What do you Control?

Quote of the Day:  I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.~ Jimmy Dean

This is a famous quote that you've probably heard before.  It speaks to what we can control in our lives and what we can't. For the most part, we control nothing but our own reaction to the situation or person or outcome. We can keep adjusting our "sails" by thinking of new ways to do something to feel successful.

I was trying to take a picture of Eric and our cat Leo.  You can pick Leo up, but you can't make him look in the right direction.

Switch directions

Okay, that didn't work either.

Moved in closer, tried to snap faster (quick, he's looking my way!), and got a fur face.

Finally, Eric set Leo on the ground where he calmly laid down.

Eric adjusted his "sails" to fit Leo's comfort.

I adjusted my "sails" of what would make a great picture,

and viola!

Here's the thing. In our lives, especially in our creative endeavors, we can't control who will show up or how they will respond to what we've created. All we can do is create what is in us and wants to come out. We'll build up our inventory, polish our skills, and eventually we'll shine.  More than one of us has walked away from an event that felt less than successful. But, is that all perspective? So, only a few people were there, not much money was earned, but what did you gain from the experience.  I think of writers who sit at book signings all afternoon and sell only a copy or two.  Was it a waste of time?  I don't know. Maybe the joy was in sitting in a bookstore for an afternoon chatting with the workers, browsing the shelves, drinking coffee, connecting with that one buyer who really wanted to read your book.

Or, maybe that feeling of "this just isn't working" is your call to try a new perspective. What preconceived notion do you need to let go in order to find just the right fit?

Go. Create. Inspire! and look for success in new ways.

Journaling Prompt:  When have you felt blue about your art?  How did you adjust your sails?

What Could This Be?

Favorite Photo Friday

Quote of the Day:  Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. - Albert Einstein

What could this be?

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, use your imagination.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe an object, like the clouds, in a way that is new and original.

Clandestine Collecting

Quote of the Day:  I woke up this morning with this song running through my mind.  Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood? Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood? The people that you meet each day. from Sesame Street

I was in on a great conversation last Saturday at that wedding reception. (No eavesdropping needed, I was legitimately there.) A woman was talking about her mother-in-law (MIL), how well they get along, actually, yet, she has some quirky habits. As they were planning her wedding, the MIL suggested they have fresh-cut flowers, from the garden.
DIL:  But, we don't have much for flowers in our garden this year.
MIL: Oh, that doesn't matter.  We'll just go night picking around the neighborhood.

(eyesbrows up - laughter all around)

You never know where you'll gather up good dialogue, hear a great story, collect bits of humor that you can later use in your written work. As you go about your daily life, doing mundane things like buying meat, you might strike up a conversation with the butcher and discover new ingredients to add to your lasagna. Now, I've gotta be a little careful here. If you're a mystery writer, you might already have some dark thoughts on that statement.  To clarify, I was buying both ground beef and chicken & swiss brats (they really are great), and he suggested I put some of the brat meat in the lasagna. So, I'm going to try it on my guests for Thursday night. (Stop thinking like Agatha Christie!)

Go. Create. Inspire! (and do a bit of clandestine collecting, you might gather a bouquet of ideas)

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a time/place/person who gave you great ideas for your project.

Upbeat Sunday

Quote of the Day:  What I want to know is...Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp? Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? - Barry Mann and Gerry Goffin

First pages of my family gift journal.

This weekend was filled with so many of my favorite things.  I got my journal ready for our family journal exchange.  The boys came home from scout camp, a little stinky and itchy, but in one piece, and quite happy. Eric said my journal looked "cool." Thanks, Eric. He's also participating in the journal exchange.

I was invited to a small, intimate wedding reception for a former piano student, as a friend of the family. I felt very honored to be there.

We had an outdoor worship service at our Pastor's place. He has a large yard. The weather was cool and sunny, almost no wind, so the music pages didn't blow around. I sang a song called What a Beautiful Morning (not the one from Oklahoma). Then, we enjoyed home-made caramel and cinnamon rolls.

I came home and took a nap (a gal gets wore out from all that singing and fellowshipping), then got domestic and made a delicious stir-fry and banana bread.

I shared the second loaf with my neighbor, who, in turn, invited me to join them for dinner.

Delicious eggplant parmesan that we enjoyed out on the front porch where we chatted with the neighbors.

