This cute little mobile belonged to my late Mother. It was originally strung with black thread which promptly broke apart once I hung it up because of age. (I don’t think she hung this mobile up in quite some time.) It made it into my hands and I enjoy it immensely as something to treasure from my childhood. I restrung it with fishing line. It is hanging on my enclosed screen porch. The little letters clink in the Gulf breeze as if to really say “Boo!”.
I never dreamed I wouldn’t have a career. Surely, I thought I would be forever involved in graphic design or some sort of arts with a stable, weekly paycheck. It has taken me the last 20 years to realize this simply isn’t the case … I … just … don’t … have … a career.
I’ve picked up and put down many things … graphic design, working in a library — co-op — gallery — gift store, landscaping, but for whatever reason none of these things stuck.
Do I work? Absolutely! I work supporting my husband and our company (canisgear.com and 6dollarcollars.com). I bag our products in a pinch. I work on customer relations. I design new patterns for our leashes and collars. I take and/or touch up our product photos. I am the catch all for whatever odd, necessary jobs there are in maintaining a business. I allow my husband to streamline. I facilitate his day however and whenever I can. I cook, I clean, I maintain.
I used to work at worrying how little monetary contribution I make to our empire, but I now accept my role. It’s humble but it is also quite important and frankly, we work well together. We’ve been through a LOT of ups and downs but have persevered through all. I have a new peace within and I’m trying to be still and listen to what plans God has for me.
JEREMIAH 29:11 NLT
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
I have an Etsy store and I paint, sure, and will always paint. But with a $30 sale maybe every three months, or a $200 sale once or twice per year, I am certainly not bringing home the dough.
That’s okay. As I said before … peace.
However, meet my latest creative endeavor … sourdough bread baking — now THAT is dough, baby! This is the kinda dough I’m bringing to the table.
This is a garlic dill pickle loaf I just baked this morning.
Mirriam-Webster Online 10/20/21
Artist: a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination
Deplorable: deserving censure or contempt: wretched
Censure: official strong criticism
Contempt: a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval
The Violet Fern 