Saturday, July 19, 2008

Fell into a black hole?


Well, not exactly - but it sure felt like it for a bit.

It's been over 5 weeks since my last post and while I never intended to take such a long break, I think some things generally work out as they should.

I have run into a creative dry spell. As with the normal course of life, I have had some unpleasant and rather challenging things happen in the last few months which I have allowed to overshadow so many other aspects of a generally happy existence. In the last 3 years beading has helped me over such speed bumps. Not so much this time.

I draw inward when I'm feeling out of sorts and since I tend toward being a bit of a hermit under 'normal' circumstances - I had really withdrawn in an attempt to lighten my heart and find some answers. For those of you that have encouraged me through email messages - I thank you. And for anyone else that reads this blog - I thought you were due a bit of an explanation as to why I have been absent. So there you have it!

I have also allowed weeds to overwhelm the few flower beds I have in the yard, but I was happy to see the hollyhock and other seeds I planted year before last bloom for the first time



as well as some old favorites.

In addition to flowers on the outside - I have a wonderful friend that sends me cheer in so many ways - most recently by way of a smiley face mug filled with lots of bright, happy yellow flowers (thank you Anne!)


I have quite a few email messages to return - if you have sent me a message and haven't heard from me - you probably will in the next several days. I'm reading through many of them now.

Next up... a post (and imges) about my March Bead Journal Project. I have been beading a bit. I have also finished the April page and should soon have my page for May completed. I have consistently had my camera on hand and will be posting about summer fun and what that has meant to me and my loved ones (right now it seems that would be poison ivy for my son and grandson and lots of mosquito bites for me).

I hope you too are finding ways to enjoy the summer!

10 comments:

KV said...

Welcome back, Grace -- it is so good to see you posting again!


Kathy V in NM

abeadlady said...

Glad to see you back, Grace. We've missed you.

Arline

Timaree said...

Yay, she's back. I've been gone a short time but you were gone before and after. It WAS getting a bit worrisome. Some of us just need to withdraw to gather strength to go forward again - it's as fine a way of BEING as being able to charge ahead without regrouping but it's good to know you are okay. Mosquito bites don't count unless they come with West Nile!

Padparadscha said...

I agree with everybody ; it's so good to see you back !

And I was bit worried too.

Lots of love.

Anonymous said...

Prayers DO work!You have been sorely missed, but I also share the "hermit"/
"recluse" side of your nature.And that is necessary sometimes for us to draw up into our shells and deal with life.SO VERY happy you're feeling better!

Dot said...

You have been in my thoughts Grace. And I hope that this time away has given you the space you needed.

I have been thinking of you and sending much love.

Dotxx

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

hi grace
good to see you posting again-i am like a turtle also i need to go into to my shell and re-group a lot:) lovely bjp nice and clean and beautiful colors!!-thanks for sharing some of your garden too :) i have yellow hollyhocks this year hmm last year i had pink?? oh well still pretty as always need to get out there and take pix befor they melt away in this awful heat we are having hope this post finds you doing well
enjoy your day
x'& o's
tammy
tammy

Pursuing Art... said...

We have all missed you Grace! I'm glad you took the time you needed for your heart and soul! We all need to do that sometimes.

Your flowers are beautiful and what a thoughtful friend you have in Anne!

Sending a heartfelt hug your way...

~Lisa ;-)

girlgonethreadwild said...

Heyyy, I knew you said you'd be back, I've been waiting...silly me I fell asleep at my desk..it must have been the finger tapping??? tap tap tap

Nontheless, you have been dearly missed. Summer looks GOOD on you sister.
~Monica :)

GraceBeading said...

Awww, you're all so good to me. It's awful nice to be back in the fold of such kind people. Thanks all!

Leaves of Grass

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body - Walt Whitman