Minnesota Renaissance Festival, 2013

Quote of the Day:  Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.  Jim Morrison

Oktoberfest was the theme at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, so we went because sometimes, you just need to get away, spend time together in a relaxed, unscheduled way, and enjoy. I spent a considerable amount of time this morning looking for a quote on getting away, attending festivals, getting dressed up and going out, but found nothing that fit. The above quote has little to do with any of that. It's just a good quote. In other words, be yourself, and hang out with people who embrace who you are. In some ways, that's what the Renfest encourages. You see all kinds of folks there, dressed up like fairies, pirates, knights, wenches, dragon-slayers, whatever is their fancy. I saw Moms & Dads and the kids all dressed up and having a good time. Couples of every kind were spending time together, buying cool stuff, and eating giant turkey legs. (That was the biggest food line!)

We tried on vests, then had to have'em!

Thanks for the birthday present!

The Chef, sportin' the colors!

Intense on the "Puke and Snot" show. 

They've been performing here every summer since 1974.

I got fun festival hair again!

I wish it would last longer!

When I took it out on Monday night, my hair puffed out like Hermione's in the potions class scene in the Harry Potter movie!

I think these two were headed to the Fairy Wing Forest!

We picked another large crowd day!

Great weather, fun theme, and much to see and do!

This performer has a trained raven. If you held out a coin, he'd pluck it out of your fingers with his beak.

A cask-totin' turtle.

I hope you have a chance to get out to a festival or fair, or some other social gathering. It's a hoot to watch the performers and the people. There are definitely some characters out there!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you dress up for festivals? What would you wear if you dared? Where do you get ideas for characters?

A Birthday in Review

Quote of the Day:  You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ Les Brown

Started the birthday with a Turtle drink at the Coco Moon with the Biker Chef.

Thanks, Lorie, for the coffee. Look, I'm trying to perk up!

Birthday lunch with friends.

Thanks, Anna at The Shante in Pillager, for the chocolate sundae!

 

 

Wishing for continued success.

With the help of these two, how could it not come true?!

 

All in all it was a great day. Got an oil change on my van, took a quick walk, sneaked in a short nap after lunch, and had dinner with my youngest boys. The guys in my life gave me books and movies and music as gifts. (They know me well.) Krista and I planned out two book ideas and set a date to start them.

 

Dare to dream. Believe in your ability to succeed.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Have you recieved any gifts lately, either tangible or in the form of support and encouragement?

Alive

Quote of the Day:  Life is what we are alive to... Be alive to ... goodness, kindness, purity, love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God, and eternal hope. - Maltbie D. Babcock (still quoting from Bobby's travel journal)

I know I've been MIA this week. I'm still recovering from the fabulous Grad Party for #1 son! Plus, the kids are home and the summer schedule is busy! Trying to find a little creative space for myself. It takes some effort at the start of summer.

"We" embraced the Texas theme

with decorations and the best food this side of Texas!

Thanks to a couple fabulous friends who went all out for our party.

The spicy guacamole was the hit of the party.

We celebrated on a hot, summer day.

A few great friends helped me clean up (actually, did the clean up. I was exhausted). All in all, it was a great day.

Feeling grateful.

I'll have a guest here on this blog on Friday, and I've been invited to hang out on the Journaling Woman's blog that day.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What have you been feeling grateful for lately?

Insecure and afraid of Getting the Hook

Quote of the Day:  Real Vaudeville shows would Drop The Cow on bad or overly long acts with "the hook", a shepherd's crook extended from offstage to pull away the performer. But in cartoons, you don't even need to be on a stage to get the hook. Any bad performance can get the hook, even if you're performing on top of a fence - it just reaches out from Behind the Black and drags you offscreen. Wearing a red-and-white vertically striped shirt and a straw boater makes you especially susceptible to this, as does dancing while holding a cane. Spending a while dodging the hook, continuing to perform all the while, before eventually getting snared is a common feature.

