Hockey Mask

Feeling Octoberish here. 

 The other day I did pretty hilly bike ride, with a crazy friend of mine....I mean that as a term of endearment :)  I used to ride all the time. It was my favorite thing, over running, over hiking, & for sure over swimming.  Now I don't get on the bike so much.  The funny thing I've noticed since I haven't been in the saddle so often is, I am afraid now.  When I am flying down a hill, I'm riding my brakes like a mad women, picturing my front wheel going out from under me, & me eating it big time.  I came to the conclusion I would feel better if I could ride wearing a mouth guard, & hockey goalie mask.  I've thought about this(as you have a lot of time to ponder on long rides), that cycling is a  lot like my life to me....when I am going up something really hard & steep, I am sometimes grumbling, usually cussing a little, praying for strength, feeling thankful that I have a healthy body & am able to do it. Then I get through that, & the dreaded downhill comes....most people enjoy this part, by the way.  I however, have issues.  I feel like I am holding on for dear life, tense, so scared I will wipe out.  It's only the rare times I actually surrender it all, tell myself that whatever happens happens, that I feel peace, & start to somewhat enjoy that part of the ride.  So I guess what I am saying here is I need more downhills, where I loosen my grasp, & realize that God is in control no matter what....but maybe the mask wouldn't hurt.

We are already mid-way through October, so I shall show some pics of some things we've been doing lately.

Pumpkin Jumping

Hay Ponies

Made for Day of the Dead

Little Birthday gift for a friend

This Girl

She actually happened because I was feeling like I wasn't being very creative/productive lately(as I was lying on my bed,watching an old episode of Bridezillas)...& felt like I just needed to draw, to make something, anything.

As sometimes happens, I ended up liking the not thought out, random things I pieced together that make her, better than when I over think something too much.

Ink pen on fabric. Chalk Pastels. Beads, Safety Pins...sure, why not?

Label Me This, Label Me That

There are a few things in life that get my panties in a bunch.  One of them being, when someone pegs me as a certain kind of person, & tells me about my personality traits, then stamps me with a label.  Usually, by the way, it happens to be a person who has never spent much time with me.  Anyway, today I was told I'm an Introvert(Ok, I mostly am & I know it), & that I shouldn't have a certain trait because I am one.  Ugghh, I really dislike it when someone else tells me what I am, & what I should be like...as if it's a diagnosis, a box that I have to stay in.  The rebel in my bristles at that sort of thing.

So I stopped the lovely person right there, mid sentence, & promptly told them(nicely)... I don't like when people label me, I have tons of different traits, not just introverted ones.  I think people equate being an Introvert sometimes with being shy, & that in turn with being weak.  I told her, I've never been afraid to speak my mind, I just don't feel the need to speak all the time!  Blah...ok, letting it roll off my back now :)

All better.

So school has started back up, & other commitments.  All that good stuff.  I've got those thoughts in my head, as we roll into Fall about what should I involve myself in, & what should I maybe back off of a little?  What things will help me fulfill my purpose more?  What is just unneeded fluff?  Hmmmm.  Just thinking while typing.

Anyway, onto art, which always keeps me sane.  I've had it on the brain to make larger pieces, when I work with clay.  But am thinking if I go way larger, I may have to venture into ceramics & the whole kiln thing.  I really would love to experiment with making my sculptures on a larger scope. This girl below, I call her "Deerling" is a little larger than usual.  She's pretty heavy actually.  I was happy I found the perfect box/drawer for her to sit in at a nearby store.