Moving Out From Under Shadows

Winter Shadows

 What will this week bring us in the news is becoming more predictable that something will shake our core. The issues are so big, it is easy to feel powerless. How we hold on is amazing. 

Ways that help me is to look at an issue from both sides. Considering both views without the emotional bias, can be very difficult. Being informed through multiple sources eases the difficulty. Instead of turning away from the news, lean into it, learn from it and support decisions with facts. 

An old subject like this is worth repeating. Decluttering emotions is as important as organizing stuff.

🌹🪻🌸🌺🌷🌻

In the beginning of a week, I think of what I want to do, how to organize the days ahead. My to do list is much longer than my done list. This week, instead of the olde list of many, a single theme will be interesting. 

I found a folder of photos I printed out to paint from going back to the early 2000s.  One of them inspires me to make this week ‘s theme, Art. Whether paint, pencil or using glue, daily creating is a must. The week feels brighter already. 

What theme do you like for your week?

A Word, Clutter, Still Life & White Coffee

For some reason, I believe, we latch on to words meaning things they are not. I thought a vignette, aside from a photo, is a small display similar to a still life. There may be a similar word that I’m just forgetting at the moment. 

The vase, ivy and faux flowers would make a nice still life painting. Maybe my clutter is just a matter of surrounding myself with art. 

😂

A fun experience happened yesterday. Remember the one about how distracted folks poured orange juice in their cereal? 

Well, I was going over in my mind about what I was going to do that day while making my first coffee. Out of instant, I boiled water for the French press. Cup ready, with a dash of sugar and half&half, I’m waiting, thinking, waiting. And before I know it,  pouring hot water right into my cup.

I stared at the cup for a second wondering why my coffee is white!

😂 

Then I took the coffee out if the fridge and put some in the French press that, btw, is not my cup.

Welcome To November 2025

Under a partly cloudy sky, the 1st day of November has a crisp and chilly vibe that goes well with hot tea and apple cider donuts.

This is the start of Branch Season. What to do with pencil sketched landscapes all around? There is snow in the mountains, leaves on the ground and birds eager to see the feeders back out. 

I’m thinking organizing photos, changing passwords, reading about cyber security, and such is a plan worthy of being top of a November to do list.

For artists, and everyone who has ever thought or said I can’t draw, putting together an art tote is a good idea: sketchbook. pencils, sharpener, eraser and 2 pens. That is basic sketch set up to have handy whether outdoors or in a waiting room. 

Sketching trees to research the botanical names can be an interesting goal to pursue.

Pick up a yard of fabric to use for hand sewing while listening to audio books. 

Take advantage of that concentration, by learning a new language from an audio course.

November to me is the month of being comfy, cooking and creating.