she must make her own

my mother's hands at work, creating a figure of her own. happy to share my creative practices with her.

more working with her hands.

the hands of a young one helping, with sweet hands.

young hands holds mom's figure with a sweet touch.

she must have her own. three generations create this one. mostly the work of my mother's hands. a work to behold.

life story: dreams & open hands

sometimes you don't need to take hold of something when it's offered. i listen to my dreams as i'm able, some of which i remember, others escape memory before the eyes are fully opened. when words people use return to me in dreams, i ask myself if the words matter as words or phrases or if the words represent a larger image.

much of my current retreat imagery is centered around our hands. there are indeed times to which we use our hands to bless. i remember the sacred heads of so many young children in Africa who bring their heads to your hands to receive blessing. you place your open palm on their head and speak words, SOPA, if memory serves spelling.

there are times to create with our hands. from the daily bread we make (i'm learning to bake more each week) to brushing one's teeth in keeping good health. we use our hands to sew and bake, paint and praise.

of course, we are reminded by memory, story, or scars that hands are sometimes used for violent acts. sometimes hands are withheld strategically and that is hurtful and harmful.

in my adult life, i often move through the day without much reflection on the hands that touch me. my son's hands, my husband's hands. those who i meet for the first time and we shake hands. i don't count how many, many times a day i wash my own hands: more when visiting the hospital or my son's day school and a fair amount on any given day.

the dreams that i have dreamed recently are something of my own doing. i'm caught in a little tug-o-war within my thoughts: recognizing ideas that i generated now claimed by others and the moment of one's asking to piggy-backing on my dreams then becoming a dream of another. should i talk more openly to these? does it really bother me or am i just remembering words in dreams and that's that? i have let these thoughts go and then they only return again...

recognition isn't real. whatever illusions i have of seeing "my name in lights" isn't permanent. when i think of the words mentioned above & conversations of the past, i'm certain these would remember their words differently. i'm also pretty certain i'd blessed their paths, blessing the piggy-back for a while.

i teach of and speak of the importance of naming. and yes, i do copyright my words and material online: words & images. so, claiming your own work is important, too. the path i tread is not a new one, but one in which others have tread. my feet, my presence are what make the experience unique. words are spoken and tossed around all the time, but my words strung into phrases, sentences, and hopefully soon a book, those words are unique because they flow through me. so...what's the approach now?

my hands are open, outstretched, ready to take the moment as it's given to me. i'm not holding onto the past because it weighs down my momentum. i'm releasing these words into the air as i type, permitting their journey to places unknown. no harm will come to me or others unless there is guilt that another wants to hold in their hands. i'm living with my sleeping dreams and releasing the words each time i remember them, each time i open my eyes with that sleepy memory.

and i do not wait, but move in each moment using my hands to touch, heal, bless, create, love, and caress. i will use my hands for the purpose of healing: myself and others, and not to hurt. i'm not taking hold of the words or actions of others that bind me. i choose to hold onto what frees me: what makes me whole in each moment. these steps of centering my focus, releasing the sticky burrs that catch, and moving forward with open hands are the steps that carry me to my most whole self.

she is to be remembered

she was made alongside others, alongside women. we retreated from the world, kicking the dust off our feet at the door. we met in a circle of chairs in the chapel, sacred space. each moment was pulling us closer together, closer to our focus. each space of time was like moving into the inner circle, into the sacred circle.

through her i'll remember the comments from women i have known during my first master's & on staff at this church lo those years ago. a selection here:

i am so proud of you.

i'm excited! listing to you and being with you i was thinking, "this is suzanne in HER element!"

you're so comfortable to be around. you have such an easy-going spirit.

you are certainly called to minister to women.

your words touched me. they were just what i needed to hear.

my habit is not to truly allow these words to sink in from others, so i'm record them here as a reminder. i must see them, recognize the words and allow them to reach my toes with their warmth. of course, there were many comments, hugs, a few tears, and lots of affirmation & acknowledgements. i trust that the spirit of God was at work in our time together, lending our gifts & deepest needs to meet in the safety & sacredness of the space. my first retreat in a monastery. delightful.

and to boot: the workings of a new retreat a few months in the making have really been coming together in thought with word and writing. i am thankful for so much: for a more relaxed time in my childhood home, for creative spaces, for kindred spirits, for time at retreat, for lunch with a best friend, and for all the moments that add up to this. the creative spaces are at work.

may the blessings you receive from others be a light to hold up: a light that shines your strength, beauty, and joy in the spaces of your life where light is needed. be the mirror for those who offer that strength, beauty, and joy to the world. you are a gift. your presence is a gift.

kindred spirits of the best kind

kindness is shared when kindred spirits meet.

each moment is an experience of newfound energy & growth.

