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January 07, 2010 7:37 AM- untitled


photo taken January 6, 2010

Seven days since I last posted. Did you see that Rome got built?
Oh wait, that's not right-- Rome was built in a day.

Of course, those Roman engineers had it easy. Don't think for a minute that they had to deal with no internet for five days or a project manager who thinks they could get the colloseum wrapped up in a short afternoon. Please-- they don't even know how good they had it.

For those of you who have not a clue what I am talking about-- I launched a new website on Tuesday replete with an expanded program for SAW. It was big and I am tired. Add to that another website launch I have coming up next week--- I project managed the redesign and rebuild of the RDC site--- I think it's safe to say somebody around here has been seriously neglecting her drowsy fabulist duties.

But after I get this brief hello and HAPPY NEW YEAR off to you all, I am shutting down the computer, turning off the phone and doing a face plant into the first pillow I see.

Meantime, I wanted to share these sunrise photos with you from yesterday. Funny enough, the sunrise this morning was even MORE red and more spectacular but the effort to reach for my camera was simply beyond me, so you'll just have to settle for this.

On Tuesday, after the site was launched, I took the dogs and headed over to hike Rattlesnake mountain. This is a change for us and I rarely go there as it is very popular and often crowded. But seeing as it was 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon in January, I thought my chances of having it to ourselves was pretty good. And, I wanted to give the dogs a new route as we have definitely been traveling the same paths these past three months and we were all ready for a change of venue. Plus, Rattlesnake is an easey-peasey climb-- four year olds can do it-- and that was about all I was capable of.

And so, that was my motivation--- but oddly enough, when we got to the top there was this big sign (perhaps it has always been there and I never noticed it before, or it was new-- either way, I truly had never been aware of it before) explaining that this mountain preservation was a gift from RDC in honor of the women who founded the camps. Now, anyone who has come to Squam knows how deeply I feel the presence of these two women in my life. So, it kind of hit me right in the heart. Here I was having my moment after a long, sustained effort-- and with no conscious intention-- I ended up having my personal, celebratory moment in the presence of the two spirit angels who founded RDC.

Life, you so rock me.

And then this morning, as I was quickly crusing through facebook, answering emails there-- I saw Lizzie's post about the suicide of this poet. I admit, I have never read a poem by Rachel Wetzsteon, but I know the pain of believing life would be a whole lot easier if I were dead. And, it is weird because last night I dreamt about Anne Sexton and between those two events I just feel more clearly than ever why I do what I do.

There was a time when I thought it was kind of extravagant to spend money on four days to play, make art, make new friends and enrich existing relationships. I don't believe that anymore. Not at all. I have seen, first-hand, that those four days can transform your entire outlook on life and your place in it. I have seen that those four days can feed the other 361.

Beautiful poets should not be killing themselves.

Creative spirits should be connected one to the other, providing support and love and laughter as we make it through the dark, painful, experiences that life can slam us with.

Sorry-- I didn't mean to end up on a downer here. Let me see if I can regroup.

Oh hell, I am too tired and my brain is too fried to even clarify my thoughts. I guess I want to say that it breaks my heart that Rachel Wetzsteon, whom I've never met, whom I've never read-- was in such agony that she felt she had no option but to kill herself. It breaks my heart. And I want to believe that we can ease that collective pain by joining together-- by being together-- and supporting each other as we express ourselves and our experiences through our art and our writing. And that belief might mean I am crazy.

But I believe it with my entire crazy-ass body, in every slack-ass cell in my being, that art saves lives.

Bisous, E

got 2 cents?



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Ramona says:
I can personally attest to the truth of this. As I've said to you privately, Squam helped save my life last summer. I was on a precipice, just starting to come out of a horrible year filled with illness, artistic stagnation, and severe clinical depression. Attending Squam and absorbing some of the magic you facilitated and the warmth you personally radiate into this world were a tremendous boost to my healing at exactly a time when things could have gone either way.
posted on: January 07

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Megsie says:
Elizabeth~ I spent a good chunk of time yesterday reading EVERY class description. You have really outdone yourself, it is AMAZING. If I had the $$$ I would be booking the plane tickets RIGHT NOW. But, alas, I can only join you in spirit. You have wow-ed me once again. Hope you have a restful day, you totally deserve it! Sending you hugs...xoxo
posted on: January 07

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stef says:
amen elizabeth - this was beautiful and you are beautiful and what you are doing...is saving lives! xoxo
posted on: January 07

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Swirly says:
I love you.
posted on: January 07

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jenica says:
YES. no downer here, the reality is that those 4 days a year do ignite, inspire, and buoy me through the rest of the year. what you're doing is bringing peace to the world, one woman (and man, but mostly women!) at a time.
posted on: January 07

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doorways traveler says:
moved. touched. found. vulnerable. and totally seen. you ARE saving lives...perfectly placed in the divine, chaotic order of things. thank you. thank you for paying attention. deep love, lisa
posted on: January 07

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Jecca says:
I was talking about you and quoting your Art Saves Lives bumper sticker the other weekend b/c the exhibit of carabinieri-rescued artwork pulled me out of a deep pit of despair. It's all true. Four days at Squam, a big dose of renaissance madonnas, hands reaching out to save us, help us save ourselves.
posted on: January 07

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Jazz says:
One day I WILL participate in those four days.
posted on: January 07

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lizardek says:
In fact, one doesn't even need to have participated bodily in SAW to feel the magic. YOU are the magic in all of us :) (HSM reference! AAAAAH!)
posted on: January 07

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melissa says:
YES! You are a catalyst for such goodness. I can't wait for 4 days of SAW in Sept and then again in October and just soak it all in.
posted on: January 07

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hele says:
yes it does. sometimes just knowing it is out there makes meaning smile
posted on: January 07

