Distractions? Be Free as a Beagle

Distractions or interruptions to writing or art can often be inspiration……

Today, just as I was going in to my den to work, I received a frantic call from my daughter.  Their beagle, Monk, had escaped out of the house after she had carried in groceries (the door had not closed all the way).  She has 3 children 3 and under.  They live on a very busy street.  The beagle will not come when called.  Retrieving him was not going to be easy.    I told her I would be right over (they only live 3 miles away).  I scribbled a note for my husband, Tom, grabbed my car keys, and ran out the door just as Tom came home.  He jumped in the car with me and away we went on a rescue mission.

Long story short- the beagle’s fine.  Our daughter threw the kids (well, not literally) back in the car and drove down a side road where she thought he might have run–and there he was.  She parked, jumped out and managed to grab him.  She called us on our cell phone, but we were almost there anyway–so we went on.  We were able to help cart all the kids back inside.  Felicity had peanut butter all over her face (she was eating when Monk escaped), the baby was in just a shirt and diaper (he was getting changed when the dog ran), and the oldest, Ivy, was just excited about the whole adventure.

And Monk…..he tried to escape twice more while we were there.  He’s a good dog with the kids – but if he gets loose he’s off on a scent. Funny thing, part of the shopping trip included purchase of a new leash and stake out for the dog.   They have a fenced yard – but he can still wiggle under in places.  He also has to wear 2 collars when leashed because he usually squirms out of one.  The double collar system seems to work.

So what’s my point?   Another work day interruption turned into enjoying smiles and giggles from the grandkids.  And when I returned back to my art table – all I had in my mind’s eye was a picture of a very care free beagle bounding through a field – not a care or worry plaguing him.   It wasn’t my planned work for the day but it was too vivid to resist painting.  It was the quickest and easiest rendering I’ve done in a while.

So – I say put your nose to the ground and follow the scent, er….the inspiration where it takes you.  Distractions can be refreshing.

Who is St. Patrick and What is St. Patrick’s Day?

I am Irish and I am a Christian.   My great-grandfather lived near Belfast, Ireland and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1890′s.  I also have my grandmother’s curly Irish hair, as does my oldest daughter (thank’s Grandma). I have to admit that until recently I only had a vague notion of who St. Patrick was.  Now that I know,  I have to say,  I am embarrassed by the way St. Patrick’s day is recognized by the majority of our citizens.

I taught for 11 years in our church’s Christian School , the last 5 years I was also principal. When, out of my own curiosity, I researched St. Patrick,  I decided to share the information with our students during our chapel time.  I first asked the children, ranging in age from 3rd grade to 12th, what is the meaning of St. Patrick’s day?  One 4th grader said, “it’s when you go out and party and drink green beer .”  A wiser 5th grader said, “well, you only drink green beer if you’re Irish.”  The high school students determined it was just a day to party if you were Irish.

When I asked ‘who is St. Patrick?’ the same 4th grader said he was a leprechaun.  The high school students disagreed, saying he was somebody important, and one said he got rid of snakes in Ireland.  Unfortunately if you ask most adults, this is also what they will say.  The documented history of Patrick,  from the 5th century is sketchy, but what written history there is documents a life of dedication, a devout faith, and a life of service for the Lord.

You can easily do a search on St. Patrick, but here are the simple facts agreed upon by most historians:    Patrick was born in circa 387 a.d. in Roman Britain (Scotland). When Patrick was about 14 he was kidnapped from his home by Irish raiders.  He was taken to Ireland, a land of pagans and Druids and put into a life of slavery working as a shepherd.  It was here that he lived by his faith and trusted in God. It was a time of deprivation, suffering in the elements and being separated from family.   About six years later he had a vision from the Lord leading him to escape to the coast and sail back to Britain.   There he was reunited with family and later followed his faith and became a priest and eventually a bishop.

Patrick returned to the land that held him slave: (This part of his life puts me in reverent awe.)  After another vision he returned to Ireland to bring the Gospel of Salvation to the ‘heathens.’  He was the man that brought Christianity to Ireland.  Attempts were made on his life, but he had a fervor for the Lord that could not be quenched.  He was humble, gentle and totally devoted to God, pious and denying himself luxuries of fine living that were offered him.   He ministered in Ireland for nearly 40 years, thousands were converted including kings, queens and their families. He refused gifts and payment for services such as baptisms and ordinations, but lived in poverty and endured much suffering.   He is credited with many miracles of healing (snakes? there were never really any in Ireland).  It is also told he used a shamrock to help explain the Holy Trinity.  He died on March 17, 461, in Saul, where he had planted the first Christian church in Ireland.

