It's A Small World

Embracing the small world we live in is so important to me as I get older. And, really understanding the connection we can feel in person. This is not by sitting home watching TV. But, by getting outside and meeting and talking to people. Not really my favorite thing to do. But, realizing with most people I meet, now, there is something in common to share or learn from. March is women's history month. It was exciting to visit Walt Disney World last month. It was the first time by myself, to enjoy and pay attention to some things in the park I really appreciate. I went into the Contempory by monarail. And, walked around the mural by Mary Blair that takes up the circumference on all the floors in the center of the building. I took pictures of some of the characters, with the bunny being the most memorable. Since, it is the year of the bunny, too. And, there were probably three different people I met along the way, and the conversation ended with: "It's a small world". In the scope of things, it really isn't. But, the fact that our country can give so much attention to outer space and the future. It does make it feel small. Each month I have been giving attention to different aspects of my life. I draw the conclusion at the end of the month. So, far January was about perspective, and February was putting love over fear. I am not too sure what March is yet. But, I have a feeling it will be about moving forward. I pay a lot of attention to women artists in March. And, I am so glad to share Mary Blair as the first Artist to share. She was definitely a break through Artist for the early 60's. It was still very male dominated. But, what I love is the world she created. It was cute, but it also held the cubism of modern art. And, it was about light in the shapes, mosaic, sculptural and was set to music. Water is even involved as it is a boat ride to enjoy the whole work. Each day I spend appreciating all the world has to offer is a good day. I am grateful this is how I wake up, and take some time to give attention to what the computer can bring to my fingertips. Looking forward to spending more time outside as the weather is starting to get warmer, and sunshine fills the air. Quote of the day: “You get an education in school and in college. And then you start to work. and that’s when you learn!” Mary Blair Song of the Day: What a Wonderful World Louis Armstrong

We Are Alive

I would have loved to have shared this picture two years ago after it was taken. But, it was taken a few days before my life turned to turmoil and fast changes. I was working really hard at the time on my well being. It was lent and I was in Atlantic City by myself. That year I had to really find myself. I was mourning the loss of my mother. I was trying to figure out what direction to take as far as a job. I just did my taxes the other day. And, even though I only worked three months of 2021, last year I made just the same amount of money. I am thinking a lot about retiring. There are so many reasons I would love to have more time and not be so stressed. I have been making sure to take some paid time off this year, and each week it makes work more bearable. The one good thing it is making time fly by. But, as I am getting older, there are so many things I still want to attempt. I am afraid of too much time getting away from me. One of my favorite things I found through a friend on facebook is Maria Shriver's weekly essay. It comes to my email each week. It is called the Sunday Paper. I find I can relate to her. And, she always hits the nail on the head with something I am struggling with. But, this paragraph stood out. ( My year to Be 2023 ) : "Listening in and of itself is an art form. It takes patience. It requires us to be quiet, refrain from offering our two cents, and just be." I am also making sure the last two years I am feeling all of my feelings. Sounds, a little strange. But, during the last five years or so, I was paying attention to how much I was surpressing and repressing. And, that is my biggest stregnth. But, I know with going forward, I needed to face myself and deal with every single little thing to move forward. And, being alone, by myself and having lots of quiet time allows me to do that. I am looking forward to today, to get a lot more creative things done in my home. And, I am probably going to be going through pictures. But, they have been giving me more joy then grief lately. Especially, all that I am learning about my dad and his ancestors. Quote of the day: “Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive.” —Charlotte Brontë Song of the Day: We Are Alive Bruce Springsteen

The Art of Being

Next Saturday I will be participating in a Vendor Show at St. Paul's Church (near the firehouse) on Herbertsville Road. I will be bringing sachets made from April Cornell fabric and lavender buds from this field. This picture was taken at Pleasant Valley Lavender in Morganville (north of Delicious Orchards off of rt 34). Little did I kno in June of last year, life would become a whirlwind of moving again. I am so glad I am still participating in the Rise and Write class. It is very inspiring and motivating. I talked about the book by Rick Rubins called "The Creative Act" and said that I would include the 10 Rules of Success for finding Purpose and Happiness. Here they are: 1. Do what makes you happy 2. Overcoming self doubt (dance with it) 3. Take charge of your life. Do what you love 4. Work with experts (have help) 5. Be Authentic 6. Learn to Express yourself 7. Unleash the Artist within you (we are all Artists) 8. Practice Meditation 9. Be Patient 10. Break the Patterns that hold you back and not have you move forward WOW!!! it is like I now have a field guide to my journey to joy. Because, I may do these things and start wondering why???? And the biggest is vulnerability??? And, he helps understand this part of ourselves. It had been a BIG push for me in the right direction. I hope you will come see me or look at my website: https://tradesofhope.com/geralyngray I love that is on March 4th (march forth). I am marching forward in life, and it feels good. Quote of the week: Rick Rubins: “Everything happens kind of the way it’s supposed to happen, and we just watch it unfold. And you can’t control it. Looking back, you can’t say, ‘I should’ve… ‘ You didn’t, and had you, the outcome would have been different.” Song of the Day: Carly Simon "Let the River Run"

