Firebirds and Sea Nymphs

Firebird. This is my own painting, so if
you use the pic, please link back.

Oi. The business never stops, apparently. And by business, I mean both business and busy-ness.

I’ve got good news and I’ve got great news. The good news is that I made my first sale from The Shoppe Between The Trees, which I placed lovingly in the mail this afternoon after work :) It was with both delight and a slight tinge of sadness that I packaged up the Sea Nymph Necklace and sent it on its merry way to my first customer.

The great news is that I also completed another painting, now posted on my Etsy page! This painting was inspired by my favorite bit of Slavic mythology, the Firebird, and bears the same name as that gorgeous and ethereal creature. If and when someone purchases this painting, it will also be a bittersweet moment. If you recall a previous entry about my tattoo in which I explain the significance of the Firebird mythologically and personally, you’ll understand why.

While the artsy craftsy side of me has been in full force lately, I’m afraid my music is slipping. I believe I’ve picked up a guitar once or twice in the past year (ironically, it was while deployed), and the only singing I do anymore seems to be in the shower. It never ceases to baffle me how when I increase my involvement in one of my hobbies (or my career, or my running) at least another one of them seems to be temporarily forgotten.

I couldn’t really keep up with my Pagan practice while I was deployed, but there were definitely moments when I remembered how to pray. Still, I’d like to take some time now that I have it—well, more or less—to reconnect with my deities and landbase. Any suggestions? Right now I’m thinking a semi-casual midnight ritual sometime this weekend.