surfacing, briefly

a perfect wisconsin afternoon pocket of treasured  time, photo taken by beloved katey

i don't know where this summer has gone.  already, it feels as if  it has turned around the corner from me, slipped behind one of these mountains to  play a little hide and seek.  days feel like hours, or single moments.  plans go unheeded.  things go awry.  haywire.  insane.  i shrug as i write this:  who hasn't known this part of life, the frenzy, the chaos?  all of you have.  this just happens to be my particular stretch of upheaval, right now. 
yes, he was pulling them right off of the thorny vines, like a horse with curled lips.  he could not get enough of those berries, and we'd spend early evenings walking down the
trail and down a gravel road to reach the prime picking spots.  those were quiet times; i had a few moments, like that.   this was a sleepy morning.  see the green of the trees?  it is still so green, here.  we are blessed, in the western nc mountains, with afternoon rains that roll in from time to time.  mornings are cool.  afternoons, unbearably hot in this unconditioned house.  breezes are treasured.  for a few weeks, maybe three, at the end of june and beginning of july, i was able to hide away here on firefly road, to spend hottest parts of the day tucked away in the dark studio corner at my table, not moving, creating quietly.  sometimes i would steal away to lie under the ceiling fan in the bedroom, late in the afternoon.  i listened to birds calling, i listened to the sleepy rhythm of the fan as it turned and turned.  it was a lovely period of reflection and of creating a collection of new bits of jewelry.  it was quiet, and solitary, and there was no maddening going and coming back and having to suddenly leave all over again.   i had the time to think back to my week at valley ridge - two back to back workshops, three days each, six straight days of teaching and sharing and being inspired by all of those incredible, wonderful women.  new friendships were formed; we'll be friends for life, i know.  there was much laughter, there were tender tears, there were lovely hours i'll treasure forever.   first session, so many beautiful radiant souls!
  second session, in front of that precious Tab camper of anita's - i want one!  after six full days of teaching, i look absolutely wilted here, but was feeling SO good after being surrounded and embraced by these lovely, lovely gals...   my dakota girls xo

  kindred alabama spirit, dear katey; we found out after the workshop that we shared a plane ride right next to one another to detroit.  an amazing thing.

after the workshops, some quiet, and some work (here are a few - please no questions about any particulars, i'm not sure when i'll be listing these, it will be within the next two weeks):

... and in the midst of all this, i began wrapping and obscuring and tucking words of poetry hidden away deep within the jewelry pieces, never to be seen.  just felt.  worn.  proclaimed.

robin was in alabama, recuperating from an extensive shoulder surgery that will have him out of work for three months; so in the midst of studio time, i drove the six hours down to alabama, visited with my mother a bit, then brought him back home to the mountains for a couple of days here with roy.  then, a three hour drive to carry robin back down to the atlanta airport, another three hour drive immediately back home.  i walked in the door at 7:30pm, burst into sobs from missing my boys, and within the hour, the phone rang - a call from my sister with the news that mama had collapsed in the middle of a grocery store, was in the emergency room.  it was a stroke, she suffered no paralysis, just an inability to speak the words that she wanted to say.  back to alabama i went the next morning, and stayed there for five days.  mama is doing very very well - no lasting effects from the stroke - and will be wearing one of those medic alerts. the loving hands of mama's minister and our beloved friend david, who came to the hospital room to have communion.  we all love this man with all of our hearts

i've reluctantly driven those well worn six hours back home to begin packing for my two week artist residency in breckenridge; i leave the day after tomorrow.  now perhaps all of you will understand my need to stay away from the computer.  even now, four hours after diving into this post, i am feeling the pressure of things that need to be done - laundry, packing clothes for a climate altogether different than my own, packing jewelry making supplies to carry out there with me.  errands to run.  purchases to make.  all of that.  julie is here, has driven down from ohio to carry walter back home with her.  she is the best of friends - always here when i need her, will do anything she possibly can to make the world a better place.  her last name is good.  how perfect is that?  earlier this summer, two days after my return from valley ridge, the two of us trooped out to western carolina university for a singalong viewing of The Sound of Music.  there was a costume contest.  in thirty minutes' time, we threw together what we wore up on stage.  she, an edelweiss; i, fa - a long, long way to run.  and i won, third place.  we can't stop talking about it, all these weeks later. 

next up is a lakeside viewing of Dirty Dancing, after i get back, with her/our beloved kim (it was filmed where we will be watching); we'll wear our frocks, and carry blankets to sit out on the lawn.  we'll cheer baby and johnny on.  (nobody puts baby in a corner...)...  a good way to usher summer to a slow, sultry close.

    and life goes on.

  xo

Comments

[Katey Deasy]

Nina, What joys embraced me meeting you at Valley Ridge. You are a treasure, you are the heart shaped stone found among the round ones while walking the river. Thank you for giving of yourself and your talents so generously. Love you dearly.

[fay beech]

Sweetie, I am so glad you have surfaced again. I just knew something was wrong. I am so sorry to hear of your mother, I hope she gets better very soon. Please stay well and take care.
Fay

[SusanS]

been missin' you...

Shamus, my first Springer, used to LOVE blackberries off the bush too. It cracks me up how Walter's eyes are rolling back in pure pleasure.

see you around, take care
S

[Amy]

Whew....the exhausting and exhilarating roller coaster of life.....safe travels. I will say a prayer for your Mother's continued recovery and good health.

