~Gifts

How I have always loved Victoria
   and today in the mail, received three older issues from 1996 from my Aunt Dorothy. From the first issue in in the 80s I was entranced and captivated. The then editor in chief, Nancy Lindemeyer, brought such a sense of taste and beauty. The opening 'Dear Friends' section always featured the lovely water colors of an artist in France, Aude Kamlet, and there was the outstanding photography of Toshi Otsuki... which just sent me to another place in perception from his flawless eye through the lens.  Thus, this gift was so eagerly opened as she mentioned she had some older editions she was sending. Who knew she loved this magazine as I did? When things were difficult and challenging as a single parent of four sons on a tight budget, this magazine was like a dear friend whom I enjoyed a cup of hot tea with : moreover, I  felt like I was having scintillating conversation even though this was reading lines on pages and absorbing beautiful, gorgeous photos and substantially written articles. In fact, I used many images in my design notebook for Art Education. Dr. Moody gave me high marks for my over-all design, but admittedly the ideas rolled and images within my mind and remembered exactly from several stacks of saved magazines I had from the first images. Unfortunately, I loaned them out to someone and they were never returned...so, to get this special gift was so heart warming and who would guess the issue with the little girl pictured on the front cover in the plaid dress was one of my all time favorite images-- and that was the first one that appeared to me on opening the large envelope! How precious to me, this gift! 
             
How important it is to establish connections with our relatives who are older and in other places...they lend us something from ourselves. After all usually we share the same DNA. In this respect, I hope so as my aunt is 81 and has longish flipped golden bob, golden tan, wears a white pair of  capris , white sweater, and white style maker sandals with beautiful pedicured nails! One would never guess her much older than fifty. Something to look forward to, that!  At any rate, it is a way to touch someone. Imagine my surprise to find out she has saved drawings of home designs since I was thirteen years old... that she was ...she said 'astounded' by in that to her knowledge I had not been in homes like that. Well, of course, I had in mental travels at my maternal grandmother's house with all her pristine collections of magazines: Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Town and Country, and  , lastly, issue upon issue of National Geographic.

So, the beauty savored today from these issues still in mint condition and a gift from the heart from an aunt who stays in tune with dress, style, and race car drivers. *smiles* 

                     The best sort of gift is personal and related to something you like or enjoy.
                                      ~Thank you, Aunt Dorothy, for this gift and, also, the
                                                          personal card and note within...
                                                                a gift in itself to be cherished!

                                                                     ~Aunt Dorothy~                   

Writers and how they grab creative writing time

http://www.mastersdegree.net/blog/2011/20-acclaimed-authors-and-their-unique-writing-rituals/

Inspiration For A Room Of 'My' Own

Sometimes we need to recharge our batteries and get a new view around us... that more reflects who we are in the present. There are so many inspirations around us and I believe in looking for those things that draw and attract us; moreover, it is those things that make us feel in an intrinsic way. Such occupation is helpful for us to relate to where we are in our own unique space. In fact, that is what I'm doing right now by collecting those pictures from magazines, the Internet, and books on design and art that appeal to me on levels of interest.

Color and texture always move me along with simple lines. Always, there must be the feeling of vitality and life (as in fresh flowers in a vase) or oranges in a bowl perhaps with cloves stuck in the peels for a savory aroma during the winter months. At any rate, it is what gives me pleasure this particular occupation and it is pleasurable to my senses and love for design elements. My own room has to be a big mix for what I am doing right now and that would be writing, drawing, painting, reading, designing, and at last sitting drinking some hot cup of java , tea, or hot chocolate before bedtime. Drinking  countless cups of coffee and tea are part of my day, usually...and I enjoy the aroma of freshly made hot anything (*smiles*, here)!

So,in this present moment I'm taking time out and collecting for inspiration and I'm sharing some photos of what is inspiring me right in this moment of time.

