Happy New Year 2015!

Wait. What? I hadn’t blogged since November 2014? It’s 2015, in the second week no less.

I thought once 2015 hit, things would slow down a bit. Not so. January appears to be as busy as December. I’ve been contemplating what goals and intentions I’d like to set for 2015, but first a little recap for 2014... in the way of creativity.

I had submitted about 10 things for publication.

I had two articles published.

That’s it for writing, other than daily journaling and illustrating my children’s book, oh and the never-ending letter writing (by choice of course!).

I designed, drew, and created my own Christmas card.

I crafted handmade gifts for family and friends for Christmas.

Now, here’s what I sent out via the good ole postal service in the way of cards and letters: 809 items. If you include the family newsletters that I do quarterly, that brings the total to 1,321. Excluding the newsletters, I averaged 67 items per month. Not too bad.

I think I’ve talked about Letter Writing Month that is held in February. I decided that I’m going to write a letter/note a day. Why just do it in February? That might be a rather huge task, but at least it will keep me writing as I continue to illustrate on my book… that’s the other goal, to have the illustrated draft completed by the end of 2015 (if not sooner). Long term is to have it published by 2018 (if not sooner, again).

I’d like to challenge any of you to write a letter… say just one or two for the year. Anyone reading this, if they’d like a letter written to them, just let me know via email: lober13(at)gmail(dot)com and put LETTER in the subject line.

I have lots of other goals too, but… I’ll leave you with one of last year’s sketches…

Remember to keep the end result of your intentions in mind – the acting as if principal.

LYNCR8MO

Sometimes when I’m off the “grid” and I have been for a while, whether intentionally or not, I feel a sense of peace within. I realize the Internet is the way to communicate these days and I do email regularly, but everything else I have stayed away from pretty much this month. Granted, I was out of town a few times, and any spare time I had I’ve devoted to illustrating my book—which is my own rendition of NaNoWriMo.

I’m calling it LynCr8Mo. Lynn Create Month. I looked at my schedule, decided (realistically) how many hours a day (that were available) that I could draw and used that as my overall goal. I had 20 days—turned that into 20 hours—an hour a day.

I originally thought, Easy-Peasy, however, I was surprised how difficult (this month anyway) it was to do an hour on those days. Eight of my 20 days, I logged in a zero. I’m still on target with my goal since on the days that I did draw, I drew more than the one hour goal. Maybe because I was ahead, I didn’t stress about getting an hour in on the other days. Or I was lucky to be ahead because something came up needing my attention more than the drawing. Either way, it’s all good.

I’m going to create a goal every month. December is going to be a challenge, but I’ll keep the numbers low, and who knows, I may surprise myself. At least there will be some sort of goal.

In light of the world’s current situation, I send out love. I sing HU daily, for God’s will to be done.

Now I’m off to bake…

I’m grateful for all the love in my life—thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

EXCLUSION

Exclusion of the heart is most painful. That sentence may not have made sense. In other words, when someone doesn't want your love.

  

food for thought: “He drew a circle that shut me out.”—E. Markham

Singing HU

I'll be going to a spiritual seminar soon. One thing that is always special for me is singing the love song to God—HU. I sing this love song to God everyday, but singing HU with a group—a really large group (like thousands of people)—is incredible.

Why do I sing HU everyday? Because it helps center me. It makes my connection with God stronger. It opens my heart.. and the benefit of that in itself is, well, beautiful.

You can experience singing HU for yourself, if you’d like, by visiting HearHU.org

 

Some of you might remember my drawing of HU when I first started my sketching.

COMPOSITION

When it comes to art, I don’t know much about composition. I fear if I do, I may not draw again. And I don’t like fear. 

food for thought: “I’m much more comfortable with a composition book.”—me

MULTIPLE FAMILY GARAGE SALE

One man's junk is another man's treasure... so whether you're looking for junk or treasure, you'll want to hit this multiple family garage sale.

When:  Friday, October 10 at 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and Saturday, October 11 at 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (and if there's a crowd, we'll linger past 1:00 PM)

Where: 2132 Krause Hill Place, Florissant, MO  63031 - google map it for directions, but look for the yellow signs and maybe yellow balloons. From Howdershell Road (near Koch Park) you'll turn on Riverwood Trails and then you'll make a left on Riverwood Place and then you'll make another left on Krause Hill Place and it's the first house on the left... white two story with gray trim. There's also a "tiki dude" in the front yard that my brother-in-law carved out of the tree trunk... that in itself is worth the trip.

Why: My family decided to do a "September Minimalist Challenge" where on September 1st, you would get rid of one thing and on September 2nd, you get rid of two things and on down the line for the entire month. By the end of the month, you will have gotten rid of 465 things, thereabouts. And what better way than to have a garage sale to rid the things you no longer use. I know I have more than 465 items... and all the money that I may take in is going to my favorite non-profit. I'm not sure about the other families that will participate... that's up to them.

What: There will be a little bit of everything from small kitchen appliances (bread machine, pasta maker, deep fryer, turkey fryer) to other kitchen items (platters, glasses, etc.) to children's things (books, toys, stuffed animals, games) to clothes (coats, jackets, scarves, ear muffs) to miscellaneous items (two for a nickel - includes craft items, hair barretts, golf tees) and other "more expensive" miscellaneous items, ranging from 5 cents to 5 dollars [at least what I have priced]. I can't speak for the other families. Some of the items are outdated, however, I thought they would be great items for theatre props... or for little kids to play with and use their imagination... and for the price, how could you go wrong?

Guess that covers it... hope to see you there!

INCOMPLETENESS

There is incompleteness to my drawings and that’s okay by me. I don’t want that haunting curse to bother me. I’m having too much fun.

food for thought: “Artistry’s haunting curse, the Incomplete.”—Browning