What would you Give-Away?

Without whining, I am going to tell you about how the new year has gone for me.

It started out with me still being unable to create anything substantial via art. Ok, not the worst that's ever happened. It's like having writer's block. I'll get through it. Time will come when all "art" breaks loose.

My mom is still abed from what we believe to be a small stroke. She's able to talk and move. She is cogent. Yet, she still cannot walk. Well, she can walk a couple of steps but then her legs give out on her. I got her a walker, with a seat, and hand brakes, four wheels. I tell you this thing is like the Cadillac of all walkers. She will only use it when I'm at home, thank goodness. I'm helping her with physical therapy and have hope that she will be up and about in a few more weeks.

Then, on January 12th, my 95 year old grandma died. She was relatively healthy so we weren't expecting it. I have so many glorious memories of my little 4' 9" granny. Short, fat and full of sass. So much so that she married a man who was 6' 8" tall. And had 11 babies with him. Oh, yeah. She knew how to climb all kinds of ladders! She loved her family without question. Even those of us who didn't always follow the rules. She'd pat the seat beside her and put her soft, pudgy arm around us and just hug us tight. She'd lean over and whisper that it didn't matter if anyone, or everyone, was upset or mad at us, she loved us anyway. She said she just knew that we had learned a hard lesson and now was the time to get on down the road and just not do that ever again. I don't remember making the same mistakes twice. Well, there were variations of the same mistake, but not the exact SAME mistake! Some mistakes take longer to improve on!

Two days after her death, I started a mixed media class. I had taken this class before in its fledgling form. A couple of years ago. Now, the class is more structured and the instructor is more focused on her agenda. I am glad for this as I have a need for someone to help guide me in the pursuit of creativity. My mind is not so clear these days (daze). I'm hoping that finally putting paint to paper & canvas will free up my "artist" block. And maybe help clear up some of the cobwebs that are clogging my thought processes.

I am cleaning and clearing out my art space this week also. My plan is to pay homage to my granny by doing a "give-away" in her name. My grandma was 3/4 Choctaw Indian. In a lot of Native cultures a give-away is a clearing, a cleansing. You give away your earthly belongings to clear the way, for the path ahead to be easier, better to navigate. I am creating packets to give away in the Yahoo groups that I belong too. The women in these groups have been incredibly supportive and kind doing these past months of turmoil. I've never met any of them in person but I feel like I have made some wonderful friends all the same. They rightly deserve a little lift to their art supplies, I do say!

I'm looking forward to my next art class. Maybe this will be the week the wall of blocks comes down. If I hear the tumbling noises, I hope I get them recorded. You know, for the next time the wall gets built. I'll push playback and see if that clears the way!

Blessings to all,
redopal