mischief

this photo makes me laugh and feel good every single time i pull it out and look at it.  two elves up to no good, having fun, laughing into the twilight.  when i talked of magic the other day, did i mention the magic of friendship?  of how it manages to lighten our lives, and lift our hearts, and change the way we look at our days?  and how the cracks and the sharp edges of life's hardships get worn down and smoothed and polished by all the laughter and tears and discussions and musings that are shared back and forth, through and through, between two friends who so completely know and understand and appreciate one another, to the core.  how wonderful it is to meet someone who lives thousands of miles away - to meet a kindred spirit through letters and postings and mutual artwork shared, then to have that spark kindled once we've met in person...what magic that truly is.  i've grown in my heart in so many different ways, thanks to this elf, and have learned many many things about life that i would not have known, had i not crossed paths with her.   lucky me - tomorrow she is driving all the way down here to see little ol' me, and we get a whole two days to ourselves to sit and laugh and sip wine and tea and lemonade, to stare at the trees and the sky, to listen to the breeze tell us its secrets, to ponder what life has to offer.  friendship:  one of the most magical things in life we have, after all.

Comments

[misty]

I cannot believe you posted that crazy photo, ha, I guess I can...smh.
I feel the same way about you. How grateful I am for your friendship and all that you have taught me. Looking forward to creating more memories with you, but no more silly elf shots.
one word _________!

[Cindy Dean]

When I read this, I understood exactly what you were talking about. And I started to think about who I confide in, trust in, laugh with. I have been looking for a long time for someone who I connected with and understood me for me and can deal with the crybaby in me! And I have found her! I am lucky enough to work with her and see her and talk everyday. We even found out that we can spend days on end with each other and not get sick of each other! That...is a rare thing. Thanks for sharing and making me open my eyes and appreciate what I have in my friend Jennifer. Without her I would be lonely!

[Amy]

I'm lucky to have two people in my life like that. The first is my friend Elizabeth, whom I have known since we were 6. We live 2000 miles apart now, but we still understand each other perfectly. I can call her up and ramble in this weird stream-of-consciousness thing that I have never been able to do with anyone else for hours at a time. We are always excited and amused that often, we are at the same place creatively, and that our stories and art projects parallel each other--completely without either of us telling the other anything about it until that moment! The other is my husband, whom I actually met online 10.5 years ago on a tiny little message board for Star Wars fans (yes, I'm an utter dork). He has always had a great understanding of my creative weirdness, and accepts--and enjoys!--what he doesn't fully understand. He has also been my closest confidante and best friend, and he knows who I truly am, and how to calm my heart. So I totally understand the thousands-of-miles-away connection, and I believe that it is one of the most valuable things modern technology has given us.

[Vickie]

Wishing you a wondrous, beautiful, enchanting weekend for two friends to spend together. What fun!

[Star]

Sounds like lots of laughter and tears and reflection and giggling ahead. Enjoy!

[samm]

being on the edge of quite a major, life changing move to a new location, you remind me of the importance of longlasting friendship Nina. I have many different friends, one from very early childhood who is expecting her first child soon, right through to a girlfriend who became my friend only in recent years who I spend many great hours with, just "being". Friendships are so amazing. We learn so much from our friends and I value each and everyone of them so much. If we do make this move to a far away place, it will be tinged with sadness at the loss of physical closeness of my friends but i will know that they are always in my heart and always will be.
thanks for sharing your friend the elf with us - both of you are both such sharing and giving souls and I can't wait to meet you both, together in the one spot (oh what fun to be had) next year.
xoxo
ps have a lovely time with the elf!

[kim]

mischief is right!
xoxo~kim

[nita from red tin heart]

A kindred spirit is the best kind of magic. Like Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. xoxo nita

[Catherine Scanlon]

I really love reading your blog - you have the perfect amount of humor, insight and creativity!

[kateri]

Nina... I am so happy to hear that Misty and you will have some time together! I'll be thinking of you :-)Safe travels to Misty and a perfect couple of days for you both.
Love to you...

[edssak]

What a fantastic why to start a new season! Good friends together and a couple of days to just be.

[gina]

I am feeling so joyful for you right now knowing that your heart and spirit will be filled so this weekend - you are blessed - both of you - elves or imps I am not sure :)

[rochambeau]

Without friendships life would be nothing! Great photo of two kindred elfies.

[Joan]

The year: 1997
Place: The Internet
What: 'The Artist Way' online message board
Who: My Michele...

Yup, that's how I refer to her, as my Michele. I was in San Diego and she was 3,000 miles away in Rochester NY.
Our hearts and words and unending support led to the greatest 'friend' I have ever known. We did not actually 'meet' until her birthday in 2005, and it was as if we had been together a lifetime.
She is my sister/angel, and now I have moved to Pa. and we are only hours apart, already planning our own 'creative mischief'... May you and Misty make beautiful memories these next two days...
I think now I'll have to pick up the phone and let my friend know how much I love her... True friendship between women is a mighty wonderful thing.
Thank you nina for sharing yours with us all.

[Joan]

The year: 1997
Place: The Internet
What: 'The Artist Way' online message board
Who: My Michele...

Yup, that's how I refer to her, as my Michele. I was in San Diego and she was 3,000 miles away in Rochester NY.
Our hearts and words and unending support led to the greatest 'friend' I have ever known. We did not actually 'meet' until her birthday in 2005, and it was as if we had been together a lifetime.
She is my sister/angel, and now I have moved to Pa. and we are only hours apart, already planning our own 'creative mischief'... May you and Misty make beautiful memories these next two days...
I think now I'll have to pick up the phone and let my friend know how much I love her... True friendship between women is a mighty wonderful thing.
Thank you nina for sharing yours with us all.

[PixieDust]

What a magical weekend is in store for you both!

Salud to Magic
Salud to Friends
And of course
Salud to Magical Friendships

:-)

[Corrine Davis]

Magic lives everywhere.
These days my kids tell me, magic doesn't exist. I laugh out loud and tell them "You can't see it if you don't look" Wishing you a magical week.

[Megan Pickwell]

those elves look like they are up to no good! lots of laughs to you both.
xom

[JUDY WILKENFELD]

Have a blast together you two - so glad you live closer now. Dont do anything i wouldnt do - hehehehe.

[Lucy]

Hope the two of you have been having a wicked time!
Lovely to catch up of a Sunday afternoon; loved the crystal ball and your kitchen, and the funny wee legless dolly!

[Lucy]

hope the two of you have been having a wicked time!
Lovely to catch up with you of a Sunday afternoon; I loved the crystal ball and your kitchen, and the funny wee legless dolly made me smile!

[Jo Stables]

Wishing you a beautiful magical time together to both of you. Two kindred spirits bought together by this wondrous world of art.
Look forward to hearing all about it!
Love Jo xoxo

[Regina]

Nina, I am happy for you that you have such a soul-friend. I had one myself for 8 yrs, but in April it was over and to this day I don't know why. My heart was (and still is) broken. Part of me loves to observe true friendships in others, but the another part of me can hardly bear it either. Hope you can understand that on some level.

[colorsonmymind]

Oh the magic of friendship....makes me grin and dance in my chair.

The two of you are such lovely souls.

Hugs and kisses

[ro bruhn]

Love the photos Nina and there's that teal blue again.
We have a huge timber from an old railway bridge as our main roof support in our living room, it even has Roman numerals carved into it. They used to number the pieces on the ground so they knew where to locate them when building the bridge.
I'm sure it could tell some wonderful stories.
Ro
xo