May your holidays
be filled with
warmth and happiness.
Happy Holidays
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Note Joy
“Note Joy”
In dark times we can find ourselves wondering and feeling anxious.
Yet we can note things that make us feel joyful, even in a small way, to help us move forward.
My daughter and I like to go bird watching.
We have a feeder in our yard and so we can watch and note the different birds that come to the feeder.
We also like to go to parks and scenic places.
One place we like going to is Blackstone Bike Path near Albion Falls. The water Fall is soothing to listen to as the water rushes over the dam. A walk down the bike path takes you to a section where the river is slower moving. In little openings in the trees we can spy to see and find birds.
One day we stopped for a few minutes at one of the little openings in the trees. It was about late summer and the brush was still thick.
Yet at one point I noticed some brown and a little white just above a bush.
I said quietly, “Did I see what I think I saw or was it my imagination.”
My daughter said, ” I saw it too.”
What was it?
Well it was brown and a little white like a deer’s tail. So it must of been some deer behind the bush.
It must of noticed us and moved off. We saw just a glimpse of it moving off.
How cool.
On another walk there, we were walking along talking. We heard some birds flying over. We looked up to see a flock of Starling fly over the trees. Their bodies darkly silhouetted against the blue sky. A few more Starling in a second flock flew over a moment later. We felt such joy in seeing them flying together above us.
My daughter wondered how it must be to be a bird: To fly anywhere high above.
Currently the weather is getting colder.
Yet there are still things to note.
It snowed the other night. The snow gently falling and gathering on the ground.
Note Joy.
Best Wishes for this Holiday Season.
Warmly,
LG
Deer scratch board
Art News
“The Horse Gift“
Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!
Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.”
For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.
Shout out to Erika Smith at iheartrhody.com
I’d like to take this moment to do a great shout out to Erika Smith of iheartrhody.com.
I met Erika Smith through Alignable.com.
Erika runs iheartrhody.com site and posts about things to take note in Rhode Island, as Food, Arts and the People there.
She did an interview of my Lisa’s ART & Horses.
I enjoyed connecting and sharing.
Best,
LG
What are you Reading?
| What are you reading? Since March 2020, I have been among those who lost their FT job. So I have been home, distancing and taking precautions. I’ve been actively looking for another job and have had interviews. In the meantime, I set a weekly schedule of exercise, going for walks, etc. One thing I found I have time for is doing some reading.I’ve been reading the Harry Potter series. I had started to read Harry Pottery before, but then got busy with work, family, etc. I’ve enjoyed getting the time to read. I’m on the fourth book. Reading gives one a chance to play in our imagination. It gives us a different point of view to be in in the moment. That’s a good and welcome thing to have in our lives. Quoted from the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, “Read, read, read” Best. LG ? |
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| Art News “The Horse Gift“ Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year! Soldier Portraits Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.” For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org. |
Day by Day
“Day by Day”
The non-profit I work Full time for has not yet opened back up.
I work with disabled adults and they are high risk. So planning and evaluating have
been going on in upper management.
I attend the weekly staff meetings on Mondays and check email for news and
information.
I’ve had moments, as i’m sure a lot of us have, of feelings like we’re just going
through the motions every day.
I get up, exercise, make breakfast, do errands and etc.
Yet there are ways to find joy in any moment too.
We’ve driven to the beach to watch the sunset.
We’ve gone on a few hikes to take in a different view point.
We found a new game to play in the house, Funnel Pong.
I have been taking some time to do figure drawing and hone my skill.
I did finish writing and illustrating my book. It’s off to publishers to review.
It felt good to finish a project.
Staying creative is a must.
Steady onward,
LG
Art News
“Le Cadeau du Cheval“
Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on
the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as
see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!
Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits
for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring
Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help
spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have
sacrificed so much.”
