I Saved A Life Today!

I SAVED A LIFE TODAY!  Well, okay, it wasn't a human life but it was the smallest of little birds, the hummingbird.  While painting a vanity in one of my clients' homes, I heard the soft sound of what seemed like fingers patting against a window.  Rounding the corner, I looked up and saw a hummingbird caught in the skylight in the foyer.

Climbing a ladder, barely being able to reach up, I coaxed the little bird into grasping my index finger.  Slowly and steadily I moved down the ladder with this tiny creature hanging on for its dear life.  As I cleared the skylight dome, it took off and flew right into one of the window panes which caused both my client and I to draw deep breaths of desperation.

As the bird tried to pierce through the glass with its long needle-like beak, the dog began barking, rushing at it and forcing additional panic.  My client held her dog, Starbucks, firmly by the shoulders and I once again coaxed the small little bird onto my finger.  I could feel it's heart beating but it sat still - as if to rest - and we then proceeded to walk outside into the courtyard.

hummingbird in middle of picture

 I realized this little creature wanted to rest and so I stood in the courtyard for what seemed like 5 minutes but was probably a few seconds and allowed the sacredness of what had just occurred to sink in.  As the bird flew away I thought about the concept of not being able to get to where you can see you need to be and not being able to understand what holds you back when it appears nothing is there.  hmmmmm.....something to ponder as I finish out my artful day.

NEW NOW Moments

In March of 2013, my new home came into view and materialized.  A beautiful little apartment in the lower part of a house on an acre of land overlooking Vista out toward the sea.  In April, I began moving my belongings into the new space I now call home.

Over the period of sixty days, I enlisted friends to help me out here and there until everything from my storage locker had been moved in and arranged to turn the empty space into my new sanctuary.  The peace and joy I experience in my home is the comforting energy that allows me to get out into the world of busy and cooperate with on-the-fly people and the demands of that interaction.  Anyone who knows me publicly sees an energetic, usually happy, sometimes grousing, individual.  Anyone who knows me privately sees an introspective, thoughtful, happy and peaceful soul, moving slowly and methodically.

The land I live on is an acre of dry hard dirt that demands major maintenance and continual upkeep if plants and trees are going to survive.  I have done my best to plant a few gardens near my deck and patio area and to plant fruit trees and rose trees/bushes on the property in general.  It's coming along.  My landlord resides in the upper part of the home six months out of the year and so maintaining the property has become my responsibility while he's gone.    He is a kind and interesting man who always needs to be digging a hole in order to be happy.  Which, I believe, is great because it gives this retired dad of two adult daughters something to do 6 months out of the year when he's not visiting them.  And so, it is time for him to return to the property.

It has surprised me, taking something like this on in my life after spending two years traveling for work.  It's time in my life for this change in regard to the aspects of commitment and time management for something outside myself (like gardening and maintaining the land).  It's a welcomed change that is bringing security and enhancing my self confidence at just being and existing quietly with nature.

My business is changing and I find I am working less with decorative painting IN homes/estates/businesses and more creating decorative paintings and fine art.  I'm excited about this change and am affecting the change rather quickly.  Having discovered my interest in sculpting, I'm joining the Foundary in Fallbrook to begin creating work for which I already have buyers.  The loss of a sculpture I had been working on at another studio, my first one, was a devestating blow to my progress as an artist and to my client who wanted to purchase it.  The instructor/owner of the studio, who will remain nameless, destroyed it.  I will not get into the details here, who can get into the head of someone who is so defunct as to commit such an aggressive and devious act such as that?~  The loss of my sculpture was shocking to me.  Ah, I will always remember her; I was sculpting Mathilda of Tuscany.  Adjusting to this loss was quick and positive.  I found a new home to sculpt in (the Foundry) and a new-found freedom with the process and subject matter.  Ahhh, Mathilda, I will remember her always.

I've joined a pool league - 9ball- on Sunday nites.  Happen to be quite good at pool.  And my coach Brian, is such a confident and talented player, it makes the game fun.

I'm learning how to make shifts and changes to accomodate the NEW NOW moments life presents and am happy to be involved and living life with this intention.    Happy to be back!