This is Our Time

Did you ever have the thought?  What am I doing this for?  I was driving to work, yesterday.  I knew I was in for a long day and driving at an unusual time.  I was thinking of the birth of my children.  They were born at 10:30 am.  It was 10:27 am and this song came on:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMdV0y05b3o     It was a good thing I was alone in the car.  I was fist pumping and singing at the
top of my lungs!  What is really something is a song like that coming on the radio is SO random, yet the time was so perfect!  And, I have met Willie Nile before and able to tell him how much I love this song.  More random, Saturday we are invited to a Bar B Q and guess who is the entertainment?  Wooohoo!  I can't wait to tell him how much the song Willie Nile has written means to me!!!!

Gifts from the City by the Sea

     I love to write after a walk on the beach and share my thoughts and findings and lessons I learn from each and every one of these walks.  I also love the musical serendipity of the city of Asbury Park and what some experiences have taught me.  I try to take pictures or videos so I can share what I have learned.  Did you ever read the book Gift from the Sea from Anne Morrow Lindbergh?  It is one of my favorites.  There is an exhibit of hers along with her husband, the famous Charles Lindbergh in Philadelphia, I am yearning to see.
     The lesson I learned on my walk on Friday is from this picture.  First, the badge is from Bay Head and they were giving them away for free.  Last year I made some mixed media works with beach badges, shells, driftwood and sea glass.  I wanted to get some more and was happy to get five of these free.  Especially, because you only get a paper tag or wristband now for a daily.  I rarely get to the beach so I buy as I go now.
     Pictured on the bottom on a black rock are some kind of fish teeth.  I think they are Shark's teeth. They are not too old, because fossilized teeth would be black.  But, they have been tumbling around the ocean for a while because they are both very smooth.  I have NEVER found a tooth like this before.  So, when I picked it up I was pretty excited.  My first thought was that it is never too late for a first for anything.  When, I picked up the second one, I was amazed.  How can you find something you have never found before?  And, just like that find another?
      The lesson I learned here was to never assume anything as you age.  Never think never.  Always have the faith and hope to know just because something has not happened yet, it never will.

Bucket List

 Today I decided to enjoy nature's glitter. It is on my bucket list to enjoy as many walks on the beach as possible.   I have to work tonight, so usually I relax at home and I tend to not want to be tired at work.  But, sometimes a walk on a beach in the morning is the perfect way to start my day.

 I saved this bucket from Trader Joe's last year.  A perfect way to collect today's treasures.  I actually found the white tile.  I can't wait to use a blue sharpee and draw on it.  I found my first piece of pottery.  The green stripe is shiney.  I hope to find a blue and white china shard "someday".  I found the teeniest perfect shell too.  I love a walk on the beach.  It always amazes me what I can find in only a short walk.

I keep this bowl by the door to collect what I have found.  I started collecting oyster shells, too.  I found only one piece of sea glass.  I love the lessons it teaches me about not always finding what I want, but appreciating what I do find.  They are true gifts from the sea.

I Believe in the Promised Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc0Cicex6hs&feature=share

Well, SUCCESS!!!!  Sometimes what you dream and think about  comes to you in a moment.  And then you want to capture that moment in your hand.  Then it takes a few days to sink in.  Yes, this really happened.  And then, you want to share it with everyone.  It is a digital postcard from Bruce Springsteen singing the Promised Land at the Wonder  Bar!  I have 46 seconds capturing a feeling of life fulfilled.  The song Promised Land means so much to me and to hear it in the sea air of Asbury Park is magical.  Enjoy and sing along......shalallalalalllahhhh!   Greetings from Asbury Park!  Wish you were here!

In My Room

 To go thru life with child like dreams and airy hopes is such a gift.   This was probably the first wall hanging to put in a spot I was going to use to store my art supplies.

 When I first made this space I had my store in Asbury Park, so I was quick to add a lot of Asbury Park to the room.

I may be done with my collection of pennants, but I really do love the good feeling they give me.  I can't take a picture of the whole room because it is quite a mess.  I am working full time, plus trying to spend my days off at the store.  Today I am not going to the store but, trying to jam as much in as possible.  I have been included in Karen Valentine's "My Desert Cottage" Where Women Create's blog hop a couple of times.  My blog Greetings from Geralyn is now a business site.  I have been writing on this blog as much as possible.  It is about my childhood, and the romance of the Jersey Shore and it's rich history, especially it's music and it's influence on me and what I create.  I am so lucky to have a place for everything that inspires me.  To take a look at our store and what my husband and I create, please visit http://greetingsfromggeralyn.blogspot.com

Summer Thinking

So, I have a day off.  How do I make the most of it?  I have to go to Costco to put food in the fridge and some supplies for the store.  So, I did something free and close by.  I went to Toms River where they are displaying some sculptures from Grounds for Sculptures from Seward Johnson.  I have been to  Grounds for Sculpture a couple of times and highly recommend it.  But, the installation in Toms River is a temporary exhibit and free.  I wanted to be sure to get there and post some pictures.  It ended up being an historical day and was glad to be home afterwards to watch a history making day unfold.  Then I ended my day at the shop.  My daughter and I rode to Asbury Park together and I have to say I really appreciated any time we get to spend together.   Here is a link to a map and the pictures I took.  It is a nice little walking tour.

On a side note.  I LOVE that something like this is happening in the summer of 2015.  But, it is scary.  The streets and shops were deserted.  I went to costco after and there were lines 10 deep for everything. It leads to the question of Curious again for the state of Main Street America.  Are we all asleep at the wheel.  Yes, the downtown area buildings are kept up beautifully along with landscaping.  But, the businesses were open and EMPTY!  What is happening  and at what is our future like?  It is obvious this art installment was used to help this situation, but it is also obvious people have to stop and smell the roses too!  It is a busy and fast paced world right now, I hope if you have the time to read this you too can take advantage of something that is free and close to home.   STOP and smell the roses,  PLEASE!

Art All Night Trenton

I like to share Art experiences throughout the state of New Jersey.  This one I heard about for the first time about five years ago.  It is a Art Show and Music Event that runs for 24 hours straight.  I have wanted to attend, but never had the chance.  I needed to pick up my son for Father's Day at the train station.  Since, it was only a few miles away, I left early and was able to spend a little time there and take some pictures.  I definitely am drawn to the projects using recycled, repurposed or upcycled products in their Art form.  Enjoy some pictures from Art All Night Trenton 2015:

 Love this one painted during the night.......what is the future like for  New Jersey?

Favorite of the show was the iris made from buttons

 The long painting the outfits were made from bottle caps

I also love the Roebling buildings which housed the event.  About 25 years ago Glen worked for about two years on restoring the factories into the markets.  We both have a passion for historical buildings and their significance to our past and future.  The building are from the 1800's and were used to build wires for bridges.  The Brooklyn Bridge would be most well know bridge to use Roebling wires.