Superior

The last two weekends I have spent up in Marquette, MI taking classes for my American Red Cross instructors training.  My goal is to teach all the lifeguarding and first aid classes at camp.  Lifegarding was one of my first jobs when I was 16 and I still love the water today.  Here’s what I learned; 6 hour drive x 4 = totally great experience!  I had this hidden fear of bad weather, driving over the mackinaw bridge, getting lost but every part of the trip just divinely worked out!  I had a great class with four fire fighters,  whom I just came to love for their humor and bravery – I am not sure I could find better stories anywhere else.  This is what they were up to Friday night between classes. Yup, full on water rescue in frozen lake Superior.

The first weekend I made a little retreat and the second a connect with friends.  I could easily fall in love with this little community although they warned me “don’t tell anyone we are up here…”  There was still quite a bit of snow on the ground and blizzard like conditions a few times.   These photos are from my last few days there, beautiful blue sunshine and a bit of exploring, and a taste of spring.  See what I found…. perfect!

hold me near

This weekend I got away on a little retreat, well really I was taking a class but I was alone for the six-hour car ride.  I found myself thinking, praying and singing (very loudly and badly…) to pass the time.  Of the little music  I had with me this song was from one of the cd’s I listened to repeatedly, “hold me near” by Karla Adolphe/ enter the worship circle.  It is based on one of my favorites, psalms 73.

Hold Me Near

Hold me near when I’m restless

Hold me near when I’m bitter

Hold me near when I”m rebellious

Hold me near until the end

 

Hold me near when my heart is broken

Hold me near when I’m ignorant

Hold me near when I am jealous

Hold me near until the end

 

But as for me my feet almost gave out I nearly sold my heart

It’s good to be held by my Father it’s good to be where you are

 

We are creating these theme/scripture paintings as one of the spring crafts for the women’s retreat.  I just had to try it out ahead of time with some left over supplies I had at home and the lyrics from the song & psalm 73.  I love reading into the phrase,  it just has layers for me.

emerging spring

spring break whirl

butterfly gazing

swan geese chase

stripes versus solids

birthday sparklers

wave pool

cousin sleepovers

car drive

re-entry

r-o-y-g-b-indigo

 

I have been wanting to try out some shibori designs and mix up a vat of indigo for sometime.  I decided to test out some different tying techniques on cotton napkins.  It took several tries to get the indigo dark enough but resulted in a new little set of six unique napkins and a new table runner!  I threw in a few wooden beads for fun overnight and stung them on a natural leather cord to wear.  Hummmm what to dye next…

  

easter praise

 

Happy Easter.

I finished my vases in time… they didn’t make it to the gallery but this one made it to my table.

Hope & Friendship

This afternoon I went to a community Good Friday service. What a sweet thing to see so many of our local churches and families worshiping together.  We were able to walk there in the sunshine, as a family.  I needed that, sunshine, walking, family, friendship, hymns, hope, and sacrificial savior.

Also today, I was able to catch up on a few pieces of “homework.”  Using mishima technique I created these two raised tiles.  A daffodil for friendship and Iris for hope.  I can’t wait to see how these fire – I think I like using white clay.

spring light box

 

Today I am using my ipad as a light box.  (pressing VERY lightly with a mechanical pencil)

The sun is shining and I am diving into some projects from my clayer mishima class.  I have a kiln to fire, that I have been putting off because I like to cram as many pieces as possible in it. Two half finished books, two rich bible studies, half baked meals, a dozen phone calls to make… and a slew of posts that are partially written in my drafts.  My daughter had her spring concert last night, that I dragged her to in tears because she didn’t want “100 eyes” on her.  We were overtaken by spring mud last week and this week a fresh blanket of snow to cover it all.  The spring dance has arrived.  I have been drawing slews of daffodils, iris, peonies, ferns, hacianths, and a whole swarm of butterflies.  They will be awakening on fresh beds of white clay soon.