tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70002055974604180922024-03-12T16:36:10.986-07:00The Passion of LifeA reflective exploration about living a full and passionate life from the author of The Promise of Death, The Passion of Life.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-28361589124045924452015-04-27T14:47:00.000-07:002015-04-27T15:05:52.721-07:00Baby Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW_TVclenVtKc6_En0tO_bcsYvvraa6SKJQosBv2ffEdQi5UkJ0eBi4_rcxQTgapEQD_AYX-GFKlfq-85hYQs-tDFIFL4SuNe2HmE422V88aEP4UU-eJyDxGjHPrgOtS6lh3nq0Ye52Fx/s1600/baby+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW_TVclenVtKc6_En0tO_bcsYvvraa6SKJQosBv2ffEdQi5UkJ0eBi4_rcxQTgapEQD_AYX-GFKlfq-85hYQs-tDFIFL4SuNe2HmE422V88aEP4UU-eJyDxGjHPrgOtS6lh3nq0Ye52Fx/s1600/baby+love.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<b> Baby Love</b><br />
<br />
As sincerely as I intend to make more art, to find the time for creativity and to channel myself back into writing (and I will, I promise) - I keep getting sidetracked by my baby love. Now that we have moved nearer to our Ezra, we simply must be with him more and you can see why. This precious light is in those magical years, those years when all the world is new, all possibilities are open to him, where everyday is a discovery and life is an adventure to embrace. Watching him discover life and all its wonder is like being born anew. Everything is special, everything can be made fun, love is abundant and freely given and received. No matter what other responsibilities beckon both my husband and myself, we can set them aside when Ezra is with us, we can share in the joy of life in the moment.<br />
<br />
When he was coming into the world, I saw my role in his life as that of spiritual mentor and guide to love and joy, but I can see now that I had it backwards. He leads us. He is love incarnate. He is joy. He is light. He does not have to seek anywhere to find it, it is fully in him as it is in all children. What a gift to the world a child truly is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeU0JbmWBHVAKz5vMyNZ65bzDS0O5arT5Y0dlzEsctoSVbOoI8S-1tbw2lp90Rk4sSkFjlwMs11sx3hZfahWRR5MolauAG5QdTDKfo7OhzRxfli22ce-SRPTOa_ICOvy0j57iGbgFxKMl/s1600/precious+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeU0JbmWBHVAKz5vMyNZ65bzDS0O5arT5Y0dlzEsctoSVbOoI8S-1tbw2lp90Rk4sSkFjlwMs11sx3hZfahWRR5MolauAG5QdTDKfo7OhzRxfli22ce-SRPTOa_ICOvy0j57iGbgFxKMl/s1600/precious+baby.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-84506392788819013912015-04-21T06:58:00.000-07:002015-04-27T15:06:18.065-07:00When One Heart Speaks, All Hearts Fly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYz5owtHMaLbYPRoNQVfSLR1ALVOvey6URLBm4NhhmJVtQt-FqlHzkMYUtBlHXX9cW2JX5ygHSIhIOAR53jEDb7x5op3m8xv8f4Y4U7LcODURlcRlZt5sHUPH6dElF8B6VLb0ZxxEm829/s1600/20150421_063348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYz5owtHMaLbYPRoNQVfSLR1ALVOvey6URLBm4NhhmJVtQt-FqlHzkMYUtBlHXX9cW2JX5ygHSIhIOAR53jEDb7x5op3m8xv8f4Y4U7LcODURlcRlZt5sHUPH6dElF8B6VLb0ZxxEm829/s1600/20150421_063348.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<b>When one heart speaks, all hearts fly.</b><br />
<br />
Thank you so much to the professional women educators of the Washington State Chapter of DKG for inviting me to speak to their group in Olympia this past weekend. It was such a pleasure to be gathered in the presence of devoted, passionate, strong women whose work in the world is for the sole purpose of bettering the lives of children.<br />
<br />
As I told the group, I am so humbled and honored that I am asked to speak about my book and my perspective on the topic of death and loss nine years after my book came out. While I am humbled and honored, I am not entirely surprised. Unfortunately, the topic is always relevant and the older we grow the more significant it becomes. As I have been asked to speak quite regularly over the years since the book's release I have continually adapted and altered what I talk about, using new experiences to illuminate a point, layering lessons learned with new ways of articulating my thoughts on this paramount and universal topic. <br />
<br />
In the intervening years between book one and book two it has been necessary that I live my life, that I grow and change and age and wait for spirit to move me once more. Spirit is telling me it is time for my next book and so I am called to start that journey of a thousand miles with this first step of declaring my intent. To paraphrase the magnificent light of Maya Angelou, we sing not because we have an answer but because we have a song. This is my song, this is what stirs my heart and begs for release. And so it will begin.<br />
<br />
<br />Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-39983024741790670422015-04-14T09:58:00.000-07:002015-04-27T15:06:44.117-07:00Change and Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-O3gp9mNfgqPFPgw-jUMckesWs0IBtOZUM-vS80uM9soDviEIyVf9hiG73MT339hBvME3XQ6nq7LohWWYbH7EpCCCikFLEFVnrEJUaAGTPQEW2iyP8HzHeDJJan0WnhDSuPXuKtY8BL-/s1600/20150115_182319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-O3gp9mNfgqPFPgw-jUMckesWs0IBtOZUM-vS80uM9soDviEIyVf9hiG73MT339hBvME3XQ6nq7LohWWYbH7EpCCCikFLEFVnrEJUaAGTPQEW2iyP8HzHeDJJan0WnhDSuPXuKtY8BL-/s1600/20150115_182319.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></div>
<br />
Ah, life and all its ups and downs. Again, many months go by between my posts, but only because I am busy living and loving and changing and growing. Since my last post we have moved to San Diego with my husband's work, enabling us to be nearer to the wonder child that is Ezra. We have moved my mom in the midst of crisis and bad weather, holidays and a multitude of challenges to an assisted living facility in Phoenix where she is near my sister.<br />
<br />
