Be back soon....

Though I hate to admit it, a realistic little whisper warns me that my posts are likely to become irregular while I work out living arrangements and other consequences of my marriage separation.  I'll still try to post whenever possible.  Please hang tight in the meantime.  I look forward to better blogging in the future! 
Thank you for your understanding!

Diversions

The other day, I made myself a simple lunch to enjoy while overlooking the garden.  I was so pleased with having accomplished this rare feat - my actual preparation of a "meal" - that I had to photograph it to share it with you!

 

I also took a stroll along the Richmond dyke.  

It's a lovely spot, speckled with sparrows and colourful songbirds, overlooking the Frasier River.

The trigger finger on my camera enjoyed an adventure around the back garden... 

Getting Unstuck Exercise #1: Doodle

Dear readers, I'm sorry for the delay in posting!

Life has a way of getting away from you sometimes, you know?  ;)

The doodle project was fun!

Since it had been a long time since my last doodling session, I felt a little awkward at first and was slow to start.  

Still, I enjoyed myself and switched from a pencil to coloured felt pens.

As I went along, little random phrases would meander across my mind.  So I began to incorporate them, too!

Getting Un-Stuck

Luckily, the blog is fully functional again.  (Thank you, mighty goddess of the internet, thank you!)  With the help of the new Blogger template designer, I've also added a few layout updates.

In my June 23rd post, I alluded to a major life shake-up.  Indeed, this thing has plucked me up, tossed me about and strewn me out like a Yahtzee game piece.  My husband and I, now three days from our sixth wedding anniversary, have separated. 

Yeah.

Sad.

I am tremendously grateful that Kye and I have been such close friends and are able to remain so now.  Certainly we still love each other, but perhaps we will come to see that our friendship matters most of all.

Heartbreak.

No other sting so deeply pierces the soul.

This past week has seen the beginning of our separation.  I've found myself stuck.  There is so much that I must accomplish (you know, little things like finding a job and a place to live).  All I want to do is play in my studio - but its door looms with such melancholy and regret, harsh with the reminder of its impending abandonment.

I'm 'putting it out there in the universe' that I'd so appreciate to find an affordable, rentable room large enough to accommodate a bed and a work space.  Yet the practical voice in my head assures me that's a tall order for Vancouver.  Still, I'm determined to find shared accommodation near the flamboyant diversity of Commercial Drive.  How I love the poetry slams, art shows, international foods, colourful characters and rich, bohemian spirit of the place.  The rent is higher there, for sure, but the neighborhood hums with an eclectic mix of art and culture (not to mention fresh produce) that sings to my spirit and beckons me home.

(Oops, I hadn't intended to ramble on so.)

Rather, I wish to share with you these lovely leaping off points from Eccentric Spirit.  Today, I'm thinking that I really need to motivate myself into action.  To help me, I'm going to follow Eccentric Spirit's 10 Ways to Get Unstuck:

1. Doodle
2. Do some contour drawings
3. Splash on some colour
4. Fingerpaint
5. Consult an expert
6. Empty your head
7. Artistic cross-training
8. Go for a walk
9. Hydrate
10. Blast some tunes

Click on 10 Ways to Get Unstuck to read her notes on each suggestion.

As Eccentric Spirit notes, her ideas apply equally well for those with artists' block as for those of us stuck in the mire of life change.  And more importantly, it just sounds fun.

So, for the next ten days, I'm going to follow and post about one prompt every day.  Try it with me, if you like!

"Life is about change, 

sometimes it’s painful, 

sometimes it’s beautiful, 

but most of the time it’s both."

(Smallville) 

Bloggy Boo-Boo

Ughk.  

Yes, ughk. 

It seems that I have offended the blogging goddess by way of some mysterious (at least to me) and inappropriate application of widget code semantics.

That is to say, bloggy has a boo-boo.

Aww, my poor little blog.  I sincerely hope that you will be well soon.

In the meantime, let me spend a grossly inordinate amount of time tediously re-typing sections of code and praying that a generous internet spirit somewhere will take pity on us and bring the Wild Sparrow blog back to good health.

Dear Mighty Blogging Diety,

Please let my widgets load;

My images appear; and

My background margins recover in all their glory.

Amen.

...and the drumroll, please!

In a surprise turn of events, we received the help of two handsome helpers!  

Rachael, of Hello Earth, captures the comical climax of our giveaway:

(Yay for romantic partners who play along with our zany ideas!)

Congratulations Carma of Carma Sez!

Carma, you are the lucky winner of:

1. Three original art pieces or prints by the talented artist at Hello Earth;
2. Three handcrafted and finely detailed wallflowers by Lilac Saloon; and
3. An appliquéd clutch purse with sparrow signature detail and single snap enclosure, crafted from vintage linens.

We hope that you'll enjoy your prizes!  Your items will be mailed to you separately,
so you can look forward to an enticing sequence of deliveries.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

I continue to be boggled by the blogosphere's capacity to connect us, despite the boundaries of our geography.

I appreciate that each of you took the time to stop by and share your favorite summer pleasures!

I also really enjoyed collaborating with the two enthusiastic new artists,
Lilac Saloon and Hello Earth.  Thanks girls!

Surprises Aplenty!

We have a special surprise for you, dear readers!
A secret guest will be performing the random selection of the Summer Begins Giveaway winner!

I have to tell you, I am particularly excited about our mystery guest - who has very graciously volunteered to do us this honour.


Here are some clues:

the special guest is...

• very attractive;
• a wonderful cuddler; and
• swooned over by women and men;

I assure you, it will be fun!  As soon as our mystery guest is ready, we will divulge (his or her, mmm?) identity and who has won the Summer Begins Giveaway!