Trusting, With Intent

This week I am packing up and heading to the U.S.A. for a three-month visit.  My partner, Adrian Kosky, and I are leaving our beautiful Tasma House and Gardens group accommodation biz in good hands, though.  More importantly, I dare say, we are also entrusting the care of our dear doggie to our friend, Gerry Managh.  

This trip marks the beginning of a new part of my life.....the part where I actively reside in two countries, and on two continents, by choice and with intent.  

Often life events happen by accident or from necessity.  For me, many life events are random and come about without intent......and then they evolve into planned up activities.  I'm thinking of my artistic randomness, now.
 I get inspired by the silliness of things sometimes; and sometimes I am launched into an art project by something beautiful.  I'm trying to describe what I have done in the past, to help explain what I am about to do.  

Since I have been in Australia, I have learned a lot about simple digital photography, painting with simple art supplies, simplifying the art of making music, and simply enjoying my surroundings.  

I have been blessed with good things that come by trusting the trustworthy.  I am thankful for not losing my faith and for keeping my hope.  I am happy that I dream and that my dreams are sometimes animated.  I am grateful that I no longer have to get out of bed early every day.  I am glad I have the energy to begin traveling regularly between the U.S. and Australia; and I'm looking forward to being happily random, without intent, again, wherever I am -- so that I may plan and follow-through with good activities, as I have done in the past.  I am thrilled that I am aiming to increase my involvement with artists, musicians, art, and music, and trusting that good will come of all that.  I'm ready to wear my "happy hat!"

Trusting, With Intent

This week I am packing up and heading to the U.S.A. for a three-month visit.  My partner, Adrian Kosky, and I are leaving our beautiful Tasma House and Gardens group accommodation biz in good hands, though.  More importantly, I dare say, we are also entrusting the care of our dear doggie to our friend, Gerry Managh.  

This trip marks the beginning of a new part of my life.....the part where I actively reside in two countries, and on two continents, by choice and with intent.  

Often life events happen by accident or from necessity.  For me, many life events are random and come about without intent......and then they evolve into planned up activities.  I'm thinking of my artistic randomness, now.  

I get inspired by the silliness of things sometimes; and sometimes I am launched into an art project by something beautiful.  I'm trying to describe what I have done in the past, to help explain what I am about to do.  

Since I have been in Australia, I have learned a lot about simple digital photography, painting with simple art supplies, simplifying the art of making music, and simply enjoying my surroundings.  

I have been blessed with good things that come by trusting the trustworthy.  I am thankful for not losing my faith and for keeping my hope.  I am happy that I dream and that my dreams are sometimes animated.  I am grateful that I no longer have to get out of bed early every day.  I am glad I have the energy to begin traveling regularly between the U.S. and Australia; and I'm looking forward to being happily random, without intent, again, wherever I am -- so that I may plan and follow-through with good activities, as I have done in the past.  I am thrilled that I am aiming to increase my involvement with artists, musicians, art, and music, and trusting that good will come of all that.  I'm ready to wear my "happy hat!"

The Holy Moly Masonic Temple Project

I'm working on a new project with Adrian Kosky, and this is the building where it's all going to happen.  We are looking into our future with the potential of artist-in-residence spaces and group accommodation (similar to what we have at Tasma House) in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.A., in the old Masonic Temple located at Third Street and Issaquena Avenue. This new project is unfolding daily, as Adrian and I learn what we may and may not do as citizens of two different countries/continents.  I am so excited by the possibility of having fun by living a busy life again that I am finding it hard to concentrate on feeding the ducks and cockatoos in my backyard!  I can't sleep, can't paint, can't ea....... nevermind, enough said.

Photo by Susan Gordon-Brown

This photo of Adrian and me was taken just after the decision to purchase the Masonic Temple....with good vibes and coffee as shown.

I've started a blog, twitter account, youtube channel, and even a facebook page to provide official info about the project.  I am hoping that others will be as excited about this as Adrian and I are!  

Here are the relevant links:

www.TheHolyMoly.com

www.Twitter.com/HolyMolyTemple

www.Youtube.com/theholymolytemple

www.facebook.com/theholymoly

The Holy Moly Masonic Temple Project

I'm working on a new project with Adrian Kosky, and this is the building where it's all going to happen.  We are looking into our future with the potential of artist-in-residence spaces and group accommodation (similar to what we have at Tasma House) in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.A., in the old Masonic Temple located at Third Street and Issaquena Avenue. This new project is unfolding daily, as Adrian and I learn what we may and may not do as citizens of two different countries/continents.  I am so excited by the possibility of having fun by living a busy life again that I am finding it hard to concentrate on feeding the ducks and cockatoos in my backyard!  I can't sleep, can't paint, can't ea....... nevermind, enough said.

Photo by Susan Gordon-Brown

This photo of Adrian and me was taken just after the decision to purchase the Masonic Temple....with good vibes and coffee as shown.

