We’re home in Moscow enjoying a snowfall that thankfully won’t leave us under this much snow on our studio. 2017 was a roller coaster, and although it was a challenge, I’m thankful for all of the love and the lessons it held.
After my Dad died, we spent 3 months in Maine. We had no internet at our house and I got used to silence and tuning the world out. Owls Head is a great place to heal and just to be. We painted often on location, did a workshop and participated in an auction for the Georges River Land Trust. What a pleasure. We got our studio up and running, and it’s a very good space for creative work. We painted the little outbuilding that was the Line Gale Lunch and Gifts and that we hope will become the Line Gale Gallery one day soon. Time passed quickly there and it was time to head home, where we’ve become more involved again. It’s been tough for me to deal with the dichotomy of what’s happening in our country versus what’s become possible at home. At home, new space, new opportunities are opening up. I have time to dream and time to experiment. But the dark cloud of events happening in our country has made it necessary that I show up and speak for what I believe in. Both Bill & I will be continuing doing what we can in 2018. I want to celebrate creativity in the things I write about here. And no more positive writing can I find than this beautiful poem written by Michael Dougherty that expresses in a nutshell what we need as we move forward into a New Year.
When the carols
have been stilled
When the star topped tree
is taken down
When family and friends
are gone home
When we are back to our schedule
The work of Christmas begins.
To welcome the refugees
To heal a broken planet
To feed the hungry
To build bridges of trust-
Not walls of fear.
To share our gifts
To seek justice and peace
for all people.
To bring Christ’s light into the world.
Michael Dougherty