seeds are planted. watering ensues. over time there's a bloom.

my kindred spirits speak in words unspoken.

subtle smiles, eyes brightened, and soothing tones.

my kindred spirits happen upon me at the right moment.

they are present at the right step in the path.

how did we get so lucky to find one another?

like the bread kneaded by loving hands,

our time together kneads us in loving ways.

our experience of justice, love, and peace is intertwined

in the expression of presence.

we see each other.

we know each other.

there's no boundary because we exist together in the same space.

aah.

breathing room.

speaking room.

being room.

thank you, kindred spirits for your loving presence. thank you for the hands that love and the hands that knead. my meditation on kindred spirits is linked to the writing that will be posted on a darling blog soon! more to come. always.

reflecting & remembering

Thoughts on Your Hands…

Yours are the hands I hold.
the hands I rub lotion onto.
the hands I wash, the hands I dry.
yours are the hands that are folded in prayer.
the hands that know my touch.
the hands that greet me and the hands that wave good bye.

My hands are the hands I hold.
my hands greet your hand with gentleness and love.
my hands are worn and dry from the hundred hand washings a day, but I hold
my hands in great esteem, so I care for them, rubbing lotion on them.
for my hands are now more cared for from your touch.
when my hands work for yours, when you cannot brush your teeth or eat your
meal, my hands are hands that bring nourishment and health.

May your hands be blessed. May your hands be cared for the way that you show care to others. Your hands are a blessing unto others. Be blessed, friends. Be blessed. Your hands (hearts, minds, & bodies) are in my prayers. Share love. Share peace.

written on 6.9.2008

this prayer & poem was written as i was departing a chaplain position in 2008. i grew in many ways during that time and am thankful for the experience. as i write & prepare, gathering thoughts, quotes, ideas, and art for the next retreat, i read my words & share them here. my mind, body, and spirit are growing in love and life as i create something new in each day. may you receive blessing & inspiration today also.

a prayer

may those who stare at broken spaces &

places find the healing that is needed.

may those who long for news receive word.

may those who are hurting and helpless

be held in loving arms & receive blessing.

may healing be found, doors be opened, &

food be served. may families find one another.

may stranger & guest share together.

1.12.2010

called to create, converse, love, cook, live...

each day i live. each day i breathe. we all are in the same boat, right? these days: i'm training myself to be present to the moment. i'm aware of each breath (almost) and each step of life (getting there) so that the moments and the whole are one in each experience. my soul feels the depth.

the way i view my call to ministry is much the same. each experience leads me to the next. my call is an evolving call, never static. it moves within me and my space as god moves. each moment in ministry to one is a moment that will impact the future, but in a way that i will not see. i have moved through my ministerial roles long enough to know this truth about my call, and i experience it with relish. so i don't balk at the opportunities that come as i'm not climbing a ladder. i'm not seeking anything "bigger" or "better" but present to be sought by god at work in and among us. i believe by that, i'm present to each opportunity, each nudge.

these thoughts are some that i've shared this week *in person* with people face-to-face. i am a talker, so it's good to be able to converse in a dialogue as well as to write here. balance. i am constantly impressed with the way in which the spirit moves & works among us, connecting us to each other and inspiriting us in the way we live creatively. i've witnessed it beyond my life, so i speak beyond my own experience. i've even found those connections in moments on twitter & fb. i've seen the connection through images on flickr. it's the shared experience that i love and connect to in so many ways. so i'm sharing a few of both: the spoken conversations & the online connection in image & words:

reading the article in the wish studio this week, i found an immediate connection. read the article yourself & hopefully you can post here if you find connection, too. there have been a few glitches in commenting on the blog. do try.

the small object always connects. her art, her path. there's a creative flow that i feel we're tapping into that it's sometimes unreal. she's a few steps ahead on this great project. while i'm cooking up ways to share inspiration to those i love, especially so far apart, sarah has it through a grand but simple birthday expression! don't be surprised if some of you see these walnut votives as seen via another inspiring favorite: little red caboose.

called to create continues to capture a creative act a day in my life story. and i'm practicing a path that's mellow, without struggling with which act to record. just deciding and moving forward. i'm sure that there will be a lovely stringed effect, like creating a beautiful vintage fabric bunting for your son's first birthday, oh those three years ago.

so as i type along, i'm tapping into the creative energy among us. how the creative spirit moves is a mystery and it's welcomed. here's to conversation, creative energy, sharing, and the love shared in each creative act.

creative peeps: Real Small Art

Real Small Art is a really creative project that I've just learned about. From the site:

Real Small Art League is an ongoing effort to inspire random acts of artistic kindness and creative awareness. A growing number of artists make, post, document and give away tiny works in surprise locations. We believe a little work of art can go a long way.

