Dreaming of Silver Roses

       I recently have developed a relationship I truly have come to value a great deal. She’s an amazing lady. She is a wonderful wife. She’s a mother of two incredible, strong, lovely,  intelligent women. She is an encourager. She is a lady of remarkable faith. She is a challenging writer. A world class story teller! She knows a lot about things that matter, and a little about almost anything! I’ve never found a topic she can’t talk to you about! Or if she doesn’t know, she’s the most open person in the world to listen and learn. She is giving and generous. She is a very dear friend. If you look to the links on the side bar of this site, you will find Mrs. Donna Pool’s link.  From my heart, I encourage anyone who can get to know this lady to do so.

       Mrs. Donna is also a brilliant artist.  She designs VERY unique t-shirts, graphic art, and craft items. Here I can let her art speak for itself.

http://www.zazzle.com/donnapool  

or

http://www.etsy.com/shop/donnapool

       Her daughter Becky is also a brilliant artist of absolutely unique things! She has a different eye for specialty items. Her art is trendy and clean and modern. She recycles old comics for some of her art! Which takes retro and makes it relevant and now. She does other forms of modern trendy art as well. She recentlywon a highly prized award as a graphic artist.( http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepinksamurai/sets/72157622826890961/ ) She is a very talented blogger and more.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/thepinksamurai

 Unique 1 inch buttons by The Pink Samurai, Becky Pool

       These ladies  have items you won’t find anywhere else. They can custom order certain things. They respond to your emails personally and help you figure out ideas based on people’s interests. The art you find on their items would make terrific stocking stuffers or special gifts. Mrs. Donna does amazing hand sewn craft items like teddy bears, quilts, puzzle balls, and Christmas ornaments. Because each item is hand created some items require time, so she needs a heads up. If  you don’t see exactly what you want, talk to them. They are fantastic listeners and so creative that I bet working with them will result in art that you or someone you love will treasure for a long time to come. See for yourself.

       More than anything, Mrs. Donna is a remarkable lady. She has a lot to say and loves well. She always has time for you. She makes it her business to be sure that if you’d like to, she wants to get to know you. She is not just someone creating a product you’d love or that someone you love will treasure;  she genuinely cares about you. I can honestly say with all my heart that our friendship is personal, real, and treasured.

       If you are still looking for a gift idea that speaks specifically to someone’s heart, check out the work these ladies do. It is all about heart as much as breathtaking art. If you know others who love arts and crafts, please, get the word out about these incredible artists!

 Amish Patchwork Puzzle Ball Ornament by Donna Pool

You can also find these ladies at http://twitter.com/DonnaDPool  and http://twitter.com/BeckyPool. Please get to know them!

(Mrs. Donna, thank you for loving and having time for me. You’re one of my super heroes.)

Filed under: art, hobby, life on December 8th, 2009 | No Comments »

     When Guiding Light was canceled, I was in awe. For those who know me well, that I fell for a soap opera probably is flabbergasting. But I did. From March 11, 2009 to Sept. 18, 2009, I watched regularly. I even pulled up many episodes of certain storylines that captured my imagination as well. So I put a four year investment into that time span!

      Not just the show spurred me to watch. The online fan community literally captivated me as well. Men (yes, some incredible brave men) and women gathered to do play by plays of the episodes, talked through storyline knots, give history, review how it paralleled or diverged from modern pop culture, media and technology, jokes and fun, or just discuss acting and theater every weekday. What amazed me the most, they also discussed their lives. And I was blessed and touched beyond words. I grew.

    People were open and honest. You were able to hear about family, pets, travel, college, politics, current news, lifestyles, religion, history, art, literature, and more. People encouraged each other, pushed each other to be stronger or better, share wounds, share healing, pray with each other, think out loud, know what you believe… and more. There were births, marriages, dating, and losses just like any other community I have ever known. And I stood awestruck and inspired.

     I haven’t been as ‘invested’ as long as others have. I don’t speak of me much; I encourage, listen, and learn. What I’ve learned looks a lot like love to me.

     This week there was a deep loss of a beautiful lady, Cathie. She has been connected to some who gather on the board for almost fourteen years (that I’m aware of at the moment). That is a long time to walk along side people loving them and sharing. The community is grieving. Her family is grieving. We pray for their healing now.

