i'm thinking about Nature this morning....when i woke up around 6am, i took my coffee out on the deck and listened to the squirrels fussing and clacking at each other...birds calling and telling the squirrels to please keep it down. diva and i sat for a bit soaking it all in. the beginnings of a stirring of an inkling of Something Important gently decending. i guess what i'm looking for is the calm, centeredness i seem to have lost over the winter. the feeling of being "in the zone," at peace, a part of nature - not just an observer. the assemblage i'm working on now (not pictured here) is called "she tried." although it is making progress, it just bedeviled me...worked against me in so many ways. till this morning. i leave the "meaning" of the piece up to personal interpretation, but to me, it is speaking of trying to recapture that peace, that Alchemy, that solid joy at feeling sun on my toes on the deck in the morning with a mug of good strong coffee. the quietness of my soul. heart-ears listening for instruction. i've filled my hands and minutes with chores and errands for too long. yesterday, as i worked in my garden, i realized how long it's been since i've spent solid blocks of time doing what i Need to do, as opposed to what i Should do. today i will make art. i am also in charge of the 2 mariachi dogs across the street - 2 of the fiercest, cutest little bug-eyed spirits. all 3 pounds of them bum-rushing the 3 Maine Coon cats they share the house with. so today, Lulu, Tink and i will spend a little quality time together till their mom comes home. their deck is one of the most peaceful places. i'll sketch while they terrorize the bugs. then tonight...a bonus night off! glue, nails and the dremel! Diva will be in heaven. enjoy your slice of sunshine today! L