Though he didn't originate it, the hook is forever associated with "Sandman" Sims, a tap dancer who would use the hook on bad acts at the Apollo Theatre.
from www.tvropes.org

It's the first Wednesday of the month and year and another round of the Insecure Writer's Group. Alex J. Cavanaugh is the host and many, many of us bloggers have signed up. My hope is that acknowledging the insecurites, naming them and facing them, will be like staring down our dragon and slaying him. 

I was out the other evening with these lovely ladies for a pre-New Year's celebration and some collaboration. My best writer-mama-pal Roxane B. Salonen was visiting from Fargo, and we had dinner with my friend and publicist Krista Rolfzen Soukup. Sure, we talked a little business, but our main event was the delicious food and time to talk, minus our collective 13 children!

During our discussion, I confessed that I felt like I was playing a part in a play (one that I wrote?), where I'm being thrust onto center stage, given all the great lines, then sent home to write about it. I keep expecting the curtain to close, or that I'll get that proverbial hook and yanked off the stage. Who am I to be invited to shows and restaurants, meet and review the performers and performances?

I had this note by my desk before I moved that said, "Sometimes, you look out at the audience waiting for the applause and all you see are empty seats." (I just went upstairs to look for it and couldn't find it. Maybe it got lost in the move, or maybe it's no longer something to hang onto.)

Krista keeps telling me that people want me to come to their shows, clubs, or restaurants. She told me that the owner of a newly opened establishement said, "It's about time someone wrote reviews for us." And, "I hope she likes it." I also heard from some friends when I told them that my reviews were now on the Brainerd Dispatch website. They said, "That's great that someone is writing reviews for us for places like the Guthrie theater and local shows."

Dare I say it?  They need me.

Since my word for the year is Dare!, I do need to say it. I'm needed, and I will be invited, and I'll do my best to describe the food, the atmosphere, the performance, the location, anything that people would want to know before they go. Bring on the invites! I've been dared!

We did small plates to share.

Delicious Fare

We flirted with the fine, young waiter (who indicated that he & Krista weren't supposed to be photographed together *wink),

and chatted it up with Jim Olsen, the guitarist for the evening.

(He'll be playing at the newly opened Moonshine Lounge on Jan. 14.)

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, dare to be the one invited, attending, and reviewing.

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever felt like you might get "the hook?" What have you dared to do lately?

With a Name Like Love, book review

Quote of the Day:  Courting new patrons is like licking honey off a thorn - you have to go real slow and be extra gentle. Tess Hilmo, author of With a Name Like Love, published by Margaret Ferguson Books, an imprint of Farrar Straus Giroux, August 2011. (It's still warm off the presses.)

I won my copy of With a Name Like Love by reading and commenting on Tess Hilmo's blog. I connected with her early on when I started blogging. She left an interesting comment on another blog, I clicked over to her, saw that we both love A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, and the rest is history. Shortly after I joined her blog, she announced that her book had been accepted for publication - her first middle grade novel, and a historical mystery at that. I knew it was one that I'd want to read.

From the opening lines, I was emotionally involved with Olivene (Ollie) Love and her traveling family. I knew her longings. I felt the anguish of the small town they had just pulled into. Her father, the Reverend Everlasting Love, comes from a long line of tent preachers whose mission it is to bring the love of God to rural communities throughout the south.  It doesn't hurt that the good reverend has been blessed with a deep and soulful singing voice that melts even the iciest of hearts.  The story takes place in 1957, post World War II, yet, a sense of the lingering Depression. Times are hard. People are damaged and hurt. Families are in distress.

Ollie has made her first friend, a boy who is in a world of hurt. His father is dead and his mama in in jail. The mystery behind his death is tearing the community apart. What's a 13-year-old girl and her family of traveling ministers supposed to do?

Reading this book evoked similar feelings and images from when I read Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, and a lovely picture book, I Wonder as I Wander, by Minnesota author Gwenyth Swain. Tears of tenderness sprang to my eyes during a scene about birthdays and cake, and I felt fear and anxiety wondering what would happen to Jimmy.

