Praying with my 93 year-old father

A visit that included rich conversation with my 93 year-old father yesterday ended with him reciting a small part of the Lord's prayer where, having known these verses for memory for at least 85 years, he switched up a line.

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven 

Give us this day our daily bread

 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

And help us to forgive as You forgive 

I thought it a wonderful switch, valuable words that expressed a sincerity and a dear heart prayer.

It is the season where we long for peace on earth.  I think part of the solution is found in my father's prayer.

Street Furniture

Last night my SwHt and I took transit to see Camille Claudel, 1915 at the Vancity Theatre, depicting the years this gifted sculptor was admitted to an insane asylum by her family.  A very slow moving story focusing only on her time in the asylum, and sadly, did not share her fantastic work, being images of those statues and drawings which remain.  She apparently destroyed much of it herself.  Nor did it prep you to understand (if you do not follow artists) that the Rodin she refers to is also the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin known for many works including The Thinker.

Vancity Theatre Screening

(France, 2013, 95 mins, DCP)

In French with English subtitles

Director:  Bruno Dumont

CAST Juliette Binoche, Jean-Luc Vincent, Emmanuel Kauffman

Love Juliette Binoche ever since she showed up on the big screen here in 2000, 'Chocolat'. 

On our way to the theatre, at the corner of Richards & Davie St. I saw this!  Hello!  A public washroom a la Europe possibly?  I peeked at the door looking how to get in but we were in a hurry so did not have time to stick my head in to snap a shot. But, should you also be curious, I thought I'd include this PSA on the latest on Street Furniture Vancouver (Apparently 'Street Furniture' also includes benches, bus shelters, bikes racks, litter cans, etc.)




Google Images from the street view

My iPhone shot while running across the street

In 2003 the city of Vancouver entered into a 20-year contract with CBS and a French company called JC Decaux, which manufactures toilets in France.  The installation of these fully automated, self cleaning public washrooms began in 2007, which was to include 8 toilets at 8 separate locations.

 

Located at:

1.  Main Street at Terminal Avenue, on the edge of downtown.

2.  Davie and Richards Streets (pix above)

3.  Nelson just off of Granville Street

4.  Pigeon Park on East Hastings

5.  Davie Street at Bute Street

6.  The Granville mall

Not sure where the other two are.

 

At first I thought I could not get in because I could not find the place to pay but apparently due to it being a basic human need the City of Vancouver has a bylaw stating that all public toilets must be free of any cost.*

 

So... we were in a rush and I could not inspect.  I must be exceptionally desperate to use a public washroom myself.  I'm sure I'm not alone.  But in the case, you have someone with you who does and you are strolling the streets of downtown Vancouver.  This is your enlightenment.

 

*for more information on this item of Street furniture and to credit my knowledge of some of the other locations check out Hailey Whitt's essay from Aug 4, 2011 -- Automated Public Toilets Review.  on the site Artists Walking Home

 



the Dearest

I have the dearest family!  Who knew when they were little chicks in my world and we were all each other's complete world, that I would love and need them so dearly now when they have worlds of their own.  My heart is so fond of these.

My Daughter's world with her little one  Miss E as they prepare for Halloween.  Be sure to watch the video at the end! 

i am saved by the buoyancy of citrus: Skeletons ERRRRRRRWHERE.: So, it turned October earlier this week, and when Eleanor went down for a nap I STREW the house with skeletons. This guy is a new acquisitio...

Be Brave

 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.  Hebrews 11:1



Fall Into Craft

This is a new adventure for me.  I'm participating in a craft fair this weekend.  I love the Fall and find that it is preparing me for the new season.  If you are a craft fair enthusiast and want a change up from the summer Farmer's Market's check this out.  I can't wait to see who I will meet there.

 

FALL INTO CRAFT

Sept 14 & 15, 11am - 5pm at the Agriplex @ Cloverdale Rodeo Grounds, British Columbia

Happy?!!!!

Happy sounds like this to me.  Especially the chords these guys land on. Luv Luv the Jimmy Fallon version.  Have never watched the original.  My favourite is the guy on the left.  Just try to keep your head still while watching this.  Why do the words have to be so?  Trashy!

Nothing like a band squished into a dressing room groov'n with toy instruments.  Fun!  You rock Jimmy Fallon!

