Imagine a Woman

My friend and awesome art journaler Zura is doing a weekly series of prompts based on the book "Imagine a Woman in Love with Herself" by Patricia Lynn Reilly.

You can read the first of the prompts here.

This is a great way to do some journaling, maybe a collage, maybe your own poem - based on the week's prompts. Zura will be posting each Sunday, so be sure to keep checking. And if you do end up doing some journaling around it, be sure and let Zura know! * o

Imagine a Woman

A Psalm of Signs

Frustrated, I plunked myself
down on the couch
and cried out,
"Lord, I asked for a sign.
For you to show me something
on my walk,
something that would assure me
you were there and you cared.
And what do I get?
Nothing. Where were you, Lord?"

And softly the Lord replied,

"My beloved child,
I warmed your face with sunshine,
and sent a soft breeze to caress you.
I dipped my paintbrush in lush paints
of crimson yellow and fire red
and oh so carefully painted each leaf
for you.
With the same paintbrush, I
colored the sky in more shades of
blue than an artist could begin to capture.
I perfumed the air with an earthy, woodsy
scent hinting of decaying leaves and moss.
I scattered a thousand shimmering rays
of sunlight to dance upon the water,
more dazzling than any display in a
jeweler's window.
I sang to you , with the songs of chickadees,
ravens and gulls,
while poplar leaves in golden gowns shimmied
and swayed to the breeze.
I sponge-painted perfectly designed circles
of moss on the boulders and
I whispered words of comfort on the wind.

Signs? My beloved child, I placed them
all around you.
I can not help that you chose to walk
with eyes closed."

@Eveline Maedel - 2007 * o

A Psalm of Signs

Playing with Wax

I managed to get some beeswax a couple of weekends ago, and since then have done a couple of collages. Working with the wax is both easy and difficult at the same time - I think because instead of using a travel iron like most of the directions suggest, I am using my own iron covered in tinfoil and I'm not quite getting the smoothness I need.



The second collage is a bit of tribute to my kitchen - soon to be remodeled after many long years! * o

Playing with Wax

Poetry and Prayer

Christine at Abbey of the Arts shared this poem a couple of weeks ago. It was speaking to me this morning and I wanted to share it again.

Forget Everything
By John Squadra

If someone says, "To be enlightened you must
fast and pray all night,"
Have dinner and go to bed.
If you see a sign, "This way to salvation,"
run the other way.
If someone says, "This book is the truth,
you can buy it from me,"
Take your money and buy grapes and roses.
If someone says, "He's talking tonight,
thousands will be saved."

Go for a walk...listen to the birds
and watch the clouds, and leave
your backpack, your Bible and your Buddha
under a tree and hope
they will be gone when you return.
Where we are going you can't carry anything,
not even your name.
If there is logic in the above,
be afraid, it's a lie.

But if you feel something in your chest
as beautiful as the grass beneath your feet,
be grateful...open your arms
and forget everything
you ever thought you knew.

Source: This Ecstasy

(image: altoid tin shrine I made this summer) * o

Poetry and Prayer

OK, Maybe a Tad Irreverant?

Most people beginning a time of discernment, would probably mark the occasion with a new bible, or maybe a prayer book or rosary. But not this chick. I got me a Bobblehead Jesus!

Why, you ask? (if you're still reading). Because, I have a wacked sense of humour and also because sometimes I just take myself a little bit too seriously. Ole' BJ here is reminder to lighten up.

When I'm getting all in pious, serious "oh look at me" mode, I just have to ask myself, "WWBJD?" (or What Would Bobblehead Jesus Do?) Just one nod from that head and I'll be smiling again.

To everything a season. There's a time to be serious, and a time to lighten up. * o

OK, Maybe a Tad Irreverant?

Discernment

Today marks the beginning of a year long period of discernment for me. A time to pray, listen and try to decide if I am called to be an Associate of the Sisters of St. John the Divine.

It'll be a time for me to develop and follow a Rule of Life, and to deepen my prayer life.

A year can seem like a long time but I am glad that it is a year. Too often I make impulsive decisions, or I think I want to do something that turns out later to not be so great. We all do.

Discernment gives me an opportunity to slow down, to not rush in and to really try and listen for God's voice. My greatest struggle will be the daily commitment to prayer and to making time for it. In a year, I will know whether or not I am capable of that type of commitment. I will also, hopefully, have learned the value in slowing down and not making hasty decisions.

When have there been periods of discernment in your life? What was the jewel or lesson you learned from that time of discernment?