I've already recommended this book to a mother-daughter reading group. I'd give it to any preteen girl who likes history and mystery, and I hope my traveling friends, The Anderson's, at Hair in the Air blog, will get a copy. They will definitely relate to the life on the road and the longing for friendship.

The best place to order the books is either at your local bookstore, or go to Tess Hilmo's blog, watch her amazing book trailer, and order it from her independent bookstore for an autographed copy.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you have longings to sell all your possessions and hit the road? What would it take to unburden yourself and be adventurous?

Insecure as a Playwright

Quote of the Day:  I am profoundly uncertain about how to write.  I know what I love or what I like, because it's a direct, passionate response.  But when I write I'm very uncertain whether it's good enough.  That is, of course, the writer's agony. - Susan Sontag

I have joined the Insecure Writer's Support Group started by the super Ninja writer, Alex J. Cavanaugh.  (Click the badge on the right to learn more and read about other writers and their insecurities.)  It started in September, but it was during my birthday week, and I was feeling less insecure at the time, due to all the celebrating, so I'm starting today.  I searched my photos for something to depict the insecurities I feel.

It's not a great shot. I was taking a walk in the neighborhood and brought my camera because we are at peak fall colors.  A car drove by, kicking up dust and creating a haze.  The gravel road, the haze, the dust in my eyes, the thickness in the air as I take a breath - that's what my insecurities feel like.  I'm not sure if I'm even on the right path.

I went to the children's writers conference in Grand Forks, but thought maybe I don't really belong there because I haven't had any books for kids or teens published.  I've been working on a play that is for adults, although I do have an 18-year-old girl in it.

As I was writing my first full-length play, Coffee Shop Confessions, I'd go to the Coco Moon where I imagined it would be performed.  As I walked through the door, I could picture the "real" theater people standing outside, banging on the windows, heckling me, saying "Who are you to write a play?" ha ha ha ha.  "You don't have any training or theater credentials." pfftt. They'd stick out their tongues and make rude gestures.  "You don't belong!" They'd shout.

So, I brought along a friend, at first, to help quiet the voices.  She actually laughed at them. That shut them right up.  I learned. I gained confidence. I heard her always encouraging voice saying, "Of course, you can."  Then, I shut off my inner critic. Snapped her mouth shut and zipped her lip.  I closed the shades on those hecklers, and got down to business.  You see, I had other voices in my head, the voices of my characters, and they wanted to get out. They had stories to tell, lives to share, and relationships to be formed.

And, now, it's done. I'm ready to cast the show and watch it come to life.  Right here, in my local coffee shop.

Here I am explaining my play to this young woman. She's not acting here, she was truly interested.  In fact, she inspired the character Micki.  Also, the photographer is Joey Halvorson who was doing a photo shoot for my article in Her Voice.  Joey's voice offered encouragement that day. She also used it to bring my character Lolly to life at a table reading of the script, and will be Lolly when it's finally performed.

Now, all I can hear in my head is I get by with a little help from my friends! Thanks, Beatles! (JeMA, Joey, Roxane, and all my friends who kept saying, "Of course, you can!")

Journaling Prompt:  Who are your cheerleaders? Who tells you that you can do it? Who quiets those insecure voices in your head?

Generations of New Faces

Quote of the Day:  Meeting someone for the first time is like going on a treasure hunt  What wonderful worlds we can find in others! - Edward E. Ford

As I entered the Kiwanis Park for the Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday morning, I was struck immediately by the mix of generations that gathered.  From newborn babies to great-grandparents, we all came together.  This disease affects all generations.  We had various mobility aids from strollers to walkers to wheelchairs to helping hands. 

Photo by Joey Halvorson

Some people might have been meeting for the first time. While others have known each other for years.  You never know when a new friend might be waiting on the other side of a "Hello."