Psalm 91

Memorizing Bible verses was something I was taught when I was in my early twenty's.  The tools useful to keep my mind stayed in good and healthy places.  When I was a young girl I heard Psalm 121 read in the movie from 1959 'The Diary of Anne Frank' when the Frank family along with other Jews were hiding from the Nazi's above a factory.  It was one of the first times when I saw how it was to cling to hope and promise via a verse in very present trouble. I learned Ps 121 a long time ago and the thought has stayed with me all these years .  Today I am learning Psalm 91.  I am up to verse 11 today.  So many versions of this movie... I think I might watch this one with Ben Kingsley

My Refuge and My Fortress

Psalm 91

She who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will ifind refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes

and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

the Most High, who is my refuge

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because she holds fast to me in love, I will deliver her;

I will protect her, because she knows my name.

15 When she calls to me, I will answer her;

I will be with her in trouble;

I will rescue her and honor her.

16 With long life I will satisfy her

and show her my salvation.”

 

 



Do the work

Last week my Swht and I were flying home from Saskatoon having moved our daughter and her little family there.  (sigh -- from Calgary so, further away from the West Coast and us).  Due to thunderstorms in Calgary we sat on the tarmac in Saskatoon waiting for clearance (maybe 20 minutes) and then again trying to get out of Calgary on the second leg of the flight.  So... what to do?  My Swht and I share the same Kindle account so whatever he buys also downloads on my iPad.  I cruised through the options.  'War of Art' was looking me in the face and I thought, what the heck. 

I settled in to an easy read.  And quickly found out that Steven Pressfield had somehow been in my head snooping around.  If you are a writer, visual artist, dancer, musician this book will speak to you.  It also may speak to athletes and business people but I'm not as connected there.  It spoke to where I was at.  I am not a book reviewer nor a writer but I am in a transition and in this space have been left alone for a spell with my creative outlets feeling guilty and compelled to let them fill my days as I look for work.  I connected with much that SP had to say and especially his statement and philosophy on 'do the work'.   

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”  ― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
 

my favourite quote...

“Someone once asked Somerset Maughham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by inspiration. "I write only when inspiration strikes," he replied. "Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp.” ― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles

my summer mantra... "do the work" and while doing the work you are in the place with the highest potential that inspiration may strike. 

Under Cover

A couple of years ago these wrap images started popping up in the Vancouver area.  I wasn't super sure how I felt about them until I learned that they were graffiti proof.  Well, Ok.  A bit of a stretch for me on fake beautification preservation. 

Image from here

Other countries have their own variation.  This is what Brisbane (Australia) has done. They ran a competition and had original art work painted directly on and signed by local residents.  They have a total of 1000 boxes, having 100 painted each year starting in 2000.  Each one different. I prefer this look.


"Cell Fire" artist Penn Donovan

"The Sea on the Tide" artist Nicole Gaunt

"The Sea on the Tide" in context

Originally I was starting this post to mark how cities are trying to hide electronics.  The latest effort that makes me grin; LA's fake tree cell towers seen here as catalogued by Emily Shur naming her photography project "Nature Calls.".


Emily Shur

Emily Shur

Emily Shur

All on their way

Just finished a custom order stroller blanket for a woman who belongs to a dog walking club and wanted to make her co-walker something for her soon to be baby (sex unknown).  I was given permission to go free reign on this item except for the colours which are soft greys, creams, and yellows.  The customer also conveniently sent me a pix of the pup.  The next morning I woke up with this inspiration, imagining what a little person will see when they join their mommy on the dog walk experience.

Super loved doing this project!!!!

CJP All rights reserved

Drawing 
CJP All rights reserved

Painting
CJP All rights reserved

Stitching
CJP All rights reserved

 

Personalizing - copied from a pix of their dog
CJP All rights reserved

Add a little story line
CJP All rights reserved

A completed piece
CJP All rights reserved

ALL ON THEIR WAY

birdies flapping

puppies wagging

babies strolling

people walking

all on their way

 

                                   ~ constancejoyplett ~

 

Commissions on variations of this item are welcome.  Convo me you-me@telus.net if you are interested.  This quilt and artwork is an original design.  All rights reserved.  CJP constancejoyplett

Car Free Day Vancouver

Last February my artist daughter asked me if I wanted to try out selling at a craft fair.  She has many dreamy items that she has created with her original art and just can't seem to keep those creative juices couped up, so she's always making fabulous items and writing the most clever things and sometimes adding a cartoon which makes it clever sweet.  I'd never ever thought I'd be on the opposite side of a craft fair.  I have gone to a couple but not enough to think I knew what to do. 

