12/8/08

Life, Life and more Life...

Sorry to be such a slug, but I have nothing new to show today....I've got lots of excuses...bad back, work, anniversary and friends' visiting, but what it all amounts to is I've hit a bit of a snag. I don't know where the muse has been but she's sure not been at my studio lately!
I think it may have something to do with the time of year...I hate to admit it, but christmas just isn't any fun any more. Since my mom moved back up to Washington, we now have a 5-7 hour drive to get to her (depending on traffic, accidents, all that stuff) and it's not a fun drive. There are now so many people on the road that it doesn't matter how early you start, it will still be bumper to bumper all the way up I-5 from Oregon to Washington. And while I took that as a fun challenge when I was in my 40's, now that I'm almost 60, I find it a trying challenge, and if I could vaporize all the idiots driving while talking on their cell phones, I'm afraid I'd do it! So, I guess I'm now officially a cranky old lady or crone or auntie, depending on your viewpoint!
On the plus side, time is now passing so quickly that the holidays will be over soon and I can settle into january and see about getting some work done! I've removed my work from all but one of my galleries and am now still figuring out what to do next...so I think the next few months at least, if not the next year, I will be playing around with fabric, fiber and beads, until my next step hits me on the head...at least that's usually how it happens. I rarely slide gracefully from one series to another, it's more like being a hockey puck, whacked first in one direction then in another, but at least I'm still moving, lol!
Thanks for all your patience and I will make every effort to get some work done here so I can post something much more interesting than my seasonal angst!

14 comments:

abeadlady said...

Remember when I had no muse in September? A wise woman on the Oregon coast told me to let it be, and my muse would return. Right now, I am beading like a crazy woman, but only want to do pendants. ???? We all go through these sparse times with our art. I know you will be working again soon.
Christmas just isn't the same anymore,is it? I have no interest in decorating, but am trying to maintain a good attitude about the holiday. As long as we have friends and family, we are fortunate. Hang in there.

beadbabe49 said...

hi arline! yeah, it's always easier to give advice than it is to take it, even when it comes from ourselves, lol!

yep...here too...I've got some lights up and I usually find some tiny lights to put on our ficus tree...but we've got these two young cats now and I'm wondering just how much trouble they could/would get into with a decorated tree around!

Paula Hewitt said...

Oh i hate travel at xmas and glad i dont have to do it anymore. here is is illegal to talk on mobile phones while driving - matt gave someone a fine the other day and he was asked to let them off due to the economic crisis - matt figured if he can afford a nice car and a mobile phone he can afford the fine too.

beadbabe49 said...

I envy you, paula! I think here if you're in an accident while on a cell phone, you automatically are at fault, but it's not illegal yet to use them while driving...a stupidity I don't understand since we're supposedly so safety conscious (mandatory seat belts, child safety seats), yet allow this dangerous practice to continue until someone has an accident...bit too late by then!

Anonymous said...

Interesting that many of us are finding the holiday not fun anymore. Me too. I'm not depressed or unhappy, just not interested in dragging out decorations and having to put them back. We're spending this time at home, just the two of us, not going anywhere, no way, no how.

susan in spokane

Anonymous said...

Beadbabe, I don't even celebrate any holidays at this time of year, but my inspiration is zero, zip, zilch also. So I just blame it on having done so much this year that I need a break....and I'm sticking to that story.
I have two pieces to put finishing touches on, then I'm going to help a nice lady who wants to "paint with beads"........what fun for her.
But I'm thinking of this as a mid-winter break.
Donna in WestOR

Robin said...

Your hockey puck analogy is priceless... and so true! Same with me. Thanks for writing about it. Hugs, Robin A.

beadbabe49 said...

hi susan...yeah me too...not unhappy, just none of the enthusiasm I've had in former years...

A mid-winter break sounds like a good way to think of it, donna...

We often seem to be on the same wavelength, robin...

Magpie Sue said...

Ha! My male cousins used to joke about firing "idiot seeking missles" from their car while they were driving. Sounded like a good idea at the time, sounds good now, some 20 years later!

Pursuing Art... said...

Happy belated? Anniversary!!!

Oh Bobbi...she'll be back! It sounds like the holidays are a part of it. Commuting is difficult especially during the holidays. And, couldn't help but laugh over the idiots driving while talking on their cell phones...that is no joke...I know what you mean! Did you know that it is illegal now in Washington? Although I have not doubt that people are still doing it. I'm surprised it is still allowed here in Oregon! No...you are not a cranky old lady, crone, or auntie! It sounds like you are just burnt out and tired of it. When it's not fun anymore and it boils down to being another chore...it is difficult to do! I wish that you and Chuck would/could do what makes you happy for the holidays!

I know one day, all of a sudden, you will be sliding gracefully on that hockey puck and into a new journey. When that time comes...watch out...you'll be on a roll!

Maybe, just maybe, we'll have snow for Christmas and all that that implies!!!

xo~me

Pursuing Art... said...

P.S. I was thinking too on the post below that you could always use black matte metal spray paint on those hands too!

beadbabe49 said...

lol, yeah sue...my DH and son used to talk about mounting stinger missles on the top of the van...

hi lisa...yes, you know the thing is that intellectually you know perfectly well that it's just a phase and that inspiration will return, but at the time the emotional part of you still worries a bit...silly, but I think we all do it, even when we know better!

and bless you...keep that thought of snow strong...but could you start it on the 20th? that would be just perfect, lol!

beadbabe49 said...

oh, and I didn't realize it was illegal in washington...what are we waiting for, I wonder!

Timaree said...

I'm not doing much beadwork but I can't say it's due to christmas coming up. I just sit down and put a few beads on and then something (a husband or a dog usually) interrupts me and I'm done for the day. Ridiculous really.

I'll be travelling from Kingman I-40 - to Simi Valley, Ca for Christmas. It's not a bad drive till we're maybe 50 miles from my daughter's house and it's better than having to drive through Los Angeles, we're just on the edges. She makes so many goodies and I get to see the grandkids so I enjoy it.

Sometimes, as far as your muse goes, we just need a break. Doing things the same way for a while becomes tedious but it takes doing things differently (like taking that time-out) to get out of that groove and into another. The shorter days have an affect on us too even if we think we are resistant. I notice our palm trees and oleanders which are both year-round plants still slow down come fall and winter. People are of nature and we need to bask in it. When you do the muse will come back and you will grow and produce. It's just nature. Relax and go with it. Bet you'll feel better for it.