St. Patrick should be a shining, godly example to each of us.  He loved God and showed God’s love to others.  It is a sad thing that the life of a devout, Christian man is now associated with a day of parties and drinking.     Each year since I’ve been enlightened, I try to retell his story, the real story to others who don’t know.  And this year I wrote a blog.   Now that you know, perhaps you can also tell his story, and plant a seed for the Lord and a remembrance of a holy life.

Feeling Like A Turtle

As a newly dedicated full time writer/illustrator there is so much I  need to do and so much I want to do there are days I feel so overwhelmed I want to pull inside a turtle’s shell.

I’m taking an art course, so there is reading and homefun.  I want to build my blogs, set up an etsy shop, I’m writing some children’s books (about 5 WIPs), I also teach classes for my church, I want to follow other CB writer/illustrator blogs, do research for my books, play w/ my grandchildren, help out my 9 mo+ pregnant daughter, visit my folks (my mom is housebound), edit my hubby’s doctoral thesis and YIKES….here I go into my shell.

My oldest daughter amazes me at all she accomplishes.  She has her own blog (lessonsfromivy.com), administrates another blog, teaches music one day a week AND she has three children ranging in age from 3 mo. to 3 1/2 yr.  And she has e-pubbed one book, has another almost ready, and is co-writing another w/her husband.

Then it dawned on me – instead of reacting like a turtle, I just need to perform like a turtle.  I don’t think that turtles go out in the morning and say, ‘I’m going to run 5 miles today, ‘  get out the sweats, the MP3, the running shoes and zip along (altho’ the picture makes me smile).  Rather, they slowly and methodically get through the day by managing small goals.

So I’ve started putting only one or two things on my desk each morning. Well, actually I just began yesterday – but so far it’s worked!   If you have any tips or ideas for organizing a busy work day – I’d love to hear from you. (Especially about managing the blogging and following of same.) I’ll be sure to give you a turtle update!

By the way, I did the turtle picture above for my youngest daughter’s baby shower invitation.  She loves turtles.

Oh- also, I finally figured out how to do a blogroll and would love to include your blog, especially if you’d like to reciprocate.  Let me know!

Blessings, Laura

Blog Receives Award

My first award!!  I owe it all to Beth Stilborn a fellow 12x12x12 participant, who bestowed this upon me.

I’d like to thank my husband for encouraging me…….my mom & dad, my daughters…..

Seriously—I’m delighted.  What is the Liebster you ask? You don’t know?  *Gasp*  Neither did I.  “Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite.”   The  Liebster Blog Award may only be received by bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  Basically – we’re unknown in the blog-o-sphere.  BUT because we have received the Liebster, we can broaden our connections by passing it on and hopefully increase our audience. I’ve had a great time perusing and joining other blogs while seeking to pass on the Liebster.

The rules of the Liebster are 1) thank the person who gave me the award and link back to that person’s blog, 2) tell you 3 to 5 random things about myself,  3) pass the award on to 3 to 5 other worthy bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers and 4) copy and paste the Liebster logo on your blog. (The Liebster has been ubiquitous in the 12×12 world of late so I’m passing on to just 3 blogs).  They are:

Helga Pearson from S Africa who is wonderfully talented and also  a member of Mark Mitchell’s  How to Be a Children’s Book Illustrator class w/me.

Suzanne Delrizzo who has a very unique illustration medium and has her first book coming out.

KJV Blog Directory a wonderful resource of daily devotions, Christian Blog Links, Crafts, Teaching and more.

Now for three random things about me…

1.  I used to live in a lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan.  We had a round livingroom and my folks had a round bedroom.

2.  I love the old family sit-coms like Dick Van Dyke, Leave It To Beaver and Andy Griffith.

3.  When I go to art museums or even a gallery or look through an art book – I cry.  I try to hide it, but the way a person can express their heart on a two-dimensional canvas amazes me and moves me.

Thanks again for this award and I hope it brings new traffic to those I’m passing it to.

New Children’s Book Illustrator Is Kid Approved

Well….at least by my grandkids!  They are 3 and 18 mo., so I have a ready audience to preview my work – and even help me color!   My first book is still just a dummy in their sticky little hands, but they like to read it.

I came to this place late in life when our Christian school closed and I was unemployed.  But that thought wasn’t as scary as job hunting at the age of 58.  So, with my husband’s encouragement,  I am at last trying to refine some skills and go for a lifelong dream. 

Kind critiques and suggestions are welcome from you professionals.  I hope to grow with your input.