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Tracey says:
Bravo, darling. Get some rest! You well deserve it.
posted on: January 07

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Lauren says:
I all but fell off my chair when I saw five (five!) SAW programs. My but you are fabulous. (FIVE!)
posted on: January 07

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Sierra says:
This is so beautiful. I've eagerly read all of the wonderful accounts of SAW and am determined to make it out this year. On another (very belated) note, I am so glad that you're blogging again. Your blog was the first I ever stumbled upon and one of the main reasons I started blogging. It just wasn't the same without you!
posted on: January 07

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Amy says:
I am transfixed by your words today and deeply moved by your grief for the artist among us you never had the chance to meet. I, too, am saddened by a loss that maybe, just maybe, could have been prevented with the incredible, electrical connection so many of us have felt at Squam Lake. I believe Jecca's words whole-heartedly--hands reaching out to save us, help us save ourselves. I, too, have been saved there. You are so far from crazy, woman. xo
posted on: January 07

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leonie wise says:
those beautiful four days definitely changed my life. that i know for. sure. great work on the new site and the new classes all sound a.ma.zing. i am trying to figure out how i can find the money to come back again this year (and the next, and the next, and the one after that). xxx
posted on: January 07

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doorways traveler says:
moved. touched. found. vulnerable. and totally seen. you ARE saving lives...perfectly placed in the divine, chaotic order of things. thank you. thank you for paying attention. deep love, lisa
posted on: January 07

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Thea says:
So amazed at the gorgeous website, and the offerings, holy cow woman you nailed every possible aspect. Fabulous-utterly fabulous! The photos of the sunset are gorgeous-the colors -so luscious. Your hike experience gave me tingles. Art does save lives my darling. And attending Squam art workshops the past two years, has added innumerable benefits to all aspects of my life. Love you T
posted on: January 07

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judy wise says:
goosebumps here. I believe that by finding each other we find ourselves. Loved, included, seen, heard, valued. And that makes life worth the effort. You are doing a marvelous thing Elizabeth. Good on you.
posted on: January 07

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Michelle Shopped says:
judy's comment prompted me to share a journal entry from last night: in the end, it's not really about connecting with old friends but rather reconnecting with a piece of myself...
posted on: January 08

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michelle - blissful*thinking says:
you have given our tribe safe haven at squam...a place where we ~ the spirited, the sensitive ~ feel safe, seen, honored, celebrated, included, and loved. a gentle place to fall completely apart and put ourselves back together - sometimes in the space of a heartbeat or a single word or the touch of (many) a warm, kind hand. an embowering place to expand beyond our edges...lovelovelove*m
posted on: January 08

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Chris says:
Elizabeth, you're back!! I know, you've been back since November, where the hell have I been? Under a rock, apparently, because I just discovered this morning that you are back! I am catching up on your musings as we speak, but I just wanted to say I am so, so happy you're posting again. It made my day!
posted on: January 08

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Andra says:
Hey...I thought you stopped this blog. Now i have to go and read what i missed! Happy New Year my friend! Smiles your way, Andra
posted on: January 08

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jen gray says:
love you girl....
posted on: January 09

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Steph says:
I don't think I could express anything better than the kindred spirits who commented here before me. Squam turned my life into a direction I never could have imagined, renewing my connection to my childhood creative self and creating the oh so wonderful connections with women that help sustain me every. day. Thank you Elizabeth for your work, your compassion and your vision. You are making a difference in our lives. Now go get some sleep. :)
posted on: January 09

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Lois Reynolds Mead says:
During all the years I spent teaching intermediate school art, I kept a rubber stamp on my desk that said "art saves lives". I did not use it that often as a stamp but I kept it there more to remind myself why I was spending my time doing lesson plans and too busy to do my own art. It was true in my life, and I hope I somehow imparted it to my students and they will remember the beauty of creating when they need it. This is so moving.
posted on: January 09

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Bridgemor says:
As an art therapist I can wholly attest to art saving lives!
posted on: January 09

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Sam says:
What you've created with SAW is so amazing and beautiful...I love the commenter that said you are giving this crazy Internet tribe a safe haven. I keep reading the class listings with excitement and trepidation. All I know is that I will be there - I am making the way, and the big Creator is giving me signs that I come from a place of abundance indeed! But the best of all will be a hug from YOU! So sad to read about the poet. Being a poet, I think, is lonely work, most of the time.
posted on: January 09

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Sam says:
What you've created with SAW is so amazing and beautiful...I love the commenter that said you are giving this crazy Internet tribe a safe haven. I keep reading the class listings with excitement and trepidation. All I know is that I will be there - I am making the way, and the big Creator is giving me signs that I come from a place of abundance indeed! But the best of all will be a hug from YOU! So sad to read about the poet. Being a poet, I think, is lonely work, most of the time.
posted on: January 09

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Susan says:
Last year I couldn't believe that someone could actually create something I have longed for for such a long time, and that it would turn out to be even better than I expected. I just can't wait for this June! Elizabeth, you are amazing.
posted on: January 10

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Amy says:
Art does save lives. so does kindness. and acceptance. and promise. and love. and adventure. and motivation. and spirit. and growth. You have brought all of these things, plus so much more, to all of us at SAW. I can't even begin to describe what SAW has done for me. It's a wonderful, beautiful gift. And you, lovely lady, are the hands that create it lovingly, wrapped it up beautifully, and handed it to those who needed it. Thank you. xxox
posted on: January 12

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sunshine and happiness says:
i have not been able to say enough about my experience last june and all of the amazing, encouraging, nurturing, funny and beautiful women that i met last year. thank you for your grace and energy...you make us all feel the power to express ourselves.
posted on: January 12

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sunshine and happiness says:
love the cha-ching!
posted on: January 12

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