Easter Lily

A time of ‘holi-days’ for many friends. 

Whether you celebrate ‘Passover/Pesach’, ‘Nowruz/Norouz’, the ‘Return of the Sun’, the ‘Return of the Son’, ‘Ishtar, Goddess of Fertility’ (with all the ‘Bunny/Egg-shaped chocolate symbols), or ‘None of the Above’, I wish you a joy-filled and peaceful day. 

May we all be liberated, renewed and reawakened in ways that rejuvenate and transform our lives. 

“Easter Lily”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Watercolor.  ♥

Calling The Moon

The moon ‘wanted more of my night’ (hat tip to line from Dar Williams’ song ‘Calling The Moon’). 

No matter how much I tried to go back to sleep, her pull eventually brought me to the window.  Crickets and other night creatures were a-buzz in a chorus of ‘Brava!’ while the moon took center stage.  The more my eyes adjusted, I could even see a few stars in the sky…in supporting roles. 

The last verse of Dar Williams’ song kept playing over and over, in my mind: 

“Calling the moon,

'Cause I know what it's worth,

To tug at the seas and illumine the earth,

Oh, I am calling the moon, Oh, I am calling the moon.”    

“Calling The Moon”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Acrylic on canvas panel.  ♥

Equality For All

Love.  Marriage.  Equality.

California's Proposition 8, known simply as Prop 8, was a California ballot referendum item passed in November 2008 that banned same-sex marriage. 

This week, a landmark hearing to overturn Prop 8 is before the Supreme Court.  In 2013, it’s hard to believe there are still folks who believe that ‘some people’ are more equal than ‘others’.

Seriously. 

Equal rights for all…it’s just that simple.  

“Equality For All”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Acrylic on canvas panel.  ♥

Filaree - erodium cicutarium

Added some wild-harvested filaree (erodium cicutarium) to our mustard and quinoa greens for lunch today. 

Lightly sauté in a little olive oil and garlic with a splash of balsamic vinegar, toss with some chopped, baked sweet potatoes…mmm, mmm, good!!! 

“Filaree”, © Cathy Gazda, 10” x 8”, Watercolor and pen.  ♥

Hanging Out

This handsome fellow was in the car parked next to me when I came out of our local post office.

As I approached my vehicle, I could see his tail start to wag...then, his enormous head poked through the open window. 

He seemed to be begging for a scratch behind the ear; however, I explained that I'd need permission from his human first. 

In the meantime, we had a lovely conversation, (even if he was a little distracted every time the door of the post office opened).  

"Hanging Out", © Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Graphite Sketch.  ♥

Spring!

Spring Equinox:  As we move toward longer daylight hours, today we are literally midway between the sun being at its lowest point (Dec. 21) and its highest (June 21) -- equally balanced between light and dark.

The seasonal wheel heralds the rebirth of life as green buds swell on branches and leafy shoots poke up through the soil. 

This daffodil turns its trumpet towards the sun, joyfully promising that light will prevail. 

As thoughts turn to gardening and planting seeds into the soil, it’s a wonderful invitation to rebalance ourselves and envision the dreams and goals we wish to ‘seed and grow’ into our lives.  

In whatever way you bring more light into the world, I join in holding space for that vision.

“Spring!”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 5”, Acrylic on stretched canvas.   ♥

Give and Receive...Pay It Forward

Kindness of strangers transforming moment from last night: 

After a long day of errands (Sedona, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Cornville), I was ‘one of the many’ standing in line to cash-out at Safeway.  I noticed the woman in front of me had two Synergy Raw Organic Kombucha drinks amongst her items, so I leaned over and asked where she had found them (Raw Kombucha in Safeway? Yes, in the refrigerated section by the organic produce!).  I thanked her and made a note to check it out another time. 

As she was collecting her bags to leave, she reached back and handed me one of her drinks, saying ‘I have two…I want you to have this one.’  I’m so grateful to this kind woman, whose name I do not know – her gesture completely energized and lifted my spirits (and refreshed my weary body)! 

Image is of a lenticular artwork I created in 2006, called ‘Give and Receive’…and seemed apropos. 

Life is a continuous cycle of give and receive…and paying it forward.  ♥