There is Rapture at the Lonely Shore

There is Rapture at the Lonely Shore
digtial/photo art

I have been working really really hard on completely revamping my website, Nine Acres Designs, LLC. It had to be done. I had not given it an overhaul in a million years...ok, maybe 2 years, but it felt like a million. It no longer reflected who I am as an artist. I've rewritten my bio, changed up the navigation and landing page, added new artwork, and am still working on a function where you will be able to buy prints directly from me. I will let you know when that is up and running. I have created a guestbook there so if you are so inclined, please visit the site, then click on the guestbook and tell me what you think! I would love to hear from you.

There is no place quite like a lonely shore. Being on the water's edge, listening to the sounds of nature, and having no other human in sight is a special healing experience for me. Being a homeschool mom of my two youngest, a mom of two teens, and battling a chronic illness, I need quite the refueling and I am not ashamed to say it. Alone time is incredibly important for my well being and sanity. In this image, I love the "No Trespassing" sign on the pier because to me it symbolizes for all others to stay out during my meditation time. No one is allowed to trespass into my thoughts or time when I am alone.

Of course, that is easier said than done, as all mother's and wives know. But, I have this beautiful image to remind me that I am totally worth a portion of my day all to myself. And so are you.

What situation or place brings you peace and clarity? Where does your soul get reenergized and refueled? Tell me your secrets to keeping your sanity...

Have a wonderful start to the week.

xo

Going Back From Whence We Came

Going Back From Whence We Came
Digital Art
Florida Waterway

I lay face down on the massage table, face nestled into the padded o-ring that supports my head. I exhale deeply and concentrate on releasing all the anxiety and tension from every muscle. As the massage therapist begins her work, I realize just how healing this process is. Not only is it amazing for my muscles and lymph system, it is balm for a sore mind too. As thoughts of my kids, work, chores, and all the other everyday life gunk creeps into my mind, I try to refocus my attention on the kneading hands, massaging away the sore spots. I clear my mind and think only of how each muscle feels under her hands. I am not great at meditating...I get frustrated when thoughts come flooding back into my mind, but having the sensation of touch is helpful because it gives me something tangible to focus on.

Once, when I was in EMDR therapy for PTSD, my therapist told me to imagine my perfect place of feeling safe, protected, and happy. I chose a warm beach that has soft sand, gentle waves, the perfect temperature, and no one else around. She told me to imagine being there, surrounded by a protective bubble of God's love and let that warm love enter each one of my cells. It was a great exercise to get me to have a focal point for meditating. So, this is where I bring myself in my mind when I feel stressed and overwhelmed. The only issue, as I mentioned earlier, is keeping my mind there. Thoughts always creep back in quickly and furiously! But with massage, concentrating on feeling, the sense of touch, is something to cling on to... and it is healing. Healing in more ways than one.

What do you do when you need to escape? Do you meditate? Are you good at it? What tips can you give me?

xo

Koi Pond

Relating back to ancient Chinese culture, the Koi fish has come to symbolize positive qualities such as courage, overcoming adversity, the ability to attain the highest goals, and strong character. Many of these qualities stem from an old Chinese legend called Dragon Gate. You can read about the legend here.

I would love to have a koi pond one day on my property. I find them tranquil and relaxing to be around. Lord knows in this day and age we all need to surround ourselves with things and people that bring us peace.

Have a wonderful day.
xo

Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge

We build too many walls and not enough bridges.

-Isaac Newton

If interested, you can find the history of this bridge here. I suggest taking a minute to check it out because it has quite the history!

Have an amazing Sunday.  xo

Rock Hopping

Drawn to the water
Wanting to be held in her bust
Weightless
Free
Floating.

She calls to me
Luring me closer
But I am a creature
Of the land.
I must perch here upon the rocks.

The River Walk

Walking along the river today, I didn't feel cold.  The thermometer said it was 23 degrees and there was still a breeze blowing off the water...remnants of the harsh, bitter, cruel wind that howled last night, ushering in the cold front.  Yet I was bundled nicely in my warmest and softest clothes, which kept me snug.  I thought about how lucky I was to be in this place at this time; able to walk with some (but not much) pain to where I could observe the frozen river before me.  True, I was exhausted.  Exhaustion seems to be the lingering enemy of this Lyme disease and while I felt fantastic for three weeks now, yesterday the bone deep tiredness came creeping back.  I was exhausted, but still able to make this short walk.

When I arrived at this spot I allowed all of my senses to be alive and take in the moment.  I noticed that it was particularly quiet and still...silence is so golden to me now when before Lyme silence was a heavy weight.  I also noticed the mixture of the warm radiance of the sun against by bare cheeks with the simultaneous bite of the cold wind that made my cheeks burn.  Ah, the burn of cheeks on a cold winter's day...it was a joy to have my body feel something from an outside element rather than pain coming from inside my own body.  I noticed the reflection of the sun off the frozen river that was hurting my eyes...so bright after days of grey and clouds.  It was so good to be there, even for a few minutes.  So glad I had this chance today.  While I was standing at the water's edge, I thought of my father, who so loved this area, this river.  I feel the closest to him near open water.  I vow to myself, before turning and walking back to my truck, that I must get out more often, even if it is for a short trek.  It makes me feel connected and alive.

Water Under the Bridge

I've been gone a few days...not physically but mentally.

When the pain gets bad and I get frustrated, I withdraw and am not good company.

But, I have a renewed attitude today and I am hoping to have a better day physically and mentally.

Today I am thankful for my Lyme Literate Doctor.

I had a check up with him yesterday and it felt so good to be heard.

It felt so good to be validated.

It felt so good to have hope and a plan to move forward.

I haven't had that in over 2 years until I met him.

He is the only one that has looked me in the eye and said, "I believe you and we are going to fix it."

Isn't that what all of us want?

Just to be heard and believed and given hope?

The next time you find yourself listening to someone, 

try to really focus on hearing them.

Read their facial expressions and their body language.

Hear their worries and then tell them, "I believe you.  How can I help?"

Trust me, it will make their day.

Here's to a better day...and if not today, then tomorrow will be.

xo

Reflecting

If you have known me from previous blogs, you know how I love

REFLECTIONS...

both in water and in glass.

There is something that draws me to the intermingling of the real world

with the perceived reality in the reflection itself.

I also like to reflect on my day, 

as you have noticed by now,

and find at least one thing I was grateful for in that 24 hours.

In the past 24 hours I am grateful to have spent

my morning drinking my coffee in my pj's 

in my most favorite spot in the world...

my front porch swing.

I sat in the warmth of the early morning sun peeking over 

the cypress trees with the latest edition of 

Digital Studio on my lap, 

my Ravens pajama covered legs stretched long,

covering the entire length of the porch swing,

watching the morning birds flutter happily about the feeder.

It doesn't get any better than that.

Below, I decided to post one more reflection that was taken a long time ago,

but it is still one of my favorites.

It is a self portrait...the Hyatt in Orlando.

Can you find me?

xo