Impressions of Community

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America’s love affair with it’s hometown communities still reigns in some places and I feel grateful and fortunate to be living in one town where I feel such a culture exists in this place.

Yesterday, two events took place in Bel Air, Maryland which celebrated the town’s 150 year history – a family fun run and an evening community choral concert for all ages. Anyone who wanted to enjoy could join in.

A song written especially for this year’s celebration of the Bel Air town anniversary called “A Special Place in my Heart,” as well as other American favorites, spirituals and Broadway favorites such as “Will the Circle be Unbroken”  and “Summer Time and the Living is Easy” all sung for decades now, were among the tunes of the warm evening. Voices Lifted, Concert #1 for the 2024 summer season was well-worth attending at the amphitheater in Shamrock Park. For the full listing of town sponsored concerts, visit the website.

 

 

 

 

 

Insightful Storytelling

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Today marks the very near conclusion of a writing project I have been working with a client on for about two years. The manuscript has just gone to the printer for a proof copy. It is a publication which you will not be able to find through internet searches because it was written to not to gain fame or draw attention, rather to share a retrospective look at one’s life with a select group of people – family, friends and personal connections.

The advantages of independent publishing led my client to chose this option because she has come to understand after a long life, the words of Robert T. Kiyosak who once said, “You and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.” These wise words are reflected throughout many of my client’s personal recollections.

Independent publishing allows for a book to be published and sold (or not) perhaps more uniquely and creatively without regard to certain traditional publishing standards. I am an advocate for it’s flexibility and I thoroughly enjoyed working with my client on this independent publishing project. I am most grateful for the time spent together.

My client and I look forward to holding the book in our hands and celebrating together when we receive it.

 

 

By Creator’s Design

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“The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light.”
— Ram Dass

I’ve been doing a little experiment with one of my houseplants to give Chloe, my writers muse a more creative look. In my opinion, she is now looking rather jaunty with her tresses swept to the side! Her transformance has taken some months but now it is coming into full evidence. How timely! Her new look became apparent just as the horse racing season began when the southern-set women put on their fascinator hats, placement atilt on their heads. I didn’t rotate her position for many, many months, thus, her tresses have been leaning toward the greatest source of light – the nearest window.

Isn’t it wonderful that in our Universe, our Creator thought to give us both dark and light? The basic truth is most of us crave the light rather than darkness, it’s the reason why we are more joy-filled in the brighter seasons or when in life we are actively moving in a positive direction.

 

 

Wisdom of the Arts

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Today’s blog is simply food for thought. Does it ever concern you that too few testimonies are written about about man’s search for meaning and about finding one’s way through creative endeavors?

If so, give a nudge of encouragement to others to express themselves artistically or imaginatively without regard to their own opinion about their ability.

Note of Appreciation

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Today’s post on AllThingsFulfilling.com is short but I wanted to share my thanks to the Bel Air Arts & Entertainment for bringing back arts educator, professional freelance singer and performance artist, Julie Kurzava for another of her 3 part lecture series. Yesterday, I attended the first of the program which was focused on the music of Irving Berlin. Over the next two Monday’s the series will continue with the music of George Gershwin and then Cole Porter. It’s not too late to jump in on the remaining sessions. They have been so enjoyable and educational.

Last May, Julie Kurzava’s three part series on Early Broadway Musicals was equally as interesting. Ms. Kurzava is well-schooled in her field of music. For me the icing on the cake is to hear her beautiful voice when she chimes in singing bits of pieces of the tunes she is speaking about. Boy oh, boy, would I love to hear her sing one song all the way through. Her voice is perfect for performance music!

Painters on the Portico

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More than fifteen visual artists stopped by the weekly gathering yesterday on May Day, to say, “Hey, take a look at my new painting!” It was a great day to be outside. The sun was shining and there was a gentle, moderately warm breeze which swept across the lawns and portico at the historic Palladian Mansion, “The Liriodendron.”

