A long day's journey into night

There are times when you travel that you swear you're doing more than just moving through space. Yesterday was one of those times for me. I didn't have very much ability for thinking as I was leaving our small MT airport at 6am, but I know that I was hesitant, even wishing that I was not in fact getting on a plane to leave home for a week and 1/2 just as the weather had finally stretched into spring--just as the flowers were starting to pop open and the leaves from the trees appearing like magic tricks. It was the first time in a long time that I was more focused on the idea of not being home than on the upcoming trip or adventure.

I had three flights, with a short time between them in the airports of Seattle and Portland and between reading, listening to music and just observing people and places I found myself deep down in my thoughts. I sometimes feel my mind is like layers of sediment and rock...the top layer that is used to being out in the open where things grow and get a few weeds now and then, the next layer, where it tends to be quiet and dark but full of an known potential, and then there is a layer that whe you break into, it's almost like clay...memories from the past that through time have been compressed and hardened.

As I traveled yesterday it was as if I had broken into this lower layer...and memories from places that I had been 10 years and longer ago in my life would pop into my view. House sitting for my friend and professor in Burien (during a very hard personal time in my life), Going to school in OR fresh out of college and what life looked like at that point in my life, the last time I flew in the Burbank airport and why I was there, Meeting some of most cherished friends for the first time and being able to look back along the path to where we are now, thoughts of 'what if I had taken a different path' at different points in my life along the way....random, and yet all a part of this person I've become. All part of the journey that I've traveled so far. And I think they all came a'calling as I was on my way yesterday because my deep down question right now is "where are you headed?"

But more on that later.

My marathon of day began at 4am MT time and ended 11:30pm Pacific standard time. After arriving in California I had a pre-paid ticket with super shuttle to take me to an apartment that I've never been to before, to stay with people I've never met. (I've done this before, but it does always make me wonder about what I'm going to discover when I get there.) **side note, in the shuttle with me was a VERY fun priest who travels a lot as well. I think hearing him give a sermon would be such a kick...and I would try to find my way back to his church for that reason except that he was headed to another small town today. But even though I'm not Catholic, I thought it was a good sign that my first interaction with a stranger this go round was someone who could bless me! lol ** Thankfully, I've yet to be disappointed in the kindness of strangers and am very much enjoying my new friends made through need and the generosity of the contra dance community!

Upon arrival, I changed my way-to-hot to be wearing clothing (gotta remember to look at weather forcasts before I travel!!!) and walked to a store to get some breakfast foods. Then after a lovely dinner with my host Eric and his daughter we headed out to attend a bike ride! Yes...I went on an organized ride after having traveled all day! It was stupendous! There had to be at least a hundred cyclists...of varying ages and skills and we took to the streets of Pasadena with our lead bike (complete with speakers and a microphone so that we could follow the music!) I got to see a beautiful old part of California that I would have never seen had I not been on this journey into this unknown.

After the ride was over we then re-grouped and Eric, his daughter and I headed to a contra dance! I was tired still, but very energized by the ride and the people and the atmosphere of 'anything can happen'. The dance was very fun with a great band and a nice collection of new dancers as well as many seasoned ones. It had been a long time since I've been on a bike and a long time since I've been 'twirling' (as I like to call it). And even though I was past the point of exhaustion by the time we left at 11:20pm....I was happy. And grateful for not only the kindness of strangers, but my willingness (even through resistance) to go down unknown paths.

Today starts the week long theater conference that I'm attending...so we'll see what lies ahead.

good and tired

Home. Sweet home.
Full of projects (indoor and out) and the joy of having accomplished a few 'must do's as well as getting to do a few 'wanna do's. I finished quilting the latest consignment quilt (just have the binding to do now) Planted some raspberry canes and ran in circles in our new garage!!!

Today was spent mostly outside, putting together a garden bed, digging in a new flower bed and planting a few new plants and scattering some seeds. Today was also spent walking around and talking to new leaves and buds and seeing the promise of things to come. I love being back in an area that experiences each of the four seasons so fully, and I have to laugh at myself in each, when I have thoughts of "OH! This is my FAVORITE time of year!" I guess what I love is being a part of the change and being present to experience each.

The weather today was slightly stormy and yet still had moments of sun and it was such a beautiful day to be out and working. How lovely it is to be working hard while it rains. Years in Seattle taught me well, (it's true we don't melt when it rains) and years of growing up on the farm taught me the joy of working hard. And when you put the two together with the added knowledge that a hot shower is your reward....life is good.

I enjoyed my time in Seattle last week, being creative and seeing old and new friends, but there is a gravitation pull to this quiet, this not quite stress-less but certainly stress-light nature of living here, this place where every time I look up from what I'm doing I'm surrounded by beauty and close to the one who loves me.

I've turned down being cast in two shows this summer/fall that I know I would have enjoyed. It was not an easy choice to make at the time...but being back home for just three days, I know my decision was the right one for me to make for this time of my life. I'm still going to be gone for a good chunk of the summer with other shows that I've agreed to do...but at least now I'm not going to be gone for 6 months straight!

