Happiness

In a 1973 interview, Merv Griffin asked Ingrid Bergman about her homes and she answered "I have one home in Paris, one home in London and another one in Italy." Merv then asked her, "Where are you happiest?" and Ingrid replied, "Well, I'm happy everywhere".  What a simple, yet philosophic response this is. 

How easy it is to think that happiness can be found in a place or in a thing. I know that I often need to be reminded that happiness is inside you. It is in your heart and in your soul. 

No matter where you are, I hope your heart and soul is happy.  

 

Not really a Blog

Back when I used to be on Facebook and Instagram, I would share my finished projects. I am no longer on any social media sites, so, I am sharing these with you all! 😊

My great-niece Nora LOVES dinosaurs!  She is 2 1/2 and just welcomed a baby sister to the household. I saw these in a book and figured that I would make them for Nora. I adjusted their pattern a little bit and decided to use felted wool instead of fabric. I thought that wool would hold up better than fabric for a toddler.  

Felted (shrunken) wool is a great material to work with and I've used it a lot in the past. When I am in the thrift stores, I always look for wool sweaters. Since most clothing is now made primarily of acrylic and other man-made materials, wool is getting increasingly harder to find. When I find it, I buy it!

I've been in 'card mode' for a while now and it felt (ha!) good to use another part of my brain to make sure it still works! 

Thanks for looking! 

"Hurry Disease"

 

Many years ago, I was in Connecticut staying at a friend's house. I was heading out early to visit with my mom. I was in a bit of a hurry, but as I looked up, I saw the sun just starting to come up behind me and shine on a sliver of the backyard. I didn't have my camera with me but I did have my phone. I quickly took this picture before the sun became blocked by her house. To this day, this remains one of my favorite photos.  

"Eilkrankheit" is a German word and it loosely translates to "hurry disease".  Do you feel this, this "hurry disease"?  I know I sometimes do. 

Think about all the things and devices that we use each day to give us "more time". We no longer have to wait for anything. Everything is instant and done with little effort on our part.

Do you have more time? Seriously, do you have a chunk of time at the end of the day from all the time you saved during the day? Where does the 'saved time' go? 

We are conditioned to multi-task and do things as efficiently as possible. I'm not going to argue the merit in this way of thinking on occasion, it definitely has it applications. But on the whole, what ever happened to focusing on one thing? To focusing on doing one thing right? On taking the time to be sure that something is done correctly? 

Is there some time in your day today that you can slow down? Can you take the time to focus on what is in front of you? I bet there is and I bet you would be rewarded for it. If you spend your day looking for blessings, you will find them. 

Outside my Window

Bill leaves for work and it's just me and Missy in the house. Missy heads off to "her" room to nap - she's been up for all of 45 minutes and she's exhausted. I finish up my second cup of coffee and head into my studio.  

I take a moment to gather what I will work on today and get fresh water for my watercolors. I pull up the audio book I've been listening to and I begin to paint.  

Outside my window I see Jill, one of our neighborhood runners, go by. Jill is in phenomenal shape and she runs every day. I always stop to watch her go by because she truly is graceful. Graceful with the ease that comes from dedication and hard work. Sometimes when Missy and I are out, we will see Jill and she always has a ready smile and a kind word for us both.

A little while later I see Carmen. Carmen does not live in our neighborhood but she walks in our community multiple times a day. I stopped her one day to introduce myself. She is a delightful woman and I'm glad that she feels welcome and safe in our community. 

I see the FedEx truck drive by. He doesn't stop at our house today, but he does make a few stops on our street. I don't know the driver, we have a few, but he always waves when I see him. 

Next I see Zee come by. She has a new rescue and she's doing a great job training her to walk on the leash. I've gone out to talk to Zee and give Rocca a few ear scratches and they are both appreciative and friendly. Rocca is a sweetheart and she looks like she has settled into her new home just fine.

I see the neighbor up the street come by with his two dogs.  One of the dogs is a new addition, and I can see that he is trying really hard to get them to both walk on the leashes. This is one of those things that you don't appreciate how hard it is, until you do it yourself. Walking two dogs, on two separate leashes, without them getting tangled up, is not an easy task. It takes dedication and practice. I enjoy seeing Mike as he trains his two dogs and I like being able to see their progress. He gives them firm yet gentle reminders as they walk and they listen to him. 

Across the street I see the dogs in the yard. I love seeing them run around the yard and play with each other.  One of them is a Doberman Pinscher, and I can't get over how much he has grown. He races through their back yard like a thoroughbred. 

In the yard across the way, when their daughter visits, I can see their dogs in the backyard sunning themselves. I imagine how that feels, to be there, with the full sun on their fur, faces turned to the heat. Delightful!

Last fall, the house across from us was sold. The new owner did a lot of work and for a few months I watched the workers from my window. One day, I introduced myself to one of them, and over the few months, I would stop by and visit with him. I compliment him on his workmanship and his dedication. He has been here almost everyday, even on the days when it was very cold. He waves off the compliments and thanks me for noticing.  

I see that Leigh is coming by with the mail. Leigh is our Mail Carrier and she is always so cheerful and pleasant. She always has treats for the dogs and Missy loves when she gets to visit with her.  

Later in the day, I see that Jeff is out with his son. He is a toddler and he has just started walking. Shannon keeps him busy during the day, and when Jeff gets home, he takes him out either for a walk or a bike ride. They are a lovely family and I love seeing them all out together.

Missy comes into the room looking for a belly rub and a walk outside. I look down at my work and find that I have done a lot today. My days may be solitary, but I never feel that I am truly alone. I turn off the tablet, put down my brush and grab the leash. Missy and I are heading outside. Bill will be home soon.