Four -n- Twenty Blackbirds

I love blackbirds, ravens, magpies. You name it, your basic crow. Just adore them! I know they are not trendy like cute little sparrows but I can't help it. That's the way it is.  I see one go strutting by and I just smile out loud.

One of Those Moments

Maybe it's the oh so long tail feathers or, the way the sun shines on the bird's glistening black and seems to, on occasion, turn the feathers to a gorgeous purpley blue. Maybe, it started with the Beatles classic or gothic depictions in movies and poems. Don't know. Guess it doesn't matter. What is curious though is the reaction, even from friends, at the mention of my infatuation.  Odd looks or a chuckle indicating that they "know" I'm joking. I'm not.

Rose and Raven

Guess I never realized how deeply ingrained an animal superstition could be! But then, I'm not spooked by black cats either.

Just Us Two

Having always been interested in the origins of fortune telling, folk lore and such I was not too suprised to find that crows have been used for the purpose of divination since the time of ancient Rome. Apparently, it was long held that your fortune could be told not only by the size of the flock but by the direction in which the birds were flying. Talk about leaving your fate up in the air!

Flock of Birds

But... ravens were also considered royal birds. Legend has it that King Arthur turned into one AND that two ravens sent from heaven, guided Alexander the Great safely across the desert. That's my kinda bird!

Morning Report

 
 
 

silky blackbird, shimmer bright

fly me towards the golden light

free my soul from all constraint

harbour and remove it's taint

 

safe and sheltered in your wings

a freeing toll your call thus brings

softly now I lay my head

upon your black and feathered bed 

 

Raven on Willow Branch

 

Baked in a pie?

                        I think not.

 

Well, as always....

Remember To Say I Love You

Hugs,

 

   


         MariS

Business, Pleasure or Both?

I just read the perfect article for my Big Brain Struggle this week. Not all readers of the blog post agreed with the words that I found to be so "in the moment wise" but, as I have said more than once, we are all on our own path. So, if you are struggling with artistic integrity vs. making a living, smallerbox is on target for you too. This post started the discussion, http://smallerbox.net/blog/growing-your-business/do-you-want-to-make-money-or-create/ and this next post followed up nicely. http://smallerbox.net/blog/market-research/finding-the-niche-thats-just-right/ So what do you think? Business, Pleasure or Both?

Happy Day and As Always...

MariS

BE NAUGHTY!

What does Naughty mean to you? Is it Naughty to eat an extra dessert? Is it Naughty to sneek a peek at some super-mega-foxy-hot-cutie? Is it Naughty to be willful and live your own lifestyle regardless of what is dictated by the societal norms of the moment? Hmm, probably all of the above and lots more. So, Naughty is fun and spontaneous, a smoodge daring and yes, willful.

I hope we are all a bit Naughty and all a bit Nice. Naughty Angels if you will? A Naughty Angel will flaunt and flounce and savor all of life’s juicy moments. Yet, while being true to themselves, in the deepest sense they are always caring of others and carry with them a message for those who choose to listen.

I have four Naughty Angels bouncing around in my head and on the pages of my sketchbook. Somehow they are all part me and part those that I have encountered in my life. The first Naughty Angel that I share with you is “Pinkie.” Don’t ask because I do not know why. She is first and Pinkie is her name and I can’t change it. Yes, I tried.

So tell/share what is your naughty pleasure?

Oh, and always...

Hugs!

MariS

WELCOME!

Welcome! I am excited to be starting this new venture in my quest to live the creative life. Throughout the past six months I have learned so much about myself as well as others that have chosen to accept this path. I say “accept” because if you are a creative type you may choose to fight it, to try to fit into someone else’s vision of what life should look like and how it should be lived. I did for too many years… no more. The funny thing is, O.K. maybe not really funny but, this is easier! Who knew? Not I.

Three things that I thought about today:


1. It truly takes more time to procrastinate than it does to create. VWAALA, a blog is born, a website created www.imaristol.com, and an etsy store is filled http://www.etsy.com/shop/iMariStol. Oh, and did I mention how easy it is to become a twittering tweeter? @imaristol


2. Yes it is O.K. to let go of a project even if someone else may see it as unfinished. It does not mean that you have not learned all that you needed to from it. Thanks to http://www.scoutiegirl.com


3. Sometimes it is great to just “give it away.” http://thingsbright.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-quit-thinking-i-had-to-do-every-idea.html


This blog is a work in progress. I would luv to hear from you. Think of it as your place to share ideas, start discussions and support other creative types.

Hugs,

MariS