The other morning as I watched the sunrise, the last sunrise of 2011, I was amazed at the beauty of the beginning of a day and the endings of days and started reflecting on all the beginnings and endings that we experience in our life. I thought of the year ending and what that means – the moments of joy, regrets and desire to improve. I thought of the beginning of a new year and all the hope, anticipation and goals we associate with beginnings. My life is filled with beginnings and endings, and how I struggle with my search for the allusive Mistress of Balance…..she is a shy and difficult-to-find Temptress, and yet I still search for her. I have really struggled with balance this year and feel that I am constantly playing catch up and not really staying in the moment because I am thinking of the next thing I NEED to get accomplished.
This desire and constant awareness of balance did allow me to catch a few events before the year ended. I did get a chance to go to the Vancouver Art Gallery and see the Michael Audain art exhibit . I was so inspired and encouraged when I heard Mr. Audain speak on CBC. I thought: “Yeah, I am on the right track; someone this successful feels the same way I do about art and its vital importance in our lives.” That we, as a society, have a social responsibility to support our local artists because, in turn, we are contributing to the balance of our own community.
I did get a chance to go to the Wizard of Oz play at the Carousel Theatre with EsaBella’s (my lovely 6 year old daughter) grade one class,
Dorothy and Scarecrow
and then the same evening I was able to attend the Nutcracker ballet at The Centre for Performing Arts with my Momma and two daughters. Both were a gift of time and enjoyment. I really had a magical time at the Nutcracker.
Nutcracker at The Centre
This was a reminder of how much I really need to carve out -play- time for myself by myself, with my family, and with my friends.
One of the things I really need to do is find balance between work and family. If I am not careful I will be attending EsaBella’s graduation from high school, before I really have had time to savour her time in grade one. So, I have decided (with much resistance from my responsible side) to take a holiday with my family. I figure after 4 years without a holiday it might be time for one. I will be gone for the 2nd and 3rd week in January (can you believe it!!). The store will be closed during the week and open on weekends while I am away. I have posted the dates and times on facebook and on the website.
After reading The Birth House by Ami McKay, and meeting Helen, a wonderful woman who attends the Knit’n Natter night, I have put my thinking cap on and an idea is percolating. So stay tuned to find out more about he Friday Night Knitting Club’s new parallel component that will allow me to give back to the community in which I live, in another way.
So, for 2012, I intend to have more play time, go to more art shows (actually use the Vancouver Art Gallery membership that I buy every year), meet more artists, contribute to the wonderful community in which I am blessed to live in, laugh more, and never let the shoplifters get me down.
Cheers to a great 2012, and may I meet every challenge with grace 
Robi Smith will be our Artist in the Window this Saturday, February 25th, between 1-4*, and after hearing about what she will be doing, we are more than excited! Robi is a print artist and she will be creating a multi-colored linocut print, similar to the owl print we have shown here. These prints are made by hand, not digitally reproduced, and therefore are much more valuable than many of your brightly coloured prints found at other stores. They are time consuming to make; the lino is hand cut into the shape, and then each colour is individually applied to the paper. The making of this owl has been well documented on Robi’s blog, and is a good read! Personally, I am really interested to see the technique that she uses so that she doesn’t over cut, which is what I am always afraid of doing. Robi says she doesn’t know what kind of an animal she will be making, only that it will be a local animal, fish or bird. I love an artist who doesn’t give it all away 