How I wish I had the presence of mind to have blogged in the times of turmoil and difficulty, but alas my mind was too occupied to commit to writing the difficulties such changes can bring. While the move has proved successful beyond our wildest dreams, the challenge and magnitude of the job my sister, Allison, and I faced was the greatest of my life thus far. For more years than I care to admit I have been gripped by fear about what this crisis would look like. Dad died twelve years ago and we soon began a conversation with Mom about moving from Colorado, where none of us had links, to Phoenix. While she wanted to, she just could not pull the trigger. I went eight times one year preparing the house to sell, purging carloads of stuff- that was eight years ago. Allison and I lamented over and over that this would all finally come to a head in a crisis - we knew we would face bad weather, medical emergencies, and a huge house to liquidate from afar - and that is exactly how it happened. In the middle of massive clean out left to just Allison and myself she said - "you know this is our fault! - How many times did we say this is how it would happen?" - She was right. We had to navigate all of it over the Christmas holidays, multiple snow storms, Mom hospitalized, developing pneumonia just as we were due to drive her to the new home - you name it the obstacles were thrown in our way. Did we manifest just such a scenario with our constant conversations about how it would all come to head at the worst possible time, under the worst possible conditions. I don't know, but it sure makes me think. How would it have been if we had continually said something more like "Well, mom will clearly be driven from her home under event driven circumstances, but we will manage and rise to the occasion!"<br />
<br />
The fact is, navigating such huge life changes is very challenging, even scary, but we do rise to the occasion. I am terribly proud of my sisters and myself for how we have handled everything. All my anxiety and worry over how this could have been handled without crisis did no good whatsoever- it was my mom's life to manage, she was going to make her own choices, and she did. When it all came down to it she just let it all go and gave it all over to us to manage. After her initial hospitalization in early December for heart and lung failure and her decision to move to assisted living we began this odyssey. We researched options, finding just the right place, we bought her all new furniture and prepared her new home prior to her arrival, we drove 13 hours up to Colorado Springs to get her as the oxygen proved too difficult to fly with, we took more than 250 bags and boxes to Goodwill, we listed her home with a realtor, had it painted and cleaned, we liquidated the furniture, we drove her with as much stuff as two cars could carry to Phoenix despite oxygen and walker/wheelchair use, we have sold her car and her house sold, closing on Friday. Allison has navigated mom's health care and oxygen, I manage all of Mom's bills, and Mindy and her husband adopted the cat, also helping get the final things from Mom's home. We took it all as it came and continue to act in her best interests, involving her as much as she wants to be involved but managing matters for her. We communicate with one another over everything and show one another respect for how each of us can contribute to the change. More importantly than all the "stuff", Mom is doing really well having gained ten pounds since arriving at her new home. She has friends and activities as well as peace of mind and privacy, she has help when needed and we are grateful.<br />
<br />
My reward is the other end of life's spectrum with my precious Ezra. His world grows and expands daily, and he is nothing but pure joy to all of us. This is life, my life, and I am blessed indeed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTX7KkuoLXgckJkvYaZTLG_XFIr1wKiDiQ72NTgKQ911UAsLJV4swCgFaRM0l5GjjEQgRz9bgeG3RMISjKL1k4NDLWMsFuDGNe_00NkVSxRJc23klJJtAdbcSMBr73sOJZ8DjdWBSdGR9/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTX7KkuoLXgckJkvYaZTLG_XFIr1wKiDiQ72NTgKQ911UAsLJV4swCgFaRM0l5GjjEQgRz9bgeG3RMISjKL1k4NDLWMsFuDGNe_00NkVSxRJc23klJJtAdbcSMBr73sOJZ8DjdWBSdGR9/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-28156357790656911552014-08-08T08:03:00.000-07:002014-08-08T08:03:21.393-07:00Beloved Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfIb1TcOj0oQwVqr0bcJSANCdmscsgeWcKXRj04mnoWuXm0SApmy1cjkXgejuHOd0KtmtrhrG5KLvkyJvEp-axQPvjKqHaXHixjT-TlZ_b53pYlHcnKdqoVfD49hNIzWgXAiX89fWeI8i/s1600/collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfIb1TcOj0oQwVqr0bcJSANCdmscsgeWcKXRj04mnoWuXm0SApmy1cjkXgejuHOd0KtmtrhrG5KLvkyJvEp-axQPvjKqHaXHixjT-TlZ_b53pYlHcnKdqoVfD49hNIzWgXAiX89fWeI8i/s1600/collage+2.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I may not have posted a blog for some time, but my life has been full of a new kind of creativity and wonder. Spending a week a month with my beloved boy in Long Beach, CA, marveling at the wonder of how quickly babyhood passes by. Nana Weeks became a central part of all of our lives, finding new ways to grow and nurture and love my family. The center of all of it -our wondrous Ezra, eternally happy, bursting with life and energy and curiosity. I began his Books of Ezra as a way to tell him his story through the eyes of his Nana and Papi, to capture those moments he will never remember and to share with him the way we have seen him and celebrated him. Each picture tells a story, each has a caption and shows him his early life as we have seen it. The first year fills two albums, his second year, already two months underway will fill the next two. Creativity and expression are still central to my life and my days, there are just new ways to live those out - whether cooking for Ezra and his parents, making Ezra's birthday party decor, or planning our travel - it is all about expressing love. Love is a verb, it is doing and every small act of our daily lives can be about that sacred action.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5GAbc17okAs9nUxTPOvr63RY4DUR4SsF5opt-hSQzZ3WcvfUA5veWhotjJ0VUyP5iTFiBhyphenhyphenOEkgvyAYmjYxehUiMY7QdEOS3NJOKeJ1sXytO7fix8WaKvLHritLakXEPjnqlJG75zRVO/s1600/Nana+and+Papi+with+Ezra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5GAbc17okAs9nUxTPOvr63RY4DUR4SsF5opt-hSQzZ3WcvfUA5veWhotjJ0VUyP5iTFiBhyphenhyphenOEkgvyAYmjYxehUiMY7QdEOS3NJOKeJ1sXytO7fix8WaKvLHritLakXEPjnqlJG75zRVO/s1600/Nana+and+Papi+with+Ezra.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPeugvwKdFxM3VQhP9YbJvB__Tx2rn2JFqGn-bmhBIDcu1dw06BNgQTEY74JF3BxS6Zi6pWphPPOtav8vPAWxDWtK-lSNAirElW-DfuEuPQILN0GiDI3_HBXQkQahozZUSHJoBa8IhdY1/s1600/Nana+and+Ezra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPeugvwKdFxM3VQhP9YbJvB__Tx2rn2JFqGn-bmhBIDcu1dw06BNgQTEY74JF3BxS6Zi6pWphPPOtav8vPAWxDWtK-lSNAirElW-DfuEuPQILN0GiDI3_HBXQkQahozZUSHJoBa8IhdY1/s1600/Nana+and+Ezra.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeXzmXFsqeEg90jH393hvl-zs7B_xiMh4YF_rDRufhbe42kIAtWnrSfWmGiEL-VhaocNC_hoQmY7ZTMqflQqr6kpSDYCIhr0HFtYvzgHjfMXCW6pQj4bPOJZ175U-q_5bcezJTRn599TW/s1600/20140602_094032-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeXzmXFsqeEg90jH393hvl-zs7B_xiMh4YF_rDRufhbe42kIAtWnrSfWmGiEL-VhaocNC_hoQmY7ZTMqflQqr6kpSDYCIhr0HFtYvzgHjfMXCW6pQj4bPOJZ175U-q_5bcezJTRn599TW/s1600/20140602_094032-001.