Travel Journals

~ trio of travel journals ~

Karen, My Desert Cottage, is hosting Where Bloggers Create, her third annual blog party to share creative spaces. This year I decided to take a deep breath, pull up my big girl britches and join in. In other words, I'm throwing myself on the mercy of others; showing my artwork and telling a bit about it and myself in the process.

Many, many decades ago, I had an art teacher...I seem to remember sixth grade...who told me, in no uncertain terms, "You have no talent in art; don't even bother." Needless to say, it crushed my creative spirit and it has taken me decades to quieten her voice in my memory and move forward. 

As an aside, recently a friend's daughter, was told by her "guidance counselor" (and I use the term Very Loosely!), "You only have a 3.5 GPA so I wouldn't count on going to university or on being a vet." My mouth dropped to the floor; the girl looked at me and said, "I'm only a sophomore, I have a few years to pull the GPA to a 4.0...right?"  "YES!" I told her and don't listen to that woman; she, very obviously, doesn't know what she's talking about!" 

What is it with dream stealer's and dream killer's? They seem hades bent on robbing others of pleasures well within reach. It makes me furious! Especially now that I'm older, wiser and not at all intimidated by the pettiness of folks who want to give me their opinion. Granted, it's taken me decades to get to this point but now that I'm here, it's best to steer clear! (smile) I refuse to listen to people who want to steal or kill my dreams and have found the absolute best way to deal with them is to sit, or stand, quietly and Not Say A Word. One thing I learned in sales, pitch your piece, ask for the order then Shut Up. The next person to say a word "loses". When someone attempts to steal or kill my dream, I simply look at them, never saying a word until they either speak or I turn and walk away. Trust me, it's a position of power and you've won your point without harsh words spoken or ill will made.

In the ensuing years my creative outlet has been the home. I'm not a great decorator but our home is a cozy sanctuary for folks, especially Dave and I, and it's a place where people feel safe and comfortable. I've made a dozen or more quilts for family and friends, knitted hats and scarves for charity, raised a garden, canned, dried and frozen food for family, friends and neighbors...generally, been a home maker, farmer and shepherd. It's been good yet I've always wanted to try my hand at Real Art. By the way, what is Real Art, anyway?

 ~ London journal ~

Last year, to celebrate Dave's milestone birthday, we went to London and had a marvelous time! How could we not, eh? (smile) The first, purple, journal in the first photo was my London Journal and it brings back such wonderful memories. Above, the incredible Felicity Kendal, a favorite from Rosemary and Thyme was in George Bernard Shaw's most excellent and thought provoking play Mrs. Warren's Profession.

 ~ rosemary for remembrance ~

 From our flat, a sprig of rosemary plucked from the garden, is a reminder of mornings begun with tea and crumpets; evenings finished with wine, crackers and cheese. The rosemary is held in a small business card holder from All Saints Spitalfields where 1,300 Singer Featherweights captured my attention.

I'd never made ART a travel journal and found the process delightful, challenging, frustrating and enormously rewarding. You see, I've always associated "art" with drawing or painting and, since I could do neither, I thought I couldn't be an artist. WRONG! I simply had to find where I was comfortable and now I've found figured out, the more I do make art, the wider my horizons, the greater my scope, the more pleasure and enjoyment, the more my wings grow because they are stretched...MORE! I'm like a child at Christmas, on her birthday who has been given this delightful gift by the First Creator and I'm growing growing growing little by little. It feels good; Very Good!

~ Europe 2010 travel journal ~

After the great success of our London trip, Dave said, "would you like to go to Paris, spend a day or two then board the train and go east?" Oh Babe, I am SO packed and ready! He also asked me, "do you think we're too old to do this?" My response, "Yep, but next year we'll only be another year older so let's go for it now!"Unfortunately, he became ill and that trip was put on hold but not until after I'd prepared the third travel journal.One of my favorite things about this journal is the tag that reads "

~ Dave ~

On one of the first pages, but inside a "folder" was the contact information for our travel agent. Underneath reads:

~some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~

The middle journal in the first photo? That's my journal for 2011, an upcoming trip where I'll travel solo on a great and grand adventure. The background is a page from a 1934 geography book showing shepherds, spinners, farmers and filled in with stickers, stamps, attachments and all sealed with modge podge. The bookmark is a green ribbon with Seize the Day in buttons, a purple heart, Celebrate (a charm) and felt flowers.

~ seize the day, cultivate gratitude ~

I'm excited and have been preparing like mad; working on my travel journal, packing and re-packing trying...and succeeding...to fit everything into a 21 inch carry-on suitcase with a small duffel as my personal item.

~ celebrate indeed! ~

God willing, I'll find i-net/cyber cafes and blog from the road but I'm headed to remote corners of the world so that may, or may not, be possible.

~ remote corners ~

You know what though...it doesn't matter and it's okay; it's still a Great and Grant Adventure and I'm not letting allowing anyone to steal or kill my dream. The same God who takes care of me here at Thistle Cove Farm will take care of me where ever I roam so there's no need to worry or fret; I'm in Good Hands.

As Jack Lewis once said, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." So, I'm dreaming new dreams, setting new goals and urge you to go and do likewise. Please squelch the naysayers voices in your life. They don't know much anyway and if they could do, they would be doing it rather than being a dream stealer killer. Listen to your own calm center; it's there but you have to turn off the television, shut down the radio or audio book and...listen. shhhhhhhh....listen...

Blessings ~ travel ~ journals ~ folks who encourage ~