Creative Pursuits

What are you doing this summer?

Seems like a question that I have been asked of late. It seemed that when we were young and on the school calendar mode, it was easy to break down our year into seasons: summer break, fall school start, Christmas break, winter semester, spring/Easter break, spring semester… It was easy to set goals and schedules: piano lessons, choir practice, soccer, field hockey, swimming, school play/musical, etc… Even the course work was scheduled for specific times: driver’s ed happened in the spring, “family planning” or any of the health classes occurred in the spring, local history was taught in the fall, etc.

So, when we ask each other what we are doing in the summer, I think there is a little of our preprogrammed schedules in our heads. “Visit family, hang out at the pool, go to camp, visit the beach, travel to Europe”….

I always think that the summer is a good time to pursue some type of creative or craft project. Guess I am reminded of my annual packing of my “craft box” to our summer house. I had a box that contained my bits and bobs: brick-a-brack, styrofoam forms, needlepoint, glitter, acrylic and water color paints, pastels, etc. You name the project, and I probably had the appropriate material stuffed into that box. One time my brother in exasperation for it taking up room in the car said, “Are you going to bring that **** box again?!” I always fancied myself as an “artiste”- hiking along the marsh edges, portable easel, paints and wearing an old smock and straw hat. In reality, I probably, only once, brought a small sketch book and pencils bought from the local 5 & 10 to sit at the edge of the jetty and left within minutes of getting thoroughly soaked by a wave.

This summer, I still have a hankering for something creative. I have scratched that itch (slightly) by making new pillows for our deck and screened porch. What I like is when I can “use up” some other material that I already have in the house. Such was the case with the pillows: I covered existing pillows with left over material from having re-covered our dining room chairs (that material was a painter’s drop cloth!) and used up some of my acrylic fabric paints by painting scallops shells on them (or my attempt at a scallop rendition). I also covered existing pillows with coordinating ribbon and used some starfish from a former wreath.

It may not be decorator’s choice but I like it.

What about you? Did you like arts and crafts as a kid? Did you do it at camp? What have you always wanted to learn? To knit? Crochet? Paint? Sculpt? Design a garden? Take design classes? Baking classes? Cooking classes? Woodworking?

Just because we are not formally in school or camp doesn’t mean that we cannot learn and try new creative pursuits. Maybe get some friends together and share the expense for a lesson or two. Or, have a sharing session where someone shares his/her skills with the group. Check out pintrist and youtube videos for ideas.

While the craft box has been dismantled and redistributed, I might still pull out my sketch book. I have also been thinking about making some new needlepoint eyeglass cases. Perhaps resurrect my old Kenya bag and add new rope handles? The list can go on….

I wanted to use up an existing pillow (tan) but wanted to tie it into my “beachy” theme so I found navy ribbon and used up an old starfish from a dismantled wreath.

It is Not Too Late...

In some ways I cannot believe that it is August 15th.  We are half-way through August and soon, September and the fall rush will be upon us.  I don't know about you, but every summer about this time of year I think, "Oh gosh.  I was going to do so much this summer and didn't.  Just wait to next year."  With this type of thinking I have already written off the summer when technically we still have almost five weeks left of summer and still two/three weeks before "back to school". 

I have found that procrastination thinking gets me depressed because I know that next year will come and go and I will once again not do all that I wanted.   Or the real crux of the matter, not enjoy all that I wanted.  I have decided to not wait until next year, but do something in the remaining time of this season.   Generally what I want to do involves enjoying the season:  to take advantage of the warm weather,  to continue that unhurried vacation feeling, and to be truly present in whatever the activity.  

