Why do I feel like I'm living in a Dicken's novel? Best of times - worst of times. The political atrocities and environmental decay have me heart sick but I'm doing my best to focus on what I can control in my own space. I read that if you express you can't feel stress. It's not true, but it has helped divert my attention.
My creative energy has been electric recently and I find myself bouncing from project to project.The entire house is set up with possibilities! I'm designing, crocheting and knitting in the sewing room, doing research, reading and working on the computer in my office, journaling and illustrated journaling on the porch or in the living room, painting and book making in my dining room, and cooking, baking, aging journal pages and playing with eco printing on fabrics and papers in my kitchen. 
Learning to navigate Instagram, making videos for friends who are jazz musicians and spending time with family and friends have all diverted me from my blog.  I'm also in the process of creating a website to replace my hidden treasures. I'll probably leave this one up but new posts will be on the new site. 
This is an attempt to catch up a bit! My illustrated journal pages form the basis for the projects I'm creating.

The heavy drapes in the sewing room have been replaced with sheers for the summer - a perfect back drop for playing with the gorgeous silk batik scarves from my neighbors, Hatai and Sue! 

Most of the scarves are geometric patterns but there are a few one-of-a-kind batiks featuring animals and landscapes. They are all such special treasures and I will be very thoughtful in how I use them in future projects. 

Vinnie and John came through with the stones and tiles so I'm working on some dragonflies that friends requested. The dragonfly's colors become more intense as it ages, and it can change directions with a moment's notice. I can relate - can you? 

When I opened the door to take Zippy for a walk, I found the most gorgeous yarn in a bag on the front porch! The Lake Walker Yarn Fairy has returned! The colors are gorgeous and I can hardly wait to begin a new project! 

You are the only one who has the answer to "Today's Treasure".  Your answer could lead you on a treasure hunt to a more peaceful and productive journey.
​
Fill in the blank.
We are surrounded by __________________

What is the first thing that comes to mind? 

Choose your word before you scroll down!

Simply answering this question can say a lot about who we are, our stress level, and how we spend our time. Does your answer represent something wonderful you value and appreciate, or something you fear? Is it something in the present moment or does is involve things that relate to the past or the future? Does your answer direct you to action for improvement or simply more frustration? 

I recently asked this question in a training and the answers were as varied as the people in the room.
Here are a few - 

• Nature
• Clutter
• Media Manipulation
• Marketing
• Friends
• Technology
• Bad news
• Opportunities
• Work to do/unfinished projects
• Crime and violence
• Beauty
• Idiots
• Love
• Wonder

Answers were as varied as the differences in people and their points of view. There were examples of both half empty and half full. Some people felt hopeful, others hopeless. 

If you thought of something positive, you will attract more of it into your life. Congratulations! What we focus our attention on increases. This is a universal law, first recognized by the ancient philosophers and it continues today with Mike Dooley, Deepak Chopra and other great thinkers of our time. 

With all of the concerns in the world right now, we undoubtedly need to pay attention and be aware of injustice. There are many parallels to things we've seen play out in history. Turning our heads, denying and being naive and uninvolved won't serve us well. 

But we need to be cognizant of whether we can (and will) take action, or whether we will allow concerns and frustrations to continue to instill worn out messages playing over and over in our heads. If we don't, or won't, take action, our stress will continue. 

If we can't think of any action that will improve our situation, we need to simply let go and focus our attention on what is in the realm of our possibilities. 

​If you've followed my blog for long, you can probably guess my answer. Treasures. They are everywhere! Some are hidden but many are right in front of us. Either way, aren't we blessed? If I didn't focus on my blessings, I wouldn't have the strength or the energy to address things that concern me. 

Hopefully, you'll be able to direct most of your attention to the beauty and abundance that surrounds us, and have the optimism and energy left to find out how to make a difference. We are living in challenging times and we need positive, caring people to join forces and take action. 

From May 18, 2014

On the morning of the race, I felt well prepared. I had purchased my hat for the Preakness weeks before the race at the Downton Abbey exhibit at Winterthur in Delaware. I waited until the day of the race to purchase the flowers to decorate it, hoping for them to be as fresh as possible. The Black-Eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland, as well as the official flower of the Preakness, so I was certain that local florists and farmer's markets would be abundant with fresh blossoms to adorn my hat for the day's race,. There wasn't a Black-Eyed Susan to be found. Well, at least not of the floral variety.

There weren't even any silks available. I purchased a garland of daisies and hurried home to paint the centers with acrylics, thankful that it was a quick drying paint. Next year I'll be prepared, and may even try to force some blossoms for the event. 

Even California Chrome, the winning horse, was deprived of the thrill of wearing an authentic garland of the official flower.  Instead his 10 foot long, 4,200 bloom blanket was made of golden yellow chrysanthemums with black in the center. 

Numerous people, including a local florist, told me as recently as the day of this year's race, May 17, 2014, "the flowers used for the race and the blanket that covers the winning horse are daisies with the centers painted with black lacquer or shoe polish."  However, more reliable sources state they haven't used that technique for over fifteen years. 

Susan Reimer, a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, noted that the archives of the Sun first mentioned the Black Eyed Susan taking the place of the rose blanket for the Maryland Preakness race in the late 1930s. "In 1939 the Sun described what it said was a blanket of black-eyed Susans gracing the neck of Preakness winner Challedon. Racing writer Jesse Linthicum said the change gave the race 'a real Maryland flavor'." 

As far as the origin of the daisies with the centers painted black, Reimer reveals the beginning and the end of the mystery. The Black-Eyed Susan, a wild flower too delicate to hold up to the technique of being woven into a blanket and remaining fresh and hardy for a couple of days, doesn't even bloom until late June. "It was Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Price Day, writing in The Sun in 1946, who revealed that florist and devoted horse lover George Cook had been painting the center of yellow daisies with shoe black for years. He'd made every blanket from 1928 to 1953, and he died just days before the 1954 race." 

The choice of the Black-Eyed Susan is in honor of it's position as the official flower. The state legislature of Maryland officially endorsed the Black Eyed Susan as the Maryland state flower in 1918. There are thirteen petals, as there were thirteen original colonies which included Maryland, and the black and yellow beautifully represent the colors in the Maryland flag. Admittedly, other than its untimely debut and fragile nature, it is a worthy choice for the official Preakness flower!

Documenting trips is a wonderful way to preserve memories! A dear friend is leaving for Greece tomorrow so I made three journals to inspire her to document her trip. The first is an over view of Greece including what to do before the trip,  a chronological list of the history, terms, a  page on Greek architecture, one on the gods and goddesses (Greek and Roman), a map and an envelope with a  booklet with photos. 

The second is a blank diary with a page of journal prompts, and the third includes suggestions for different Greek dishes to try, as well as pages to list favorite restaurants and to capture memories of memorable meals.

This month I'm celebrating the iris! They symbolize wisdom, hope, faith, valor, and their colors further extend the messages they send. Their history is rich with legends, cultural significance, literary reference, medicinal and cosmetic uses. There are many reasons to celebrate the iris!

I've never given much thought to dragons. However, the last few days they have captured my attention, from the quote above to literary references, and art work. 

Yesterday I spent some time exploring stories of dragons. I reread the stories of  Beowulf fighting the dragon, the red and white dragons fighting under Camelot during the time of King Arthur, and that led me to Glaurung and Smaug in Tolkien's tales. 

​So  today, when my daughter gave me this gorgeous  pen, I became even more delighted and entranced! The dragon featured is Chinese so I'll be exploring dragons all over the globe. 

This pen symbolizes love, growth, explorations and new directions. Thank you  Mycenea!