Another journey, Day 207

I rode the bus to my last class today. The light was that golden brown hue that only occurs this time of year. I was in awe once again.

The landscape..., Day 206

brown and dry yet beautiful in the late afternoon sun.

Old tradition, Day 205

Making aebleskivers on a Sunday morning is a tradition in our house, but not one we partake in very often. I was first introduced to these little dough balls while I was in grad school. So every time we make them I am reminded of that bitter sweet time in my life.

Afternoon, Day 204

It was 71 degrees today. Perfect weather for sitting on the front porch in the sun eating an orange.

Thanks, Day 203

I asked Nicolai what he is thankful for today and he replied: "I am thankful for hugs and kisses." I was pleasantly surprised by his answer.

Blessings, Day 202

I talked about a Tibetan painting my dad sent to us awhile back. On the backside of this painting are hand prints which we have been told were blessings from the Buddhist priests. Today Nicolai blessed the backside of his own paintings.

Past made present, Day 201

This is a photograph of a photograph that I have on the wall of my bedroom. I tell my students that art has an amazing ability to change their lives as it changed mine. I often wonder what I would be doing if I hadn't made this photograph. But my question for the day is how will the new photograph of the old photograph lead me to tomorrow?

Little note, Day 200

I went to the University tonight to get a little work done and outside the entrance was a note. It made me laugh. We are in the process of moving out of our temporary art building into a massive new one. I can only imagine what the next occupants will be thinking about the art department as they begin to move in and see how the place has been modified. Artists always get a bad wrap.

Routine, Day 199

Every night it is the same routine: put on pj's, have a snack, brush teeth, go pee, pick out books, read, lights out. And just about every night it is a major hassle with Nicolai. So we have started the routine a little earlier and it has helped, but there are still problems. It's driving us a little crazy. Perhaps we need to change the routine?

Time, Day 198

So I am working on changing my life.I have been projecting into the universe that something new needs to happen...a new direction that is based on what I have already been working towards. It's interesting how time felt so different when I was younger. The days seemed to meander, but now I feel like I am about to run a marathon that I have been training for for the last 10 years. It's a different mind set. I am putting on my running shoes now.

The last bite, Day 197

I always feel a bit sad when I have to take the last bite of something that tastes really good. I am working on slowing down my consumption process to delay this feeling and perhaps avoid it completely. I tell Nicolai to savor his "special treats" so they last longer, and amazingly he does. I need to take my own advice.

Landing, Day 196

Life has really been a roller coaster lately. Some wonderfully exciting things are shaping up on the horizon and then there's some really sad family stuff all rolled into one juicy package called life. I made this image today and it re-energized me for whatever is in store. I hadn't made an image in awhile that reminded me as to why I am doing this project. Some days it just feels like yet another thing to do before the end of the day. Thanks to my son and a piece of folded paper, my attitude changed.

Going home, Day 195

Today was my last day commuting to Denver to teach two intro photo classes. I had to stay late to finish grading and cleaning...it was a 12 hour day for me. I left my house while it was still dark in the a.m. and returned in the dark in the p.m.. I was really dreading my commute, but it turned into a lovely quite time to just sit and stare out the window or people watch. So I will actually miss the twice a week journey. Who would have thought!

Only 25 cents, Day 194

I remember gazing into the candy machines at the grocery store as a kid filled with desire for what was just out of reach. I see that same longing in my son's eyes as we pass by the gum ball machine in the entryway of our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. He's lucky if I happen to have a quarter on me, but more often than not, I don't have one or I just don't want him to have the sugar. But when he does get one, he is totally blissed out.

Creation, Day 193

Nicolai and I read a book about how babies are made and from that day forward sprouts were referred to as sperm. It's fine to talk like this around the house. I am one of those parents that believes in using the correct terms for body parts and bodily functions but when at a restaurant it can become a little awkward. But I have to admit, he has a point.

What remains, Day 192

...Not much!

Kitchen treasure, Day 191

Gerald made zucchini muffins this morning and Nicolai claimed one immediately.

