it's been a long time

it HAS been too long.  i won't go back and check old postings, because know i will get sucked in too deeply,  i'll get sad and want to start reading things that - like an old diary, really - are best left on the top shelf of an unused closet, where you aren't apt to fall in and not come back out again.

i think i can pinpoint the waning and then demise of my post writings to the slow, slow decline of using my laptop for anything other than printing out postage labels for my jewelry sales.  seriously.  the use of a smart phone has become so much a part of my daily busy-ness that i'm not sure i even know how to use a typed blog format anymore.  but i'm giving this a shot, which will surprise a whole lot of readers who were once very loyal and - well, who were always here.  i can't promise that this will once again become a regular practice.
time seems to grow more and more scarce, in spite of the fact that i am living what would seem a simplistic lifestyle way out in the middle of the woods, with only my pup Walter to keep me occupied.  but this isn't really true.  anyone who is self employed will understand how much work that entails, and how much time.  anyone who has a greatly aged or aging parent, who wants to help in their life's pleasures and in whatever little tasks that can be accomplished - well, you will understand how much time this takes up as well, particularly if you don't live in the same area as your mother or father, if you have to drive six hours at a stretch one way.  the coming and the going takes more than just the time to drive; it involves hours of packing clothing, as well as work supplies for a portable "studio", food and bed and stuffies for Walter, on and on and on.  books.  laptop.  paperwork.  packing supplies.  artwork supplies.  to add the hours spent writing a blogpost on top of everything else begins to feel like a chore, a responsibility, and that is when i push it aside and move on to the task right at hand.  now, years later, i'm writing yet another post that may or may not ever get published.  we shall see.  Just in trying to load photographs into the typepad format, i am reminded of how excrutiating it was to sit and wait while photos loaded.  forever.

 

I’ve just made it through to the other side of what turned out to be a very unexpected snow storm, particularly for mid december, when all we usually get is a drizzly rain.  i grabbed a wooden ruler and stuck it through some snow on the flat part of the back deck saturday mid day, after two nights and an entire day and another morning of nonstop snow, and came up with a measurement of 9".  i thought i must be measuring incorrectly, but online statistics proved me right.  it was beautiful.  all that white draped through the woods and over the cabin makes for a splendid way to photograph the most ordinary of things we see from day to day:  tree trunks and bare limbs looked frosted, and things were very, very, verrrrry quiet.  there was no one else anywhere around me; my neighbor is in the process of moving, and her basement tenant was away for the weekend.  walter and i wandered through woods that seemed new to us; i threw sticks, and he dove for them with crazy, wild abandon, back legs springing back and ears flopping straight out to the sides.  

 

i stood still in the middle of those woods and strained my ears to see if i could identify any sound within my reach, yet all in the whole world of Heartrock Hill that i could hear was perhaps a tiny rustle of a dried leaf left hanging on a spindly dry twig.  that was it.  no birds, no distant dogs barking, and of course, no cars.  it was if i had stepped all the way back in time to when no one had built houses on these mountains, and there was only the little stream meandering through the woods at the bottom of my hill.

what do you do when you are forced to come to a slow stop and must, for the most part, stay tucked away inside?  i busied myself with the mandatory chores - firewood hauling from outside into the cabin's wood stove, shoveling snow from doorways so that walter wouldn't have to plow through all that white stuff to get to the yard, gathering dry twigs sheltered from snow on the front porch.
 chili making, fire lighting, water drawing in case the power went.  after that?  a fire was kindled, dinner was eaten, and i settled onto the sofa by the fire to stitch with needle and embroidery thread.  times like that are blissfully peaceful, cozy, warm, and i have to force myself to rise and head back to the bedroom before it gets to be the middle of the night.  i worked on jewelry that required a needle and thread; i savored the work that was quiet, and still.  walter snoozed.  and the days passed, just like that.

Now, christmas is almost upon us.  i busy myself in the studio during the day, trying to rustle up some trinkets that you folks might like to purchase for loved ones, or - a little wink here - something for yourself.  i think ahead to a week or so from now when, once again, i head back down to alabama to be with my sweet mama, and after a few days, with one of my sons and his wife.  i have a son in the middle of a gigantic move to Los Angeles, of all places, and watch the news of voracious wildfires with worry anew.  i have friends there, and now i will have a treasured son, his gal, and their pups to worry about. i have one son on the west coast, and one on the east coast, in baltimore.  and i am right here in the middle of nowhere, not really in a halfway place to anything.  i am here, it is my quiet little frenzied life, i tinker and torch, i twist and burn, i continue to hammer my heart into pieces of silver.  that much of my story has not changed.   i am here, even though i have not been.  i am here.  you are maybe there.  and life goes on. xo
i leave you for now with hearty salutations for the winter holidays, as well as  the warmest of cozy wishes for all good things.  never forget to tell your loved ones how much you love them, every single time you are walking out the door or hanging up the phone.  we all could use a little more love theses days.  remember that.  xo

Comments

[Cynthia Slater]

Good to see a blog post from you, along with the wonderful photos of your woods and cozy cabin. You got so much snow! Only an inch or so here in mid-NC. Safe travels over Christmas.

