Lean Into

                     Drip. 

                         Drop. 

                              Drip. 

                                 

Hugs and kisses were the first order of the day as my children headed out the door for their first day back to school. No one in our household looks forward to back-to-school season. It is an enormous blessing to live in a household full of love, comfort, and safety where enjoyment of the family unit is top priority. It makes back-to-school time bitter sweet. There is much excitement about the new. New teachers, making new friends, a new year of opportunity for learning and growth. Not so much excitement is felt for waking early, boredom in the classroom, parting with the security and comfort of home. BTST is hard on mom too. Watching my loved ones head out the door into the big wide world.

Today I am choosing the words lean into.

I am choosing to lean into this new school year with trust that none of us will not fall. Faith the kids will have the best year ever. Lean in with imagination for all that I will achieve during the day. Lean in and surrender to the flow of life. As I lean in I will whisper my intentions of success to the cloth of the Universe knowing it holds the magic necessary to weave my creative dreams into reality. This new year, new season, new cup of free time will be filled to overflowing with goodness. I vow to fill my cup daily with happiness, health, creativity, peace and love allowing my children to step off the bus directly into the overflow.

             Ah yes.

                     Drip.

                         Drop.

                              Drip.

                                  Drop.

My cup will overflow.

Possibility

I adore old keys. Growing up in ancient houses probably helped spark my adoration of keys as I remember the skeleton keys that went to our locks. Holding one in my hand today is a flashback to the past. A piece of key shaped childhood. Of freedom and fun, play and carefree days.

Antique keys hold so much mystery. They unlock the imagination. Who did they belong to? What secrets did they lock safely away? They represent security.

I was gifted a handful of keys (pic taken via iPad) recently from a lovely friend. I have great hope for their use as the possibilities are endless. I imagine using them in photographs, encaustic art, making a mobile or windchime, something loving and artsy. Instead, they end up hidden away in a drawer. Treasures of their own, ironically locked away for safe keeping, their potential lying stagnant as I cannot bare to part with them. Perhaps it was growing up poor that causes me to hang onto treasure as when I open the drawer that holds my collection, I feel like the richest girl on the block. That alone makes them worth their weight.

Still, it saddens me, this inability to use them. I fear not doing them justice. Not having an art piece turn out good enough. Not having the pictures successfully represent their beauty. It is the "not good enough" part that causes me to keep them locked away. "Not good enough" is not good enough for me anymore.

What a cathartic post! I wasn't expecting it to end this way! What an epiphany! I think I'll take my key collection and proudly display them in a bowl where I will pass them regularly and they can whisper to me and spark my creativity. They will say, "You are good enough! Come play!"

Adelia

Story inspired by writing prompt at Stampington.com

Appologies ahead as I do not know how to link up to the exact web page as I am working on my iPad (my computer is in the shop).

Photography by Andrea C. Jenkins featured in Life Images 2008

"Well good morning Sunshine!"

"Hi Mommy"

"Where are you off to so bright and early?"

"I'm going to the bay. There's a ship waiting for me. It's going to take me to a far away land where the magic lives."

"Oh my! A magical land. Sounds perfect. I see you wore your favorite sweater."

"Sometimes it gets cold in Adelia."

"Adelia, huh? Did you remember your toothbrush?"

"You don't need toothbrushes in Adelia, Mommy! The toothfairy lives there and she has all her helpers clean the kids' teeth."

"Well isn't that convenient! So, if you're wearing your favorite sweater, and you don't need to pack your toothbrush, what's in the bag?"

"Books."

"Books?"

"Yup. Books. And my paint. And paper. And a paintbrush. That's all you need in Adelia. Books and paints."

"Hmmm... that doesn't sound like much. What will you eat? Where will you sleep? What will you wear if your sweater gets too hot?"

"That's easy. It's all in the books. Books are magical in Adelia. They come to life. You just read them and they come true."

"So if you get hungry, you can just read 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs'?"

"Yup"

"And if you get hot, you can read a book on winter to bring back the cold?"

"Or a book on princess clothes so I can wear a fancy gown!"

"Oh listen to you giggle! I think you're on to something good!"

"Yeah, Adelia is good. It's all good. I only brought good books too."

"So why the paints?"

"Just in case."

"In case of what?"

"In case I don't have the book I need... or if I miss you while I'm there."

"What happens if you don't have the right book, or if you miss me?

"If I get scared, I can paint a blanket to keep me safe. And if I miss you, I will paint you and then you will be there with me."

"So everything you read and everything you paint becomes real in Adelia?"

"Yup."

"Wow. That does sound like a magical place. I sure would like to visit a place like that some day."

"You wanna go with me?"

"I would love to go with you Honey, but Mommy has work to do around here."

