Living Wholehearted. What's gratitude got to do with it?

Wholehearted Gratitude.

Sunday I taught this class on creating a journal from a repurposed book

by creating a collaged cover using a photograph, similar to my art pieces on wood & canvas.

I shared this time with a lovely group of seven women at Scrappin' Ladies in Pierre, SD.

But it wasn't just about the project.

It was about their life.  My life.  Really living it.

I have a couple more of these coming up,

so I wanted to share a bit about what you could expect.

Through sharing my own personal stories

of moving from seeming to always fall short to abundant living,

{not necessarily materially, but mentally, emotionally, spiritually}

I will share how gratitude moves us

into living wholehearted, fulfilling lives

right in the mess of everyday, ordinary stuff

as well as the biggies.

Back at Christmas 2008,

I wrote about it in a Christmas letter

you can read about it here.

Life Is Not About Painting The Perfect Picture.

I share about being real and about savoring life's little treasures.

Here is what you can look forward to at a Wholehearted {Gratitude Journal} event:

We will transform an old book into a personal, unique work of art 

featuring one of your own personal photographs.

You will enjoy curling up with your journal and recording those priceless moments

with words, photos, art, or whatever your mind comes up with...

We will create a bookmark from a heart-shaped rock, twine and ribbons.

We will laugh, visit, perhaps shed a few tears, and tell stories.

We will be brave in trying new things.

We will find things to be grateful for.  The deep things. The really important stuff.

I will share my personal journey of discovering gratitude and beauty in my everyday life.

I have two Wholehearted {Gratitude Journal} events coming up.

Click here for the details and registration information:  FALL SCHEDULE

Here is a sneak peek at  projects

from the last journal class.

In addition to writing,

photography is one of the ways that I record my gratitude.

Sunday was a great day of journal-making and friendship building

finished off by this beautiful drive home across the prairie.

Sharing with you some gratitude in photos 

for this great state of South Dakota. . . 

. . . during the "magical hour" when the prairie

is lit up

in all her glory.

The two events I have coming up:

ARTescape afternoon on

November 3 at the Jon Crane Gallery in Hill City, SD

and

an evening class on

November 7 at Sturgis Photo and Gifts in Sturgis, SD.

Click here for event schedule and sign up details:

FALL 2013 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Walk The Line

So, I love fence lines.

I love wooden posts.

Not new steel posts that my husband prefers.

I especially love mangled, old, lichen-covered cedar posts.

They are so much more interesting, yes?

So much more character.

I don't see what needs to be fixed.

I see textures and colors and light.

But I am seeing a bit more with my husband's eye

and trying to think like him before I post pictures.

So, this one is pretty good, yes?  

Straight lines, no missing staples.

Bit by bit, I have started walking the fence lines on the ranch.

Shhhhhh . . . don't tell my husband.

He'll make me carry a backpack 

with a can of staples and a wire stretcher.

But a crazy thing I realized

gathering pairs in the small pasture behind our house, one day,

was that I had never seen the northeast corner of that pasture.

And it is right behind my house!

So, I decided to start

walking the fence lines

of the ranch here at home.

It is surprising

how much newness is right around the corner

or right over a hill.

Hatched eggs

or

buds ready to bravely bloom.

As I walk,

I find that I discover my favorite places

that I return to again and again.

And I also have new country to walk

when I get bored

or when the seasons change

and the walk in the creek that I love in the fall and early spring

is overgrown with tall grasses

that hide snakes and ticks.

My paths of walking change with the seasons.

So do the treasures I discover along the way.

When I walk the fence line,

I hum along to Johnny Cash who sings in my mind,

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine

I keep my eyes wide open all the time

I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

Because you're mine

I walk the line.

Reminds me of one of my favorite verses from Proverbs:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is a wellspring of life.

Walking the line ~ the fence line ~ and lines of following God

are ways that I guard my heart.

A walk on the prairie brings me quiet time where I can hear God's whispers.

Where I see beauty that heals and that renews hope.

I see God's ways and His lessons everywhere when I walk the fence line.

I have posted this excerpt on my facebook page several times

from Johnny Cash's autobiography and I'll share it here as well because I love his heart here:

"I want to write a song that has something to SAY. A song that will have a lot of meaning not only for me, but for everybody who hears it--that says I'm going to be true not only to those who believe in me and depend on me, but to myself and to God-- a song that might give courage to others as well as myself . . . " 

~ Johnny Cash about "I Walk The Line"

I am a fan of Johnny Cash.

More so since I have read his autobiography

and even watching the movie Walk The Line.

He really was a walking miracle.

He should have died so many times.

He could have remained in the pit of addiction for the rest of his days.

But his story of redemption and living a new life

is one of my all time favorites.

Whenever I have doubts,

I think about his story,

his journey and struggle and walk with God,

falling down, back in the pit, but getting up and getting out.

His battles, his losses and his victories.

Sometimes, I find it helpful to hang onto my faith in God, and what He can do with a life

because of Johnny Cash's life story.