(image - my window altar at Stonesthrow) * o

Discernment

Dreaming of Beeswax

I've got the creative itch to do a collage in beeswax - a technique I haven't tried yet. I've got the idea, know what I want to put on it and am antsy to try it. So what's stopping me? Lack of beeswax. See, in my small town you can't just run to the local craft store and buy whatever. Now there are plenty of people here who will tell you to "mind your own beeswax" and several more who can't resist the urge to stick their nose in to your beeswax, but actual, authentic beeswax is not to be found. And so I will have to hold off until I can make the next trip to the Big City to stock up on supplies..(sigh). Until then, I'm dreaming of beeswax. * o

Dreaming of Beeswax

Spirituality vs Religion

One of the questions in my course this week was "Is spirituality different from religion and if so how?"

My answer is yes. To me religion is more like a practice, or set of practices. It has specific rules, rituals and it's own hierarchy. Spirituality on the other hand is more of a relationship.

To put it another way, spirituality is like breathing. Religion might define how, when and where I breathe but it is spirituality that is the breath.

How do you define spirituality and religion? Are they one and the same for you?

(image - my first Zentangle - created Sep 19/07) * o

Spirituality vs Religion

Frost and Pumpkin Barf

Saturday morning we were hit with the first heavy frost of fall. A frost that finished off the marigolds in front of the cottage, and the Himalayan Impatiens in the yard. Hubby spent the afternoon pulling them up and tidying the yard. The first of the preparations for winter. Already. Sigh, I'm so not ready for it.

The painting project continued into this weekend. Teenage Boy wanted his room painted orange, and orange he got. It looks like a pumpkin threw up in there but he says he likes it. He better - I'm not painting it again for a long time. I have bedroom number two to paint next, but that will have to wait a couple of weekends. I need a break.

Creatively I've become hooked on doodling, specifically the Zentangle type of doodling. I've fallen in love with my Uniball fine black pen and I use it to scratch doodles over all my journal pages. Even my calendar at work. I'm insane.

My course on Spirituality and Family relationships starts this week. I'm looking forward to a morning routine of reading and journaling as I work my way through it.

Autumn is always so full, and I said I was going to release something didn't I?

* o

Frost and Pumpkin Barf

Autumn's Release

I just received my copy today of "Praying with the Elements" a beautiful little book created by Christine Valters Paintner, at Abbey of the Arts. It's full of scripture, snippets of poetry, thoughtful reflections and stunning photos and I highly recommend it.

While flipping through it at lunch time I was caught by this quote:

"This earth we are riding keeps trying to tell us something with it's continuous scripture of leaves." - William Stafford

Maybe it's because it is the fall season that this quote stood out for me. Christine writes, "I love the image of the scripture of leaves that Stafford offers - what if we were to consider the changing trees as sacred text where the Holy One is revealed to us in new ways each season? What if we followed the invitation of each season - spring's emerging, summer's fullness, autumn's release, and winter's rest?"

What indeed. Kind of makes you pause a moment and really look at the landscape as you are rushing out the door in the afternoon. And "autumn's release" - what am I releasing? I always seem to take on so much more in the fall, and I know it drains my energy until I long for winter's rest.

This weekend I'll be spending time reflecting on creating a Rule of Life, and I know I'll be looking at what I need to release this autumn. And I hope the cold, wet weather we'v been experiencing lately subsides for awhile so I can get outside and read the scripture of leaves.

Photo: Night Sky - Sault. Ste Marie, Michigan - taken by Charlie Maedel * o

Autumn's Release

Farewell Purple Octopus

With his brother happily off to college, Teenage Boy/Man has decided he wants to move into his old room, since it is just slightly larger than the one he occupies now. TBM has also decided he wants his room painted in "Lush Orange" with "Mango Tango" trim.

This has meant a weekend for me spent putting on a couple of coats of primer and preparing the room. Years ago when College Boy was much younger, in a burst of creativity I painted his room with an Under-the-Sea theme that included a giant purple octopus. Thought it was a great idea at the time, but obviously I was not thinking too far into the future to the time when I would have to somehow paint over and get rid of that octopus.

In all fairness to him, College Boy outgrew that purple octopus years ago, but I have not had the time or opportunity to paint that room until he moved out of it.

And so, after three coats of tinted primer we bid farewell to Mr. Purple Octopus, and all things "little boy like" and we get ready to say hello to Mango Tango and the last of the teen years. * o

Farewell Purple Octopus

Taking the Boy to College

His stuff is all packed, though his room still looks like a cyclone hit it. This morning we are piling it all into the truck and heading down to another city where he'll start college next week. Road trip! College tour! A busy weekend.

Hard to believe we're at this stage. Boy/Man has grown so fast. And Teenage Boy starts high school next week. This morning I am the beaming, proud mom. Proud of how they have grown, awed by the young adults they are turning into, and a little in shock at how quickly time has flown.

