Foggy China Cabinet

I opened my photo files, and this picture jumped out at me. It's blurry I know, but it speaks to me right now.

And lopsided, and a bit over exposed, too. Arg! But it still speaks to me, in a melancholy little voice that moans a bit for the spot in the dining room that no longer exists. Do you do that? Move things around, change things out, swap furniture around? And then miss it horribly the way it used to be? Sometimes I really dislike change. Things move around here every few seasons or so, because it's a small apartment and heck- where's everything gonna go when I bring home a new t.v. stand? Or a worktable, or sewing table, or chairs? Hmm? So we move stuff around every now and then, to see what fits, what's old, and what just plain doesn't work anymore. That cabinet is now holding all my yummy fabrc in the study/workroom. And I love it in there. But this corner of the past was so loved by us, that I have to think of a way to recreate it somehow. It held our collection of childhood literature, some old, but most new/old- my Harry Potter books, his Dr. Seus, our grandmothers' collections of weird old Junior Classics and Thornton Burgess books. And our Tamora Pierce collection which I just can't live without reading at least once a year. Ahem.
Books- they're our life, our escape, our comfort. Are they yours?

Sometimes mama, kitties just need their space...

Hmm... just ignore the sloppy bed. Instead, focus your attention on those ears. Those are the annoyed-at-mama-'cause-she's-taking-my-picture-again ears. Kitties need their personal space too, you know. Everyone does at some point, don't they? It's only fair to give it to them. We think it makes for a more peaceful home life, people and pets alike. Space to chill out, contemplating life and her mysteries; our daily choices; our actions and words.

Personal space isn't something that should be taken for granted. And it isn't always easy to come by. With the advent of "instant" communication via cell phones, emails, voicemail and even voicechat in video games, it can sometimes be hard to find a way to disconnect from the world and just listen to our own voices. Or to just sit and vegg, not listening to any voice. I have taken to watching the animals around me and learning from how they express their desire for space as a cue for me to back off, from them and the pressures of my life, and take some time to relax and listen to my inner world. This photo illustrates this concept perfectly. She is still my companion, and is careful to show respect for my feelings, so she quietly goes into the bedroom to find some peace and quiet- which does not necessarily exclude me, but allows me to identify her need for a quiet moment in the middle of her day. And to hie myself off and leave her to her business, which on this day is a very important, long-delayed 9 a.m. nap. Ahem. Sorry baby. I'll just be over there, in the other room. You take all the time you need, little buddha.

A change in the wind

So, I am at a crossroads of sorts with this bog. Just fourteen posts this summer, this year. I am worried that it has been too...fluffy. Too whimsical. I thought seriously of making a new blog, or of changing the name of this one. But, then this happened -

Can you see it? A clear sign. A Fork In The Road. It's hidden a little by clouds of indecision and doubt, but Oh- it's there all right. The right goes down, into obscurity and brambles. The left goes up, towards the clear blue sky. And so, a Change will be coming to Magickwyrds. A little less fluff, and a bit more real. Day to day life has its challenges, and they deserve their day in the sun.

Gossipy witches!

My evil, angry, gossipy witches are telling me that something is coming, something that is on the horizon. And I'd better get crackin' if I want to participate and not just be on the sidelines!

Halloween crafting is in full swing at the Pixie Workshop, and it is filling the house with gossipy witches (love this fabric! It's the Alexander Henry's "The ghastlies" print), black hats - with a twist!, homemade pumpkin puree (it's so easy! why didn't I think of this before? Recipes to come later this week), holiday decorating, and lots of magazines, heehee! There is a new faerie out and about this month, she's an old servant of Dracula's visitng for the season. Pictures forthcoming. And all my artwork is getting dusted off and finding homes on the walls about the house, I'll show you those later, too. Right now I am searching for a certain pumpkin muffin recipe I saw ages ago, but the faeries are holding the computer hostage. It would seem they are frustrated that a certain mansion is sitting on a shelf, collecting dust- hey! It's being decorated for the season NATURALLY. yeah, that's it. I'm waiting for the  spiders, ahem, "contractors", to finish spinning their webs around the upper balcony... maybe they could do the curtains in the study as well?