a day of grace and gratitude ♥

I've been carried aloft by the wishes and prayers of so many this past week. To say "thank you" seems insufficient. But that is what I offer: a heartfelt thank you for hearing and understanding. My mother is much better and is out of the hospital and in rehab to build up her strength. In many ways, this little crisis was a blessing for it prepared me for what may lie ahead. Questions were raised, issues confronted that one is never ready to face but now I know how to proceed and what answers need to be determined.

It's a strange role reversal: checking my mother into the rehab facility was like setting her up for summer camp but with some very dark twists. By the third time of hearing "in the event ..." you are primed to expect that there will be some kind of event occurring. If not now, soon enough. How many of us know what funeral home we would like to use "in the event"? CPR or no CPR? And then there was me filling out my mother's "life story" to better help the staff care for her. Her religious beliefs? Thorny at best. How would I rate her marriage? Her relationship with her children? I can tell you her about her appetite, favorite foods and general habits but her marriage? (Do I even want to know?)

our neighborhood Labor Day bike parade

The long weekend has given me the space and time to be with my family and to tend to myself. I even had a pocket of time today to start a few sewing projects! It sounds trite, but I am learning to take it one day at a time. Learning to be soft with myself and my expectations, knowing that all that I want to get to will still be there later on and perhaps I don't need to do all of that anyway. It is a day of rest from labor and a day to reflect upon how it is I labor unnecessarily in my life. Today was that suspended moment between the inhale and the exhale - a rest, a break, a lingering pause ...












It is with immense gratitude that Cowgirl and I thank you for the support of our August Art Bash. Officially we raised $1275 for Half the Sky foundation although the final tally is to be determined as we await a few checks in the mail. Not only did we blow past our goal, but we got to play artful elves and experience the joy of sharing the wealth of creativity that has enriched our lives and shared some amazing artwork with all you amazing people. And with that - here is our final winners: Owl Magic: Kathleen D; Painted Pages: Kelly W; Strawberries & Pansies Print: Emily. Congratulations everyone!









And so Cowgirl and I say goodbye to summer and hello new school year (first grade!) New adventures await and I for one am looking forward to the journey. I know there will be some unexpected dark alleys (hello? is there some major developmental phase occurring between 6 and 7 that I unaware of? Symptom: excessive sass and attitude coupled with exaggerated eye rolling? Please enlightenment me ... or send info for appropriate support group) - I welcome it all because, well, I have no choice. Resistance is futile!

hello goodbye (this party's almost over!)

Where did the time go? It's been a monster art bash and while things are winding down, we aren't finished yet! To date we've painted 5 paintings and given away 10 bonus prizes while raising $1200 for Half the Sky foundation.








Each dollar raised will be used to purchases art supplies for preschool children living in welfare centers in China. Each dollar donated represents our collective belief in the healing power of art. Each dollar represents this community's commitment to connect, share and empower ourselves and others through creative expression. We painted and you showed up and I cannot begin to express the gratitude, awe and pride I have in what has been accomplished here.

Yes, we're this proud:








I am really excited to present the final prizes for this week. I cannot think of a more appropriate special guest to close out our party than the artist whose work was the inspiration behind the collaborative pieces by myself and Cowgirl - Sarah Ahearn Bellemare.

When I first saw Sarah's work, my immediate reaction was "I want to create paintings like THAT." There is an evocative, playful, poetic quality to her work that continues to inspire and fascinate me. I was able to attend a day long session with Sarah at Squam last fall and discovered she is both a gifted artist AND instructor. Her teaching style encouraged spontaneous play, invention and a welcoming of the unexpected.

piece created by myself and Cowgirl using Sarah' s 2 minute prompt activity

Last Spring Sarah's book Painted Pages was published and it became my immediate go-to book for those times I need to recharge the creative batteries. It is also the inspiration behind the works Cowgirl and I created for this art marathon. So I am really excited to announce that one of this week's prizes is a copy of Sarah's book!









Sarah is also donating a print from her Etsy shop and she let me pick - not an easy task as I have 3 of her prints hanging on my walls, her calendar AND an original piece (did I mention I love her work?) - but it seems only fitting to offer this symbol of the fading summer season:

strawberry and pansies
6 x 6 inch print matted on 8 x 10 inch mat board
more information here

The final piece by Cowgirl and myself is inspired by some nocturnal visitors who augur the impending change of seasons ...

