Anora Sutherland McGaha "LossSongs" at the Joyful Jewel 9-8-15.

"LossSongs"

by Anora Sutherland (McGaha)

Poems on love lost

I'm on my third reading of this exceptionally touching book, LossSongs, by Anora McGaha​ (Anora Sutherland), and I know it won't be my last.The subtitle "poems on love lost" tells part of the story though I think I also saw poems of love found . . . or love cherished . . .  poems of love enduring.  Anora acknowledges the complications and great span of what love encompasses as well as the yearning which is never really fulfilled and settles as loss.  In the preface she tells of an age 14 love "so resonant, it was like living in an additional dimension -- harmonically rich, complex, beguiling."  I recognize this love as that which must not ever be trivialized as puppy love.  And when her family moves and she is far away from this dimension, there is nothing that can take it's place.  In "When the Rain Comes Down" she says "Where does my heart go . . . I wake up in sweat feeling we're not through . . ." and yet the rain still falls.

Knowing Anora as I do, not as well as I want to, I see her clearly in these words "Each and very gem I find I want for you. . . .Eyes alert for reflected light, Scouting mica, quartz and geode, Crow stones for your window sill."  What a privilege to see through Anora's attentive and marveling eyes the beauty around us.  I hope she won't break the habit of wanting to share what she finds and sees to cleanly, though of course some things are meant just for her -- and I want her to have her share and more of this.

A conclusion of sorts: "In the swoon of bliss renewing that depth of love and adoration, we are lost, and want to continue that state forever. But it is like getting stuck, trying to hold onto a moment, when we need to grow, come into our own and know a freedom and power as great as that adoration, but sourced in our connection with our deep inner spiritual selves."  Let that spirit bring comfort along with the growth, assurance of love along with the longing, and words to bring us together in understanding.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Anora-McGaha.html

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Ches Stewart "Iron Bottle Opener" and Donna Cassidy "Crochet Bottle Cozy" at the Joyful Jewel 9-3-15

Traditional Fine Craft at the Joyful Jewel

  

               "Wrought Iron Bottle Opener"                                        "Bottle/Can Cozy"

                           Ches Stewart                                                           Donna Cassidy

                      Hand Forged Iron                                                             Crochet

Very different examples of fine craft these are: Ches Stewart used his blacksmithing skills to design an twisted iron bottle opening while Donna Cassidy, seeing a need to "cover your can" and keep contents cool, designed a crocheted Bottle Cozy.  For your next picnic you will need both of these!

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Ches-Stewart.html
http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Donna-Cassidy.html

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Gerald Dukes "Owl" photograph at the Joyful Jewel 9-2-15

Owl
Gerald O. Dukes
Photograph

There is magic in the night and Gerald Dukes has captured it in a photograph!  No matter how many times I have seen an owl I feel humbled and privileged.  Such piercing eyes and quiet strength she has; strength evident in the whoosh of wind as she lifts into the air in silent flight.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Gerald-Dukes.html

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Emma Skurnick "Snowy Egret with Red Leaves" at the Joyful Jewel 9-1-15

"Snowy Egret with Red Leaves"
Emma Skurnick
Mixed Media Painting

Snowy white and brilliant scarlet, how pretty together in this piece by Emma Skurnick.  Miss Egret reminds us that before too long there will be some red leaves to play among.

Emma specializes in portraits of North Carolina flora and fauna rendererd in watercolor, colored pencil and acrylic. Her hope is that, by highlighting the beauty, humor, and personalities of her subjects, she may cause people to look twice at the modest, wonderful creatures that share space with us.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Emma-Skurnick.html

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