February 5.  Five weeks into the new year.  How are you doing with those resolutions?

Perhaps a distant memory.  Given up because maybe they were too large, or there were too many, or, quite honestly, you simply grew tired of them and put them into the "maybe another time" box.

Consider starting again.  But this time, make it SIMPLE.

I find it helps to break things down into the basic, baby steps.  Set the daily goal as something so small, demanding only a mere moment of time, that I simply cannot fail.

As Mimi the artist, author, and musician, it has meant the following in 2018.

I paint, every day.  Now, don't laugh.  When I say that, I define it as picking up the brush or palette knife and putting a new mark on the canvas that is sitting on the easel.  Sometimes, it is simply that - just one new mark.  Other times, it morphs into several hours.  But I can honestly say I've painted, every day.  Not because I want to brag about it, but because I have made a commitment to it.

And sketching.  I've added that to my routine, too.  Not yet as successfully as I'd like (I've always resisted the sketch book and I'm not sure why) but it is most definitely the building block for an artist who wants to paint in a realistic style.  I must observe, and put it to paper.  So far - one day.  Ha ha.  See?  You thought I was accomplishing a lot... well, this one needs work!

Music?  My personal piano was moved home from the church last week, and I have started playing scales every day.  Literally - takes about one minute to run a scale up and down several octaves.  And sometimes, it turns into sitting down and PLAYING (there's.a reason that word is used with music!) a bit more.  Pulled out some of my old classical books and played JUST FOR FUN.  Tears of joy streaming down my face.  Yes.  Really.

Writing?  Well, that's obvious, isn't it?  But another one I've shied away from.  New resolution starts today.  Pen to paper, every day, even if just one sentence.  One sentence can speak volumes, and might just provide a springboard for something longer on another day.

My point?  IF I am to identify myself as Mimi the artist, author, and musician, then I may do so only if I am actually doing each of those things on a regular basis.  It is far too easy to cry "writer's block" or "I didn't have the time."  But what about the 15 minutes I spent scrolling through Facebook, looking for I don't even know what?  Those 15 minutes might have been spent at the keyboard, or easel, or with pen in hand.

What is YOUR smallest time indulgence you might ALLOW for yourself to play with something you have been meaning to do and simply haven't gotten around to?  What are you waiting for?  Life is uncertain.  Do it NOW.  And think about how you define success. 

I invite and encourage you to try the "tiny tidbits" method.  My guess is you will find that on some days, it is all that you can do - maybe 15 seconds worth.  And on other days - you will surprise yourself when seconds turns into... an hour or two?

Watch the cumulative affect of a little bit of something done every day.  Notice your mood.  Be aware of how it impacts your day(s).   

Please share what's worked for you, or hasn't...

Happy February 5 new resolutions day!

With love and WARM hugs,

Mimi

PS - it occurs to me after writing this that I've missed one.  I have made a daily commitment to reading scripture.  First thing, every morning.  Using a fun app called Read Scripture.  Take a look if you'd like - it can be started any time.  A FUN way to read through the entire Bible in a year!!!   There are these cool little cartoon videos every few days that help with overviews - even inspire me to pick up the ink pens and doodle! 

Oh my.  How is it possibly 4 months since I last entered a blog post?

It goes something like this.

In March, I made the decision to close my gallery in West Falmouth, and move my painting studio to my home, so that I could focus on the painting, rather than the business.

Then I received an invitation to participate in a larger gallery show later this summer.  Quite the reward, and affirmation, on my decision.

Then one of my other jobs went through some significant changes.

And I decided I needed to take on yet another day job (two, actually) just in case. Without dropping any of the others.

By then it was early May.

I worked more hours in May than I knew were possible.  And spent the hours in between sleeping, eating, walking Rosie, and praising God.  Then working again.  The job total was up to six. Or maybe it was seven. 

By early June, I knew I needed to let go of one of them, so I did.  All part time, but they added up.  

And as the gallery show June 30 deadline loomed near, I spent more time at the easel than I had in quite a while.

My point?  (there is a point)

Just when we think we have life figured out, and in balance, change happens.  We can either fight it, or flow with it.  I've flowed, mostly, but not without certain sacrifices.

Praising God?  That's number one.  Nothing gets in the way of that.  It remains how I begin each day, and central to my life.  I've taken on the task of reading the entire Bible in one year in 2017.  Over halfway now! But that's a blog for another time.

Eating?  Luckily my newest job addition is Maison Villatte, the wonderful French bakery in Falmouth, so eating has taken on all sorts of new lovely flavors.

Sleeping?  Haha.  What was challenging this past winter has become a top priority.  And comes far too easily - even sometimes when it shouldn't!!!  

Walking Rosie?  Well, the dear one needs her mama.  

But something has had to give in terms of my time.  And unfortunately, that has been relationships.  Please accept my apology, dear friends, that I have been far less present than I would like to be in your lives during the past several months.  Dropped have been yoga classes, sailing adventures, long luxurious walks, day long excursions.  Please forgive me if I don't accept your invitations.  And know that I would love to say yes to all.  Time is simply squeezed right now.  And my pillow beckons in between all else.