For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org
Marvel of Life
| Sharing a poem and thoughts. “Marvel of Life” We witness nature. We witness days and nights. We witness seasons.And the cycles of life. There is birth and death.Rain and sun.There is blooming and aging. Life cycles continue on. A Journal note: May 1, I went for my daily walk around our neighborhood. Within a mile of our house is an elementary school and playing field. As I walked by the playing field I saw a yellow bird on the fence. I identified it as an American Gold Finch. When I finished my walk, I excitedly created a checklist of birds on ebird.com mobile app. I told my daughter what I saw. About an hour or so later, My daughter noticed the American Golden Finch in our yard at our feeder. She got her camera and took a picture of it. We live in a city and don’t expect to see many unique birds. Yet we have seen some.There are a pair of Wild Turkeys in our neighborhood.We noticed a lot of Robins in our area. One pair is nesting in a neighbor’s tree. Our earth is filled with amazement and awe.May we be inspired by nature and how is perseveres. Best, LG |
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| Black Capped Chick-A-Dee |
| Art News “Le Cadeau du Cheval“ Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year! Soldier Portraits Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.” For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org. |
At Home
“At Home” During this unprecedented time, we must stay close to home to be safe.What does this look like to you? For me, it’s been a time to: Spend time with my immediate family. My Hubby and my 2 daughters. Talking, hiking, baking together.Taking walks out in nature. I do my exercise routine, which includes a walk outside around the neighborhood. It’s good to be out, seeing the trees and sky. Bird Watching: I enjoy bird watching. I have a bird feeder and a suet holder. We have a few different birds that show up at our feeder: House Sparrows, Mourning Doves, a male and female Cardinal. I enjoy seeing the birds. Connecting with people on the phone or online. We’ve touched base with family and friends. Gardening: I bought some seeds and started some plants inside. I’ve felt grounded seeing flowers and greenery about. Our Daffodils bloomed and I noticed tulips coming up. Creativity: I’ve had time to get more work done on my book project. I’m working through creating the illustrations. So, though it’s a tough time, We’re managing. My mom used to say “When the Going gets tough, The Tough get going.” Take care,Lisa G. |
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| Art News “Le Cadeau du Cheval“ Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year! Soldier Portraits Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.” For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org. |
Secret Ingredient
“The Secret Ingredient”
I like to cook and bake. One of my favorite breakfast foods to make is pancakes. I have a recipe I use that I like. Because I’m mildly lactose intolerant I add Lactaid milk instead of regular milk. I like putting strawberry jam and cinnamon on the pancakes.I make pancakes for breakfast sometimes.
We had a pancake mix recently that my girls used to make Japanese pancakes. They didn’t use the whole box.One of my daughters decided to make the pancake mix for breakfast.She followed the recipe on the box and ate them.
Yet after, she told me they didn’t come out as good and sweet as my pancakes that I make from scratch.
It warmed my heart.
I told her, “There’s a secret ingredient. It’s Love.”
Ok, so it’s not a secret.
We all know that when we put love into what we are doing it makes what we’re doing that much more special. ?
Lisa G.
Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!
Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.”
For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.
Happy 2020
The Year 2020
Clear vision
2019 was a full year, which included ups and downs. Some little ripples, and some big ripples.
I left one part-time job to then start a full time job.
I then chose to put time into my book project, a dream to fulfill.
I’ve had experiences that made me realize how important it was to have time doing things to take care of myself. One idea was to take time to be grounded and have a moment of peace with myself.
Our lives can feel so busy. We need to take time to be calm and still to rejuvenate.
I enjoy going for walks in the morning or evening… although I go without headphones or music. I do that so I can be in the present and notice nature around me on these walks.
I also have taken the chance to participate in a Tai chi class on Thursday at my workplace. The movements are slow and fluid. The movements make me feel good. They are calming.
I have loved horseback riding my whole life. There’s a movement and flow of energy that goes between a rider and their horse, as they move together in rhythm.
In times of change we can feel unbalanced or thrown off. Thus a we need to find a balance, and to feel grounded. Practicing techniques to ground oneself/body can empower one.
Years ago, I took riding lessons each week. Over time my riding did improve.
During one ride, I was told by my riding instructor to canter in a two point position, like a hunter rider. I had done a two point position at walk and trot many times before.
I asked for a canter. I was just off position a little and sat back in the saddle. My instructor said, “Again” confident I could do it.
I continued at a canter and adjusted my feet to the right place. My horse looked back at me as if to say, “when you’re ready let me know.” I gathered a little mane in one of my hands, to fill a little security. I felt, “I’m in position.”
Then we went. We galloped down the long side of the ring.
I was steady as I ever was. I was “Just right” in my position. So much so that I felt empowered and strong. Halfway down, I noted I’m still good, so I let go of the little piece of mane I had. We continued on. As we got near the corner of the arena, with light hands and steadiness, I asked my horse to adjust for the turn. We went smoothly through.
It must have looked as good as it felt.
My instructor and a student watching cheered me on. “Go Lisa, Go!”
It was so good.
That steadfast feeling and strength made me feel like nothing to knock me over.
I was truly steady amidst movement.
Best,
Lisa G.
Art News
“Le Cadeau du Cheval“
Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!
Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.”
For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.
THEE herd, “Farts”