While I was cooking and baking I tuned into Pandora (isn't that a brilliant idea), and cracked my eggs and stirred my food to good old tunes of the 50's and 60's. I clicked "like" to all the best by The Cordettes, The Archies - Sugar Sugar (which could also be the theme song for that wedding reception - a dessert buffet - yum), The Four Tops, the Chiffons, Little Eva, Lesly Gore (You Don't Own Me - one of my top five favorite songs), Betty Everett, Sam Cooke's What a Wonderful World: Don't know much about history, Don't know much biology, Don't know much about a science book, Don't know much about the French I took. (A great song to hear just as we're getting ready for a new school year.)

These songs have a great beat. They're simple, yet lyrical, and full of harmony.  This is my "Lollipop" playlist.  In fact, one of my favorite movie soundtracks is from Stand By Me. Which reminds me, it's time to take out the paper and the trash, Hey, Zach, Yakkety, Yak, don't talk back.

I'll leave you tapping your toe and humming along to these great lyrics, (from the quote of the day song):

Each time that we're alone
Boogity boogity boogity
Boogity boogity boogity shoo
Sets my baby's heart all aglow
And everytime we dance to
Dip da dip da dip
Dip da dip da dip
She always says she loves me so
So who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?

Journaling Prompt:  What songs set your hips twirling, your toe tapping, and your lips humming?  In other words, what songs give you an upbeat feeling?  Anyone want a slice of banana bread? It's still warm.

The Family that Journals Together

Favorite Photos Friday and Double Quotes

Quote of the Day: If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable - each segment distinct. ~Letty Cottin Pogrebin

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Joy's journal, French twist binding and fragments of a songbook.

Our family is trying something new for Christmas gifts this year. For those who want to participate, we're buying or making a journal that reflects us, then we'll be passing that same journal from person to person.  We'll have the books in our possession for about 10 days where we can write in them, include photos, quotes, clippings, or drawings - anything that reflects that particular time.  It can be for and about the owner of the journal or about the person writing in it.  The last person in the rotation will wrap up the journal and give it to the owner at Christmas.

Joy made her journal at my house by cutting up an old songbook and using some of its pages as well as blank journal pages. I taught her the French twist binding.  She left it here in Minnesota and won't see it again until it arrives at her home in Portland, OR at the end of December, filled with the imprint of her family.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are your family's gift giving traditions?

The Pulse of the Family

Quote of the Day:  Pulsing through our veins is the blood of our ancestors, all their hopes and fears, longings and frailties. - Mary Aalgaard, after visiting with family this week.

Actually, my sister Joy talked about this.  She's heard of a pulse test that reads your family's health history, emotional and physical.  We know that we are genetically wired for certain diseases like cancer or heart disease, but we're also linked to our ancestor's emotional health.  This is interesting to me.  We have depression in our family.  We have sensitive souls who are strong in music and art and connecting with other people.  Some of us have control issues.

Cousin Angie and sister Joy singing and playing.

Leo is listening and purring.

Often, when we get together we talk about the negative traits of our family.  This time, we made a point of bringing out the positive qualities.  Aalgaards are great hosts.  We know how to make you feel comfortable.  We're good cooks.  We make music and know how to listen as well as talk.  We are spiritual and loyal.  We're the first to roll up our sleeves and help a neighbor.

We come from people with a wanderlust.  We travel and relocate, constantly seeking, aware of the journey.  We know that it's important to be together, to talk, to create, to connect.  We have a fun journaling project in the works for Christmas.  I'll tell you more about that on Friday.  In the meantime...

Go. Create. Inspire!  And, spend a little time with family, and check your pulse.

Brother Nathan, Sisters Nancy and Joy.

Having lunch together before Joy flies back to Portland, OR.

Journaling Prompt:  Write about the physical and emotional history of your family.  What are the positive traits that you've inherited from your family?

Book Binding

Quote of the Day: If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would have thus been kept active through use.  The loss of these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature. - Charles Darwin (the beginning quote in my favorite poetry book The Music Lover's Petry Anthology)

(I would say do those things at least once a day. Creativity, art, music, nature, poetry, all the arts stimulate our minds.) 

A few of you guessed it. We made journal books.  The little one is an accordian fold book.  The larger one is made with nicely textured Japanese paper and an accordian spine.  We put three sections of paper in it.  The purple one is a multi-sectioned French twist binding.

