Sometimes . . .

Sometimes . . .

I just want to shut myself off from the world

Stay in my pajamas ... all the day long

Take a nap in the middle of the afternoon

Not talk to anyone for hours and hours

Read a scrumptious book from cover to cover

Stitch for hours uninterrupted

and watch what unfolds on the linen piece

Sit at my beloved Tapestry Loom

and weave and weave and weave

while watching the image come alive

onto the warp

Sometimes I just don't want to think

Sometimes all I want is to just sit 

quietly alone

Breathing in all the thoughts

that pass me by

(For they are all life nuggets of knowledge)

Trying to absorb life as it touches me

Sitting quietly in prayer and meditation

listening to what God has in store for me

Sometimes life is just moving

too quickly

It is hard to grasp all that is thrown at me

I'm trying to get this life thing right

I want to never turn on the television

and hear all the heart breaking 

turn of events.

I turn the ringer off my phone ...

just to grab a moment of quiet

for social media can drown me 

only if I allow it to

Sometimes I want to take long walks

in the outdoors,

breathing in the beauty that surrounds me;

forgetting the "stuff" that is furiously chasing me.

It feels good to be outdoors

for nature is God's true gift to us all

it is where I truly slow down

to pause and listen.

Nature is free and a gift to us all

Sometimes seems like a heavy word 

at times

then at other times it is the 

gift of hope and possibility

How are you feeling today?

Do you take the time to slow down,

to listen to your heart soul

and what it is saying to you?

Sometimes I wish we could meet face to face

and share a cup of hot tea together,

sharing our thoughts and desires

with one another.

Feel free to leave them here in the

comments if you like,

I'll be here.

Donna Lee

Teaching Others

I never grow tired of teaching others

the creative process of art,

whatever form it may take!

This past weekend I had the pleasure

of leading a wonderful group at

The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk,

a beautiful venue and favorite of mine!

The classroom is a restored building

which used to be the Horse and Cow stable on the property!

It now houses the art room and pottery studios!

It is the perfect venue for leading others

Saturday was my last class of the year,

it was bittersweet!

It was an awesome Zentangled® Card class,

much fun

and yet I need the next few weeks to prepare for the holidays!

We started the first hour with a Zentangle® lesson

and then dug deep into creating all kinds of cards, 

gift tags and postcards.

I stressed to my students that we are losing the art

of the hand created, handwritten letter ...

especially in this Instant Message, Texting, Facebook kinda 

world we currently live in.

Of course there was some chocolate involved

and some pretty awesome music playing in the background!

(I have quite a great iTunes Creative Time Mix)

We took the time to gather and admire each others work,

we all had the same materials, the same teaching,

learned the same tangles,

yet our work was so totally different.

We are all individuals, and create our own style;

that is why I love Zentangle® so much!!!

So much laughter, aha moments, 

fun conversations and sharing techniques.

Each student added their own magic to their creations.

Class time is special,

leading others allows me to grow

just a little bit more each time I step into the classroom.

I never grow tired of seeing my name and class in print!

I consider it an honor to lead others through

the art process.

While students were creating quietly in the classroom,

 I was able to sneak a quiet moment

outside on the grounds of the Hermitage,

sitting in my favorite spot of the museum,

taking in the cold breeze,

listening to sounds of nature,

re-focusing and centering myself,

before returning to my students,

to give them just a little bit more!

I love being an Art Teacher,

it sustains me,

teaches me,

guides me

and shows me how to be a better individual.

Communication is a talent.

I am looking forward to 2016,

my calendar is already filling,

and I am excited!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

I will see you in the new year,

gonna take the next few weeks,

to focus on family

and our holiday time together.

Also working on a new look for my little blog home!

Love and Blessings!

Donna Lee