U B U

ATC created Jan 2020 theme of 'self-love' from Willowing Arts Dec 2019

Anyone who knows me or follows this blog with regularity knows that I create ATCs (artist trading cards) on a monthly basis.  These days I only make six as opposed to the eight I used to make. I don't need to make myself two every month. I make three each of two designs based on a monthly theme suggested by Willowing Arts . Willowing Arts also arranges a random ATC swap each month with another creative person who is interested in swapping and taking their courses (generally Life Book).  To this person I also send an envelope full of papers, ribbons, tags etc for them to use in their projects and often receive the same back. I also send two of each design to Linda in BC who got me into the whole concept of creating and sending ATCs anyway. Her idea being that it's refreshing to get something good in the snail mail other than bills and junk mail. A few years back, when my son-in-law Jonathan was pastor of Toronto's Centre for Spiritual Living, I offered a year of ATCs as a fundraiser. Karen, the lady in charge of the fundraiser, bid on and received my gift. She gifted this to her friend's parents (also in BC) and her friend who seemed to enjoy receiving them. Last year, she changed the recipients to another friend's teenage children and apparently the response they've been getting is awesome! It's just a joy to make them when I know that they're being eagerly received. They are sent one of each design and they explained in great detail to Karen how they choose who gets which one. (but I have no idea!) With them in mind, I created this month's. Well, I'm about a month behind. These are really from December's theme of self-love. But were mailed the other day. I particularly liked the message on the one you see here.  I liked its simplicity...and thought it quite clever and appealing to teens though it's probably been done a million times before somewhere. I'm posting it here as a January blog as a reminder to you, to be you in all your loveliness, even when and perhaps especially when, you don't feel your loveliness too much. Treat yourself well. This world needs you and all you bring to it. Even on days when you might doubt that you bring anything.

I was feeling quite exhausted when I sat at the computer and a snooze sounded like the best thing I could do with my day at that point. But I created a new playlist on Spotify, prompted by watching an Elvis documentary with Val yesterday, and found myself lifted up and energized by music, as often happens. I can't imagine my life without music. In finding songs on Spotify, I came across this one from Dolly Parton that I have on an LP. Who can't benefit from a little shot of Dolly's beautiful, reassuring lyrics and sparkling voice on any given day? Enjoy.

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In other news, the park bench from Dad's has now become a bench mark (haha) for the amount of snow we've had this winter.  It's in our back yard. Looking at the photo below, it's to the right of the path. You can just see the top slat poking through. Despite the havoc it can cause, I love snow. So pretty, soft and insulating. One of my co-workers who comes from Africa is experiencing his first Canadian winter and delights in how light the snow is. I was reminded of that driving to work on a full moon night a couple of weekends ago.  I love how light my house is in the winter (in summer it's super dark...but cool...from all the leaves on the surrounding trees) and how the streetlight across the road reflects on the snow. But for now, although not morning and a little overcast, I cherish the light of a clear blue day.

Wishing you love and light as you move through your world today. And remember: UBU