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-27469894756278923652013-10-13T06:55:00.000-07:002013-10-13T06:55:58.069-07:00Beautifully Broken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Bru6EGWy4/UlqjIU6WYGI/AAAAAAAACWQ/YH9T_zl0kck/s1600/IMG_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Bru6EGWy4/UlqjIU6WYGI/AAAAAAAACWQ/YH9T_zl0kck/s320/IMG_3429.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I keep a series of journals, several different ways in which I sort my way through life's ups and down, challenges and celebrations. This is an evolution of chronicling that began when I was pregnant with my daughter over 30 years ago and my sister gave me a blank journal in which to record the events of pregnancy and babyhood for my daughter to one day read. I have written in a variety of blank books over the years, not daily or sometimes even monthly, but it is fun to go back and see an overview of how life has evolved.<br />
<br />
Once I began doing mixed media art, I incorporated art journals into my arsenal of self expression, this too has evolved as all of our expressive forms do. Currently, I journal a monthly list of what kinds of creative works I have done, along with a section for thoughts on the process and a place to record where my resources toward creativity have gone. On the facing page I do a simple collage. Even when I am at a lull in activity and creative expression I am able to record many creative endeavors that have carried me through my days - in my case busy hands=happy heart.<br />
<br />
The above was slapped together very quickly when we returned from our harrowing loss of my father-in-law. It just came through me as any real expression does, we are just in the flow. There are no illusions about any real art being made here, but it resonates with me nonetheless. Broken can be beautiful and often when the heart breaks, it breaks open allowing love and light to flood in and spill over. We are blessed to have loved one so dear and to have allowed his love and light to fill us to overflowing.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-35395047129137944322013-10-10T06:43:00.000-07:002013-10-10T06:43:47.619-07:00Ezra the Magnificent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuzKeXvLIic/Uf2JOmT4E_I/AAAAAAAACAU/_NtiiF15sPY/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuzKeXvLIic/Uf2JOmT4E_I/AAAAAAAACAU/_NtiiF15sPY/s320/IMG_3532.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We are so filled with joy I hardly have words. Our beautiful Ezra came on May 23rd and in perfect time to fill our hearts when it would be most needed. As life is nothing if not an endless roller coaster of ups and downs, our greatest joy was followed within a month with our deepest sorrow as we had to say goodbye to one of our most cherished.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChJgfgyh6aQ/Uf2I-muU91I/AAAAAAAAB80/MuMyMo7AQKg/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChJgfgyh6aQ/Uf2I-muU91I/AAAAAAAAB80/MuMyMo7AQKg/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
How vast was that swing from elation to devastation and yet, that is the rhythm of life and no one knew it better than my dear, sweet father-in-law. No man has ever lived who got it more than he did. He told everyone he encountered over and over, "relax, enjoy life", he never said a harsh word or judged another, truly he was a very advanced and wise soul, and we are grateful and joyous that we had him and cherished and adored him for as long as we did. We are ever more grateful that we had a tangible place to seek solace from our pain as we held our little Ezra.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9ig5r4uyLA/Uf2Ic9mXzMI/AAAAAAAAB2I/nZQD5pF8x8U/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9ig5r4uyLA/Uf2Ic9mXzMI/AAAAAAAAB2I/nZQD5pF8x8U/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-5621031395745678172013-04-04T06:52:00.000-07:002013-04-04T06:52:18.689-07:00First comes Love . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPKPRKsiIIQZZEM58bK80wF32W7UqAiaYlfb2MTDz5SYLHIc4t14DKF4VRtMvAyOp9jWvlEXqlPhoqyRN6CzVyW8SCwcyObYT1mVMB0RwoYtahHueUo4tgUG5XorCC1oInrRqPZZS4kjj/s1600/IMG_2705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPKPRKsiIIQZZEM58bK80wF32W7UqAiaYlfb2MTDz5SYLHIc4t14DKF4VRtMvAyOp9jWvlEXqlPhoqyRN6CzVyW8SCwcyObYT1mVMB0RwoYtahHueUo4tgUG5XorCC1oInrRqPZZS4kjj/s320/IMG_2705.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
First comes Love, then comes marriage, then . . . You know how it goes. What a year 2012 was, both kids married in joyous union with wonderful spouses who compliment them perfectly, who fill their hearts and uplift their souls. At the marriage of our daughter, following a beautiful civil ceremony in lower Manhattan in the wedding garden across the street our son gave us our next great celebration of love. After asking if I was ready for the next surprise (and with the full knowledge and support of his sister and her wife) he handed me their ultrasound picture, announcing a 10 week pregnancy!!<br />
<br />
Joy of joy, little E is due next month!! - Choosing not to know the sex, but choosing names that begin with E, we await with such love and happiness this miracle of love and light. While creating the above piece, intended to be about angels (hence the 3-3-3), the spirit of Little E came to me and I knew this piece was not to be mine, but was for Elias' wife Erika and is a celebration of the phrase "Dar A Luz", which is used in many Spanish speaking cultures to mean "to give birth" but literally translates as "to give to light." What a perfect turn of phrase that is. Both Erika and Elias are fully engaged an attentive to every subtle nuance of the process of bringing forth life, eating healthy nutrient rich foods, exercising according to guidelines, following every detail of instruction from their doctor, attending classes about parenting and the birth process, preparing a beautiful room and a bookshelf of books for Little E. My fervent wish is that all children could enter the world so loved and wanted, so celebrated and cherished. