The Inspired Yield Inspiration!

I swam and I swam and I swam until my head cleared and my arms loosened and cut through the water properly. The sunshine came through the window and poured down to the bottom of the pool. I loved watching my hands catch the light and glow ...reminding me of swimming in Lake Geneva as a kid. By the time I left the Y, my SELF felt restored ...but it faded again when I reached home. It's back after mowing the lawn, reading a friend's blog and my sister's stories of New York. The inspired yield inspiration and I'm so blessed to have many people to look to when I need a bit extra in my day.

splashing feet

I swam laps when I was pregnant with both Gavin and Jessie G. It was strange how the thought of a white toy box always popped into my thoughts as I swam ...during both pregnancies. Today, I swam laps while Gavin ran beside me. Jessie was in swimming lessons and Gavin was humoring me with his imitation of the strokes I was doing. His growing, little feet marked the end of one lap ...as he sat on the edge spashing. It is amazing when visions are realized. I didn't have a white toy box in that moment ...I had the pure treasure that it represented beside me.

Summer

I just checked the 10 day forecast and it's all sunshine and 70-80 degrees!! Summer may have actually come to stay (for a couple of months!!) Everyone has been writing about playing in the sunshine, on Facebook. I can imagine God smiling, seeing us all savoring the moments of non-gloom after so much gray rain. That is a good thing about weather and health ...when it is restored it is so nice!!

The grass in our yard was 2 feet high when we returned from three weeks in Minnesota. It took several passes, with the lawnmower and weed wacker, to get it groomed and playable again! Another good thing about chaos ...when order is restored ...ahh it's delightful!! Of-course, chaos here and there is refreshing too!!

Our basement also took a hit while we were gone = water on the floors caused me to take inventory of what was in storage. I had to pull out old, old drawings and paintings that were soaked. They are scattered throughout our bedroom, drying ...and reminding me that continuous attention to certain skills DOES make a difference!!

Now the gardens are all weeded and ready for new plants and seeds! I have a white canvas ready for first impressions. And, we have a list of things to improve on the house while the weather is with us!!

Responding

I'm painting, watching Season I of "Prison Break", drinking wine and having some popcorn tonight! I asked Travis for his opinion on my newest rose painting and he said to make it looser. The wine is helping with that!! Loose is my favorite style so I'm happy to go with Trav's advise!

It's foggy, again, outside and the lights are about to go down. Jessie was starving earlier. I grilled hamburgers, made smoothies and was asking if she wanted her burger on a bun ...only to find she was sound asleep on the recliner. There was no waking her!

Travis and Gavin bought lilies and roses for my Mother's Day gift! They are so beautiful. Every time I walk by them, I admire them! I decided to stand and figure out what it was exactly that I was admiring.

In the past, I've been so impressed by roses because of (partially) their long, thorny stems (unless they are my roses in the backyard ...then the stem isn't so long but the support system is there and the scent even more amazing!) supporting an intricate family of ruffled petals. The stem holds it's every effort at it's fingertips. The colors ahhh! and the meeting of the stem and petals, like a star -anchoring, cupping silk folds *I Love Admiring flowers ...especially roses ...especially sweet peas when they are nearby ...and peonies ...petunias and cosmos!! I LOVE flowers.

On our way home from Sandpoint, I told Gavin that Sunday was Mother's Day. He lit up and said, "Can I get you a present?!!" I said, "I'd love that!!" He said, "Maybe FLOWERS!" Like he knew what my favorite surprise would be but it was still a secret! Travis said, "He's got you figured out!!"

This particular bouquet of flowers, sitting beside me, is mostly peach and white; lilies and roses with a couple brighter roses of red and pink to set it off!! I was analyzing it, a moment ago ...trying to figure out why it was affecting me so strongly (and it's not just under the persuasion of wine!) It's the basic hue (peach) set off by the light and then the red!! --with pink to pull it all together! I decided to take in what I was responding to ...rather than just responding and it makes everything more alive!! If I took a moment to figure out what I'm responding to with more of the interactions in my life ...every moment would be more alive. This is what the roses have been hinting at all along.

Drinking wine and talking about roses (and craving chocolate!!) At least I've been mixing it all up with an action, suspense television show on Netflix! Time to respond to this painting with a brush of loose strokes!!

Green

I'm just out of an evening bath with flower-smelling hair and pajamas to make all feel in its place. Travis is working but has the next three days off. Gavin and Jessie are watching "The Gummie Bears" before heading to bed.

It rained today. The kids, and I, walked to the park and were enjoying swinging and sliding when sprinkles started to fall. Gavin told me to put my camera away so it wouldn't be ruined in the rain. Funny the things he observes at such an age (4!) Travis drove up to give us a ride home and we ended up going grocery shopping together. Well, it turns out that "3 Bears" grocery store now has a large sporting goods section! I did the grocery shopping while Travis picked out lures!

I've been finishing paintings for the May 6th artwalk in uptown Butte. I added hanging wire to all of the completed work and stacked them together against a wall. I hadn't noticed that green is the dominate color lately! It is what's on my mind however: green grass, trees, spring growth!! My abstract self-portrait is done now! I open my eyes to it every morning and it makes me smile (not much green in it!) I love that I have painting, photography and writing to express myself. I'm a bit obsessive with the photography but the painting brings a nice balance to my life. I dab color, when I take a moment, and soon ...there is a canvas filled with something of my life.

Have I mentioned that I'm in love with this life? I'm thankful every moment for this connection to such a time, such a place ...such people and so many more to know. I feel, sometimes, like I'm glowing inside ...with incredible love. Travis has been teasing me because I've mentioned how it feels like we're (kids and I) always on vacation!! We've struck this rhythm together where each of us does our thing but we have lots of fun time as a family as well. Travis has to work crazy hours but in-between, we have a lot of fun!