[Diane]

i admire your life.

[Tina in McLeansville]

hello my friend. i knew it would be worth the wait. you've done exactly what you were meant to do in this time. hugs to you and yours, especially the mama. safe travels. xo

[Diana B]

Sorry for all your ups and downs of late, Nina - I know it has to be very trying, coming as it does on top of all the emotional energy you put into your classes. Wish I could give you a big hug and a nice tall glass of icy Jamgria (well, I have to do something with all that jam I make, right?). Take care of yourself, m'dear.

[Monica]

Nina, it's wonderful to see a post full of LIFE in all its ups and downs...it brings to mind a song I've recently heard by an old jazz singer named Annette Hanshaw "If you want the rainbow, you must have the rain"

I'm so glad your mother is doing better and gladder still that she has suffered no paralysis from her stroke! I hope all goes well in the weeks to come and I look forward to seeing what transpires in the Breckenridge workshops - I'm sure it will be magical =-) Safe journey to you Nina!

[Dorylyn]

Oh Nina, you are a beauty!

[vickie]

My Lord woman...your life is so busy! I came here every day and kept seeing "not to worry" but I started to. I hope both your son and your mother have great recoveries and that the bits of peace you find will offset your stresses. Your creations are absolutely lovely with those beautiful colors you worked with and the designs you used. Take good care of yourself.
vickie in kc

[Ina]

I was so happy to hear from you and what you have been doing and making. I hope your mother will be well soon. ina

[missy]

glad to see you....we must be on a parallel
track....my Mom had same event then a tumor was discovered and had surgery.....stay centered :)
kindest regards,Missy from the bayou

[Michele]

So good to "hear" your voice on this blog again, even if it's only a short little conversation. So sorry that Mama was stricken but joyful to hear she has no lasting problems. That must have been such an emotional yoyo time for you and your sister---and Mama!
Have to tell you that I signed up for your class in March at An Artful Journey mostly so I could sit with you for three days and listen to your stories, dreams, thoughts and musings. I love your voice and what you have to say, your own sweet point of view.
Safe travels---and have a happy trip!
XO

[Mary]

What a grace to read your words. I feel much the same about this summer. (Truthfully, the whole year.) I swear we were all just kissing at midnight to toast the new year yesterday. Time has gone into an exponential overdrive of sorts, that leaves me slightly dizzy. The more I linger, the more I feel the need to hurry.

Keeping you and your mom and your tender family in my thoughts and prayers.

[Mary]

Nina dear, glad you posted - kept checking in with hopes you'd show up soon and update us. Very sorry to hear of your dear mother's medical emergency, but really thrilled to know she's recovering well and without any long term problems. Hope Robin heals fast too.

Walter and I would get along fine - I LOVE blackberries and will eat right from the brambles alongside him, LOL!!!

The jewels are gorgeous - you are special.
Enjoy Summer wherever.
Hugs - Mary

[Kathy Edwards Hayslett]

I think of all your great gifts to your students, as I was on the receiving end at Valley Ridge. Have a safe and fruitful journey. Kathy

[Heartartz]

Nina
Good to hear from you.
Sorry to hear about your Mom...but good that she is recovering.
May God send both of you cool loving breezes to comfort and sooth you during this hot summer and trying times.
Love you much, Gail

[gloria]

Beautiful. My heart is with you and your mama.

[Mardi]

It's good to hear from you again Nina, although I am sorry to hear of your Mother's stroke. Just info for future reference, years ago while working for an acupuncturist, he told me that if I or anyone I know had a stroke to get acupuncture ASAP because it will reverse the effects of the stroke. When my mother had a stroke, I was there and did acupressure for her. Since I spent days with her at the hospital, I was able to see first hand how healing this was. This said, may she be well!

[suesue]

Love the photo of your dog eating blackberries, love the jewelry and the love shown in your classes. Sending prayers for y'all all, to heal, to rest and endure.

[sandra]

So glad to see you and Walter. Hoping everything works out for your mom.

These ornaments brought peace to my soul...

Thank you <3

[Kim]

Hot time in the summer.........xox

[Kathy Edwards Hayslett]

Sometimes an old fashioned ice cream sandwich does the trick. Eat it and then drift in to an ageless peaceful sleep...

[Lise Peeples]

Been away, so I just read your post. Sending Hugs and good thoughts to you and your sweet mamma.

[gloria martin]

A warm, tenderly heartfelt, big hug to you, and your beautiful Mama!

[Mary K McGraw]

So glad your mama is doing well.

[sandy]

Just caught up on your blog...this post was beautiful. Hope your mom continues to do well.

[carol m]

So glad to have you back miss Nina - but what a month you have had! So glad to hear that your mother is doing so well, and Robin is mending. The pictures make me homesick for VR, but I loved the class and LOVED getting to see you again.
Take care and enjoy your time in CO.

[Metal Wall Art]

I love the vintage designs of the jewelry you posted. I like also the idea of adding an inspiring or encouraging word to the design of your accessory.

[cathy @ ma vie trouvee]

Your jewelry designs are simple gorgeous! I am also so inspired when I stop by for a visit! Cheers from Singapore -