After a couple of failed deadline attempts she signs us up for one with a company named Blim and since the craft fair is non juried so you are an automatic 'in' if you pay your peso's for your table on time.  I mildly procrastinated, not really landing on where I wanted to go with my items so I kept second guessing what I wanted to do until a week before the event and then I began to sew like a fiend.

Come June 16, we head out together with the help of a fabulous son-in-law find our designated space indicated by a 6 foot table with Rebekah Joy written on a piece of tape.  We set up our tent and begin to lay out our wares.  What an amazing introduction to behind the table.  Apparently the whole neighbourhood was invited along with their pets and babies in tow.

Craft Fair: 1st attempt has me thinking about another.  Just maybe.  It was such a good start.  Beautiful weather and people watching to die for!  Crowds and Crowds of people for miles.  It was 'A 21 block festival composed of several mini-festivals, over a dozen community supported stages with dozens of bands, a full kids zone and other kids activities throughout the site.'  And my artist and I were a teeny part of this huge party!  2013... Vancouver's 6th annual 'Car Free Day' event.  Who knew?  It's possible I've been in the suburbs far too long!

And the left overs from our sale?  Check out the new best seller item on the street now in the shop with more to come!

Mary, Mary how does your Garden Grow?

Last April there were a couple of wonderful days strung together.  So beautiful and sunny I headed out the door to my flower garden.  Thrilled with a head start I vowed I would keep it up.  Just the light weeding regularly should be very manageable.  The rains came and I'm a big baby so I didn't go out in the cold. 

It's an all white garden... do you see those nasty little buttercups secretly looking sweet and unassuming but weaving their way around my plants in their pythony way.  Grrrrrr.....  no yellow allowed!

I didn't think of my camera until I had already dug out the left quadrant
so you have to imagine yellowy specks suffocating the greenery

Three hours later

Caught this in the morning so the sun is just coming up on the right.
So much better don't you think?

White roses, white candy tuft, white foxgloves, white hydrangeas.  Each year I add just one more white.  A clean garden and mowed lawn always make me feel good.  A happy place.  So thankful for it.

Fresh little DragonEaters

Just refreshing my shop and putting a few special orders in there too.  Two little DragonEater bibs with wings and all.  Giving the Angel-wings a little competition.

 

 

 

Remember the post about 'To Boston With Love'?

Remember this post about the 'To Boston With Love' opportunity that I participated in?

 

Well, it was installed in the Modern Fine Arts, Boston Museum this past weekend and looks amazing!!!  The total number on contributors was 1756 from all around the world!  The dreamer of this little endeavour was Berene Campbell from Vancouver and a member of the Vancouver Modern Quilter's Guild of which I also belong. I happen to be #27.  They are up to 70 members now and will be celebrating their third birthday in June.  Or should I say 'we are celebrating?'  It's time I belong.

 

We heard the story of how it all started from a simple little dream... yes a real dream that Berene had just after the Boston Marathon bombing that she explains about here.  Recap (not nearly as interesting as Berene's)... she dreamt that she had made a little flag and sent it to Boston.  When she woke up she realised that this was a really special idea but she didn't know anyone in Boston so she connected with the movers and shakers at the VMQG and they knew of a woman named Amy Friend.  A hook up happened... some emails were sent giving dimensions and some specifics and the clarification that absolutely anyone could make a flag.  I'm still a bit nervous about joining in the challenges at the VMQG but thought this was a really good cause and I could only do my best.  So my angel wing applique was born and created and delivered.  Through a series of events which I won't explain here, it turned out that the MFA Boston was willing to have these flags in the museum as an installation that would go up the Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend and the day that the Boston marathon participants who had not been able to finish the marathon because of the bombings were invited to come back to the city to complete their run.  One blog posting about the invitation to make flags led to another and another and wrapped it's cyber arms around the world ending with Berene and Amy laden with 1756 flags and heading into the museum with the huge task of dreaming up how to install.  Many of us hooked up to both of their instagram feeds and watched the consistent postings of the progression of the installation. 