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSLfvbD0mQbz2PvDF6KV8CazFpX-DknNc7oyogRjTnSY_KjlJoUA-bMOsbS2UVU5ofNiX8MV_Y4NTzcIyKOHasmcXAdcaB58x5kEoMpKQkZ1Gzf9U_0U7gJ13QB2VjRr-6jids2Z23qBO/s1600/DSC00592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSLfvbD0mQbz2PvDF6KV8CazFpX-DknNc7oyogRjTnSY_KjlJoUA-bMOsbS2UVU5ofNiX8MV_Y4NTzcIyKOHasmcXAdcaB58x5kEoMpKQkZ1Gzf9U_0U7gJ13QB2VjRr-6jids2Z23qBO/s320/DSC00592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-89428752987936766102012-07-19T09:53:00.001-07:002012-07-19T09:53:35.692-07:00The Promise of Death<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4rlSG1iL1GDsh2PQi9RbEnKlzDLg_UjCB1Qg6dgNo7WmUFXQ4zwvE-jxDVaIemUSlaQhyphenhypheni6lTTu3GEYQSecqOwKLBuDkyWTLkeK3nQpXBZCPUN8mW0AdazfEc_gG3af2onPPEMhr4f9a/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4rlSG1iL1GDsh2PQi9RbEnKlzDLg_UjCB1Qg6dgNo7WmUFXQ4zwvE-jxDVaIemUSlaQhyphenhypheni6lTTu3GEYQSecqOwKLBuDkyWTLkeK3nQpXBZCPUN8mW0AdazfEc_gG3af2onPPEMhr4f9a/s320/IMG_1685.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Not morbid to me at all, but a reminder of the preciousness of each moment of life, is death. As the author of a book on the subject and a passionate speaker on the topic I have merged my writing once again with my art creating a line of sympathy cards. Among my favorite quotes on the subject of loss is this, "Grief is yet another song the heart must sing to open the gate of all there is". This is often the verse I use for my handmade cards. None of us will be spared the song of grief, and we never really get over it. Instead, we make room for grief and our wounds become a part of who we are. Grief carves deeply into our souls, but that cavern makes a wider place for joy to fill, for pain and happiness come from the same place within us. While I truly feel great sympathy for any loss another faces, I do believe it is the shared truth that we all must face loss and death that is the heart and soul of our connection to one another. Our certain knowledge that all of this is fleeting is what makes moments so sweet and gives love its greatest power.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1YWvKgXmBzkb-jJ1ffEH57eeq2MlqhCiR69d1AiZfl-6SNGPFmAb8N5Gnsa3kyZ56Yw5YjdI2_77dpKyl45g4JOKy4OYAWJqkaD3ITHYFkwTzCE8JBiXjE6inH0Dbt0198lMl54qk_L0/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1YWvKgXmBzkb-jJ1ffEH57eeq2MlqhCiR69d1AiZfl-6SNGPFmAb8N5Gnsa3kyZ56Yw5YjdI2_77dpKyl45g4JOKy4OYAWJqkaD3ITHYFkwTzCE8JBiXjE6inH0Dbt0198lMl54qk_L0/s320/IMG_1671.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-79803521786024701912012-07-18T12:13:00.000-07:002012-07-18T12:13:16.185-07:00Living, Loving, Letting Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xvG2BtyXF0s3jClgkECjNxkA7GotrFdXWJOWOc4RzxLzxTit_Cl2FNqIW4odB8Goyp18fakDoPNCkqKPNjuq2-GE3dWB-2nigWuijYJ_sFhFjTwkD1zlOSMaM6pXqgJkmm2UxaPZ3AeL/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xvG2BtyXF0s3jClgkECjNxkA7GotrFdXWJOWOc4RzxLzxTit_Cl2FNqIW4odB8Goyp18fakDoPNCkqKPNjuq2-GE3dWB-2nigWuijYJ_sFhFjTwkD1zlOSMaM6pXqgJkmm2UxaPZ3AeL/s320/IMG_1844.JPG" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
How can so much time go by between posts? I am always busy with art and work, I intend to share more, but such is life- plans are set aside for what really happens. It is all about letting go of what we think for what is, letting go of plans and expectations and embracing what happens, good and bad, joyous times and life's sadder days, they shape us into who we are. These past few years have brought me new lessons in letting go of what I thought was to be and have blessed me with the greatest of rewards as I witness life unfold as it was meant to, not as I thought it should be. This time of tremendous growth has broadened my spirit in ways I could never have foreseen. Wounds do not really heal, they simply become a part of us and if we are brave enough to live the dark times fully, the brighter days are even more glorious. These two pieces depict a couple of my greatest losses, but celebrate how they shaped me and how much I rejoice in those relationships I have cherished.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oWlDShOHXF6PVbZ6RhV8i6wg8wZtRSsrmj-t-pB97ZTA3wTOu60ipMzg66hQJ1GQfExpdSd0Ad_bM4pHviLbztwnJ1uz-lQdq_DQPMlCK-K1jQE9STB2ONZV7pW4kWdwOtMU6fgAtxRt/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oWlDShOHXF6PVbZ6RhV8i6wg8wZtRSsrmj-t-pB97ZTA3wTOu60ipMzg66hQJ1GQfExpdSd0Ad_bM4pHviLbztwnJ1uz-lQdq_DQPMlCK-K1jQE9STB2ONZV7pW4kWdwOtMU6fgAtxRt/s320/IMG_1848.JPG" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-36621454023917405872012-02-14T08:04:00.000-08:002012-02-14T08:04:28.026-08:00Passionate Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O2_GAMrA90x9UmOq9HHyk0lSKT8klnSBy9YF_9UJowCrj_YnqZua8FCsPPHZ0BYclxAGKcDL9tP8XJQSDHNEzuWSN0jNHa1_6fEpGwzyJ2A1ck0ImmCDydOm-o0J-WKLagm3qnp6v77x/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O2_GAMrA90x9UmOq9HHyk0lSKT8klnSBy9YF_9UJowCrj_YnqZua8FCsPPHZ0BYclxAGKcDL9tP8XJQSDHNEzuWSN0jNHa1_6fEpGwzyJ2A1ck0ImmCDydOm-o0J-WKLagm3qnp6v77x/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHwE1RVzGKfypsMyEo-QMXbNCoBzY3uaurpk8272TexfsohYdzBnL_yAV_fuM5OnBa58sW9z9IbSLAIGymYLAGOSx8Vz2wnYisxWWZtrRrmjhxJLX282z9YVQRNq8oHSeJLZ3t7Z-Ig1i/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHwE1RVzGKfypsMyEo-QMXbNCoBzY3uaurpk8272TexfsohYdzBnL_yAV_fuM5OnBa58sW9z9IbSLAIGymYLAGOSx8Vz2wnYisxWWZtrRrmjhxJLX282z9YVQRNq8oHSeJLZ3t7Z-Ig1i/s320/IMG_1288.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xOsD3fAgtwjmeVo5oBUTq7-5L0O5PUdoqdLh_vkHkbW0ZCT8MChjmy1NFLqSFNU3gfRoRt8O1AAdKXKKo8W_axkYdbRqLD8gC-ux1JolpTecBI3Ht-mta3j2zTNRiblRLLnSM2Hj7Ahr/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xOsD3fAgtwjmeVo5oBUTq7-5L0O5PUdoqdLh_vkHkbW0ZCT8MChjmy1NFLqSFNU3gfRoRt8O1AAdKXKKo8W_axkYdbRqLD8gC-ux1JolpTecBI3Ht-mta3j2zTNRiblRLLnSM2Hj7Ahr/s320/IMG_1289.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbxewa6KUqQ7k4L_jX0HPjx0o2pKPLdaeE_unZXpEtNvMt8I5rwghirQbWxtcCumSwtzfHwzzqEJzZ6BXw-18tS54fNQvnhdO0X47VyqAivvTYR5rZOxxqlFchTIPXUH_qbsJufcs1ICH/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbxewa6KUqQ7k4L_jX0HPjx0o2pKPLdaeE_unZXpEtNvMt8I5rwghirQbWxtcCumSwtzfHwzzqEJzZ6BXw-18tS54fNQvnhdO0X47VyqAivvTYR5rZOxxqlFchTIPXUH_qbsJufcs1ICH/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Happy Valentine's Day - This day and everyday, love with all you've got. Passion is about being fully committed, fully engaged, fully present - not necessarily about the kind of passion we usually associate physical passion, though that too is wonderful. Passion can and should be a part of all that we do- whether creating, cooking, working, cleaning, exercising, eating, listening, seeing, loving - doing what we do with intention and a sense of purpose can allow for the ordinary moments of life to become sacred, because they are, each one will never come again and marks a passage of time on this incredible journey of life. Here are the Valentine's I made for my children and their partners, each collage holds some symbolism about their lives and the message is the same because each of my children has been enhanced by the partnerships they have formed, each has blossomed more fully with the loves in their lives. We have never been so blessed.