25 Comments

Good to hear from another ageless artist , I am 81 and still in full production. Age enhances our existence in so many ways.

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Robert that is such good news ..and I agree with you . A lot of the extra excess fluff is peeled away -and we become who we were meant to be ! I'm cheered to hear you continue to remain in full production too !

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What a wonderful piece, Heather. Thank you! I'm a writer closing in on 60, and a farmer who does everything by hand and is starting to feel like the latter is not as physically sustainable for me as it once was. The exercise, sunshine and fresh air are great, but the increasingly hot summers are proving increasingly difficult for me to weather (pardon the pun). I really love what you're doing for Palestine! A marvelous small clothing company out of Chicago called "Wear the Peace" (founded by Palestinian refugees) has been donating 100% of their profits to two outfits on the ground and their transparency is remarkable. No big administrative overheads, you can see things going right to the people. One is Human Concern International and the other is the Pious Project. I'm sorry I don't have links, but the wearthepeace folks are very responsive. I'm sure if you contacted them they could tell you how to get in touch. If I can afford it, I'd love to buy one of your pieces!

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Hi Val and thank you for your kind words and a little insight into who you are! I admire you for your dedication to the land and farming despite weather and new physical challenges

I appreciate your funding referrals -I will take a look at the latter two and am familiar with the worthy "Wear the Peace" Cheers H

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Hey Heather, as usual your post was bang on to what a friend and I were discussing over a glass of wine. Being north of 60 a bit, I do feel everything your talking about. I would feel bad to see you leave the area, I understand because of your family commitments. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject.

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Thank you Elaine -and so nice to learn our thoughts run in similar themes ..We are not leaving yet but just leaving it as an option for now ;-)

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I love your writing, Heather. This piece was like a balm to the soul. I am about to embark on a long road trip, to lose myself in the spacious lands around us which are free to sketch. My feelings of being small and pointless/helpless are surprisingly not amplified when I am facing a vast landscape, field, panorama or vista. Maybe like you standing in the cornfield? I don't know but isolating myself and 'sticking out' once in a while, no matter how stark the contrast around me, makes me feel special to be there and the responsibility of using my creative gift kicks in. At least I hope it will. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us out here.

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Helen, I am going to repurpose a phrase "A thousand points of light."

There are millions of points of light in the night sky but they are not pointless. Many seem similar but there are subtle differences.

In the same way you are not pointless.

Be well.

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Thank you so much Helen -and this makes me smile ..Enjoy your long road trip and I wish you many sketching and painting adventures along the way. Having and using your creative gift is indeed a responsibility -albeit a gift that gives back so much too x

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Heather! Approaching 60 and I can’t believe it. I have strengthened my “don’t care what others think” attitude but at times I see myself in the mirror and wonder where the time went. It gets harder and harder to take care of my meat suit, but I do my best. Glad you’re recovering from your tumble. Take care of your meat suit and keep me posted on all your adventures!

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Lorrie..I understand totally your train of thought ..time keeps moving at rapid speed -and we keep evolving as it rolls on ! Sometimes it gives me pause -but for the most part much to be thankful for! Happy to know you immerse yourself in learning and art !

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Hi Heather,

As I age, time moves a lot more quickly, it seems.

I love the idea of the art fundraiser you're planning.

Thanks for posting.

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Diane..I agree.. ! ahh time! It seems we measure it differently as we grow older. I read somewhere that our brains don't need to process as much new information in the same way as in our youth .. Often routines become more established . Which explains why when we travel or immerse ourselves in a new situation -time appears to slow down a little. Nonetheless I agree -it whips by ! I read (and subscribed) to your newsletter and love your art and perspective .

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Thanks so much, Heather. I'm glad you enjoy my posts.

Speaking of time, I got so caught up in a creative project that I missed a weekly online event I always tune into. Ah, time...

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You seem to have things well in hand.

Age 70 is a good time to concentrate some awareness on bodily changes and physical environment.

Be well.

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Thank you so much! I have two years to go Malcolm and at least the awareness is beginning :-)

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My pleasure.

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Heather, thank you for this lovely post!

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You are welcome Leon -and many thanks for reading my post

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I love your beautiful attitude and words, Heather.

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Thank-you Lydia ..and the feeling is mutual! x

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So happy you're coming back from your mishap! My friend and I (in our 70's) say ''whatever you do don't fall, you'll have to answer "yes" to that question on the doctor's intake form "have you fallen recently?" In our younger days we thought "why ask such a silly question".....

Love to see your illustrations, always great fun. They have inspired me to get back to drawing. Thanks for sharing.

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Thank you for your lovely response Sharon..and I will try my best to stay vertical despite my clumsiness gene.

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Thank you Heather for another excellent thoughtful read. I'm 65 and still creating textiles in my studio, sewing, hand stitching/block printing provides me with a sense of "self" that I had lost for many years in a terrible marriage. I now garden, cook more for my family (I live in a lovely in-law-suite with a view of beautiful woods), more outdoor time walking and biking gives me energy and alone time. I look in the mirror and am surprised some mornings to see long silver hair, but essentially I'm still me only better! I love your fund raiser idea and new paintings!

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Nora..I do love your version of living well! It sounds like you have figured out was is truly important in life and take time to explore the bounty life offers.. The long silver hair just adds to the equation !

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