Open to Adventure

Quote of the Day:  Go forth seeking adventure. Open your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart, your spirit and you'll find adventure everywhere. ~ Wilfred A Peterson

Open the window in the center of your chest, and let the spirits fly in and out. ~ Rumi

Favorite Photos Friday:

Adventures happen on the 4th of July when celebrating with friends and family at a lake home.

Adventures happen in the kitchen when you get creative with your oft-requested fruit pizza. I'm calling this

Variation on the American Flag.

Krista, Publicist Extraordinaire

Adventure happens on a friend's screened-in porch.

JeMA, Artist and Writer Extraordinaire

Especially when you add ingredients like wine, chocolate, creative spirits, and an openness to dream and scheme about more adventures.

Mary, fueling up for more adventures

Adventure comes from being open, trusting your intuition, and listening to the voices that say, "It's okay to jump on the bike!"

The Biker Chef

Seriously, with a look like that, who could resist?

The open road, whether physical or creative, awaits you.

Jump on the bike and start your adventure today!

I'll be on a blogging break next week as I go on an adventure with my family.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do one adventurous thing today and write about it. Make a list of adventures you'd like to take.

Artist Date Roman Holiday Style

Quote of the Day:  It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Whenever I'm invited to view and review a show at The Guthrie, I try to think of one new thing I can do when I go to the city. Sometimes, my guest is someone who is attending a show here for the first time. I love watching them experience something new. My publicist/friend Krista has accompanied me the most, so we try to plan something new to do, like eat some place new, or walk around somewhere. We didn't get there early enough for the Stone Arch Festival, but we did  have time for a delicious Greek Salad at the Spoon River restaurant, right outside the Guthrie. They're all about fresh, local ingredients, food that makes you feel good.

You know I love taking pictures of scrumptuous food like this. Plus, I just got a new lens for my Nikon camera. So, Krista and I had fun taking photos here, and again after the show down by the river. Because we were having so much fun with our cameras and our dining experience, we met these two lovely ladies.

Bernie and Chris

We exchanged cards. Chris is a writer, too.

They were going to see Amen Corner.

I invited them to read my reviews on this blog.

They asked Krista to take their picture.

Bernie took one of us.

Then, we all went in to see our shows.

You can read my review by clicking on The Guthrie tab above.

After the show, we went out of the theatre to take a walk and shoot some photos by the river, and discovered this cute motorbike that reminded us of the scene from Roman Holiday.

Just a fun shot using reflection.

One for the website whenever I get that up and going.

Plus, wanted to show off the outfit I found at a local Brainerd shop, The Olde Open Window.

I found the most awesome sandals there. Just like Princess Anne in Roman Holiday, they set my soul (soles) free and I was off on another Artist Date in the MinnieApple.

You can have an Artist Date wherever you go, or even if you stay at home. Do something new. Find a hot, new pair of shoes and a new place to where them. Invite a friend along, and don't be afraid to talk to strangers, at least not the ones who smile and say, "Hi." Life is an adventure...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Where have your soles (or souls) taken you lately?

A Long Winter's Nap

Favorite Photo Friday (might be my favorite photo - ever.)

Quote of the Day:
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.from Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

Leo, the napping cat

All the gifts have been handed out, opened, admired, and the wrappings and trimming have been put away. As we're saying good-bye to the holidays and hello to the New Year, let us all take a few moments to rest, reflect, and enjoy.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are your reflections on the holidays, the New Year, napping?

Reflections

Favorite Photos Friday

Quote of the Day:  Let's do a "Ferris Bueller" pose. Said by my boys as they stood at the window on the 9th floor of The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. We had a few minutes to look around, and found this view to be spectacular.

Shot with flash

Tried again and turned off the flash.

Even though Charlie looks a little distorted, I like this shot better.

More reflection and color.

I took these two while standing out on the deck of the 4th floor with the boys. I think we're looking at the "Endless Bridge."

We didn't quite understand the "endless" part, but it was dark and a little cold, so they didn't explore very far.

This shot is pretty, in a mystical kind of way.

I think the blues are beautiful.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving (in the USA), and a great weekend with friends or family, wherever you are!