But that's just how it is right now.  That's the key.  Because just as things changed in the direction they did this spring, they quite well may again.  

That's where trust comes in.  I know this is a season.  My life won't always look like it does today.  Though honestly, today, the view is quite lovely (except for the relationships part - I miss sharing time with so many of you!)  

And I feel blessed abundantly in more ways than I can count.

The gallery show?  It's at Cortile Gallery in Provincetown.  Opening night is Friday, August 18.  More on that to come.

In the meantime - please know I am grateful to those of you who have followed my blog and various writings and emails through the years.  I promise I will start writing more.  Lots of new topics that float through my brain, usually right as I'm falling onto my pillow...

Love to each and every one of you.  Blessings of summer warmth, joy, and God's grace be yours.

xo
​Mimi

ps - two days after writing this it occurs to me that some may interpret it as a complaint - NOT AT ALL!  I wrote it partly as explanation, partly as apology, to those to whom I have had to say no when I would rather say yes.

 


​I did treat myself to the Falmouth Fireworks on July 4.  So spectacular over the water, off the beach in Falmouth Heights.  Tears as they played America the Beautiful.  SOOOO very blessed to live here.

​It's here.

The last book took three years.  This one took three weeks.
 
Well, ok, a little longer than that, but when something wants to be born, sometimes it just HAPPENS.

It started as a letter to a friend. Pieces of what worked for me in my faith journey of the past two years.  

Then I shared it with a few others.

They encouraged me to explore the topics a bit more. And a little over a month later, a book is born.

Whether what I did will work for someone else, I don't know. I simply had to write it down one night when I could not sleep before I did.

It's called "The 10 Things - an invitation to dive in."  You may learn more about it here.

If it calls to you, I hope you might listen. 

With thanks - and wishing you blessings.
​
Mimi

Some things are made to last for decades. I don't believe a mattress is one of them.

I've been sleeping on the same one for the past 20 years, more or less. It's time has come, and gone. I noticed on the last laundry day that it actually had a sag in the middle. No wonder my back hasn't been so happy. That's the old one in the picture.

So what? Is this really blog worthy? It is to me, when I think of the changes it has seen and weathered with me during the past 20 years. I won't bore you with the details. Not right now. The mattress served me well. Fulfilled its purpose. Took care of me when I needed it.


Today, the new mattress ordered online arrived. And tonight, my head resonates with the phrase "you've made your bed, now lie in it."  But rather than a negative tone, it is kinda exciting.

Because this afternoon, at almost the same time the mattress arrived, I uploaded the files for my next publication.  Titled "The 10 Things - an invitation to dive in." It's about as opposite from my novel as can be. It's nonfiction. Faith based.

If all goes well, I will have copies in hand and ready for distribution on March 16.  Possibly sooner. So figuratively, I made a new bed today, speaking out on behalf of God. The book is testimony to my faith journey of the past several years.And that's all I will say for now.

Tonight, literally, I make and sleep in a new bed.  Fresh.  No memories - good, bad, or otherwise. Just... peace. And rest.

Wishing blessings and love to each and every one of you. Much more to come in the weeks ahead...

​Mimi

Every now and then we are caught by surprise by something so lovely that it moves us to tears.

I just had one such moment.

Who would think it could come from a few random moments on Facebook?

Finished lunch, ready to move on to the next part of my work day, and took a moment to look at my FB feed.  Saw an article posted by my daughter, about her work.  A blogger interviewing her.  

I thought likely a simple PR piece, but I'm procrastinating other tasks on my to-do list right now, so why not.

Then I read the second question to her, the one asking about her background.  First she mentioned her momma was a painter.  Ok, that's cool.  It was what followed that moved me to tears.  I had no idea that my attempts to making a living as an artist during her younger years - while not necessarily as financially lucrative as I might have hoped for at the time - had such an influence on her.

We know our life work isn't just about money, though of course it is always good to be responsible and do what we must to pay the bills.  But this hits at a particularly poignant time in my life, as I am seeking to embrace more fully my 'jobs' of artist, and author.  

More on that topic another time.  For now, I simply want to share this... show the world how proud I am of my beautiful, amazing daughter, Anna.  She is seizing life for all that it offers to her, and putting together the pieces in her own graceful, lovely, engaging way. 

Hope you enjoy reading her blog interview (Blog post here) about her and her market in Brooklyn.  
Artists and Fleas.

Love you to the moon and back again, Anna.
​
xo
Mimi

In Chapter 50 of my novel (Painting Lily), Lily is invited to participate in an art auction that will require her to write accompanying descriptions of the paintings.  Her friend Sarah, responsible for her participation in the show, tells her, "They want to include a couple of paragraphs with each piece, you know, words from the artist about why you painted what you did.  What's your meaning behind the painting?  That sort of thing."

Lily balks at first.  Her response is "You mean the thing I've always said I hate?"

To which Sarah responds, "C'mon, Lily, hate's a strong word.  Just tell a little bit about how the painting moves you, why it called you to create it."