Last week felt like the kick-off to summer. Jessie G and I went to a branding at the Patrick Ranch on Saturday. Sunday, a bunch of us drove to the Ringing Rocks and climbed around and then had a bonfire at golden hour (I overdid the photo taking a bit ...felt like I missed being PRESENT for a good part of that gathering because I was snapping photos.) It was like a big prayer being up on the mountain at sunset. Monday, the four of us floated down the Madison River ...catching no fish but enjoying water, wildlife and "family time." Every time one of the kids (or me!) would tangle our fishing line, loose a lure, have paddle to the riverbank for a pee break, we would say, "Family Time!!" reminding ourselves that the main objective wasn't the fish!

Green ...back in the swing of frequent outdoor life.

Brand New

I'm signed-up for the May and July Art Walks in Butte. The Artwalk gets me to complete work: paint edges, hang wires and finish final details that I otherwise wouldn't rush to get done. I'm working on a 22 x 28" rose oil for my cousin's wedding in June. It's flowing nicely now ...feeling good.

Gavin and Jessie spent the night with their grandparents last night. Jessie came home with her hair trimmed (Grandma is multi-talented!) and both kids were in fresh clothes. My sister says she can tell when the kids have been in Pipestone because I talk about them like they're brand new to me! It is so nice to recharge and miss them at the same time. Especially with hair cuts = I get to see them in new light.

Gavin got new Spiderman pajamas from my parents. They are for summer so the top is sleeveless and the bottoms are shorts. He put the set on and started running around like a boxer/martial arts combo. I'd mentioned that the shirt showed off his big muscles and he was way into that!! I think he needs an organized sport soon!!

Jessie is becoming more stubborn and beautiful. I don't think that's a common pair but it's interesting! She's more work but she's also like a beautiful flower that I just want to take in. She loves being outside, taking her shoes off and admiring the birds! She's independent but she also loves to share. Gavin has such a different personality, from mine, that I watch him to learn. He welcomes people naturally. I watch Jessie thinking I must have been a lot like her as a girl. She likes her independence but also wants to share everything that brightens her day.

Trolling

Maybe we overdid the fun yesterday. Jessie G's flu returned as we returned home from fishing in Helena. She is a sad little thing with pale skin and bright red lips ...no energy today. She's sleeping now ...that should help.

I'm finally getting around to enjoying my coffee at noon. It's stormy looking outside and I love it!! Coffee and a lingering storm, sleeping child and a house to clean!! My parents are arriving, in Butte, tomorrow!! They're getting a hotel so the kids can swim. If the weather is good, Dad is going to help me build a big sandbox for Gavin and Jess (and neighbors!) I remember living in our sandbox! If Gavin and Jessie like the sandbox as much as I did, I should have numerous hours painting on the porch logged-in by summer's end. (Painting on the porch is like living in a dorm room ...with the door open! All of the neighbors stop by and chat.) The sandbox is going to be big enough for me to join in the digging to China adventures!

Travis LOVES to fish. I've mentioned this. Our boat is not very trustworthy. Well, the boat is, the engine isn't. Trav has spent hours, days, weeks working on the motor to get it to a reliable state. Yesterday, he wanted to drive to Helena and test out a second motor ...trolling motor and spare in-case of emergency (which is likely!!) He lit all up when I mentioned wanting to come along. He really lit-up when I bought my 2010 fishing license!!

Travis built a bracket for the trolling motor to sit in. He didn't spend much time on it because his work schedule has been full and he was eager to get in the water. But, he had confidence in the sturdy materials he'd used. Yes, I'm foreshawdowing!! The main motor didn't start but our objective was to test out the trolling motor. So, we left the safety of the dock and headed into Holter Lake and the Gates of the Mountains.

The smile was contagious! Travis was so happy with the trolling motor (that his cousin wants to sell to him.) He decided to speed things up and the engine dropped off the sturdy bracket!! Not all the way off but enough that Travis had to leap to get a grasp of it. It's terrible, but that was what I was expecting! I wasn't surprised in any way. Travis was! With a little team work, we moved the motor next to the non-running main motor and slowly made our way back to the dock.

When the timing seemed right, I said, "Didn't you think that was a possibility?"

"What? The bracket giving way? NO! Did you?"

"Maybe it's a mother-thing but I had pictured it!"

"You! You used the 'Secret' on us!"

I was thinking, If I had that kind of control over willing things/situations into our lives, we'd be in a new inboard ski boat with no gas exhaust to distract from the peaceful setting!! A great stereo system would only help to lure fish of good taste!! Add that to the list!
"I did not (use the Secret!) I just have to consider the worst case scenario so I know how to prepare!"

I had been thinking about where the cell phone was, the paddles, how hard it would be to hike up the mountainside and get to the truck, etc!! I'm not a pessimist but, we have had some adventures in that boat!!

We got back to the dock and the fly fishermen there were catching trout after trout! They were good sized too! Each one was catch and release and I could just see Travis thinking how delicious they would be smoked or grilled!! He worked and worked on the main engine, nothing. After about an hour he asked, "Can we just go out and troll around for a little while?"

We did and the kids loved it. Travis went into his element-state-of-being ...quiet and thoughtful ...taking it all in. I teased that most men have their "cave" setting in their homes. They have their rec room, sports center, garage, etc. but Travis' cave is his boat!! (It's nice that he welcomes the entire family so enthusiastically into his "cave!") It's good he has it ...I'm just looking forward to the day when it's not such an expected "adventure!"