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-64496487927258629262011-12-12T09:10:00.000-08:002011-12-12T09:10:33.031-08:00Crafting Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkB5CoUPHBhjFqJ-ESxz6eITqYQImB-Jq5iKaR2eed3qcNS4plgnGIawZNiOz0QWVH3E0mkSwa6hMcpM3PwkavU9yXAKgmKdrOHPIEk_6Z-xT2nsFl_uIcddpI9T11hcKInXvk2_rh7l5/s1600/DSC01028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkB5CoUPHBhjFqJ-ESxz6eITqYQImB-Jq5iKaR2eed3qcNS4plgnGIawZNiOz0QWVH3E0mkSwa6hMcpM3PwkavU9yXAKgmKdrOHPIEk_6Z-xT2nsFl_uIcddpI9T11hcKInXvk2_rh7l5/s320/DSC01028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For all of my life I have been drawn to crafting in one form or another. I come from parents who could work creatively with their hands and some of my richest memories involve working with them on a project, or merely watching them working at one thing or another. <o:p></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Our parents fostered in us a strong desire to work with our hands in creative ways, from supporting my sister’s batik work, to teaching us embroidery, or proudly displaying my massive macramé projects.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">There was nothing we weren’t encouraged to try and supported in doing and we are truly blessed by the richness of those memories and the lessons hand crafting brought to our lives.</span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As I was working on a purse recently, having been inspired to create with recycled materials, my shoulders ached with the repetitive, hunched over work of needle nosed pliers and tiny jump rings, and I simply had to stop. I marveled at how it was developing and with my aching shoulders, granted myself the simple stretching and time away needed to be able to go back to it. Creating a beautiful hand crafted piece of any kind takes a multitude of little steps, many of them not particularly fun at all, often very repetitive, arduous, tedious steps done with a single purpose and intention. When you are done you have a thing of beauty, sometimes you have a masterpiece. Creating a beautiful life is done the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It is a wonderful thing to witness the fruits of one’s labor, to behold the things of beauty that can manifest from concentrated effort and attention to detail. Life is no different. There are hundreds of mundane, arduous, and tedious tasks to living one’s life, but they can be done with an intention, a common purpose and a vision. Those daily mundane, arduous, tedious tasks are your life after all. Like the Buddhist saying, before enlightenment – chop wood, carry water, after enlightenment – chop wood, carry water. Life’s daily tasks still need doing and there is grace in doing them with intention, with gratitude for your abundance, with love and affection for the nurturing spirit you embody.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Best Holiday Wishes to all of You as you craft the life of your dreams-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_7uKdWWJvB7FZsC1rst0GCJ5SpIw5YJoPgSpDbiHHr6HpFPMTZ0wsVTCfFkEw6p06GyzWSwLp2klwtdhrL_9qmc35nw16YmxTYQAR5Vu9Gzi8JybTqa044_WpIpBZRUwxC5dsESTotLG/s1600/DSC01045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_7uKdWWJvB7FZsC1rst0GCJ5SpIw5YJoPgSpDbiHHr6HpFPMTZ0wsVTCfFkEw6p06GyzWSwLp2klwtdhrL_9qmc35nw16YmxTYQAR5Vu9Gzi8JybTqa044_WpIpBZRUwxC5dsESTotLG/s320/DSC01045.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div>Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-43622358349483891392011-11-29T15:43:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:43:24.843-08:00Passionate about Repurposing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XQei2UNAjXK5HLdxPKjDKZs7qPXtY7Hpx20IKkq4cQ3VZRQwn7ojlBVPfYQt6wj3OMUfS4b9JRYe0yvOpS00jEm_w3cO_z6OKf13B13OZf7OgdzLPPtPH7ku4BEfRMCKPjlUMN_Bjz_y/s1600/Recylced+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XQei2UNAjXK5HLdxPKjDKZs7qPXtY7Hpx20IKkq4cQ3VZRQwn7ojlBVPfYQt6wj3OMUfS4b9JRYe0yvOpS00jEm_w3cO_z6OKf13B13OZf7OgdzLPPtPH7ku4BEfRMCKPjlUMN_Bjz_y/s320/Recylced+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have become very passionate about recycling and repurposing artwork - For quite a while now I have used recycled print material for collage cards using images from flyers, catalogs, old magazines etc to create the texture or color I want to create a new image. Now, I have started to re-imagine some of the art I have at home. To decorate cheaply, I have often bought pieces at Ross or TJ Maxx that have colors I am using. However, now that I am creating more of our art work, I find my self scavenging around the house for pieces I am tired of or not using and using them as a base for something new. Here I used two 9" x 20" Tuscan scenes I had gotten for $4.99 apiece and collaged a Klimt inspired duet. Using the Lynne Perella angels featured on her stamps, I enlarged the stamp images and printed them directly onto decorative papers and of course freely used vintage text, tissue and napkins along with paint and gel medium. Fun way to get a new look, and to experiment with ideas without a big commitment to supplies or canvases. In my art as metaphor for life thinking, we take what we have and see its value in a new way, layer on the experiences of our lives and make what once seemed useless or less worthy and see it as the foundation it is in the evolution of our selves.