I still can't navigate

“Be like a tree.  Let the dead leaves drop.” 

~ Rumi

Everybody has days that no amount of coffee, chocolate or wine seems to fix. 

I love chocolate 

and coffee

and wine

... especially the sparkling variety, so am frustrated beyond measure when neither one nor the other alleviate the irritations of the day.

And, at the end of the day, that’s all they really are.

Irritations.

Minor ones really when compared to what others elsewhere in the world face 

on a daily basis, just to survive.

As I reflect back on a day that didn’t quite live up to expectations 

I remind myself to be grateful for what I have and where I am.

Especially the happiness bubble that is the hound.

No matter the hours I work,

nor the time I’m away over the weekend,

she is MORE than delighted to see me on my return.

She would have loved to have been with me at the festival this last Saturday 

but I was overnighting at Yvonne’s, so she couldn’t.

I love being at the Boulevard Festival.

There’s an abundance of beautiful crafty and creative people show-casing their wares to one and all.  This festival ALWAYS has a lovely vibe!  The various artists performing on stage, each proficient in their own genre, only ADD to the ambience, as did the beautiful weather.  

It has everything a festival should have, and more.

I felt as if I was in an art gallery fielding questions left, right and centre about the various pieces I had on display.  I get SUCH a buzz from the interest shown in what I do!

Sales might not have been brilliant but the festival itself was wonderful.

The day wasn't done with me yet though.

One would assume, from the number of times I’ve been to Orewa, 

that finding my way to Yvonne’s would be a piece of cake.

BIG mistake.

I should know NEVER to trust my navigational skills.

As I confidently headed out on the road I believed led to Silverdale, thoughts of the spa and the bubbles I would shortly be imbibing filled my mind.

Instead of heading to Silverdale though I was heading to Whangerei!

Google, the arbiter of all things inane, did eventually manage to get me to my destination ... via Warkworth.  What should have been a 20/25 min run took me well over an hour.

What can I say.

Not only am I STILL blonde but I’m also STILL navigationally challenged.

Some things never change.

A parallel universe.

“How are we all so brave as to take step after step, day after day? 

How are we so optimistic, so careful not to trip, and yet do trip, 

and then get up and say OK.”.

~  Maria Kalman

As the morning mist blankets my world in ethereal wonder

I can’t help but relate it to life.

It’s still beautiful

undeniably so

but it’s all so very unclear.

ANYthing could be out there 

IF I could only see it.

It’s surreal.

Like my life.

A parallel universe.

Everything APPEARS so normal on the surface.

But it’s not.

Inside I’m all of a quiver.

Uncertainty plays havoc with my mind.

It’s a loopy kind of optimism that keeps me going.

Seeing the fantastic even when everything’s horrid.

After all, who else gets to chat to seagulls on their early morning ramble to watch the sun rise?

That’s one thing I CAN be certain of.

The sun WILL rise every day.

And set.

And the seagulls will caw.

A semblance of normality in an ever increasingly insane world.

Whilst I ponder on the SO’s imminent departure, life continues unabated.

Despite NOT participating in many markets of late

my artwork’s selling well.

It’s beyond exciting.

As I watch the unexpected fall into place I can’t help but feel grateful.

Colleagues on leave create extra shifts that keep life busy.

Busyness is good as it leaves little time for reflection..

Or over-thinking.

I don’t know how I’ll feel next week but it doesn’t matter.

THIS moment is the only one that does.

“There ARE no ordinary moments.” 

~ Dan Millman (The Peaceful Warrior)

In all this "busyness" I find time for a tea moment.

An eminently civilised afternoon treat.

Courtesy of The Local Coffee Shop (though I'm drinking tea)

It caused much amusement to customers and my colleagues in the Mall.

They all wanted a tea moment of their own.

Another photograph. Another story.

Calm waters as we head over Harbour Bridge this morning.

Attract the LOVELY.

Kit, the 4 month old Chocolate Labrador pup we met at the market .... too cute!

It takes just a single thought spinning and spiralling through the universe. 

Grab it.

Hold it.

Believe it.

I do.

That's why I LOVE participating in markets.

My work makes people stop.

They ask questions.

We chat.

They leave SMILING with the story behind another photograph fresh in their minds.

They leave ME smiling too.

Plenty of people at the market ... there were cars EVERYWHERE!

The stories I tell the most are those of the Kingfisher,

Global Warming

Rangitoto Rising

 ... especially when I mention 007.

Yep .... I said EVERYWHERE.

The photo of the hounds and the rugby ball ALWAYS demands attention.

Another photograph.

Another story

... and the story is JUST as important as the photograph.

So much so that the printed story is now attached to every canvas or artwork that I sell.

Storm clouds over Mercer on my trip to Spring HIll on Saturday

It’s my way of sharing my stories with the world. 

A visual way.

I get to share the LOVELY.

AND the moments.

My canine companion is scheduled to see the Specialist Vet tomorrow.

Despite having a gammy leg, she’s become QUITE the tearaway on 3 legs.

She’d win any 3-legged race hands down!

There’s nary a hint of hesitation as she powers up the stairs on 3 legs.

Going down stairs is another matter entirely.

For that she needs the strong arms of the oldest lemming.

When she needs to, her eyes SPEAK volumes.

“We could never learn to be brave and patient 

if there were only joy in the world.”

~ Helen Keller