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31 Aug, 2008

At times I have an urge to dispose of the television. Daily it is filled with stories that require much deciphering on my part to get to the actual truth. Getting to the truth is not an easy task for the most committed of people and I must confess I would rather be doing other more fun things like making art. The television fills our minds with fear, uncertainty, and a sense of helplessness over the enormity of problems that require steadfast solutions. But in my meditation book I found this message that asks of me to do my part: "It seems to me that in the long run it is impossible to maintain a democratic society unless you can spread the benefits and burdens of being an American citizen reasonably evenly." ---Felix Rohatyn---

"In our relationships, in our work and play, do we assume an equal share of the burdens, and do we get a reasonable amount of benefits in exchange? There's no way to calculate the burdens and benefits of living. Bur our own inner awareness is a pretty accurate measure: if you feel ripped off and resentful, then something's wrong. Often we're reluctant to track down the source of our guilt or our resentment; we're afraid that what we find may force us to change the way we live and work, and change is painful. Letting go of a source of pain can be as difficult as losing a source of pleasure."--The Promise of a New Day---This is an image of St. Jude "Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes" by Mexican folk artist Lorenzo Lucas.

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29 Aug, 2008

Yesterday we received a big box of New Mexico green chile. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this particular pepper, this chile has run in the veins and psyches of New Mexicans for several centuries now. Hatch, New Mexico is world famous for its hot flavorful chile and every year like clockwork citizens flock to the chile roasters parked at most supermarkets or other convenient places to buy their sack of chile. At home families will sit at the table, peel the chile of its skin, stuff it into plastic bags and place it lovingly into the freezer for cooking throughout the coming year. In Tennessee we are not privy to the convenience of huge roasters so my husband and I have to roast our chile in the broiler and then proceed to peel which takes a wee bit longer, but what the heck we're not complaining we have our fix of green chile for the year and are happy as a lark in the deep rural South.

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28 Aug, 2008

Cats are amazing creatures. They aren't afraid to ask for love and attention and they don't feel guilty when they don't want it either. Yup, cats are direct and straightforward about their needs and when they simply want to be left alone. It isn't very complicated. Humans have such complex filters when it comes to interacting with other humans. We are always "reading" body language, words, tones, and signals that might mean this or that. If we try to clarify oftentimes words make it more muddy and confusing and we end up worse off than if we had said nothing. I think we could learn a lot from our furry friends and just keep things simple.

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27 Aug, 2008

Living in the South is an interesting experience. People here will do most anything to help you if you ask. A traveller passing through might be treated to southern hospitality and good old fashioned politeness (rarely encountered elsewhere I might add). I find myself at times drawn to conversations simply to hear the soft drawls and cadence of southern folk. It is as if one conversation is merged through times gone past and the present moment. The threads of history here weave themselves in and out of people's lives, through their accents, foods, architecture, and traditions, like okra and buck dancing, or pickin a banjo from one generation to the next. I hope this wonderful tapestry of life in the South continues to be cherished by all and doesn't disappear with the coming tide of technology that is sweeping all of us away in one way or another.

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26 Aug, 2008

We have been getting some pretty steady rain the last couple of days. I like the way rain washes everything clean and sometimes I just hunker down at home and enjoy the sound of drops softly clinking on the roof. Of course the critters go stir crazy chasing each other down the hall and up the furniture cuz they can't get out to play in the woods. Just found out my ACEO's are starting to sell at The Artisan Depot in Cowan, TN. Cowan is a neat little town just a few minutes away.

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25 Aug, 2008

After a nice steady rain yesterday it feels wonderfully cool and dewy this morning. I love the early morning hours especially after a good rain. The woods soak up much needed water, our flowers are particularly grateful, and I also am replenished in some primordial way.

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24 Aug, 2008

Finally emptied out the last load of "treasures" from my storage unit yesterday. My friend D is transferring her "treasures" from an adjacent unit to my unit, as I have these wonderful shelves that D doesn't have in her unit and cannot even enter her unit as it has no pathway due to her uncanny knack for collecting and stacking. Phew, let's take a breath! D is another clutter bug. We clutter bugs seem to have a knack for finding each other and often embark on bragging about this great "treasure" we just found to list on ebay , and how our last find that we only paid a quarter for brought in a ridiculous amount of money on ebay blah blah blah! If you are an innocent bystander you may at times catch those fleeting glimpses of oohs and aahs and just a wee envy that how could we have passed up that particular "find" since we were both at the same yard sale, thrift store, or whatever, since we often congregate at the same places too!

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23 Aug, 2008

Their are so many life experiences to be shared. Most of our stories are never heard. Many of us see the universe only through our own limited daily experiences. We watch the horrific acts of humans on humans and other precious living things and say "how awful, how can people do these kinds of things." Their are never any satisfactory answers to explain the cruelties we are capable of at a moments notice. I admire artists who are able to capture the injustices of events and thus leave a permanent imprint, so that we aren't allowed to forget. We should never get numb to the cruelties of "humankind". I often wish I too could capture those evocative moments of our daily history but I think it takes a certain bravado of which I apparently lack. Nonetheless, I feel blessed with the gift of creativity and I continue to create what seems natural to me and hope that my contribution is enough in the scheme of things.

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21 Aug, 2008

Today I will be unloading items from my van and heading over to my storage unit for another load. I long to be free of owning possessions and yet----I do so cherish them! My wonderful "treasures" are the inspiration for creating my art and yet at times are the very same things that get in the way of creativity as I struggle to figure out a proper place for them. What a dilemma! The clutter goddess has truly blessed me with abundance!

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20 Aug, 2008

Recently I have been cleaning out a storage building I have been renting for the past three years. I am a real clutter bug and so it has taken me quite a few visits to finally make some headway. My goal is to have the building empty before the end of the month. So many treasures I came across in box after box. But now the dilemma---where to put all of this neat stuff. Realizing I have no room left in the attic or in my studio, I have been giving things away and oh what a relief it has been and what a thrill at the same time when I witness others pulling out my "treasures" and oohing and aahing! Good thing their are other clutter bugs in the world! This an image I created with a Kaleidoscope program. These are a lot of fun.

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