Art in the Eye of the Beholder

Have you ever gone to an art show?.... of any kind? Lets face it, there are times when we have looked at "art" and thought to ourselves- "who are they kidding!!"
Art is in the eye of the beholder-right? And I have beheld many things that I don't consider art.
A few of my old high school friends and I had the pleasure of spending a day in the sleepy little place called LaConner, Washington last year. We happened upon a little art museum and decided to go inside and check it out. What can I say......except "wait..what? You call that art??" I was not rude about it, because I realize there are people who can appreciate it as such. But all it was- literally- was trash arranged in a simple pattern on the floor. We are talking bottle caps twist ties, pieces of scrap paper..etc. Now, I'm not an art critic, but I am critical of what I perceive as art. So basically, I am very opinionated! HA! It was very hard to keep a straight face on- through the whole thing.
If you love this kind of work, or even create it- my sincere apologies- I just don't get it. I would gladly listen to anyone who wants to try and enlighten me on this type of "art"~
I, myself, love renaissance works.
 I love many different forms of art. I've dabbled in a little bit of distortion art myself. I love painting nature and even was taught to do faces. ( something that was always difficult for me to do) Trust me, I am my own worst critic!!
I have a dear longtime friend, Maria who has always been an amazing artist. Seems to be second nature with her. I admire that ability. Some people were just born with the gift. I do it for pleasure.
I had the opportunity to go inside a "real" museum in Edinburgh, Scotland. As I stood there in each area of the tall walls covered in the beauty and creative influence's of each painter piece; I was in awe. I'm sure my mouth was gaped open and I must have looked like I had just seen a piece of heaven.
Here is another more unrefined type of expressive art form. Graffiti~

I'm not for destroying private property-absolutely wrong to do that. But there are places out there that are set up for just this kind of expression. Usually done by youth. I don't condone profanity or degrading man or women...But many can express themselves in a natural positive way that sometimes gives a message. I can appreciate the deep colors and the intertwining of each piece.  I found this cement structure...what was left of it, decaying, looking a bit ugly at the top of a cliff by the ocean.
 Many have transformed it into a big expression of themselves.
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I feel that in order to call something a work of art, it has to evoke an emotion inside of you. You have to feel the piece. Whether it be a warm fuzzy good feeling, sad or angry emotion..to me, that is what makes a piece worth pondering over and admiring.
It doesn't cost anything to open your eyes and look at everyday things and try and find the uniqueness in different material forms. I can find art on the beach, in the sky, in nature....and one of my favorites- in old architecture.
There is nothing I want to get across in this post except to don't be afraid to express your own feelings of what you are seeing. Don't be a follower in perceiving art...be authentic to your thoughts- express (in positive form) yourself~
Peace out my friends~

Mother Earth vs our Universe

I've been allowing myself to think about what's past the safety of my mother earths comforting embrace. The moon and stars, the planets and universe... the great unknown...

Well, my faith has been helping me get to know all the beauty and complexity- in all the depths of the heavens- and even helping me 'feel' for my earth more on a soulful level. Does that make sense?? Sometimes I wish people could just jump inside my head and read my thoughts and feel my compassion for life~

Where did I ever get off thinking I was the center of it all? Meaning all I really cared about was my little piece of space where my little existence dwelled. Even when I traveled to other countries, I never went beyond thinking of "that" space, air and sight to my human senses. Again, meaning how much most of us are self absorbed in our own encompassing space.
We watch bad things happening to people and places- somewhere else, on our Tv's.  Even though these horrible things are emotion provoking,... some of us even 'yell' at our screens...it is not fully 'real' to us because media keeps us unattached....  it's almost surreal if we really think about it.
 Unless we have that unique actual human contact with the situations, or with the people that are going through harsh living conditions, we cannot conceive the full volume of these heartful situations.
I think what I am trying to get at is "start waking up" from the daily grind of the same old-same old .. and really see!!