Yes, I still wonder if by turning down these shows I'll stop getting as many offers; I wonder if start getting artistically restless; I wonder if I'm setting a precedence .....However, all I can do is live this moment as truthfully as I can....and for me right now the truth is where the heart is, where the river is, where home is.




(ps....Mom, thank you for every day, every lesson, every argument, every laugh, and every moment. I could never possibly express my love and thanks enough, but I'll keep on trying anyway.)

snapshots

As we head out of April and into a very busy month, I was so excited to have gifted myself a day at home instead of keeping to my original plans.

I've had a lot on my mental plate lately...decisions to make which seem on the surface to be about what my summer/fall holds, but feel as if they are pointing toward a larger metaphor of where my life is heading. I know I need to take each day as it comes, but I also can't ignore my instincts that what I'm choosing now will define what's to come later.

But for now, back to the joy of today.

Today I was able to finish piecing the top of the consignment quilt that I've been working on (a graduation present for an eldest son), I designed the pattern to feature the center medallion of his senior photos, choir photos and pictures with his closest friend. Now to quilt it and bind it!



...enjoy the growth spurts of our little seedlings,


...revel in the gift of cookie cutters from my mother's collection (ones that I-even now-can still picture myself excited to use for either cookies or salt dough ornaments.) Thanks mom for passing them on to me!!!



And I was able to put my bag together in a much more civilized manner--rather than rushing through the house like a mad women hoping that whatever I WAS forgetting was something I could live without for this trip.

Tomorrow it's a full day of work and then off toward Spokane and then Seattle for a theater workshop to kick off our companies adaptation of The Snow Queen. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have, so if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why.

I hope you all can gift yourself a day off too...it's better than apples for keeping the doctor away!

Blessings!

Welcome to the pack

Welcome Daly to the family! My parents rescued a dog this past week and while down for a visit this weekend I got to get to know our new furry family member.

Daly. (used to be Dalia-but Dad refuses to call her that)

She is sweet, gentle and still learning just how fun it is to play. Today she learned how to play tug and fetch and watched as I washed the windows and cleared out a small patch of the garden. (although she didn't understand why SHE couldn't dig too)

While I love dogs I've never had a dog myself (our family has had a few...but they were never MY dog. Today was possibly the closest I've felt to having one. They take a lot more work than cats to be sure, but when they smile at you you kind of forget about that.


Glad you're with us Daly!

In the current...

The water is rising...not just in the river that makes up our backyard....but my own river as well.

I've been so occupied by 'must-dos' that I feel a tad bit strained around the edges. I'm fortunate that even my 'must-dos' are creative and fun...but there is a whole world of creativity waiting for me to finish up my to do list and responsibilities.

Actually, I imagine how I'm feeling is not unlike the trees and plants around here. Full to the brim with spring anticipation...buds ready to shoot out new leaves and welcome new growth. But the time isn't right yet. The weather is uncertain and still has a cold bite. A few days offer sunlight and promise, and then we dive back down in to snow and frost.

There is a sense that if decisions are made too quickly, and I commit to growing one direction now I might find myself damaged from the cold realization that I'm on the wrong path.

The good news? Spring will come. And whatever branches of my life that wither from exposure will be replaced as long as the core remains healthy and rooted in good loving soil. And that is where I am....in good loving soil.

Spring will come. And I will be out there singing it's song with the birds and the sunlight and we'll dance in the brilliant new green of what's to come.

A sacred Spring Sunday

What a beautiful day it is/was today!
With sunshine, small whispers of green every direction we look, and our first new plant of the season! The Flowering Almond Shrub. I certainly hope it comes close to even a fraction of the pretty bush the photo shows!

We're anxious to see what plant or tree breaks through it's bud casings first. My vote is on the Service Berry...but the rose or lilac look to be coming on even stronger so we'll see!

We've also got a house full of that bright new green. All of the willow shoots and branches that we've been collecting and nursing in vases have all budded and have gorgeous neon green new growth on them. We've also started a peat pellet tray with some vegetable starts and some flowers as well.



Outside I'm thrilled every time I see one of my perennials pushing up through the earth...Irises, yarrow, cats ear, rhubarb, lavender, and daisies....I'm like a cheerleader egging them on (only without the silly skirt and midriff top thank you very much!)

This morning the sunlight hit the little quilt I worked on (while learning the long arm) so nicely that I decided to take a quick shot of it. This was all done freemotion and while there is still room for improvement, I 'm pretty dang happy with my stitches!



Now to go up to the loft and work some more on the next consignment quilt! But first I have a date with an afternoon sunbeam on the living room floor.

Blessings!

An Odd Question

I have an odd question to post. Does anyone live in/near Pasadena, or alternatively know someone who does? I've been accepted to attend a director's conference in May and I need to find a place to stay that is close enough where I won't need to rent a car. I don't really have the budget to pay for a motel (as even the 'seedy' ones are a bit high for my wallet right now!) lol

I'm looking for suggestions, as well as any leads of people/places who would be willing to have a fun friendly and very appreciative guest for a week.

Thanks all!