That's Where You'll Find Me...

If you know me well you know that I love music. While I listen to a whole lot of speed, fantasy and black metal I also have a serious soft spot if the song is special. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" has always been one of those songs, but there is one particular version that moves my heart in profound ways whenever I hear it and I'd like to share that one with all of you.



The cheering towards the end isn't part of the recorded song, but this video includes clips of Israel's funeral, which unlike any funeral I've ever been to, was joyous and heartwarming. I found it suiting to include his farewell journey over the rainbow.

Journal Supplies and a Bummer

Today's been kind of a bummer. It started out when I rolled out of bed on my day off with a killer migraine. After my headache had begun to subside I hopped online to check my email because today is the day I hear back about the craft show I applied to after much badgering from my husband to do so. I'm tremendously shy when it comes to these sorts of things and as such have never applied before. I went ahead and did it, fully expecting to be rejected, as it's a juried show with only 50 spaces available.

I clicked on the email from the committee and sure enough, I didn't make it in. And although I'm proud that I made the effort to apply and was expecting to lose out to more experienced crafters on the show circuit, I'm still a bit bummed out.

Luckily though, I had many lovely comments on my tea party post to cheer me right up and my Journaling in July blog party to distract me. Speaking of which, I'm so happy that quite a few people are going to journal along with me! Anyone who wants to join in, just let me know and feel free to snag the blog button on the original post and on my sidebar.

While the real meaty entries will begin on my 1 year blog-o-versary on July 1, Dirgesinger had a very good question I'd like to address... what exactly do you need to join in the journaling mayhem?

You will need:

A Book
Any sort of book will do! From a sketchbook, to an book you picked up at a sale but will never read, to a moleskin notebook. If you're comfortable with making art in this book, it's the book for you!

Art Supplies
This can be anything at all! What are you comfortable working with? What do you have laying around? Anything from crayons, to magazine clippings to paints will do.

What do you want to use in your journal? Do you enjoy painting? Do you enjoy collaging or mixed media? Do you want to try out something completely out there? Go gather up whatever it is you might want to use and use it!

The last and final thing you'll need is... your imagination and a willingness to give this a shot.

That's it. Short and sweet. :)

Through the Looking Glass...

Tis time for a very important date, whispered the dawn into my sleeping ear conjuring images of tea and cake and joy. "Oh, frabjous day!" exclaimed I springing from beneath the covers with excitement. I woke my beloved with a start as I pulled on my favorite striped stockings and we stepped through the mirror.

Little did we know a perfect picnic awaited us on the other side.

We met with some very special guests, taking a break from their usual bickering. We shared all manner of sweets and treats...

We played cards, talked about this silly business with the crown.

We sipped tea until Humpty Dumpty had no more tea to give us;

Our picnic came to an end with the arrival of a small Jabberwock.

Our fun, not to be spoiled by a small intruder, continued as we revelers walked a magical path leading to where I thought I had left my home!

"Oh, ho ho!" A voice cried as I opened the door, "despicably low on tea, I see!"

"Hatterrrr," purred the cat, "I thinkest they may prefer a bite to eat! My dear, silly girl..." added he "your party continues here, beyond the looking glass!"

As we mingled and munched, I met with the white rabbit, on leave from his queen. We also spied the door mouse, a stow-a-way revealed when Humpty Dumpty had a bit of a fall...

A scuffle caught my attention... the lion and the unicorn were at it once again!

But were easily soothed with a calming cup of tea.

We chattered and laughed until the wee hours and only parted when we heard the jubjub bird grumbling in the distance.

As he left the Unicorn spoke, "Well, now that we have seen each other, if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you." It sent my curious mind a spinning, and I pondered as I lay down to rest... if we all believed in each other (and a wee bit of magic) how much more fanciful a world this would be.

A very important date...

Don't tarry and don't be late to our very important date for the Rabbit cares not to wait.

Journaling in July, Will you be joining in?

Do any of you like to journal but often times not feel like writing? Ever have those days when you need to get something down but can't find the words? Do you just want something a little more tactile and messy than blogging? Maybe you just need a few minutes every now and then to absorb yourself in something just for you?

Any of those ring true?

Well my dears, perhaps you should try out the wonderful world of art journaling! Don't you even dare think you aren't creative or paper crafty enough, I won't listen to it. Don't give me any nonsense about having nothing to journal about either because there is inspiration everywhere.

I began journaling two years ago when an artist named Phizzychick began an altered journal along over on craftster. A small group of us got together and brainstormed themes and techniques and shared the pages we created. It was a wonderful introduction to this awesome medium and I was going strong on my book until this past fall when I began to neglect the poor thing. That ends now. I'm going to attempt to work on one spread a week, if not more and I'm hoping this post will inspire at least one of you to join me while I 'Journal in July'.

I'd like to offer you all the same sort of introduction I had. If you're already journaling, jump in and join us! Post what you're up to in your own blogs and feel free to snag the button for the blog party.