Owl Magic
6 x 6 inches mixed media on gesso board
(in honor of my mother who my father & I called "Owl"; she entered the hospital last Thursday night but should be coming home this week. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.)

So here it is, our final giveaway! If you've already donated, then your name is in the hat to win. If you haven't made your donation yet, well ... what are you waiting for? Head on over to our pledge page and then be sure to either leave a comment here or email me: lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net. Be sure I know how to contact you in case you win.

The party ends this Friday, so get your comments in!

Congratulations to last week's winners: Hummingbird Joy: Amy; animal cards - Mandy; Pink Fox print - Kim.

don't be shy (come on in!) - August Art bash continues

Are you having fun? Can I interest you in some fresh goat's milk cheese mixed with cranberries and horseradish? Lots of crackers to choose from and please, refill your glass! The bash continues and we have 3 more weeks of surprises and prizes to come.

Amazing to say, In two weeks time we surpassed our initial goal of raising $1000 for Half the Sky foundation. I am truly humbled and awestruck by the generosity and loving spirit of everyone here. Given there is still a lot of partying to come, I've raised our goal to $1400 just to make things interesting. You know, a little challenge is a good thing!

I want to introduce you to some special guests joining us this week. I am really excited to have these lovelies here as they both have been such dear friends, supporters and guides on this wild creative ride. They are the type of people you meet and instantly fall in love with. Open, honest, brave and inspiring in their quests to explore and share the healing power of art, they invite others to examine, question and challenge one's accepted notions about self, spirit, and creativity. They are both Wild Women answering the call of their intuition; through their art and writing they playfully encourage us to join them.

I first met Soraya Nulliah through Leah Piken Kolidas's Creative Every Day challenge. We both were somewhat new at blogging and uncertain about our place in this world. A comment here, a comment there and it felt like I was communicating with an old friend. A mother of a beautiful girl, Soraya has been a great source of support as I negotiate parenting a strong daughter while attempting to balance time for art, writing, family and spirit. On her blog she blends her life, her passions and a fierce commitment to raising awareness about the plight of women in India, her home country. Her paintings reflect the wisdom she had gained on her path and this week she is offering two archival prints as prizes for our party.

faith in her path 8 x 10 " matted
more info here
(i have a copy in my yoga room)

awakening to the fullness of herSELF 8 x 10 " matted

Our other special guest is the one woman band of art journaling - the effervescent, no punches pulled Effy Wild of Wild Precious Studio. I came to know Effy through Connie Hozvicka's 21 Secrets course and then more intimately when Effy embarked upon a vlog challenge. Her enthusiasm and zest for all she does will have you skipping along behind her. Yeah, Effy was the one who got me to make my first vlog! If you want a place to play, learn, connect and create with other equally passionate artists, I highly recommend (and hang out in) Wild Precious Studio where there are numerous groups offering up challenges, ideas, techniques for art journaling, mandalas, collage, and all matter mixed media. If you want to discover how art journaling is a tool for self recovery, healing and great joy then check out The Elements of Art Journaling course which she will be offering as a self guided version this November.

I was thrilled when Effy took my bait and agreed to create an altered journal especially for our party!

front view

back view

detail of cover

Mixed media altered composition book ready for use as a writing journal OR an art journal. Cover is made with artist quality materials. Knowing Effy, I imagine there is a lot of glitter and sparkle to this journal that the camera cannot capture. This is the same kind of journal we were guided to create for the Elements course. The pages can be glued together to reinforce them for art journaling or left as is and used as a journal for writing.

Finally, here is an offering from Cowgirl and myself:

mourning dove love 6 x 6 " mixed media on gessoboard

Mourning doves have been making their presence known in my neighborhood. As I walk the dog, they sit perched upon rooftops and their coos rain down upon me and bless us as we go. Their arrival always reminds me to take stock of my emotional life, considering what needs to be expressed and released. They remind me my comfort and security resides in a loving heart and family ties.

The quickie rules to enter: If you haven't already, make a donation on our pledge page (be sure to leave your name in the honor roll). If you have donated, then you are already entered to win one of the works by Cowgirl and myself. To enter your name into the pool to win Soraya's prints or Effy's journal, be sure to leave a comment on this post or email me: Lishofmann(at)novia(dot). Make sure I have a way to contact you should you win! One donation, a month's worth of prizes!