 

My flag contribution looked like this close up.

 

 

Below is part of the installation and if you look really, really close you will see a red square and in the centre of that square is my flag... breathing distance from a genuine Chihuley - the glass tree  called "Lime Green Icicle Tower" in the Shapiro Family Courtyard.    I can see my flag quivering with excitement! This installation will be up until July 07.



 

 

Prayin' for me

Someone was praying for me today.  I felt it in my bones and between my shoulders. It was not a day of crisis or extra distress... no outstanding reason.  My task was simple.  To sew little blankets for little bodies somewhere in a country where these items will be cherished gifts that never will be repaid.  Someone was praying for me today as I chose threads, and stitches, and pressed each cover slowly with a steam iron.  No loud applause, no banner in the sky.  I just knew that Jesus walked in with a chisel in his hand, glanced my way, and smiled.  I think His asks sometimes have this resonance of peace.  Assurance that while I delight in this simple effort, He is carving out the universe with the same calmness.  Confidence in what the right thing it is to do.  Someone was praying for me today.  His presence gave assurance that though many things have been lost because of pride, of poor decisions, of politics mistaken for godly leading will never be lost on Him.  He does not need the platform. He does not need the noise.   Someone was praying for me today.  Asking on my behalf.  I don't want to leave today.

Poetry

 

Psalm 124:7&8

A Psalm of Ascent!

 

We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!

Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

 

Spurgeon's take

"It is sad, to me, that any should trust the Lord with their souls and yet they cannot trust Him for their daily bread, or for help in their daily trials! This must not be! If the Lord has given our soul so great an escape, depend upon it, He will take care of our bodies. He that gave us Jesus will give us food and raiment and let us be content."

 

We all Play a Part

Have you heard about this anti-speeding ad over in Australia?

Body art... which says it in so many ways.  I LOVE collaboration especially when it is working for the good and care of each other.

 

 

And talking about collaboration... if you want to get involved in something larger than yourself and not have to go anywhere or coordinate anything, and you are female... check this out.  I am praying for Lindsay from Mississippi for the next 14 days.  She and her hubby are waiting to adopt.  Someone just might be waiting for you to pray for them too. 

To Boston with Love

So happy to be a participant!

Here's my contribution

 

 

You can see many more here  And if you want to participate you do not have to be a member of any group.  To find out how...  Go here

One of the inspired organizers is Berene Campbell of Happy SEW Lucky who is a member of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild.  So pleased to be associated with such a quality group of people!

 

 

Studios

You know you are special when you get invited into someones very very private creative space.

Thank you Summer Anne Burton for opening these doors and letting us peak in at our leisure. 

I'm posting this just so I can find this link in a wink to look back to again and again.
 

From tiny writing desks to giant painting studios, the only thing all of these creative studios have in common is that they inspired their successful inhabitants to create greatness.

Georgia O'Keefe, painter.

View this image ›

Source: flavorwire.com

Nigella Lawson, food writer.

 

Nigella Lawson in her library.  We used to have that Sound of Music album too! 
Romantic in so many ways.
(photo source unknown)

At the end of the day...

At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly right are a million to one, I need to know that God has figured it out, that if my math is wrong we are still going to be okay. And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. I don't think there is any better worship than wonder.

| Donald Miller

Someone else posted this quote on their blog and it soothed my soul to be reminded.  Thought I'd pay it forward in case you needed it too.

Angels and Dragons Oh My!

It's official!  The original Dragon-wing and Angel-wing bibs are now available on-line!

I've been working this little project on the side and finally it's the big launch in the etsy shop.

 

 

 

And now my favourite little dragon showing you her little dragon chops.

 

 

In all it's glory

It's raining and dreary today.  When I was a kid and we needed a bit of a lift we'd always page through an old National Geographic to remind us that it is not raining everywhere.  Now it's so easily accessable.  Thank you internets.

The Cherry blossoms are out over here and over there...

Bonn, in April
Image Credit:  Adas Meliauskas

Spring Stockholm, Sweeden
Image Credit:  Hector Melo A

Washing my outside house and other uplifting stuff!

This past weekend we have had heavenly weather!  I mean that the sun was shining for consecutive days!  So, in our parts, when the sun comes out you absolutely go outside!!  No ray can be wasted if possible! 

