Happy Holidays!!

I have not sent Christmas cards in years!  I usually fight depression at this time of year, so getting cards out is a real challenge for me to begin with.  That being said, I keep friends and family in my ongoing thoughts and prayers and every once in awhile, I reach out to let them know I'm thinking of them and that I am still alive.  This year, however, it occurs to me that my lack of 'reaching out' means that those who may have tried to send me/my family cards probably did so unsuccessfully, as I have not yet sent out any change of address of cards?

Image Source

Well, it's the thought that counts, right?  Perhaps I will find it in me to send out a New Year's card, with the new address? In lieu of formal Christmas cards, for the time being, I'll just wish all who happen to pass this way a joy-filled Holiday celebration --however you choose to celebrate, a very Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc.-- and may your Blessings in the New Year of 2020 be overflowing!

Love to All!!!

~M

P.S.  I am thinking my next post will be some insight into the power of Internal Alchemy. ... And I received one of those 'happy lights' as a post-Christmas gift.  Have to admit, I was skeptical at first, but when I used the lamp consistently, the tablet-style lamp actually worked for me.  Cost has always been the main reason I've never tried this sort of lamp, but improved LED technologies have really bought costs, not to mention size and portability way down.  The lamp when used for 20-30 minutes (up to 60 minutes) per day also seems to help set and maintain circadian rhythm as well.  So bonus side-effect, this miracle little lamp seems to be helping with my chronic insomnia as well.  Go figure?  Beats Rx sleep aids for sure!

Late Night Painting ...

Five days of little to no sleep ... Late Night painting.  I took a baseline candlelight photo that I have of a castle votive from England.  The rest is painting.  Not brilliant, but I think it turned out okay.  Good way to kill waking hours late at night when I am too distracted and tired to read or write.

"Castles in the Sky"

@Copyrighted 2011.  All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

Are castles in sky better than castles made of sand?

Well, I'm working on a poem that is a tribute to Jimi Hendrix and his "Castles Made of Sand".

I'll post it if I finish and it reads well.

....

How Many Frogs Do I Have to Kiss?

Up alone, late at night again ... with insomnia?  Needed to lighten the mood, so I tried my hand at writing a silly poem.  Yes, the meter and rhyme could use a bit more work,  but this is at least good for a few laughs ... and maybe somewhat clever and amusing?  Judge for yourself ... Maybe I'll work on the meter and rhyme and repost at a later time?

"My Prince Charming?"

@Copyrighted Image, 2011.  All Rights Reserved.

@Copyrighted Poem, 2011.  All Rights Reserved.



"How Many Frogs Do I Have to Kiss?"


By, Michelle C. of whatplanetareyoulivingon.blogspot.com


Throughout countless fairytales you roam.
Alone, hopping from pond to pond you wander,
Alight with magic and wonder,
On quest to find your Mrs. Right.
Your journey takes you far from home.

Although a traveler in disguise,
And not altogether seemingly unwise,
You have been known to feast
On the occasional dragon or fly.
But then, who are we to question why?

You venture forth, one lily pad at a time.
Without much reason, but often with occasional rhyme,
Into strange and foreign land
Seeking one true fair maiden's hand.
In search of she who would see
Beyond your slimy green exterior.
Your mission surely puts you the test.

For how to find she who would see
You for your possibilities, hopes and dreams?
Fair maiden who would at last set you free,
Without she first raise you to her trembling lips?
Such a quandary must surely your courage best,
Lest you wonder if fair maiden holds any ulterior
Motive in her kiss...
After all, you could just as well wind up instead remiss,
A tasty adjunct to her hips.

Yet you carry on, you do, brave knight.
Ever willing to take on the fight.
On a quest to find your light.
Seemingly simple in stature and size:
You are a prince when at last viewed through true love's eyes.



@Copyrighted Poem, 2011. All Rights Reserved.



