The Ocean is Full of Garbage

                                      

The ocean is beautiful. It is powerful and rich with diversity. People are drawn to the ocean for many reasons. Some seek calmness and relaxation. Others prefer adventure and exploration. Many, many rely on the ocean and reefs for their very livelihood.

The ocean is beautiful, but look closer. Rubbish floats along trapped by seaweed or tangled in ripped nets and discarded fishing line. Water bottles are thrown carelessly into the sea. They bob up and down as if to say, “Watch me, watch me, as I struggle in polluted waters.”

The ocean is beautiful, but take a walk on the beach. It will reveal microplastic bits washed up by churning waves. Inflated plastic bags emerge from the sand like jellyfish warning of danger. The aftermath of human activity piles up…discarded flip flops, pool noodles, and sand buckets are left like a time capsule taking an eternity to decompose.

The ocean is beautiful, but look down. The reefs are struggling. Once beautiful and alive with color, many are dying at an alarming rate. Even in the depths, man has left a footprint.

How can humankind continue to befoul our beautiful waters?

The ocean is full of garbage.

 

Rest

 The devotional I've been reading is about rest. Life doesn't have to be a rat race, but we have to schedule rest, in this crazy busy life we all have. Yesterday, Momma Kitty and I took a tea break, just to quietly enjoy the wonderful weather.

Momma is 92 in human years. She lives outdoors and follows me every where. Taking a rest is her jam. Im working on it. 

Finding

 We find and save things that catch our eye. Where do they go? Often times, into a file that never gets looked at again. In my pursuit of cleaning and pitching,. the thought of cleaning computer files usually gets overlooked. Today, however, I was in search of a particular photo and came across this:

It made me pause and think about all the fabulous ideas I've saved and pinned over the years. They are the ideas that have structured where I am today. I've done tons of art, but the ideas had to come from somewhere - although sometimes they do just pop unto my head. Thank you God!

Anyway - I want to continue in my cleaning pursuit and deleting a few jpegs may happen along the way. Trash that no one sees, but at the same time I may come across a brilliant thought just waiting to become the next great art project... not just an "eh"

Yoyo update

 I'm still working on stitching a yoyo a day for my 365 stitch project. As I stitch each block, I come up with even more ideas for future mosaic quilts! There's just not enough hours in a day.

Bloodroot?

 Sometimes my plant app is spot on. Other times, I'm just not sure. These lovlies were blooming by the walking path (Collinsville, IL).  So nice to see signs of spring.

We also saw good sized buds on trees, dandelions and a cat. Who can stay inside on a beautiful Sunday afternoon? Not me!

Daily stitches

 I've taken too much time off from my early morning meditative stitching. With tons of ideas I'm back to 30 minutes (or a little more) to begin the day with silent prayer and positive thoughts. I call this special time #morningtea

Crop project: Quilting

 

I worked on quilting 3 UFO's during my 4 days at the crop. This one had been pieced years ago and was begging to come out of the tote of quilts to finish. I worked ahead of time sandwiching and pinning to have it ready to just quilt. Done! I neglected to bring a binding for a complete finish, but at least now it can move to a new pile of unfinished projects!  

Weekend get away

 

How many years have I added the Adam's Alliance Crop? I have no idea! I do know that I look forward to this 4 day fundraiser for MS each year. Roughly 130 women were busy scrapbooking, quilting, and crafting. A big shout out to Leanne for so carefully organizing this event. Her attention to detail and endless energy puts her on my role model list!