Untitled

Mindfulness

helped me find



Transcendence

which helped me find



Peace

So Long... and much love...

Moving on... thank you... be well... prosper... see ya on eBay and Facebook!

Penultimate Swan Song...

Swan Song?  Maybe that should be Parrot Song...

Things haven't been the same since my darling Rickeybird razed the original Gailtown.
Gail Street (Gailtown Redux) was fun, but... I have been growing disenchanted with the laboriousness and repetitiveness of rebuilding, and the whole thing has just kinda stymied me.
I am liquidating the place, and this blog.  It's not as apocalyptic or unprecedented as it sounds.  I rarely keep any of my paintings, sculptures, or any artworks.  If I can't sell them, I give them away or toss them.  I will be giving the Gail Street structures to various of you: some of you know; some of you are in for a surprise.
I will keep my Galeria Gila art gallery,  and I think that's all.

I'll make one more post showing my gloriously Spartanized dining room table.

Life is a beautiful scramble.  Thank you, my friends.  I'll continue to follow your miniatures blogs, that I promise.
Love:)

Purge, Part Two

A *Purge" of final posts (already prepared) before a final decision was made...

So you're not interested in designing your own?  Maybe you would just like to buy a thought-centering dreamcatcher, big or miniature?

You could buy a finished dreamcatcher, OR you could explore a kit.  Either could be aimed at a spiritually-oriented display such as...
*hanging on your car rearview mirror
*attaching to the zipper-pull on something
*suspending from a household mirror
*using as a hair ornament
*decorating a holiday tree
There are many, many, MANY dreamcatchers (big and miniature) on eBay... modestly priced, eclectically themed, variously sized...

Search (on eBay or Google)...
*dreamcatcher kit
*dollhouse dreamcatcher
*dreamcatcher vintage

See what 'speaks' to you!  Any of these options or uses could serve as a meditation aid.

Let's end with a pledge of respect to the history of dreamcatchers.

Dreamcatchers are everywhere.  Many are done with respect and reverence, with a goal of spiritual exploration.  Many, however, are made and utilized as idle elements of decor or amusement.
This site is a very thoughtful look at the origins and meanings, and other important coniderations.
https://legomenon.com/dreamcatcher-meaning-legend-history-origins.html

Annnnnnnnd... that concludes the dreamcatcher journey, for now.  I wish you some mindful dreamcatching moments.

5/5 - Mindfulness and Dreamcatchers, Part 2 of 5 (Gift Shop)

There's a little display of dreamcatchers for sale in the Roadrunner Gift Shop on dear ol' Gail Street.  I just drew and colored 'em in my Paint App, cut 'em out, glued 'em to the wall.

Outside the original Native American settings, dreamcatchers have been popular gift/novelty items in the Southwest for decades.  In the 1980s, I recall that they found their way into "mainstream"  American culture and commerce.  I have a friend who tells me that he has recently seen them for sale in a London (UK)  gift shop, with little legend cards attached which explain that these are "traditional American Wild West" decor.  Gah.

5/1 - Mindfulness and Dreamcatchers, Part 1 of 5

If a quick definition is helpful for new readers...
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing awareness on the present, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations.  Mindfulness is used as a spiritual and/or therapeutic technique, aimed at enhancing peace and general wellbeing.