P.S.  Regarding the "tasty adjunct to her hips" ... I was referring to fried frog legs and the resultant weight/fat gain, but another friend was ever so kind to point out to me that this line could have an entirely different meaning.  That's the beauty of poetry, I guess ... It speaks to each person differently?  ; )

And the photo is my entry for a friend's St. Patrick's Day photo contest. It was an exercise in patience photographing this one! I don't have a lens that does good close-ups and macro shots yet. So I composed this shot and then shot the photo from accross the room ; )

3/15 I had one friend tell me that this was his life's story ... right up until he hopped onto his present wife's lily pad and kissed her on the lips.  He says that it's been a fairytale ever since.  I'm glad to hear that happily ever after is out there, in the real world, for some.

4/2/2011  UPDATE: MY ENTRY IN THE PHOTO CONTEST (THIS PHOTO) WAS THE WINNER!  MY FIRST CONTEST EVER ENTERED : )  I'll take that as a good omen to keep shooting photos and experimenting with photography.  I just celebrated my one year anniversary for officially starting photography at the end of this March 2011.

4/13/2011 Photo Contest Update:  My interview for the contest win posted today ... Jana's Mystic Light Photography on Facebook   or JanaSoch.com: Meet Isabelle Black Smith ... if you are interested (note: have to click on my fav photos in order to step through the slide show and see all three).

Government & Politics will just have to wait ...

I know I promised my next post would reveal all about the elusive E.O.s, but insomnia has been unreal lately.  I'm starting to see double I'm so tired ... :  )  I make of the most it and try to write when I can, read after that, and if I'm still up around 2 a.m., I resort to jewelry making.  My latest quest has been to try to use leftover pieces, in an effort to make something useful while eliminating scraps and waste.  Here's what I've been able to conjure up this past week ...

Note:  these pictures were all taken after 2 a.m. ... so you get what you get ...

This turquoise stone set, and matching hair ties, are a tribute my Native American heritage on my mother's side.  My Native American Indian name is 'Moon Willow' (and I had no influence on the outcome ... funny the way things work out and ring so true ...).

This purple bracelet and earrings are a tribute to the birthstone for the month of February: the amethyst.

Someone asked if this was 'face jewelry'? I had to laugh, but it is a valid observation. No, it isn't 'face jewelry' ... even though it happens to be pictured on the face of a statue of Buddha.  I was trying to find a good contrasting background and this book just happened to be on hand.  ; )

This bracelet and earrings set is a tribute of the 'Queen of Hearts', from the story "Alice in Wonderland". 

I love the story of Alice in her wonderland.  This was one of the first 'big' books I ever read.  My godfather gave me a very old copy of this treasured tale ... it was loaded with lot of fabulous prints and illustrations.  I need to find that book ... my copy of "Alice in Wonderland".  It's probably worth something today ... given how old the book was?  And this book ... my "Alice in Wonderland"... also has an enormous sentimental value to me as well.  Would be fun to reread and share with my daughters before the movie comes out.

I've often pondered late at night, and up all alone, what I wouldn't give for the secret to a refreshing, peaceful night's sleep that lasted longer than 3-4 hours ...  If you have any secrets:  PLEASE SHARE!  I'm so tired and yet still wired?!  I've tried just about everything ... won't do sleeping pills unless I'm at my wits end ... I hate drugs of any kind.  I don't drink coffee anymore (gave it up for good this summer) and I haven't had a 5-hour energy in days. 

Song: 'Bye, Bye Blackbird', By Joe Cocker (from Motion Picture Sndtrk. 'Sleepless in Seattle' )

P.S.  Checked in on Abe via WheresGeorge.com

I brought him from Seattle back to Fort Worth, Texas and left him at the DFW airport.  Either he's still there, or whoever has him hasn't bothered to log in and give us a status update.  I'm kinda bummed.  : (  I did my part?  I'll try sending some positive energy his way.  Hopefully, he's having a trip wherever he may happen to be.  Hopefully he didn't meet his final demise in another washing machine load?!  And no, that wasn't my doing ... he was that way when I found him ...