For the complete rules and information on Half the Sky foundation please check out week one of our party here.

Time for me to circulate ... do make some new friends, pull up a chair and lose yourself in conversation. How are you spending these final days of summer?








Congratulations to the winners of last week's prizes: Sylvia - "Penguin Family"; Jane and Angela - Sedona landscapes by Connie. Don't despair! Three more weeks of wonderful prizes and multiple chances to win!

this party's rockin'! (August Art Bash continues)

package from our special guest!

Confession time: In general I am not comfortable at parties, never mind hosting them. And I almost talked myself out of this one with the usual excuses: I'm too busy; everyone else is too busy; and the mack daddy fear - no one will show up or really care.

Thank you all for showing us just how much you do care! And for reminding me that when I listen to my heart and act in accordance to its wisdom, then anything is possible. We are just dollars from our stated goal of $1000 for Half the Sky Foundation! I am truly speechless. The generosity, the support, and the outpouring of pure love and joy from all of you has left me with a massive case of the warm fuzzies.

And the party has just got started! It is fitting that our special guest this week is the person who inspired me to live my creative life with arms wide open, welcoming and surrendering to all that it has to teach me. In 2010 Fearless was my guiding principle and thanks to the magic of serendipity, I stumbled upon the first ecourse - Art Journal Love Letters - from the joy -filled

Dirty Footprints Studio

the home of Connie Hozvicka or Connie Cakes as I like to call her. I don't have a picture of myself with Connie - yet! But come October I will be painting alongside her and 11 members of her Fearless Painting tribe when we gather for the retreat Total Alignment in Sedona Arizona.








Connie is the creator of Fearless Painting, an intuitive process based approach to creativity which has blown open my world in so many ways. In Connie's courses Big and Deep I was guided to open myself to my intuition, learning to trust that voice and allow it to take me deeper into both my art and more importantly, my life. I have journals filled with the insights I received through the process of painting fearless. But the greatest gift Connie has given me - and anyone who watches her videos or journeys with her through her courses - is an immense passion for the creative act. And a strong belief in one's ability to tap into vast pools of inspiration.









Actually, two words conjure up Connie - Passion and Abundance. Connie's love of what she does and her belief in the power of creative expression to transform ourselves and our world resulted in a bounty of programs online including her free workshop Total Alignment which just opened this month. If you haven't heard about it, check it out here and in this video (warning: she will have you immediately driving to the art supply store, piling your basket full of goodies and painting before you get out the door!)








The abundance of her creativity is being showered upon this party as Connie has generously donated two original paintings as prizes:













These paintings measure 14 by 17 inches and are acrylic on paper (vellum bristol?) and they are landscapes of Sedona Arizona painted on the summer solstice, so they have gobs of good juju radiating from them.

paintings and photograph courtesy Connie Hozvicka

This week Cowgirl and I focused our work upon one of her favorite creatures, the penguin. Whenever we go to the zoo she likes to stand in front of the penguin display and point out which penguin she is and which penguin is me and her dad and Moose dog. (Usually I am the large, slow looking penguin!) We are very happy to be sharing our love of penguins by offering our Penguin Family for this week's giveaway:

6 x 6 inches mixed media on gesso board

Brief but important recap of how to enter: if you have already made a donation to our pledge page, then your name is entered into the drawing for Penguin Family. To be eligible to win one of Connie's paintings you must also leave us either a comment here or email me at Lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net. Help us spread the word and receive additional entries into the drawing (just be sure to leave a comment telling us what you did: blog, facebook, tweet ...) For the longer spiel on rules, entering and about Half the Sky Foundation, check out week one of the party here.

And for fun, let us know your best party hosting tips or tricks. Cowgirl has a birthday coming, so any support for this party-phobic mom will be appreciated!

Okay, I've refilled the dip and chips, punch bowl is replenished so go forth and enjoy!

Congratulations to our winners from week one: Donna - Duck Love, Liz - Susannah's photo pack, Mel & Tracy - prints by Marisa. Emails were sent, so be sure to verify your mailing address so we can get your goodies to you!

Let's get this party started!

Cowgirl and I want to welcome you to our month-long celebration of creativity and connection! In case you missed the purpose of this art-filled bash, here is a quick refresher:

Painting with a Purpose/2011 Campaign from Lisa Hofmann on Vimeo.