As we journey through life, we might be side by side, in tandem, or walking parallel paths that maybe someday will cross.  At some point, we'll need a little push.  At another, we'll be the one who lends a hand.

May the hills and valleys of life lead you to new adventures, deeper relationships, and inspirational moments.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe how you met one of your best friends.

Sore in the Saddle

Quote of the Day: This is a quote from Kittie Howard's comment from the previous post.  She had written about the Tuskagee Airmen and poverty and sharecroppers in the early 1900's.  You can read that here.  I asked if life in the USA had really improved.  

Thanks for stopping by, Mary. About your question, yes, I think our country is much better off. People live longer; have access to better nutrition; have greater opportunity to go to college; have improved mobility, communication and so on. But with all these improvements come negatives that have to be dealt with - pollution, clogged highways, a larger and better educated workforce and so on...and we're in the midst of a technological revolution - with the same upheaval as the Industrial Revolution - In 1898, a major concern in the U.S. was women riding bicycles. It was seriously thought that this would hinder reproduction. Family advocates feared women would ride bikes so much homelife would suffer, ie, they wouldn't have the time to cook for families as they should. You can google and read some of the articles - mind boggling! I came upon this by accident and just kept clicking and clicking - The more things change, the more they stay the same...speaking of which, I've got dishes to stack in the dishwasher - hmmm....

The timing of that comment is remarkable because I just completed my second annual Tour of Lakes ride, here in the Brainerd lakes area of Minnesota.  Here's what the club posted on their facebook page:

‎22nd annual Tour Of Lakes was today. 1100+ riders. Great weather. Wonderful volunteers. A few flat tires and probably some sunburn. Beautiful roads in the Pequot Lakes, Nisswa, Crosslake area north of Brainerd. Some little hills. We made them smaller just for this ride. They're back to full size by this evening. You're welcome!

Plan for next year. Always the first Saturday in June. A different route every time.

(They lied about the hills. They were killers, especially the ones they saved for the end!)
 
Here's a close-up of the map.
 

It's true, what those folks thought back in the olden days, that women wouldn't want to reproduce and do dishes once they learned to ride bike.  I can honestly say that I had NO thoughts of reproducing OR doing dishes as I was pushing the pedal over and over, up and up the hills, until I couldn't press it down one more time and had to get off the bike and walk the rest of the way.

I'll have to confess that I was cursing out my friend Marina for ever talking me into the ride in the first place.  I was angry with the club for choosing this route, and I was questioning my own sanity and stamina, filled with regret, as I trudged forward.  A couple, older than me, biked by and asked, "How's it going?"

I said, "It's tough."

"We get to go downhill here."

"That's great," I said, barely able to talk.  "I'll be fine if the rest of the ride is all downhill."

It wasn't.  I forgot all domestic responsibilities and started singing my song for Sunday's service:  I lift my eyes unto the mountain, from where my help will surely come, For my help comes from the Creator, who made the Earth, the stars, and sun....and when the road is long and weary, and if you tire beneath the sun, You join with those who share the journey: bring them home when day is done. The Lord will keep me safe and holy.  The Lord's a shade when day is bright; the sun won't burn me with its glory, nor will the moon in dark of night.

I pedaled and walked and sang, and commiserated with the other bikers, ate snacks at the rest stops with my son, Bobby, and friend Denise, and when the road became too weary, I focused on the rootbeer floats at the end of the journey.  Oh, ya, I thought of the journey of life, of the creative life, of our spirits.  I thought of how when it gets really hard, someone comes along to lift you up.  That you make friends along the way, and through their encouragement, you reach the top. And, yes, as you coast down, feeling the wind whip over your sunburned shoulders, you know that another hill is coming, that it will test your power, but in the end, you'll reach the top, and celebrate when day is done.

After a soothing shower and a rest while watching a movie (The Majestic with Jim Carrey was on tv, and I enjoyed it. The first time I saw it, several years ago, I thought it was a little slow, but I got the meaning this time, and liked it.)  And, Marina invited me and my boys over for supper, and I totally forgave her for "making" me ride uphill all day when I ate her delicious turkey burgers (where did you get them?), pasta salad, wine, and her daughter's cute cake decorated with a bike!