Photograph by Simon Mc Bride

from the book, 'Restoring A Home In Italy' by Elizabeth Helman Minchilli

Photograph by Simon Mc Bride

from the book, 'Restoring A Home In Italy' by Elizabeth Helman Minchilli

Cheryl Greenfield photograph

 Elle Decor

How to Make a Gift Bow from Recycled Materials | eHow.com

How to Make a Gift Bow from Recycled Materials eHow.com

~The Oak Tree

This is a collaboration of two poets...The first ten stanzas are mine
the rest  in the last ten stanzas which follow are from a passion- poet who goes by the name, Gray, on Global Poets . Truly loved how this blended in form and imagery!
The Oak Tree
　
Oak tree how often have I dwelt among your extensive branches high
Or been near you to gaze at the ridges and bending every outwards upwards
Reaching towards the sky in different seasons bidding one to sigh
In awe at your tenacity, strength and journey onwards
Through storms of rain, wind, and hail your roots stay sound
Old hundred-year-old tree I see your dance in spring
In autumn’s glory, your leaves are solid as bits of new growth
Are ready to take their turn planted within the ground
Beauteous serenity gazing solemn in winter’s white, a large strong silhouette
Tree to embrace lovers beneath
Alternatively, families replete on blanket admiring your élan and stately elegance

Unyielding giver of life... sanctuary for nature’s variable nomadic immigrants
Witness how the masses applaud in wondrous veneration
Hark as all worship thy glory within magnificence
As supremely tall as a young childs imagination

As abundantly wide as a weary pilgrims travels

You, within heavenly starlight are revered

Mother earth’s divinity displayed

Grand orders asset of bountiful harvest

Mighty king of hallowed ground

Oak tree you stand proud... governing all beneath you

Seasons flitter by with destruction and regeneration

But here you stand... immortal combater of the elements

Cheryl Greenfield and  GRAY

Poem: "Beneath The Moon"

The moon appeared as a bowl dipped
A tipped over bowl amongst the stars
out of doors
early hours
distant sounds in the coldness
a door ajar

emotions pulled towards the sky
ink deep blue black splash on a canvas
outlines in silhouette ...  tree's branches
reach upward in extension
as if praying and imploring
exploration of emotions within the core
warmth, there
sinking below the surface
still in the stillness
emotions ameliorate

expressive of good intentions
misaligned dreams; still, the grander expectations
disenchantment, unfulfiled desires
responsiblity entwined
but mitigated
as the stars twinkle as cheerful winks
smiles across the universe

leap of faith in this moment
expectations like a fascination
dazzled and dizzy
surveyor of this  intense brightness
gleaming across the galaxies
in speed of light
flashes of insight
eagerness to embrace

arms enfolded around
my heart
breath catches beneath a lamp light
keeping the faith of time and place and moments spent
sparkling diamonds above
showering meteors descend
in bright flashes amazing

no time to be discontent
no time to allow pain to disengage
years spill over
as the shape of the moon dips out secrets to the stars
no derailment allowed in this moment of quietude
no meandering thoughts creep
just a vast sky of stars and flashing lights explode

a moon dipping




joyous moment of beauty in solitude
mellow musings within, melodic
melody of flowing rhythm
thoughts encaptured
looking upwards and dipped within
savoring the star studded dance
a dance of awareness
time and space caught in this brief sparkling moment
Forever a  momento of the heart
--Cheryl Greenfield

--Cheryl Greenfield

~A Thought to Write About

There is a unique and beautiful bed and breakfast in our historical community that has survived over the years due to being aware of progressive knowledge and technology. Miss Pat is a southern gal who moved to the midwest and became the 'grand dame' of a beautiful Victorian home and later twin homes built early days (historic fort on the western territory of expansion in the early 1840's... of the period known as a bit pre Victorian... Actually, it is quite a story and her character and  her own individual persona is unique to the telling many stories... Imagine the stories that no doubt have passed through her home over the years. One such is mine in that she at one time invited me to share my art with forty-five Hallmark artists visiting for inspiration. Unfortunately, I could not attend that due to having been called into work. Still, she was willing back then to lend a helping hand... and I have a desire to share a bit of her personal and  fascinating story; moreover, I  am preparing to interview her. Gracious lady that she is ...she is consenting to let me interview her for a story for a blog that I will tell you about later...  Peacock feathers are a unique feature in her home or were at one time... Will have to find out if they still are part of the decor.  They rather represent a particular colorful beauty!