Heading to the Mountains

So I'm heading to the mountains for the weekend to renew and refresh my soul.

We can all use a little dusting off, a little new information, a quiet chunk of time with God from time to time, and I'm really looking forward to it.

This is the first retreat with women I don't know, that I've ever attended. I've always shyed away because I don't feel particularly "clubby" or "groupie" - although I DO like a responsive audience I've decided. Maybe somebody told me that... I don't know, but it's true.
In any case, I'm already anticipating breaking from the group... for me, seeking God is somewhere in my alone time. I've heard horror stories of not getting any sleep, pranks, loud talking all night, in past years. While I'm all about being funny, I'm not so much about being annoyed, or being annoying.

I'm taking my devotional bible because there's some really good commentary as well as scripture, and my sketch book and charcoal, my camera, my pillow (that's all I need) and my down comforter. And my Excederin. That's all I need ... (ala Steve Martin in "The Jerk.") And my thermos. And my favorite tea bags. No candy. Well maybe SOME candy. Or maybe just an apple. (Really, I don't know why they're letting me come at all.)

Seriously though, for me to be at one with God, I just need to sit still in the quiet of the outdoors, surrounded by the tall trees and the brisk air. No big explanation... there IS someone much greater than I who controls the universe, by His very word and I'm good with that. Takes all that responsibility off my shoulders.

Yeah, that's pretty much all I need.

Change is Good.... right?

Again, I must apologize... if only to myself, for not posting in over a month. It seems by doing this, I send my own personal "idea" diary out into the universe and it comes back with notes and thoughts and some ideas from others, which is fascinating to me. It's amazing.

The reason for my long absence? Transition I think. I left a job that I loved, working with people that I love, just because I thought it was 'time to go' and while I'm searching for another one, I'm going to do my best to make my art, be that job.
I'm kind of on the fence about whether or not this will work. I think it could, I think I have enough ideas, a modicum of talent, bravery though? .... not so sure that I have enough of that. Confidence... sometimes yes, lots of times no. But I'm going to give it a shot anyway, because really in the end, what have I got to lose, and what am I doing anyway? I'm just waiting for my resume to knock someone over with my 'ability to juggle twelve tasks in a single bound' basically. And I think there's a zillion people like me looking for a job. So I leave my future in the hands of God, and I'll just put one foot in front of the other and it's alllllll going to work out.

Now, to post a bunch of pictures of my latest art journey.

Kate

One picture is the body of a diaper bag in-progress, that I am making for a lovely little friend and her new baby Wyatt. The usual bags are much too boring and I like the idea of a gypsy/hobo/funky bag much better. I hope she will too... and their last name begins with "Q" ... hence the BeBe'Q... get it?