Easter was rather blue for me. Holidays are always tough following the loss of loved ones, aren’t they? I kept thinking of Scout wearing her bunny ears and that memory brought sadness. In an effort to cheer myself up, I made French Toast.
Later in the day, Don brought me tulips.
They’re beautiful. They definitely added some cheer to my day. Thank you, husband.
I finished up all my crocheted scarf commitments. I finished one book and started another: Beach Music by Pat Conroy. By the way, RIP to author Jim Harrison, who died yesterday at the age of 78. I read several of his books many years ago, drawn by the fact that he was Michigan born and bred. In his early books, he wrote of the Upper Peninsula of my home state. He was often compared to Hemingway, but I’ve always thought Harrison to be the better writer. I haven’t read his books in a long, long time, but I happen to have an eGalley of one of his latest books on my Kindle. It’s yet to be read, but it will be.
Thank you for all your helpful tips on coloring! I made of list of sharpeners, liners, colored pencils, artists, etc., and I’m very grateful for your input. I made another trip to a local art supply store – we live next to a college town, so we are blessed with two such shops.
I found this funky little sharpener which seems to be much kinder to my pencils than anything I had on hand. Nevertheless, I’ve ordered two sharpeners that were recommended by my knowledgeable readers: one by Staedtler, the other by Prismacolor.
I found these pencils made in England by Derwent. I really like them.
I already had these on hand, but they’re not the fineliners.
As I walked in the door of one of the shops, my eye immediately lighted on this:
Of course I snapped it up.
Coloring books for grown-ups are very, very popular right now. I tend to avoid the latest craze, but in this case, I’m very glad I didn’t. There’s a reason that this activity has latched on to a population that is exposed to a constant barrage of phones, televisions, computers, frightening headlines in the news, an election that has devolved into childish tantrums and bullying, and all sorts of daily stress.
Everyone needs some sort of respite, some sort of activity that takes them away from the stress of any given day. For me, crochet, reading, writing, working on my dollhouse, walking, even the rhythm of vacuuming can do that. For others, it’s woodworking or hiking or knitting or painting or rearranging furniture or exercise. We need an escape. We also need something that is meditative.
I heard from a couple of people who absolutely could not either understand the worth of this activity or didn’t like the restrictiveness of it. I understand it’s not for everyone and I respect your point-of-view. But when I tell you that it helps me, someone who has suffered through several years of stress and worry and loss, surely you can understand why I find it worthy of my time. It has nothing to do with coloring within the lines or restricting my creativity – I’ve never lacked for creative expression – it has everything to do with finding a modicum of peace.
Nothing fancy, no shading yet, just playing with color and spending an hour or two coloring in this wonderful book. Don is coloring in a neat book about New York City.
It brings a bit of calm and peace to our days, so why not?
Happy Monday.
The tulips are so pretty, it is nice to have such a nice and thoughtful husband. I use to color all the time when I was young and I think it’s great that there are coloring books for all ages. In fact I just saw one at Lowe’s the other day when I was looking at the magazines. I love arts and crafts and gardening. Everyone needs something to sooth the soul. Life is not always easy and there needs to be something to balance out the hard times. Have a wonderful day!
Hugs
We sure do, Nancy! Thank you. Have a great day.
I think we all need to find that outlet that lets us sit in peace for a few minutes. Have you ever looked at the blog “Don’t Eat The Paste”? She has tons of free printables of mandalas and small boxes. The boxes are fun to put together and I find peace in doing these. Nice to put small gifts in them for friends and family. I have filled them with tea bags and oreos, messages of hope and healing, and stacked them on a table for different holidays. I have many of the mandalas but haven’t done them yet, but looking at your pictures of the coloring book, I am ready to start! I pray that your moments of peace turn into hours of peace and pray that these hours of peace turn into days of peace. Hold tight to Don and Meredith and her family and those peaceful days will come.
I’ll have to check out that blog, Tana. This is the first I’ve heard of it – thank you! And thank you for your kind words.
Why not indeed! Peacefulness and calm cannot be overrated. I have been coloring all my life. I am not gifted with the ability to draw or paint so coloring it is and I love it!
Neither am I. My dad had that gift, as has my estranged sister – but not me! So coloring is perfect for me.
I keep wanting to get an adult coloring book, but have not yet found myself in a town that has them. My daughter is here from Florida with two granddaughters; I thought of asking her to find one for me — she must text the subject book so I have one I want !! They leave for FL tomorrow morning.
If I’m too busy to get a coloring book; I’m too busy and need one!
