been awhile

My Mom passed away last year after several years of ill health. I miss her beyond words. She was loving, artful, funny and adventurous and she could also "get on my case". I envied her living in the moment way of life as I scurry around. She was very supportive of my art venture and it often inspired her to get out her paints or create her collages. She attended or participated in all my openings or events, when she was well enough, and she encouraged all my attempts to keep my hands in the arts as I tended to her needs. Time has passed and I know she'd be upset if I weren't getting on with life. I'm beginning to get my head on straight (odd expression) and my feet more firmly on the ground. As I have for the last 8 or so years, joined yahoo journaling/art groups, entering various art shows or participating in art events, for the deadlines and the interaction with amazing artists, I'm posting here some of those things that have kept my mind off the pain of loss, if for a brief moment or those things that have kept me creating.