Imperfect, stained, scarred,

but filled with hope and new starts and redemption.

Broken and beautiful.

Raw and true.

*

*

Below is my last bunch of wildflowers that I photographed this morning.

While I was crouched down on the gravel road, 

I could hear noise 

and I glanced up.

Our neighbor's horses

were looking at me with unashamed curiosity.

Coming closer and closer

to see what that crazy lady is doing on the ground.

It was like I could hear their conversation,

even though they never uttered a word.

 

So slowly like they thought they were sneaking.

And then my beagle, Toby, caught scent of a rabbit,

and started his beagle bray.

This distracted them for a moment.

{See there is one of those steel posts . . . not as interesting is it?  It's even leaning!}

And then they remembered that they were

trying to figure out what I was and what I was doing.

Precious.

Childlike curiosity.

Little treasures

from walking the line today.

*

If you'd like to walk some fence lines with me this summer,

have your eyes opened to see treasures on the prairie,

get a bit more creative and comfortable with your camera,

and be brave with learning some new ways to express yourself with art,

even if you are a complete rookie with a camera and art supplies,

check out my art and photography retreat-style summer classes here:

White Owl Wings Summer Art and Photography Classes with Jodene Shaw

That Kind of Guy

My brother was excited to show me

the wild flowers that bloom

in his favorite hunting spots.

So he took me for a walk

with two of my kids.

Because he is that kind of guy.

And let me linger over flowers

for periods of time

that can test

a person's a patience.

We stopped often

for snacks and drinks of water.

We let Gypsy

run off some energy.

He was disappointed there

were not more flowers for me.

Because he is that kind of guy.

I was just pleased to spend time

together

in the quiet

except for an occasional

blue tick coon hound braying.

Happy to be unhurried

with my camera.

Patient.

Eager to share.

Waiting for me.

Carrying E on his shoulders for a while.

Because he is that kind of guy.

* If you'd like to spend some relaxing time with your camera,

trying some new artsy projects, focus on seeking everyday beauty, and be encouraged,

check out my June art classes here:

WHITE OWL WINGS Summer Art and Photo Classes with Jodene Shaw

May Day 2012 ~ Shaw Ranch

May Day on the ranch

May 1, 2012

One of the many busiest times of the year

on a ranch

and with school age kids.

Bright and early

we moved our cow-calf pairs

to the branding pasture

also known as "The School Section".

We had them moved by 8:00 a.m.

The kids were only a little late to school.

On the highway coming back from school drop-off,

I veered to the shoulder,

checked my rear-view mirror and whipped around.

Erin, just turned five, says something like, 

"Mom, why do you ALWAYS stop to take pictures of birds?"

I just smile and do it anyway.

I tell her that I will miss her when she goes to kindergarten in the fall.

She says, "Mom, I will be with you for sixty years."

I said, "Sixty years?  I will be almost . . ." (I was adding in my head and about to say 100)

"Dead." she finished my sentence, and we both laughed.

Actually, I laughed a little too much.  Because then she buried her head in her hands.

And then I thought about how little time we have together on earth . . . 

and the hope of heaven.

But then,

my brakes bring us to a dusty halt again.

Chokecherry blossoms.

"Mom!  Now what?"

"Chokecherry blossoms," I say and hop out with my camera.

"Can I get out?" she asks.

"Yes."

"Ok, Mom, you count, I'll hide."

So I am snapping shots of blossoms

and she says,

"Count!  Come ON!  COUNT!"

So I count, and seek.

Afternoon comes.

After laundry

and

folding clothes

while watching The Pioneer Woman on DVR,

and fixing (click below for recipe which got a thumbs up)

Marlboro Man's favorite sandwich for dinner (lunch),

and dishes

and more laundry.

With afternoon,

a remembered promise,

"Mom, you said you'd come watch me ride my bike after lunch."

I did indeed say that I would.

So, camera over the shoulder,

I go to the yard to watch her ride bike.

But I can't sit still.

So I tell her I will fill the bird feeders while she rides.

She comes to help.

A normally quick job,

becomes lengthy.

She scoops and scoops and scoops.

Because I won't let her pour.

She has a "great idea".

She remembers another time we sat in the shade

of the cottonwood on the flowered quilt.

She goes to find it.

And we relax for a while together.

I read a bit.

She chatters and finds a lady bug

just like last time

we sat under this tree with this quilt

she

remembers.

I get her a drink and a popscicle.

But before she can drink her water,

Toby, the beagle, finds her glass.

I had hoped to make my announcement of my upcoming news

this week.

However, this is branding "week" at the Shaw Ranch.

Full of preparation for the big day on Friday.

Along with school field trip, moving cattle around,

grandparents day at school, kindergarten registration . . . 

So I will make my announcement next week.

This post really is an indicator of my announcement.

It is all about beauty in everyday life.

But not my everyday beauty.

YOURS.

Linking with these ladies: