Monthly Archives: December 2010
Different Views of My Everyday Life
I can view myself as ill and diagnosed with a genetic disease. Or I can view myself well.
I can view my life as full of restrictions. Or I can view my life as full of options.
I can view my life as changed. Or as changing.
~Kim
Christmas Scatterings
Lone Walker on Christmas, 2010 - all rights reserved Kim Nixon
The holidays leave me feeling a bit scattered. I focus best with a camera, or a campfire. Next year, I may escape to a cabin in the woods. Or a tropical beach. But somewhere I do not wait for others, or rush for others, or serve others. Maybe that is too self-serving? Yet it just may be what I need to relax these tight shoulders. I’ve discussed this with Mike and I think he likes the idea of a tropical beach.
Baraga Ave Views on Christmas Eve - all rights reserved Kim Nixon
Get Fit with Kim–20 minutes of Outdoor Activity
The sun peaked out today and the winter blues were vivid. I’ve been noticing when the sun rises it is very far south from my view on the Bothwell Hill in South Marquette. Sunday Mike and I noticed the blue skies emerging in bits and pieces so we grabbed out cameras and got a short walk and photo shoot. My aim is at least 20-minutes of outdoor activity each day no matter how I feel that day. When the sun is out I get the added benefit of Vitamin D which is essential to my healing.
Camera walks are slow as I stop to take macros or gaze out to do wide-screen shots of the vista. I might climb over rocks and have even been known to scurry over cliffs, bouldering to the perfect spot to get a view, but this was a slow walk, some of it over ice and snow drifts.
Mike, my fiance’, was testing out two lenses for the Canon 60D. I had my Canon S5 IS, and lucky for me as I passed a grouping of milkweed with the perfect background options snow nad blue sky. I worked both in “program” mode and AV to get that sharpness of focus and silk and smooth bokeh behind (see the milkweed photo with shoreline in background).
This outing was perfect for my stress levels. I’m seeking new opportunities and new ways of making paychecks and I get worried from time to time. But in the midst of creating I feel most hopeful for a bright future.
Twenty minutes of activity s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d to nearly an hour. I came away happy! Very satisfied with the blue skies in my captures and ready to edit and create.
Creative Sundays
I hung out with my demons today. When I do this, I visit the Alligator and I talk to him. He is a wise demon but likes to fool with me as well (sigh). But he reminds me not to take things painfully and he suggests a good dose of playtime. So where he is demonic and a bit of a trickster this gator is usually worth my time.
By the time I arrived home, after having played in the cool winter air, even after numb toes, I usually get a little creative so I decided to take a closer look at me with that Gator. What could the demon teach me about my visions?
So I zoomed in…
Then I thought, oh this is all much clearer now. I like this. Fresh air and the whispers of the Gator have brought some clarity to the questions demonizing me to wee hours of the morning.
- Do I take a position that slows the momentum of this creative energy?
- Do I try to do both?
- Do I keep taking leaps of faith?
I plugged away all afternoon at creative projects. Here is one answer (below).
I love it when my questions lead to graphic messages! This is my new Etsy Store banner at Create with Kim!
Sometimes ya just gotta get the groceries…
These photos were taken on the way home from grocery shopping, Sunday. The Upper Peninsula is under a storm warning until 7am and Marquette Schools have already announced closure for the morning. I spent most of the weekend rehabing from a cold/flu or some sort of funk. Feeling much better after a below-zero windchill photo-shoot on the shores of Lake Superior and a good meal, cooked with Mike.
We need to keep focus on the beauty of winter–not the drudgery. I like to look for the color of winter. Where do you find joy in winter?
Creative Every Day 2011–Yeah!
Who knew that it would be the year it was–no one, of course! But one thing is certain 2010 was a year of change, possibilities, hopes, fears, and amazingly, healing. During November of 2010 and 2009 I set out to participate in Creative Every Day Month. It helps me refocus. But November is kinda late in the year for a refocus. The Creative Every Day Challenge, developed by Leah Piken Kolidas always seemed too daunting. I even attempted the challenge this year, but I feel I was not always present in my own creative-nest. But there were changes and shifts through my 2010 that have given me confidence to be Creative Every Day in 2011!
During 2011, on the Monday check-ins at Leah’s website I am going to reflect on the past week. I will also have a post every Monday here at Create with Kim. This time my nest will be hatching ideas and projects.
After some reflection today I came up with a list :-) of things I did this past year. This list makes me hopeful for 2011.
25 THINGS –2010
- PHOTO ON THE COVER OF HEALTH & HAPPINESS MAGAZINE, “BOAT RISE”
- SOLD “MAN ON BENCH” THAT WAS FRAMED FOR “NORTH OF THE 45”
- PUBLISHED “TODAY WE SAID GOODBYE” WITH THE CHRYSALIS JOURNAL
- STARTED MY ETSY STORE
- PLACED MY WORK WITH ZERO DEGRESS ARTIST COOPERATIVE
- CAMPED IN THE PORKIES
- CAMPED IN AUTRAIN
- RAN THE CARP RIVER GORGE 5K River GORGE, 3RD FEMALE IN ON THE 5K
- RAN THE SHORERUN, 5K
- DANCED WITH MY SON AT HIS WEDDING
- HELD OUR FIRST GLUTEN FREE THANKSGIVING
- SUCESSFULLY KEPT OFF 60 POUNDS FOR OVER A YEAR
- WENT FISHING ON THE SCHWIETZER WITH MIKE
- ATTENDED HIAWATHA MUSIC FESTIVAL
- ATTENDED BLUES FEST
- INCREASED MY EARNINGS
- SWITCHED JOBS TWO TIMES
- DIAGNOSED WITH CELIAC—IT IS A TOOL, NOT A LABEL
- INCORPORATED MORE YOGA INTO MY LIFE
- MADE NEW FRIENDS
- WATCHED MY DAUGHTER TRY ON WEDDING DRESSES
- ATTENDED VISION BOARD WORKSHOP AT JOY CENTER
- SUNRISE YOGA ON SUMMER SOLSTICE
- SNOWSHOE FUN AT AL QUAAL
- RECONNECTED WITH FAMILY ON MY MOTHER’S SIDE
Slowing it Down
Photograph copyright ~ Kim Nixon ~ All Rights Reserved
The goal is to slow down enough to read, stretch, and breathe deeply. The goal is to snowshoe, ski, hike and take photos of frozen white crystals of ice. The goal is to play with my grandson, connect with my children, and make family meals we all enjoy. The goal is to decorate and create a home, a safe nest from the world, a retreat that replenishes the soul.
The best $10.00 you will ever spend may be on this book, Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It [Paperback] by author, Henriette Anne Klauser.
Please share what books have inspired you to make changes and create abundance in your life!
The Blues of Winter at Zero Degrees Artist Cooperative
Photo copyright ~ Kim Nixon ~ All Rights Reserved
On Friday December 17th, the Zero Degrees Artist Cooperative will host an artist reception and free concert. The wine and cheese reception will feature the works of gallery photographers Jeremiah Harrington, Kim Nixon and Wendy Hill Manson and will take place next door in the gallery annex from 5 until 6pm followed by the Jenn Copeman Band concert from 7 until 8pm. Jenn will have CDs and t-shirts available for purchase.
(release written by Judy Sarosik for Marquette Monthly)
Location:
525 North Third Street (in the Village)
Marquette, MI, 49855
Mon – Thurs: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fri: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sat – Sun: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Snap goes the Winter
All around the dogwood bush the frost chased the ice…? Snap goes the Winter! (Wink)
Photos taken on November, 28, 2010 at Piers Gorge, Norway Michigan
