Sunday, January 02, 2022

2022

It was a long December that had me slightly depressed and anxious for weeks.  My defense is always to read more and  embroider or draw.  I've done a lot of both of reading and drawing, especially for the first few weeks this month.    Then it was over.  On realizing what had been bothering me, the miasma lifted.  That subconscious is a powerful thing.

We had a wonderful Christmas Day with Amelia, Chris, and Bryce Eleanor.  Since Max and Mila are in France visiting their other grandparents, Erin ended up skiing  with friends.  She didn't have enough time off to come home.  We missed them.  

Now, we are embarking on 2022.  I suppose we are all casting back to the past two years and wondering what the new year will hold.  




 I've found a new source of inspiration in Mix It Up Marci.  Simplicity and charm.  Marci paints with coffee; monochromatic little drawings that depend on tone and shade.  I've seen a lot of paint swatch doodles, but I like that Marci works entirely in shades of coffee.  

Marci even has scans of her stuff that you can download and use.  I didn't use  coffee, but tried various shades of brown, and although it doesn't show up, some shimmery gold.  It was great fun, and I'll be playing with more like this...

postcard to Amelia, Chris, and Bryce Eleanor

Doodling is one of those relaxing and meditative ways to spend time without any stress of completion.  

I just liked this sign for its great attitude.
It made me think about not only the big picture,
but about the small exclusions and inclusions
we make in life.




10 comments:

  1. Absolutely Perfect Sign!
    Lovely doodles. Thank you.
    I now have a good reason to use that big bottle of walnut ink I bought years ago. This will a doodle year!

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    1. Walnut ink would be perfect! I'm also playing with colorful swatches--fun and relaxing.

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  2. your postcard is beautiful. I hope your new year is totally wonderful.

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    1. Thanks, Debra! Hope your new year is full of painting and creativity!

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  3. I am sorry December was rough for you. It sounds like you had a nice Christmas though--for that I am glad. I really like the message in the last photo you shared. Have a good week! May January be a better month!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy! My subconscious is aware of losing my mother in December over a decade ago, and if my conscious mind doesn't recognize this, my subconscious seems to. I thought it was just the usual stressors causing apathy and mild depression (pandemic stuff, Erin and the kids unable to come home, etc.), but when I realized what was also just beneath the surface, I was fine. It happens every year, but this year current events were crowding out the acknowledgement of losing my mother in December. Weird.

      We did have a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Happy New Year to you, your husband, and Mouse!

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  4. Here's to a much better 2022 for all of us!

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    1. Agreed! Hoping this year will be a sign of better things!

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  5. I read your reply to Wendy's comment and found myself nodding my head. I lost my stepdad in December of 2013 and my dad in November of 2018. Those significant losses are hard to ignore during the holiday season, but with all that's been going on during the past two years, I can see how you were focused on other things and wound up feeling blue. They say that time heals those heartaches, but I disagree. I find that the ache is less painful, but still present. With the turn of the calendar page, I hope your spirits have lifted, Jen.

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  6. Funny how our minds have those two levels of influence. As soon as I realized what was going on, I was fine. We never get over the loss of someone we love, but losing your stepdad and your father right before the holidays must have been especially hard, Les.

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Good to hear from you!