Art

Does the Heart Heal?

Your body will heal, She said. My body, it will heal, I repeat to myself. Yet I wonder: The body heals, but Does the soul? The precision tools cut into My skin, making a Gash, a hole. And I wonder: The body heals, but Does the heart? Stitches are made Where the hole Is toContinue reading “Does the Heart Heal?”

The Helper Constitution

I’m watching my little nephew, Levi, this morning. Yes, the same nephew that I was watching back in September when my sister-in-law had her lung transplant. My sister-in-law has recovered remarkably well and is on her last three weeks of physical therapy, clinics and tests. It’s been a long three months and I am sureContinue reading “The Helper Constitution”

The Unknown Artist

A couple of months ago I popped a CD into the player of my new-to-me car. (Sidenote: Am I totally dating myself by saying I still listen to CDs and that my car actually has a CD player? Probably). The album that I was listening to was by a well-known musician, singer and songwriter withContinue reading “The Unknown Artist”

Bookbinding History: Coptic Stitch

I have wanted to learn the history behind the different types of bookbinding stitches that I use on a regular basis. This desire is based in my wanting to grow my knowledge of where these stitches originated, how they came to be, who first used them, what they are, etc. The information will be basicContinue reading “Bookbinding History: Coptic Stitch”

Slow Work

I was at work a couple of weeks ago, in our not-so-lovely warehouse, counting our Christmas inventory. I knew this was something that I was going to have to do because my manager gave me a heads up about it, so I knew it was coming and was trying not to dread it. Counting isContinue reading “Slow Work”

Music Lessons

My mother-in-law is cleaning out her basement. She gave my husband a three-ring binder she had where she had put all of Adam’s certificates and programs of things he was involved in as a kid in middle school and high school. Things like a Certificate of Participation in Quiz Bowl, Boy Scout Car Derby Racing,Continue reading “Music Lessons”

People Pleasing

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you’re probably aware of the fact that I own a small body care business called Ruministics. I’ve been offering my handcrafted body care locally at vendor fairs, craft shows and markets the past five years. Going into this year, year number six, I’ve been looking for otherContinue reading “People Pleasing”

Gifts & Comparison

How many people do you know who do photography? For me, quite a few. God gives each of us gifts. And gives each of us more than one gift. And God also gives to many people the same gift. I ask again: How many people do you know who do photography? Even as just aContinue reading “Gifts & Comparison”

Room for Mistakes

Do you leave room for mistakes in your art? In your life? My niece, the one who likes to draw, was showing me her latest pictures a few weeks ago. They were adorable, detailed pictures of animals. In one of them was a cow, ‘…with a bird on his head?’, I asked. ‘Yep’, replied myContinue reading “Room for Mistakes”

Missing Piece

I’ve been processing things (ie, life) with a therapist. With a lot going on inside me and my overwhelm with things outside of me (Job, biz, family, volunteering, marriage, etc) having time to process all of these things with someone who has a outside perspective is incredibly helpful. Today, feeling very stuck and at aContinue reading “Missing Piece”