Life

Thursday morning, we looked out the office window to see this momma turtle laying her eggs right outside our door.  Of course I had to run get my camera so I could snap some photos.  As soon as I walked outside to get closer, she just stopped.  So I took a few pictures and left her alone.  Periodically I'd look back outside to see if she was still there.  Her legs would be moving and I realized she was slowly covering up the eggs.  I never actually saw the eggs but could see that's what she was doing.  After watching for a little while and taking a few more pictures, I walked back up stairs and said to Zoe, "I find that so fascinating".  She said "what, life?".  YES!  I find life totally fascinating and inspiring and amazing.

I try to take the time to stop and watch...and of course take pictures.  Although sometimes, the camera can get in the way.  Last weekend as we're in the pool, a butterfly landed right on my cousin's bathing suit.  It was just the coolest thing.  I wish I had my camera but we were in the pool and besides, the moment may have been lost if I focused on the photo instead of just watching.

There is so much beauty if we just take the time to stop and watch.  And yes take photos too so we can capture those moments.  Although sometimes, what you see with your eyes doesn't always translate in the photos...well at least not in my photos.

When I went back down to check on momma turtle, she was long gone.  I couldn't find her anywhere.  I thought turtles were slow, I guess not!  This is the spot where the eggs are buried.  I'm not sure how long it takes turtle eggs to hatch but I'll be excited to see that new life emerging.  I just need to take the time to stop and watch.

Creative Spark

Over the past few years, I have picked up and put down the paint brush a few times.  I thought after attending my first Squam Art Workshops in 2008 and being surrounded by so much creativity, that I'd come home and just start painting. I did for a little while but it didn't last long. When I came home from last years workshop, the paint brush didn't make it out at all. Of course I was surrounded by so much creativity and support, you would think that was the spark I needed. But there were so many other other things going on in my life, selling my house, moving, ending a relationship, that painting or any other creative endeavors were not at the top of my list.

Last month, I spent 5 days with the lovely and talented, Swirly Girl in her studio and that's what did it.

I didn't paint a thing while I was there, but as I finished the last nap of the trip (I napped a lot), I had an idea for a piece I wanted to do as soon as I got home.  I'm still working on that piece and will share pictures once its finished but since returning from LA, I have been flooded with all kinds of ideas.  That creative spark has been lit and I am running with it.  This blog was an idea that came to me yesterday while driving in the car and it took about 5 hours for it to come to fruition.

I'm not sure the 'lesson' in this but I do know that I want to run with all these ideas while they are fresh.  Maybe the lesson is that napping in a studio surrounded by so much creativity will spark the ideas.  Or that napping is just good for the soul.

My New Blog

When I created my first blog, Betty the Builder, it was meant to share information with my friends.  I just moved from PA to NC and wanted to make sure to keep everyone up on all the big changes that were happening with the move and career change.  I think it served me well but over the last year or so, I haven't felt connected to that blog.

Today while driving in my car, I came up with the title for a new blog, My Red Tutu.  I thought it was perfect.

I want this blog to be about inspiration, in whatever size, shape or form it comes.  It may be a quote one day, a website recommendation another, a photo, a story, whatever it is that is inspiring to me or you.  I can't promise that I will post everyday but I will attempt to post at least once a week.