Booth at Marklund, May 2010.

Today's Joy: Scheming.
As my show gets closer, Reader, I find that whatever else I might be doing at any given time, I'm also planning and scheming about a hundred little show details in the back of my mind. In fact, I'm obsessed about everything.

Do I need color-coordinated shopping bags? How do I display all the bookmarks in an attractive way that will still keep them neat? What if it's windy? Do I need tablecloth weights? What if it rains? Do I need sideflaps for the tent? Do I need custom order forms? Do I have enough business cards? What about signage? Same table set-up as usual or should I mock-up a whole new display?

My head is full of this kind of fussing. Of course, it's all good stuff. When I get to the show and every detail has been thought through and planned out, I will feel very satisfied. In the meantime, I'm scatter-brained and a tad distracted (apologies to anyone around me this week, for any boneheadedness I may commit).

Still, it's all worth it. I enjoy going to the shows and sharing my work with people. What a wonderful, creative environment. Can't wait to meet new fellow artists and see what kinds of work are being done in the area. There's something powerful and inspiring about a lot of creativity being in one place. You never know what will happen when all that energy meets. I suspect it will yield good things, though. Seems like an irresistible opportunity for God to work some of his magic.

So, here's to scheming, having too many irons in the fire and meticulous attention to detail. May they all come together in a trifecta of preparedness and yield results beyond our wildest hopes. At the very least, may they keep us out of trouble for a little while. Amen.

The greenhouse at a Nursery on Rte. 176, Crystal Lake, IL

Summer, as my friend Coleridge waggishly writes, has set in with its usual severity. ~ Charles Lamb

Today's Joy: Air-conditioning.

Whew! Reader, northern Illinois has turned into a greenhouse this week. The air is so thick with water that a mist has been hanging low over the cornfields well into late afternoon. Add to that the sweltering 90+ degree temperatures and all I can stand to do is come home from work and sit in the AC. Forlornly, I peer out the windows at my plants, who are in ecstasy and growing with great enthusiasm. Even the cat has been turning up his nose at going outside.

Alas, such is the price we must pay for experiencing such a glorious summer. Hope you're enjoying it, Reader. Seems to be especially delightful this year. And I've relished every moment--even the sticky ones.

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~ Russel Baker

Today's Joy: A Rumination on Rules.
Had our first official church community group study session last night, Reader. We talked about the first three books of the Old Testament and how they establish God's Laws for us to live by. I'm not a big rule-follower, Reader. Laws, rules, regulations, bylaws, directives, mandates and policies make me itchy. Especially those designed to compensate for a lack of self-control or ethical choices.

They may tell you what the right thing to do is, but rules also absolve you of the responsibility of thinking it out for yourself. Now, I understand what you're going to say here, that we need rules and a common, agreed upon code of behavior for society to function. The way the world is, I'm unfortunately forced to agree. But I also believe that, at some level, all human struggles are based on power and the desire to control in one form or another. That's why our relationship with God is such a revelation. It's based on surrender and trust in Love.

In my spiritual journey, it's been much more meaningful for me to focus on the fellowship and daily application of my relationship with God. So, it is a relief to hear that the Ten Commandments, while the most worthy list of rules ever written, were intended to emphasize our lack of perfection and need for divine guidance, rather than as just an impossible list of rules we despair of ever achieving.

In studying them myself, I see that the commandments are actually all about love and its kissing cousin, respect. If you look at each of the commandments individually, they are not just the "right" things to do. They are things you instinctively do in your relationship with someone you truly love & respect. Honoring, sharing, not coveting, not putting something else before that which matters most to us, gentleness and not acting in ways that hurt others or damage lives. It's in our very make-up to know this is how you care for and behave toward people you love.

I understand that life is rarely that simple or straightforward. I also understand that in our imperfection, we all make mistakes, bad choices, hurt people we love and carry around our own burden of pain. But all these things stem from a human choice (our own as often as not) not to follow these basic rules of love.

After all, ______ is such a small thing.
Who will it hurt if I _________ just this once?
I know I should _________, but I'm in a hurry.
________ will never know the difference.
I wish I had ___________'s life.

When you take it back to what you really know in your heart, the commandments are a simple, basic truth of life--like the law of gravity. While invisible, we know it's always there, present in every part of our lives (even at the cellular level) and keeping us grounded. Of course, with enough effort, you could break free from it, but then you'd be floating around aimlessly. Still, if you choose to return, you're gathered right back in, as if you never left.

Hmmm....perhaps gravity is a physical manifestation of love. Wouldn't that be a revelation?

Today's Joy: Mom, Brother, The Sorcerer's Apprentice & Me.
Having Mondays off has been such a blessing, Reader. With all the activities my family manages to squeeze into the weekends, I need a whole extra day just to recoup and do all the things I should have done instead of going out with them, having a marvelous time. Of course, I'd rather be out having a marvelous time, so Mondays are my new favorite day of the week.

Today, I did some final edits on my new bookmark designs (should have a sneak peek of those for you next week) and then went to the movies with Mom & Brother. Have decided I adore going to the movies on a Monday afternoon. There are no lines and you practically have the theatre all to yourself. I mooched a few of Brother's pretzel bites (yum!) and a handful or two of Mom's popcorn. Brother & I made our usual bet about how many previews there would be before the movie starts. He invariably chooses five and is often correct. I pick either four or six and every once in a while, I win. It's a pointless little thing we do to amuse ourselves, but we still do it. Gotta love those little movie rituals.

Anyway, we settled in to watch a scruffy Nicolas Cage, dressed in a Harry-Potter-meets-The-Matrix outfit, attempt to teach a wussy physics nerd to be the most powerful sorcerer in history all the while saving the world and, of course, the girl. Alfred Molina played the deliciously-evil villain. Lots of action and lots of fun, though our nerdy young "hero" leaves much to be desired (I miss the days of Mr. Darcy-esque protagonists). But all in all, a great way to wile away the afternoon.

Is there a summer movie you've been wanting to see, Reader? What better time to tootle on down to the air-conditioned theatre? Think of me when you're watching the previews. ;-)

Back of the Pack

Today's Joy: An Insider's Day at the Races.
What a day, Reader! Cousin, Aunt & I were invited by our friend, Jamie (a local horse trainer) to see her colt, 'John Said' run at Arlington Park this afternoon. It was a great opportunity to go behind the scenes at Arlington, visit the owner's barns and still experience the good old-fashioned thrill of watching the races. Of course, you know the biggest thrill for me was photographing the racing spectacle. It was a visual feast and I couldn't get enough!

'John' was set to race in the ninth, the last race of the day, so we spent a leisurely few hours beforehand visiting him in his stall and touring the track facilities before heading up to the clubhouse to catch the last few races. A beautiful gelding with a sweet temperament, 'John' didn't win his race but we enjoyed cheering madly for him nonetheless. It was great fun to experience thoroughbred racing from an owner/trainer perspective. Many thanks to Jamie for a wonderful afternoon! Here, Reader, for your enjoyment are the photo highlights from our day at the track:


'John Said', Portrait


Warm Up


The Paddock


Cousin & Jamie at the Races

On the Turf

Getting Acquainted

End of the Ninth

Call to Race

'John Said' Warming Up

The Clubhouse

Ready to Race

Home Stretch in the Ninth Race

Clock Tower Above the Paddock

Rarin' to Go

View from the Paddock

Jamie & 'John' Share a Moment Before the Race

Winner of the Ninth Race, Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Out of the Gate

For more photo highlights from Arlington Park, check out my Flickr Set!