Say-Very Sweet Things

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It Takes A Village Idiot

April 22, 2014

It takes a village idiot to keep posting about things that are of no interest to others. Hence, my post complete with a village.

Another folk-type sketch I did in pencil-

village

Then, from the drawing-using my paint shop program-I drew this, “Daytime in the Village”.

Adjusting the brightness and contrasts, adding a few more touches and omitting the hills, it becomes a nighttime scene.

In all its childlike qualities I say, “Good Enough!”

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” –Vincent Van Gogh

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Who Were You

April 21, 2014

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By Liz

Holidays, regular days, birthdays, anniversaries, milestones for us, are what it has been for us for the past twenty-three and a half years. They have been lonely, depressing and endless reminiscing.

You would think that after this long we would have learned to accept our lot in life.

It has been tried and tried and failed and failed.

Over three years ago, when we took a big leap in life and up and moved back…we came back here with our tails between our legs.

Right back where we started from twenty-three and a half years ago, giving up job and security.

It appears that all that’s left are dreams.

Dreams are life…as long as we still have our dreams we have hope.

Right?

One day, you wake up and realize that you are in the autumn of life and people have moved on because you are so far away.

Is it that we are so far away?

You find that you are tired…so tired of trying to find that one piece of familiarity…After twenty-three and a half years one would think one would become familiar with ones surroundings.

One would almost think, wouldn’t one?

Yet, if my wish were to be granted, I would refuse. In a strange way, that most will not understand, desolation is my companion.

I would feel awkward.

Desolation is a miserable companion, but desolation is all I have known for most of my life.

Maybe desolation is my familiarity.

“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

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Folk Girl and Crackers

April 18, 2014

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By Liz

Since I am not crocheting or doing other crafts, to keep busy I have been sketching/drawing.

Well…I have been trying anyhow.

I found my drawing pencils the other day while cleaning out the craft room.

This is my sketch of a folk art girl.

After I drew the sketch, I used it as a guide to draw the ‘folk girl’ on my computer using my paint shop program.

She looks like a space alien with those big eyes.

It has been rainy and cold here. I didn’t do much today save sketch while hubby cleaned out one of the kitchen closets. He called me out to look at the progress he made and the jars and other useless junk that he was going to throw out. I had no qualms about throwing out all those jars that I had saved. Why on earth do I save jars! I never have use for them. Needless to say, I was happy with his results.

The other day I made some homemade Wheat Thins. Yes, it is much easier and convenient to buy a box of them, but I had all the ingredients on hand. I wanted to prove to myself that I could make crackers that looked and tasted like the store-bought box of Wheat Thins.

They were really good. However, next time I make them, I am going to add a touch more vanilla. I found the recipe at here.

Since I am straining to find the words to write an interesting post-and failing miserably, I will stop tormenting myself (and anyone who actually visits and reads my postings) and make myself a small pot of tea and watch the rain.

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Less Confusion Equals Less Stress

April 12, 2014

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By Liz

Continuing with my quest for simplicity and harmony-

The other day I got my kitchen drawers cleaned out and organized along with a couple of cabinets.

Today, some computer files, bookmarks, and flash drives, pertaining to all things crochet and crafting, were deleted.

Poof! Gone!

Less confusion=less stress.

Our cat Luna

The other day while cleaning out the closet in my computer room, I found a book tucked way back on a shelf. I had forgotten that I even had it.

It contains five complete novels by Charlotte and Emily Bronte:

Jane Eyre
Shirley
Wuthering Heights
Villette
The Professors

It looks like I found my summer reading. Although I have already read Wuthering Heights, I am looking forward to the other four novels.

While I still have more to do with “simplifying”, today was a pretty relaxing day. I made a large pot of chili con carne and hubby put together a huge tossed salad. While the chili was simmering, I sat on the front stoop, in my rocker, and read for a while.

Right now I am reading , Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. I started reading it a while ago, but put it down as I had too much on my mind and couldn’t concentrate on the words. I saw the movie when I was a child and forget most of it and I know that a movie will never do the book justice.

my read shelf:

In spite of the fact that I am still feeling pensive, I am off to make a cup of tea and happily ponder about the coming days ahead. Hanging on to a little hope is what keeps me wanting to go forward.

Quote by Robert Tew

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To Simplify Feels So Good

April 9, 2014

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By Liz

Hooray!

I dug my heals-in today and uncluttered my computer/craft room. I couldn’t believe that I had let my crafts get that overwhelming.

Before

After

It took me six hours to toss a stockpile of useless things and fill two bins with crafting supplies/materials that I had amassed over the years. At a later time, when we finish with the rest of the house, most of the things in bins will be sold. We talked about one, big yard sale.

Before

After

I have many empty drawers and the closet is sparse and organized.

Before

After

Mmm! The desk still looks cluttered to me. I think the mural makes it seem cluttered in the photo.

Nonetheless, I am starting to feel a sense of peace.

Being overwhelmed with useless things made it so hard to clean.

Being overwhelmed with useless things made my mind spin to the point of wanting to shut down.

I can’t wait to get started in the other rooms. We can free ourselves from the burden of material possessions and focus on living without worrying about so many needless, useless things.

To simplify, simplify, simplify feels so good!

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Striving For Simplicity

April 8, 2014

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By Liz

Taking my time, I have been ridding myself of things and stuff that have accumulated in my home. I envision a life of simplicity. I want to walk into a room and not be overwhelmed with needless stuff. When my surroundings are full of needless things, my mind becomes cluttered. When my mind is cluttered, I shut down.

Clutter!

As close as two months ago, I was an avid crocheter-crocheting things that served absolutely no useful purpose for me or others. I was crocheting so that I would have something to post and hoping at the same time that others, who also crocheted, would notice.

Alas and alack! It was just never meant to be.

Some crochet and other clutter.
Drawers are also filled with crocheted items and crafts. UGH!

I shamefully slobbered over other crocheter’s blogs. I left little comments telling them how wonderfully talented they were and how much I appreciated all the time and work it takes to create an item. I answered all email inquiries about a pattern that I had posted or one that I wasn’t sharing with the public. I finally decided to lay all that aside and relax. I was crocheting for all for the wrong reasons and was finding it very tiring and time-consuming. Crocheting was quickly becoming a chore and an unaffordable expense. My home became cluttered with “all things crochet”. All the while, neglecting other things that I enjoy doing.

Clutter!

Therefore, taking my time, I am packing-up and tossing-out all things relating to crafting. At this time, I have no interest in perusing anything to do with designing or fiber art.

my selfworth