Hello again Zaz + Moe, I've missed you.

 

Thank you all, for always being so kind and receptive to my work, my life, my joy, my sorrow.  

2020 has been a year! I know many of you find yourself in the same boat. My job ended in July, as a covid casualty, I was there for 8 years, and my plan was to leave in 2... so it was just a tiny bit excellerated for me. The timing perfect, I took the glorious summer to enjoy, sell a much loved and cherished home in Boothbay, and decide what I wanted to do. I had hoped to get back to being a full time Maker when I retired, so when the universe gives you lemons... Go back to your roots... Zaz + Moe for me = Lemonade!!!

So I've been trying to keep up with  the cool kids and hone  my social media game, create a web site, make things, redo my old studio into a showroom space and you know, general business things. The only thing still looming large over me is the website, but it will happen ...soon! 

Now for the fun.... I will once again do a Holiday Open Studio show and sale. Due to Covid, only a few of my usual favorite makers will be joining me, but it will be lovely! We will be christening my new studio showroom, and feature some work outside on the heated porch! ( I use the term heated loosely, you will still need to bundle up!) 

The details will be posted soon, but looks like a Friday night and Saturday event in December the 4+5 mark your calendars and tell your friends! We will be following all the safe social distincing practices... Masks, hand sanitizer, limited foks inside, all things safe! 

I hope to see you all soon! And we can raise a little glass of cheer to a new better 2021!

Past, Present and Future

A whole new decade...Year of the Rat...I cannot believe its 2020! In 8 days I am moving into my 6th decade on the planet...CRAZY! No I mean it, really, really crazy!!! The passing of time boggles my mind. Not so long ago we were partying like it was 1999!!! I have learned many life lessons in these 60 years ... some harder than others... but I embrace and have enjoyed the journey so far...when I look back a young me... I never saw certain things coming... I guess that is the blessing of youth.

The past seems not so far away...so many of my memories feel like they happened just yesterday, and some things that happened just a few years ago seem like a lifetime ago.

So much joy and happiness, these memories come often and bring a smile and make me grateful daily. I cannot preach enough about  the value of Joy and happiness... Lately you see the quote "Choose Happy" everywhere... I have made that a conscious decision since I was about 12... that is when  I realized only I have the power to change my destiny... it was an epiphany for me...from that age on,  I always chose to let the bad go and move forward in a positive direction.

So many losses, in the last 5 decades I have lost so many people I have loved deeply, their memories bring both tears and joy. I am a better me for having had each of them in my life. I am a very fortunate woman for having known such love, and friendships. I count my blessings daily.

A Million Mistakes made...I always tell my kids "mistakes are for learning", if we don't make mistakes we don't learn by them. I have made a few...and many, many lessons learned.

People come and go...there have been so many who have entered and then exited my life. It's funny that you never expect that to happen when you are young. But I have found that not all friends are meant to be in your life forever, and that is OK. We all change and some are only meant to be there for a minute. I feel like I have an embarrassment of riches in this department. When the going got tough... my people showed up and continue to grace me with their beautifulness...To quote Ted... I am a lucky girl.

I am a  "live in the moment " kind of person...  I enjoy each day, and try to really be in the moment... sometimes I fail, but mostly I try to be really present. I have learned from past events, that life is too short, not to sound cliche, but tomorrow is not guaranteed. Sometimes its difficult, but mostly I just need to remind myself...So I say yes! Do everything! Go everywhere! Meet new people! Put yourself out there! Be open! Show up for others!( this one is most important)  Be kind!  Show up for yourself! That last piece...  I am the worst at...the showing up for me, self care, I'm learning.  I'm thinking 2020 is my year for that. More self care.

And I have so much hope for the future. There are some amazing folks doing really amazing things, many of them I count as friends. I focus on that and not the other newsie, negative sound bites I hear on a continuous loop.  There are so many cool, smart, artistic, talented, motivated, entrepreneurial, positive, kind, caring, movers and shakers that are working hard to change things, locally, nationally and globally...I want to be a part of that, and that is what I want to listen to. 2020 I'm focusing on that.

Like the Rat I am optimistic that the coming year will be full of kindness, compassion, love, and  forward moving, positive energy.

Happy New year to you, I wish you luck, and  when luck seems elusive... the ability to turn lemons into lemonade. I hope you  never lose your thirst for knowledge and growth. I hope you always have   the ability to see the good and do good. There really is so much good... I'm manifesting that ... GOODNESS in 2020!

Welcome 2020...my year...year of the RAT!
 ( ironic that the rat is my Chinese Zodiac sign, yet  I am HUGELY petrified of rodents!)