This month we hope to raise $1000 for a charity we have been privileged to sponsor in the past, Half the Sky Foundation. This organization is all about establishing loving, nurturing relationships for the orphaned children of China and what better way to demonstration our connection and care then by creating artwork that celebrates love. Our first collaborative piece which we will be giving away this week is a mixed media piece entitled Duck Love:

6 x 6 inches on flat gesso board surface

Wanting to make this bash extra special, we have some surprise guests! It seems fitting to start things off with the two artists/bloggers who inspired me to take the plunge and explore my life through art and creativity. In fact, this blog is the result of this woman's influence:








Yes, it was Susannah Conway's first ecourse Unravelling: Ways of Seeing Myself which got me dusting off my camera and realizing I could use photography and art making as a means of self exploration and discovery. Susannah's writing, her courses, and her fearlessness in presenting her journey woke up the part of me that had been lying dormant and frozen in fear and insecurity. Susannah ignited my curiosity and a desire to uncover my creative voice in addition to creating a space where I connected with the tribe of supportive women who nurtured me at the beginning of this journey.

Susannah exemplifies the generous spirit that pervades the cyber-circle of creative women blogging and teaching. It was no surprise she was the first person to respond to my request for donations for this art marathon. And what a sweet package of goodies she has brought to the party!








One lucky person will be the winner of this collection of two 5 by 5 inch polaroid prints; a set of 8 postcards; and one original - did you get that? - an original polaroid photograph!

Our other special guest is Susannah's Aquarian twin (they share the same birthday) Marisa Haedike from Creative Thursday.









If Susannah got me thinking about creativity as a means of self knowing, Marisa helped me to understand the need to support my creativity through a committed practice of consistent art making. She also helped me re-frame the concept of a Thriving Artist, understanding that I determine for myself what constitutes a successful career, one that may be entirely personal versus commercial. Her free podcasts are an inspiration for anyone wrestling with the gremlins of doubt and hesitancy. A pivotal image for me is a story her husband Sean shared on their ecourse April in Paris. He talked about playing baseball in school and how his coach never put him into a game. He would sit on the bench frustrated and anxious for a chance to play. When his teammates would grumble about a loss, he told them "At least you got to play!" I often approach decisions with that story in mind asking which would be worse: to try and fail? Or to not play at all?

Marisa is offering two prints from her etsy studio:

Fiona and her cub

Photo opp 7

Each print measures 8.5 by 11 inches and details can be found by clicking on the link.

So for this first week there are 4 possible prizes you could win!

The hopefully not confusing details: In order to be eligible and have your name in the hat to win a prize, you must first make a donation to Half the Sky Foundation using our pledge page located here (there is a button on the right-hand column Donate Now which will also take you to our page.) When you make a donation be sure to either enter your name on the honor roll (you do not need to indicate the amount of your donation) or let me know through the comments or via email: lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net.

Once you've donated, you will be entered into the drawing for all five weeks of collaborative pieces by Cowgirl and myself. Easy peasy. Just be sure I have a way to contact you either through comments or email.

To be entered into the drawings for the special guest prizes (Susannah's photo package or one of Marisa's two prints): In addition to donating to our pledge page, you must either leave a comment on this blog post or email me this week. Names will be drawn and the winners announced next Monday, August 8 along with our second week of new prizes (and more fabulous guests!) You only need to donate once, but to be considered for the special guest prizes you must comment or email me each week.

Additional chances to win: Help us spread the word by either tweeting, blogging, linking on Facebook or Google Plus and receive additional entries into the drawing. Just let me know what you've done in an additional comment or email. And be sure I have a way to get in touch with you should you win!







It's time to grab a cooling drink, relax and enjoy the party! Five weeks of art and festivities, so hang on!

Let us know how you like to cool down in the heat. My favorite drink is sun tea with fresh mint from the Farmer's Market and fruit ice pops while Cowgirl prefers total immersion in the pool. Share your tips and be entered to win! August Art Bash my friends, help us celebrate BIG and send our love to the children who so desperately need to know someone loves them and cares. The money we raise will be donated to supply art materials for children's programs, completing the circle of creativity and connection!

photograph from Half the Sky Foundation

August Art Bash - Everyone's Invited!

Cowgirl and I are so excited to share our news but first, a little teaser:

Painting with a Purpose/2011 Campaign from Lisa Hofmann on Vimeo.

