Corner View - Pondering

So ... this week for Corner View we are supposed to share what we are pondering. I'm forever pondering. Well ... I don't know if it's actually pondering so much as just thinking. I wonder what the difference is ? Excuse me while I pop over to dictionary.com ...

pon·der

–verb (used without object)
1. to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often fol. by over or upon ).

–verb (used with object)
2. to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.

think

–verb (used without object)
1. to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.
2. to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation: Think carefully before you begin.
3. to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: I was thinking about you. We could think of nothing else.
4. to call something to one's conscious mind: I couldn't think of his phone number.
5. to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc.: She thought about cutting her hair.
6. to invent or conceive of something: We thought of a new plan.
7. to have consideration or regard for someone: Think of others first.
8. to esteem a person or thing as indicated: to think badly of someone.
9. to have a belief or opinion as indicated: I think so.
10. (of a device or machine, esp. a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an activity analogous to human thought

So - based on those two defintions I, for sure, ponder most everything. I weigh many things deeply in my mind. I sometimes even ponder if this is normal. Do all people ponder everything the way I do or is that just the way I am wired ?

I ponder how I will accomplish what I need to (and even just WANT to) in my life. I ponder how to balance all of the things I have on my proverbial plate. I ponder this ALL THE time. I ponder and I make notes. Lots and lots of notes. I find that the things I ponder, as I sort through them in my mind, if I write them down, I'm able to let go of them in my mind and ponder the next thing ... it's a little system that works well for me.

When I'm having a cup of tea in the morning, I ponder my life. Or maybe I ponder about my life. I am not even sure how to say that ... But ... I consider deeply what I am spending my time on. If it's important. If I need to change it. I ponder it and I talk to God about it. I find that as I ponder in this convesational way, I find a certain peace and clarity that helps me prioritise and let go of what is not significant for this time ...

Often when I ponder, I need to talk. As an extrovert, I can process my ponderings much more effectivly when I talk. I talk to my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, my cat, sometimes even myself !! ha ha. Sometimes I 'practice' conversations I need to have with people before I've even left the house for the morning ! Do you do that ?

Hmm ... I'm not sure where this post is even going ... let me ponder that for a bit ... and while I'm doing that, how about you pop round and visit the other Corner Viewers and see what they are pondering. Actually, I think I'll do that too !

Corner View is hosted Theresa while Jane is away from blog land ...

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{hooray}

yes, my menu is planned
yes, my grocery shopping is done
yes, it is being delivered tomorrow morning
no, i have not brushed my hair
no, i have not gotten out of my pajamas
no, i don't usually stand like that
(i was crouching to fit into the web cam space)
yes, i love shopping this way

have you tried it yet ?

tomorrow
i'll do a quick run to
my favorite fruit/veg shop
my butcher
and a cute asian shop
just to pick up the things
i can't/don't buy on line

and that'll be it for the week
all that's left is to enjoy week two
of school holidays
with my kiddos

i'm so enjoying having them home !!

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{self portrait}

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Personal Symbolism

Today’s question for the ages is: What is your Personal Symbolism? Meaning, when people think of you, what do they connect your identity with? What would some of the symbols and iconography of your *caricature* entail? Are you a horse enthusiast? A sports fan? A music aficionado? A food connoisseur? What has been your lifelong *thing*? We all have them; it’s what makes us, well, US.

Here’s a historical (er, rather hysterical) perspective of me photographed with one of my personal symbols, CATS:





















Throughout my life I have been notoriously camera shy, but apparently I become a bit braver when holding a cat! If all of these photos are in existence of me with my fabulous feline friends, then you can imagine how full of cats my life has been. For as long as I can remember, and despite the many canine friends I have had, I have been called a “Cat Woman”. One day I’ll probably be known as the crazy old witch with a house full of cats! Well, maybe not, but they have been my lifelong familiars. I connect with, relate to and understand cats on many levels. It could have something to do with the fact that I was born a Leo? Whatever the case, I adore cats. Whether they were strays, feral, barn cats or rescues, the wilder the better! There is no greater loyalty then the love and trust earned from the untamed feline heart.

It’s something to think about; identifying one’s own personal symbolism could ignite the true heart felt inspiration you’ve been seeking for your art endeavors.

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Genesis

Here is a photograph of a painting I completed in 1993 entitled "Genesis":



Genesis: Beginning - The time or circumstances of something's coming into being.

The post “Innocence Lost” had me digging through photographs of my own baby shower (held a mere 4 days before Caden burst onto the scene, 5 whole weeks before his due date!). I was amused to find this (rather unflattering) snapshot of Life imitating Art (10 years later in 2003):



While I didn’t give birth to the beginning of the world I certainly did bring forth a true force of nature!

If you can’t tell, I was quite ill and uncomfortable in my pregnancy. In all of my years of celebrating and painting the pregnant female form, I never once imagined that pregnancy would be as dreadful an experience as it was for me. How I envy those women who had ideal pregnancies. Sometimes the things that inspire us most, are those we dream of, rather then truly understand. I don’t think I have painted a pregnant woman since experiencing it for myself! And you may note that the Pregnant Women I painted while pregnant were not especially joyous.

Well, perhaps with the exception of my award winning piece entitled “Expectations”:



They say time heals all wounds. Maybe someday I will be re-inspired to celebrate the cycle of life in the symbol of the pregnant female form, but for now, I am more content exploring the concept through botany!

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