What Really Matters...

"By making art, you will be recording what you are living through and what you are learning about it. A drawing and a sentence or two in a sketchbook turn those everyday moments into something significant. Your art will set a frame around it and give you perspective on what really matters."

I came across a book called "Art before Breakfast" (A billion ways to be more creative no matter how busy you are), by Danny Gregory. It was in my local library, which anyone who knows me knows how much I love the library. The quote above is from a sentence he wrote at the beginning of the book that I loved. I will probably write a few more as I continue to read the book. So far I'm enjoying the book and if nothing else it is a good reminder to what really matters!

Note Worthy...

http://www.gentlebarn.org

I came across this information at my local library. There was a book called "The Gentle Barn Story" and I looked up their website. I love passing on organizations, stories etc. that offer something good in the world. Even though this is far from me ( California) it's note worthy. So look them up and if nothing else honor another's offering of "good" put out into the world.

Refuge...

"The library had become her solace. Her refuge. Books did not question or judge. They made safe companions."

Inglath Cooper, Truth and Roses: A Love Story

We all need a place of refuge from life. I'm glad my children feel that way about their home and with friends and families homes. To find refuge to relax, to not have to feel like you have to be anything but your imperfect, perfect self is a time to gather strength to keep moving forward in each present moment.  When I'm not able to be with those people who provide solace, I find it in books, nature, food, art, quiet time, and animals.

Writing...

There is a free writing group starting tomorrow at my local library and I'm excited. I tell people I'm a writer who never writes. Even though that isn't completely true ( I do write two blogs) but it feels like it because I'm not writing all that I'd like. And these last few years have been the longest I've not been in a writing group, which I miss. It will be nice to be back in touch with those that like to write.

Fiction...

I finally had some time to finish a fiction book I was reading called "When Mockingbirds Sing" by Billy Coffey. I picked it up at the library and really enjoyed it. When I read books, I love to pick out the lines that say so much and as a writer myself, I love to devour the delicious lines that add so much yummy to the book. Here are a couple of the lines I loved...

"He preferred the deep beneath the words where only truth dwelt." (pg.211)

"Mabel was in a place where there's just now." (pg. 222)

"Believe in the maybe." (pg. 219)

Library...

My son and I went to the library yesterday and we each walked out with a huge stack of books. It was so much fun. When my kids where growing up, the library was like our second home. They had a limit of 100 books you could check out, and between the four of us we almost always reached that limit. Most days now I just run in and get my book on hold and run back out, so it was nice to just take the time with my son to browse the rows of books and hang out in an old familiar place, filled with good memories.

A sweet memory...

I was out with two of my children today running an errand to the library. My youngest is soon to be eighteen so it was a sweet memory of all the days we use to spend at the library checking out more books then we could carry. We participated in a lot of programs and enjoyed hanging out together. My children aren't avid readers but they do have a love of a good book. The library holds reminders of all the stories we read together and is a place of comfort and good "sweet" memories.