     I’ve watched this community “light candles” virtually in her honor, send words of encouragement, prayers, online ((hugs)), and support in any way possible. She made an impact in the lives of many people literally around the globe by sharing her heart, life, talents, and passions. Cathie, I’ve heard, over and over again was a generous gentle gorgeous soul. The community will miss her very deeply. We are so grateful that her family would share her with us. Being a mother and having lost a father, I grieve along side her children.

     When I woke this morning and learned of her loss, I was reminded of a poem by Madeleine L’Engle that comforted me when I lost my father.

                        The earth will never be the same again.

                        Rock, water, tree, iron share this grief

                        As distant stars participate in pain.

                        A candle snuffed, a falling star or leaf,

                        A dolphin death, O this particular loss

                        Is Heaven- mourned; for if no angel cried,

                        If this small one was tossed away as dross,

                        The very galaxies then would have lied.

                        How shall we enter out love’s song now

                        In this strange land where all are born to die?

                        Each tree and leaf and star show how

                        The universe is part of this one cry,

                        That every life is noted and  is cherished

                        And nothing loved is ever lost or perished.

(Madeleine L’Engle, A Ring of Endless Light, Laurel-Leaf Books, 1980)

Filed under: life, purpose, relating well, relationships, wonder on November 18th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

        I think the most significant and poignant lines in this song to me are:

“It’s because I know that you won’t say no that I’m asking…” 

(Sarah Bettens, song Rescue Me, Album Shine,  © Copyright-Cocoon Records (700261228952) Record Label: Cocoon Records)

I can not express how much that touches me. When I brainstormed all the words that connected in my mind with that line, I came up with :  Safe. Vulnerable. Risk. Trust. Love. Tenderness. Compassion. Faith. Fear. Hope. Wonder. Connection. Family.  I’m sure there are more. I just was so overwhelmed with that line.

     There are precious few folks I could say that about, and I have to admit that open ended love like that is the only thing that makes it possible for me to ask to be rescued. I will run until I absolutely drop on my own even out of sheer stubbornness before I will ask for help if I don’t already know that “It’s because I know that you won’t say no”. After all who wants their moment of weakness capitalized on or exploited.

     I don’t want love that is an inconvience. I don’t want an “I Owe You” kind of love. I don’t want an “If you would just” or “if only this”  kind  of love. I want a love that will offer before it’s needed and move to help as soon as need arises or if they see the need before me just takes care of it. I have actually seen a human love that works that way. I know it is possible.

That line matters to me.

     So in response if I’m asked… yes, I will. Hug.

Filed under: art, life, music on November 15th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

I don’t often repost someone else’s articles, but this article intrigued me. So I’m sharing it for all moms who surf, blog, tweet, Facebook it, myspace it, or in general use the web to stay connected or get connected. The web community is amazing because of it’s access to so many globally. If you’ve wondered why you connect with joansmith@somewhereincyberspace.org better than just about anyone in your real life that you know… well…. you might not be so alone.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Increasingly-Isolated-Moms-bw-510302110.html?x=0&.v=1

Filed under: hobby, humor, kids, life, purpose, relating well, relationships, wonder, writing on November 2nd, 2009 | 1 Comment »

It’s a bit tattered

It’s a bit worn

There are some places

Where the pages are torn

Dog eared and marked up

Not much to see

But when you hold it

You’re holding the best part of me

I was so mixed up

I’d lost my way

I had forgotten

The feeling of grace

At first confusing

Challenged all I believe

Now when you hold it

You’re holding the best part of me

It made me wonder

Time and again

Its page speak to me

Like the voice of a friend

Like Linus’ blanket

It’s been my security

So I sent it to you

You’re holding the best part of me

Filed under: Uncategorized on November 1st, 2009 | No Comments »

I found this link and loved the article on Anne Rice. I must admit I haven’t read many of her vampire novels. I’m just not a horror buff, but I know many who have. And I do respect her work as an author. I think the article speaks for itself. I applaud Speakeasy Magazine of the Wall Street Journal for publishing it and Anne taking a stand for what she believes in.

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/10/24/anne-rice-on-twilight-true-blood-and-her-new-book-angel-time/

Filed under: Christianity, art, wonder, writing on October 29th, 2009 | No Comments »

     Lauren Myracle wrote a book about 5th graders. She included some characters that some would consider to be controversal.  Scholastics publishers (whom I have greatly respected in the past) intially planned to pull the book because of these characters and some slang.