Some Ideas:

• Treat yourself like you are on vacation: Pre-arrange dinner (an easy one- cooked rotisserie chicken , salad bar and fruit) so that you don't have to fuss or think about it come dinnertime.  Put aside your electronic devices when you come home from work. 
• Dine al fresco: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• After dinner, sit on the porch (or stoop, patio, deck, yard)  and have a chat with your family, friends or neighbors.  Ask other questions than just "How was your day"? 
  • Suggestions:  What was one thing that you were passionate about as a kid?  How did you envision your adult life?  What was one book that inspired you?  Why?  What is your go-to song to feel upbeat?
• Invite neighbors, friends or family over for some games.  Either outdoor ones- badminton, croquet, bocce, corn hole. water balloon battle.  Or indoor ones: Taboo, Sorry, Settlers of Catan, Chronology, Balderdash, any card game.
• Go star-gazing- either set out a blanket in your yard or go to a park, beach, country- some area outside of the city lights. 
• Take in a drive-in movie  (as a word of caution for those of a certain age- be prepared to be exhausted the next day- those movies go into the night!)
• Visit a local farmers' market or craft fair. 
• Visit local ethnic festivals.  Plan on eating something new to you.
• Check out local outdoor concerts- with many, you can pack a picnic dinner to enjoy during the music.
• Spend a day lulling about just reading books (either outside under a tree or snuggled in chair/bed inside).  Check out goodreads.com for some suggestions.
• Organize that Fibber McGee closet  (you know the one I mean).  It will give you a jump start on the fall.  
• Visit a local or state park. Check online to see what is in your locale and see what special programs, talks or walks that they might be offering.  
• Call and set up that breakfast, lunch or dinner date with the friend that has been on your mind.
• Put impromptu floral arrangements throughout your home (bathroom, bedroom, kitchen). Cut garden flowers, foliage or wildflowers from roadside (mind the poison ivy) and place in glass jars (clean, empty jelly or other recycled ones are fun). 

What about you?  What would you add to the list?  Do you put things off?  If so, why?  Do you resign yourself to waiting to next year?  

Recently I found this pillow.  It is in my office, reminding me each day:

Perfect Day

Weather wise, today is a perfect day.  The air has finally lost its cloying stickiness of humidity but it does not have the crisp autumnal air yet.  It is as if the air is just in a mellow mood.

The sun is still bright and warm.  You don't have to look very hard to find the warm sunny spot as you have to do in the dead of winter. When I am outside, my skin feels the way it does on evenings after a day at the beach; the pleasant sensation of  cool evening breezes skimming over a taut somewhat sunburned face.  At this time of year, I don't need to wait until evening;  the day breeze immediately cools down my warmed skin.  I half expect to taste some salt on my lips. 

I love this transitional time between summer and fall weather.  Technically it is still summer but the days and weather lean more to the fall-ish side.  It is the day of sunflowers, chrysanthemums and gathering of acorns yet it is still the day of hydrangeas, sunshine, and sandals. 

I love the unhurried pace of the day.  It makes me want to achieve things but also to just sit back and enjoy whatever I am doing.  No time pressure.  No feeling of "hurry up and wait." Just a good balance of work, play and create.  It is a perfect day for all of it.  The sweet juxtaposition of doing and being; the active fall and the languishing summer. 

It reminds me of the month leading up to our wedding.  Just before it, I had an accident at work- slipped on a freshly waxed floor and landed right on my backside.  I was told to go home and rest for a couple of days. Even though the wedding date was looming, I found those days were wonderful. I could lounge in bed reading books.  A co-worker loaned me all of her D.E. Stevenson books and I was in heaven, reading about the trials and tribulations of everyday life in England and Scotland.  I was transported. 

It seems to me that the quality of today's air is like it was twenty-seven years ago. When I feel it, I am transported to a place where I feel mellow.  Like the country song says, "no shoes, no shirt, no problems." (except of course, the shirt!)

Every year, in September and October I look forward to days like today. I wish I could bottle it, but then I wonder if it would be as special?  When days like this come around, do I squander it or do I thoroughly enjoy each moment?  And, do I have to wait until my surroundings, e.g. the air and sun quality, are just right in order to feel this peace?  If I cannot bottle those qualities, can I still achieve this mellow feeling without it? 

Underlying the perfect day is a feeling of hope, expectation, possibilities and a future. Certainly those were some of my feelings leading up to our wedding.  If those are the qualities of a perfect day, why cannot each day be perfect?  

What about you?  Do certain times of the year speak to your heart?  When is it?  Why is it?  Is it a time of remembrance?  A time of hope?  A time of peace? 

Certainly Jesus promises us a peace that passes all understanding. When we trust Him, we do have a perfect day of hope, expectation, possibilities and a future.