Yesterday we had no running water from two in the morning until 8.30 in the evening.  It's amazing how we become so accustomed to our creature comforts that one day can feel like a lifetime.  So, I painted until the water couldn't rinse my brushes properly any longer and then began knitting gifts for my nieces and planning for my next Jr Artist Workshop at the library.  It has been awhile since I've had an un-scheduled day so it felt very peaceful.

I have to admit, I began my day with a trip to Starbucks but then I spent the rest of the day blissfully alone.  I've been fighting off a cold, something that happens often when I have an extremely busy period, so other than not being able to spend time soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts, this quiet day was exactly what I needed.

Reading, juicing, and taking the time to watch a PBS documentary that I've been intrigued with for some time helped to ground me.  The documentary is titled 'Arts & the Mind' and showcases some of the most successful arts programs for a variety of age groups, exploring the vital role of arts in human development.  It's wonderful to see how art can help with childhood education, struggling teens, patients battling Alzheimer's and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Not only is it healing, but allows the patients to become healers or teachers themselves.

So often I've felt unqualified to teach, believing I needed to complete my education before I had anything of value to share.  But now that I have the privilege of running arts programs, I realize that everyone has something to share...a new perspective, a new technique, a smile and a word of encouragement.  I sure feel lucky to do what I do.

Before ARTember began in Airdrie I enjoyed a few books because I know that the 17 day event has me hopping with barely enough time to eat and sleep, never mind read.  These were fairly light, quick reads but really good ones.

The Postmistress
by Sarah Blake

This is one book I've picked up several times and am glad I finally read it.  The story takes place on the coast of Massachusetts in 1940, a place that seems so far removed from the war taking place in Europe but which really is on the cusp of a World War.  The precariousness of the time is reflected in the thoughts and conversations of several different characters and travels across the sea to England where the war has begun in earnest.  The characters are torn between a world that is both naïve and brutal and revolve around two separate messengers, a local postmistress and a radio journalist.  A fascinating story about how stories are told.

The Prairie Bridesmaid
by Daria Salamon

This story intrigued me because it is set in Winnipeg, the place I was born.  The main character, Anna Lasko is a high school teacher in a bad relationship.  Her closest friends stage a humorous break-up intervention while he is away and to cope Anna smokes and converses with her backyard squirrel, Buddy.  Daria Salamon's writing was reminiscent to me of Miriam Toews, another Winnipeg author who also approaches difficult subjects with humour.  A fun read.

Love Walked In
by Maris de los Santos

I really enjoyed the quirky characters in this story which revolves around Cornelia Brown, the highly educated manager of a cafe in Philadelphia.  Sometimes it is nice to read something different from my typical choices and I found this book to be a page-turner.  Cornelia finds love and friendship in the most unusual ways, meeting a young girl names Clare who changes her life while also finding the love of her life.  The author is witty and has the ability to take a difficult situation and create a heart-warming tale.