Journaling Prompt:  What's your favorite part of a big feast like Thanksgiving?

What Could This Be?

Favorite Photo Friday

Quote of the Day:  Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. - Albert Einstein

What could this be?

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, use your imagination.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe an object, like the clouds, in a way that is new and original.

The Cat's Pajamas

Favorite Photo Friday #1

Quote of the Day:  Cat's pajamas - Something considered to be outstanding

The term "cat's pajamas" comes from E.B. Katz, an English tailor of the late 1700's and early 1800's, who made the finest silk pajamas for royalty and other wealthy patrons. Nothing like a cat nap in Kat'z pjs. (from the book, "Cats out of the Bag" compiled by Terry, Don and Ken Beck)
Alternative: A slang phrase coined by Thomas A. Dorgan in the 1920s when the word "cat" was used as a term to describe the unconventional flappers from the jazz era. This was combined with the word pyjamas (a relatively new fashion in the 1920s) to form a phrase used to describe something that is the best at what it does, thus making it highly sought and desirable.

Source:  http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/phrases.htm

It's also the title of a collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury.

Leo in the Light

I'm starting a new tradition on my blog, to post my favorite photo of the week on Fridays.  I love how the natural outdoor light shines on and through Leo's fur. Look at how you can see the veins in Leo's ears as the sunlight shines through them. It reminds me of when we were young and took a flashlight into a dark place, maybe camping in a tent or a closet, and we'd hold it behind a finger or a friend's ear to see what's inside.  Kinda freaky, but fun.  Was it an attempt to see the insides of a person?  Wasn't it just "the cat's pajamas" to use the flashlight to "see" the veins inside or make shadow puppets?

Journaling Prompt:  What are some "cat" phrases you know?  What quirky things did you do as a kid, or now?

Go. Create. Inspire! And, do something that's "The Cat's Pajamas!"

Photo Op - Social Flop

Quote of the Day:  I have two from quotegarden.com:  I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity. ~Hazel Lee

Opportunity is a parade. Even as one chance passes, the next is a fife and drum echoing in the distance. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com


I love the sound of hope in the second one.  Here's a funny story. I went to the skating show with my friend and her daughter, also my piano student.  My friend worked the concession stand, so she told me to sit at her spot where she had a comfy stadium chair and blanket waiting for me.  How sweet.  I said, "Excuse me," to the lovely young woman at the end of the aisle, and scooted in.  Immediately, I noticed her impressive camera equipment.  She took a few practice shots before the event started.  I wanted to lean over and ask about her lens and her settings, but I didn't.  I was shy.  I mean, I've taken one photography class through community ed.  What do I really know about cameras and their settings?  So, I sat quietly, taking in the show with my eyes, and after intermission, sipping on some hot chocolate. 

Turns out the lovely young woman is a local professional photographer and I follow her blog!  I didn't quite recognize her because we've never met in person. I've seen only a headshot of her, and know her best by her work.  When I got home, I saw that she had posted on FB that she was going to the show.  I wrote:  OMG! I was sitting right next to you!

She later admitted that she thought she recognized me, too, because she follows my blog and noticed my "cute coat" (thanks), the one from the Her Voice article.  She'd also been too shy to say anything.

We're both feeling a little socially inept.  We agreed to meet for coffee, soon, and actually talk to each other.  Let me introduce the fabulous Laura Radniecki and her wonderful work.

The adorable Mickey Mouse number I wrote about in Monday's post.

"The Flintstones" number with a neighbor/friend's daughter in the foreground - future piano student!  Her older sister is my student and also a skater.

The guest skater, professional and Olympic hopeful, Kate Charbonneau, from Canada.  Not only is she a fabulous skater (truly, I felt like I was at the Olympics), she was a gracious guest and loving inspiration to the younger girls.  Someone to truly look up to.

See more photos of the skating show and to learn more about this wonderful photographer at her blog.  She describes her art as: Authentic. Timeless. Whimsical.  I think she is especially skilled at capturing the personality of children - tongues hanging out, winks, playing with a favorite toy, or coming alive in nature.