[Jenny]

I have missed your thoughtful and heart felt posts. I feel your musings on the scarcity of time all to well, as an artist myself. I am glad you are well, and Walter. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous snow!

[erin]

i felt warm and cozy just reading your musings and thank you for sharing the magical view of your world.
hugs to you and walter

[Diana B]

Welcome back - c'mon in and set a spell! Nice to hear some of your musings after such a long dry patch. Perhaps your son's move to L.A. gives us some hope you might come teach a class here...maybe?

[Sue]

I loved reading your beautiful words once again, thank you for popping back to share with us. Have a wonder-ful Christmas x x

[Sue Greene]

Welcome back. Your photographs are lovely. I hope you continue this blog but I understand how life gets in the way. xoxo

[Lynn in Tucson]

It is a pleasure to find you here again. May all the joys of the season be yours.

[Tina]

Good to see this. Wishes for all good things to you as well.

[Lennie]

Life gets in the way and that can be bad, or can be good, but mostly it is both. I was happy to see your post and comforted to read it. Only good wishes to you and your beloved Walter.

[D]

So glad you are back...so, so glad!

[Melanie Dilday]

I've just been introduced to your blog post via a Facebook post. You write so beautifully. Reading your words, I instantly recognised myself. Threads of the same experiences.
I love making jewellery too. I have come full circle with my art after a few years break...my favorite medium is silver clay. I have elderly parents too and just spent a coule of years back in Perth in their house helping out because Mum has Alzheimer's and Dad was simply exhausted. She is now in a home and it took Dad about six months to sift through the grief and find acceptance. Once I knew he'd be alright, I could finally jump in my campervan and fkoffski! ! Oh what a joy to have the open road and no agenda. Art tools taking up the most space in my van...as i finally, after sch a long spell, feel the joy of creativity...ideas popping, hands can't wait to play again!
You've inspired me to think about writing again too.
Thank you.
I'm going to follow you on Facebook now so I can see what you're up to. You make the most exquisite jewellery.
Much love to you
Mel

[Karen Robison]

Lovely. Sweet. Warm.
Be well!

[Snap]

So happy to "see" you!

[Monika Schmid]

Dear Nina, Thank you for posting a blog post again. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. May your festive season be filled with wonder and love. From hot and humid Brisbane, Australia much love to you, Monika.

[Sabrina]

So happy to see you at your blog once again!
Your son's move to Los Angeles is quite exciting,if you come to visit him I am only an hour or so away! Miss You!

[Pati Ray]

So nice to see your blog come to life even if for a short bit. I've been following along on Instagram. Serve yourself and family first. We will be here when you feel like sharing in this space.
Have a beautiful holiday.

[Laurie G.]

Hello!

[Renate]

Sending warm wishes back to you. Good to see you are well and still creating magic.xo

[Lorelei]

Very happy to have you back. I hope it does turn into a regular thing.
Your words are like a warm hug.

[Bonnie Moench]

Oh Nina

I have missed you musings so much, you always make my heart happy. I have read your post over and over just to enjoy your writing.

It is difficult to be far from your beloved Mom, and you are a kind and caring daughter. She surely must appreciate your visits.

I understand how you worry about your son and his wife. No one ever explained that we would worry about our children forever. My children are scattered around and I just wish one year we could all be together for Christmas, but they have lives of their own and I do understand.

I want to wish you and Walter a very Merry Christmas.

Love
Bonnie

[Glenda Barber Hoagland]

Welcome back.

[Sandy]

It's been a long time, yet no time. You're back with a message, like all your messages, that supersedes time.

Blogs do take more time. I understand. Try to come by here when you can.

Your messages always have gems of truth that move the soul.

[Susan]

I can recall when you moved to your cabin, it looks lovely in all that snow, you are having more than we are here in Colorado! It's so nice to get this update from you, to know your mom is still with you and Walter, too.

Carry on, dear Nina, with your life and your art and thanks for sharing both.

[Susan Cotsworth]

Welcome back....you have been missed...❤

[Sheila Dart]

Oh, Nina. Here you are.
Sending love. I think of you.

[Carol Peringer]

oh, what a gift to find you back here....I kept checking from time to time....I love surprises, thanks for showing up!

[Crescent]

Dear Nina, thank you for cming back to your blog! You have been missed very much and I hope that you can keep writing. Hugs to all your family and yourself for hanging in there and coming out the other side!

[Colleen]

Yea! You are back even if for a short time! I keep checking and checking. Please don't feel guilty. I just wanted you to know. Wishing you a happy holiday.

[Hastypearl]

After having read your whole blog over the years, it’s ok for breaks. You know we will check in now and then. Life is good...Laura

[Brenda]

Happy to see this post! You have inspired me for years! I am a few years older than you are, live alone (in Texas), and love to make crafty things! Thanks for adding to my enjoyment of life! Happy New Year, Cheers!

[Fonda Haight]

Welcome back...I check on you from time to time and I'm so glad to read your words and see your lovely photos!!
Happy happy New Year!!!

[Tina]

So glad to see you back. Your beautiful posts and lovely photos always give me a lift.