Georgia has also taught me a modified Japanese book binding which I've used when teaching journal making, and writing.  I'd love to do more of this, both making the books and teaching.

I get all excited about the different kinds of paper you can find at art stores.  I love the textures and the things that are embedded in the fibers.  It stimulates my creativity.

My sister Joy and cousin Angie are visiting for a couple days.  We're off to the coffee shop where I do my writing for a cup of inspiration.

Journaling Prompt:  What stimulates your creativity?  Are you a teaching artist, or an artist who teaches, or would you rather not teach?  I think my first calling is teacher.

Accordian Fold

Favorite Photos Friday #3 (clearly, I can't stick to just one)

Quote of the Day:  This river, named after a crow's wing, makes me feel light. - Georgia A. Greeley

On the banks of the Crow Wing River

Sits an old army barracks cabin

Where I met with these two lovely, creative people

To make this

What do you think it will be?

Journaling Prompt:  What is it about water that is so alluring?  Which body of water are you most attracted to? Oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, creeks, water falls, other?

Brainerd Buddy Walk

Quote of the Day:  If we all walked in every cause walk in our community, we'd be one healthy community - physically, spiritually and emotionally. Mary Aalgaard from my article in Her Voice.

I write for our local women's magazine which has a strong community connection for both women and men.  I found my voice through Her Voice when the editor, Meg, called me an author and printed my words for the first time.  My most recent article came out this week on The Buddy Walk in our community for people with Downs Syndrome. The interviews with these families gave me a stronger connection to my community.  I felt drawn into their stories, not always smooth sailing, but always filled with love and a desire to connect with other people who care about someone with disabilities.  They are a warm and welcoming bunch, and I feel so honored to share their story with you. 

Here are a few photos from my friend and Her Voice photographer Joey Halvorson.  These are some great ones that didn't make it into the magazine.

Sisters Avery and Lauren out for a cruise.

Lauren and her mom Beth

Big brother Patrick with a protective arm around Sarah.

Sarah with her dad Tom

Dave giving comforting kisses to son Noah.

For the full story and more photos click here.  My story starts on p. 23.

If we all walk together, no one has to walk alone.

Go. Create. Inspire! And, walk for a cause.

Journaling Prompt:  How do you react when you see someone with different abilities?  Do you join any cause walks?

Gloomy Days

Quote of the Day:  Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. by The Carpenters

We have had lots and lots of rain. I woke up Saturday morning to a big thunderstorm. 

It was a dark and gloomy morning....

That could be a story starter, but it doesn't have the same ring as dark and stormy night.  Gloomy mornings just make me want to lie around in my jammies, drink coffee, read blogs, and put in another dvd of Castle. I'm late discovering that great show about a mystery writer and a female detective.  What a great character he is - a bit egotistical, yet a caring and concerned father, and a guy who loves a good story. His crime solving skill is to ask the question: What would make a better story? It's fun. I have to rewatch episodes sometimes because I miss the subtle clues.   

After about three episodes on Saturday morning, I felt like a big slug, so I played piano to my creative juices flowing, then packed up my laptop and headed to a nearby restaurant/coffee shop.  They have a great summer chicken salad wrap, wifi, and a fairly quiet room.  The lunch was great and I worked on an article for Her Voice on Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Sometimes, you need a change of scenery to get creative and concentrate.

Journaling Prompt:  Where do you like to go to get creative or take a break from the same old, same old, and beat the gloomy days?

Strike a Chord

Favorite Photo Friday #2

Quote of the Day:  Seated one day at the organ, I was weary and ill at ease, And my fingers wander'd idly over the noisy keys;
I knew not what I was playing, or what I was dreaming then,
But I struck one chord of music like the sound of a great Amen.
- the first verse to The Lost Chord Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan;
words by Adelaide Anne Proctor

I loved playing that song when I was in high school. It has a haunting melody, filled with longing.  The rest of the song talks about the organist searching for that one glorious chord one more time, but maybe only hearing it again in Heaven.

(I had to use two photos to illustrate this.)

Hands on the keys.

The inner workings of the piano.

One of the first things I show a new student is the inside of a piano. It's fun to open the lid and show them how the hammers hit the strings and the pads come down to stop the sound, and what it looks like when you hold the pedal down.

Do you ever feel like that song, longing for the combination that feels like the sweet spot of life?  Harmony to compliment your melody?