I'll be sharing information including what the heck an art journal is, techniques, supply gathering, themes and inspirations throughout the month of July.

Let me know if you'll be journaling along with me let me know, I'll put your name over on my side bar! All you need to participate is a book of some sort, art supplies, a sense of adventure and an open mind!

If there is anything specific you'd like to hear about or if there are any theme ideas you'd like to see on the big list of theme ideas that will be in the first post leave me a comment. Anything from supplies to art styles to a specific word to a more general theme is fair game, so let's brainstorm.

Who's Journaling In July?


Alpha Betsy

Andréann

Anna

Antitwilightsang

A Pink Dreamer

Bird

Bleumoon

Dirgesinger

Faerwillow

Justine

KJ McLean

K.Michelle

Mama Jen

Mel

Lisa

Lisa Plummer

One Pink Fish

Róisín

Sydnee

The Blakk Duchess

ZombieQueen

Midsummer

A belated blessed Litha to all of you! I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and despite it being extremely summery here (98° and not a cloud in the sky) I couldn't bring myself to go all out and celebrate. I did have a relaxing day and a dinner out on the porch watching the sun set. It went down around 9:15pm here.

I made a salad with local seasonal vegetables then tossed in some fresh blackberries and cherries to sweeten it up. I ate my salad dry, but Joe made a honey and balsamic vinagrette to put on his.

After dinner, we just sat outside and enjoyed the late setting sun and once the dark had settled on us, we broke out the sparklers:

We sat outside just talking until 1am, without even realizing it. We packed it in and went to bed for he had work early.

I've been bustling away, making preparations for a very important date. The places are being set, the guests will be arriving on time and there will be tea a plenty a flowing.

I hope you'll join me Saturday, when I host my Mad Tea Party here at my cottage.

The Tea Party Cometh...

I'm in the final days of preparations for my mad tea party, which I plan to host Saturday morning, but will not be sharing until the 26th, with all of the other magical blogs who are coming together for this event.

I've invested in some porcelaine markers and some white esspresso cups and saucers to decorate for the party, have gotten gobs of delectable candies and treats to eat whilst we sip our tea, am gathering my picnic blanket and napkins, selected the perfect tea pot for the event and am nearing completion on my guests of honor.

The lion is complete. His main is primped and painted and his coat and trousers are colorful as he refuses to be outdone by the Unicorn's sense of style.

The Unicorn is nearly there. His main and tail are are tousled and colorful, and his ruffled collar is unmatched. His horn will soon be golden and his eyes painted and he will be ready to join me for tea.

And we met at the water...

It was an unbelievably cathartic and empowering experience, joining so many people at the water to send our strength and healing to our seas.

I got home from work just before Midnight and took a few minutes to set up my altar and recharge my batteries before beginning.

I covered my altar in the blues and whites I associate with the waves, and put out only the bare essentials. A bowl of water from my tap, organic dead sea salts to mix in, large shells and my sea painting to help me focus and channel, a quartz crystal to enhance my energy, my mermaid athame and my chalice.

I called on the Lord and Lady and my kindred elements, specifically asking each to help with my ritual... fire to keep my passion and intentions burning bright, water to absorb my energies, air to carry my strength where it is needed, and earth to ground me and keep me from giving more than I can handle.

Into the chalice I poured some sea water from my beloved Jersey shore and using my athame and speaking, combined it with the water from home. I then added some of the sea salts, creating new ocean water to blend with the old to heal the wound as new skin does for us.

I then sat, hands in my bowl and meditated, sending my strength and prayers for healing out to our Oceans, until I couldn't stop yawning and left the tug to let go. I ended my ritual and took the water outside, poured it out and asked it to find it's way to the source and carrying my energy with it.

I then went to bed, drained, but feeling better than I have in weeks. As I slept I dreamt of the ocean, vast and blue and calm and it spoke to me saying it will be healed, it will survive. I usually don't remember dreams, but this morning with the ocean's soft voice still echoing in my head, I feel nearly at peace.

Of Oceans and Oil

Oil is still pouring into the Gulf and every day I see more and more photos of tormented, oil covered wildlife and my heart breaks a little bit more. The photos of the pelicans, soaked in oil and seemingly screaming drive me to rage which is quickly followed by sorrow.

We have desecrated our Ocean in a huge way. We're raping her habitats, coating them in crude oil and killing her children. Humanity is not unaffected by this travesty however, 11 people have died; countless others have lost their livelihoods or are about to. Even worse than that though, the Oceans are the life blood of our world. If we destroy them, we destroy ourselves. Minute organisms called phytoplankton make their homes in the seas. You may or may not have heard of these creatures, if you have you probably don't think about them. But you should. Scientists estimate that these ocean dwelling single cell organisms supply 50 - 85% of the world's oxygen. If that isn't magical enough for you, the oceans control our weather. Those clouds you enjoy on a sunny day? Thank the Ocean. The rain that helps our crops to grow and feed us? Thank our Ocean.

