We Are the Moon- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Men are like the earth and we are the moon;

we turn always one side to them, 

and they think there is no other

because they don't see it- but there is.

-Olive Schreiner

I was in Havre de Grace, Maryland Sunday evening. I was there for a meeting of all the co-op artists of Arts By the Bay Gallery and to drop off my new work for the show that opens on Friday night. As I pulled around the corner to the side parking lot, I glanced up, toward the water, and saw the supermoon hanging just above the tree line across the Susquehanna. I knew immediately that I had to take a few minutes to walk to the water. There was a very basic, primal voice that was calling me to the edge of the shore. As I reached the lapping water on the edge of the river I was immediately sad I didn't have my Canon 5D Mark III with my 400mm lens. Oh, how I would have loved to shoot this beauty of a moon hanging so brightly, reflecting off the water, using the compression of the long lens to make that moon seem even closer. But, alas, I only had my iPhone at my disposal. I took out my phone and waited for the boat to cruise into the frame before snapping this image. 

Back at home, I used my apps and software to create this digital art piece from the original image. The original image was actually very different and didn't quite convey the feeling I wanted it to convey. I am happy with the final product and am thankful that I at least had my phone with me to capture that moment in time.

Here's to a wonderful Wednesday. Keep smiling and rocking on!

xo

Solitude on the Pacific- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

This image was created using both iPhone Apps, Photoshop PS6, and Painter Essentials 5.

Having a chronic illness is not easy. Not only does it affect me physically, but it affects me mentally. I am not ashamed to say that I can't battle the emotional implications of my chronic Lyme by myself. I need help. I have an amazing therapist that I see who is incredibly supportive and understanding. She has also had Lyme and has been in my shoes. Although she is supportive, she does not allow me to wallow in sorrow or self-pity, not that I am keen to do that anyway. What I also love about her is she believes wholeheartedly in the mind-body-spirit connection and holistic healing. Recently, she recommended a book, Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss, PH.D., for me to read for homework.

I've just begun the book and already know it is a game changer for me. Funny how you know pretty early when something is going to change your life, and I knew within the first couple of pages that this was one of those things. I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes that our mind/spirit is intimately connected to our health. Myss puts forth the concept (although not a new concept to ancient healing practices) that our biography IS our biology...that our experiences, thoughts, and memories can literally change our DNA to either make us sick, keep us sick, or help us heal. Game changer.

I've always known that mind/spirit can affect your health. It only makes sense, but this is the first time I have considered that our thoughts and experiences actually alter our DNA. I am looking forward to finishing this book and applying the practices to my daily life. I know all the things I need to completely heal from this chronic illness are here...natural medicine, herbs, food, and good mental hygiene-letting go of the past, and moving forward.

If you feel like you are stuck, if you feel like you are always drained of energy, if you feel like you are wallowing in past experiences without being able to move forward, if you feel like you are angry, stressed, and regretful on a daily basis, you must read this book to see for yourself what implications these behaviors have on your health.

Regaining my health is a top priority because all that matters to me is my ability to raise my kids the best I can (my twins have been through a lot in life already and don't need a sick mother), be a good wife, and help others by bringing awareness and a voice to Lyme disease. Nothing else matters. What are you living for?

Read it and let me know what you think.

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.