Decisions and Transitions


I left my heart in Scotland - and I cannot wait to return again.  I have made two life changing trips to Scotland in the past five years.  One in July 2013, and one this past Christmas break of 2017 and into the New Year of 2018.  I have been fully certified as a teacher by the General Teaching Council of Scotland, and my certificate qualifies me to teach Secondary Art and Design.  Attaining this certificate was a two year process - and I was more than thrilled when I received my certificate this past November of 2017.  I also received a provisional certificate for teaching Primary - all subjects - if I wish to pursue that.  It has been uppermost in my mind - when do I try to go to Scotland?  When is the best time?  I will be taking two members of my family with me - so it is a decision that affects all of us.  
I really didn't know if I wanted to pursue this project of an art studio and garden in light of leaving it in the somewhat near future, but I have decided and been validated in my belief that this is a very worthy and worthwhile  project for me to complete time and money wise.  
And that the move and all I accomplished in moving to our new duplex has been worth it also.  It helped my mom in her business for me to take on all that I did, and my children and I have very much enjoyed living in the new space and greener environment.  And who knows - it may be a place that we return to in the future.  
It is absolutely necessary in the life of an artist to have beauty and inspiration surrounding them, in whatever way that can be accomplished.  It is also crucial to have a space to create.  This is for my own personal sanity, sustainability, and mental and emotional health while I make my way through life and the responsibilities as a human being, artist, mother and art educator.  So I decided that no matter how long or short a time that  I will be at my current place, it is worth it to pursue and complete this project. I am worth the effort,  and so are my children.  We all need a place to create and a garden to enjoy.  I know that I can complete the project this summer, and it actually can even help me in my process of deciding what is important to keep, store, or give away.  I have been working on my plan to decide what I will take with me when the time comes to depart for Scotland, and what I will leave and store.  I have come up with some very doable solutions for this process, and I come up with more ideas each week that will help with the transition.  The time is getting near - this has been something that I have been thinking about and planning for five years.  If not this year - then next summer for sure will be time for the big transition.  
In the meantime, creating the studio and garden have been very life giving to me.  It has given me something to focus on and enjoy  the current moment I am in, while I try to prepare for my next journey.  

 In Stirling -  this is where I would love to sit and spend some time reflecting.  I am actually going to apply for an art teaching and design position in this area, just to see what happens.  Photo credit:  Unknown
 This is on the Isle of Lewis - one of my favorite places - I love the Highlands and the Islands.  This is my spot and my rock on Dalbeg Beach.  Where I love to "just be".  Photo credit:  Susie Mings
 I have done extensive research on my ancestry and origins.  If I combine both my maternal and paternal sides - I am associated with 14 Scottish Clans all together.  Photo credit:  Unknown source
Photo credit:  Unknown source

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