Wild Rain...Wild Women

In the rain, under a poetic pillar of pines and the

darkening sky of Wheeler Park, I sketched four new

Wild Women designs...I was a on a roll, not to be

stopped...was this inspired by the real life Wild Women

I met? May be? Women who were either trapped with me

in a dripping tent, while the daily storm passed, or long

time lovers of Flagstaff, up to beat the heat of the valley,

or friendly locals out to support the Art Festival, familiar

and new faces!

It seemed, some "gift" was slipped quietly to me,

in words, in a tale of loss...told with a tearful

glance, an idea that became a passion of purpose that

gave me chills, spontaneous hugs from strangers and

like me, an older than average athlete, making the

"impossible" possible!

Not to mention the friends, brand new and long term,

that I had the pleasure to laugh heartily with in the "hobo"

camping lot, exchanging ideas (gripes and wine or "whine")

about the nature of creativity and selling it! There

was stuffed dog toy, that looked to have been not only run

over by an oil truck but pulled apart and mangled by "love?"

Someone stated this was the state of artists in this economy.

Not so... I say! For my "fur" gleamed gold, my button eyes,

bright (and not missing) SO rich were the meetings and playful

minds of strangers/friends who had something to tell

this week end!

When I noticed a women wearing an Outrigger Rig Run

(my favorite race) t shirt in my booth, friday...I could

barely speak... I know... who cares, right? I do, especially

when I am this far from the ocean, such an uncommon sight!

A paddler from Oceanside, who had all but taken the season

in firsts in Golden Senior Masters. We shared "paddle stories"

in a park in the middle of Arizona and were instant friends

and the ocean was never more present. Thanks Ruthe!

As young girls in grade school and Jr. High...remember how

painful the whole scenario of "being (or not being) best

friends" could be to our fragile hearts? Yuck! Who would

want to go back to that time? I would, if I knew Krista!

The creator and founder of bestfriendsclub.com! She facilitates

groups and activities, teaching young woman how to make

lasting friendships with each other and how to be kind.

The excited passion in her eyes as she spoke of it...moved me.

We knew with certainty there would be a collaboration between

her work and mine. Yaaay... the younger version of Wild Women!

So what is an alter ego? Ever thought of having one?

Or do we all have one and just don't dare tell anyone?

Hmmm? After meeting Dawn aka Daphne, whose friends

didn't want to go away on a "girls trip",so

she went "anyway." Enjoying herself and her time alone!

I applaud that and took time to ponder

the idea of an alter ego...more on that later. Ha! But good

for you Dawn, or is it Daphne? Thanks for the reminder

to be as different as we can be!

There was Julie / Madrone, (which I just love,

a name inspired by the red bark tree of the waters,

she said) she told me of the "women's way" gatherings

of Longdance and the Red Lodge, something I am inspired

to check out! Such treasures of information I am collecting!

We are at" that age", everyone keeps telling me!

The age of...what shall we call it...the reconciliation of

loss...mortality...? In a brief meeting, Meg, told me of losing

her mother and the overwhelming responsibility of settling

the estate in the middle of the emotional wreckage and

what keeps her centered is..."what would mom want?"

She said, she trusts in the "uninvited guests" to guide

her and welcomes them. I thought her

sense of peace was breathtaking!

And last, but not least, dear Laura, who supports me

without fail, dragging many a friend to meet me (whether

they want to or not), even in the middle of a monsoon

downpour (but we had fun chatting away under the roar

of the thunder, huh?) I know you say, I inspire you,

but truly, your gentle spirit and silent wisdom

inspires me to continue to have faith in what I

attempt to do..sometimes blindly! Thank you for your

support and as always good to see you!

With the inclusion of Liz, whose artwork is stunningly

"wild" and her smile huge (was that champagne bubbles

coming out of your ears?) Carla, who makes me want to

blog, blog, blog, (great info) and funny goofy Megan,

who needs to be a stand up comic, (you'd give Ellen a run

for her money, girlfriend!) KimmBerly whose familar face of

twelve years, looks very happy! And Carolyn whose

consistent ongoing friendship makes me want to weep

impulsively in public! (great... thanks)

So these are my Wild Women teachers for

Independence day 2009.

This week end left me wondering... is Flagstaff

where I should be? All these amazing women?

We will see.....

Pam aka Piper Rain