Monday, March 30, 2015

ART, ART AND MORE ART....

I have not fallen into old habits of not writing.  I have been straight out since Saturday with the Art Discussion at the Whit (blog done and waiting for video) which was so much fun I can't wait to attend the next one as well!

Sunday I found myself in Lenox, Great Barrington and then off to Hudson, New York to pick up Reggie Madison's work for the show this Friday for Art Walk.  Who can resist walking around and checking out some of the local galleries?  Not Richard and I for sure, followed with some liquid refreshment and a beautiful drive home on such a warm and sunny day!

Today was busy, busy, busy, taking down art and meeting David Eddy to get his work, which looks awesome next to Reggie's work...one more artist, Paul Graubard is on for tomorrow before we can look at all the work side by side and layout the setup.  I never realized how much work it is to put together shows.

We got final confirmation today for May's show ( I picked these artists) which made me do a little dance and we brainstormed a title for the show.  I am not giving it away today, but you will not be disappointed at all!

I made an amazing dinner and am now off for some quality time with my man - Ray Donovan that is, as we get Richard caught up so he will be up to speed when the new season begins.


Sunday, March 29, 2015

REACTIVATION

After writing my first blog post in months the other day something very strange happened, I felt a little shift in my brain like a switch was turned back on.  Suddenly I was very motivated and organized in a way I haven't been for months.

The packed up Christmas decorations sitting in a corner of the living room finally got repacked so the tops would fit properly on the containers and they found a new home in the basement until next winter, (about time I say), and there was an ongoing run of thoughts in my head - some random and some not so random.

I noticed it more at bedtime.  We were watching television and I was really sleepy until the television was shut off and then my brain went into overdrive, something which hasn't occurred in months that was a regular feature of "me".  I had to get up out of bed and go downstairs and talk with my son and regroup after that I was able to sleep.

In the morning I woke up early, too early to get up and between 6 a.m. and 7:45 as I dozed on and off I mentally figured out (what else) a semi new arrangement for the living room and how I was going to fit a piano into the decor.

I also began thinking about May's ArtWalk ~ and the need to get organized and pull it together and send out requests from the Artists.  While I was at it I thought of two more months worth of possible shows.  The timing couldn't have been better since we later received a message that the info was needed by the first of April!

It is really interesting to see and feel these things occurring.  I don;t really think that I could have gone another few days, weeks or months without a computer and writing, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I wasn't stressed out or bothered by not writing I was lying to myself.

Writing for me is necessary.  It helps me process and sort through the experiences and thoughts that I have.  I never realized before this experience how important it is for my overall survival.  I felt myself closing down and returning to my introverted self, the longer it lasted the quieter I was getting and if you know me ~ quiet is not a good state for me.

I can't wait to get back into exploring what my brain has to share through my writing and I really was pleased that you all continue to read and comment after such a long time away, for that I thank you ~ I do feel really blessed!

Friday, March 27, 2015

LIVING WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY ~ NOT!!!!

It feels like a year since I have written instead of only two months.  Funny how a little hiccup like not having my own computer for eight months shut me down completely.  Even with the use of my son's computer while he was sleeping and even Richard's computer while he was working it wasn't the same as sitting down at my place in the computer room in front of my own keyboard and mouse were not enough to keep me going.  Over time my little voice in my head just went on vacation.

 I am happy to report that I am once again in my favourite seat in front of my own computer and it appears that the voice in my head has kicked in.  I had a feeling when I woke up before it was even light out that it would be so.

I went back to sleep with a totally different mindset than I have had over the course of the winter.  My brain was busy arranging solutions for the things that needed to be thought of, like making the computer room usable for three instead of two (for instance) and when I finally got up and out of bed I had a workable solution for the situation!

If you recall when my computer passed into the great beyond (beyond me repairing it that is), I was contemplating a refurbished computer and have been squirreling away funds for that.  Then I spoke to my dear sweet (but busy) brother who decided he could build me a computer out of pieces and parts. At Christmastime I had discovered that my eldest son had a spare tower in a closet so the plan then was to use that temporarily.

Of course nothing is as easy as one imagines and a new power supply was needed.  My brother sent one and my son put it in and got it right the second try only to realize that it needed Windows.  Of course my copy of  Windows XP that I own was out of date and wouldn't load and my brother is in Hawaii so that meant another delay.

I was beginning to get used to life without writing and resigned to never have a computer of my own again.  I went back to square one and looked again at refurbished computers when Richard did a search and discovered that Staples had a pretty good deal on a new P.C. for not much more than a refurbished one.

Yesterday we went and took a gander at Staples and after a brief discussion he convinced me that I should just do it and out we walked with a new tower, keyboard and mouse for just over $250 with Windows 8.

So here I am today, happy to say that I am back online and in line with my goal of daily writing.  I am sure that it will take some time to get back into the swing of things, but I can feel those gears in my brain turning around and around.

The whole winter wasn't a waste as I have been spending much of it delving into some wonderful works by some excellent writers deciding that I like Dostoevsky, but LOVE Tolstoi!!!  I will gladly put it down as time well spent.

Between my reading and helping Curate shows for the Whitney Center for the Arts, going on Studio visits and meeting Artists along with enhancing my cooking skills and adapting to life as a "couple" instead of a single woman my life has been very full, busy and satisfying.

I look forward to not only picking up where I left off, but growing and expanding as well.  I have missed sharing my experiences with my readers and hope that you have all missed me a little bit as well!