The first thing on order was cleaning up the garden and the lawn. When that day was done and the sun continued to shine into the next one as well I just knew I had to tackle washing the front of my house!!!  I have these wonderful, wonderful windows that are too high for me to get at with a ladder sooooo... I tackled them with a brush that looks similar to this. 

I don't know why I don't do it more often when I get a chance.  Gee, it felt so good to wash the spider webs and accumulated dirt away.  Just as good as therapy.  I was on a high for the rest of the day.  Not sure if it was the extra day of sun or the clean front of the house.  Either way, it worked for me.




"True Strength:
My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal
And How Nearly Dying Saved My Life"

I spent the evening sewing little kimono shirts for charity while listening to an audio book from my public library.  Downloading audio books for free is genius!  If you haven't checked into it you should!  The book I'm listening to now... 'True Strength" by Kevin Sorbo.  My kids used to watch the TV show Hercules when they got home from school which afforded me time to cook dinner.  My favourite bios are of people who have high quality standards and possibly, after my house washing, I'm feeling a little bit of a Herculean spirit both inside and out, plus, ... I love a man who loves his wife. 

Tidbits:  He only needs four hours of sleep a night -- really???!!  His fiancee Sam takes him to church with her.  She's got her head on straight.  She reads some of the chapters in the book as well.  I'm halfway through and already recommending it.

"Tragedies have to become comedies otherwise you will go crazy." Kevin Sorbo

 

Double Dutch

Went to 5pm church last night.  Arrived just on time with the pickings for two seats together already slim.  Made me smile that we were not alone. 

Picked up little kimono shirts to sew later in the week and this sunny morning finds me at my easel with goal setting planned for somewhere later in my day. 

I was always mesmerised watching the kids who could do Double Dutch in the playground just outside our apartment when we lived on 53rd St. in South Central LA.  Still wows me!  I like to be wow'd.  I like to be inspired.



"Man on Fire", from the album 'Here'

Lyrics:
I'm a man on fire
Walking through your street
With one guitar
And two dancing feet
Only one desire
That's left in me
I want the whole damn world
To come dance with me

(ohhhhhhhh. Come dance with me)

I'm a hunter at bay
Come and set you free
Over heartache and shame

I wanna see our bodies burning like the old big sun
I wanna know what we've been learning and learning from

Everybody want safety (safety love)
Everybody want comfort (comfort love)
Everybody want certain (certain love)
Everybody but me

I'm a man on fire
Walking down your street
With one guitar
And two dancing feet
Only one desire
That's left in me
I want the whole damn world
To come and dance with me

(bah bah bah bah bah...)

Yay, yay. Come dance with me
Over heartache and rage
Come set us free
Over panic and strange

I wanna see our bodies burning like the old big sun
I wanna know what we've been learning and learning from

Everybody want romance (romance love)
Everybody want safety (safety love)
Everybody want comfort (comfort love)
Everybody but me

I'm a man on fire (he's a man on fire)
Walking down your street (walking down your street)
With one guitar (With one guitar)
And two dancing feet (two dancing feet)
Only one desire (one desire)
That's still in me (that's left in me)
I want the whole damn world (I want the whole damn world)
To come and dance with me (come and dance with me yeahhhhh...)

Saturday Sabbath

My day today.  Saturday Sabbath includes...

A little painting


Back to the canvas... haven't painted in quite a while.
Painting over an old canvas. Primary Yellow.  Renewing.  Feels good.

Saw this yesterday...

And while the paint needs time to dry for the next detail,

A little sewing while looking out my window

Listening to 8tracks Radio...

Your Love Never Fails from little sunshine on 8tracks Radio.

We'll be heading to church tonight, yup a Sat service... 5pm and then back home for dinner and a movie.

Perfect rainy Sabbath.

Snow...oh...oh...oh!

Our little Missy E looked out the window yesterday and saw fresh snow...  They are heading our way next week... to rainland.

People in Les Arcs at a ski resort located in Savoie, France get to see a whole other side of snow.  The snowshoe work of a Brit Simon Beck creating snow crop circles.   I'll let you explore on your own from here if you are inspired as I and if you are one who is stuck in a snow storm this winter - of which there have been many in the United States and I hear Winnipeg is hunkering down yet again - you, no doubt, will marvel.