Thanks!

Ride on!

Just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling...

As we finished our cake on Saturday night, the question was: So, who's in for next year?

I think I'll bring both Bobby and Zach next year, and Charlie and Eric if they feel up to it.  I saw other kids on the trail.  One dad had two boys riding tandem with him, and Marina road tandem with her 11-year-old daughter.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever been on a long journey, or met a physical challenge, that made you stronger?

Signs of Spring

Quote of the Day:  my favorite springtime poem by Mary Oliver.

Such Singing in the Wild Branches

It was spring

and finally I heard him

among the the first leaves -

then I saw him clutching the limb

in an island of shade

with his red-brown feathers

all trim and neat for the new year.

First, I stood still

and thought of nothing.

Then I began to listen.

Then I was filled with gladness-

and that's when it happened,

when I seemed to float,

to be, myself, a wing or a tree-

and I began to understand

what the bird was saying,

and the sands in the glass

stopped

for a pure white moment

while gravity sprinkled upward

like rain, rising,

and in fact

it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing-

it was the thrush for sure, but it seemed

not a single thrush, but himself, and all his brothers,

and also the trees around them,

as well as the gliding, long-tailed clouds

in the perfectly blue sky-all, all of them

were singing.

And, of course, yes, so it seemed,

so was I.

Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn't last

for more than a few moments.

It's one of the magical places wise people

like to talk about.

One of the tings they say about, that is true,

is that, once you've been there,

you're there forever.

Listen, everyone has a chance.

Is it spring, is it morning?

Are there trees near you,

and does our own soul need comforting?

Quick, then - open the door and fly on your heavy feet; the song

may already be drifting away.

Listen to Mary Oliver read more of her amazing poetry here.  She has a loving and emotional way of describing nature and all its glory.

The birds have come and woken up something new inside me.  I tried to capture a few on camera. 

I need a stronger lens or better bait.  I tried cut up oranges and grape jelly. 

So far, I've attracted ants.  I did see one come close, but of course, I wasn't ready with my camera.  So, this morning, I'm sitting in my kitchen with the deck door open.  A cool breeze is coming in, and I've heard a few birds, but none have landed on my deck railings.  This is the closest they came.

While I was looking for images of orioles verses yellow finches, I found this blog by Lisa Sabin-Wilson.  Her post on trying to capture her orioles on "film" was much like mine.  It was an older post, so I clicked her title to see what she's recently done, and discovered a glorious video of an NPR recording of Adele. Sweet, soulful music.

I had intended to write this post yesterday, but it didn't work out.  I ended up doing yardwork.  Here's what happened.  On Tuesday, Lisa, my friend and neighbor, asked if I had any hotdogs.  I had four left in a package, so I ran them over to her house.  On Wednesday morning, she came over to my house while I was at a meeting, and started digging up a voluntary tree that had grown from a seed that came down my downspout.  Once she got started, there was no stopping her.  She trimmed my bushes, and cleaned up the brush around my house.  We solicited the help of her nephew.

He was more than happy to pull the Radio Flyer to the back and call for Someone (me) to help him unload it. I offered up lemonade as a reward.

Birds, buds, blossoms, and being a good neighbor - that's what makes Spring so beautiful!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are some signs of Spring in your neck of the woods? Or, what are the signs of changing seasons in your part of the globe?

Mountaintop Feeling

Quote of the Day:  You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Last April I signed up for Scriptfrenzy where your goal is to write a script in a month.  I wore the above t-shirt for the first time, packed up my laptop, and made myself a table top office at a coffee shop in downtown Brainerd, MN.  I did not complete the script in month, but I got a good start.  I typed "The End" on it last week, made copies, and invited a few talented and supportive friends over for breakfast and script reading.  It was one of the best days of my life!

