Storms

I fell asleep to silence and in the morning there was a storm. The trees were clanging like escaped church bells. We followed our daily routine and went downstairs. I lit a candle and then I made a fire in the wood stove. As I waited for the fire to build itself up so that I could add some larger blocks I poured myself some mostly hot water left in an insulated thermos into my mug. Outside the storm raged and inside there was another. My daughter was having a tantrum. She was lying on the floor kicking. I have written much about the beauty of parenting and about the fatigue but I haven't written about this. Tantrums it seems are as common to young children as winds are to a coastal winter. The room suddenly filled with orange light. I scooped up the toddler with the tear stained cheeks and we rushed outside the door to watch orange clouds like goldfish in a pond. I looked at the little face and saw a smile. No tantrum and no storm can last forever. "...weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5
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Trust in the valley

In the silence of an evening I sit in front of a curtain less window. High overhead is a white moon and a white cloud floats on the horizon. The room is dark behind me and the moonlight brushes my wet cheek with the luminosity of promise. I follow the pathway of wordless light into the forest. I see tree trunks standing silently and sword fern fronds reaching up like children for an embrace. I don't remember what it is like to feel a mans arms anymore but I feel peace in this light knowing that I too walk my own path. It isn't one I charted - but as the moon cannot run from it's light neither can I edge off this trail. If the moon shone every night there would be no intoxicating blindness. Neither would there be sadness that clings like sand on a leaf. In time we all must find our way. Faith is mine to chose and release belongs to those who trust. Looking backwards I see the blind folly of youth and its sweet innocence but here in this mid life forest I have learned I am not to blame for what was or could have been. I know now when a tree falls to look up before moving and when the wind blows to stay home. Moonlight is deceptive. Blooming unseen beside the ferns are the white blossoms of primroses. In the morning I will see them and this is why I choose to trust in what I cannot see. "Even though I walk through the valley.....you are with me." Psalm 23:4 May I pray for you? Do you have a prayer request?

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A parcel and fish

Social injustice in British Columbia isn't a thing of the past. It didn't end with residential schools. There are teens in my province who need help today. I mailed a parcel the other week to the high school in the northern part of my province where I am involved with a project to provide food and clothing to homeless teens. Inside were new, warm winter socks, tuque's, a scarf and money to buy gift cards and voucher's at a local grocery and fast food store. In the past several weeks I have taken some time and searched a bit online where I found out about Threshold housing, located in Victoria BC and Covenant house, located in Vancouver BC. Both of these organizations are dedicated to housing homeless teens. Covenant house which assists around 1500 + youth a year have a lot of programs. They also supply both emergency and longterm housing. Threshold which has helped 300 youth in housing since 1992 is a smaller program but they also offer two different types of housing based upon needs. Both have program's to teach basic's like budgeting and cooking and they stress the importance of the relationship with the teen and building trust with staff. Both receive about half of their money from the government and the remainder comes from donations from business's and individual's. It was thrilling to read about the board members at Threshold and their obvious devotion to there project felt genuine. It is this shared vision to make this world a better place that made this parcel a reality. Later that day in town we visited a park where we watched salmon spawning. It was amazing watching the enormous amount of energy the fish expend to swim up the creek. The return on giving is an investment. The results like spawning continue forever.
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A break

I took this picture in August back when I would be on the beach at six am to share the glory of a sunrise with my young daughter. It's cool now and dark in the mornings and instead I try to sleep a bit longer. The warmth of an early morning fire in the stove and the orange glow it casts in my kitchen beckons me like sunshine. So does the flickering lights of the sweet smelling, hand poured beeswax candles I made with my daughter. These times like the seasons are fleeting. I am reminded to make time for where my heart is. I need the time and space to follow where it is going and so I am taking a break from blogging although I will continue to post about my fundraising efforts and the homeless teens my heart goes out too. At some point I may change back to my regular posting. I thank each of you for your warmth and kindness. It is my sincere hope that in the pages of my blog your faith has become strengthened. However, difficult the way may be; "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deut. 31:8

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A big thank you and creating social change

A BIG thank you to everyone who came to my studio and bought. I deeply appreciate your support. Because of you these kids will receive food and clothing. Because of you these kids will receive love. I am both deeply passionate and disturbed by the injustice being done to these innocent kids. We as a rich, western society can not simply abandon our children just because for whatever reason their parent's have. These children may be undesirable as foster children in the sense that they may have drug and alcohol issues and other poor and or bad behaviour (ie. stealing) but that is still not an excuse to care for them. I do not have any experience with advocating social change through our political system but I do understand that I need to contact the local mp. I do not see myself as one with the skills or resources to do something about this situation. But I can not sit silent at this injustice so until someone else more qualified than myself takes the reins I will do my best to help these kids. If you have homeless kids in your town what is being done about it? Have you advocated for social change and do you have any advice for me? The picture is of my daughter feeding a chickadee in our yard.
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To bloom

It's hard to know why some parents walk away from their children. Some opt out early. Other's later. Sometimes it's addiction, mental illness, or a combination of factor's. With the lack of commitment in relationships today sometimes home environments become unbearable, complex, abusive and children opt to leave. The reality is there are teens today who do not have a home. They live with the contents of their lives in a backpack and stay at a friends house - until it is time to move on. Hopefully they have another friend - whose home they can stay in and that it too is a safe place. Maybe they can surf enough couches until they graduate. Sometimes they get a job and drop out like one of the teen's I became familiar with last summer. His father had opted out when he was born. There were problems and the day came when he couldn't go back to his mother. He was alone and did not have other family member's who could step in, help, nourish, love, and guide. I don't know why some parents walk away but I'm not here to judge what just is. To be human is at times to fail. I know I have. My daughter and I have a peaceful, happy home. We have food and clothes. I have gratitude for what I have. All kids need food, shelter, clothes and love and in return they give the gift of a flower.

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Open Studio

My studio will be open for visit's on Wednesday, August 26 from 10 am until 3pm. The photo above is from part of the second framed tapestry on exhibit. This tapestry is titled, "Duck Bay" and it measures 27" wide by 29" long including the frame. It is woven with New Zealand wool that I dyed with acid dyes. I wove this tapestry last winter on my hand made loom. Why bother making a loom when I already own a top quality american made one with all the bells and whistles? The reality is it takes far more skill to weave on a primitive loom than on any factory built loom used today. I needed a challenge - and I found it in first constructing this loom and than on learning to weave on it. I also needed to feel that primal connection and I love this loom for giving me all of that and more. The price on this tapestry is 885.00 Canadian dollars. Forty percent of that is going to buy clothing and food for homeless teens. I charge actual shipping only. If you are not happy return the tapestry to me within 14 days of receiving it and I will refund you minus the shipping charges. I want you to be happy with your purchase. If you think you may be interested email me and I will send you more pictures. Together it is possible to make a difference and share the love every kid deserves.

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