We are pleased to announce August 1 is the kick off date for our Art Bash, Painting with a Purpose 2011 Campaign.

If you were with us last year, you may remember we participated in an art a-thon fund raiser for the charity Half the Sky Foundation. Half the Sky is an organization we have supported for over five years now. The mission of this grassroots organization is to provide nurturing care for the orphaned children living in Chinese Welfare Centers. The essence of their mission can be found in this excerpt from their training manual:

"Changing children’s lives does not require new facilities or expensive playthings or complicated new procedures. Human contact is the most important ingredient, and caretakers can make a huge difference—just by taking an extra moment whenever possible to hold the babies, talk to the children, hug them all, and assure them that someone cares."

For five weeks last summer Cowgirl and I collaborated on a series of paintings which we offered as prizes for anyone making a donation to our Half the Sky pledge page. We even received a commission for a painting (that make us Real Artists, right?) and through the generosity of this community, we raised $900. Our efforts resulted in a year long sponsorship of this sweet little guy:

Plus we contributed to the Big Sisters Program which provides educational training and opportunities for older children living in Chinese orphanages and welfare centers. Part of that project involves the children producing a regular newsletter filled with their own art work, creative writing and stories. Almost half of the children who have participated in this program have been accepted to university - an incredible feat!

This is the second year Half the Sky has sponsored their fundraiser Art from the Heart and Cowgirl and I have been eagerly planning our summer series as part of the art a-thon, which we call Painting with a Purpose.

For five weeks in August Cowgirl and I will be collaborating on a series of mixed media pieces on gesso board. It is looking like Birds (Flying Free?) may be our theme, although my six-year girl reserves the right to change her mind! Each Monday starting August 1, I will post that week's completed piece which we will be offering as a prize to anyone making a donation to our Half the Sky Pledge page. Here's the fun part: make a donation and your name is entered into the pool each week for one of our paintings. One donation: five chances to win!

Ah, but we are hosting a Art Party! And everyone knows a party has to have beaucoup sparkle, decoration, prizes, and fun along with great guests. And boy, do we have some great guests joining us!

In addition to the pieces created by myself and Cowgirl, each week there will be bonus prizes generously donated by a dream team of creative lovelies. I am talking about the artists, writers, creative goddesses who have inspired me and my journey. I would not be the Joy Warrior I am without their presence lighting up the online world, never mind their art that fills my home. And I honored to be able to share the magnificence of their creativity with all of you.

Each week there we will be giving away selected artwork and prizes donated by Susannah Conway, Marisa Haedike, Connie Hozvicka, Effy Wild, Soraya Nulliah, Pixie Campbell and Sarah Ahearn Bellemare. Beautiful things - really, really juicy fun prizes.

Are you digging out your party shoes? Grabbing your twirling skirt? Glitter and perfume?

Okay, here's the scoop: in order to be eligible for all the drawings, you must make a donation to our Half the Sky pledge page. There is a button on the right hand side of my blog - it says Donate Now - that will take you right to my page. From there you can make a donation directly to Half the Sky by credit card. If you wish to mail in a check instead, there is a link on that same pledge page to print out a donation form. All money is handled by Half the Sky.

After you donate be sure to leave your name on the honor roll (you do not need to indicate the amount of your donation) then leave a comment on this blog making sure I have a way to contact you should you win! You may also email me directly: lishofmann(at)novia(dot)net to let me know you've donated and to give me emailing information.

Once you've donated, your name is in the pool for the five weeks worth of paintings by myself and Cowgirl.

For the special guest prizes: Every Monday in August I will be revealing both the work Cowgirl and I created along with that week's guest prizes. Each week will showcase a different artist. To be entered into the drawing for those prizes, you must leave a comment on that post along with contact information (or email me.) Again, you must have made your donation to Half the Sky - you donate once, but must comment every week to be eligible for the bonus prizes. (It's a party, we want you around for the entire bash!)

Help me spread the word and you receive additional chances to win. Post a link on Facebook, Google+, Tweet about the campaign, or share on your blog and receive additional entries into each week's drawing. Just be sure to leave a comment that week letting me know how you've helped so I can include the additional entries. Winners will be announced the following Monday with the final prizes being awarded on Labor Day, September 5.

