Words with Flower Accompaniment

Well, I love quotes. I love to share them. I need to draw, and I’m a big fan of words and images together. So there you have it.

This quote, often mistakenly attributed to the late, great Kurt Vonnegut, caught my attention while reading this morning. It seemed like such a good one to share in light of the daily onslaught of news.

And then, another note of hope, Spring. This lovely display of pussy willow, baby daffodils and iris just needed to be shared. Taken at my local farm market, Phillips Farms, a fabulous source of home grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, as well as locally sourced milk, eggs, cheeses, and other dairy.

We may feel frightened and/or confused by all that’s going on right now, but there are still so many blessings to behold and embrace.

Inspired to Be Courageous

Always, I am inspired by the words of others who are trying to comprehend the complexities of this world, this universe, as well as by the art and music of the same. Anais Nin was an author, French-born and raised in several countries, who became known in her early 30’s when she settled in the U.S.

She has so many insightful thoughts about writing, life, and love that I decoded to a create a short series of her quotes. Above is just one; if you wish to find more, visit my Instagram featuring Ms. Nin.

Tell me your story …

❤️ Love is all embracing. ❤️

Tell me your story and I’ll show you your bravery. Show me your scars and I will tell you of your beauty. Share with me your suffering and I will bow to your depth. Confide in me your fears and I will honour your strength. You have it all, darling. You have it all inside of you. And your genius shows when you least imagine it. Don’t forsake anything about your soul, your body, your mind, your heart. It is both the light and the darkness that make this world beautiful. Same with you, lovely one. Same with you.
– S.C. Lourie

Thanks to Barb for sharing a post with these beautiful words.

Drawing in Pen and Ink All October

That’s the Inktober challenge – one pen and ink drawing every day for the month of October. I completed it in 2022 for the first time, and am hoping to draw all 31 days again.

Artists are given a prompt for each day’s drawing, but we needn’t follow the prompt if we choose not to. For the drawing above, the prompt was “Golden”, and what came to mind was the Beatles song, Golden Slumbers. Even though the song was not really written for a baby, I liked the idea that it might apply.

I’m always stashing lots of quotes that appeal to me, and I love this one by Maya Angelou. The prompt was “Dodge”; nothing of interest came to mind so I went with this great quote.

I am posting daily on Instagram, so if you’d like to follow along on this month-long pen and ink journey, come visit me on Instagram. Every day will be a surprise – for me as well as you!!

Women’s Words

I reached for a pocketed folder on my office bookcase and heard a small crash. I looked down and it was a little volume titled Great “Quotes” from Great Women!

I hadn’t looked at this in quite some time, but I am never one to ignore books jumping off a shelf! I always assume events like these are the Universe’s way of pointing out something to me, even if just to slow down my workday and take a look. I had a business meeting coming up and wanted to get all my ducks in a row, but then there was this.

I picked this little collection up back in 1984. It is dedicated to “all the great women whose words have motivated, inspired and brought tears and laughter into our lives.” I suspect were this book published today it would be greatly expanded.

Those quoted are a cross section of women in politics or whose husbands were in politics, leaders, authors, actresses, singers, even comediennes. One of my favorite quotes is by Elaine Boosler, “I’m just a person trapped inside a woman’s body.”

My little break of inspiration was much needed when this book landed on the floor. I’m still smiling as I think of it. I hope these few quotes do the same for you. Here’s another, this one from Edith Armstrong: “I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal and soon they’ll forget my number.”

Now why my little Jazzy, you may ask? Well, first, because I can. And second, because that peaceful repose is a reminder to be sure to take in some sun and some time to relax whenever you can. I accept that as her inspirational contribution to the post, as it’s always great advice.