the X facta: February 2011

on leaving the nest

blessing .

As you find your unique way
to journey through life
in your own style and manner,
may you only read the compass
held in your palm
and not someone else's.

May you discover
roads less travelled
and a path that brings you
joy on the journey,
not just at the destination.

When you come across the narrow bits,
the twists and turns along the way,
let your compass serve as a reminder
of where your true north is.

Let it guide your feet
to places in which your heart
feels at home.

~Kel

Fibrous

every fibre of my being
yearns to grow
where it is planted

but right now
this acid soil
needs sweetening

for so far
the harvest has been
only bitter

Art Angel

This one's for Heidi . . .
and any other blog buddy, heart artists feeling plagued by the 'anxious doubting' demon.

I sit here with an anxious heart
I want people to love my art

for if they don't, it's hard you see
because my art comes from deep in me

if they mock or jeer or laugh
it will break my heart in half

its not just an artwork this wall holds
but a piece from within my soul

perhaps I shouldn't tell or show
cos I'm not professional you know

who do I think I am - huh?
that I might actually be 'good enough'

but then a whisper in my ear
hark! ...my Art Angel is near

she smiles and smooths my furrowed brow
let it go, it's alright now

I've chased him right away you see
the Demon of 'they're better than me'

he has no power anymore
I've kicked him right back out the door

my angel smiles again and says
make your art a form of prayer

pour your heart out to Divine
something from nothing, water to wine

bring it forth in all its glory
create a tangible piece of story

who cares if others criticise
create you must, that is the prize

the best Artist statement by far
made in Creator's image - you are

its your birthright to go create
so do it now, don't hesitate

let it come from love, not fear
remember your Art Angel is here

I'm here to help you with your art
by softening your anxious heart

studio therapy

Glimmer of Hope (detail)

This year has started off with some challenging changes on the workfront. Bubbling underneath all that are some family and social issues causing internal turmoil.

Two migraine episodes in 30 days.

That pretty much says it all.

My body never lies.

In times like these, I'm grateful for my studio. A place of retreat where the music goes on, the paint, paper, clay or beads come out; and I lose myself in the act of creation. From chaos, turmoil and tension something new is born. Some might see a painting or a sculpture. I see perhaps . . . hope. Even if just a glimmer.

Dancing with starfish

Altered book journal entry by Kel

Is there something that makes you feel like a kid again?

A certain place, smell, scene, game, activity, music or food?

For the bride & groom

blessing.

As you stood today and said "I do"
it isn't really 'done'
Because the making of a marriage
has only just begun.

As you step across the threshold
of this chapter in your life,
May your journey be blessed
as husband and wife.

May the light residing in you
guide your way together
as you find that chasing shared dreams
is so much better.

And many years from now,
for each other this be true;
"I've become who I longed to be,
all because of you."

A classy old girl

Back in 2009, I announced that Mr X had another woman in his life. Her name was Sylvia.
He's still got a bit of a thing going with her, but he reckons she's a bit moody. Sometimes the daily grind isn't to her liking and she produces a sour or bitter experience. But mostly, its 'bean' a pretty good relationship.

The big news is that Mr X has another woman in his life. Her name is Diana.
Mr X spent years dreaming of this day. But while keeping the dream alive, he's made do with lesser beauties like the models Nyria and Freya, the old Caribbean, and Paddle-Pop.

So let me introduce you to Diana. She's about 80 years old, but had a facelift 10 years ago, so still looks pretty good for her age.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain

dear norm, please send a truckload of snow!

It's 41 C degrees here today, that's 105.8 F
...or in colloquial australian terms, "it's bloody hot mate!"

Summer is so not my favourite season. I dislike the associated heat, flies, mosquitos, and sunburn. I dislike the inability to get a good nights sleep. When designing and building our passive-solar eco-orientated house, we chose not to install airconditioning. On days and weeks like this, I wonder what possible difference such a choice can make on the overall environmental impact, when every house in the neighbourhood has their AC units blaring away. The design of the house works quite well, in that we are currently maintaining a 10 degree difference between outside and inside. However after a day like today, with strong hot winds blowing, we'll probably struggle to hold a 5 degree difference. Here's hoping for a windshift this evening that brings cool air from the sea, instead of hot air from the desert.

In the meantime, I'm reminscing very fondly on our recent trip to Canada. All that snow = a cool holiday. I'll take a 5 metre snowbase at Mt Washington, Vancouver Island any day! Here's a photo I took under those very conditions just a few short weeks ago....mmmmmm.....feel the cool crisp air......

and here I am snowshoeing

in that lovely white fluffy stuff

well, here's my feet anyhow...

If you've been reading here awhile, you'll know that I don't usually post identifying photos of myself or Mr X on this blog. I think in the six years I've been blogging there has been one or two that slipped in. But apart from all the snowplay we got to indulge in, the recent White Xmas trip held another highlight.

One of the things I love about blogging is the friends I've made as a result. Family and friends who don't get the blogging thing, often wonder aloud about the 'reality' of such online friends. My experience has been that blog buddies often cut through all the superficial social stuff and get to the heart of what matters much sooner than face to face people often do. Much of what a casual observer might see/read on any blog is really only the tip of the iceberg [yes, another 'cool' analogy]. Behind the scenes there is an associated flurry [sorry, just trying to keep 'cool'] of personal emails, snail mail cards, letters and conversations. While I've met quite a few Aussie blog buddies over the years, I had not met an international one...until we went to Canada.

While there, I got to meet someone who's been a blog buddy from the early days. What a special treat to have afternoon tea with Norm of Unmerited Gifts. Despite the challenges of us travelling with other people at the time we were in his area, not being sure what our exact itinerary would be, having sporadic internet access and a mobile phone that was temperamental, we managed to keep in touch.

We finally met in the greenhouse tearooms at one of Canada's last remaining grand estates which was once the home to a prominent Canadian family. Cups of tea and scones all round (a subconscious nod to our countries shared British heritage), lots of stories, laughter, hugs, and gifts exhanged. All in all it was an absolute delight.

Mr X took a photo to record history being made.

First international blog buddy meeting: Kel & Norm