The next time someone tells you what's going on in the ocean doesn't effect them, tell them how the ocean provides at least half of the air they're breathing. Ask them if they want their children or grandchildren to grow up in a world without Sea Turtles or Right Whales. If they're the material type explain to them that some of our most popular food items contain kelp or algae. Do they enjoy peanut butter, soymilk... beer? They have the ocean to thank for those.

Chances are pretty good however, that if someone has this mindset they aren't going to care about anything you have to say anyway. Don't waste your energy being angry with them.. you can't teach those who are unwilling to learn. You can however, kick them in the shin. Or better yet, start a group of concerned citizens in your area, talk to council members about your communities recycling programs, drive your car less and get others to do the same. If it's one thing the self absorbed can't stand, it's us 'damn hippies'.

I've been wishing I could take off weeks from work and drive to the Gulf to help with rescue efforts, but my bills won't allow for unpaid time off from work. I'm not giving up on trying to help in other ways. If I can't be there is person, I can be there in spirit and I can make my voice heard. I've been tweeting like a fiend, talking to anyone who cares to listen about how they can help, keeping up to date with the news and donating what I can when I can. A lot of people are doing the same, some are calling for boycotts and others are calling for reforms and a change in the way we live. Personally, I'm firmly in the second camp. Boycotting BP won't stop other oil companies from continuing to drill... lessening our dependence on oil will.

I'll end this lengthy rant here and offer you an inspiring story, a New Moon ritual and a tidbit about something particular I'm doing to help out and how you can help me with that.

Please join myself, several of my soul sisters and a plethora of others as we join together in spirit and send our prayers, energy and healing to the Ocean tomorrow during the New Moon. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs you are invited to join in. Please click the image above to visit Not Hannah at Divining Women, the mastermind behind this global communion.

11 Year old Olivia Boulder has raised thousands of dollars for the Birds Affected by the Gulf Disaster. You can read her story here. It will melt your heart.

The painting at the top of this post was born out of my love for the Sea. I had created quite the ugly, oily art journal page in a fit of emotional turmoil the other day but wanted to focus this painting on the beauty and solitude of the Sea. I will be listing prints in my shop with a limited run of 150 prints. 50% of all purchases of this print will be donated to the Audobon Institure and the Audobon Society. The institute is raising money to help marine mammals and turtles during this tragedy and the society is helping the birds. I will be taking all of the proceeds and splitting them up between the two organizations every two weeks.

Lions, Unicorns and Misfortune

`The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown:
The Lion beat the Unicorn all round the town.
Some gave them white bread, some gave them brown:
Some gave them plum-cake and drummed them out of town.'

I took a break from making new things for my shop to work on the guests of honor to my Mad Tea Party. While I had several ideas that didn't involve Alice in Wonderland references at all, I stumbled upon a photo of a shop window in NYC I took during Christmas and just had to create these two. With any luck, they'll be painted and clothed very soon!

On a less positive note, while my concerns for our ocean have continued and even increased, they aren't what has been keeping me from updating. My part time job has turned rather full time after a few people quit and I've been spending most of the free time I've had the past few weeks with my lovely or asleep. So when a very worn out and run down me was getting up Saturday morning at 5:30 am to go work another 8+ hour shift, I was already grumpy. The sun wasn't even awake to greet me as I stumbled out to my car half asleep, put my key in the door and got into my driver seat as usual.

It was when I went to put my key into the ignition that I realized the weird feeling in my stomach wasn't from lack of sleep... someone had broken into my car while I was sleeping. The ripped apart stereo was evidence of this and shaking and feeling violated and not knowing if the asshat was still around or armed, I jumped back out of the car, called my boss and woke up the husband...

Whose car had also been broken into. We called the police who couldn't dust for prints because the car doors were dewy (what about the insides, where they had stolen my husband's stereo faceplate, busted mine up in a half assed attempt to steal it, rifled through our stuff, stole both of our GPS units and made off with both of the husband's pairs of sunglasses and a hand full of change from his cupholder?) and more or less told us they probably weren't going to catch the thief or recover our stuff and that we were out of $400+ worth of stuff and my sense of comfort, direction and tunes.

While I was upset and scared Saturday, today I'm just angry and stranded in my town, because I don't know how to get to too many other places around here without the use of my trusty GPS. I'm convinced Google Maps tries to get me lost on purpose.

A Coming Together

I'm sure I'm not overstepping anything by assuming everyone has seen the photos and listened to the news about the destruction in the Gulf Coast. I've been sickened and worried and angry to the point of shaking and crying over all of this. I don't have the words right now to describe exactly how I feel... I've been brooding and quietly melancholy.

Not Hannah over at Divining Women has managed to find words more eloquent than mine to describe some of the feelings myself and thousands of others are experiencing. Even more than that though, she has proposed that we join together to try to heal our Oceans.

The Ocean is my constant sanctuary, I will be joining in the watery ritual. I hope many of you will too.