Tout Est Possible

I guess I will be writing about once a month this year. My computer is acting up, and all my bookmarks with passwords are not set up, as usual. So, it messes with my morning routine of writing. I have been writing by hand a lot more. And, still attending my monthly "Rise and Write" class. This is the week after the class, so it inspires me the most, to catch up with writing on the computer. February has been awesome so far. I have a lot of changes at work, which has been challenging. But, I finally had a vacation and have spent time with my kids and grandson in the last few weeks. So, I am feeling more myself, again. So, what is with the title of this post? Tout Est Possible was printed on a clip board and I looked up the meaning yesterday. It is "the sky is the limit". I have been paying attention to my father's heritage this month, and it is fascinating. I am writing a book, and it is about this year. It is about how to stay calm in the storm. It will be artful activities to help along the way. It is sort of like writing a mystery for me. Because, who knows how this year will end up? But, January and February have not disappointed me so far! I have planned to do the 100 day project again, as I did in 2021. It begins February 22 this year. And, you should be able to see a post every day on facebook and instagram from me. They will be mostly about french inspiration and mostly about lavender. Because, these have helped me the most on my journey to joy. I hope to be more creative this year, and this will be the motivation I need. I also will be sharing pictures of the lavender fields I have visited in the last few years. The picture above is from 2017 taken at Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, NJ. I also will be doing a vendor show at St. Paul's Church on Herbertville Road in Brick on March 4th. I will be selling Trades of Hope, my handmade greeting cards and lavender sachets. I love that it is on 3/4 (march fourth). I have set my sights up high this year. And, I am also going through with the word this year: BE. To just BE. It seems to be working. I have had lots of signs and serendipity to show I am on the right path. Quote of the day: “Living life as an artist is a practice. You are either engaging in the practice or you’re not. It makes no sense to say you’re not good at it. It’s like saying, “I’m not good at being a monk.” You are either living as a monk or you’re not. We tend to think of the artist’s work as the output. The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.” ― Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

We Are All Stars

We are all stars and want to shine brightly, even sometimes when we are surrounded by darkness. So, my favorite holiday is approaching.....Valentine's Day. And, I can either be haunted by memories, or make new Valentine's Day memories. And, as it is fast approaching my mind keeps changing as how to approach it. Well, I am going to fill as many of the voids in my life, as soon as possible. I want to feel love as a good feeling. This I said since the beginning is the hardest for me. Because, when all of this happened I was processing my feelings of being parentless. I was getting used to not having my biggest cheerleader in my corner. The loss of my mom, still leaves a big hole in my heart. Then the divorce part I prefer not to pay too much attention to, especially in my writing. Then the loss of the comfort and security of leaving my home of thirteen years. These all stir in a terrific amount of anger. The cost monitarily and keeping sane has been challenging, to say the least. But, new year and the goal is to just be. Well, the bottom line is I have this part of me that feels if I put myself in vulnerable positions, I am going to triumph and feel stronger by overcoming some kind of challenge. But, I learned my biggest lesson about vulnerabilty this week and it is how we grow. And, it goes back to childhood, especially when it comes to our parents. Because, parents don't want to see you hurt. But, sometimes they have their own sheild of armor because they are protecting themselves from hurt they have felt. I was taught at a young age to avoid confrotation, and basically home is where you felt protected and cared for. But, the part of me that wants to be a painter or writer. Where does that come from? And, I am not too sure if I am more afraid of being a success or a failure at it. So, this all is totally going against my year goal to just "be". But, yesterday I went to New Jersey State Museum and it was so good to put things in perspective. Most of all it gave me time to be with the spirit of my dad. His ancestors put roots in New Jersey in the 1600's. And the museum really gave me perspective on the state of my world. It gave me perspective on the economics, environment and culture of the world today. And, how fast the last few years are in changing compared to when our country was founded. I have a big interest in indigenous crafts. And, to see all the businesses and technology that were invented in our state is amazing. We are a land of life changers and like I said we are all stars. I don't feel anyone shines brighter then another. I feel sometimes your light is not available to others, because we each have vulnerabilities. So, I had some huge break throughs in what I want to title my book and the vision of the cover. And, best of this whole thing is about changing my name. The bottom line it is a big pain in the ass. It messes with my head and my memory blah blah blah. But, my maiden name is Stelle, so this would be my pen name. Stelle I was told by someone in high school means star. And, one of my favorite things to do when I was younger was to just lay down and look at the stars. The Museum of New Jersey has a planetarium and I saw the 3pm show and it was amazing. Like always, something I am inspired by has a rock and roll connection. And, it was about Voyager, which ironically was happening when I was eighteen. That tender age of wonder of how the future of my life would play out. But, I forgot there was the Chuck Berry Song "Johnny Be Good" playing in space during this time. This is when perspective is put into play. But, it just filled me with a huge amount of awe (whice I am conditioned to need from time to time to help my mood). But, with hope and appreciation for the future. And, to growing old. That is my goal.....I want to not only get old, but grow old gracefully, indepentally and happily. Quote of the day: Dance like nobody is watching. Love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening. Live like it's heaven on earth. Mark Twain Song of the Day: Ghosts Bruce Springsteen