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-5579100671830823452011-11-13T13:37:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:43:56.139-08:00Life expandingThis year has unfolded in so many beautiful ways. Not only has my artistic expression exploded in untold directions, our family is growing to include a daughter-in-law. I have posted a piece I made for our newly engaged son entitled Viva Los Novios to the right. The couple has asked me to create the invitations for their July 7th wedding, and I have featured the chosen design here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kD_61EIjWes/TsAzMIyE7QI/AAAAAAAABOA/_PduKPi0qjY/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kD_61EIjWes/TsAzMIyE7QI/AAAAAAAABOA/_PduKPi0qjY/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>We are thrilled to have Erika in our family and celebrate the peace, joy and fulfillment she has brought to Elias' life. I will be making the 100+ invitations by hand so each has the textural, unique element we are all wanting - and I am thrilled to do it. What better way to celebrate life than to joyously contribute to a day to celebrate love and life!!Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-70164519344601386362011-11-13T13:05:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:44:53.187-08:00My First Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAadyJo5lClrBIqPAvg8b-3yXKVUETmFY71AeL4OgovuNmBy56XqTGWcOilT-5SKIEc30b200UsSL82_jrPECYq5TwI4qz6ogy8cCYGdqi6AnH0LYMSnmLOHo7HDzDf_CXSHmC3X6U3uIW/s1600/Elias%2527+Collage+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAadyJo5lClrBIqPAvg8b-3yXKVUETmFY71AeL4OgovuNmBy56XqTGWcOilT-5SKIEc30b200UsSL82_jrPECYq5TwI4qz6ogy8cCYGdqi6AnH0LYMSnmLOHo7HDzDf_CXSHmC3X6U3uIW/s320/Elias%2527+Collage+Cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just had the wonderful opportunity to work with dear friend, Carol Hart, on an instructional video. Simply click on the link here if you wish to see what we did! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ul_bcLNK1s" style="background-color: white; color: #406480; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=9Ul_bcLNK1s</a> My artwork has kept me very busy since my cast came off, inspiration is everywhere and there is always some card or gift to be made. Made the above set of "wish" cards for my son's 33rd birthday. Using imagery of particular relevance to him, or colors he often uses in his art made for a unique and much appreciated way in which I could share with him my hopes for his birthday and his year. More to come as I explore expanded methods in working with multiple media - but suffice to say I am having a wonderful time expressing myself in this profoundly varied style!Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-28358008880163579912011-10-06T12:35:00.000-07:002011-11-29T15:45:59.449-08:00Passion Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEu_wD_WUKNMdbS32_szQyj6ByOsRR-TH6rp_EoA3odYZIPt89pwaFDBSlrBmFFyWFeTgQSJyb-Q7YWvc_VNSZmEfF_5ccUHFrjcvH_cwxGAqwd5VjL_jDt42Rnm_ujCe6Hfl7NDgflgM/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEu_wD_WUKNMdbS32_szQyj6ByOsRR-TH6rp_EoA3odYZIPt89pwaFDBSlrBmFFyWFeTgQSJyb-Q7YWvc_VNSZmEfF_5ccUHFrjcvH_cwxGAqwd5VjL_jDt42Rnm_ujCe6Hfl7NDgflgM/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcStUm_QqVVeNsrJGroxKEAu16K4vl_Iw0HQ8Il3c5qOCuVZYQmw8MFr-HmF2rogwwWnqnxTSx1g-_e0e07A3yHrkT1XLXUm82QwFyU4GY2XLxCwjYviAGUkUNAWWhrszbqkpyMwOsOl7/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcStUm_QqVVeNsrJGroxKEAu16K4vl_Iw0HQ8Il3c5qOCuVZYQmw8MFr-HmF2rogwwWnqnxTSx1g-_e0e07A3yHrkT1XLXUm82QwFyU4GY2XLxCwjYviAGUkUNAWWhrszbqkpyMwOsOl7/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JOFgGBOEAUe2P2jwR6KXTdviVZVCWBcDKFU831QVRg_XL9ncaiR7SHfiXNw-rQTf3rrgcx3PTfmrLMrWNPlW5Y7-tL2eXOIkbLT8ua2nD68XU1aMDTJZk6H1CuOQ20ci7Kh2ViOi48yj/s1600/IMG_0825-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JOFgGBOEAUe2P2jwR6KXTdviVZVCWBcDKFU831QVRg_XL9ncaiR7SHfiXNw-rQTf3rrgcx3PTfmrLMrWNPlW5Y7-tL2eXOIkbLT8ua2nD68XU1aMDTJZk6H1CuOQ20ci7Kh2ViOi48yj/s320/IMG_0825-1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZoaSmJVLOdU1Nu8A6hGszPUSB_kFue1qF5CsixFaO31Oi6PyipG0Pr7nM2Okz__251Z5acseoOdjBxYftOcD0047GTr7gBL0SZyF4CR2yi77t8mAvpnFl9JCi-ZP-FjdnsgLBn7PHy_Q/s1600/IMG_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZoaSmJVLOdU1Nu8A6hGszPUSB_kFue1qF5CsixFaO31Oi6PyipG0Pr7nM2Okz__251Z5acseoOdjBxYftOcD0047GTr7gBL0SZyF4CR2yi77t8mAvpnFl9JCi-ZP-FjdnsgLBn7PHy_Q/s320/IMG_0826.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8NnMfkZhHMOnCherNskyX32t_ceQbdSJf5egslAAzPpN7UAY3m00r23hnP9BqAZlU7rZ-74Y-xpTT_IFlpmIYRw9RhMHzpQfRZVuqndv613OAguao6NcC5r-Ynl2cnIQGkdWH4DN4hUJ/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8NnMfkZhHMOnCherNskyX32t_ceQbdSJf5egslAAzPpN7UAY3m00r23hnP9BqAZlU7rZ-74Y-xpTT_IFlpmIYRw9RhMHzpQfRZVuqndv613OAguao6NcC5r-Ynl2cnIQGkdWH4DN4hUJ/s320/IMG_0834.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEWPge4YgHTlRpSoarXLHgvpYcQ89gS_C8A1rUYiV650gwTDJJH4Va4yUdAdhHZVEnF4JshgG3V758Q1Dgye0dYpXT0y1dOTgh14iOooskkmmbhyphenhyphenUALjX9hOyTrkBrAJTBzR48g-g0rt6/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEWPge4YgHTlRpSoarXLHgvpYcQ89gS_C8A1rUYiV650gwTDJJH4Va4yUdAdhHZVEnF4JshgG3V758Q1Dgye0dYpXT0y1dOTgh14iOooskkmmbhyphenhyphenUALjX9hOyTrkBrAJTBzR48g-g0rt6/s320/IMG_0835.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPPuCpyjqdN3NzUTOFNw08s3KICx9Q0GzjdvuX84IzqaTVC9A7V4Idwi47RCfzrugXG3las1NjLcF515Ym-n4jXojAH2ths4_VREqiD3nQEIljCd8EcfiIjRAGyCIWZIo_H710TMHmDd-/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPPuCpyjqdN3NzUTOFNw08s3KICx9Q0GzjdvuX84IzqaTVC9A7V4Idwi47RCfzrugXG3las1NjLcF515Ym-n4jXojAH2ths4_VREqiD3nQEIljCd8EcfiIjRAGyCIWZIo_H710TMHmDd-/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwmRy2U2xCwtJ6uo3rSQgYigzurymnHI-BfReYhPbzWxFd5k5MpX9Q9f6WGhbDt8qPNJg11Vmi6i45wkd_o_QBL9G8ZQ9JmcPQcKWF_fl68j5O5sRAg6n0kk4Hy9w8snXQzE2c032mT-f/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwmRy2U2xCwtJ6uo3rSQgYigzurymnHI-BfReYhPbzWxFd5k5MpX9Q9f6WGhbDt8qPNJg11Vmi6i45wkd_o_QBL9G8ZQ9JmcPQcKWF_fl68j5O5sRAg6n0kk4Hy9w8snXQzE2c032mT-f/s320/IMG_0833.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Finally made the leap and opened my Etsy shop ( <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/janabvargas">www.etsy.com/people/janabvargas</a>), listing a few of the collage cards I have been making of late. Quite taken with using recycled print material, junk mail, magazines, etc to find interesting images, textures, and colors for use in collage, I started a series using postcard style cards with coordinating envelopes, creating a small piece of textured original art that can be used as a card or as artwork. I have found that I incorporate into everything I make a bit of the message I carry: live fully, live passionately, be present in your present moment, be fully who you are. Whether I express myself in writing, as with my book, or in art as I have this year - this is what resonates. In this collection of stamps my friend Carol recently gave me was the quote, "art is a shadow of what a person is thinking", no wonder it comes through because this is what is held in my mind at all times. As I work through this journey striving to be who I am and live completely and honestly I am blessed to be have the freedom and support it takes to live a creative and authentic life. I am grateful everyday.