Mutual Riverfront Park by Wendy March 2020

 

Multi-talented Anne performs and sings Selena Gomez's "Kill 'Em with Kindness"

I was at Nancy’s Cinco de Mayo party last May, sitting outside in a circle talking with wonderful, interesting people, when I mentioned that I enjoy singing but can’t play an instrument. As the conversation continued, I realized, if not now, when? 

I had a plan: perform at an Open Mike in 1 year, playing an instrument “adequately” enough to sing along to 3 songs. 

When I left the party I went right to the store and bought a guitar. I made incremental progress. Then in late November, I bought a keyboard. For as long as I can remember, I’d always wanted to play piano. For one reason or another, I’d never done it. I don’t have room for a piano in my house, but it occurred to me that I could fit a keyboard, and maybe even take it along to the Open Mike in May. 

For awhile I was practicing both but have since been focusing on keyboard. 

It’s only been a few months. I took 4 of the chords that I could play on guitar and learned how to play them on the keyboard. I want to get better at them before I add another. 

I’m amazed at how many songs I can play with only 4 chords! 

I’m grateful to Nancy and friends for the advice and encouragement that I received that day, as it has provided me with a project that will sustain me during this time.

Here is one of the 3 songs that I’ve been working on for the May Open Mike that I expect will be postponed for awhile. 

Anne's Singing + Keyboards Video

 Now in UK (moved July 2019).

I live in the unique and very old village of Covelly in Devon.  No cars allowed and a steep cobbled street all the way down to the sea and a harbor, still in use, built over 600 years ago.  Usually there are hundreds of visitors and their dogs.  Dogs always welcome.

Spring is here, has been for a few weeks, which makes it easier to bear these strange times.  I send you a little piece of it.

- Jennifer Gold

When It is Hard, We Cry.

This is my title for the clay piece I just completed, inspired by the brilliant illustrator Olef Hajek. 

I adore his illustrations but this one I was referencing especially spoke to me because it is a raw depiction of that one taboo emotion that we are to keep to ourselves and many times away from ourselves....sadness...and its ultimate physical manifestation of it...crying. Very taboo. But tears are the outlet and if they are not let out, then what do we keep in? And for how long? I give myself and you permission to let it out, if you like. 

Peace and Love. 

Julia Kagan

Desire, by Cheryl Jackson.
"This image was made on an obscure side street on the west side
of Buffalo New York."
3/22/20

"Not till we are lost, in other words, not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations."
- Henry David Thoreau

Sent in by SunHead Luanne

 

My name is Liz and my son's name is Casey.

I am a mandated employee for NY State. I work with individuals with disabilities.

So I have to work during these uncertain times.

My son moved back to Buffalo three weeks ago. He has been working out of town for 3 1/2 years.

 I own a double in Kenmore NY. That is two flats or apartments. I rent out the second floor. So space is limited.

I created this DIY project in my backyard to create more space and to have another option to spend time.

My son was going to the gym everyday sometimes twice a day. Not anymore.

 I wanted something positive for my son to do while being quarantined, which is mandatory right now and the foreseeable future. I wanted him to have something to look forward to each day.

I was in my backyard standing in my garage with the door open. I wanted to be able to utilize this space but stay protected from the elements as well. I started thinking of how I could achieve this without shutting the garage door, which felt isolating. 

I tried making a wooden frame. I was going to cover it in plastic. That was a disaster.

So the next day, while in my shower,  I had a brain storm, a lightbulb moment. 

I was looking at my shower curtain, it's made of white cloth, however the liner is clear plastic.

 So I went to the dollar whatever store and picked up three extra-long clear plastic shower liners and some inexpensive shower hooks.

 I didn't want to spent much money in case it didn't work as planned.

 Well, I couldn't be happier. It worked like a charm. I had to anchor the bottom so the wind would not blow it.  Since this video I am using some sand bags and some of my son's weights to anchor it. 

I plan on keeping it like this until the quarantine rides out. 

We use it everyday now.

After securing the curtain, we put a  rug down. My son set up his gym equipment that had been stored away. We brought some furniture in the garage and set up a lounge area.

Now we can have some space from each other.  We also enjoy a nice fire and Christmas lights.

I think Christmas lights cheer up any space. Get them out of the box in the basement and cheer up any room, inside or out.

Funny side note. My dog walker stopped by.  She thought I had set up some sort of medical quarantine zone. we had a good laugh. She said on her next walk she would go in the backyard and take a look.

Well, that's my DIY.  Stay safe and make something better today.

Socially isolating at Three Sisters Island. A common goose with a not so common backdrop.
Image by Wendy.
3/21/20

There was a puddle
I walked around it that night
Big mistake that was

It is still there now
I see it every day
Now I plunge right through

- Cheryl Jackson
3/20/20

The Wish

I brought you this gift in innocence

Speaking soft in the tongue of birds

That know the sky

Was created for them to fly in;

I left my present

At the altar of Joy

Waiting for brilliant angels

To deliver it above;

The Sun, and the light inside

Guide the delivery,

My only wish is

Peace for all beings, and

For Love to reign supreme!

Brian Mucha Oct. 1997.

Welcome to SunStoriesNow.
This page is meant as a positive place to hover in front of your screen to see some collected, artful words, images, and other creative projects made by a community of family, neighbors, and friends as we grapple with the uncertainty of now.

I'm a lifelong photographer, writer, and maker of graphite drawings and I believe that everyone is creative. 

This site is meant for You to share your creative projects, thoughts, and art with us all as well. Don't keep that creativity under a proverbial bushel basket. Collaborators – fellow writers who I respect very much and who I've know for a long time – are Celia White, and R.D. Pohl. I'll let them introduce themselves.

The image above is from a gig I had out on a dairy farm. I love cows so much, their sweet and curious natures, and their big eyes. It was, as You can see, a very sunny day and the clouds were so perfect behind the cows on this big, green grazing hill. One thing I have to say is I was playing it so cool on the gig but I was completely amazed at how much the cows just busted loose and pooped: frequent cow flops were happening. I'm known for my burro adoration, but wanted to share this image of a more universal beast.

Enjoy this page.
Love,
NJP