02/03/2026
The essence of spirit and enthusiasm is different for everyone. Personally, I find life sorely lacking without nurturing and observing the whimsy of children discovering magic that adults have forgotten. A butterfly, a sunbeam, a nice rock, a dandelion. You know…the everyday things we adults don't think twice about anymore.
What endures life's merciless clamor better than memories of those who nurtured magic in our own childhoods? What a gift my Papa was to both child and grown-up me, when he carved me a whistle from a twig, took me blackberry picking, pointed at the stars and showed me Jupiter... I think fondly too of the teachers who had passion, my mother who taught me to collaborate and think critically and deeply with empathy. The friends who played make believe, Mr. Rogers, Bob Ross…my grandma who has provided a lifetime of sparkly trinkets and crafts.
Enduring passion is the sum of magic that joy-bringers have bestowed upon us. Magic lasts a lifetime.
My life has felt a little unbalanced the last year or two. Playing catch-up after a strenuous run as a “starving artist” has been laborious and a little soul-draining. Of course, running ragged on empty while doing craft show after craft show was a little unbalanced as well, which is why I stepped back in the first place 🙂 BUT… a life without creating, nurturing, and watching little eyes light up with a magical shimmer hasn't felt quite full. All roads lead to childlike wonder, for me.
I'm not sure where I will take The Fickle Meadow, but somewhere feels better than nowhere for the time being 🥰 Catch me hither and thither as I conjure up a token or two for the tiny tots I have missed very much lately!
For now, I've dragged out my dust-covered storage bins and taken inventory of the lonely little toys that have been sitting in my garage for two years and posted them on my website. If anyone would like to give any of them a home:
www.bramblyhollow.com
That's all for now ❤️ Here's a little digital painting of our house that I did while chasing a little whimsy this winter. We're currently still waiting for the snow to thaw.
How have you been?
