Art Rage Circles

In a Collegeville Institute Blog Tom Montgomery writes about the challenge to find time to write with a wife, three kids and a teaching job. Talks about travel as a pilgrimage and intent or rather detours of intention.  I have to read it again to figure it out.  Many of my favorite words were in his essay - so I was drawn to the piece.  I love words, certain words.  What spoke to me in his essay was him sharing how he fits in writing.  He writes 400 or 500 word pieces with a theme or thought, a story with the plan or intent that after awhile he will have  a collection of writings that may evolve into a book.  I do that - though I should be (could be) doing this with more intent.

Looking back at the last few musings - I included several of Maira Kalman's drawings and paintings.  She is an inspiration to me - the way she approaches life, the daily things she loves.  It is good to listen to her Ted Talks and and video's on her website - and of course, the On Being interview because she values, appreciates and says thank you to the daily, routine things she does. She walks with her friend, they stop for coffee,  always, she wanders New York and paints and draws the people, dogs, cakes,  places she sees and loves.  She is grateful to be in New York - I am not in exciting, stimulating New York but can learn how to appreciate the every day from her. 

A regular event around here is the Women's Coffee group - AA Women, having coffee and fellowship.  I joined today - the regulars were there.   Mostly I enjoy this group very much.  Today was one of them.  Of course, centered a round coffee and bagels (Bagels by the Sea).  The talk varies, from being a sober woman, health, cleaning, travel, family, aches and pains, children, jobs, not working, working...there is a core group of women, Janet, Carol, Julia, Patty, Kirsten, Beth before she left for Nashville last month.   Coffee is one of the regular things to appreciate and be grateful for being able to join. Walking around he neighborhood - to Starbucks, along the Necanicum River Neawanna Creek. Walk through the outlet Mall, across the 12th street bridge to the beach.  A townie walk.  Or a Fort Clatsop Trail walk.  These are my favorites here.  I sometimes  drive to Astoria and walk the Columbia River walkways.  Seeing the ships on the river waiting for their orders,  the funky house and businesses perched on the hills.  Often foggy and rainy.  These are the regular things in view I am grateful for being able to see and experience.