Real Small Art League members only post original artwork in publically approved areas, like community bulletin boards or creative businesses with a mutual agreement.

In 2009, Real Small Art 2.0 began includes posting creative work in geocaches.

In 2010, Real Small Art began Free to a Good Home, sending tiny paintings to nominated recipients.

You can submit the name of someone who should receive a really awesome piece of art. one of 500. Very cool. Share kindness. Share creative love.

creative peeps: Wood & Wool Stool

Ingrid of Wood & Wool Stool creates these lovely stools. i'm truly in love. serious creative love. my tastes move toward functional objects with simple design with bursts of color. these stools fit the bill. and the garlands. and the quilts. so, so lovely. enjoy looking at Ingrid's site and her blog as well.

crafters anonymous craft swap: come one, come all!

Join us for the 3rd annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap to support Art 180!

Sunday January 31, 2010
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
ARTWORKS Studios & Gallery, Richmond, VA

a meal to enjoy

This recipe has become one that marks special meals in our home, as well as some everyday occasions. My father-in-law prepared it for our engagement party oh those years ago. We've had it at christmas time with his family & at other gatherings as well. While I thought this recipe came from his years in Mobile, AL, it comes by way of his wife Diane via her mother & their family meals. Her mother prepared this many a time & used some very fresh seafood in the process. I'm happy to learn of the recipe's true origins, having taken the time to ask.

On another note, when I wrote this out, the amounts were dictated via a phone call long ago. There aren't actually written instructions because I treat the preparation the same as I would treat gumbo, which I truly LOVE making. There are so many deep connections to family & food. We enjoyed this meal at Christmas and again at the New Year. We'll enjoy it for many, many years to come.

Shrimp Creole

from the recipe collection of Joan Lipsett, Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1/2 red pepper, chopped

4 tsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour

Make the roux by melting the butter & adding the flour. Stir & stir over a medium heat until the color is a light brown. Add the chopped veggies & simmer for about 10 minutes, until the veggies are wilted. I tend to cover them & stir every couple of minutes. Be sure to stir so the flour won't stick and burn in the pan.

Add to the veggies & roux:

19 oz. can tomatoes

5 oz. can tomato paste

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. lemon pepper

1 tsp. celery salt

1/2 tsp. cayenne (or more)

1 tsp. worchershire sauce

1/4 tsp. tabasco sauce

1/4 tsp thyme

2 tsp. basil Stir.

Allow to come to a boil. You know, when the pot starts talking to you. Add:

1/2 lb. shrimp

1/2 lb. scallops

1/2 lb. prans (or chopped fish. we've used catfish or tilapia. the fish can be slightly frozen since it will cook so quickly. keeps its shape well this way)

Let cook over the medium to medium low heat for 15-20 minutes, or more. Watch that the tomato sauce doesn't scorch. You will want to stir periodically. The creole is best served over rice (saffron rice is good also: add a pinch of saffron to the rice water when cooking). Make sure to keep on a really low heat once the seafood is cooked through. The creole will be thick and delicious.

Serve over saffron rice (as mentioned above).

*I adapt the dry ingredients as to what I have available & double the recipe as well. I use lemon zest because I don't always have lemon pepper, but do have a lemon and fresh ground pepper. The herbs are dry, but I always have fresh thyme outside so I use fresh when available. I also purchase a large can of tomatoes & puree them so that I go by the amounts, but in a more economical manner for our meal preparations.

Enjoy!

for good food and good friends we give thanks

these prayers/poems were chosen by my friends for their farm's website: fertile crescent farm. if you're in the richmond, va or farmville, va area & interested in a CSA, you'll want to sign up with our friends. the 2010 season will be our third and we're VERY excited! we still enjoy the shares with what we froze.

since i maintain the website for these great folks, i'm able to be reminded of these quite often. i share them today with these adorable mushrooms i photographed during the fall at my son's school. for good food and good friends we give thanks.

Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes.

Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way,

clear in the ancient faith: what we need is here.

And we pray, not for new earth or heaven,

but to be quiet in heart, and in eye, clear.

What we need is here.

-Wendell Berry

I thank you God

for this most amazing day,

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky

and for everything which is natural, which is infinite,

which is yes.

~e.e. cummings

called to create: a life story captured throughout the year

called to create: a daily practice. i invite you to 'join' the blog (and this one, too) and follow this visual record of 2010 in creative pursuits. inspired by so many others like (one of my favorite artist's) lisa congdon's collection a day, i'll engage the discipline of recording a creative moment lived each day. like lisa, i love collections, so this will be a year-long collection of images in the polaroid style i am enjoying so much. in whatever way this works for you- i invite you to bookmark or visit: called to create. in the meantime, life here will go as planned, with more to come.