Caretake This Moment

Each year when I begin a new journal I, like many people who journal, choose a word or phrase as the journal's focus. In the past I've chosen grace, savor and intention to name a few. This year I've chosen the phrase "caretake this moment" from the poem by Epictetus.

Caretake this moment.
Immerse yourself in its particulars.
Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed.

Quit the evasions.
Stop giving yourself needless trouble.
It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in now.
You are not some disinterested bystander.
Exert yourself.

Respect your partnership with providence.
Ask yourself often, How may I perform this particular deed
such that it would be consistent with and acceptable to the divine will?
Heed the answer and get to work.

When your doors are shut and your room is dark you are not alone.
The will of nature is within you as your natural genius is within.
Listen to its importunings.
Follow its directives.

As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life.
No great thing is created suddenly.
There must be time.

Give your best and always be kind.

It's prompted me to, again, start the Every Day Matters drawing challenges. Here are two I've done lately. The first one is a little over worked. I'm trying to loosen up in my watercolors. We'll see how I progress!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I spent a delightful birthday "day" sketching at the Field Museum with our Monday sketch group. My intention was to focus on the architecture but I was quickly distracted by the people and exhibits. Maybe after ALL these years I should just accept that that's who I am and what I do. LOL
The second sketch was done waiting for the bus home. I huddled in the shelter. These brave souls stood out in the late afternoon cold!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's cold in Chicago! The sun did come out for about five minutes today.

Even though our Christmas decorations are down I just can't remove the holiday greenery from the planters on the back deck. Since we moved to the Midwest my favorite color has become red. I think it counteracts the long gray winters. Those berries will keep me smiling for awhile!

I want to thank Raena for reminding me how long it's been since my last post. My apologies to all who stop by to visit! One of my goals this year is to post more often - not off to a good start but that leaves me plenty of room for improvement. How's that for spin?

Merry Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and

the earth rejoice

for the Lord comes

to rule the earth.

Psalm 95

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I thank you all for stopping by and for your generous comments. Those of you that have blogs, they are great inspiration to me!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Yesterday our sketch group met at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The holiday display of poinsettia, Chicago landmarks constructed from plant materials and the miniature trains was as enchanting as it was beautiful. When people wandered into the show house and saw the exhibit their faces lit up like lights on the trees!

The range of color from snow white to stripes to brilliant red was an inspiration to all of us in the group. It was pouring out so we really chose the perfect place to meet this month.

Having a cat in the house who has never seen a flower that she didn't think was a salad, I miss having live poinsettia around during the Christmas season.(She's worth it.) I just had to paint them. I'm trying to loosen up my watercolors and was pretty pleased with that part in this one. I wish I had added something to show the scale. This arrangement was huge.

Happy Birthday!

Today my granddaughter, Sophie, turns three. We have the pleasure of her company all day today! Happy Birthday, Sophie, may you always be filled with such energy and joy.

Yikes! It's December!

How'd that happen?
It seems I've been stopping at Starbucks for a moment to sketch as much as for the coffee! This one's on Rush Street. There was some good news in the paper this week. "My" Borders on Michigan Avenue was do to close this month but they've decided to keep it open for another year. I have no clue why. The second floor café has a great view of the shoppers and tourists on Chicago's Magnificent Mile and when you can get a seat the unsuspecting models are endless!