"Silly Mommy! Time stands still in Adelia. You can come with me and when we get back, all your work will still be right here waiting for you!"

"In that case, I would love to go with you."

Taking her mother's hand, "Mommy? Why are you wiping your eyes?"

"Because my love for you is overflowing, my wise little princess. You opened my eyes so wide, the love leaked right out."

"I love you Mommy."

"I love you too Sweet Girl."

Childlike Wonder

     I purchased some clay marbles at a flea market last month. I couldn't help myself. It was wonderment at first sight. Years of play (they are from the Civil War era) has left them with such a beautiful patina. The earthen colors drew me in. 

     Holding them in my hands transported my imagination through time at the possibilities of ownership. Black and white images of children crowding around the ground, bent at the waist, some squatting to get a better view, watching, waiting for the shooter to act. Crack! The marbles slam into one another and the children stand and jump, arms in the air, hooting and hollaring. Their neighborhood marble champ has done it again!

     Perhaps they have seen harder times as well. A soldier filling his pockets with the cold, orbital love notes. A gift from his sweetheart as he heads off to war. She knew they were a favorite game of his and she wanted him to have something with him that would make him smile, a good luck trinket he could rub if he were scared or lonely. Perhaps pull out for a game or two if given a chance.

     A grandpa passing his beloved marbles down to his great-grandson proclaiming "I only had a few toys when I was your age. Money was scarce. We made do with our imaginations. But these." He looked longingly into the past, his smile growing youthful with the memory, "These were my treasure. Out of the few toys I had, my marbles were my favorite. I won quite a bit of money playing marbles! I was the town champ!"

     Clay pulled from the earth, formed, glazed, fired. Through the years filled with memory. Worn away from hands of play. Kept in pockets, bags, drawers. Traveling around from owner to owner. Where did they come from? What stories do they have to tell? If you tracked them back to the ground from which they came, what would the earth say? Would it sigh a story of their birth?

     There is something magical about old toys. Made with earthen elements. Wood, clay, metal. Holding amazing energy. All you have to do is hold them, close your eyes, and listen. They are little story tellers.

Dreaming

Cue the music!

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!

I guess I should have clarified 'light and fluffy' vs. 'wet and sloppy'.

At least our tree is Merry and Bright.

Today is a snow day. The kids had all sorts of play dates planned with the idea of snowmen, snow forts and hot chocolate. 

 The snow came. Then the rain. More snow is scheduled to follow. Right now they would be stuck making slush men, so they are hunkered down with books and crafts. 

Today I am thankful for a warm house, the beautiful snow and the love and safety of my gorgeous children.

Bath

Sliding into warm moisture

body transformed to weightlessness

the magic of imagination begins.

Floating free

mind meanders

feelings of childlike wonder emerge.

Underwater world

sounds muffled yet magnified

toying with memories pulled from afar.

Swoosh swoosh boom boom

sound of the womb

sound of my own heart beating.

Lying, loving

warm and safe

world transformed to water

Time stops

transformation begins

entering a state of tranquility.

Roll over face under

holding breath long and hard

feeling at peace with the world.

Lungs grow tight longing for air

last minute breath

a sigh of relief.

Flip flop

splish splash

safe and serene.

Eyes closed

mind open

wandering near and far.

Study within

learning to live

with what's without.

Time moves

water cools

drain pressure released.

Lie still with waters release

lowering levels tickles my sides

weighted body remains.

Bittersweet release of solitude

as I step out of the tub

and prepare to greet the world once again.

Fairy-est

Crystal Ball,

Crystal Ball,

Do tell all.

Who's the fairy-est of them all?

Welcome to our fairy garden!

M's Fairy Garden

cupboard

seating for four

shh... I see one now!

welcome!

The boys abandoned the sandbox below the swing set long ago.

After years of trucks and shovels excavating the prime real estate,

Darling Daughter and I thought it was time to develop.

No high rises here! We created a welcoming little neighborhood for flowers, bunnies and fairies! Shh... I think I see one now!

Angels

Do you believe in angels?

I do.

Today's Guest

I am hosting a guest author/artist today.

My 10 y/o son wanted to share some of his writing.

I'm sure he would love to hear what you think!

Care to indulge him with some blogland love?

Lennon Vs. Carter

by Carter Retzlaff (with guest Lennon The Cat)

L- “Since I’m so famous you should re…”

C- “You are NOT famous! You’re a regular old cat that has cat asthma, can jump eight feet in the air, do a somersault in the air and can open everything in the house!”

L- “Most cats can’t do that stuff you know.”

C- “Fine. You win.”

L- “Yes!!! I beat the record!”

C- “What record?”

L- “Oh, just the record on how many times I can win in one day.”

