Listen to Your Own Good Advice

I recall saying quite recently that falling is not a good idea. I know this from personal experience on many occasions over the years but fall I did this week.

It was Monday, around 4:55 p.m. Work was wrapping up for the day. I got up to prepare to head home when my left knee gave out on me. I could not catch myself and ended up going for a flying leap. My forehead hit the desk across from me cracking the drawer face. I also landed on my bad knee pretty hard and well as on the desk size garbage can under my right arm.

People came running by which time I was sitting up, legs outstretched, in a LOT of pain and wondering how the heck I was ever going to get up off the floor. An ice pack was provided for my head while I sat there trying to get my bearings. No dizziness, no nausea, no bleeding thank goodness.

Luckily, someone strong enough to get me up on my feet again was there to assist. They helped me get to my car and I immediately drove myself to the local hospital ER department. Three hours later, after four x-rays on my left knee, four x-rays on my right shoulder and a CT scan on my head I was released and able to finally go home. I had no broken bones and my brain was still where it should be.

I saw the video footage the following day at work, and it was quite spectacular. I am really lucky that I was not seriously injured. They are recommending a new ‘uniform’ to wear at work now but I don’t think it will be very comfortable.

Long Weekend Excursion

On the Victoria Day long weekend, my cousin and her husband hosted a ‘cousin retreat’ at their Bed & Breakfast in Napanee. What a lovely place they have just outside of town on the bay! Here is the view from the floor to ceiling windows in the living room.

Four of us headed out from Ajax early Friday morning for the long 3 hour trip to get there. No highway driving for us, we took the scenic route. We stopped at Tim Horton’s once for steeped tea and a bathroom break. We also ended up stopping at a closed farmers market with a Port-a-Potty in the back because we were getting desperate again and could not find anything else.

When we finally arrived, we were awestruck by the beauty of the place. My cousin and her husband treated us like royalty. It was amazing! The food was fabulous. The accommodations were first class. No wonder they have a five star rating.

We talked and talked, catching up on what we’ve been up to, later that most of us typically stay up at night. It had been such a long time since we spent any time together that was not a family funeral. There have been too many of those in the last few years. It was good to be able to relax and laugh together and enjoy each other’s company.

I would never have been able to get there on my own and am grateful to the cousin who volunteered to drive us all there. And I am especially grateful to my other cousin and her husband for inviting us to spend some time with them. Thank you!

What I Have Learned About Junk Journals

I consider myself a beginner at making junk journals. Mine seem to lack ‘something’ that I see in others. I acknowledge that we are our own worst critic but I still feel that I have a lot to learn. And continuing to move forward and not give up is the path I’m choosing.

But what have I learned by watching videos, and looking at the work of others? Let’s look at it together.

1. All the pages do not have to be the same size or shape. Variety adds interest to a journal. 2. A plain page can be boosted up a level by small things; a cluster of small bits in one corner, some rubber stamping or stenciling in random areas of a page. 3. There is no right or wrong way to create a junk journal. There are no ‘junk journal police’ around to enforce a plethora of unwritten ‘rules’. Any journal you make is a reflection of you and an expression of your style & creativity. 4. Everything does NOT have to be ‘perfect’ or whatever version of perfect you are stuck in. There is beauty in imperfection. There is charm in asymmetry.

A junk journal can be as big or small as you choose. They can be bound many different ways. They can have hard covers or soft covers. They can have a specific theme or purpose, or not. You can add fabric, lace, buttons or beads and such, or not. Basically, if you can conceive it, you can make it. And it is good.

I have purchased several journals from other artists over the past couple of years. I have swapped or been gifted journals too. I constantly flip through them to get ideas and inspiration. What I have to do is not compare my work to others and not to criticize my own work as 'not up to par'. I need to keep reminding myself that 'What I create is uniquely me, and is special.'