Creating

Monday, January 24, 2022


I've always loved the feeling of making something. The something has evolved over the years - composing a poem, choreographing a dance team routine, refinishing an antique wooden chair, or even crafting a blog post for Brightspot. Doing all of those things, as varied as they are, has always inspired satisfaction, joy, and well, really almost a soft thrill that is hard to describe.

When Simon and I shifted from the lake back to Portsmouth we did a huge apartment clean-out. I came across an ancient sketchbook/journal from high school. Inside were some really cool charcoal drawings - a couple self-portraits, a sketch of Pete, some pointe shoes, a few other little renderings. I was intrigued, so I added a sketchbook and drawing set to my Christmas list.

A couple weeks ago, I pulled the sketchbook out of my desk drawer, removed the top of the pencil set and...stared at the blank page. This happened no less than five times. Finally, last week, I repeated this process, but actually landed on something to draw and gave it a whirl.

It felt amazing. That old familiar sense of crafting, creating, making was back. I loved it. I'm trying to avoid deciding whether the products of either of my sketching sessions are "good" or "bad." That's another topic, but I do find it interesting that so much of my life has been dedicated to the arts, which don't have the "right or wrong" and "black or white" I have always craved.

Alas, whatever it is, I don't care. I just love the process and the feeling I get through it. It feels good. It's good to feel good these days.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 25, 2021

1 Ollie 'Til Christmas

Friday, December 24, 2021

Ollie the Santa better get here soon and bring me good treatos pup.

2 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Ollie the how on earth could you believe I've been anything but the bestest boy all year after seeing this photo pup.

3 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

4 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Ollie the I hate the summertime heat and flies and why did you make me come out here pup.

5 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Monday, December 20, 2021

Ollie the public service announcement about why selfies are bad for your health pup.

6 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Ollie the advertisement for walking through the woods on a snowy evening pup.

7 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Ollie the advertisement for summertime lake life pup.

8 Ollies 'Til Christmas

Friday, December 17, 2021

Ollie the advertisement for winter lake life pup.