Sabbaticals, Cleaning Out, Chiapas Cat For Sale

For the past month that I have been in North Carolina, I have looked around my house and decided it was time to deconstruct my collection.  This includes all things Oaxaca, Mexico, plus art and artifacts from past lives where I have traveled around the world and wanted to bring home the memories represented by something tangible and beautiful.

You have not heard much from me during this time.  I have focused my energies on editing my collection, selling and cleaning out.  This is in preparation for spending more time in Oaxaca in the coming year, and for my month-long trip to Peru starting in mid-September.  When I retired from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, my foundation board gave me this trip to Peru as a departing gift and thank you for my service to the school.  I was surprised, amazed, and speechless!  Now, I get to plan the adventure.

And, no, I’m not leaving North Carolina and this home I love.  Merely taking an opportunity to downsize, deconstruct, re-evaluate how much I want and need, and taking steps to simplify my life and go lighter.

I’ve been selling most of my collection on ebay and Etsy, and lots is still there.  This includes ceramics figures from the famed Aguilar sisters and alebrijes by Bertha Cruz, and handmade Mexican vintage sterling silver earrings.

Here is a beautiful stuffed Chiapas Cat I’ve had in my collection.  10″ high and 9″ wide. Do you want it?  $24 plus shipping and it’s yours!

Here goes Comandante Ramona on horseback (or is it donkey?) with Subcomandante Marcos across EZLN territory of Chiapas.  A great figure of felted wool, embroidery and wood.  10-1/2″ tall and 8″ wide.  $26 plus shipping.

I subscribe to and regularly read The Improvised Life blog written by Sally Schneider.  This week she posted she was taking a one-week sabbatical and posted a TED talk video in support of this idea.  I’m sharing it here.

For me, this sabbatical is intermittent, unplanned, and I don’t know what I will write or post here or when.  I do know I am doing more reflective and creative writing, writing more poetry, and creating the basics of a memoir that may or may not be published!  I’m taking one day at a time.

How are you doing as you approach summer?

And, have you thought about participating in the February 2014 Women’s Creative Writing and Yoga Retreat?  We are accepting reservations now.