postcards from breckenridge - the beginning

  well, great goodness, i am here.  another trip, another couple of plane rides that carry me up and over clouds and water and land, where i am picked up after a great deal of scurry and stress and plunked down in a completely new environment.  i arrived, as i did last year, well after dark, and didn't see what lay before me until i woke the next morning, bleary eyed, confused, feeling hung over with this high, high altitude.
  the landscape - well, i'm breathing in deeply here to imagine what i could say.  pictures will just have to do.  rugged, huge, magestic, intense - none of those words seem to convey.  i asked robin to stop the car, an iffy thing when you consider the size of that road and the angle of the curve, the inability to see what is coming up around the bend - but i wanted a piece of that red, red rock to carry back here to the studio with me, to set it on the table as i work so i can remember, so i can attempt to transcribe into the pieces that i create.  the leaves are just beginning to turn; green still prevails for now.  i think that by the time i leave, the color of amber will be spreading like honey everywhere.  for now, it crops up in funny little places - at my feet, tucked into a stone wall, splashed across my eastern window (thank you robin for the beautifully crafted vase; my heart wants to shear into slivered shards each time i look over that way).
 
 
 so, as i said, i'm here:
  if you'll look up at the little building, imagine me sitting upstairs at the table with the sunflowers, at the sun-filled window there on the left hand side.  from the front window above the little porch last evening, i was able to sit and watch a beautiful fox that broke my heart (my heart seems to break so easily, these days) as it darted between buildings, leaping through grass at what i presumed to be a mouse.    go, little fox, go.  this morning, i am trying to be brave.  i look on the table and see the bottle cap robin handed me from his car as he pulled away, leaving me standing there all trembly-chinned and waving like a poor lost soul; inside the cap it said "bravely done".  not yet, robin.  not just yet.  i went to bed trying not to panic, trying to feel like i could conquer the world.  this morning, i woke up after a very poor night's sleep (altitude, again?  doubt?  insecurity?  all of the above, i think), pulled back the cotton curtains, made a cup of lapsang souchong tea.  buttered my english muffin, placed a few grapes on the plate.  drank lots and lots and lots of water, an ongoing thing.  after i finish here, i'll walk downstairs, unpack my overstuffed tool bag and the box of trinket makings that i sent in the mail ahead of myself.  i'll open the door and try to look like i know what i am doing.  suddenly my quiet little narrative jewelry's stories don't seem big enough for this place.  do you see me there, in last night's dusk, finding my own face looking back at me?
  
this morning i am wearing striped socks with the colors of the sky and the yellow leaves and the red, red rock.  i am wearing a dress of copper over my faded old blue jeans.  i am wearing my jewelry around my neck, i am wearing my heart embroidered to my coppery sleeve.  xo 
"It is not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how a strong man stumbled, or the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt, a quote i found pinned to the wall downstairs

Comments

[susan]

Such a beautiful place, Nina - it takes my breath away! How lucky you are to be there. How brave you are! Good wishes and much love.

xo dusan

[sandra]

Go little fox go...Nina you're going to do it! Yes you can.

[sandra]

Oops forgot to say...You are the gold leaf on the rock...I'm so excited for you.

[mary jane dodd]

the funny thing is? that is the quote i wanted to share with you... your soul is bigger than any retreat/class... you share techniques, yes... arming people with an ability to physically 'do'... but more than that, you quietly inspire with your depth... never underestimate that part of your teaching - it carries farther than tools can... be well, breathe deeply, believe...

[mary]

I am so jealous of all the folks who are going to be meeting and seeing you work. Your talent is as big and majestic as all the nature surrounding you...

[lindy mcclellan]

There is nothing like the mountains in Colorado! Take a breath and just do what you do so well. Make beautiful jewelry full of spirit and stories and be your authentic and amazing self. I offer back to you what you inspired for me...Have the courage to stand in the light of your own spirit.

Blessings to you
lindy

[Julie Whitmore]

Nina you will conquer all those Colorado hearts with your heart. What a monumental dose of nature you are getting....that fox picture.
Its very pinnacle.
thinking of you
xxx
julie

[Tina in McLeansville]

oh. my. blessings abound, don't they? fill your cup, dear friend. hugs...xo

[Laura]

no fear you will SHINE and they will love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[herhimnbryn]

You will wake every morning in this stunning place and holding your cup of tea you will look at that vase and the sunflowers and you will smile. Your trembling heart will quieten and each day will bring simple revelations and all will be well.
Onwards Dear One. xo

[Mary G.]

Fear not. The folks who find their way into your little house during the next few weeks will remember a brave artist who crafted lovely, finely-made articles filled with heart and soul. You are doing what you were born to do. Enjoy it as best you can. What a beautiful place you've found yourself in . . . have many adventures while you are there.

[Denise S.]

Oh how I have wished to travel from here to that little house in Breckinridge these last couple of days. I am as close to you as I have been since California.
Enjoy your wonderful son and all that beauty surrounding you.
The stories you will have to share will be many,you just wait and see dear one.XXXOOO

[Vickie]

you are really a very special gal!

[robyn]

The first days of being in a strange place are always the hardest but you are brave and I think you are going to love this experience once the wheel starts turning. Love the weathered door with the lead light window .... and there's your sweet face looking a little unsure ..... but .... whoop-whoop, you have a new town to explore, new people to meet, many inspirations to gather and a wonderful adventure ahead!

[Ann Somerset Miles]

You will make beautiful and meaningful things wherever you are dear Nina, for you are an observer of places and feelings and the world around you; and I just love to read your words again (I have been away for a long, long time). Sent with love, even though I do not know you and you are an ocean away.

[Katherine Langford]

I loved the fox - reminded me of Kurasawa's "Dreams" where the foxes own that special time of raining with sunshine at the same time. Humans are to stay inside as it is a sacred time. The fox is an interesting symbol too and perhaps was sending you a lovely hello. Know your new "woods" and enjoy that little dance through the grasses and flowers. Perhaps you are still in that special time of rain and sunshine on your way Foxes inhabit the world of dawn and dusk - that special time of openings and closings. May your find the special spots of sun on the floor and wall and may your art open to that same light as it travels each day through your "growing edge." We are never finished, but like that fox, we are wanderers, hopeful in our desire for meaning on a road we must take time to notice. Your need for the rock from before the bend in the road is the best signpost of all and fox would understand. We cannot go to that we have not seen, but we also must shoulder the sun and rain and road's necessities; it is our heritage to wander wise and foolish, lost and found, happy and sad as that is the way we find the new bend of the road in our self and in others'. May your jewelry reflect the new light, that new bend, that glint of fox eyes as your become a sunflower. Cheers and blessings -- you have a sunny corner in my heart and prayers during this adventure.

[Di]

As always, I find peace and inspiration here, in equal measure. Thank you xx

[Judy H.]

1) Sending positive thoughts that all goes smoothly for you.
2) Loved the quote.
3) Will be in CO myself in a couple of weeks. Can not wait. :)

[sally]

you make my heart long for the mountains.... and for my girl.

[Lesley Riley]

Perfect quote. It's no coincidence it was there. Live it, dear one, and all shall be well. xox

[Mary]

I think Fantastic Mrs. Fox wants a pair of earrings for those giant ears of hers.

[Shannon Porter]

Such a beautiful place! How we often take such a journey for granted until we are back home, suffering some sort of family pain and wish we could escape to such a place! You are a woman after my own heart if you drink lapsang souschong tea and create. My favorite tea.
Xo, Shannon
P.S. I hope to take a class from you sometime!