Peony Extravaganza

Sometimes people do things that are so unexpected and so mysteriously unfathomable that you’re literally left reeling.  It’s an interesting place to be.  Off-kilter for sure, but there’s also something expansive about it.  Suddenly it seems new possibilities open in places you never might have guessed.

I’ve had that kind of week. 

I’ve also had an unexpectedly long hiatus from blogging. I’m a huge advocate of honoring one’s rhythms and I know how valuable the quiet re-filling times are.  Because they’re always followed by an explosion of ideas and projects and exciting things to think about and rabbit holes of exploration to fall down into.  And so I’m happy to report I’m in that place now.  Feeling like my beloved peonies that popped in glorious profusion this week – abundant, lush and ruffly, and unfolding, unfolding, unfolding.

It feels like someone has turned my “talk” switch back on and I have a backlog of things to share. But I do so love playing in the Scattered Life Collective format and organizing a summary of what’s going on in my sector of the universe.  So let’s start there.

out the window:   We’ve had a week of glorious weather – it’s been the start of daily morning coffees on the front porch.  The bubble solution has been returned to its rightful place and the commencement of daily bubble blowing has begun. 

good things:

• My green-thumbed brother came by and gave me some gardening help yesterday.  Top of the agenda was replacing my rose tree which sadly didn’t survive the colossally harsh winter we had.   So we planted a new one and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll have roses later this summer to delight in.

• With all the delight of a child, I’ve set up a summer project for myself which I’ve entitled Creative Cauldron Ecstatic Practice Me-Full-Out.  I do love giving names to things don’t you?  This was inspired by spirit who invited me to lean in and deepen both my art and writing practices fully centered in my own perfect self-expression, with the intention of filling myself so fully in this area it flows into other areas of my life as well.   And overlighting all this is the energy of joy.  Now who doesn’t want to have a summer project devoted to joy?

• Friends.  I know for a fact that I have some of the best friends in the entire universe. Just saying.  And giving a bit of a covert shout out of thanks for wonderful-ing my life.  I am SO grateful! 

on the menu:  While this isn’t actually on the menu (yet) I’m SO tempted to try it.   I can’t remember the last time I had angel food cake.  And with berry season afoot, doesn’t this sound delish?  Raspberry Mocha Angel Food Cake. 

reading:

I have a soft spot for mythology and urban fantasy and there’s a touch of both in Carry Vaughn’s Discord’s Apple. 

And I’m becoming quite a fan of Peter Sis.  This week I found his children’s book The Pilot and the Little Prince: The Life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

watching:  This is “performance art” that really captures my fancy.  Brazilian sculptor Nele Azevedo bringing attention to global warming through her Melting Men installations.    And here’s a peek at the melting in action.

listening:  I’ve had Beth Orton’s State of Grace on continuous spin for days now.  I’m drinking it in like a thirsty sponge.

project I’m loving to support:  I have a great love of Kickstarter and other crowdsource funding programs.  I think it’s a brilliant way to support things that make your heart happy and I’m continually gobsmacked by the crazy brilliant, downright genius, and just plain fun things people are creating and looking for support with.  Honestly, a poke around the Kickstarter site never fails to restore my faith in the creative and problem-solving capacity of our species.  Here’s one of the projects I was delighted to throw some support to:  Bee-Composed, which involves transforming a piano into a working bee-hive and then recording the harmonics of the bees interacting with the piano strings along with live footage of the hive to create an educational exhibition raising awareness of the plight of our bees.

More about the musician Lily Hunter Green here as well.

out and about:

• Eyes to the Sky.  You know I love my crows and knowing one is keeping an eyeball on me from the night sky fills me delight. Here’s an article about how to spot the Corvus constellation and a bit of mythology about why it’s in the sky.

• Did you choose a word to guide you through the year?  Still working with it?  Here’s Quinn McDonald’s invitation to check in on it.  My word is Revelation and it’s still serving me in amazing ways. 

• I’m fascinated by 3D printers and was delighted to find these jewelry pieces on Etsy by Butterscotch Brooklyn. They’re designed by computer, 3D printed and then cast in various metals.  Amazing!

• And tell me if you’re not moved by this story of a leopard and Annya Breytenbach’s communication with him.

 And there you have it – a peek into my week.   What about yours?  What’s brought you an abundance of joy like my lushly blooming peonies?  Finding surprising chances for expansion where you least expect them?  Did you choose a word to guide you this year, and how’s that going?  Do tell – you know I love to hear.