Phew! I think that's all for now! Party planning can be intense, but I am looking forward to cutting loose with you all come August 1 and celebrating! I would love LOVE to reach our goal and contribute this year's offerings towards a year's worth of art supplies - paints, paper, markers, clay and lots of glitter! - for the preschool programs. Just think: our hands empowering those little hands and watching the creativity fly!

I hope you will help us dream big. Help us spread the joy. Let's be fearless dreamers together.

Okay, ready ... grab someone's hand ...

JUMP Up and join us!






The party begins August 1 - we can't wait to see you.

Monday Inspiration Celebration: Hope ... (we have a boy!)

I could blame my fuzzy and foggy head on any number of things:

* the 2 am wake-up call - Cowgirl yelling "Mommy, I have a bloody nose!" and me stumbling out of bed, aware in the murkiness that I am also bloated and cramping and would soon have to attend to That;
*the 2 hour nap (more like a collapse) taken before dinner to recover from previous night's activities which included making my way down to the basement, trying not to wake the dog, as I searched for the only jar of vaseline which I had been using in an art journal project and now needed for Cowgirl's nose;
*the pancakes I ate for dinner because, well, we both napped until 6:30 pm;
* 2 days of being solo caregiver to Cowgirl who had strep throat ... yes, for the second time ...



... and the dog who does not have strep, but did throw up, probably the result of eating rabbit poo and disgusting in all respects (and so I had to adjust his medications);

But the obvious explanation is all of the above being ladled upon a heart weary from the stories and images of pain and despair coming from Japan. It does feel like the Mother has had enough of the global disrespect and is letting us know who really is in charge of things. The level of destruction and the depth of suffering taking place is of a scope beyond anything my brain or my emotions can take in.

I dragged myself to work this morning and it was hard to summon up much enthusiasm on yet another cold, gray day. And then I checked my email and saw this face:





Our boy. Pan Xiong. The boy we are now sponsoring through Half the Sky Foundation for one year. And when I say we, I mean all of us - everyone who supported our Painting with a Purpose campaign last summer by donating, entering to win one of the paintings Cowgirl and I created for the art marathon and by leaving words of support and encouragement. (Yes, there have been a few mishaps but finally we got confirmation of our sponsorship which is the result of raising $900 through this blog.)




Look at that face! He about 2 1/2 years old (born August 29, 2008) and lives in Baotou in Inner Mongolian Autonomous region. He is in Half the Sky's Infant Nurture Program and it is unclear what is going on with his legs or feet. This is a translation of a report by his caregiver:

When I play games with PanXiong face to face, if he is happy he will pout his mouth and ask me to kiss him. If I kiss him, he will smile at me happily and lean his head on my arms while swinging his arms.

His legs are very agile. When he lies on his back on the mat, he can use his feet to kick on the mat while stretching his head. When he moves to the baby gym, he will use his feet to touch the toys to play. When he sits on the mat, he can use his feet to turn the pages of the books. He can put the big toes of his feet into the holes of the rattle and swing it left and right.

He has established a deep emotional attachment to me. If I hide my face in `peek-a-boo', he will kick with his feet and shout `a a' loudly and angrily. He likes me to kiss his neck. If I kiss him, he will kick with his feet, swing his body and laugh out happily. When he hears music he likes, he will swing his arms and dance happily.





Seeing the obvious joy and happiness on his face, I feel Hope rising within me. It felt odd to think about celebration today, much less feeling any inspiration, but little Pan Xiong's face is a reminder that for those of us who can, we have a responsibility to celebrate the gifts of today, whatever they may be. I will not squander the flashes of joy, the moments of comfort and love that life does hold out in any given moment for right now, perhaps we are the ones keeping the flame of hope alive and burning in this seemingly darker world.

Tonight, while reading Cowgirl her bedtime stories, I crawled into bed with her for warmth and comfort. I gave her an extra sandwich cookie and joined her for a sweet treat this afternoon. We both ate the filling and then dunked the cookies into our glasses of milk. Small matters, I know. But that is how we find our way out of the darkness ... one cuddle, one shared treat, one smile at a time.






This is what inspires me right now. This is what I am choosing to celebrate. We can still choose Joy, paint rainbows and find ways to create a sunnier tomorrow.

Perhaps all we need is a rubber bouncy horse?

cowgirl on her Rodie; almost 3 years ago! (age 3 1/2)