New York and a barn dance

My life swings wildly.

I've been in New York again.

My agent, Alicia Dauber and I found lots of interest from our favorite companies, an honor I will never take for granted.

And then suddenly I was home.

I jumped off the shuttle and was off to a barn dance.

New York seemed suddenly a world away.

What a magical evening.

There is nothing more Americana than a barn dance.

A dance with little ones and grandparents and everyone in between.

What a perfect way to celebrate a special graduation.
What a perfect way to celebrate life!

All across America, in small towns everywhere, we gather with friends and family, old and young, and celebrate the simple pleasures.

Will we ever forget those golden evenings and the moments we've shared?

 

The joy of gathering. 

Toes tapping.

Simple food and honest laughter.

 

Friends, family and like-family.

This was one of those evenings when time seems to stand still.

You want the moment to last forever.

 

Sometimes I catch myself counting my blessings and hardly daring to believe how heaped-over-and-running-over are the gifts of ordinary life.

A walk in the park

It was just half an hour but it was all the sweeter because it was stolen time.

Time I had no business leaving duty behind.

But the leaves were calling and the sea was singing my name.

Time to gather the dog leashes and sunglasses! Off we went for a walk in the park.

Past the tide pools teeming with limpets and sea stars and seaweeds of every description

past wildflowers, some dainty and others bold and bright...

listening to birdcalls as we went

and making new friends along the way.

Oh, how I wished I'd had my sketchbook and oodles of time to sit in silence with a pencil.

But a camera makes a wonderful substitute.

What a gift to have live models to observe when one is planning reindeer art.

There's a magic beauty in the woods and water of the neighborhood park,

especially in springtime.

Speaking about inspiration

I've posted a new video here and would love to share it with you!