I served an egg bake with ham, cheese, and hash browns, and made my famous fruit pizza.  I'm showing the readers the pizza because it has a star fruit theme.  I told them, "You are all stars.  I feel like I'm launching my career as a playwright today, and I'm so glad that you are here for it."  And, for those of you who read my blog and know me, you have also been here for it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I feel your encouragement and creative energy every time I sit down to write.

After much blood, sweat, tears, and coffee, the play is ready to be released to the world.  I had just finished typing "The End," when Janet, a writer friend in Grand Forks, wrote that they were having a theatre opportunity for women writers in Grand Forks, called She Speaks, on March 5, and would I be interested in submitting a 10 page cutting of my script.  Whoa, I thought, I just finished it.  I'm having the first read-through on Sat. morning, but YES, I am interested.  I made the cutting this afternoon and sent it off to the director. 

The story and characters came alive in a new way as my friends read this script.  Several times during the reading, that was often interrupted by commentary, the people reacted to the words as themselves, then realized that it was script, and went back into character.  That's how natural it read.  Oh, my heart was beating fast.  Can you tell from the photo how flushed I am?  I'm still coming down from this Mountaintop feeling.

Here they all are:

Joey, my photographer friend who played Lolly.

Lisa, my neighbor and freind who brought the cream cheese coffee cake and played Jewell.

Laura, my friend with enormous gifts and talents in theatre, played Laura.

Matt and Beth live over two hours away, but just happened to be coming through town, read Nick and Roxy.  Beth was my student back when I was an English teacher.  She starred in the one play that I directed in her high school.  She's also writing a play.

Ed, the coffee drinker sweet dad guy who played Sam.  He's a retired elementary school teacher and a musician.

And, Denise, the birthday girl, who said this was a great way to start out her birthday celebration.  She played Aubrey.

I could go on and on, but I'll save some things for a later post.  We laughed.  We cried.  We shared stories.  Denise said it felt like we were surrounded by a white light of positive energy.  I'm telling you, folks, it's still here.  I'm still glowing.  And, the view from this Mountaintop is spectacular.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Promt:  Describe a mountaintop experience, one you've had or one you dream of having.

Word for the Year

Quote of Day:  "You don't choose a word if you're a writer as a golf pro chooses a club with the shot in mind.  You choose it with yourself in mind - your needs, your passions.  It has to carry the green, yes, but it must also carry YOU." - Archibald MacLeish

Here I am at Robert's Bookstore in Lincoln, Oregon, choosing the right words for me.  I have been on a journey of self-disovery for several years now.

In 2008, my word was Courage.
In 2009, my word was Healing
In 2010, my word was Rhythm
Now, in 2011, my word is Embrace.

In my latest blog post, Arms Open Wide, I wrote about opening my arms to change, to the new year and all the possibilities.  From that visual, I found my word, embrace.  That means that I am open to what's waiting for me, and I'll embrace who I am, my unique gifts and talents, the path I'm intended to be on, and all the parts of me, whatever shape they're in.

I was talking with a friend yesterday about finding our word for 2011.  She chose, Energy!  That's a great one.  We started naming all the ways we can get energy:  food, exercise, people, the right environment, rest, nature, beauty, art, music, conversation.  Can you think of more?

Journaling Prompt:  What's your word or phrase for 2011?  Go on, embrace it!

Arms Open Wide

Quote of the Day:  On Saturday, March 10, 1888 a great blizzard prevented his (Mark Twain's) wife from joining him on a trip to New York.



Clemens wrote:


"And so, after all my labor and persuasion to get you to at last promise to take a week's holiday and go off with me on a lark, this is what Providence has gone and done about it. It does seem to me the oddest thing--the way Providence manages. A mere simple request to you to stay at home would have been entirely sufficient; but no, that is not big enough, picturesque enough--a blizzard's the idea; pour down all the snow in stock, turn loose all the winds, bring a whole continent to a stand-still: that is Providence's idea of the correct way to trump a person's trick. If I had known it was going to make all this trouble and cost all these millions, I never would have said anything about your going. Now in the light of this revelation of the methods of Providence, consider Noah's flood--I wish I knew the real reason for playing that cataclysm on the public: likely enough, somebody who liked dry weather wanted to take a walk. That is probably the whole thing--and nothing more to it."


