sleep

A Time to Rest

| Cindy Anderson

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It has been a while!

I feel like it’s been years since we last visited. My summer months were filled with an abundance of activity. Activities which filled my heart with joy and absolutely drained every once of energy I could muster.

purple_majestyI’ve been home from my Little Cabin in the Woods for just over two weeks. Two weeks that were a buzz with activity. All of the items that might fall victim to possible four legged vermin were removed from my summer retreat and transported back home for safe keeping. Once home they all needed to find their haven for winter respite. With those all tucked away it was time for a good old fashioned house cleaning both physically and mentally.

sweet_lavenderWhile I find great joy in my travels far from home, it can be exhausting. Recharging my body as well as my mind takes a little more effort each year. Of course that couldn’t have anything to do with my advancing years. Or could it? 🙂

 

Seeds_of_Life.jpgThis year I felt so absolutely drained that the thought of writing couldn’t be farther from my mind, let alone even opening the door to my studio. The lack of enthusiasm left my creative self feeling lost, like a ship floating adrift at sea. The concern that I might not find my sense of direction left me even more overwhelmed.

Orange_Lichen.jpgSo, how did I recover? With my self-imposed chores accomplished I allowed myself to relax and find joy in the simple everyday tasks of living. I slept. I read. I walked.

 

Rings_Of_Life.jpgThese steps toward renewed energy slowly rekindled my love for the world of art. From a little spark came the motivation to re-enter my studio. Opening that door brought back the joy I feel when surrounded by the vibrant colors of my finished pieces as well as the virgin fabrics just waiting for my attention.

Patterns_In_Nature.jpgThis renewed sense of enthusiasm is where I am at today. I’m energized and ready to press on.

Lichen.jpgCindy Anderson

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P.S. The photos I’m sharing were taken while out on my many walks in northern Wisconsin. I hope you enjoy them.

 

Sleep Eludes Me

| Cindy Anderson

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As I sit here writing this post its 12:30 AM.

Every night I crawl into bed with the hope of falling asleep. Most often I easily drift off into slumber-land. There are those times when that just isn’t the case. No matter how hard I try to relax it just doesn’t work. On those nights I quietly slip out of bed and carefully make my way through the maze of obstacles to our basement stairs. After ascending the thirteen steps to our lower level I head straight for my studio. This is my favorite destination because there’s always something to do. It’s also far enough from our bedroom that any noise or light my nighttime wandering might generate should go unnoticed by my soundly sleeping partner.

Once inside I turn on the light and carefully close the door. With the door securely closed I am free to do just about anything. I’ve even been known to start-up my long-arm quilt machine. Any project that can help me relax and settle down is fair game. If I’m lucky it only takes thirty minutes to an hour before I start to feel the much wanted feeling of fatigue. Once I reach that point it’s time once again to give sleep another try. Most often I’m successful. The only sad part is that missing sleep will inevitably leave me with less energy the next day. Hopefully the pattern doesn’t repeat itself and I’m able to make up for the lack of adequate sleep.

Good Night!