What I wish I could make more of right now

Transitioning

The Juggle

Glimpse of Eternal #4

How are you feeling today?

I found this really amazing website called Kickstarter a few months ago. In a nut shell, this website enables you to help people raise money for various creative and innovative projects by pledging an amount of money. If the project does not meet its finding goal by the deadline, then it doesn't get any of the money-- you don't get charged. As an incentive to donate, each donation comes with a little gift that you receive if the project gets funded, and the gift is usually related to the project, like having your name listed in a documentary, receiving a CD of an album, or in this particular case, being able to commission a work of art.

Through Kickstarter, I came across Jim Ether who was raising money so he could buy some more time to continue his pursuits as an artist. As a fellow artist, I loved the simple request of someone who genuinely just wanted to make some art. As a "thank you" for donating, he would include you in his pursuit by making some art just for you. I was hooked. I perused his website and saw an image of various colored heads with different facial expressions. I was reminded of those simple posters some therapists use with smiley faces and the question "How are you feeling today?" I have always thought those posters are really limited in terms of the full range of human emotion, so I thought it would be fun to see if Jim could craft me my own "poster" just for fun. I think he did a pretty good job. What do you think?

How are YOU feeling today?

For Mom -- not just on Mother's Day

Mom:  I honor you yesterday, today and every day. 

You embody the strong feminine spirit of motherhood. Because of you, I learned how to share my feelings. I learned that it is ok to cry, and there is no weakness in apologizing. I learned how to sew, to cook and enjoy well-cooked food, how to appreciate art, books and stimulating conversation. How to be opinionated yet empathize with others. How to value and respect other cultures. How to hike and love the outdoors. I developed a passion for learning and questioning, for travel and creating relationships. I learned that it is ok to say no, it is ok to make mistakes, it is ok to say, “I don’t know.” You taught me I could be anything I wanted to be. You showed me your faith, through your words and example. You treated me with respect, like I was worth something, and so I believed I was worth something. You listened to me and continue to take interest my life. You are human and maybe sometimes you feel your own humanity too much. You are vulnerable and you share that vulnerability with all your imperfections. To me, that makes you real and accessible. You are my best friend, and confidant. You are my mother. 

I hope someday to become a mother just like you—to build on your strengths and add my own.

Happy Mother's Day everyday.

Sick (a poem about mental illness)

Catching the Butterfly

Photo by Cara Barer

shimmering.
elusive.

hypnotic.

you stay out 

for hours

you are determined.

just one, you say

just one more try

and when you finally

at long long last

grasp one in your fingertips

a delicate, weightless thing

you realize
her wings are broken
bent beneath the weight of
your pressing.

trembling
it slowly dawns
that in capturing beauty
you have ruined her

this fragile moment 

and now she is
a flightless thing
batting futilely against your palm.

*****************

...ok, so I realize that my poetry recently has seemed perhaps a bit...depressing? But really, a lot of my poetry is about lessons learned. This poem is a thank you for the butterfly.

What do you think the lesson is here? Let me know what you think :)

for Parisan and British Potholes

If we didn't have potholes, we wouldn't have these:

The first three photos are from Paris artist juliana santacruz herrera.

The last two photos show a similar creative venture (are they channeling each other??) by artist Pete Dungey. Pure brilliance. "If we planted one of those in every hole, it would be like a forest in the road."

Even potholes can be beautiful. Think about these images next time you hit one.

Around the World With Q & M: Brazil

My friend and I have a tradition we call "Around the World With Q & M"
Basically, every other week we pick a country or style of cuisine and cook up a scrumptious meal based on recipes from that style. It has been a really fun and delicious experience! Yesterday we picked Brazil, and I found this yummy vegetarian recipe for Brazilian Vegetable Feijoada.
I doubled the recipe and used a milder pepper since my husband is not a big fan of super hot dishes. I also used white rice instead of brown. It was DELICIOUS.

My friend made a coconut curry chicken dish with baked cheese balls,
and a potato salad with olives.

And, since it was my birthday the day before, I topped off the evening with a White Chocolate Mousse Torte with Oreo Cookie Crust.


Click on the photos below to find the recipes for these amazing dishes!