Speaking of mindfulness, dreamcatchers... and wineries...
          Well, why NOT speak of them?
          This is a winery in New Jersey.  They have the most wonderful activities.  Here's an example.  I'd love to visit them someday.
https://lauritawinery.com/events/mindful-wineful-meditation-dreamcatcher-crafting/
"This workshop will begin with a guided meditation to encourage participants to release the inner critics that block them from manifesting their true potential.    Native Americans believed long ago in the healing power of intention and manifestation. Research shows that crafting has a lot in common with meditation and can improve problem-solving skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall quality of life. It’s important in the midst of our busy lives to take a moment for reflection and relaxation. Dreamcatchers are, in essence, a symbol of acceptance, mindfulness, and healing.  In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to mindfully awaken your creativity to design & weave your very own dreamcatcher."
          For a bit more formal history of the origin and meaning of dreamcatchers, I like this reference.
http://www.shermanindianmuseum.org/dream-catchers.html
          In lieu of a trip to New Jersey, here's my tiny dreamcatcher on the porch of Gail Street's Galeria Gila Art Gallery.  The dreamcatcher was just drawn with colored pencils on typing paper, cut out, accented with some tiny fibers and glue dots, and mounted.   I didn't try to think about anything in particular, and there is no deliberate symbolism or theme, although that would be a great added element of a mindfulness exercise here.  I just  focused on the tiny gathering of colors and shapes.  I felt very serene, calm, and... mindful...  as I was making it.  I really did.  :)

          Interested in making your own?  Miniature or full-size?  I like ths site...
https://www.gaia.com/article/how-make-traditional-dreamcatcher
          Or you could always just WING THE WHOLE THING.  Gather stuff from around the house... experiment... have fun.   As you work, think on a current issue, or... don't... just work.   See what happens.  Keep, modify, or discard the result... try again, or don't. 
          Be present with the experience, whatever it may be.
         

Gail St. 8 - Liftable Display Roofs

Gail St. 7 - La Fuente Ricardito

Societies love to make sacrifices and erect structures in tribute to the "gods" whose destructive fury they fear. In the tradition of Godzilla, King Kong, and ancient gods and mythical monsters, we now have "La Fuente Ricardito"... The Rickeybird's Fountain, loosely translated...

Gail St. 6 - Hummingbird Hot Air Balloon Co.

Gail St. - 5 - Oil Derrick

The reconstructed and improved oil derrick...

So now we have this front street view.

Back to Step 3?????????? Let's Go!

Back to Step 3... Goals... Re-evaluation.

Re-creating Gailtown?  NOT the goal.  As I said before, recreating is not so much fun as CREATING.

I'm renewing a few of my most cherished structures, but many will remain in the scrapyard (trash bag).
Likely to re-establish on Gail Street ---
Gallery, Chapel, Gift Shop. Gazebo, Bus... and next... Oil Well,  Hot Air Balloon...

Likely to remain in scrapyard ---
Bike Shop
Rock Hall
Arboretum
Bus Stop
Choctaw Chukka
MiniMart
Outhouse
Gailtown Arms
Vehicles  (Truck, Bug, Woodie, Steampunk Flier)
Sky Things  (Saucer, Pegasus, Flying Pig, Angel Pugs)

I'm thinking that maybe Gail Street will focus less on construction, and more on mindfulness issues.  Might be a good thing...

Back to Step 3

As I wrote in Facebook...

The Gazebo is done. Gail Street is up to four buildings now. Rebuilding is a lot faster/easier than creating originals, but... it's just not as much fun.
Thanks for all the support and interest. Gail Street is not going to wind up being another Gailtown, that's for sure.
I'm thinking, I'm thinking...

This puts me back to Step 3 (Goals) in the 'Disaster Recovery'  Plan below.  :)

Gail St. - 4 - Gazebo

Wow, building this second gazebo was a lot faster than building the first!
I was able to salvage some objects, and I had on hand some of the original building materials, plus all the planning and problem-solving was already in my head.

Here it is.

As always, just email for more details or photos.

A Mindfulness- Related Interlude - coping with disaster

Gail St. 3 - Roadrunner Gift Shop

I re-wrote my Profile to embrace the new order.

The Roadrunner Gift Shop was the last of the "easy" repairs (after the Gallery, Chapel and Bus).  I will take on the Gazebo next, and that will practically be a total reconstruction.

If only FEMA had an outreach for miniatures...

By the way, The Rickeybird Pleads Innocence...

Gail St. 2 - Signage

May as well make it official...

Redux - Gail St. 1

Bus, Gallery, Chapel...reduxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

We'll start as GAIL STREET!

A quick overview of construction...