Back to business...

It has been a loooong time since I last posted--almost a year!  So much has changed in my life...some good, some sad.  This middle of summer is always a relaxing time to rest and renew.  Usually, it also signals that school will be starting in about 6 weeks.  I've added another "r" to the previous two:  retirement!  So, for the first time in many years, September will be a sweet continuation of summer.  Mmmmm...
I'm going to attend a Zentangle certification seminar in August in Providence.  Can't wait!  I've started a Facebook group called CZT IX, Providence 2012.  If you are attending or are already a CZT, please join us.  We already have 15 members, but we need more!

We Remember

On this tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 day of sadness, let us all pause to remember the innocent victims and brave heroes on that day.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Happy Anniversary!

Today my dear husband, Richard, and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary!  We have had too much fun together.  I am blessed to be his partner.  He's my best friend forever!  I love you, Richard!

Who knows where the time goes?

The lyrics of Judy Collins' song linger in my mind mid-August.  "Who knows where the time goes?"  she asks in her sublime soprano voice.   Summer has melted away into the lazy, hazy dog days of this month.  I've been absent from posting for several weeks, but have been keeping up on news of Zentangle, even from Scarborough Beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island, where my family spent a lovely week of rest, relaxation, and reunion.  I grew up in Rhode Island, and its beaches are some of the finest jewels of summer. 

Alas, the Fairy Garden has come and gone.  It lasted several weeks until rain and a few nosy squirrels rearranged its tiny town.  I gathered up the remains and gave them to L, who will use them to make another garden in her yard.  We know that it was visited by at least two fairies, though, because they left a note.  So, all in all, our July labor of love in the garden was rewarded. 
This week's Zentangle challenge sounds interesting.  I've got to finish unpacking from the family beach week and prepare to start back to work tomorrow in my teaching role, but as soon as these chores are done, I'll give this challenge a try. 

Fairy Garden Challenge

While the wonderful Diva is taking care of her little ones, her weekly challenge is being handled by special guests.  This week's Zentangle challenge from Carol Bailey Floyd is all about the wee folk, aka leprechauns, menehune, or fairies.  Please visit her blog to read about her and see her own entry for this week.
M and L will be visiting for a few days, and one thing on our list of fun activities is to make a Fairy Garden, so this week's challenge is perfect!   I found some fabulous inspiration for our garden at Mary Lea's Pink and Green Mama.  You will absolutely love Mary Lea's ideas for children's art!  So, following her suggestions, I bought several miniature birdhouses from Michael's, and a bridge and aquarium gravel from the pet store.  The rest of the setting will be up to the girls and their sweet imaginations.  Meanwhile, here is my entry for the Diva's Weekly Challenge #31:

Thanks, Carol and Laura, this was fun!  I'll post a picture of our "real" Fairy Garden when it is done.  Construction begins tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Miss M!

Today is the 4th birthday of Miss M, one of my granddaughters.  She is simply adorable, of course!  M loves to sing and can't wait to go to school with her big sister.  Her big sister, L, is already an avid Zentangler.  I gave L several of my Zentangle tiles, a pen, and a small sketchpad with which to practice.  With my guidance, she produced this Zentangle for her mother.  L was thrilled with the results which included something extra--a lagniappe as they say in New Orleans.  She did crescent moon and flux adjacent to each other, and the fun result was a Sesame Street image of Cookie Monster.  L, by the way, is 7!

Happy Fourth of July!

What a joyous family party we had today in celebration of our country's birthday.  Glorious summer weather provided time in the pool followed by the perfect patriotic barbecue of hamburgers and hotdogs accompanied by potato salad, baked beans, and red, white, and blue decorated cupcakes for dessert.  Of course, fireworks finished the evening.  Love, love, love the summer!

I didn't get my tripoli Zentangle challenge done to my satisfaction.  I look forward to seeing what others did with this, and I know I will be impressed with the beautiful work presented at the Diva's website.  I shall continue my practice, happily.  Playwright Samuel Beckett said it well:  "Ever tried.  Ever failed.  No matter.  Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better."