When my other daughter was in the hospital in October and near death with pregnancy complications, her MIL got her one; that’s the first time I heard of them. (Mother and baby are fine after all! Premie 1 pound 15 oz baby girl is now 11 pounds of health, fighting spirit and joy!)
Your tulips are beautiful!!
So glad to hear that everyone is doing well, Patricia! I know that was a very tough time for all of you. Get a coloring book, my friend! xo
I agree we all need something to do to keep our brain working and to try to keep our stress level down. It keeps us healthy.
It does indeed, Doris!
Beautiful tulips!! I love the coloring books also. I have two and they definitely make your mind drift into another world. A world where there is no stress or grief or worry. We all have to do what ever it is that gives us peace. Right? Color on!!
Judy
I will, Judy. You, too! xoxo
The tulips are beautiful. I had an Easter lily from church but Tiger was so in love with it I sent it home with him. I have completely lost my voice now (oh allergies) but had a good day with family yesterday. I talked too much and so today will be a silent day, not a bad thing. I see the calmness of coloring and anything that helps sooth one’s mind and heart is a good thing.
hugs,
Linda
I do, as well. Rest your voice, my friend. Tea with honey helps.
Out of curiosity, I went back to your coloring post, and read the comments. There are a lot of your readers who color…good for all of you! If it brings peace and calm to your world…that’s all that matters! I used to hook rugs in my younger days…I found that relaxing. Might have to give coloring a try. Whatever it takes Claudia! Lovely tulips! ;)
I was surprised at how many readers color and love coloring, Donnamae.
glad that you have another option for relaxation and peace … and hope you will continue to post photos of your meditative art!
just last week a friend gave me a coloring book and colored pencils. i appreciate her kindness and will give it a try, but prefer being with my family, praying, knitting, walking/jogging and puttering around home. even washing the dishes. :)
hope you all have a good week ahead.
kathy in iowa
I like all of those things, as well. But I definitely will make time for coloring!
Your tulips are beautiful. Looks like a neat coloring book. That is a really cool pencil sharpener.
It seems to work pretty well, Carrie!
I also loved coloring as a child and many of my illustrations reflect that fact today. I was always going to do a coloring book, but never got around to it. Such a procrastinator! Here’s an artist whose blog I check into after yours every day. She has lots of fun tips and coloring pages to download, too. Check out her method of blending colored pencil with baby oil:
http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2015/06/colored-pencils-few-tips-and-tricks.html
I’m familiar with her blog, Shanna, but I haven’t read it lately. I’ll check it once again. Thank you!
Lovely tulips! How thoughtful.
A Maxfield Parrish colouring book! What a great find. Your Prismacolor pencils will work really well in layers for the skies. I may leave “Lost Ocean” out with a pot of pens so that anyone dropping by can have a try. As long as I keep the glitter well out of sight, I think it would be fun.
What a neat idea, Barbara! Sort of like leaving out a jigsaw puzzle for everyone to work on.
Just because I’m not a fan of some creative outlets; does not give me license to belittle it or the people who enjoy it. Every day we are bombarded with negativity that can take a toll on our spirit & peace of mind. Why then would we belittle someone’s choice in expressing their creativity? I just don’t get it (but then there’s a lot of don’t ‘get’ these days).
Color on Claudia — and I, for one, look forward to seeing posts featuring tips, supply sources and many of the completed colorful pages in future post!
Wise words, Regina Anne. We, including myself, need to be less judgmental and more supportive!
I totally agree. We all need creative outlets to soothe our souls. Plus, there is the satisfaction of seeing the pages come to life through our efforts.
Coloring has created a new way for many people to connect, whether online or in person, and provide a sense of community. Look at the gatherings mentioned in the original post.
Once you’ve had a chance to use the sharpeners you ordered, I hope you’ll do a review. I’ve yet to find a sharpener from the craft stores that works well with my colored pencils.
Enjoy!
That’s a good idea, Denise. I’ll do that. I hope it will help others who are searching for the right sharpener!
