Robin's Trek

Dear Friends,

I had the privilege of meeting with a group of Christian writers last evening on zoom. We meet once a month and usually start with a devotional and a prayer. About midway through we were given a 20-minute writing exercise. It was to be a reflection on Matthew 11:28-30.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Here is what I wrote, after I cleaned it up a bit:

Robin’s Trek

Teresa M. Arsenault

Robin skipped through the sun-drenched grass that grew alongside a gravel pathway. She avoided walking on it because its sharp stones cut into her feet.

But as night began to fall, the grass was filled with shadows and rustling sounds that pricked her senses. Only that rough path was illuminated by the moon. She hobbled over the unforgiving surface, hoping to find some refuge for the night.

A bright star and the lunar glow guided her to a deep hollow in a tree trunk, By now she felt sure a predator was stalking her. As she huddled and blinked in the darkness of her shelter, the hot body slinked past. She caught a glimpse of its blazing eyes and flashing claws.

The next morning Robin shivered in the cold and damp. The sun cast only a gloomy mist over the terrors of the night. But as it rose, it began to warm her. She started on her trek again, though she was weary and no longer skipped.

The sun grew warmer still, until it beat upon her head and made her feel dizzy. Her belly was hollow and her throat was parched. She couldn’t remember where she was going or why it was important. What was the point of putting one foot in front of the other and never getting anywhere?

She finally lay down at the base of a tree. Her feet were bleeding so she couldn’t take another step. She would let the predator take her tonight. There was nothing left to live for anyway.

Suddenly she felt herself lifted. A restoring draught filled her mouth and she opened her eyes. At first she started, seeing that she was held in the hands of a giant, but his face was so kind, she relaxed. He blew out a fragrant breath upon her and she felt filled with strength and joy. Then he smiled and spoke,

 “Dear little Robin, did you forget that I gave you wings?”

  

The Sower

 Dear Friends,

 Recently I pondered the parable of the sower (Mark 4) and saw, in my mind's eye, seeds coming off the feet of believers and sprouting wherever they found good soil. I did this watercolour painting to illustrate what I saw.

Blessings,

Teresa

OCC BABY IN A BASSINETTE

As you may have figured out, I am crazy about crocheting things for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

I can't give you the pattern for this one because it's not mine, but you can find it on Ravelry - a great site for avid knitters and crocheters. 

A friend gave me these darling Cupee Dolls. I managed to crochet some clothes for them and then I made this sweet drawstring purse that turns into a bassinette. I made a few more after the first. I love finding a pattern that I will use again and again.

 

Mini Portraits 1-10

Hello Friends,

I've been slowly working away at my mini watercolour portraits. I have 10 so far. The goal is to paint 100 by the year's end. I rather doubt I will make it that far, but I am seeing some improvement.

I've seen a difference since I started using reference photos. I mostly haven't been able to capture good likenesses. That is more difficult than I had imagined. I'm trying to go easy on criticizing my work and, instead, building on what I do like. Each painting is numbered on the back, with notes.

Here are my latest two - #9 & #10:

I used the negative painting technique in #10 to bring out the white hair of the subject. That just means painting around the area with darker colours (background usually) so the white of the paper stands out more.

Here are all 10 mini portraits, which I began in March:

Thanks for stopping by. Have you given yourself a creative challenge this year? Everyone is creative in some way. Perhaps you could challenge yourself to try a new recipe every month or decorate an area in your home or office. Let me know in the comments what your creative challenge is this year.

blessings,

Teresa
 

Resurrection Sunday & My Birthday

 

 

Today is Easter Sunday, or how I like to call it, "Resurrection Sunday". 

I love how some traditions use the phrase, "He is Risen!" and the response, "He is risen indeed!"

This is truly a time of celebration as we remember the triumphant resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

This year I have the privilege of sharing this great day with the celebration of my birthday.

I'm 67 and I published my first novel at 60. I hope that will encourage someone. It is never too late to pursue your dreams. And even if it is, you can find new dreams. Your golden years can truly be golden.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'd also like to invite you to join me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. 

I plan to add more to those channels, but writing stories for you to enjoy will be my first priority.

OCC GIFTS & PATTERN

 As mentioned in other posts, one of my favourite things to do is to crochet gifts to go in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I especially like to make clothes and accessories for dolls. And what little dollie wouldn't love a teddy bear just her size?

These mini bears are about 3-4 inches tall and whip up in minutes. Here is the pattern.

Chenille or blanket yarn
5.5 mm hook
Ch 5
Sc in 2nd ch and each ch across (4sc)
(Should be about 2 in) ch 1, turn
Cont until piece is 6 in, ch 1, turn
Fold in half. Work through both thicknesses throughout.
(Sc, hdc, sc) 1st sc; sl st nx 2; (sc, hdc, sc) last sc.
sl st nx 3; 2 sc, ch 1, turn
Sc on these 2 stitches until piece measures 2 in (1st arm); fold and sl st down side to bottom, ch 1
Work 2 sc on 1st half of bottom (folded) edge; work in sc until piece measures 3 in (1st leg); fold
Work 2nd leg on other half of bottom edge; fold, ch 1
Sl st on other side; stuff; sl st to even with bottom of arm on other side; 2 sc, ch 1, turn; work on
these two as on other arm; fold
Sl st to bottom of ear; fasten off, leaving long end for sewing sides of arms and legs. (Option: sl
st arms and legs as you work, directly after folding)
To finish: Tie ribbon or yarn around neck; draw face in permanent marker

THE LOST SCROLL (Book 4)

 

 

 

Alfreda was the first painting Austrian artist, Jedida, did for me, which is interesting because much of this book was written first in the early 1990s.

THE LOST SCROLL (Book 4, Tales of Ellmoria) was a marrying of my original (unpublished) novel, "Lucretia's Curse" with the first three books in Tales of Ellmoria. 

The ancient woman, Alfreda, is the only remaining witness of a redemption story that was never written down and therefore lost.