 See what's around you. Smell the air, look at the colors of the natural things that grow from the life giving dirt that is mother natures body. ( I think we call earth mother because of her natural/ organic life giving substances she uses to nurture and give life to things). Things that can sustain us so we may give ourselves nutrition and flourish;

 and beauty in flowers and foliage to nurture our souls with happiness and stress relieving eye candy.
The breezes that kiss our cheeks and the sunshine that warms our skin like a soft cuddly invisible blanket. Even the rain that falls from the rolling clouds that waters our plants and trees and freshens our air. I see it as Gods way of throwing areas of the earth into 'the rinse cycle', giving each space a clean fresh beginning. It's life-giving~ 
~Throw on some boots and go splash around! Go singing in the rain~ :)
Even with these scary damaging fires we are having  in a few states... (that I do pray for rain and protection of the people and those brave firefighters-Amen)...there is a sort of redemption.

People come together in strength and compassion for each other. Helping, praying- soon to rebuild- to the best of their abilities and mother earth will regrow greener lusher plants and trees to begin anew along with the people who dwell in her land. If you can, go out and offer yourself as a help of some kind to the ones who need it. There is healing and smiles to those who receive actual physical help.
give
*Please, if nothing else, hear this: This does not need education, money, massive thought or time..it requires Heart and a Soul.. it's free and Healing..it brings forth  Love, it is the perfect way to give  to another human being.....   *
~Go hug someone who needs it! That's a help. It's a beautiful help. To just feel someone's arms embrace you for a few seconds or even a couple minutes can heal the soul. Something so natural-human contact in the purest kindest form- its a miracle to the soul. So simple, so natural, such a very important human need!!!!!!~
Hug family, hug a friend, hug new acquaintances, hug someone who just looks down and needing some care..(if you don't know them, make sure when you open your arms you kindly ask if its ok you give them a hug out of respect and learning someone's boundaries)

Mother Earth, our own existence...there is so much more out there...star gaze and realize we are small in this universe- I do believe we are not alone...how arrogant that kind of thinking would be- it's not all about us~. But we are so important, so significant to our creator. I believe He loves us so intensely, like the love you feel when you saw your baby the first time.. your love ran deep and wonderful and unconditionally. Even though you knew they would make mistakes along the way and need corrections...you just feel an immense all encompassing love inside you. That's how I think each and every one of us is loved. I hope you all can take away that kind of love in your hearts-hopefully I gave you a little bit to think of- I hope you can feel how much you matter, how much our lives matter, how much our earth and universe matters. You are here for a reason. Find your smile. Find the love. Give a hug. Enjoy our earth. Take care of her. Remember, you matter a great deal. For real!

                                                     ~Peace out~

Raggity fashions

Is it just me, or is it just not the best choice to wear pajama bottoms and slippers in public?? There have been a few small towns where I see males and females wear pajama bottoms as casual wear, just walking down the streets and in stores- like it was the latest fashion!!!!!
What gets me more is when they top off the "look" with slippers.....
Did I happen to miss the memo where night wear is the 'happening thing' to strut around town in??
Or could it be these people just were so extremely tired and rolled out of bed in the morning and totally forgot to throw on some day clothes????
 Is it like the old frightening dream where your out in public and realize your naked? Only to wake up in a screaming cold sweat? Thankful once you realize, "oh wait, it's just a bad dream".....Do these people ever look down and think "wait...what?...oh crap- I forgot to get dressed before I went out "~
Or is this conscious thinking, "hey, I'm too comfy and I don't care what I look like"??

I almost think this may be casual day wear at Walmart come to think of it. I see this type of thing happen more than not at these stores. Am I missing something? Am I so old school about what is appropriate for going out in public?