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-45253129883256573182011-08-22T07:08:00.000-07:002011-11-29T15:47:11.828-08:00Creating again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9NHxL_OwMnEdNEXQd8PSQp-bO-dgI4HIF8TaMU8pDw68y5QToZUakvQF8O6UulvMrDxQ4j9t1gOcAD44_cpJuetYm2KCUeydYvgHQFRXL00K1FkrrjKSgNQJCs9ssYwhLVO6Qz-pSMXc/s1600/Retirement+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9NHxL_OwMnEdNEXQd8PSQp-bO-dgI4HIF8TaMU8pDw68y5QToZUakvQF8O6UulvMrDxQ4j9t1gOcAD44_cpJuetYm2KCUeydYvgHQFRXL00K1FkrrjKSgNQJCs9ssYwhLVO6Qz-pSMXc/s320/Retirement+cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My broken arm sidelined me for a while, but really allowed ideas to germinate and my passion to build only to spill over once I was able again. In between a huge variety of summer visitors and activities, I have begun a series of "Collage Cards". Pictured here is a collage of the Retirement card series I did for a colleague as I considered how she might spend her week in retirement. This has led to a multitude of collage card ideas and an explosion of possibilities with this latest medium. From sets in the fan folders to individual cards with coordinating envelopes, this latest expression allows me to dabble freely and frequently with simple thank you cards, to more involved individualized birthday sets. These sets will be available through Etsy soon as I build an inventory and expand and explore various methods and materials.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-51128892203559796702011-06-07T08:25:00.000-07:002011-11-29T15:49:00.854-08:00Passion Interrupted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdWLQh9fbOg/Tahp4DlvSaI/AAAAAAAAAqg/v6RrlOQ7T30/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdWLQh9fbOg/Tahp4DlvSaI/AAAAAAAAAqg/v6RrlOQ7T30/s320/scan0001.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usna_mhVWd4/Tahp5m7yMAI/AAAAAAAAAqs/0VimoEmN5_c/s1600/image0-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usna_mhVWd4/Tahp5m7yMAI/AAAAAAAAAqs/0VimoEmN5_c/s320/image0-2.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg-0r4T5mN0/Te5CmU7C9gI/AAAAAAAAA7I/Uf1ME85ORz8/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg-0r4T5mN0/Te5CmU7C9gI/AAAAAAAAA7I/Uf1ME85ORz8/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4QmczLY2qU/Te5Cm_ljegI/AAAAAAAAA7M/4k0VXYgRKSI/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4QmczLY2qU/Te5Cm_ljegI/AAAAAAAAA7M/4k0VXYgRKSI/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" t8="true" width="239" /></a></div>I had every intention of posting at least monthly, following my progression into more artful expression, but life is as ever filled with detours and the unexpected. April was yet another month filled with artistic interpretation including a multi media book I wrote and created for my daughter using the metaphor of the life of a tree to explain my own life journey. I dabbled with assemblage and worked on memory stones for my yard in Taos. Then April 27th simply walking from one room to another in my socks on the wood floors (bad idea) I slipped and fell hard thoroughly breaking both bones of my right wrist. Ouch!!! - but worse than the pain and inconvenience of a cast was the immediate halt to my artistic expression - it was like hitting a wall. After the initial series of casts and manipulations of my damaged wrist (double Ouch!!!) I was able to at least decorate the cast with the help of a friend. As I settled into a very quiet four week stretch, punctuated by two long planned trips, I came to see this as an opportunity to develop other parts of myself as my left hand grew a bit more adept and my right fingers tried to work in ways they had not before. I am still in a cast, this one I decorated completely by myself - pictured here. I found ways to work with the pain and started moving my twisted right hand in ways that allowed me to once again hold scissors, paint, write and work. It is slow going and I am counting the seconds until the cast is off. I have physical therapy ahead and a long time before I can do full yoga again, but I am curious to see how the development of new parts of me might express itself once I am more functional. The physcial experience of having one part shut down is a great metaphor for how our lives continually shift and how we must navigate our way through losses and changes. Somehow, we just keep going as we constantly challenge ourselves to find more within and to tap undeveloped potential. If we are open to it we may find the development of our less used parts leads to a more fully lived life.Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-89158370830590572692011-03-24T15:37:00.000-07:002011-11-29T15:48:22.604-08:00Inspired PassionMy creative wildfire is once again fully stoked. I was enraptured for several weeks, creating constantly then had a brief lull in the activity. I kind of enjoyed the break, though I still worked on creative outlets every day I was able to read, and rest a bit more easily with the creative flame dimmed slightly. Once again, however, the flame grew and I am spending more time than ever with my creative pursuits. I have posted on the blog several of the latest works, which I call Passion Pages. I am loving the muli-media work as it allows me to meld words with other forms of artful expression. Each of the Passion Pages pieces has a substrate of the actual pages from that chapter. The piece evolves to depict the theme of the particular chapter, finding ways to incorporate the number of that chapter into the piece has been fun. Now to expand my connection to the larger art community !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WNyocKhCrrEBTJJfagALNs7xQwNiqjiPzVm7-XhFf-3Yo7lwCR7YakrZooLU7o8iTr10YnKXr6wtbXXXfmJGsTc_pEMpJcVGUzooJpdiv8KCkv1t1i4BQjlUZrQMrMowWIO62JDS5A7v/s1600/DSC01364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WNyocKhCrrEBTJJfagALNs7xQwNiqjiPzVm7-XhFf-3Yo7lwCR7YakrZooLU7o8iTr10YnKXr6wtbXXXfmJGsTc_pEMpJcVGUzooJpdiv8KCkv1t1i4BQjlUZrQMrMowWIO62JDS5A7v/s320/DSC01364.