I have so appreciated all your posts, especially as you have opened your heart and soul about so many things, including dear Scout. I have shed some tears for and with you, as not that long ago 2 of my precious kitties (one 16 years and the other nearly 18) died within 3 months of each other. The emptiness of the house, as you well know, is unspeakable. Also, just prior to that time I had taken care of a friend you was going through a very bad bipolar episode and the pressure of it all was overwhelming. One evening when the stress was at a frightening point I had a very Strong urge to color…..something I hadn’t done since grade school. I remembered that a few years ago someone had given me one of those coloring books and some pencils. At the time I received them I was just going to pass them to someone else as I didn’t think there was time to ‘just color’ . But that particular evening I walked right to the drawer where those things were stored and colored and colored and colored. Night after night I did this and in the process I felt a soothing of my emotions. A calmness began to surface. Sometimes I used crayons other times colored pencils, but the effect was the same…..the movement of my hand, the sound of the color being transfered to the paper, the focus on something so simple and mildly creative brought a sense of calm and peace so needed in a time of extreme crisis.
All this to say that I cheer you and Don on as you particiapate in this wonderful healing and freeing activity. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Oh, my goodness, the emptiness of the house seems so vast, doesn’t it? I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved cats, Joan.
You have stated simply beautifully the value and power that this simple activity can bring to those in need. Thank you so much!
I think coloring books are one of the best things being offered to us big kids right now.
I find it to be a very peaceful way to spend time with myself. Very relaxing.
Love the tulips. They are my favorite.
Have a nice day, Monica
Thank you, Monica. Those tulips make me smile! I’m glad coloring is giving you pleasure!
Gorgeous tulips Claudia. I really, really want one of those vaces that you have them in. The way the tulips fall into the corners makes a perfect arrangement. You’ve almost got me talked into trying one of those coloring books! I keep reading about people and how much they love coloring and the peacefulness of it all. I’m very glad you’re enjoying it so much.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy. I’ve seen vases like this one on eBay. Hope you find one!
Thank you, Claudia. Beloved, indeed, they were/are. All of these things can be great teachers and so I try to remember to ask….what do I need to learn from this? I certainly have more understanding and compassion.
Regarding the coloring….I found that the more I did it the less restricted I was….i.e……..instead of coloring things their natural colors I began to drop some of the ‘rules’…..example….trees might end up blue instead of green, stars might be black, a mouse might become pink, etc. I had taken Art Therapy many years ago and knew that as these things emerged a lot of ‘stuffed’ feelings were trying to be expressed so I tried to let them flow. Overall, a wonderful safe haven.
Your sharing and the photos have re-ignited that incentive to make this a part of my life again though the need does not seem so intense. Nevertheless, expression can be a healthy safety valve.
Happy coloring!
That’s a valuable insight – I hope to become a bit more daring in the future!
I am sooo glad that you found coloring to be so helpful. I couldn’t agree more! Enjoy!!
I will, Mamey!
There are times I am absolutely astonished by the behavior of people. I guess when those who want to “lead” us act like such fools, there has to be their followers out there who do the same.
That would be my mini-rant on those who seem to know what is best for all of us, and feel it is their duty to tell us about it.
Color on and enjoy!!!!!!
Thank you, Chris! I’m just about to pull out my coloring book and color for an hour or so…
I have always loved coloring no matter my age. I have two adult (I agree that sounds funny and don’t google it unless you want some real surprises ) coloring books and recently bought myself a kids coloring book because I love the smell of crayons on newspring coloring books. Both bring great relaxation. And go ahead and stay in the lines if you want to :-) hee hee
Thanks, Sue! My instinct is most definitely to stay inside the lines.
Claudia, I think you’re 100% right about why coloring is so popular with adults right now. It’s SO soothing, and provides time to see and do something beautiful, with thoughts that can simply be one’s own thoughts. Without a continual barrage of data coming in from nearly every direction. My own mind wanders to all manner of topics when I’m coloring – !!! – and as much as we need stimulation during our various days, I think quiet contemplative time is needed just as much. I find doing cross-stitch or other embroidery provides the same kind of respite for me. PS – I think many of the adults who’ve returned to coloring now would have continued to do it, even as they aged, except for the fact that coloring has a connotation of “childhood” attached to it. Maybe now it won’t!
Creating with my hands – stitchery of some kind – or making miniatures or any number of things can do it for me. But I’m not always in the mood for them. Coloring is easy to do, completely accessible and I, for one, am glad we’ve gone beyond the ‘childhood’ label for it.
I am so glad you are enjoy coloring Claudia…what a great find that Maxwell Parrish coloring book is…..
I’ll have to find some vivid colors, Nancy.
Amen to every single thing you said in today’s post, Claudia. Coloring is a small investment in terms of supplies when you consider the good it does a person. No need to defend it, not to me. I’ve got a small pile of coloring books on my table, just waiting to be cracked open! I love the idea; I love that it helps people. I love that it creates something beautiful inside and out.
