Fall 2020 "Bucket List"

I am part of a Hygge group on Facebook and a member named Mitzi Barber created a fall bucket list for the group. I adjusted it for items I could do in Texas and thought I'd share. I also created a post with additional ideas a few years back. You can find it here: Fall Season To-Do Ideas 

A Cute Gift for Your Love

I made this cute, small gift for my wonderful beau and wanted to share this idea on how to encourage your significant other: 

1. Grab a small notebook. Mine was from a birthday adventure I had at an AirBnB called the Cell Block

2. Take a spare lipstick, lather it on thick and "kiss" several pieces of paper.

3. Under those kisses, write encouraging quotes or love messages then cut them out.

4. Using tape/lamination sheets, cover over the kiss and quotes so they won't smudge.

5. Next, cut around each one, then tape one per page of the notebook. 

6. Write a thoughtful message on the front page explaining the journal.

7. Add a single kiss on the cover, wrap and surprise them. 

Family time during the Quarantine

Spending time with family in late July through early August. My grandma celebrated her 90th birthday! My daughter's coworker braided her hair and taught her its African background. My son built his sister a sweet computer and has been spending time with friends. Branch is doing well but like us he is ready for the weather to cool down so we can spend more time outside. I'm also still working remotely and have been inspired by Hamilton's release on Disney+.

Camping: Into the wild

 "Into the wild I go, losing my way but finding my soul."[anony, nd]

The family spent some time camping during the quarentine. We are novice to say the least. Since most of the state parks were still closed at the time in Texas, I used the website Hipcamp to locate tent camping opportunities to stay on others properties. This one was between Glen Rose and Cleburne. We had planned on staying two nights however storms blew in the first night. Being in a humid tent in the wind and rain is NOT my idea of a good time. We pulled camp the next day. Ha. Still, it was an adventure. 

Creating a Word Toolbox

I was challenged to create a poem based on a "Word Toolbox." The idea is that you pull books off your shelf, flip to random pages then write down words or phrases that stand out to you.

I grabbed an older book of classic stories and, after researching some uncommon words for definitions, wrote the poem below.  

Ancient Mistress

"My little camp sits betwixt an oaken thicket and moonlit lagoon.

Tonight I carefully select a perfect cudgel then head for a walk around the water's frayed shores.

I did not use all the words so that my short visual poem wasn't jumbled.

Answering the Question: "Who Are You?"

In a book I am reading, one artist is asked the question, "Who Are You? She wrote a poem to describe herself. I loved the idea of using symbolism to answer. Mine is below.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Who Am I?

I am cozy warm blankets
that all creatives bundle up in.
Sunrises and singing,
calm dark with sleeping. 

I am lightening bugs flashing
quietly in the forest.
And bridges, the ones connecting cities.

Ask me tomorrow and
growth will change the picture
because, who I am
is like the dawn. 



_________________________________________________________________________________

Covid19 Routine

Life is so different right now. Sometimes I pause and am amazed. Like many of us, I have struggled hard for a routine during this Covid19 pandemic. The day speeds away from me and easily run together. So for my mental health I purchased a book to help me calm down at night and focus my creativity.

The first challenge was to document my day. Often we try to set up "perfect shots" but I just let them be. As I am feeling the chaos of the times, well, the chaos of my photos make sense. I took mostly morning shots and decided to only do black and white images.

Do you have creative projects during this time to settle yourself? If not, no worries! Do not add more stress right now if that's what a creative project would bring your spirit. But, if you are looking for simple ideas, then I'll be sharing my experiences from the book above.

Shot List

• Google mini rise and shine
• Hmmm, Coffee
• Ground control, Major Tom