“I was fortunate to sell a few paintings during a 2017 showing of my watercolors in a local cafe. It is my most fervent wish these sales bode well for a fruitful artistic career. Please know this for me and know too that this next iteration of my life will integrate lightness and joy with much love and goodwill both given and received.”
I tend to forget what it took to get to here where I am today. LOOKING THRU OLD FILES TODAY I FOUND THIS…
“Christmas cards were sparse this year. Maybe it is because in 2017 I had three different addresses!
In March I sold my home, and with an extraordinary amount of help from friends, family and neighbors I held a miraculous moving sale. In April, I organized the packing and transit of my remaining belongings. I really do not know how I did it, but the majority went into storage, as the renovations of my new home were not yet complete. And because I still had more stuff than my 10 x 15 container could hold, I self-stored a few chairs, rugs, boxes, and my artworks in the guest room and art studio of my new home. And the smallest bits came with me. The plan was to move in with a friend for a couple of months until my new home was complete.
My friend, Suzanne Edney, took both me and my dog Baxter in. It turned out to be a rich experience for all of us. Her home and garden was a terrific place to light between the tumult of the two moves as it sits half way between my old and new homes. Suzanne, having lost her husband to illness nine months earlier, welcomed the company. And Baxter enjoyed the company of dogs Marcus and Gomez. Marcus belonged to Suzanne and Gomez to Kyle, Suzanne’s lovely sister-in-law who was also living with Suzanne for the summer. I had never intended to sell myself out of my home. It was not part of my plans, but our friendship was forever strengthened and I am forever grateful for that.
So I moved into Suzanne’s on April 24th and out on September 20th. There are still a few bits and pieces that need pointing up, but this brand-new-old-house is mostly completed. The original home, a single story ranch built in 1980, was 1372 square feet when we began. Now along with the original two bedrooms and two baths there is a new 400 square foot addition. The West Wing, I call it, consists of a laundry room, art studio and extra space I will use as gallery space. The look and layout of the living room, dining room, and kitchen were also totally transformed.
This wonderful news is tempered by some sad news. We lost our mother, my sister Alice and I, on October 2nd of this year. Mom unexpectedly transitioned during the night. It is surmised she had a heart attack. We spent a good portion of October and November in Baltimore planning a small ‘Celebration of Life’ and preparing mom’s home for sale. I am struck how most of the people I love have left this earth so suddenly.
In December, I helped my sister pack up her belongings for her big new life in California. She sold her accounting business, closed the Central Maryland Center for Spiritual Living, and has taken a position as the Spiritual Director of the Santa Cruz Center for Spiritual Living! I will miss having her near to me on this coast, but I am so very proud of how much she accomplished in such a short time.
So 2017 comes to a close with lots to remember, lots for which to be grateful, and lots to absorb. Seems NEWNESS is everywhere around me. Except for Baxter. He is doing great for a Chocolate Lab of fifteen. I am amazed at his ability to stay so even keeled throughout all these changes. He is my ‘guide dog’ for how to get through things with an immense amount of ease and grace.
And what I have to contribute to all this has yet to be divined. Feeling a bit in shock I must admit. Did not get holiday cards or gifts out at all. I hope you can forgive me. Thankfully the timing of winter solstice has arrived at exactly the right time for me. During these final days of 2017 I find myself wanting to exhale, rest, and reflect. “I was fortunate to sell a few paintings during a showing of my watercolors in a local cafe this fall [2017]. It is my most fervent wish these sales bode well for a fruitful artistic career. Please know this for me and know too that this next iteration of my life will integrate lightness and joy with much love and goodwill both given and received.” Happy New Year and I love you!”_______
And so we arrive at May 23rd, 2019. My first art show as a featured artist in an actual art gallery comes down next month. You can see this painting and 14 others at Fine and Folk Art Carolina in downtown Mebane NC during these last 8 days of May. I am happy and healthy and still so very grateful.
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