Sometimes life happens in clumps.
I do not know what the significance is of 17 years, but I know that it seems to mark an end to a bunch of things in my world.
First there was this big move we just made … after living in the same rental for almost 17 years. Now it’s my hairdresser of 17 years, leaving to start a new life, far, far away. Okay, only in Saskatchewan, but that’s far away to me.
Other big changes are happening around me … two close friends have recently sold their businesses, and are now on adventures to make something new in their worlds.
This is reminding me to be flexible and flowing in my world. To just take things as they come. To celebrate the big and scary shifts that other people are making toward the next phase of their lives, and find ways to support and encourage them.
I don’t think I have experienced this before in my life, watching so many other people make such big changes. Of course I know this time in our humaness is all about big shifts, but when there are so many, it is quite something to take in.
What I do know is that everything in my being celebrates the courage people have to make these big shifts. It’s not easy, it’s really not. However, everyone I know who is doing it knows that even though there may be fear and trepidation, it is the right thing to do. This is the thing about emotions, there are two sides to them, maybe you can’t feel one without the other, I don’t know, but I suspect it might be true.
I am still reading Brené Brown’s book, Atlas of the Heart, Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, which is teaching me a great deal about emotions … what it is and what it isn’t. It really is reminding me about how lazy we tend to get around the language and understanding of some pretty common words and emotions.
Proof that you can paint almost anything! This bathroom scale was so worn out, even when I found it at the thrift store, but we lived with it because no one ever saw it. Now it sits in full view in the new bathroom, so a remake was very necessary! A little paint and voila, a whole new look! Yay paint!
HOUSEHOLD TIPS, I didn’t know.
There are many new things in our new home, things that we have never had before. Stainless steel appliances, a glasstop stove, and granite countertops. Yes, I know, very shishshee … but my point is one of a more practical nature. Cleaning them.
Whoever thought any of these surfaces were a great idea of a kitchen, must never do their own cleaning! All of these surfaces are what I would refer to as “high maintenance”.
All of that being said, I can now confirm that buying the specialty cleaning products for these surfaces does make a difference! I am now sure that the previous tenants didn’t use the proper cleaners, because when I did get them and cleaned the surfaces, they suddenly looked brand new!
I know, it’s a small thing, but having a fresh and well maintained home is important to me. I like things to work well and look good … but believe me, not in a fussy way!
Mixing up some red paint.
I love red paint, but it’s not easy to find just the right shade of red most of the time. Yes, I have this shade in my head, and every time I try to mix it, I get sort of close, or I get something surprising that I like.
You see, I never learned colour mixing in school, I still have never really learned it. For me, it’s all trial and error. But I have had some great discoveries along the way. Somehow I love not being too attached to outcome … but letting the element of surprise enter the studio and have fun with me!
This week, I mixed up a batch of red metallic paint that ended up being the basis for three pieces in the studio.
I find it particularly fabulous to layer reds. For some reason it is just a colour that get better and better.
photo by Wendy Morisseau
The studio continues to evolve, and feel like “home”.
Funny how in this move, some of the furniture pieces I used to use a long time ago, have come back to me. There is a long pine side-board table that belonged to my sister Anne. She had it, I had it, she had it, my sister-in-law had it for awhile, I had it again … then Mary Ann had it for most of the past 17 years … and now, it’s the centrepiece of my new studio. It is a hardworking, everyday table, and I am loving it.
There is also the 1920s writing desk, make of quarter-sawn oak, that I used for so many years. It also found it’s way to be used by Mary Ann for the last several years … now it is back to being my computer desk once again.
These two pieces are among my favourites, and it is somehow very comforting to be using them again. Like hanging out with old friends everyday.
Wishing you a wonder and delight-filled week ahead, reconnecting to things that make you feel really good!
~sarah
Thank you Sarah for your words, ideas and images which are practical, yet profound (as ususl:)!
You remind me to flow with what I love to do while being fully present in the moment.
Right now, it’s watching my seedlings 🌱sprout up, parent and write poems.
In appreciation,
Janis:)
❤
Thank you Janis … we can only do this journey together!
“To celebrate the big and scary shifts that other people are making toward the next phase of their lives, and find ways to support and encourage them.” This is the sentence that jumped out for me.
Sometimes it’s the grappling with the loss in our lives, spurred by the change in another’s life, that takes some getting used to! But of course we also want to wish everyone well on their own journey through life! There’s that two sides to emotion you mentioned, Sarah!
Ah, life!
Exactly Stephanie … this constant learning and feeling experience!!!
What a delightful read. I love how you play with words and paint. Mixing red paint can be fun and when you end up with a pleasant surprise even better. So glad you are enjoying working in your new studio and are feeling at home there. Keep it up!