sunday, reflecting

This morning I woke to a lovely email from a New Zealand artist who will be in Cassino in May. Our exhibition is about Remembrance and Peace. We are remembering a war that ended in this area 66 years ago in May, a little later in other parts. The message is that we must all work for peace, in whatever way we can.

Peace is not just the absence of war. It is about the equal distribution of resources, about everyone being able to achieve their full potential no matter where they are, what type of government they have, what their religious beliefs are.

In my work here I meet many young soldiers, wonderful young men doing what they see as their duty for their country, for eventual peace in other countries. The stories from today are equally moving. Just now, on Facebook, I read about Red Friday, wearing red to show support for British troops past and present. The author wrote a touching account of a scene at an airport as troops were leaving for Afghanistan. If you want to read this for yourself, I have posted a shortened version of it in the comments section below.

While these young soldiers march off to war, my friend Bruno travels the world working for international peace. Here is his website, well worth bookmarking to check back on when you need information, or have time to reflect.

Peace starts at home. While looking for my earlier references to Bruno in this blog I found something that I had written in February 2008. It was timely for me to read it again. Now, not only do I have something to say, I have a place to say it. No matter who you are, you can make a difference. The comment at the end of this post (also February 2008) is valid for all artists. Thank you again, Bruno.

"Peace is what happens when all peoples are free to develop themselves in the way they want, without having to fight for their rights." (Bruno Picozzi)

If only we could send as many peace workers around the world as we do troops...

Today I am grateful for international peace workers.

wit and wisdom

that's what I would like to be adding to the blog today. Sometimes climbing real mountains looks easier than the metaphorical version. Wit and wisdom? Maybe tomorrow?

Instead, here is a line from Bob Marley.

Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?

For me, the answer is a resounding yes, even on days like today when I am too tired to speak much Italian and everything is taking four times the effort it should do. But the house is looking good, the dogs are well behaved, there is food in abundance and I am not too cold.

Racing around in my head are a hundred and one things, so the best option was to sit by the fire and listen to Anthony Way singing what I call "Sunday music". It's not exactly meditation, but I think it comes close.

Today I am grateful for my CD player.

bmi still 26 and 11+ a day is not easy

Day of reckoning coming up. No exercise (climbing up and down ladders doesn't count if you eat sweetened condensed milk to reward yourself) and eating as you please does not a trim Nonna make.

Darn it.

It's winter, it's cold, and hot chocolate is tempting. Soups are great... but not seven days a week.

Christmas food has now all gone. The fruit bowl is full. The carrots and celery are on the table, not in the fridge. Work has progressed well enough to allow a little exercise time.

There are no excuses left!

The goal of a BMI of 23 shouldn't be too hard to achieve, should it?

and friday came along too

Today: the entrance hall is quasi finito. I have done all that I can reach with my portable scaffolding cot, and on Monday if safe scaffolding is built over the stairs I will finish all except touching up oddments in the ingresso.

Today I repainted a part that I had slaved over months ago. The plasterer, new to the job, simply saw a piece of old wall under the chipped stone he was repairing, and slapped white stucco all over my handiwork. Sigh! I'll take it as a compliment: it must have been convincingly old and integrated to a young eye.

On the home front my new second-hand kitchen cupboards have arrived. I am continuing with my kitchen rebellion, using tall upper hanging cupboards down on the floor. It gives me a great "sorting papers" benchtop, or a bar leaner, from which to gaze into the fire as I sup my vino... I justify my breaking with tradition in the kitchen layout by simply saying "It works for me!"

Today I am grateful for a huge bear hug from a cuddly-bear friend.

and then thursday?

work is going well, despite the cold.

Today I am grateful for a healthy family.

how did it get to be wednesday?

photo update shortly.

Today I am grateful for helping hands.

leap of faith

One of the artists I admire and have mentioned before is Katharine Cartwright. Just as I feel that my life is changing, and I am contemplating the same, a link to a new painting by Katharine arrived in my emails. The title of the work?

Reinvesting our Nest Eggs: Leap of Faith.

Thanks Kathy... I am definitely getting the message that it is time to push forward with my dreams!

Today I am grateful for positive energy and affirmations being sent my way.