emotions in a healthy way, you are giving yourself the freedom to fully experience the more joyful emotions that come with being alive

Interiors/ Exteriors

This beautiful monotype is called "Interiors/Exteriors #5" , and was done by Katherine Chang Liu.

If you can believe it, I have started to post here on three separate occasions with no luck or cooperation from Blogger.

Life is busy and just flows along day to day. As far as I know, everything is fine, no sign of the big C. I am feeling good and making modest progress on my weight loss/ fitness goals. I'm not nearly brave enough to post one of those little charts, but someday in the far, far distant future, maybe you'll get a "before and after" set of photos.

Let's see, last time I posted I was about to go the San Diego Quilt show. I had a great time with my friends and only bought a few batik FQ that
I couldn't live without. That and some paper from "Golden Threads" to mark with quilting designs. I've never used it, but my friend Pam B. swears by it and she has lovely quilts to prove it works for her. About the show, it was a little underwhelming, but I keep in mind that it is a non-juried exhibition. It is a place for local quilting classes to share their work and for quilters of all levels, so what you get are a few knockouts but mostly what you have seen dozens of times before.

I finished quilting the blue, red and yellow quilt I was working on (see previous post), and now I need to bind it. Last Saturday I hosted a sewing day for some family members (sewing and non-sewing) and we made a "Turning Twenty" quilt as a shower gift. A few years back I started a family tradition of making a group quilt for every wedding, and I have learned that it is best to keep it very simple. The fabric is lovely, and I trust my longarm quilting friend to make it into something beautiful.
I chose a rose and vine pattern that I think will be perfect.