Journaling Prompt:  What strikes a chord with you?  When have you felt that harmonious blend that makes you sigh and say, ah, that's what I want forever? Ever take something apart just to see how it works?

True Callling

Quote of the Day:  Music...accesses both sides of the brain - the analytical left side and the emotional right side - and forces a connection. (p. 139)

Music Therapy is music without the ego. (p. 146)

- Jodi Picoult from her novel Sing You Home

Have you ever wondered if you're doing what you were born to do?  Have you answered your true calling?  Do you ever look at someone else's life/career, and think, that's what I really want to do? Or, are you one of the lucky ones who is doing exactly what your heart and abilities are calling you to do?

I just finished reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult.  I loved it.  I'll have to admit that I'd given up on reading Picoult's books because they're too gloomy for me.  She a fantastic writer of realistic contemporary fiction, heavy on the realism.  In fact, it is so real and raw that reading her books can feel like you've been watching the evening news for five days straight.  I can't stay in a gloomy place that long.  She writes about real people experiencing real life, and the way she has her characters interact is spot on.

So, I picked up the book with trepidation.  But, it came highly recommended by my cousin Angie.  In fact, she referred to it many times during our conversations about things we care about - aging, music, acceptance of all types of people, connections, relationships. And, I connected to the main character in the book right away.  She's a music therapist.  I kept thinking the whole time I was reading the book that I should have been a music therapist.  And, as I read further, I thought of how I already do music therapy, but without the degree and official title. 

I have kids come to my house every week to make music.  I talk to them about music, what they like about playing, and I also talk to them about what is important in their lives - their pets, their families, other interests, friendships.  I see them blossom as musicians and people.  I watch them gain confidence.

Spring Recital at the assisted living center

If you've been reading my blog lately, you know that I play at an assistend living center about once a month, and during the summer I've brought the handful of students who are taking summer lessons with me.  I see the sparkle of energy come out in both my students and their audience - especially in the memory care unit.  Yesterday, I interviewed a woman for an article I'm writing for Her Voice on Alzheimer's disease.  Her mom is in a facility, now, where she needs constant care for dementia.  While she was sharing her story with me, and talking about her mom, she was also talking to me about what I could so as a musician to help ease the pain of these patients and their families who love them.  What she emphasized is that you want your parent, or spouse or friends, to be taken care of by people who want to interact with them and show them love.

I have been talking with my sister Joy and dear friend JeMA about our vision of having an art center where we could teach, offer music and art therapy, and have original artwork and performances. We want a place that nurtures gifts and talents in ourselves and in others. 

Do you know that when people don't have the ability to communicate verbally, they can still connect with others through art and music?  They are another language, another way of expressing ourselves.  I have also heard of therapy in theatre. I can imagine movement and expression, both verbal and non-verbal, create stimulation and connection.

Oh, the possibilities...

Journaling Prompt:  What is your true calling?  Are you doing it right now, or do you feel pulled in another direction, or further in the direction you're heading?  What is it that gets your heart pumping and makes you want to try harder and be more?

Emotional Intelligence

Quote of the Day:  Emotions are at the center of our thinking. Emotions are not separate from reason, but they are the foundation of reason because they tell us what to value. David Brooks on Ted.com. Click here for the full speech. It's fascinating.

He also talks about "mind-sight", the ability to interpentrate into someone's mind, and "blending" which is something artists do naturally, taking seemingly unrelated objects, events, or creatures and making connections.  I believe we experience mind-sight when we use our intuition to read people.  Have you ever said, "I just got a weird vibe from that guy," or looked into someone's eyes to determine if you could trust him or her?  Some people feel approachable, while others make you want to cross the street and walk on the other side.

David Brooks talks about skills we cannot count and measure.  Intuition, making connections, emotional response, creativity, the ability to see something for more than what it is, that is a higher power.  Creative Intelligence. I am amazed at how quickly a musician must process music and all its intricate details, and all the while feeling the emotions it evokes. And, how artists have visions about what they will create.

Like, turning a block of wood into a tiny tractor.

My Uncle David made this.

Or, finding objects in nature and embedding them in your canvas.

My friend at ArtbyJeMA, is a master at this.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Take note of times you act on your intuition or feel inspiration.  Observe kids and how they make connections and interact with their environment.  They have not reasoned away emotional response.