A few things I believe

The last week saw some difficult moments, and it brought my attentions back to the little things that make my days easier. I thought that some of them may resonate with other folks and that I should share them. I hope that it makes you smile. Be well friends, thanks for reading these words.

1. In the laughter of an old friend
2. That nothing is as cute as when my cats roll on their backs and wiggle.
3. In the good karma of a house full of friends
4. In serious moments undercut with a well timed joke
5. In a warm breeze when needed the most
6. In serendipity
7. In my father's "bus theory"
8. Irish Whiskey/Coffee are very serious business
9. In accidental intimacies
10. That you are what you believe in.
11. That you don’t choose who you love.
12. That sex and laughter aren’t enough, but it’s a really good start.
13. That small children laughing is the cure for melodrama
14. playing in the puddles during a thunderstorm
15. That my friends are right, I do make the best breakfasts: banana pancakes, tofu scram and curried pan friend potatoes
16. cooking is better when its for friends
17. That digital will never be as good as a traditional black and white print.
18. That painting will never die.
19. In wandering aimlessly in good company
20. In being there for someone when it counts the most
21. That I am still strong even when everyone else thinks I’m not.
22. In playing pool even if when you’re bad at it.
23. In crying it all out
24. That there is seldom a day so bad that playing the song “brave the night” by the winter machine won’t take away at least some of the pain.
25. There is nothing in the world so beautiful as the Cliffs of Mohr
26. In the “you-get-it-too” moments
27. In the healing powers of The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ani Difranco and all Live music
28. In not needing to be drunk to dance
29. That Joss Whedon is a genius
30. In mindful conversation
31. In helping others, politics be damned
32. That white Christmas lights can make any place feel more cozy
33. A late night conversation with a good friend
34. In drawing in the dark, or at the cemetery
35. That there is nothing wrong with my extreme emotional connection to my Dad’s old guitar, my Great Uncle’s lamp, my Grandmother’s pin, and the one letter my Mom let me have, that my father sent her just before they got married.
36. In Reconnecting and Rekindling
37. In learning to do it for yourself.
38. That culture is not just recreation.
39. In voting.
40. That you can tell a lot about a person by their handshake and the way they hug.
41. in “I can lift it by myself.”
42. In a well made Tanquery and Tonic
43. In reflected light
44. In kissing with your eyes closed
45. In love that lasts past Saturday night
46. That people don’t change they just get old.
47. That its noble to try and save a drowning man, but foolish to let him sink you too.
48. In giving the benefit of the doubt
49. In a second chance
50. Trusting your gut
51. Telling them you love them
52. That birthday’s aren’t complete until there is cake.
53. That you can know someone without having to hear them speak.
54. That most often people say more with their eyes and gestures than with their words.
55. That sometimes it’s best just to stop talking.
56. That men and women aren’t from different planets.
57. That sometimes not getting what you want is a stroke of luck.
58. In being silent and letting your heart tell you what’s right.
59. That nothing is ever that simple.
60. That TV isn’t really the devil.
61. In self-reliance
62. In picking up your feet when you ride over the railroad track, making a wish on the first star and every time the clock reads “11:11”
63. Seeking the beautiful in everyone
64. In finding peace in my best-friend's signing voice, the purr of my cats and a hug from someone I love.
65. In soy chai with a shot of espresso
66. In nam-myoho-renge-kyo
67. In rosemount shiraz and green and black's dark chocolate
68. In tiny rituals
69. In memoir's by Anais Nin and Paul Auster
70. In gerber daises, preferably on my table
71. In music you can feel in your guts
72. In campfires, in summer or in the winter..
73. In friends who you can not see or speak to for month's but still pick up with as if not a day had passed
74. In knowing your family
75. And in loving them anyway.

A treasury

I was featured in this lovely little treasury on Etsy of vendors from the upcoming Salt City Market in Syracuse this coming October. I'm really looking forward to the sale, the line up looks amazing and I always love meeting other crafters. Hope to see you there!

I found (hid) art

A fabulous new project invented by local artist and creator of the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, Chris Fritton.

I hid art: "home of perpetual DIY treasure hunt"

The premise is simple. Make something, find a place to hide it. Photograph the spot, post it to the website with a few clues and wait to see who finds it. Or, as phrased by the creator himself:

"art should be made, art should be hidden, art should be found. the familiar should be made unique by virtue of its ability to conceal something incongruous. it’s the hiding, the covering, the embedding of an unknown animal in the heart of the ordinary that evokes the possibility of a handsome shift in perspective.

get out there. dig a hole for it. put it under something. tape it to the side of something. leave what is precious in the rain and hope that someone saves what you worked so hard on, what your hands touched, before it disintegrates. give them the directions. help them hold the thing you just held.

i hid art is the brainchild of buffalo, ny native chris fritton."

I just found the above handmade journal on Jersey St. The original post was of a spot I've walked by a million times so I knew I'd find it easily. But that didn't spoil the thrill in the least. I pulled onto that corner of the street, found one open parking spot, almost like it was waiting for me. Crossed to the spot, and there it was a little treasure just waiting for me.

I'm in the game now. I'm going to go hide something out here in Buffalo, so check the site for a post. In the meantime, this isn't just for Buffalo! There are many cities listed, so go see the site, get in the game and get your art out there. Besides, what fun is art making if you're the only one who ever gets to hold it?