       Here are the links with details:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/28/scholastic-book-lgbt/

http://onourmindsatscholastic.blogspot.com/2009/10/news-regarding-lauren-myracles-luv-ya.html

http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/scholastic_reverses_decision_to_exclude_gay_friendly_book_from_fairs

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=talkbackCommentsFull&talk_back_header_id=6630620&articleid=CA6703349

http://www.abramsbooks.com/luvyabunches/code/index1.html

http://laurenmyracle.com/blog.html

The author is a NYTimes best seller. I know a great deal of the heat about this book lies in the lesbian parents of Camilla. However, I find it interesting in our day and time that there is little ado made about the book also including a Muslim child wearing a hija. Or how rare it is to have seen a healthy balanced child is being raised by a single father. The websites I listed include articles from the author and notes about the book.

       What I don’t know about writing, editing, and publishing could fill a library. I’m just starting out pursuing this career. I think what we don’t hear about what makes it into the public’s hands matters. Behind the scenes sometimes should be brought out into the light and we should be accountable for our beliefs and how we treat each other. Diversity and the issues surrounding it aren’t going away. If you read, view, or listen to the news at all, you are aware that the LGBT community is rising up on a regular basis and their voices are strong. How we show each other that we care matters.

       All I’m asking is that we be educated and open minded people who pay attention to others around us. That there be an air of compassion and love with each other. You cannot grow or learn if you’re afraid to listen well. Think a bit. If one person’s lifestyle can be censured in a book, anyone’s lifestyle can be censured as soon as it doesn’t fit the moral majority of the time. So we want so badly for our voices to be heard above others that we close our hearts and minds so we can shout above the din? Am I so insecure in what I believe that I can’t be open to even hear what someone else thinks or believes? I’m not saying that we should be so open minded that our brains fall out and we believe anything fed to us, on the contrary I’m saying know what you believe and what others believe so you can respectfully and compassionately dialogue if the chance arises in such a manner that all in the relationship are blessed. Listen well. Be educated. Be open. Love well.

       Dig to find out what you don’t hear about what you read.

Filed under: art, life, politics, purpose, relating well, relationships, wonder, writing on October 28th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Just a brown winged sparrow sat

In a cage

Gilded, but a cage

Softly it sang out a melody

For a while

Sometimes happy, but a personal eternity

There was no answer to its refrain

The house was silent

The silence echoed wall to wall

Just a brown winged sparrow quiet

No song to sing

Forgot the notes; caught in its throat

Winter to spring; the bird was moved

Into the warm and golden light

Sun and air and noise suddenly

Just a brown winged sparrow staring out

A simple bird by the windowsill

Just a tiny thing, lost and staring…

Filed under: art, life, nature, poetry on October 27th, 2009 | No Comments »

This impressed me so much. Kris Delmhorst’s ‘Yellow Brick Road’ (album Five Stories [2001]).

I’m off to see the wizard in his castle on the hill
And I never once have known him and I do not know him still
Because his face it is magnificent but you’ll never see his hands
And the way he throws his voice around I don’t know where he stands

I’m off to see the wizard with his curtain and his crowd
But my hands are not trembling and my head it is not bowed
Cause I’m not looking for any answers, no truths to be revealed
All that I am asking is to show me something real

I’m not on no yellow brick road, got a mind and a heart and guts of my own
I’m not looking for a one to set me free
I’m not on no yellow brick road, I’ll find my own way home
I’m just looking for someone to walk with me

Hey you behind the curtain tell me what is it you see:
From where you sit does it appear that everyone is on their knees?
Their eyes are wide and hopeful and the line grows at the door
Do you sit up there and wonder how you’ll ever give them more?

Well I’m not on no yellow brick road, got a mind and a heart and guts of my own
I’m not looking for a one to set me free
I’m not on no yellow brick road, I’ll find my own way home
I’m just looking for someone

Don’t say that it’s not lonely up above the crowd
Don’t tell me you don’t find yourself longing for the ground
And when I asked him one more time won’t you tear the curtain down,
He said don’t you know there’s nothing here but me,
And I said baby who’d you think I came to see?

I’m not on no yellow brick road, got a mind and a heart and guts of my own
I’m not looking for a one to set me free
I’m not on no yellow brick road, I’ll find my own way home
I’m just looking for someone to walk with me

Filed under: art, life, music, poetry, wonder, writing on October 27th, 2009 | No Comments »

          Uh huh! Love Catie Curtis! A friend turned me on to her music. The music is lovely!

Filed under: life, music on October 26th, 2009 | No Comments »