Last week, or I think it was last week, I finally found time to leave my house for--not one--but two occasions and visited with two best friends of mine that I don't see often enough. My friend Terry is a great Pet Portrait Painter and Writer of stories about dogs. She is a lot like me, totally dedicated to her craft but working hard at other things to help support her art. We are always trying to inspire each other in any way we can to work at our art and she was a huge help to me by pet-sitting for my two dogs while I was in the hospital last month. I wanted to thank her for being there for me when I needed help. Getting out for lunch is not the easiest thing for either of us, but we managed somehow to get out in spite of her raging allergies that day.
My other best friend is also an Artist, a Sculptor actually,
and we managed to steal a few hours to go to one of our favorite places in San Diego, Balboa Park, and had lunch at another old favorite spot --El Prado. Time seems to stand still there.There are always incredibly beautiful flowers in
abundance everywhere you look, amazing old Spanish styled buildings, and such a sense of peace and quiet that I wonder at it every time I go there.It affects your mood, and certainly your tastebuds
to have lunch outdoors on a patio where you are in view of beautiful grounds in the fresh air and sunshine. Time seems to slow down a little, and even the dessert-compliments of the waiter- was a work of art.Visiting for just a few hours with another artist, is inspiring to the soul. We connect as friends, and as Artists who inspire each other to keep working and get better at what we do. In this busy life that we are living, it is so easy to lose touch with our friends and share what is happening in our lives. Yes, we can talk on the phone and read blogs all day, watch television, and write letters and emails, but there is nothing like the human contact with another soul that you connect with, spiritually, artistically and as sisters, mothers, grandmothers and friends. None of us is alone in the world. We must remember to nurture our friendships, make the effort to call and set up time to get away from the bus-i-ness of our day even if it IS just for a few hours to stomp around poking into shops and art galleries, or having lunch. It nourishes your creativity and feeds your soul and having laughter and smiles for a few hours is good for your mental, emotional and spiritual health.
So in honor of friendships and poetry month, I am posting this poem for all my phenomenal female friends. This is a poem written by Maya Angelou about herself but I think it is important for all women to remember that they are each phenomenal in their own way no matter what the age.
"Phenomenal Woman"
Pretty woman wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to fit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies.
I say, It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man, The fellows stand or fall down on their knees.
They swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees. I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman, That's me.
Men themselves have wondered What they see in me.
They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say, It's the arch of my back
The sun in my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
I ought to make you proud I say,
It's the click of my heals,
The bend of my hair,
The need for my care.
Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Stay Phenomenal.....
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