Thursday, February 26, 2015

Alaskan winter… quiet beauty

Sometimes it seems to me that life is one adventure after another.
Some are grand and full of fun, 
others quieter and more daily.


But any life's story is a string of adventures.


A month ago, I zipped the suitcase, slammed the door behind me in a rush and dashed off late to board the northbound ferry. I had a sense that another interesting chapter in my life's story was beginning.

The Alaskan Marine Highway ferries are nothing fancy, but oh, the scenery!


As we sailed north, the winds became more and more brisk.
Cold rain turned to snow.




And then when we arrived, most of our plans went out the window, the way adventures sometimes go.
Being able to toss out your expectations and enjoy the unexpected is part of what keeps life an adventure instead of a general pain in the neck.


On top of everything else, I thought I'd have plenty of internet access,
but one forgets that not everywhere is a strong signal available.

But I still had a tiny corner to serve as a studio…
and oh what creativity has happened there!


I've decided that a temporary retreat from digital life can a healthy thing,
and we find ourselves tucked into a quiet (though it must be admitted, COLD!) month in Alaska.


I've designed a line of glassware, cut out whales and mermaids, lettered wedding invitations and generally squished more creativity into a tiny space than I'd ever have believed possible.


Time alone.
Time with family.
Time for lots and lots of art.





Late winter is beautiful in Alaska…
and just about anywhere else.
It's all about hanging onto that sense of wild adventure.


And taking time to sip a cocoa in the back yard as the sun sets never hurts either.