C- “THAT’S IT! I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS!”

Yawn

L-  “You’re boring.”

yawn… zzzzzzzzz

(the next day)

C- “Oh Lennon! I got a new rock wall for you!”

zoom

screech

L- “Wait a minute. Cats don’t climb rocks.”

C- “Wild cats do and anyway, you have your room at the top.”

L- “Really?”

C- “Yeah!”

Zoom

C- “Sucker! That rock wall is over 10 feet high. It’ll cost a life to get down.”

C- “Yow!”

whack!

C- “Hey! Keep your butt out of my face!!!”

L- “This rope is awesome!”

C- “Rope? Hey! I didn’t order the Tarzan Special.”

L- “Hey, this computer has internet.”

C- “Internet? Computer? I bet he’s just joking.”

L- “Hey Carter! I can climb down too!”

C- “Lennon! Why I’m gonna get…”

ding dong

C- “Hold on. The mailman is here.”

3…

2…

1…

C- “A BILL FOR A HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR PLAYING EAT THE COW?!?!?!?!?!”

L- “That’s not all.”

C- “BLACK MAIL! THIS BLACKMAIL IS LITERALLY BLACK!”           

L- “Ah. This video game called ‘Rabid Bunny Attack’ rocks!”

C- “Um… Hey Lennon!”

L- “What?”

C- “Can I play too?”

L- “Sure.”

(after climbing the rock wall)

C- “So what level are you on?”

L- “10”

C- “How many levels are there?”

L- “1000”

C- “Is it two player?”

L- “Yup.”

C- “When can I join in?”

L- “Any time.”

C- “What are we s’posed to do?”

L- “Well, you’re on the bunny side and I’m on the cat side.”

C- “What do we attack you with?”

L- “Plungers. And we attack you with swords and catapults.”

C- “That’s unfair!”

L- “Who said life was fair?”

C- “That’s it! I’m not going to talk to you! Good-bye!”

L- “Have a nice fall!”

C- “What do you mean, ‘have a nice fall’?”

Triiip

C- “Yaaaaaaaaaa!!!!”

splat!

C- “I think I broke something. Yaaaaa!!! My knee is bent backward!”

L- “Okay. Now I can switch bunnies to have swords and catapults and… oh yeah. I’ll visit you in the hospital.”

C- “Darned you Lennon!”

The End

Childlike Wonder

There's something about zebras that bring out the childlike wonder in me.

Their stripes are so bold, so exact, so... fake looking!

I've seen horses my whole life and the zebra looks like a horse in striped pajamas.

They appear to be imaginary. They are entirely too amazing to be real.

Zebras were always my favorite zoo animal by far.

When my local zoo took the zebras out, I was heartbroken.

Guess where I found them?

Near a local amusement park wandering the fields free and happy.

(as free as a large fenced field allows)

I was giggling with glee when I took the park's mini-train ride and spotted them grazing.

I could ride that train all day just to get a glimpse of this gorgeous creature.

Staring at them makes me feel like a child again.

They free my sense of wonder.

What frees your sense of wonder?

I challenge you to find something this weekend that wakes your inner child.

Give yourself permission to play!

Play

Woke up.

Brought Darling Daughter clothes.

She replied, "I already have clothes picked out. See?" 

She pointed at the wall next to the bed.

I looked...

...followed the arrow down to the pile of black clothing.

"Oh. Okay." I replied with smile and internal giggle. 

I went to the kitchen to make lunches.

Darling Daughter arrived.

Yup. She's a pretty cool black agent alright!

God I just love her creativity, freedom of expression, imagination.

Do I smell a lesson here?

Wishing you a fun-filled

"cool black agent" 

kind of weekend!

Through the eyes of a child

It never ceases to amaze me how children see the world. The innocence they carry, the magic they see, the unfiltered reality and honesty they carry in their words and visions.

My daughter walked into the room the other day and said, "Look, Mommy. See my charm? I have this bag to hide it so no one will steal it. Just like my shirt says. Since I am a real live princess after all!" (she was holding a shamrock she inherited after my grandmother passed away which is now her "lucky charm"  -   see #5 on her shirt?)

Holy Crap! Did my heart melt!!! I just laughed and hugged her and said, "And a very smart princess at that, My Dear!"

I always wish I could see the world through child eyes once again. I promise myself to stop and look and listen and slow down. Try to get to their level. Try to imagine. Try to be free of adult worry and busyness and preoccupation. Then I forget and I get busy and worry and find myself preoccupied.

Until a little princess stops me dead in my tracks and grabs my heart with both hands and shakes it free once again.

I dedicate this week to childish expression, imagination and freedom of dreams!!!! May you join me and soar.