Fun and games, Day 190

Nicolai has a cold and a cough so we stayed home today playing games: Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders, Mancala, Animal Rummy. We played and played and played while drinking tea and watching the snow fall outside.

Found, Day 189

Nicolai is good at finding things. Today he found this tiny ball outside of his school.

A few remain, Day 188

I cut into this papaya today looking forward to scraping out all the shiny black seeds, but it was practically empty inside.

Long hallways, Day 187

The summer before ninth grade I was in a youth theater company. I had been in quite a few musicals, but this one was probably my favorite. At the age of fifteen I was cast in the musical Hair. I cannot say if this is where my obsession with hair began or if it actually was in utero when my mom saw the musical performed in San Francisco in 1969/70. As a participant in the theater company I was not really into acting, but I LOVED the singing and dancing. I still remember one line I had to say which was..."Loooong hallways." I don't remember the context, but I remember speaking these words. It's funny what our minds remember. So when I see a long hallway I always say the words in my head as if I were speaking them to the audience from the stage.

shift/adjust, Day 186

It's amazing how one little thing can happen and my perspective can shift dramatically. I think it's about being open to those shifts and allowing them to seep in. My new mantra in life is: Change can be good! Actually it's not really new...it's just that I forget sometimes.

Encaustic, Day 185

I had the opportunity to take an encaustic workshop today. I cannot draw or paint, but I found applying hot wax to panels and manipulating it was very liberating. The class was with a fabulous Colorado artist Daisy McConnell. Even thought this was a true crash course in this ancient technique I felt that I could go off and experiment on my own with ease.

Beautiful or Grotesque?, Day 184

Most people who know me also know about my obsession with hair. Depending on the context it can be considered beautiful or grotesque. Not only does it contain our DNA, but it can represent a body when a person is absent. The best part about hair, in my opinion, is its one of the only parts of the body capable of painless amputation and endless regeneration.

7:18 a.m., Day 183

The first photo of the morning....my poor husband has to put up with me.

Camera shy, Day 182

This is what Nicolai does when he doesn't want his photo taken. Today I was happy with his resistance.

Surrealist games, Day 181

The Surrealists were famous for the games they played. The Exquisite Corpse is probably one that is most familiar to people. I feel as though I have been living this game for the past 181 days.

Mediated view, Day 180

I have been sharing an office with a colleague for many years at the University. Actually it is more like she has been kind enough to share it with me. Our current space has a lovely view of the mountains, but it is very difficult to open and close the blinds and my office mate prefers them closed, so they stay closed. For the past 2 1/2 years we have been in a temporary art building while our new building is being erected in the center of campus. I am excited to say that I will have my very own space in this new building. The only draw back to the move is that I will lose my view since my new office will be in the basement of the new building. I guess I can't have everything.

Cycles, Day 179

How do you explain death to a five year old? I found the sex talk so far to be quite easy and straight forward...there are numerous age appropriate books on the subject. But death...?

Nicolai talks about death quite frequently. I think this is a fairly common occurrence for young boys. He has expressed interest in being mummified when he dies since he knows all about the process and the spiritual aspects as well. But his big question is what will happen to all his toys when he is gone? I jokingly told him that he could build a large tomb and they could be waiting for him in the afterlife. Since it worked for King Tut, my answer satisfied his question. I was thinking the other day a big portion of religion (pick one, any one) has some kind of explanation about what happens when a person dies. If I subscribed to a particular one I think the conversation would be much easier.

Remnants, Day 178

Nicolai insisted that he create his own costume this year. While all the other boys were Batman, Spider Man, Iron Man, etc. he wanted to be an Egyptian messenger. The costume was quite simple. It consisted of a gray poly pro long john set, a long piece of yellow "ethnic" looking fabric draped around his shoulders and tied at the waist, sandals, and a small shoulder bag to carry his wooden dagger (aka stick) and clay tablet. The only thing he would let me do was paint the Eye of Horace on one hand and the sun symbol on the other. He was quite proud of his costume and I was proud that he chose something that was meaningful to him. I wonder what he will be next year.