urbanrosary

Broken pieces put back together.....

This beautiful vase was given to me by Linda, aka "Copper's Mom".  Linda is a friend from Ojai, CA.  who asked me to made a devotional piece with this vase.  

When I received it, it was broken in two pieces.  Most would have thrown it away, but Linda saw the beauty and the possibilities.  She asked me to put it back together symbolizing the healing of broken things and lives.   Actually, she is a creative/artistic person herself.  

When I saw the vase, I knew immediately what I would do with it.  I glued it back together, and to heal the cracks I took cooper foil and created a vine with the eternity symbol which was put on the front and back of the vase.

I completed the vase with a flower mandala.  Using the amber droplets coming out from the center of the flower, it give a lot of motion to the piece.

   

Bruce's Fishing Altar

My boyfriend, Scott, has a wonderful Altar that he made in memory of his good friend Bruce that died last year.  Together they had been colleagues and fishing buddies for over 25 years.  Scott never had a brother, so he considered Bruce a brother and mentor.  Many stories have been told about him, but sadly I never had the opportunity to meet him. 

Recently, Scott took an annual trip to Yellowstone to flyfish with a couple of friends who also knew Bruce.  In the memory of many fishing expeditions together, Scott took the altar with him.  Usually it hangs in his office along with some fishing photos from the past and a few Altar Bottles I created.  

In Yellowstone, he put the Altar on the cabin mantel and leaned Bruce's fishing rod right where Bruce would place it at the end of a long day fishing. 

Together they remembered his influence on all of them professionally, and as an incredible sportsman and writer.

 

Thinking about blogging, my site and Mena Trott

Who is Mena Trott?

Let me start with this little story.....I was speaking with JoAnna at Moss Hill Studios last night about her blog.  

She was trying to encourage me to blog and to connect more to the people "out there".   I am not one to share "my life".  I did that on another blog several years ago. It was a very personal journey.  That blog came about during a time of discovery and recovery, and eventually became a healing for me.   However, it was that blogging process that brought me to this "place" creatively. 

One of my favorite websites is TED.Com.  I meander there to stimulate my mind. Most people might watch TV to wind down the day, but I usually find myself at TED.    I think it keeps me connected in a different way to our changing world.  

So last night, while on TED.com,  I stumbled onto a presentation created by a woman named Mena Trott.   I had no idea who she was prior,  nor did I really know what her presentation was really going to be about.

She and her husband are the founders/creators of Typepad!  When you have the time, go to TED.com and search for Mena Trott and listen to what she says about blogging. In her presentation, she speaks about creating legacy through blogging. 

It was very insightful, and expressed for me where my heart and mind are about family heritage, and discovering your core self.

Family Altars

My mother recently took a trip back to Connecticut to the place she considers "home"....I asked her to take some pictures of my Great Aunt Vicki's altar.  My mom is in her 70's and doesn't quite get the concepts of digital photos and the internet, but I explained that I wanted them for my website.  

I was so excited to get these photos,  since it may be the last chance to document what is part of the fiber of my family history.  

As far back as I can remember, my Aunt Vicki, who is 86  has always had an altar. Most of the statues she has on her altar have been there since I was a child.  I remember visiting her and staring in wonder at the statues.  They were so beautiful and such a mystery to me.  I was not raised Catholic, so I didn't really know who the "people" were.  I was especially intrigued by the the "doll" with the crown on his head and flowing dress.  My Aunt used to put money at his feet under his dress, say a silent prayer and go about her day.  At the end of the week she would take that money and give it to the church as her "tithe and offering".   She still carries on that tradition.

The bottom photo is an altar of my mother's dear friend Margie.  Margie is my mom's "best" childhood friend from kindergarden.  She is like a sister to my mother.   Margie was always referred to as the "Greek Girl".  She is Greek Orthodox and her altar in the corner of her home reflects her heritage.