Lisa Thorpe

Something in the Wind

There is something in the wind here; something is out of balance that has put everyone off kilter.  Here in Northern California the weather is all wrong.  Summer is refusing to show herself, and everyone is peevish.  It is the last week of school and at the moment about 55 degrees and threatening rain.  For my subscribers from hither and yon, this is not normal.  We are usually enjoying a wonderful heat that beckons one to linger on the patio and putter around the yard in the evening.  Usually we are slipping on skirts and sandals with our boots long pushed to the back of the closet.   But not this year, I had packed away my boots back in April but I had to admit defeat and dragged them out again this week comfort beating out fashion.  I have a friend who is resolutely ignoring the temperature and came to our book group gathering this week in post memorial day white pants, sandals, and a sleeveless top, I admired her moxie and resolve to thumb her nose at Mother Nature’s whims but I didn’t envy her goose bumps as I wrapped my big sweater around me and curled my booted feet up on the couch, hot toddy in hand.

What I’m getting at is how uncomfortable we all become when things are not what we expect.  We have a vision of what something is and when it is different we don’t know what to do, how to respond.  I am about to make a change in how I approach this blog.  I have been struggling with the change because I set up this challenge for myself with great seriousness.  Over the past 9 months I have faithfully posted twice a week for 36 weeks.  I have posted 72 times.  It has been both exhilarating and humbling and I have equally enjoyed and dreaded this self-imposed homework.  I am so grateful to have you 60 email subscribers and 100 or so Facebook lookers every week, just knowing you all are out there has kept me faithful to the challenge.  Thank you.  I have decided that my pace is too rigorous, that more time to ponder and create would enhance the journey (and give me more time to do the work I get paid for).  To help support the blog so I can continue to follow this path least taken I have put the blog art up for sale on my website.  Follow this link to see all the applicable pieces of art now for sale http://lisathorpe.com/mandala.html.

I will be taking a break from the challenge for the month of June.  My nearly 15-year-old son and I have been taking American Sign Language this past year at the local community college and will be taking up an ASL 3 intensive course at Sacramento State beginning today.  When I return I will post once a week on Friday.  The first Friday will be the challenge photo and the next Friday will be the response.  Upon my return I will post a piece relating to this dandelion photo. I was stimulated to use this image by another challenge blog that a friend of mine is a part of.  The Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Challenge is a fantastic group of 12 women creating wonderful art.  Their first challenge was a dandelion and is now part of a lovely book.  Follow this link to see their dandelion responses and then check out the rest of their blog http://twelveby12.org/dandelion/index.html.

You’ll hear from me next on Friday, July 1st, until then check out my website with Mandala Challenge Art from the past 9 months.  Here is a little homework for you- I’d love to hear from you about what moved you most these past months specific writings or art or just your general vibe.

Faithfully yours, Lisa