Friday, January 02, 2009

a day late and a dollar short

This is the post I never got around to writing yesterday. Everybody was posting about their goals and I couldn't really focus on the idea. But in yesterday's NJ paper there were a ten suggestions that appealed to me: I might even adopt the first five. 1. Ninety days Choose something that you would like to accomplish or change within the next 90 days. It's a more manageable length of time than a year and then you can do it again. 2. What to subtract What is in your life that you would be willing to commit to not being there 90 days from now? (ha, I could think of a whole list) 3. What to add What is currently not in your life that you would be willilng to commit to having in your life 90 days from now? 4. Choose one Whether it is something to remove from or add to you life, pick just one thing to focus on. 5. Write it down There is power in writing things down because it reminds you of where you want to go. New Year's Eve we went to our friends' house for dinner: their grandkids were visiting from Baltimore so we stayed in. The power went out just as Rosalie was about to put the roast beef in the oven. I suggested they put on the gas grill (in 20 degree weather) and that's what they did. We sat in the dark till their 8 year old grandson suggested they put on the gas fireplace so we'd have light. Duh. Leave it to a kid! Two hours later, just as the roast beef was done, the power went back on. Late last night, I put this down on a piece of batting and will get around to backing it so it can wait in line to be stitched. Needs a name. What would you name it if it were yours?If you haven't seen Eva's pictures of eisblumen, they are wonderful. Go take a look! I am off to read her blog and then will go to the studio to go back into my Quake entry for the Art Cloth Network exhibit.

15 comments:

Angie in AZ said...

Love the piece in progress. The first thought that came to my mind for a name would be "quiet reflection". LOVE it!

Anonymous said...

Ooo a bit lovely! Not sure what I'd call it yet - could you possibly spill a few beans and describe it a bit. (I know I have a photo but it helps to know the thinking behind it, and details of the paint/fabrics etc. Of course I could just be very nosy!)

Juanita Yeager said...

My first thought when I saw it was relections, then because of the horizontal line to the left, I thought, reflections in a pond, not sure why. Happy New Year.
Juanita

Cate Rose said...

How about "Hidden Agenda"? I love the piece!

Gerrie said...

I see a reflected winter forest. Thanks for the link to Eva!

Eva said...

The 90-days idea is great. Because this is a distance easy to handle. In traditional chinese medicine, they say that whatever you do for 90 days without exeption will remain a life long habit.
I'm not quite at ease with the day to start. Maybe find a date which is given by nature like a solistice or some special moon day? I find that such beginnings are supported by nature, more than a day which is not an astronomic mark, but an arbitrary date.
Subtract: Selfish attitude, egocentrical mind; some of my weight, some of my lazyness
Add: more interest in the work of others (started already), develop series of fiber art and painting, become a better housewife (we never stop learning)
Focus: Art
Write it down: Done here.

Anonymous said...

How about "Don't Fence Me In" as a title. reminded me of fence rows.

Von

Hilary Metcalf said...

Hi Rayna - I am hopeless at giving things titles -I like some of the suggestions though. How big is the piece? Love it. Your book arrived in time for my birthday, and I love it too - hoping to have time to 'play' once I get three bridesmaid and a mother of the bride (me) outfits done!!
cheers from Downunder
Hilary

margaret said...

"Snow fences" - reminds me of winter on the prairie. Love the 90-day idea; so much better than those impossible new years resolutions! Sometimes I try to establish a good new habit every month (it takes a month to make it into a no-thought habit) - that lasts about 2 months in a row...

Unknown said...

What were the other five suggestions?!

sharon said...

my first thought was 'reflections' then saw that it has been suggested......it is what i see....and i love the pattern by the way!

Nellie's Needles said...

My first impression is snow fences ... especially this time of year, plus your palette is cold hues.

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but I do like that 90 day concept. Thanks.

Terry Grant said...

Lovely piece. It reminded me of hash marks on a wall. "Marking time" was the first thought I had.
I'm intrigued by the 90 days idea. I so badly need to deal with weight added this past year. Maybe 90 days without sugar would start me on a healthier way of eating. Hmmmmm.

Karen Newman Fridy said...

Love the list! That is something I can better wrap my brain around than a "goal" list...being a working mom of 2 elementary aged boys, well, need I say more? Most days I'm happy if everyone gets where they need to on time and my shoes match! LOL
Great piece...I would name it "Waiting in Line"
:-)

Anonymous said...

"The Line Up"
It is wonderful Rayna! Makes me want to get back out in the studio.
The 90 days is/are a good idea, but I think I might have to try just 30 and see if I could work with that! I need a bit more instant gratification.
Thank you so much for introducing me to Eva...I found a comment from her on your blog about a month ago, and I have been reading her ever since. She has opened a whole new world to me.

xo

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