The art talk was as interesting as always, with creatives sharing their methodology and their visions about what they brought to various surfaces. The exchange of questions led to insight about their individual style preferences, favored art supplies and so much more, such as when their paintings will make their debuts in future local, statewide and regional shows or beyond. Thus, I restrain from posting photos of individual works of art, most of which were very colorful.

It was so good to be among these artists once again. The only disappointment was although the wisteria overhead was still dripping with flowers, their purple shades of color have faded to mostly shades of gray to white. Then watch out! It is known to become wild, carefree and unruly. The new shoots of green will quickly wind and twine along along anything they can grab onto and hug.

It was a fabulous May Day with some of the many talented Harford County artists at the historic home and estate of Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly and his wife Letitia.

Beloved Antiques

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Good Morning from my Grandmother’s 1920’s Spinet Writing Desk. I inherited it, but unfortunately, I didn’t inherit the story behind it. Why? Sadly, I didn’t ask. My grandmother was born in January 1900 and married in the early 1920’s, so I can only surmise it was given to my grandparents as a wedding present. She enjoyed it all ninety-nine and one-half years until her passing.

It was only recently, after having moved it, I was able to get the writing surface to slide out. A drawer knob or two are missing but, she is solid as a rock, with her shapely legs. Not bad for an ole girl who is 100 years of age. I meant to clean her up before taking this photo, but then I forgot. Oh well, her imperfections give her character and in my opinion, a rich patina adds to her value and it is better than being all polished up.

Every antique and painting has a provenance or story behind it. So next time you are wandering an art gallery or museum and the artist happens to be in attendance, don’t forget to ask about the painting, sculpture, mixed-media piece that you find enchanting, enthralling, exhilarating, captivating or controversial. Backstories are what allows us see fragments of an artist’s soul. Every item that sits on my antique writing desk has a short story, too, including the “Mona” lavender clivia which I foraged from an old abandoned lot yesterday.

Le Printemps

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What I need most of all is color, always, always. ~ Claude Monet

My first spring outing to Ladew Gardens in Monkton, Maryland came about about a two weeks ago. The drive through Fox and Hound Hunt Country is always beautiful, any time of year.

 

It was a glorious day! Even the koi in the pond down in the Iris garden were celebrating. They were leaping out of the water – either in pursuit of newly hatched bugs or a mate!

I’ve shared just a few photos and to think the riot has just begun! You have to go see it for yourself. In my book, frequent visits to what has been said as a top topiary garden in the world is mandatory if you want to really appreciate an unfolding of color all summer long.

A Spring Sunday

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Yesterday, on the Sabbath, I rested my eyes on the glories of springtime at Maison Nord Garden. The private gardens were open to the public to benefit the Harford Community Action Agency.

Rhona Frank and her daughter Chrissy own the 7 acre property. Rhona’s creativity along with her her collaborator, Kelcey Degnan and their other botanical helpers is evident everywhere. Chrissy’s claim to fame is “chief duck-keeper” and event assistant. Several outbuildings were colorfully painted to perfectly accentuate certain areas. As I spoke with the elder of the two ladies, it became evident great thought is put into the design and the species of flowers she wishes to highlight at various times of the year. I was charmed by the succulent display which was planted and overtaking the roof of the children’s playhouse. The red flowering quince trees and the tulip display were beautiful as well as the woodland flowers which have poked up from under the earth – lenten rose, bleeding heart, primrose, ajuga, Virginia bluebells, just to name a few.

As I strolled the paths and the gardens, I reflected upon how God’s magnificent powers along with seed, water, soil and light, yields nourishment for both body in the way of food, and for soul, particularly after the barrenness of color all winter.

 

 

 

When the property was purchased, it was a farm. Now viola! Seventeen years later, many labors of love have been put into transforming it into floral gardens.  The owner explained other garden highlights which will appear throughout the gardening season. 

I’d like to thank this mother and daughter team, who were both delightful, for my experience there today. I jumped in on  a portion of the garden tour which provided me with the names of a few plants I was unfamiliar with. 

What a wonderful way to support a vital community organization, by sharing the beauty of the fruits of their labors. Look forward to returning!