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRVqdXcsA-kyAAGJ7TeeQtZ-5ShiVdARxAdwC39ZQRmZyApXpXXxdpzG6iGowFP8QsYogDRomutRh3ik_3LU2YuHdw_fwhyepMRGilXTTf7l3c23SNKnGl1xOrTyCpdpdVb21BDwHd1FC/s1600/DSC01361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRVqdXcsA-kyAAGJ7TeeQtZ-5ShiVdARxAdwC39ZQRmZyApXpXXxdpzG6iGowFP8QsYogDRomutRh3ik_3LU2YuHdw_fwhyepMRGilXTTf7l3c23SNKnGl1xOrTyCpdpdVb21BDwHd1FC/s320/DSC01361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-10600308807833504342011-03-10T06:40:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:47:56.764-08:00Passionate Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsh6mJXVAdmATYsQpl3Yqn6-tQ8pu0QmcC50-g8g7fN_o_9jBY-We7rzQ3q_9R6Oyhb7Ll4-ug7xIU_Oo2cYDAXuCl7QCGZXf6_TDPkAA5KTDmFPPgQltccrqUcJLqO1kub4AF0w0wmD6/s1600/DSC01353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsh6mJXVAdmATYsQpl3Yqn6-tQ8pu0QmcC50-g8g7fN_o_9jBY-We7rzQ3q_9R6Oyhb7Ll4-ug7xIU_Oo2cYDAXuCl7QCGZXf6_TDPkAA5KTDmFPPgQltccrqUcJLqO1kub4AF0w0wmD6/s320/DSC01353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, my inward journey has taken me down an unforeseen path. I have always been a craft person, and I am also a writer. I constantly shift my attentions from one thing to another, as I am sure many of us do. Fortunately, for me and my household I am not one to leave projects undone or my home would be in chaos. I actually like things to be in order and love to see things to completion. This new creative pathway exploded within me over the last month or so as I had embarked on an inward time of reflection, meditation, reading and soul-searching. Out of the quiet came a blinding flash of creative energies unlike anything I had ever know. I began to explore the very exiciting and limitless world of multi-media art. What a perfect fit for me - I quilt and sew, I make jewelry, I write, I photograph, in short -I create, and I have been able to incorporate everything into this new medium for expression. I hope to blog more regularly when the muse allows me away from creation and would love to post the ongoing exploration of this new form of expression. For now I will share a couple of pictures. Thanks for watching this part of my journey unfold!- I would usually say, "Onward!", but more apropos to the source of this creative explosion the expression is, "Inward!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBI2H1oJSiMP8mShcWdnr8sQ3nsUfWOUprDIsnD-nnF5W70kJmt1Q633qpeUWkI1Jgf1GY9raFD76VXZSBRePegKxvcLFan-2ZT6btCqFUNNSDqx4Vt-M-j-x-0_GXkhvjrd9kuxx8_5t/s1600/DSC01347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBI2H1oJSiMP8mShcWdnr8sQ3nsUfWOUprDIsnD-nnF5W70kJmt1Q633qpeUWkI1Jgf1GY9raFD76VXZSBRePegKxvcLFan-2ZT6btCqFUNNSDqx4Vt-M-j-x-0_GXkhvjrd9kuxx8_5t/s320/DSC01347.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyH1lCpMqxgMdojgrqDJqjFU10VshbDApHOcP94r_I5vH_sY0upZ7h9y-EuW-oNmrVAyISsAhg7IKlYBuxf6ZIcuDNNHmrwnFhiw3nj6luyXfSRSFLLe1OkKHChZnOec9GWOLZ6It40EJ/s1600/DSC01331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyH1lCpMqxgMdojgrqDJqjFU10VshbDApHOcP94r_I5vH_sY0upZ7h9y-EuW-oNmrVAyISsAhg7IKlYBuxf6ZIcuDNNHmrwnFhiw3nj6luyXfSRSFLLe1OkKHChZnOec9GWOLZ6It40EJ/s320/DSC01331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000205597460418092.post-22030412194032783912011-02-10T17:15:00.000-08:002011-02-10T17:15:32.112-08:00Living in Autumn<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For a while now I have been straining against the classic sociological, mythology based female triumvirate of maiden/mother/crone. Now that I am not actively mothering, and really haven’t been for ten years or so am I really a crone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely not, I am more fit, active and healthy than I was during much of my mothering years having finally found balance with diet, exercise, meditation, and the grace that can come with a life well lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I considered what other paradigm might better explain this time of life I was struck with the metaphor of the seasons. If spring is childhood and summer is the rich, full, expanding world of younger adulthood and active parenting, then this is my autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With reflection and the search for meaning amidst metaphor, I am flooded with images of autumn and thrilled to consider that it is, for me, a time of the greatest beauty. Driving recently from our home in Taos through the canyon to the south, I was thunderstruck by the magnificence of the trees at their fullest yellow against the backdrop of the northern New Mexico landscape of scraggly pinon and sage. These trees are at their most beautiful and glowing with an energy that is undeniable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like this metaphor so much more than crone. This is the richest time of life, this is when I am my most beautiful, vibrating an energy of presence and power. This is when I can harvest what I have been sowing these many years, the fruits of a richly lived life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a time of action, yet yielding, a time of potent beauty and great vitality and abundance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Autumn is a time of transition, as is every stage of nature and of life – one to be embraced, treasured, enjoyed, and at times simply endured, for in no time is there a period without sorrow and challenge. These times can still, however, make us grateful for the times of joy, for the simplest of pleasures, those rays of light that lead us through those moments of darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In gratitude, I can weather times of sadness with the great understanding that an open and loving heart leaves itself open to pain, but for me there is no other way. Living fully, with loving intention toward all my actions is the only way to fully enjoy each season of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us take every day as it is offered, each season as it is awarded – as there is beauty in each one to be cherished and celebrated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZxL2VN2BGkMRUmY5r7WpPa4luhDYQHz0_2zItGdd6hUFHg5oQ4aW2TGe7pM7pPkRoyYrqbY7Yce1Cd3XZ7_3RvmimbU_D4H72LCAg-eAF3nUtDJc2WH1RSPzGC70rW_9Z9_VgkOTq6pA/s1600/Jana+in+Autumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZxL2VN2BGkMRUmY5r7WpPa4luhDYQHz0_2zItGdd6hUFHg5oQ4aW2TGe7pM7pPkRoyYrqbY7Yce1Cd3XZ7_3RvmimbU_D4H72LCAg-eAF3nUtDJc2WH1RSPzGC70rW_9Z9_VgkOTq6pA/s320/Jana+in+Autumn.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Jana Baldridge Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812493449694493913noreply@blogger.com0