the Emancipation of Gypsy Heart

Well, after a long week of stress, hard work and worry, Gypsy Heart has finally freed herself from a life the conventions of society. Today is day two and I am finally starting to breathe again. February 1st wasn't the day we all expected, Rebecca had double booked herself a house full of people, giving us no where to escape to and adjust to life in the RV.

As the fates would have it, it was the perfect time for Lisa and Dave to step back into my life. A lil' history for those of you who don't know our history... It dawned on me yesterday, after finding out their son , Garrison, was now 13. The reality of it is that I have know Lisa, Dave and G, since the little man was 9 months old. Amazing how time flies even when you look into the eyes of a child. We all met while I was the GM of Shrimp Louies, a restaurant in a marina where they lived aboard their boat "Little Clipper". From that day on, never had I had a better friends. 

We traveled to Key West to live together, then, to St Augustine. Many laughs were had last night as we reminisced about the "shenanigans" Lisa and I pulled every time Dave turned his back...the first was the clandestine trip to Key West. No sooner did Dave leave on a business trip and Lisa and I were in my car conspiring on a way to move to Key West...and that we did. 3 years in Key West, then Dave's need to move for work purposes, with the question posed..."Wanna move with us to St Augustine?"...and that we did. The 8 years in St Augustine had life getting in the way of us being as close as the "old days". But as fate would have it here we sit together on the start of our new journey and chapter in life. Close friends never die, they just float in and out of you life like angels. No matter how much time passes, questions never asked, the past looked without indifference.

So last night, I had Dave break out his pride and joy Banjo...picking and grinning...he got Kevin hooked. Broken thumb and all, trying to pick up the basics from Dave, he did so well! I'm feeling a banjo in Gypsy Hearts future. Then the duet became a trio as I picked up the washtub bass. I had so much fun keeping rythym with the guys...and they said I did an awesome job! I could see myself playing one of those stand up basses...but I digress... Our sound was this funky bluegrass jazz hybrid. I think the jazz was my fault...LOL...laughing, smoking and making music into the night was the best first night for the emancipation of my Gypsy Heart.

I believe its all a good omen...that fate will always intervene when we need direction and great friends will always be there to pick us up when we fall. 

There are no good-byes in Gypsy Hearts vocabulary...only words like, "see you later"... for my Gypsy Heart is learning that there will always be someone there to say...

"Trouble me, disturb me with all your cares and you worries. Trouble me on the days when you feel spent. Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden when my back is sturdy and strong? Speak to me and let our words build a shelter from the storm. Lastly, let me know what I can mend. There's more, honestly, than my sweet friend, you can see. Trust is what I'm offering if you trouble me." ~10,000 Maniacs

...and that I will be there to do the same....

            

As My Gypsy Heartbreaks...

Today I went out to Salon Vogue to "close up shop". Its a hour an a half drive through the country to Gainesville. I barely got across the 206 bridge and my mind started wandering. Looking out over the water and thinking of the Overseas Highway to the Keys. Then, my thoughts switched to where I was going and what I was doing. Sadness overwhelmed me at the thought of leaving. With tears running out of my eyes I thought of all the great friends and connections I have made here in the past 17 months. Its hard to leave a place where people truly love you and need you. Its hard to say good bye to people you look at like family.


Funny thing is, in September 2008 I left St Augustine without the sadness I feel today. Coming back I found myself surrounded by a whole different group of people....amazing, caring, loving people...People I will try to leave a little piece of myself with...a reminder of what they mean to me...something that when they look at it they think of me....


Today I left a painting in Kim's Salon...I hope shes happy when she discovers the little piece of my Gypsy Heart hanging on her wall.

Empowerment

I thought Marianne Williamson's quote is worth sharing:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We as ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of the Goddess. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you.
We were born to manifest the glory of the Goddess that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
As we let our light Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

How it all Began....

