Author: Elaine Rutledge

Professional author/designer/teacher, retired. Committed to the education and edification in the world of needle arts, and art therapy.
Posted in Birds and Botanicals

The Turtle is my Spirit Animal

Posted on by Elaine Rutledge
Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
View all responses

This year I will turn 80. I was in Mama’s womb when she celebrated D-Day on Oceanside Pier. I was a mother when they walked on the Moon. I have learned from experience that getting in a hurry is the biggest mistake I have ever made. Always. When I slow down, think it out, relax, and get some distance, I always find the answer that works best for me.

Posted in People

Losing your mind, to find it.

Posted on by Elaine Rutledge

I haven’t forgotten the commitment to teach. Before teaching, comes learning. In this case, learning to use this site.

To introduce myself, I come from a well-to-do family that was as dysfunctional as it gets. At my age, (79 and retired) I am grateful for the challenges. While some things caused irreparable damage, I am a survivor. I can handle challenges. It isn’t always easy – but I have 3 angels to guide me – having lost 3 daughters throughout my life. My brain is not as sharp as many. That makes it more important for me to consider other people who use fiber arts, and other crafts as ‘therapy.’ Sometimes the goal isn’t ‘easier’ but ‘possible.’

As an update since losing the ability to publish on my free blog: I learned I do not have thyroid cancer after a six-month wait for a biopsy. The new desktop died and needed resuscitation. Having limited internet in the back-of-beyond, it would take an entire month to recover from exhausted data transfers, each time. Did I say, I have PTSD and cannot tolerate stress? Did I tell you that 8 years later, I still cannot read after the death of my youngest daughter? I am doing better, but it is still a struggle, and for relaxation, I listen to books audibly.

Through it all, I told myself that nature and all of life seek balance. Life has been a struggle, which tells me that good things are coming to balance this pain and suffering. And I believe it, even when I don’t believe it.

More to come!