sitting on the edge

Thinking about starting running again.

 haven't run since May

Maybe run another 5K in the fall.

using the C25K program, like last time.

I like it

 it starts with very small goals and slowly builds up until you can do the whole thing.

A good way to improve at any activity

I've been working a bit with that sort of a program lately as I wrap stones.
starting with small increments of time and then trying to check in with myself, see if there is any further I can go, anymore ideas I want to explore.

                                                Sometimes yes,

sometimes no

improvement in increments

I am trying to use a light touch with myself

I didn't plan this one, it took on a life of its own and I went along for the ride.

Sometimes you have an idea and it doesn't work quite the way you thought it would,

and sometimes its just fun to see where it takes you.

Not too many words tonight, its late and I have spent most of the last 2 evenings at Karate classes, just a couple of images:
some new aquisitions:

and a few small additions to this one:

Todays find...

(I added the eggs)

Hey thank you all for your comments, it does help to put things in perspective.
At some point in my life the activity of "making" got all tangled up with questions of worth and it can really f**k up something that really should be a joyful experience.
A good thing for me to keep in mind.

Some Little Some Big

Carol was wondering about the size of the stones I have been working on.
It varies a bit some are smaller than a penny and some are nearly the length of my hand. This photo gives some reference.

They all were rather small at first and I just wrapped them up with thread willy nilly.
It was a lark. Something fun to do.
 As I've gone on I've become much more attentive to the choices I have been making; what color thread? shall I add beads? how can I attach them?
At some point it became a more serious venture.
My taste began to assert itself.
Then questions of:
 how best can I present these? Should they be framed? handheld sculptures?
Finally the big question: Are they worth it?
Yep that is where I got snagged, still am if truth be told.

Adding some beads

Little Spirits

They seem to develop personalities as I work on them.

No, that's wrong,

the stones have a presence before I touch them. The more I respond to that the more successful they are.

These photos were darker than I intended.
I like them though, it turns them into little planets floating in space.

I have been considering taking Lisa Call's "Working in a Series" class. I know I could benefit from it, working in a series leads one so much deeper, and it looks fun and challenging.
but  I also know that I don't have the focus for it at the moment, well, not enough focus to do my best, and my ego demands that that is what is required,
my edge is not about the work right now it is about the emotional hurdles that have become attached to the act of working
So I postpone, hoping to take it another time and start again on my own.
I am considering trying a series on my own, without a class.
Maybe some stones...

Hawk eye

I spotted this today while we were out being walked by the dogs.
As Dillon towed me on down the street I cried out for Lar to grab it as Zena dragged him on by.
I'm not totally positive but I think it is a red tailed hawk feather. The only other possibility is a Turkey but I don't think so.
I play with the idea that found objects are messages of a sort. Not necessarily from any outside source, I think they are just a reflection of what is going on inside of us that we find because thats where our attention is at. Its kind of a chicken or the egg thing...
Which came first attention or manifestation?

Beginning Again

I can't believe I haven't posted since May!

I was sure I had done something in June art/blogwise.

Nope.

Well there has been plenty to distract myself with; a Nidan test (passed!), vending at 2 Art fairs (both good ones), two new dogs (more in a moment), and most recently the release of "A Dance with Dragons" a book I have been waiting for for 6 years (it was awesome).

These are the two biggest diversions by far, Dillon and Zena:

Let me introduce them individually.

This is Zena.

She is about 2 years old and has never had a real forever home before. She is some sort of mix, we aren't sure what, Lab/Plott Hound/Pitty/?? There is no sure way to know. What we do know is that she is extremely friendly, a bit on the submissive side, untrained, and very bright. The first few weeks were full of accidents, upset stomachs, and nervous behavior (mostly mine). In the last week and a half though things have begun to settle down. She has begun to get the idea that this is hers, her home, her people, and she can relax here, and so can I.

This is our second adoptee Dillon.

He is 2-3 years old. A Chow mix, probably Shepard. He is a boob, no way around it, a complete mama's boy and as sweet as a bumbling goof can be. He was given up for adoption, is trained in the basics (sit, name, stay) and can probably learn more, he's really eager to please if there are no major distractions (chipmunks, bugs, other dogs, other people or grass).

The two of them have consumed most of my attention for the last month. I think it has begun to settle down a little bit now and today I actually spent some time in the garden!

Time for me to start thinking about working on some other things again.