This blog started it all... http://sherri-infinityartworks.blogspot.com/ ...the adventure of selling my art on the street and the expression of writing about it. Its amazing how simple musings can change your world. Part of a recent blogging epiphany came in the form of these words:

Gypsy Heart

When I was a little girl growing up, I had a lot of nic-names... the one I remember most is my Mom and Grandmother calling me a gypsy.  The other day I thought about this name and decided to look it up...
The word 'Gypsy' derives from Egyptian. It emerged in Europe, in the 15th century, after their migration into the land of the Romani people (or Roma) in that continent. They received this name because they fitted the European image of dark-skinned Egyptians skilled in witchcraft.When they first arrived at numerous places in Europe they claimed to be from Egypt, and required to travel for seven years as penance for abandonment or renunciation of one's religion. As the time elapsed, the notion of Gypsy evolved including other stereotypes, like nomad ism and exoticism.  Gypsy's are described as inclined to a nomadic, unconventional way of life. John Matthews in The World Atlas of Divination refer to gypsies as "Wise Women."

Anyone who really knows me, might actually know that this is a pretty accurate description of fundamentally of who I am.... 

Funny, Mom was right about this one...Or was it that they planted this seed, in calling me a gypsy, that grew inside of me and into who I am today? 

From those words, a new mindset was born. A switch to the true self, reborn. Everything is changing because of those words...the way choose to express myself and my art, the nomadic lifestyle I am about to embark upon...my Gypsy Heart set free. Free to roam and experience people and life in a whole new way...creating from a whole new perspective.

For now melancholy is what I feel most of the time, as I think back to all the life I lived here, friends made and friends lost, the search for my true voice as an artist, lazy days in the sun, selling my art in public forum for the first time...

7 years is a long time and now I am selling off all that I've accumulated in this life here in St Augustine. The "things" so many if us hold onto...things that make you feel comfortable, important, hip and cool...It is a changing of how I see myself and, in turn, how life and everything in it sees me. Stripped away will be the material...nothing but the truest self to be seen. The true beauty within, instead of the beautiful things I had around me. So, yes, melancholy I am.

The excitement and intrigue of life "on the road". Traveling to places I've both been and never been...and all the people, places and experiences they will bring...Introducing myself and Gypsy Heart Designs to a new world. Uncertainty and anxiety intermingle with the melancholy as I embark on this new adventure we call life...and as I sit here writing these words. Here's hoping my Gypsy Heart doesn't get broken along the way...for that is my greatest fear...the harsh realities and pain that life can bring...but until that day comes, my Gypsy Heart is struggling a bit to be set free...on the never ending search for true happiness.

Today is the Day!

Today I set up my boutique space in The Salon Vouge and Its my first set up at the The Union Street Farmars Market !!!   Its a big day for me as I am excited, nervous and anxious about the day. But according to todays horoscopes all should go well!

This New Moon will be excellent for all Virgos who are telecommuters or otherwise work at home: big profits are possible thanks to the position of Venus.

Career: Your hard work is paying off, someone at work has noticed your effort and you will be rewarded today. 

Wealth: A promotion or large sum of money may be coming into your possession soon! 

 Lets hope the fates are right!!

Pending Approval

I just emailed an application to be a part of the Union Street Farmers Market in Downtown Gainesville. I e-mailed it even though I was suppose to MAIL it...my bad (lol)....but want to get in ASAP before Christmas!!! 

Keep your fingers crossed!

Oh, and the manager of said market was at the Old City Farmers Market this weekend. He comes one a month and sells honey. I had every intention of speaking with him, but I guess the rain got to me...I was trying my hardest to make any sale I could. All things considered it wasn't bad ...except I forgot to go talk to Charlie (that's his name.

C'est la vie!

Rains are threatening!

Well, it looks like I MIGHT be rained out tomorrow at the Old City Farmers Market... :(

80% chance of rain till 9am...then it drops to 35%...it take at least an hour to set up...and the market closes at 12:30...

The rain can be a real bummer.

Here's hoping the weather forecasters are wrong...it wont be a first, after all!

::fingers crossed::