Reflections and snippets of recent on goings

I normally don't pay much attention to weather warnings. Growing up in Haiti it felt important to pay more attention to the warning and hurricane oncoming's as the hurricanes that hit the island could quickly cause serious damage. The weather warnings gave time to board up and secure glass components around the house that might otherwise be shattered by strong winds. These warning emails could also simultaneously cause a great deal of worry. Its hard to know how hard any particular storm would hit. Each storm seems to have a mind of its own as travels above cities and states and large masses of water, throwing spectacular riffs of wind around in the process, sweeping dust, leaves, and any loose objects into the streets and air.

Weather warnings in Calgary have been quite fascinating for me to observe since I've lived here. Just this weekend weekend there was a weather warning in effect. I'm still learning what that means here.

I might've done well to take this warning a bit more seriously.

It was hot today. I could have felt some relief in the backyard with the use of a fan.

Lately these hot summer days seem to be taking extra energy from me.

Instead of heading the warning or thinking anything of it, I took the day as it came. I bared through the heat with those around me.

I sat in those feelings for a while.

I always say these warm days are special and so limited.

Is there anything wrong with going to bed tired at the end of a nice, long day?

The sun seems to be bringing some of my artists friends I've not seen in a blue moon out from in, and I'm excited to hopefully have some talk of some projects on the go or in passing in the near future. I've missed my art friends dearly over this time of worldwide isolation.

Two years ago we'd be doing as many projects as we could conceptualize within the time we could provide.

It's amazing how quickly things can change. Equally amazing how adaptable we can be to change.

In the meantime I work on art in several different forms.

Jamie and I paint, refinish, sell, and deliver furniture.

On some occasions we build from scratch.

Sometimes we sell items that aren't furniture too. We never know what we might find on our searches.

It's something creative we do together that I love.

There is a big patch of bleeding hearts in the backyard. They started blooming early last week and I noticed just in time to clip the first batch. They were pink when I cut them but they've dried into much lighter purples. It's fascinating. I've kept some of them in this case while I decide what to do with them and have also taken a turn at pressing a few as well.

It's been a busy June. Most of the blossoming trees in my neighborhood have completely blossomed already. I feel really happy about my timing for drying the Japanese blossom branches and flowers I picked from the back with Jamie's help. The whole tree seemed to open and close within a two week period. All the blossoms I got and dried in that time frame are what I have. I'm glad I dried plenty as I've used lots for projects I'd already started. The beautiful ornamental little flowers look beautiful on wreaths. I've got a few of those on the go. I'll try to remember to share some photos of the finished wreaths here, for retrospective if nothing else.

I know I've not been consistent in my writing lately and without that I don't think its fair to expect consistent reading. I think most people know I write for me, to give my mind a chance to stretch and unwind metaphorically. Writing has always been an awesome opportunity for me to feel a sense of mental organization. It allows me the chance to take a bit of a deep dive inside my thoughts and pull onto the paper or page what I'd like to share or perhaps even simply release those thoughts. I've missed the consistency of writing in my life. I don't want it to be one more thing I miss. No false promises here, simply optimistic wishes that I will remember how much of a release and mental declutter writing is to me the next time I think about it, and am so overwhelmed by the positive feelings in that moment that I might be instantaneously influenced to write again, and again, and again.

For now, it's 10 30 pm and the sun has set, finally it feels as though a break from the warmth is coming.

A cold shower feels like the perfect way to wind down from this adventurous, full, hot day.