It's really easy to get behind

because I haven't written here for over a week! Life has been busy, crazy, and I am just getting back into the swing of things in Phoenix. It was really hard coming down the mountain that final day, and I have been in a funk ever since. It didn't help that I took a weekend trip to Cleveland over Labor Day, a place that's not exactly known for its weather. It rained, of course, alot.
I am trying to gradually ease myself back into my everyday life, not the fantasy life I had in Flagstaff, but I am torn between jumping in feet first, or gently immersing myself back into a regular routine. Either way, I am kicking and screaming. I really wish I were a more accepting type of person, but I don't think that will ever happen for me. If I really don't want to do something, I plant my feet and try not to budge, and if I have to budge I am sullen. Not one of my more attractive qualities, but it is something I own. I know that.
I am trying to get in touch with the creative side of me, to ease the transition. I finally got to spend some time at the torch today, and it was productive and calming. If I take baby steps, and am more gentle with myself, I just might come out of this stormy place.

Back to Phoenix

and, as you all know, not very happy about it. Oh well, lemons to lemonade and all that jazz. I stayed in most of today to get acclimated once again to 110 degree days and searing pavement, and it gave me a chance to get caught up on some reading and Facebooking (is that a verb?) I came across my old friend, Angi Sullins, and her blogs, one of which you can find here-http://www.duirwaigh.com/message_from_the_muse.html/. What a fascinating story, optimistic lady, and creative genius. If you happen to feel down in the dumps, read her story and then pull yourself up and get on with life.
That is the business we are all in, after all, getting on with life, whether we like it or not. I have been reading and studying "Law of Attraction", positive thinking, Abraham, Byron Katie, etc. and most of the philosophy is the same. Live in the moment, the now, think good thoughts, believe in yourself and positive things will happen. Know that you are capable of creating a magnificent life. The first thing you must do is believe it is so. Sounds so simple, yet can be so difficult. Yet, most of us know the inherent truth in this statement.
You know how it is when you are having a bad day; a flat tire on the way to work, bad hair day, waking up late, cranky clients, etcetera, etcetera, etcetra. We have all had days like that. It seems that bad luck causes more bad luck. What would happen, do you think, that if, after the first thing that goes wrong you changed your thinking, or didn't let it define the rest of the day? So you overslept. Inconvenient? Of course. Life changing? Probably not. A little extra sleep? You bet!
This philosophy might not always be easy to follow, because we are creatures of habit and certain ideas may have become ingrained in our psyches. It is possible to change, to rewrite our story, to have the kind of life we imagine. We just need to believe it! The stronger we become in this belief leads to bigger and better creations. Once we see that something is working, we tend to use that process more frequently, and become more adept at it.
Go ahead, imagine the life you want-then go get it!

I feel like Jewly looks!

My last hike today. More pictures of Rock People and dead trees, and Jewly. Do you know how I feel?

The final weekend is here

and it's a teary-eyed time for me. I feel almost as sad as I did when we left Florida to move to Arizona. I didn't know it was possible for me to become so attached in such a short time. But Flagstaff feels like home to me. Whenever I drive up the hill, my heart is lifted and I feel buoyant and happy. The mountains welcome me, and all of the greenery makes me feel alive. This truly has been the best summer ever!
Now its time to look forward, instead of looking back. My memories are stored, to be brought out when I need a pick-me-up. It's up to me to find a way to make Phoenix bearable. I do have lots of work to keep me busy, and there is a festival on Grand Avenue September 26 that I will be participating in. Next week is First Friday at Marsiglia Gallery, and then I will be in Cleveland with my son visiting my mom and brother.
Bob knows how I am, so he has booked a weekend in Venice Beach for us, and there is an art show the same weekend. He knows how to cheer me up.
And the mountains aren't going anywhere. They will be here for the next trip, the next visit, the next summer. Just in time to renew spirit again.

The weekend is over

and I am left with wonderful memories of good times. Most of my daughters were able to visit me on my next-to-last weekend in Flagstaff, and we all had a great time. We enjoyed the sights on the square, had great food and good spirits, talked and laughed and walked around the town.
Saturday brought more fun, a nice hike at Kachina Trail, lots of rain and more friends. This weekend was the perfect end to a wonderful summer that I will always remember. I found out much about myself, listened to my muse and created. I let my environment lead the direction my art is taking, and had much fun playing with my lampwork beads. I accomplished most of what I set out to do, and left a few things to work on in the future.
I am not the same person I was in June. This was the first time in my adult life that I actually spent time completely alone, and I learned how to be with myself. Not easy for somebody who has spent almost a lifetime being a mother and wife. And what a gift it was. The following are some of the things I learned.
I learned to be present in my own life without distraction, and to take ownership of my dreams.
It's easy to be authentic when alone.
I realized that I don't always have to agree with others, but really should listen to other sides and opinions for pearls of wisdom.
It really is a good idea to go outside and exercise daily.
It's great to have friends from all age groups.
Naps are a great idea at any age.
I learned it's OK to have cereal for supper, lunch and breakfast, and that it's really important to have a variety on hand to choose from.
I learned to enjoy my own guilty pleasure (Six Feet Under HBO TV Series), and found that it was a way to bond with others.
Happy hour can mean coffee, too.
Apartment living is not for the faint of heart, and it would not be bad to be hard of hearing when it comes to music coming from other apartments.
A noisy fan makes great white noise.
Dogs are the easiest way for humans to make friends.
I'll post more words of wisdom as I remember them.