- Letter to Olivia Clemens, March 10, 1888

Mark Twain does have a way with words.  I also like the butter commercial "You can't mess with Mother Nature."  When she wants her way, she gets it - no arguing.

So, like Olivia Clemens, we stayed home over the New Year.  The blizzard of 2010 rolled into the Red River Valley of the North and my family's farm and kept us away.  I'm in central Minnesota.  We had nasty freezing rain mixed with snow which makes the roads horribly dangerous.  The Valley got the blizzard, and our Christmas party/New Year's Eve celebration was cancelled. 
After several hours of pouting and phone calls and fussing about that which I cannot control, I went out for groceries, talked to my good friend, took a nap, then rallied enough to ring in the New Year with my boys.  We had ribs, chips & dip, rootbeer floats, movies, games and fun. 

I got up early to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee and journal:
2011, bring on your surprises, crack open your changes, and let me run with my arms open wide and leap into new possibilities.

The new year is like the start of a new day.  You've rested.  You're refreshed and you feel strong and full of hope.  And, look at all the new, white snow! - a fresh, clean canvas just waiting for us to create.

I'm sending out light and love to my dear friend, JeMA as she and her family roll out in their RV to explore the country.  Their New Year is already filled with mystery and surprises.  While I know we are always connected in spirit, I will miss her presence here in my little spot of the world.  She is the kind of friend that we all long to have.

May your New Year be filled with surprises and blessings beyond belief!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What is something new that you're looking forward to in the New Year?

Extreme Artist Date - ND Style

Quote of the Day:  You decide to do something, perform one small action, and suddenly it's a tide, the momentum is going, and there's no possibility of turning back.  Somehow, even though you thought you foresaw all that would happen, you didn't know the pace would pick up so.  Amanda Cross, American writer

Here I am at Stella's Italian restaurant in Fargo, ND with my two artist friends, JeMA and Roxane. Click on their names to get their versions of the date.

We're having our own version of an Eat Pray Love experience.  Roxane called it an "Extreme Artist Date."  The idea comes from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, where you take yourself out and experience whatever it is that inspires you.  In this case, our friendship, good food, and artistic places on the Plains.

After dinner, we saw Letters to Juliet, then spent some time at the Sky Prairie lounge on the roof of the Hotel Donaldson, where we were guests.

The weekend started to take on a Mediterranean feel with the pasta, the garlic, the wine, and the movie that transports us to the rolling hills of Italy, where romance comes to those who wait.

The night was sticky and hot, but we enjoyed hanging out on the rooftop - something we couldn't do in January in Fargo!

We shared our plans as we build our lives around our art.  We encouraged one another to create, share, and become successful.  The Hotel Donaldson promotes local artists and authors.  We could imagine our works being displayed there.

In the morning, we stood on the balcony, feeling the heat of the day and the hope of possibilities.

We had lunch at a Greek restaurant.

The lemonades and teas come in many exotic flavors.  JeMA had pomegranate, Roxane - blueberry, and I thought I'd take a little passion fruit in mine.  Mmm.  Great compliments to the Greek salad and light, but tasty skewers.

We visited the Plains Arts Museum.  I was fascinated by the display that paired The Beetles White Album songs to various artwork.

Then, we had coffee at a local shop that displays local art.  JeMA showed us her latest pieces.  Her smaller ones, called JeMs, are particularly fascinating.  Roxane asked to buy one and named it "The Story."

With the Prairie winds in our hair, joy in our hearts, and art exuding from our pores, we blow back into the world, ready to create, share, and inspire.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a get-away, near or far, that inspired you.