A Week of Ups & Downs

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It has been quite a week… full of downs and ups and downs.


Just a few of the world globe bowls


As you’ve seen in my previous posts… I seem to be forever-busy with the 55 world globe bowls (57 now, I decided to make 2 extra).  

Every night, I busily work away at those (and have half of them done and packed for shipping now - HOORAY!), but the life of an artist (and any human) always seems to have lots of other details that want to get in the way. 



Cat-fighting cousins
This week, there are 3 details.  1 and 2 are actually different sides of the same coin.  Cousins in fact.  Both are head-strong and lovely women – who are USUALLY relatively rational… but due to conflicts over how to handle my 97 year old grandma, they are now in the battle royal (with me smack dab in the middle) OY.   This situation has been occurring since June, and EVERY time I think it’s all settled, one of them decides to create new-and-exciting strife (sarcasm!).  And I must say, that on top of my normal life
(mom, wife, vocational specialist, etc) – the cousins have added an amazing amount of stress!  And, when combined with attempting to finish my bowls??   Well let’s just say that my evenings have been ending around 3am (and then I am back up around 6am to start the next day).   Exhausted? YUP!  Annoyed? YUP!  Just want to be done with the bowls AND the cousins? YUP AND YUP!!!

But then, just when you think that things can’t get much more stressful and that your own little microcosm kind of sucks… life throws you a curve that puts everything into HORRIDLY-clear perspective (thus the 3rd detail).

I received word on Wednesday, that a friend had passed away – suddenly and without warning.  Two weeks ago she was at a retreat with me sharing laughs and art projects.  One week ago, she emailed me and gently encouraged me to teach silk painting at a local college.  Monday, she was chatting excitedly with a mutual friend about all of her exciting plans for the future. Tuesday night, she was gone.
Tre, Becky, Louise, Mary, DEB, and Barb (a few of the Fiber 19 members)

She was an inspired artist who dabbled in many different mediums (most of them fiber-related).  She was always kind and had a gentle, loving spirit.  She was a caring teacher and sharer of wisdom. She was a member of Fiber 19 and leader of the Surface Design Association (Seattle division).  She was truly a lovely woman, whom I was privileged to call my friend.  My heart bleeds for her family, and tears fall heavily when I think about all of the people whose lives she touched… whom I know will be missing her as much as I am.   

Looking through lens of the loss of a friend, makes me realize just how unimportant some of my worries have been.  I know my bowls will get made, and the family war will work itself out.   But not ever getting to share another laugh or piece of art with my friend Deb… that cannot be changed!  That is an incredibly sad fact.  One that reminds me to cherish those around me that I love (even the ones currently driving me nuts!).


Deb Taylor, you were my friend and I thank you for sharing a part of your life with me!  You are missed, you are loved, and you are remembered with fondness and joy!

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