Tag Archives: creativity

Never grow up…

Being a much younger straggler of four kids meant many hours of childhood alone within my whirling mind. Seemingly endless hours were spent creating my own entertainment which included imaginary characters, protagonists within dramatic scenarios of conflict & resolution. A rusty, broken clamp-on roller skate became a pet roller skate to be pulled (walked) by a string while the nearby woods became a forest filled with exploration and adventure. Winter meant ice skating races with my imaginary friends up and down the frozen puddles and ponds along with hard snow drifts carved into pretend horses to ride and gallop.

I now look at life, fantasy and creativity on the other end of life’s spectrum as I reflect on how these experiences helped my emotional self. Developing coping mechanisms has played a part in my pursuits and social interactions throughout life. I’m also comfortable being alone and can pretty much entertain myself anywhere. My past drives my future and helps me use creative endeavors to provide purpose. Hence, my current exploration of hand built pottery sculptures and vessels. Do you have childhood memories or experiences that seem to affect your outlook on life as an adult? Please share in the comments.

Traveling With Kids… Honduras Part 3 of 3

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We can’t help but be impacted by experiences outside of our home country’s borders. By exposing kids to other cultures and different ways of life we give them opportunities to learn empathy, compassion, resilience, and to be open minded and kind hearted. Plus, they’ll have some good stories to boot.

2022 Camino Frances Day 2: Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Second video in a series documenting our experiences hiking the Camino Frances in July 2022.

Day two we meet the friendliest Texan in El Acebo…

Photoshop Drone Composite

Oh, wow… Have my eyes been opened to a whole new world of possibilities!

I have to say, I am excited to have discovered the panoramic features of the DJI Mini 2 drone. Manual settings to keep exposure stable, click the shutter and 9 full size images go into a folder. Downloaded the folder|opened Photoshop|File automate|Photomerge-checking all the boxes for fill, etc. and “BOOM!” This is the result after some tweaking in Photoshop along with Topaz edits to finish it off.

There is also an option for a 180 degree panoramic composite that I accidentally clicked on and was pleasantly pleased with the potential of those results. Both features have really possibilities and I will be working with them again.

Bird’s Eye View of Gary, South Dakota

DJI Mini 2 | Joyce Meyer | Two images merged and edited in Photoshop and Topaz

Drone photography has caught my interest and I’ve debated whether it’s worth getting a Part 107 Drone License. So far, I’ve been shy and stealthy when flying the tiny DJI Mini 2 drone for recreational purposes only. Research tells me that anyone wanting to sell aerial photography, monitor their farming operations with a drone, or do any other business related work with a drone must have a Part 107 license. Hmmm…?

Canby Area Arts Council Kiln Reveal Part 2

Check out this short video of the glaze and kiln firing process featuring pieces created by the participants of the CAAC Play with Clay Youth and Adult Workshops held in Central Park, Canby, MN, on August 21, 2021. The classes were taught by Sarah Bednarek of Blue Barn Traveling Art Studio.

Canby Area Arts Council Kiln Reveal Part 1

Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful… Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there. ~Laozi

Joyce Meyer | Canby Area Arts Council | Filmed with a DJI Pocket 2

Check out the bisque firing results of the Canby Area Arts Council “Play with Clay” workshops. The classes were held on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Canby Central Park, Canby, MN. This is one of two kiln loads so the groups were very productive. Next step will be glazing the pieces on Saturday, August 21, 2021 and they will again be fired.

Camino Portuguese Day 7 ~ So Tired!

Sunday, August 12, 2018:  Ponte de Lima to Rubiaes, Portugal | 20 kilometers

Oh, so tired today.  Ponte de Lima festival included loud music from midnight to 3 a.m. this morning. The albergue balcony with open windows, due to the heat, allowed all of us in our section of beds to feel as though we were part of the fun and  merriment. Style of music was not the lullaby kind and the tremendous fireworks show after was lengthy, as well. Thus, little sleep, but that’s o.k.

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Warm temperatures today plus we climb the largest hill on Portuguese camino. By the looks of the photo above we tackled it like beasts! All rocky sections are compared to the Loch Lomond section along the West Highland Way and this was not as challenging.IMG_1078e

Beautiful views, but we must hustle along as we hope to score beds (bottom bunks) in the 5 euro Albergue de Peregrinos in Rubiaes, Portugal.

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Welcome!

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Yeah!! We arrive in time… Our home tonight is an old school converted to an albergue filled with bunk beds, well supplied kitchen, large dining area and outside patio/laundry area complete with clothes lines strung across the sunny yard.

Albergue de peregrino rubiaes beds
Image from Albergue de peregrinos website

Albergue de Peregrinos is an old school converted to house Camino pilgrims with rooms filled with bunk beds, well supplied kitchen, large dining area and outside patio/laundry area complete with clothes lines strung across the sunny yard.

Albergue de peregrino rubiaes clothesline
Image from Albergue de Peregrinos website

Chilling in the patio area outside, we meet a tall man from South Korea who has completed the whole Camino Frances from France to Finisterre, Spain and immediately started walking  the Camino Portuguese backwards from the coast. His current unemployment status has given him time for this lengthy endeavor and by now he can cover a tremendous number of miles each day. While you may be tempted to look at this as a mid-life crisis situation,  I would prefer to see it as an opportunity for personal growth. To each their own, right?

Short video featuring Camino Portuguese Day #7:

Camino Portuguese Day 6 ~ Celebrate!

Saturday, August 11, 2018: Casa Fernanda to Ponte de lima. We sadly bid farewell to our new friends at Casa Fernanda and embark on a short, but hot 12 kilometer day. It’s as though the hills are singing to us as we walk from one festival to another.

Below is a short video of Day 6:

 

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A line of RV’s from all around Europe are parked along the river take on the duties of “Welcome Wagon” as we enter Ponte de Lima, so it took a while to visit with the gang. It’s hot and  we have been told the Municipal Albergue de Pereginos doesn’t open its doors until 5 p.m.  All the time in the world, right?

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Wrong… Randy makes the trip across the bridge (While Joan and I have a cold beverage) to check out the bed situation and discovers  Albergue de Peregrino opens at 4 p.m. and he is encouraged by camino friends to get our bags in line ASAP! We quickly get all of our bags across the bridge and get in line for beds. When the doors do open we stand in a long, slow line for well over an hour, but it’s worth it as we do get beds.

All low beds and we have a beautiful view… A-a-a-ah-h-h-h.