I just read a very interesting piece (that sorta goes along the lines of natural [and cheap!] therapies…it had to do with the benefits of ‘downtime’ and getting away on a vacation or just getting out of the house, if you can).
For instance, the benefits of ocean air and the beach. Here’s the gist:
There are lots of things you can do to create downtime for yourself. Vacationing is one of them. Vacation/staycation…but, in general, downtime fights depression, leads to less stress and improved productivity. Relaxation is good! Let’s take fresh, ocean air. Breathing it in helps improve mood, cleans your lungs, increases energy, strengthens your immune system and boosts brainpower. Breathing in fresh air anywhere improves mood because the amount of serotonin is affected by the amount of oxygen you inhale. Serotonin of course can significantly lighten your mood and promote a sense of well-being. Fresh air will leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed. Salt water also has benefits: It clears nasal passageways! It smells good! Just breathing in fresh air, soaking up some sun and walking on sand does wonders for how you feel…sunshine stimulates your body’s production of Vitamin D and walking on sand can actually be a great workout.
Now, I don’t know who’s the voice of authority on any of this…maybe the travel industry!…but it made sense to me, from my own personal experience!
I think you should be very proud of all you’re doing to help yourself through bad times, Claudia. You’re intelligent and proactive about it. It’s healthy to care about yourself. To heal yourself. You’ve been under assault. It’s good to have something to look forward to: I am CERTAIN that as Spring awakens the land…all the lovely acreage which is your home…you are going to feel its benefits. It’s truly just around the corner, Claudia. It’s hit earlier where I am and I have felt more renewed lately, like no other Spring I can recall. I’ve been in a colorless landscape in SoCalif for a long time and we are blooming galore, so I’m just staggered by color and scent, wherever I go, right here at home and in my town. It’s wonderful.
Your coloring efforts have turned out beautifully! Frame-worthy art!
It all makes sense to me – there are ways we can help ourselves and any number of them involve very little money. There are simple things we can do that help us stay centered and calm in the middle of the storms of life.
I’m so happy to hear that Spring has brought color back into your life, Vicki! I’m waiting for ours, but I know it’s just around the corner.
Your tulips are gorgeous! I especially love the white ones.
I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with children much of my life, so coloring has been a staple. It makes me happy to read that it is providing you time to relax! Love the look of your new sharpener.
Thank you, Sue. I hadn’t colored in years and I’m really enjoying it.
Hello friend, I’ve tried the coloring books but I think I had more fun buying the colored pencils than I did coloring…just can’t get into it yet. I’ve been meditating each day, I think I’m feeling less anxious…about what, I couldn’t tell you, I think it’s just built into my DNA. Creativity is a large part of who I am, creating and designing spaces or rooms is so rewarding and calming, especially with pieces that I love and have collected over the years, but lately I have been a bit stuck. Hoping to move out of this funk. Listening to Irish fiddle music right now, it always makes me happy. xxoo
Worrying is something I’ve always wrestled with – I understand. Irish Fiddle Music sounds like a great pick-me-up.
How sweet that Don brought you tulips.
I have a couple of coloring books, but have only touched them a few times. It just hasn’t greatly appealed to me. When one of my nieces spent the night last fall, we colored together. Now that I enjoyed. I have three sets of colored pencils…Faber Castell, Derwent, and Prismacolor. I like the last two the best. I have a dual pencil sharpener by Palomino that I really like.
Just FYI in case you’re interested…I did a blog post on Saturday about my books. You can see my collection. ;-) I just finished The Great Santini. When I closed the book I said out loud, “Holy sh**, that was amazing.” What a master storyteller.
I have the Palomino sharpener as well but it doesn’t work as well with colored pencils. So happy you liked The Great Santini – you’ve put it perfectly – he was a master storyteller.
An older lady is part of our Artist Trading Cards group. When she became widowed, she had trouble sleeping as she was anxious about living alone. She went to a doctor expecting a prescription of anti-anxiety medication. He wrote on the prescription pad, “color for one hour before bedtime.” She took the message to heart and has been coloring. The relaxation of it has worked perfectly for her.
Now that sounds like a smart doctor! Good for her. Love this story.
Claudia, after raising 8 kids and having 10 Grand kids,I’ve never stopped coloring!
Every August the stores are full of, Crayons,Colored Pencils,Water colors, Acrylics,
Oil paints , Chalk. at ridiculous low prices for Back To School. I stock up then.
My favorite medium? Crayolas! -Judy A-
Oh, there’s nothing like a Crayola, Judy! xo