Friday, September 29, 2017

WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST!



In these crazy days of angst and turmoil, hatred and negativity that seems to lead the daily newscasts of late, I choose to join in the WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST to counter all of that with a message of light that brings me GREAT JOY!
I belong to a ukulele club that goes out and about to strum at the local hospital as well as for the residents of local nursing homes.  It's a "feel good" time for everyone, including the 6 - 8 strummers who all volunteer their time to spread the joyful sounds of the ukulele.

Many of the senior residents that we visit do not have family members close by, and the interaction with them brings smiles to all of our faces.  I like to take along a few extra ukes to hand out, and encourage them to just strum along, even though they don't know how to play, while the others are singing along and crooning to their long lost loved ones.  Although, a couple former guitar players were able to join in on uke for fun.  Two gentlemen come in their wheelchairs with their bongo drums to play with us, too!  It's really a grand old time.

So instead of focusing on the darkest bits of society, how about we focus on what we as individuals can do to shine the light.  Here's one individual who is doing just that... Dr. Paulo Martins of the Hospital das Clinicas in Ribeirao Preto who plays his ukulele for a young cancer patient!  

 Music truly is a universal language...

And here are some members of our ukulele group who love to strum for fun!  
WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE...DO YOUR PART!
 The feeling you get in return for making a difference, makes it all worthwhile!
Won't you join me?
ALOHA!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Birds of a feather...

As Summer rolls right into Autumn, I find myself gathering...  I've been gathering odds and ends that have been tossed around in my studio (aka dining room), and creating these little journals.  Measuring a mere 4-1/2" x 6", I do have a collection of them that I roll out at local festivals for sale, and some are gifted to special friends.  I recently gifted one of my mini journals to a friend who teaches "Creative Writing".  And boy can she write...poetry, short stories, she's an excellent teacher. What better prompt for a great short story than this cover.  Denim, tattered lace, vintage button and papers...
turn the page...
 36 pages are all coffee stained, and I've included a couple pockets with a couple journaling cards.

yes...turn the page...tell your story...
 

back cover
It all ties up with a black suede strap to hold your secrets tight!
What story could you tell in here as you...turn the page???