February 28, 2013 : Doing My Homework

This is my quiet day, the first of my days off after making it through my work schedule relatively intact.  Tomorrow I will have regained my energy and drive and be back up and out and doing, but today is my quiet day, to spend recharging and relaxing. 

And so today I have decided to begin quietly doing my homework. 

My daughters are in agreement, and I concur, that a change of some kind is in order for me. 

Having finally grasped the concept that there are inevitabilities in my life from which there will never be a true escape; and, realizing that spending the remainder of that life in my current situation is untenable; and, being perfectly able to research and locate options that reach out and grab my attention and interest; and, knowing that my alma mater has never once let me down in any quest I've ever had for 1) a new direction, 2) a nurturing of my strengths, and 3) an environment both as exciting and as challenging as I choose to make it ...
...

... I have chosen to begin my research, my homework if you will, on this quiet day exploring possible options at UND. 

The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks has been my 'go to' place for the entirety of my adult life.  It has sheltered me when I was in danger; it has gifted me with knowledge and experience; it has been there for me. 

And so, yes, now I am finally at a place in my life where I'm strong enough to want to be able to give back, at least a little. 

I have no money to donate but I do have more of my own self to share than ever before, and maybe I can find a niche where I can be useful in some small way. 

In the course of my homework I found that they're directing attention toward an area that has been part of everything I've ever done - Conflict Resolution.  They're also going to be hiring an Ombudsperson, a one-year pilot program.  Maybe they'll want a part time support person - I have a feeling this is going to grow very quickly ... they're going to need help.  I can help.  I can do that. 

I can also spend time at the Women's Center.

And Alpha Chi.  Oh yes.  Alpha Chi Omega.  The Symphony. 

SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY - SUN DOGS

Sun dogs aren't exactly UNcommon, but it isn't all that often  you get to see the full circle. 

 

This photo was taken from a moving vehicle, while driving on icy roads. 

 

If I ever see something like this again, I'm going to pull over and get some GOOD shots!

Whiling Away Time While Paint/Sealer Dries ...

Here's what I do while waiting for paint to dry.

 

Now I've got sealer on this one and am waiting for IT to dry.

 

WAITING FOR PAINT TO DRY

Wall treatments for above these two doors are in the works.

 

 

 

 

 This unfinished niche has a change coming.

 

This niche, on the other side, is in for a change, too.

 

 

 

 An old day lily design, new quilted backing, new place to go.

 

 

 

 To go over one of the doors, when finished.

 

 

 

 To go over the other door.

 

As soon as the paint is dry, and the poly sealer is dry, on everything, I can put it all together and see if I like it.

DONE AND DONE

I LIKE IT - BUT I'M GLAD IT'S GOING

 

 

 

SOLD



I'll Get It Done EVENTUALLY

Progress is Progress, Sez I

 

 

 

 

 

I can see that I'll have to add  yet more leaves (sigh) and extend that trunk whether I want to or not (big sigh).  Otherwise I'm thinking that I'm going to just call it good enough - which is not something I usually do.  On the other hand, leaving a painting sit for months on end without touching it isn't something I generally do, either.  Plus I don't really like that sky - tried a different blue for this one - I'm going back to cobalt.



REDISCOVERING MY OWN SELF

NOT AN EASY TASK

 

 

 

Considering the fact that I'm not quite sure exactly what or who this discovery mission is all about, I'm going to have to depend a lot on faith, hope, and love.

 

Even so, I at least have a glimmer of an idea regarding how to go about it. 

 

I have been writing more lately, which has always been a route to finding out what's inside of me wanting to get out where I can see it. 

 

I have ALSO (drum roll please) after almost a year of not really doing much on that front, begun painting again. 

 

Here's a new work table I put together in the bay window of my studio, one of my most favorite places in the world:

 

These are just warm up pieces.  Figured I'd better do a couple of them before I went back to work on the painting I want to finish.

For this one I was looking for something soft and calm, not necessarily warm, but quiet.

 

And so I'm finding that yes I do still have a calm inside of me and that I can indeed find it!  You would not believe the anxiety induced by the fear of having lost that.  It has been so long since I've felt it that when it actually showed up in that simple little painting I almost wept with relief.

 

The other pieces, not so much, although it was pretty nice to see the meadow flowers popping out in front of the rock wall.  They were un-planned and so a pleasant surprise to me.