Time for breakfast, and then we'll load up and head off. He's heading out for new adventures! * o

Taking the Boy to College

How Then Shall I Pray

"Prayer too moves in rhythms, ups and downs." Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet (Dyckman/Carroll)

I've been thinking about prayer a lot lately. How do I pray, what are the ways to pray, and even why pray are just some of the things floating through my mind. I know there is no right or wrong way to pray, and that prayer is as unique as each person's relationship to God. Prayer deepens that relationship. Do I spend enough time in prayer? I guess that depends on the definition of prayer. If prayer is solely being down on your knees, hands folded, eyes closed and having a sort of one-way conversation with the Divine, then no, I don't spend a lot of time in prayer.

How then are the ways in which I pray?

• in church - both in corporate, liturgical prayer and private prayer
• intercession - quick prayers ushered up for someones safety, health or comfort
• gratitude - a few moments in thanks for safe journeys, health restored or the beauty of the day
• creative - by what I create, how I express my relationship to God in art, sometimes in a more abstract form like a collage and other times in something more concrete like this prayer wheel
• journaling - writing prayers, writing out problems, working through my spiritual crisis in writing
• the Jesus prayer - often repeated at night, in bed, to calm a rattling mind and invite God's comforting presence
• meditation

Even after writing that list I feel a desire to deepen my prayer life, to move beyond the routine and yet how?

"The continued realization that prayer is gift, something God does in us, not something we do ourselves, frees us to relax, take the pressure off ourselves and wait, allowing God to come as he wills." Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet

Ya, that's it. Invite God's presence into every thing I do, not just five minutes of "prayer time". * o

How Then Shall I Pray

Journal Prompt Cards

Life in the cottage has been awesomely creative, so I thought I'd share some of the journal prompt cards I've been working on.

I'm altering a deck of playing cards, painting them, gluing on images and writing the prompts over top.

Images and prompts all inspired by Zura's e-class on creating journal cards.

Could someone contact the time fairy and slow things down a bit? Summer is going by way too fast for me... * o

Journal Prompt Cards

The 5.75 Questions

Michael Bungay Stanier has a great new video, "The 5.75 Questions You've Been Avoiding". Not only are the questions thought provoking, the clip is cartoony, funky and fun to watch. Michael is also offering a free e-course on the 5 questions, so check it out and sign up! * o

The 5.75 Questions

Soul Collage - Past Hurts

I am the one who stands in the doorway of past hurts.
I am the one who looks back in regret.
I am the one who wants to move forward and let go.

When I look at this card I am reminded of all the times I try to let go, but I don't and I let it stand in the doorway blocking my way to moving forward.

* o

Soul Collage - Past Hurts

The Shed has its own blog!

Having recently joined the staff at Artella, I've also got a new blog there which I've entitled "Stonesthrow Cottage - Musing and ramblings from my backyard" so I will be posting there from time to time. * o

The Shed has its own blog!

A Room of Her Own

For a long time now I have dreamed of a space of my own - a place to write, read, create, dream. A space where I could spread out, and not have to pack everything up that I was working on. I've tried to create this in my house, but there were really no extra rooms and the basement just didn't have the right atmosphere. I began to dream of a little shed, a garden retreat, in my own backyard. And while I allowed myself to fantasize about this place and decorate it in my mind, even going so far as to give it a name, I never gave much thought to it becoming a reality. An outbuilding seemed too expensive to buy or build. It was just a little dream.

Last month, at an auction, my husband purchased a small 8 x 9 shed and had it moved into our backyard. He's painted it, built a deck for it and put on a screen door. "Stonesthrow Cottage", my dream, has become a reality. I have space to create, to unwind, to dream or to play. And it really is the perfect space.

In the process of looking up ideas for this building, I discovered a whole world out there of people who work from little backyard sheds or shacks, appropriately named "shedworkers". They even have their own blog.

Should you be stopping by on a summer evening, you'll find me at Stonesthrow - the perfect place to have a cup of tea, a long chat, and to sit and dream. * o

A Room of Her Own

Ordinary Holiness

"the ordinary events of daily life become our practice...the routine of daily life is the path to holiness for lay folks"

-Father Thomas Keating - Open Mind, Open Heart

So often we search for holiness outside of ourselves - in some sacred place, in ritual, in worship, in a person or in a denomination. Can it really be so basic that the path to holiness is the repeated routine of my every day life - the waking, stretching, journaling, reading, eating, working, gardening, emailing, blogging, idling, sleeping routine of every single day? If so, then every day, every breath, every movement is sacred.

(photo: Therese rose, Charlie Maedel - June 2007)

* o

Ordinary Holiness

On turning 43

Art journal collage entry I created today in honor of my birthday.

Art inspired by Violette.

Words (which are hard to see in the image because the scan did not turn out so well...) inspired by this quote from Rainer Maria Rilke:

"You are indeed carrying within yourself the potential to visualize, to design, and to create an utterly satisfying, joyful and pure lifestyle."

(the page looks a lot brighter than it turned out in the scan) * o

On turning 43