DeJaVu

My favorite story from when I owned my store in Convention Hall in Asbury Park, is when Graham Nash visited my store. He was probably in my store for a half an hour. I stood in the door with his manager (who looked like a young David Crosby). I mostly chatted with his manager about Jackson Browne (he managed him also). And, every now and then Graham would look up and ask a question. He asked how long the store was open? I said it was the first week. He said that is really cool. I explained how we just started a year ago, and ended up on the boardwalk. But, the record part was not how the store originated. I said it originated with my greeting cards and my daughter's artwork. He said that is really cool. I was afraid to ask him anything, because I didn't want him to leave. Another person came in who they both knew, and he started talking about the Rascals. And, then I just listened, but don't remember too much. Then a customer came in and almost fainted when he saw Graham Nash. He asked if they could shake hands, and told him he was a big fan. And, then swiftly Graham walked out the door, after shaking his hand and thanking him. But, then I had time to think....uh oh. I had made a scrapbook from the CSN cover DEJAVU. My favorite album cover to make a scrapbook with because it looked like leather and had gold embossing. More of this story is here written the day after it happened: Greetings from Geralyn blog.. I am getting pretty meloncoly just thinking about it. Because, in my wildest dreams, I just could not imagine something like this happening to me. But, it did. What I have been through in the last year is SO hard, when it comes to the memories. I was actually thinking last night how I talked to Graham, but didn't talk to David. But, I did! So, this morning I had to write about it. But, it is making me feel worse. I am so sick of hurting and feeling loss over and over again. I have made myself feel and not avoid. And, I am not going to do that anymore. I am going to move forward and make new memories. Like I have said over and over this year. Our lives are the best mystery book ever written. NO one knows the ending. P.S. As I finished writing.....I looked out the window to a blue sky....Thank God! Cheers to today...it's a whole new day with a clear blank slate. Make the most of today and every day! Quote of the Day: Don't waste the time. Time is the final currency, man. Not money, not power - it's time. David Crosby Song of the Day: David Crosby River Rise

Revolution

Inspired by my writing class, yesterday, to write this morning. I noticed on January 3rd and December 23rd I have drafts and an empty page. I usually am inspired by something and then write. I was very inspired starting the year seeing a Southside concert at the Basie and Matisse exhibitions in Philadelphia with my friend over New Year's weekend, and nothing came of it. I thought of a painting I wanted to try my hand at, and never picked up a brush. I organized all of my card making supplies, and not a card was made. In class our leader Mike, said inspiration without action is entertainment. I agree, completely. So, today is my revolution with a plan of action. It is a Sunday, so I should just be resting and getting ready for another week working full time. But, luckily my revolution is about change. And, it involves the Arts, so it is enjoyable at the same time. And, each time I take action, and complete something I am inspired by it, as a giant step in moving forward. My first call to action is to watch the complete CBS Sunday morning show without looking at my phone or computer. Second, is to paint a Renoir painting in Matisse style. Third, is to take action on my Trades of Hope business. I would like to do something for International Women's Day. I will research and reach out to a few venues. Lastly, I will get my refrigerator full, so I can bring my lunch all week. Making sure I am nourished, and save some money, by bringing my lunch. And, lastly I hope to make plans for a vacation in February. I chose this song today, because I heard it on the radio yesterday. It brought a smile to my face, because I LOVE it! It reflects a lot about the women's revolution and Asbury Park in the 70's. It makes me feel like we still need some work in this revolution thing. There have been some changes, and like she is saying it is going to be alright. Asbury Park was full of music this weekend. I have in the past spent the week at Light of Day, to support the music and the cause (Parkinson's Disease). I didn't buy my combo ticket this year, and Ian did play some venues. I would have liked to have been there. I did see my son played a private event with Alexander Simone ( he is the grandson of Nina Simone). And, I wondered what Nina Simone would think looking down from heaven. And, since this is also Martin Luther King weekend and we are given a Federal Holiday (to use for a service day). I think she is looking down at Asbury Park and smiling. Everything is all right.....like she is wishing for in the song. And, right now that is my simple wish.....just everything BE alright. Song of the day: Nina Simone Revolution Quote of the day: Gloria Steinham: "Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning." - Gloria Steinem.