I'm the one who wrote those words.  Like Lily (I created her - so yes, we share some thoughts about life and art) it has always been my preference to hear what others think my paintings have to say.  But lately, I've been reconsidering that idea (been reconsidering a lot of what I used to think.)

So, I'm going to give this thing a shot.  Over the next several days and weeks I will be writing longer narratives to accompany my paintings on my website.  I invite you to check in periodically, and take a look.  Please feel free to comment on what you read!  First two posted here - with "The Quilt" and "Laundry Day."

I'm doing it just for fun.  Let's see where it goes!

Oh - and yes - the blog is coming back, too.  Lots of new thoughts and writing to share.  Including an inspirational book to be published within the next several weeks - a target date of March 16 to debut it, at the DRIVEN conference for women, where I will be presenting a workshop titled "Driven by the Muse - Creating with Purpose."  

A LOT going on!!! FUN!!!!!!!!

It's good to be back.  Thank you for reading.

xo and blessings to all.
Mimi

I did it.  Took the 90 day blog challenge just a little bit further.  90 sounded incomplete.  But 100?  Voila!  Now I may rest.

Thank you to all for following.  Thank you for your thoughtful responses.  

Time to let it rest now, for a little while.

Writing will be on the page instead of on the computer for a little while.

Thank you.  Truly humbled, honored, and encouraged by the experience of having shared the past 100 days with you.  

I wish you lovely blessings and joy.

​NIte nite.

xo
Mimi

Let's just start by saying that Halloween has never been "my thing."  My mother wasn't into it, so we didn't get excited about it when I was young.  And while yes, I may be adept at other artistic endeavors, making costumes, and the crafty sort of paraphernalia that goes along with October 31 - well, no, thank you, it's not in my wheel house.

I decided it was time to push past a comfort zone about the whole thing this year.  Signed up not just to be a volunteer at Cape Cod Church's Trunk or Treat event - that's way too easy - but instead to actually DECORATE my car, and go in COSTUME!!!!!!!

The theme was "cartoons."  Took me far too long just to choose one.  My first two ideas were already taken, so I landed on Cinderella - with me as Fairy Godmother.  In truth, it was inspired by a blog post I wrote a little while ago - titled "Im-possible" - based on a song in the Rogers and Hamerstein version.  (you can read the blog HERE if you missed it.) That was October 20.  I had roughly ten days to come up with my ideas.

Thought I might decorate the car as the coach.  That was WAY too elaborate.  Ended up instead with a diorama inside the back of the car.  And me in costume as Fairy Godmother herself (God bless the children tonight who thought I was Cinderella!  At age 56?!  LOVE IT!  Bring on Prince Charming!!! oops - that's another blog entirely - back to the topic at hand...)

Spent the past week picking up some of the parts  I would need. A friend's Fisher Price toy castle.  A styrofoam pumpkin.  Some glitter spray and tinsel.  A magic wand and tiara.  Didn't start to actually assemble it until about 2 o'clock this afternoon.

May I say that about 20 minutes into the endeavor I started to laugh out loud?  At myself?  For how ridiculously absurd it was that such a task should be such a challenge.  Threw myself into the project, acknowledging that I didn't have to do it perfectly, and could let go of comparing myself to all of the others who would certainly have far more elaborate set ups.  And I simply had FUN!!!!!!!  Loved every minute of it.  

It turned out - okay.  Not great.  But passable enough that some of the kids recognized it.  

Most important?  I never knew I could have so much fun handing out candy to several thousand children!!!  It was a DELIGHTFUL Halloween night!!!  

Though next year, remind me, please, to choose a warmer outfit? Perhaps a polar bear?

xo
​Mimi

ps - one of my friends at the church handed me some Bible verse fortune cookies she special ordered (too cute!) - mine was (random) - Matthew 19:26 With God all things are possible.  Not so random.  Remember where this started?  Fairy Godmother - Impossible?!  Just can't make this stuff up!!!!!

Do you know the difference between good tired and bad tired?

Good tired comes at the end of a day where we feel like we used the day well, in whatever we did.  Maybe it was work.  Maybe it was play.  Maybe we volunteered.  Or mowed the lawn.  Or cleaned out the garage. 

Bad tired, for me, is the result of frustration.  Or anger.  Or irritation.

Tonight I am good tired.  I did a LOT of music today.  Played the service at Christ Lutheran Church.  Attended worship service at Cape Cod Church.  Worked two hours as rehearsal accompanist for the Falmouth Theater Guild.  Then back to Cape Cod Church for Christmas Choir rehearsal, asked to step in as alto section leader since the regular leader was sick (poor dear...wishing her FAST recovery.)  

That was a whole lot of music.  And church.  And time at the piano.

And tonight, I am good tired.  A day WELL spent. Working together with a whole bunch of wonderful people, who added so much to my time.

Now, I go to sleep with the sound of a gentle late October rain.  

Thank you, God, for blessing me in the simple things.  AND in the big things.

xo
Me.