I don't get it, nor will I ever. To me it's a kind of funny.
Not to be negative about it, I believe, to each his own. I guess I would just like to understand the thought process of this kind of uniqueness.
We are all different and express ourselves in interesting ways. I just haven't wrapped my brain around this concept yet~

                          concluding with, whatever floats your boat I guess :)
                                                            Peace out~

Homemade Edibles-a lost art

It's that time again for me! I can my famous ( at least family members, friends and neighbors tell me so :)  )     *** BLACKBERRY SEEDLESS JAM.***

I do it every year. I've had many years of 'tweaking' the recipe to get it just right. Full of flavor and purely organic...not to mention low sugar. (you got to have some sugar but you don't have to overdue it) No High fructose corn syrup/sugars or artificial sweeteners which are poison to your system!!
That statement is my own personal  yet educated opinion~
I used to think that not many people canned their own food anymore, that it was a dying art. I was wrong!!! Many can food for storage and its the most healthy way to live...if you have the time to do it. It's a lot of work!!
I just kept to my Jam, because while my kids were growing up..  they ate a lot of PB&J and my options of what was at the stores kept getting worse.
Now every year, I get knocks on my door asking when I am going to be making more and if they can be top of the list! How that makes me feel good!!!!
 There are other things I bake during the holidays that are special- homemade pastries, pies, cinnamon rolls, cookies, etc. that I share with those I love and request them. But now is my Blackberry Jam debut ~
Sending my family members and their friends out to make sure I have plenty of berries to work with..

 Of course, part of the fun is eating them right freshly picked off the vine.....

So if you want to be a part of my group that gets canned Jam or tasty treats at the holidays, I'm afraid you'll have to live next door, or be a family member or a really- really  good friend with a sweet smile to melt my heart ;)

I best get busy~

I respect all of you who go to all "canning highs" - doing it yourself for the betterment of your families health and happiness!

 

Peace out

William Shakespeare, Autumn and I~

That time of year thou mayst in me behold~ sonnet 73.

Shakespeare...I never really got into his style growing up. He wrote to funny/ fancy for me as a young girl. But I have grown and I have become accustomed to his poetic way of making his thoughts and feelings known. I, like William, love the autumn season.
Why..do you ask yourself, blog about autumn in the later part of the summer heat? When people are vacationing, wearing shorts and swimming, sun worshiping and looking to turn up the old fan or air conditioner??? -My school friend Maria Brennan, that's why!! ha. I'm giving her a good shout out for using her own blog to bring Halloween to my attention. And we all know that's right in the sweet spot of autumn! She is an amazing artist and photographer. And...she also got me all wound up about this coming fall season!!! Friends know the right buttons to push, don't they? Fortunately, my friend and I get excited about common things. It's really rather beautiful to find joy in everyday things in an artists eye~
Oh sweet Autumn, your air is crisp and fresh. The sun still shines bright- though higher in the sky. There is a distinct smell to the wind...the changing color of the leaves...some falling, swirling through the air..
I don't even mind raking them all up when its time, bagging them for compost for the next springs garden. It's a beautiful cycle of nature, I think.
I admit, I got the bug for stalking up on some new fall items to decorate my house later in September. I usually do pre season sale buying to get the fresh new stuff and get a good sale deal. I'm always about saving a buck if I can! Yep!!  Not to mention the stores keep pulling out pre season stuff out waaayyy to early. So instead of complaining about it...I gear up and get creative. My secret is....sshhhh, between you and I....my main goal is to shop around and take pictures with my cell because I'm gathering "I can do that myself" type projects. I don't buy too much stuff myself off the rack. Here is a craft like store in the town down the way I found some interesting ideas.

Sticks....I'm always doing things with sticks....Maybe it reminds me of playing with sticks when I was a kid. I was always outside having an adventure. No electronics then, so to speak...I had amazing fun

 I couldn't figure out why someone would pay for wheat and fancy dried grass in a small jar? Seems a bit ridiculous to me! How hard is this to duplicate????... and I can make it a bit more festive-nature looking~  ( so can you~)
But- buy this stuff they do....

 I look for different types of wreaths to make every year. I love going out into the fields and woods to collect foliage and sticks, etc. to make a masterpiece. I always keep my essentials like twine, wire and hot glue ~
( I'm too cheap and creative to buy one at a store..haha)

Well until then, my sweaters and tall boots, my scarves and decorations will keep in storage.

 

Back out into the heat and sun I go. But that's still all good with me, because I do happen to live at the pacific coast.

-and I love the sea~

a nice way to feel blessed all year round ;)

Peace out