Thanks, Laura, for sharing your photos on my blog.  Thanks for scooting your legs over so I could sit by you.  Sorry I didn't say, "Hi." And, I look forward to our coffee date.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever let an opportunity slip by because of fear, shyness, or daring to make the first move?  Write about it, learn from it, and seize the next opportunity like the beat of a new song!

Change Time

Quote of the Day:  Eliminate something superfluous from your life.  Break a habit.  Do something that makes you feel insecure. - Piero Ferrucci (found in The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron)

I thought this was a cool way to use army guys.  It was hard to photograph, though.  This sculpture is taller and in dark entryway.  I had to break the rules and use my flash. Sorry, Jon (my teacher)!

March has been a time of change.  I tried a few new things, like a photography class and having a reading of my play.

I tried to look at things from a new perspective.

For a change, I wasn't completely terrified to share my creative work.  I didn't let myself get blocked when I realized that I'd need original music for my play - that turned into a musical.  And, I approached another artist, a composer, and asked him if I could use his songs in my play.  He said he'd ask the band.  It's a start.  He might not be the one, but I have taken a huge step in reaching out, talking about my art, and inviting someone else in.

Today, I was the musician at my church.  I checked and double-checked about the time change, headed out early, and told my 10-year-olds that today they could bring their sleds to church.  They've been wanting to slide down the hills at Camp Confidence ever since we started meeting there this fall.

Then, I came home and made a Sunday dinner (in the afternoon) for myself.  I didn't have the ingredients for my usual sauce, so I opened a cookbook, looked at the picture and read the ingredients. Then, I opened my cupboards and fridge and tossed together my own sauce: Calamata olives, a blend of spices, a splash of lemon juice and Worchestershire sauce.  I threw a sweet potato in the oven and stir-fried some broccoli.  The salmon was done, but the sweet potato was like a big stone, still solid.  I didn't think it would be ready to eat until sometime on Tuesday, so I sliced off one end and threw it in the stir-fry.

Turned out delicious!

And, it looks so healthy!

Julia Cameron tells us that a good way to open up our creativity is to take a new path now and then.  Drive a new way home.  Take a walk in a different neighborhood.  Try something new.  Make a change. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What is one way you can do something different and embrace a change?

Seizing the Day

Quote of the Day:  Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are your own fears. - Kudyard Kipling

Do school lockers make you afraid?

Do they evoke memories of bad school days, junior high angst, powerlessness?

I decided to take a photography class through community ed.  The classes are held at the former junior high school which has been converted into art space and studios.  Our first assignment was to figure out how to set our cameras to manual mode and read the lighting. 

I'm not exactly a Kindergartner in a photography class, but I'm still in elementary school.  I'm hoping to unlock the mysteries of creative photography in this junior high setting. 

Our homework is to take pictures, duh, and share them this week.  Since we have a glorious day that is above freezing - actually around 40F out there, I took a walk with my camera.

My first photo was of my neighbor's house.  I had thoughts of knocking on the door to see if my friend was home, but thought I might be tempted to drink tea and visit instead of doing my homework, so I kept walking.  My first photos of her place were bright white.  I still had my camera set to indoor lighting.

Signs of melting, and things that are revealed caught my eye. 

Soon kids will be playing here.  My boys like being the first to clean the slide off with their bottoms.

I find beauty in nature, not the straight and perfect, rather what is broken, decaying, and yet, showing new life.

When I got home, I discovered broken dishes and a cat who had seized the opportunity to climb on the counter to lick my plate.  I'd had salmon on my toast, and I should have known she couldn't resist the smell. 

Reason number one for doing your dishes right away.

What? Me? I've just been lying here, napping all afternoon.

Right.

This blog has been a bit quiet lately because I'm preparing for the read-through (unveiling) of my first full-length play this coming Sat. Feb. 19.  Wanna talk about fears?  I've been pushing down negative thoughts for at least two weeks.  But, I've set the date and called my talented friends, so there's no backing down, now.  Eeep!

I'll have one more post this week when my latest article in Her Voice is available online.  It's titled "Real Men Read Her Voice."

Turn and face your fears, my friends, and

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How do you celebrate warmer weather and feelings that spring is in the air?  What fears are you pushing down right now?