mary jane dodd

mjd - 2013

we are a collection

a sum total

of everything we experience.

tears that show

how full we are,

brimming

with joy and sorrow

that spill over

providing release

of that which we can contain

no more.

sighs that come

from contentment

connection

or despair,

almost barely

audible

exhales

containing

secrets

hopes 

and dreams

from our most private places. 

each small moment

adds to those of the past

and creates

the most lush

expression

of all we are.

feelings

thoughts 

and ideas

that maintain

their individual significance

but become ever

more powerful

when strung together. 

choices, obstalces, decisions, life

MaryAnn Carroll

Do you remember times when it felt like you had the world in your hands?

 

And you learned that there were many mountains to climb and that you could make it to the top?

And there were so many choices, that it was hard to choose a direction?

And when you found a path, you had the choice of turning in a different direction or moving forward?

 

And sometimes things just were a little big to tackle?

 

And sometimes you bit off more than you could chew.....

And you kept on going until you were just exhausted....

 

And it was time to put on the brakes....

 

Because you just needed to relax and regroup.

And rein yourself in and find some order again.....

 

To take out the time to have some fun.

Since time goes by very fast.

In a blink of an eye...

Because tomorrow there will always be another mountain to climb.

This week I will be starting back to school to begin my 29th year of teaching. As you might have guessed, these are the things in my own life that I need to keep in check.

I hope everyone in NY, who is starting this week, has a better school year than the last. It can only get better.

MaryAnn

On my to do list...

are a million things, and I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm not even going to mention the To Do's associated with the Feathered Ones, who will be moving out of the house and into their own place in another day or so. I'll share my list with you if you'll share yours with me. Maybe then they won't feel so ominous?

Here's mine, in no particular order, reflecting the state of my poor brain right now.

1. Finish something, anything with seed beads!
2. Get back on the torch and complete my custom orders.
3. Finish taxes.
4. Figure out an inventory system that is more tax friendly (* I think I have an idea, to be shared soon).
5. Fix my friend's broken earring without melting it to pieces.
6. Finish a meanie ring for another friend's Christmas present (yeah, this is pretty bad, huh?).
7. Finish my Riverbed cuff from Kate's book (need to wire wrap lots of components).
8. Plant my potato tower.
9. Address the green moss invading the surfaces in our outdoor living areas, and the wood that has succumbed to dry rot.
10. Finalize summer travel plans.
11. Get cucumber and bean seeds in the ground.
12. Rework several pieces I'm not happy with.
13. Get more work photographed and listed in my Etsy shop.
14. Make ear wires.
15. More torch time to complete several experiments I have in mind.
16. Finalize show plans for later this year.
17. Think of something wonderful to do for my grandmother's 100th birthday celebration this summer.
18. Make more clasps (PMC).
19. My next tutorial.
20. I'm sure I'm forgetting one or twelve things, but you get the picture.

So, what's keeping you awake at night?

from the depths of your experience

mary jane dodd

life is bitter sweet - a beautiful struggle... and it seems to be intensified by the holidays... i have been musing upon this, needing to put my hands on these words to fully embrace both sides... cutting antique paper that has been touched by others... finding the balance... 


it is our humanity that is universal - we share these things... one year may be filled with more of one than the other, but it evens out over time... for one, for all... 


so if it is more of a struggle year for you, a wish to find some of the beauty is being sent your way - it is there, just stay open... 

'only from the heart

can you touch the sky.'

~ rumi

deep places, private spaces

this week i seemed to spend a lot of time translating the deep places i wander into my work... 

'on faerie's wings' is an exploration of light that comes from within, of wishes we have and wishes we make, sending them out into the universe on the wings of faeries...

'you create your universe' is about the power of thoughts... how one beautiful thought can touch so many, creating a ripple effect... the earrings make a slight jingling noise... i rather like that... 

'inner sanctum' is about my most personal space... where i retreat to when i need to reconnect  with my Self...  it is an ancient place, a clearing in the forest with lichen covered stumps... winds rustle the leaves... and thin shafts of light enter through trees... 


where did your work lead you this week? or where did you lead your work?


*thank you so much for the really wonderful birthday wishes & please note that i answered any questions left in the comments section if i could not find your email address*