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......I didn't know this!!

Did you?

I was listening to the author of Addict to Plastic the other day on the radio and he started talking about the fact that there is a huge happening in the north Pacific Ocean called a gyre, a slow moving spiral of currents that create a vortex. And that in this gyre there is a toxic, plastic soup, with two 'islands of garbage floating there the size of Texas...It is the largest landfill in the world...floating in in our ocean. I did a little checking and there is information on the www but not as much as I thought there would be....the author said we used to have the catagories; animal, vegetable, and mineral....now we have animal, vegetable, mineral, and plastic!!!





This is a link to the blog..... living plastic free ~ year 3 Maybe we can all do a little bit more...but I have to say when I look around at my environment there is plastic everywhere, The idea of trying to find replacements for everything plastic I use in my life seems daunting if not impossible.... It is mind blowing to think that every piece of plastic that exists is here FOREVER! Can you imagine what will happen if we don't find a way to stop the growth of this toxic soup?!!

.....shade of friendship



Sue at Barton Originals has honored me with this award... I am really pleased about it...I love the meaning behind it.... I feel that this is an award that can keep on giving as I come upon blogs that have the spirit of what I believe Ces intends.... Thank you Sue!


This award was created by Ces @ Ces and her Dishes in honor of her friend Bella Sinclair. The post on Ces's blog regarding Bella and the history behind the award is here. Please visit Ces's blog to read the background as it is quite interesting and it is a very cool blog...a bit about it.....

"I designed this award to celebrate art in the blogs and to honor the value of friendship, sisterhood, sharing and caring. It is to be awarded to the gifted, accomplished, eloquent and talented blogger whose friendship and influence inspire us to do our best. That I named it after Bella Sinclair is because she epitomizes all of these things. She is an inspiration to many of us."

"I hope that when Bella returns, this award would have already circulated in the blogs. It is my honor to give this award to the first recipients who I hope will find the same pleasure as I have in spreading its crown, giving shade and the comfort of friendship and caring and of sisterhood by sharing this award with their blog-friends and sisters!"

Ces chose the the Quercus lobata or Valley Oak to symbolize the spirit of this award...in her words. 'It is a simple and unadorned award but heavy on meaning. The Valley Oak is a large handsome tree with a stout and sturdy trunk and widely spreading branches that form a broad open crown. It can reach up to a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 4 feet, sometimes much greater. It is the largest of the western deciduous oaks and is a handsome and graceful shade tree.
'

I have Grandmother Valley Oak in my yard, she overlooks my labyrinth...she is at least 6ft. in diameter and I am in awe of her and all that she has witnessed.

Today I am going to pass it on to Natalie @
Musing from the Deep , Tammie Lee@ Spirithelpers and Kathleen @ Mixed Messages...these ladies are my friends and muses...they lift me up with their words and spirit, as well as their art...there are others I want to share this with, but my blog time is running out...I'm trying a schedule..lol!


....dog days of summer


I love those feet photos people take when they go on vacation....
so here is my submission although I'm not on vacation......
It has been so flippin hot here!!! I've spent quite a lot of time floating in our little pool in-between amazingly creative time in my studio
....yes, I said amazingly creative time!!...I think Changing Woman gave me a little boost before she went off to her new home.



I've started a series of little 5x7 inch figures and I'm really enjoying them.
I think I'm going to call the series,
'Maiden, Mother, Crone'. ...


It was 110' on my front porch yesterday. I think it is around 100' right now. The fans and air-conditioner and little swamp cooler in my studio have been working overtime and doing a pretty good job keeping it pleasant enough so I can work, but I have to jump in the pool every now and then for a big cool down and it quickly gets too hot if I turn on all my lights......

I'm blessed.... there are a lot of people who for one reason or another can't get relief from this heat!
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.......Monday morning blessing


Changing Woman...

Deep peace of the running wave to you...
Deep peace of the flowing air to you...
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you....
Deep peace of the gentle night to you...
Moon and Stars pour their healing light on you...
Deep peace of the Light of the world to you...


....A Gaelic Blessing

.....Happy Friday!



You know how every once in a while you get that feeling when you feel light as a feather and you know with every fiber of your body that everything is exactly as it should be? Isn't that the best?

www.tut.com
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....artistic distraction part 3

The following letter was in my mail box on the 3rd of this month...It is from Robert Genn....he sends out a couple of letters every week relating to the artist and the arts..,,, you can subscribe @ his website, he writes some good stuff.
I thought the synchronicity of this particular email should be shared with you.......hug, hug


Managerial Mode

July 3, 2009

Dear Julie,


One of the fun things about writing these letters is learning the various methodologies artists use. It seems some of us are of the "let-it-flow" school, dreamy, laid back and even lackadaisical about our work. Others think self-management and discipline are right up there with the cardinal virtues. Further, I've always been curious about the dual nature of many artists--the combo of manager and worker under one roof.

Did you ever notice how some employees don't like their bosses? Did you ever stop to think the reason you're an artist may be because you never did like working for one? Apparently, many of us are drawn to art because we don't like being told what to do. And then again, some of us have trouble telling ourselves what to do.

Studies have shown lazy folks can become top managers. Getting others to do their dirty work in early life led them to later positions in management. On the other hand, working stiffs can grow comfortable with the worker mentality. Here are a few ideas:

Understanding and taking advantage of our lazy moments may be a significant path to creative success. Feet up in a hammock, a cool one at the side, imagination flies. This can also be a time when dates are penciled in and outrageous notes are made. Laziness breeds the plans and strategies for less lazy times.

Strategy is the heartbeat of management. As well as long and short term goals, both managers and self-managers need to project the idea of discovery. The opening up of opportunities for the worker is management's job one. It's become a motivational truism that top managers encourage innovation and creativity. When I snoop into the lives of artists I admire, I generally find people who at one time or another have taken charge of themselves and given themselves some sort of permission to act on their dreams. It comes as a shock to many to find discipline is key to creative freedom. In the words of the sculptor Constantin Brancusi, "Command like a king, work like a slave, create like a god."

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Your work is to discover your work - and then with all your heart to give yourself to it." (Buddha)

Esoterica: Florida painter Eleanor Blair says, "One of the many blessings of being an artist is that you don't have to wait for someone to hire you before you can work." Fact is, self-employed persons need to learn to be their own bosses. Brian Tracy in The Power of Discipline writes, "Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals, and then to work toward them everyday, will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor."

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