Phantom Whispers

Magpie Sister Unite!

For many years I have been drawn to things that sparkle and shine as well as old, rusty, beaten out of shape things. I used to feel alone in this but my husband, the Mailman, would show his love for me by bring home things he found mashed in the dirt or laying on the ground while walking his route. They’d be lovely rusty things for the most part but I kept them with my other batches of goodies.
Enter a new friend around 14 years ago. She had the thing for sparkle as badly as I did, if not more. We’d walk into a store and hang together for a bit and them we’d split up as we each found Magpie treasures which we would share with each other. And we taught together and created together. I started calling us the Magpie Sisters.
Now Magpies have many qualities attributed to them. They are part of the crow family so they are smart and they can recognize themselves in a mirror. In some cultures they are bringers of good luck and good fortune and the coming of good company but in others such as the West they are seen more as thieves as they have a fondness for stuff, especially shiny things. They will happily gather goodies to bring home to their nests. Stories have been told of watches and jewelry found in their nests, obviously not the Magpie’s.
So overlooking the thievery aspect and focusing more on the love of shiny things and cleverness I am putting out a call to my Magpie Sisters. I know you all are out there. I’ve meet a number of you and know a few online. Let us throw of our dark disguises and show how glorious we are. I know you are glorious. What, you aren’t seeing it? Well go back to the mirror and use your Magpie eyes. See those lines around your eyes? Those come from squinting to see through the haze of the life around you, to see clearly what is there. See the lines on your forehead? Those are from trying to concentrate on the important things rather than all the noise and fury of the world around. And those lines around your mouth? Those are laugh lines as you laughed at the silliness of it all. You are beautiful as only you can be.
So gather your Magpie garments and treasures and let the rest of the world see how amazing you are. Join me my Magpie Sisters! Share your love of sparkles and rust and have no fear. You are not alone.

Here I am

I know I haven't written for ages. That is not the way I want to start.
I haven't written for every so long for a number of reasons.
1. I didn't want to fill the blog with my whining and complaining, I went through a long stretch here it seemed like all that was coming out of my mouth (or fiingers, as the case may be) was complainants a whining over an old college roommate that needed a place to get on her feet. That ran into almost of year and needed to be over sooner. Unfortunately it didn't end well and the old friend doesn't seem to be one anymore. Somehow giving her a deadline three months out wasn't enough warning for her.
2. I didn't feel like I was doning anything that needed commmenting on. This makes it sound like I didn't do anything in the ensuing time. Not true, I made great new friends, deepened some old friendships, was published in Lesley Riley's book of illustrated quotations, sold paintings and more.
3. I get moody and down in the dumps and don't feel lik everyone needs to hear my moping. I't's not all I do but when the depression hits it's just not pretty and I don't want to be around me.
4. My joints and muscles don't move the way they used to. I have days that are pretty entrenched with ibuprofen. Particularly since the broken arm thing two years ago.
5. And right now, my Dad, who is 94 is starting a long decline. This last month or two have been full of calls to 911 and trips to the emergency room. My sister and brother have been bearing the brunt of this. Bless them. My brother Stanford had been absent from the family for about 10 years or so. There would be an occasional phone call and promises of trips to visit but the trips didn't work out. Most of the time we had no idea what he was up to. And he really hasn't told us. And that is okay, he's here now and he is being great with caring for Dad. Last month my Dad's kidneys failed, he started dialysis for three times a week for three hours each time. My sister is using her family leave time from work to take Dad back and forth to dialysis. They are trying to set up shuttle service now and it looks like that finally Dad can get the power wheelchair that he has been wanting for a while. The three of us kids should be able to seing the copay together so that will be a relief and I sort of let his doctor and medicare that I I was afraidt they might be holding out on the wheel chair in hopes that he would pass first.

Anyhow, that is what has happened/is happening on the personal front. My art life gets pushed back in the hurry to take care of everyone else. My beautiful blue hair has now washed out to a strange blondish color. I wanted to get it cut short today and colored red but no one wants to do that on short notice and I don't wnat to make an appointment a week out. I just want to do it. In less about a week I will be 60. It bothers me. I don't feel 60...most of the time...when I'm not moving. :-) I'm fine with gray hair and being a grandmother but 60 is old. I know I could live years longer but mortality is there looking me in the face and I don't like it. It's beats the alternatives, I know , but I still sdon't like it. I am feeling jaded and old and I don't like it.

So now that I have reintroduced myself to you I can promise a more cheery, artier post next time. Honest, hang with me. It will be worth it...honest. :-)