....gardens are a form of autobiography ~ Sydney Eddison

....I just love this quirky, clever way of combining two of my passions.....plants and books!

I would definitely not be quite as nice a person as I think I am, if I didn't have my books to read every night (and on some lazy days) and my garden to wander through in the afternoon. One to transport me to different worlds and times, and the other to keep me grounded.

Roll on Spring, when this dusty, dry Highveld landscape can be painted with a myriad shades of green and fresh, new books can be enjoyed in the shade of the beautiful trees.

Kathi

...the moon

....I am seriously in love with the moon....to be more specific, the full moon. It was full moon two nights ago and although it wasn't up when I went to bed....it was there true and steadfast, shining through my window when I woke up in the early hours of the morning!

I use full moons to count down to the annual visit of an exceptional friend and very, very special person in my life....and amazingly ....next full moon he will be here!! My heart leaps with joy at the thought. I never let a month go by without reminding him that it is full moon. It's just my special thing!

Probably the most beautiful full moons that I have experienced have been in the African bush. Often I would spend time alone at my beautiful lodge on top of a hill and I would then drag a mattress outdoors and lie on my back staring at the moon whilst listening to the incredible night sounds surrounding me. If I fell asleep there...all the better! That was my solace at an extremely difficult time in my life. If I felt betrayed and hurt...I knew the moon would always be there, full and bright, like a loyal friend, once a month and would never let me down.

What simple things in life bring you comfort and joy?

Kathi

....remember

Kathi

.....life is like riding a bicycle.

....I have always loved this quote. I especially like the way it is illustrated here too! I am going to be pedalling away today to keep my life on track and balanced.....hopefully. How about you?

Kathi

.....happiness!

......yes, the happiness you are searching for might be right there under your nose. Have a good look around today!

Kathi

....be creative!

..... I had a wonderful, unexpected gift today. My friend Di invited me to a Mandala workshop hosted by an absolutely amazing art teacher, Carolyn.

I spend a lot of my time doing creative things, but I don't often get the opportunity to be 'taught' new things and to interact with like minded, creative souls.

I arrived at Carolyn's studio knowing exactly what a Mandala was, but I had no idea about the interesting twist she was going to apply to this exercise.

For those of you who don't know,

man·dala (mun′də lə)
noun
a circular design containing concentric geometric forms, images of deities, etc. and symbolizing the universe, totality, or wholeness in Hinduism and Buddhism. Often used in therapy.
Origin: Sans maṇḍala, is a Sanskrit word that means "circle"

Over the next 4 hours we followed a carefully crafted method which led to us creating the most beautiful and intricate circular works of art........each one totally unique but clearly reflecting the personalities of the creators.

I am used to Mandalas being painted or coloured in brilliant hues, but ours remained white and the patterns we created were lovingly and patiently outlined or filled in with a varying sizes of holes pricked through the paper with pins, screws, nails, paper piercers and even screwdrivers.

The end result was a phenomenal snowflake, doily effect when held up against the light.....unexpectedly beautiful and the whole process was so very soothing for the soul.

Photo to follow

Kathi

.......what puts a smile on your face?

......I posed this question to the four classes of 7 year olds that I taught today. I had read them a simple story about a tiger who goes in search of his smile which he has lost. His journey takes him through forests and oceans and across mountains...and leads to him walking and dancing in the rain. Eventually when he sees his reflection in a puddle after a rain storm, he realises that all these wonderfully simple things in life had put a smile on his face....aaaaaw!!

The 7 year olds' answers were interesting. One group got quite stuck on the theme of PSP games, new Wii machines, presents, Christmas and all things materialistic making them happy but others shared that brothers and sisters playing with them, Dad coming home at night or after being away for a long time, baking with Mom or tickling their little baby put a smile on their faces....and that warmed my heart!

To be honest.....listening to and sharing with these delightful little human beings, certainly put a huge smile on my face today.....and it's still there.

What makes you smile?

Kathi

....if you always do what interests you

.....I think that you can tell an awful lot about a person by looking at the things that interest them. Mine are simple..........anything creative, artistic, humanitarian....anything involving words, love, the internet.....anything that my family is involved in..........nature, outdoors.......friends and loved ones, food and fun....is that enough?

I will tell you more about these as time goes on......but in the mean time let me just say...I "always do what interests" me and I am well pleased.

Kathi

.....sometimes!

....sometimes there is no next time, no time outs, no second chance. Sometimes, it's now or never ~Unknown

I came across this quote today and it was instrumental in me deciding to start blogging again.

Not blogging to inform clients about what was happening in my store or what to bring to class, or what specials were on offer, or who was guest teaching during the next month......but instead that selfish kinda, "all about me" blog.

You might think that my life isn't exciting enough to to be put out there for all to see....but I think it is.....so here goes............it's now or never.

Kathi