I'm back after an unplanned absence again. Since my return from Artfest I've been avoiding the computer. Part of it is, I'm spending more time making art. I haven't even been staying up on my email. I've also not been visiting other blogs. Besides not having the time, I don't want to be influenced by what others are doing.
The only thing I regret is not coming here. I actually like blogging but I feel like it's the journal I'd keep when I was young. If I skipped a day of writing, it was always harder to go back to it. Pretty soon I'd find months had gone by and there was no hope of getting caught up on all that had happened. Then I'd just not do it unable to face the failure. I've realized that I still do that with my blog. My expectations of myself are ridiculous. I'm going to once again, try to let them go. So here I am, starting fresh.
A few weeks ago I accompanied Tanner's class on the annual camp trip. That's him above on the mondo tree swing. It was the biggest, highest tree swing I've ever seen. There'a a high platform to get on it. It swings out high into the trees, over the cabins. Tanner said it made his legs all wobbly. Fortunately I didn't see him on it the first time he went or my legs might have been wobbly.
Our cabin was the main lodge right at the beach. The location was phenomenal. There was no hope for a decent nights sleep though. There were bonfires, s'mores, playing on the beach, a water balloon catching contest, tug-o-war, the mondo tree swing, fun classes, and relaxing. More relaxing than I'd imagined. And after dark, there was adult time around the bonfire, someone playing guitar and lots of grown-up treats.
I was a reluctant attendee but in the end was grateful I'd gone. It was a special three days with Tanner.
I taught art journaling classes. I'd limited my class to four students each day but for some reason I made 25 extra journals. It was a good thing I did. The kids enjoyed the free access to fun art supplies so much that I kept the materials out during free time and more children stopped by to make their own journal. In the end, I gave out more than 30 journals. Look what those amazing artists did. Some of them couldn't believe they were allowed to do whatever they wanted.
I'll be doing this again next year. I have to thank my friends for contributing supplies. Penelope (who needs to get a blog or at least a flickr account), Lelainia of Tattered Edge, Jonna of Just Jonna, and Dawn of Mother Rubber, all provided supplies for the kids to use. I really appreciate your generosity ladies! The kids loved the materials you sent. Aargh! Typepad won't let me link to their blogs.
I'm headed out for an extended camping trip on the Oregon coast tomorrow morning. I won't leave you without posts for the entire time though. Check back. I hope you have a fabulous first week of summer!
it looks like everyone had a great time. What a wonderful experience for you all. All happy campers.
Posted by: Jonna | Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 09:57 AM