Hello July!

I can’t believe summer is rolling by quite so fast. Roses are blooming. Tomatoes and zucchini  are ripening. And the smell of lavender out in the yard fills the air. It is luscious.  

To add more summer fun, our neighborhood had a small 4th of July parade. When my children were little we had a big parade complete with a Mom flag drill team, Dads with lawnmowers, kids with decorated bikes and wagons. And the local fire department truck leading the way. This year, new neighbors put together a short parade with a firetruck too! It was so fun to see my ‘kids’ and grandkids having fun marching through the neighborhood once again. 

Madden Mondays and Meyer Friday. 

Every Monday, little Madden comes to play with us. He goes for a walk around the lake while he naps. He rolls on his blanket, grabs his toys and giggles. He takes his bottle and plays some more and naps. He’s a delightful, little guy.

I used to watch my granddaughter, Meyer on Mondays until she started kindergarten. I loved it. And Meyer and I had some wonderful times: baking muffins, playing with play dough and painting in the studio. This last week, we had 2 days to play! We went to the park. And played in the studio with real clay making plates from porcelain clay. So much fun!

Slow clay. 

I said I was taking the summer off so I didn’t set up any expectations for my studio work. I let go of my old routines and process. Things sat. And I didn’t do much of anything for awhile. 

But a strange thing began to happen: small animals started showing up on my studio shelves. Little flower characters popped up. And a few penguins waddled in to visit. 

I just went in to play around and now, look what I found!

Life is full of surprises. Some good. Some not. One thing I’m learning is to let the feelings flow and take the time I need to take care of myself. Reading and resting. Walking a bit slower while my knee heals. And letting the clay play itself out into whatever form it wants. 

Taking the summer off isn’t what I’d thought it would be. 

It’s not boring or lifeless

It’s calm and restful. 

And surprisingly creative and fun.