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I've always loved the story "The Christmas Box". I didn't realize until years after I first read it that the proceeds from the book go to build Angels for the comfort of those who have lost children.
It was a wonderful surprise to come across one of the Angels of Hope in a quiet corner of a park in Salem, OR. I haven't lost a child of my own. I have known several women who have and am grateful for anyone who shows such compassion as this.
I had a crazy weekend that flowed over into Monday. When I headed to the beach I found myself there with no sketchbook and no camera. The pictures are pretty bad, but I'm still hoping to get a painting or two out of them. I love watching the wind surfers. I've got to find me a wet suit so I can get out there and do it myself!
I've been working so hard on "Sunday Dinner" the past couple of weeks that I haven't taken the time to really get out and enjoy the incredible weather we are having here on the coast. So today I decided to just do it. And, as I typically do, I tried to squeeze in too many errands and of course ran into glitches, so my artist date time got eaten up.
As I was driving along 101 looking out over Tillamook Bay I saw this flying saucer... I mean castle... I mean mountain... I mean... what is it? I pulled over and took a photo.
When I got home I was frustrated that my afternoon out produced only this one photo. As I was processing it I was thinking about how what it is depends on the perspective of the viewer. And then it hit me. The success of my artist date depends just as much on the perspective of the viewer.
If I had been determined to drive down 101 and look across the bay to see Cape Mears, I would have been sorely disappointed because a fog bank only allowed me to see the point of the mountain. Instead, I was delighted at the view the fog created. So maybe instead of being upset that my time wasn't spent the way I intended, I can be delighted that a handful errands can be crossed of my list, that I got to spend some time with people I love, I did an act of service, and I got to be out of the house breathing and seeing and listening and feeling an absolutely perfect day on the Oregon Coast.
Perspective...
I didn't quite get it posted for the 4th, but I'm personally grateful for my freedoms every day. And I can testify that without free mind there is no real freedom.
I love finding words that say it better than I can...
The image quality isn't that great, but this photo is more about the concept than the quality. I always feel awkward when I drive by someone's house at night and their lights are on with the curtains open. Even if they aren't in the room, I feel as though I'm seeing into their secrets and that I don't belong there. This time, however, I was inside looking out. I know I'm not the only one who enjoys people watching. It's fascinating how related we all are. We often mock or become most engrossed with people who are acting out what we deny in ourselves. Sometimes we deny that we feel that way. But the truth is, we wouldn't recognize it if we didn't also feel it. Sometimes we deny that we act that way. I bet we could find someone to tell us differently. I find that when I'm feeling like this is something no one else can ever understand, I am experiencing something that nearly everyone has also felt. We are all far more closely connected that we allow ourselves to see or believe. If only we could open all the windows and all the doors and allow ourselves to connect freely and know that doing so would be a safe thing to do.
I was out running a morning errand and the light was so incredibly beautiful I had to pull over and take some pics. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful place. And there is simply nothing like morning light on the beauties of the earth...
See that snow-capped mountain in the background? That's a cloud formation! It is actually sitting out over the ocean. These crazy cloud mountains are a phenomenon here on the coast that I discovered when I moved here.
How often do we see what we are used to seeing, or what we are looking for, instead of what is really there? Creating art is really all about creating a perception. Sometimes nature does it for us.