First Date

  When I mentioned to Madi that her grandfather affectionately named "Sandman" wanted to take her on a date, she lit up like the fourth of July! When I told her they we going to a concert to see Keiko Matsui, she just about exploded!  From the time the twins were infants we'd turn on the smooth jazz music channel for them to sleep to. So, Madi is very familiar with Keiko Matsui's music and even has her own personal favorites.
  She immediately stopped everything she was doing to get dressed. Madi zipped through the house trying on clothes and accessories.  This occasion called for something blue and sparkly!  Helping my ten year old daughter get ready for her date was surreal as a precursor for things to come.  The buzz in the house was contagious, even Wave joined in on the excitement. He gave Madi tips on hanging out with Sandman since he spent "man time" with Sandman this summer when they went to New York to the Intrepid together.
   How wonderful is it for her first concert date to be with her grandfather?  She will come away with so much valuable insight into how she is to be treated on a date. Its fun to watch my little girl's excitement.  They even went out to eat at a "burger joint"!
  Madi came home and couldn't wait to tell me all about it. She did not waste a single detail. The glow in her eyes was breathtaking.
  Thank you Sandman for loving my daughter!

 

Keiko Matsui, born in Tokyo, Japan as Keiko Doi, is a Japanese smooth jazz/jazz fusion/new age/ keyboardist and composer whose career spans three decades, during which time she has released twenty CDs and has received international acclaim. Wikipedia

"God's gonna trouble the waters..."

 The calm and stillness of the hour make it possible for ideas to flow like water. My body can't help but to rise at four a.m. and today I did not fight it.  It is dark outside and nothing is stirring in the house however if you listen carefully, you can hear the house breathe. Its a peaceful ebb and flow permeating throughout these walls. I'm sitting in what used to be the children's playroom but now is the newly transformed "adult" living room. The colors and decor wrap around me like a chenille comforter. For a snack to nibble on I prepared red grapes, butter crackers, jalapeno infused sharp cheddar cheese and senna tea. Sade is floating in the air blessing my quiet time with her smooth like melted butter voice. I am at peace.

  Just as ripples in a pond start small, pick up momentum and expand as far as the body of water will carry, I too have a stirring going on.  There is peace all around me and yet inside me ideas are dropping into the ocean of my mind creating an energy radiating out into the universe.  Post-year of silence has created in me a marked change in how I navigate the earth. Where I once was very vocal on a whole host of topics, I learned that my opinion is my opinion no matter if it is said out loud or not. So I spent the majority of this year observing and listening to people. Reserving the right to weigh in on any topic for the individuals that requested such oration. This has nurtured along deeper relations with old friends and even gave birth to the emergence of fresh new friends.  Although I thoroughly enjoy this type of interaction, I kind of pulled so far back from verbal expression I stopped writing as well. The stirring inside me is looking for balance.

  Things are beginning to settle out for me at home.  The twins are growing beautifully and thriving. Stacy is finally reaping the comforts for his home from sowing so many overworked overtime hours. My best friend is so comfortable with me I am almost invisibly transparent.  My art studio is heaven on earth and I effortlessly landed a part-time teaching gig at my kids school...teaching art no less! All is right with the universe. However....

 Now my spirit is calling out from the depths of my soul ready to say something.
-be in the moment
-do art
-listen first
-eat, pray, love
-make others smile
-be unpredictable
-give
-use words sparingly...but use them
-live out loud
-be gentle (I haven't gotten that one down yet...smile)
-falling into a routine is extremely over-rated!

It is time for my small ripples of ideas to turn into a tsunami on the other side of the world!

This post is in loving memory of my beloved daughter Egypt Diarra-Kai
September 22, 1998 - October 27, 1998
I love you with my soul.

Serenity now!

Back to the basics.....
It is helpful to go back to go forward. My mind has been racing lately. I'm thinking way too much about what needs to be done instead of actively doing it in the moment. The latter is my strength. So I've internally decided to BE STILL. What came next was the urge to look back and see what was I doing when I did feel full.  So here I am....

I spent a week in the Berkshires with my dear friend Suzanne. We enjoyed our time together as two artists painting in the open air, drinking adult beverages, eating yummy treats and jamming to good tunes! We gave birth to two memorable paintings.  The week was a reminder of what the real goal is...to be working artists. Whether for fortune or fame....or for just the sheer enjoyment of it!

SO BACK IN THE STUDIO I GO!!!

Early morning meditation....

Sitting in the quiet. Early morning.
Thinking about how a simple smile makes people feel comfortable and safe. Isn't it beautiful when someone walks in and their smile lights up the whole room? No words are needed...just a welcoming smile!

Smiling like laughter is contagious.

Matthew 5:5
"You are the light of the world."

The End of Silence!

End of Silence