Morning Musings

Here I am again! Needless to say I am looking forward to being on my blog frequently this coming year. 

Today I am contemplating how to spend my time alone these next two hours. I have many choices but am narrowing it down to unpacking my new mirrorless camera and delving into learning, exploring how I can use it today! 

My Canon DSL, purchased in 2010, was ruined in the flood. I recall tossing it into the trash can at Daughter's house shortly after we were evacuated. There was a pick-up bed full of our treasures that Daughter and Son-in-law had gathered on a trip back to the house a couple days following July 4th.  Several of the items saved were very much appreciated and cleaned up. My Saori loom was one of those items. It has all its parts and I am about ready to put a warp on the loom.

The camera, the piano (which was not in the truck bed), any electronics were definitely destroyed.

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The area of contemplative photography is my fascination at this time. The topic of mindfulness and being "aware in the present" is currently quite popular. I believe that seeking a simple photo shoot in the backyard supports mindfulness. More about that in another post. On https://beadisciple.com/ I participated in a contemplative photography class this past fall. It wasn't long enough, something like two weeks. There were 8-10 participants and the sharing was fascinating. In a previous class a year or so ago the sharing of photos was expected but in this class there were different expectations.  

Wouldn't it be fun to facilitate a contemplative photography class? With the books I have recently purchased and my new camera perhaps this is a path I could pursue. The Senior Center might be interested in offering such a class and the camera on a phone would be very acceptable too.

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My most recent offering at the senior center did not "make." Only two signed up for Memoir I which was going to be a GAB offering, Guided AutoBiography https://thebirrencenter.org/ I completed the certification process in October 2025 and not giving up. During a recent Zoom sharing it was suggested that I consider developing a class for the many groups and individuals who cared and shared their time and monies as we recovered from the devastating flood. What an original idea!

I know of two books already that have been published to honor the flood victims and those who lost their lives. I think focusing on the individual teams and churches, the folks that would come by with gift cards and money, their labor and tools, Angels in Disguise, would be an interesting concept to employ in developing my GAB classes.

And as this morning stretches into lunchtime I shall pray about these ideas, give thanks for my new camera and place before the Lord activities that are possible and intriguing. 

We'll see what comes to fruition.

Joan

01/08/2026

Yes, Yes and Yes!

This morning I am nervous, anticipatory and excited to begin a creative/mindfulness class with Jill Badonsky. I have followed her for several years, once had all her books, signed up long ago for a short class. However, today's commitment will be for twelve weeks and cost $800!!

That monetary investment is a commitment for me, a capital C Commitment.

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday to buy the necessary art materials. Oh, I had so many beautiful brushes and watercolors in my craft closet but alas, the flood took them downstream on that fateful day, July 4th. The flood took all - house, vehicles, RV, piano, clothes, books, music, all, all, all.  

We are recuperating our losses and beginning again just as many folks do that have experienced a natural disaster or a fire. Recovery requires resilience! I hope we have exemplified that trait for the past six months.

Creativity is My Oxygen - that's the title of today's class. The above wonderful watercolor is Jill's amazing talent. We had to buy paints for this class. I am eager to begin my version of whimsical art. I bought an inexpensive set of watercolors and brushes. I do not have much faith in my painting.

And so it shall be for about two hours this afternoon. We zoom which always makes me nervous. I must learn to trust those invisible powers that envelope the air here in my Loom Room. 

I miss writing. 

I miss being part of a creative community. 

I miss weaving. 

I miss being on my Saori loom. 

I do not miss my music. I am once again playing daily. I am happy and contented to be playing piano, studying harp, and joining the Senior Center tribe with my fiddle.  

In the meantime, the greenhouse is calling for me to play a cd for those eager plants, excellent listeners, all of them!  Today I am going to plant seeds, radish seeds this morning in a couple narrow long planters sitting on top of the greenhouse worktable. Truly it is my she/shed with houseplants and poinsettias surrounding me as I sit in the one metal pink lawn chair that survived the flood.

I wish you could join me, in the class, in my she/shed with a cup of java!

Peanuts, Ava and My New Piano

Dear Friends,

My dog's name is Ava. She loves music and joins me by laying under the piano when I practice.

I have the best of intentions for 2026. 

I intend to practice one of my four musical instruments one hour every day. Ava will join me wherever and whenever I choose to practice.

I may practice the fiddle on the back patio.

I may transport the small 26-string harp to the patio or practice in the Loom Room*, my haven.

I cannot move the 5'4" new Boston piano. We will practice in the front room. 

                                       Ava will be happy wherever we choose.

I shall take my recently acquired Panda tone drum to the greenhouse/sheshed. The plants will flourish as we meditate together.

Ava has been in the greenhouse numerous times with me. I have been playing cds for the plants, for me, for Ava.

                                      Ava is a committed fan. What more could I desire?

One dog, one musical instrument, one hour. Intentions for 2026.

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Today I must teach myself how to put a new string on my Dusty Strings harp. There is a trick knot one must make. Thirty plus years ago I intended to be a harp student, but alas, my interest waned as other time consuming elements took charge, like a full time teaching job and afternoon piano students. 

My harp practicing usually occurs in the morning hours. 

This morning I shall now head back to the Loom Room and see if this restringing is going to be successful.

And yes, I fully intend to play "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?"

                                     Keeping all in harmony with Ava!

Happy New Year,

Joan💗

*Loom Room - one of our three bedrooms devoted to weaving, looms, yarns, books and inspiration.

01/06/2026