I've started a blog, twitter account, youtube channel, and even a facebook page to provide official info about the project.  I am hoping that others will be as excited about this as Adrian and I are!  

Here are the relevant links:

www.TheHolyMoly.com

www.Twitter.com/HolyMolyTemple

www.Youtube.com/theholymolytemple

www.facebook.com/theholymoly

First World Pains

I'm blogging from my BRAND NEW COMPUTER!  Feeling happy and blessed to have this luxury birthday present ordered by Adrian.  

What are my "first world pains?" The learning curve, for sure.....lots of newness to deal with.....My "old" computer was purchased in 2007 with hopes of doing all kinds of photo editing and movie making, etc.  As it turned out, I never did need the fancy photo editing software, and I never made any major movies.  My old computer served me well, though, and it worked very hard, down to its last 4.46 gigs....bless its heart!

Here's a photo of my BRAND NEW COMPUTER! 

I'm using this post as a test, to see how my recent recording of "Little Red Rooster" works as an embedded file.  My old way of sharing music is not available, apparently.  Blast!  I had a good system going with GoDaddy's free blog, Switch (a free file conversion program), and my handy-dandy-digital recorder.  GoDaddy's free blog seems to not be compatible with my new OSX software, because I cannot upload my recordings on my GoDaddy blog like I used to.  

I've seen tweets refer to "first world pains," and I understand this phenomenon, very well.  I believe it is the pain of stress caused by luxury items.  I'm stressed right now, and all I want to do is share my music the way I usually share my music....without having to learn new technology.  Nevertheless, I will strive to learn how to get my recordings simply shared on my free GoDaddy blog at www.Memphis-Dulcimer.com.

Until then, here's a sample from last night's gig :) at the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia.  This is my personal recording of Table Hill's performance of "Little Red Rooster." Please notice and click on the play button shown below, to listen to Table Hill.

First World Pains

I'm blogging from my BRAND NEW COMPUTER!  Feeling happy and blessed to have this luxury birthday present ordered by Adrian.  

What are my "first world pains?" The learning curve, for sure.....lots of newness to deal with.....My "old" computer was purchased in 2007 with hopes of doing all kinds of photo editing and movie making, etc.  As it turned out, I never did need the fancy photo editing software, and I never made any major movies.  My old computer served me well, though, and it worked very hard, down to its last 4.46 gigs....bless its heart!  

Here's a photo of my BRAND NEW COMPUTER! 

I'm using this post as a test, to see how my recent recording of "Little Red Rooster" works as an embedded file.  My old way of sharing music is not available, apparently.  Blast!  I had a good system going with GoDaddy's free blog, Switch (a free file conversion program), and my handy-dandy-digital recorder.  GoDaddy's free blog seems to not be compatible with my new OSX software, because I cannot upload my recordings on my GoDaddy blog like I used to.  

I've seen tweets refer to "first world pains," and I understand this phenomenon, very well.  I believe it is the pain of stress caused by luxury items.  I'm stressed right now, and all I want to do is share my music the way I usually share my music....without having to learn new technology.  Nevertheless, I will strive to learn how to get my recordings simply shared on my free GoDaddy blog at www.Memphis-Dulcimer.com.

Until then, here's a sample from last night's gig :) at the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia.  This is my personal recording of Table Hill's performance of "Little Red Rooster." Please notice and click on the play button shown below, to listen to Table Hill.

Painting from Photos of Birds in Tasma Gardens

For the past few months I have been playing with paints.....painting the birds that I have photographed in Tasma Gardens.  Each one of the paintings below has a bird in its candid-camera pose.  

Australian Magpie

These paintings represent a lot of bird watching and a bunch of sour-dough bread that was fed!  I have spent a lot of time with these variously-feathered friends.

Pied Currawong

I've learned a lot about their likes and dislikes.......some of the birds like bread shaped into a bread ball.....and some don't like bread at all.  

Sulpher-Crested Cockatoo

After painting these pictures, I have featured a few in musical posters, and I have pinned them up on Pinterest, too. I've been doing all of that just because I can.....as it is something new and fun to do.

I am thankful for the blessings of time, space, and this beautiful place.....Tasma House and Gardens in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia,.......and for the art supplies, the digital camera, the computer, the internet, the digital voice recorder, the ability to make music with friends, and the shared Blogger software where I can post these paintings.

Rosella

As I reflect and consider what I am so thankful for, I realize I might sound like a child offering a bedtime prayer......"Thank you for Mommy & Daddy, and Brothers and Sisters, and the dog, and ALL my FRIENDS,....and, and, and...," and I'm okay with that.  Because I AM thankful for all those things, too.

Australian Magpie

I pray that others will enjoy this blog and these paintings, as I have enjoyed the painting progress and the posting process.

Teal Duck