Victorian Viv

My Loft.... and Friday!

The Mary Tyler Moore Show had a huge effect on me growing up. I couldn't wait to get an apartment. My first loft was in Richmond, Virginia. I LOVED it! I was a full time performer and while I was mostly out of my loft, traveling from show to show, I enjoyed coming home. My loft had big floor to ceiling windows and a great view of the city. I even had my initials on the wall like Mary. Great fun that was.

Ahhh! Is there anything as sweet as the sound of Friday? Today, the word Friday means, a time to relax and regroup. This week has been a very busy one and much has been accomplished. I think we all need time to charge our batteries. That is what I will do. I call it "downtime" and the living is easy. Find what makes you feel relaxed and do that, and only that.

My dear friend told me about "downtime" when I was in college. Loosely defined, "downtime" is a certain time of day when you just don't think about anything. This did not come easy for initially but soon I began to get the hang of it and it has proven to be very helpful.

During college I would find my "downtime" and afterwards, I would get back to work. As, an adult my "downtime" has grown to longer periods, largely because I there is more I am responsible for now. I don't feel guilty about taking my time because I know the positive results it brings about. Try it for yourself. Maybe it will work for you too.

Important to note that you set your "downtime" and during that time you are not to be disturbed AT ALL. It is then up to you to think of nothing. So, go do nothing and....

Enjoy Life!

The Bears... Oh my

What an interesting day I had today. I taught my students how to sew. Many of them never had the opportunity to sew before. They learned how to cut out a pattern, 5 different hand stitches and how to sew on the sewing machine. It has been a wonderful and fun time.

I picked out a very simple pattern. There were only four pieces involved and they took it from there. I loved seeing their faces when they learned something new and realized they could do it! It was great!

We hope to donate many of the bears to the local hospital for the children. I think the little bears might make them smile. I hope so.

When I went to purchase the pattern, materials and notions, I really couldn't afford such an expense. Now, I find I couldn't afford not to do such a thing. I'm glad and I know sixty young people who are too.

Enjoy Life!

St. Catherine of Siena

I went to mass tonight. The priest spoke of St. Catherine of Siena. I attended St. Catherine of Siena School as a child. When I was going to school you went to one school from kindergarten through eighth grade. You graduated and went to high school. You graduated and went to college. From there things were optional. You could go to work or continue on with your education.

My days at St. Catherine of Siena were wonderful. Even though I wore a uniform from head to toe from kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I still had a great time in school. I loved the people I went to school with and the stern nuns. They were never nasty or mean, just very stern. I am glad today for their attention to detail and discipline. Do you think we need more of that today? I'll leave that alone for now.

Second Life has several Catholic churches. Here is one I visited tonight. St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church. I enjoyed myself and it was a wonderful place to meditate. It too has rules, so don't go there unless you plan to adhere to the rules and be respectful.

I hope you go and continue to....

Enjoy Life!

St. Catherine of Siena

Doctor of the Church
Feastday: April 29

Patron Fire prevention1347 - 1380
St. Catherine of Siena

Doctor of the Church

The 25th child of a wool dyer in northern Italy, St. Catherine started having mystical experiences when she was only 6, seeing guardian angels as clearly as the people they protected. She became a Dominican tertiary when she was 16, and continued to have visions of Christ, Mary, and the saints. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education. She persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377, and when she died she was endeavoring to heal the Great Western Schism. In 1375 Our Lord give her the Stigmata, which was visible only after her death. Her spiritual director was Blessed Raymond of Capua. St, Catherine's letters, and a treatise called "a dialogue" are considered among the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church. She died when she was only 33, and her body was found incorrupt in 1430.

Back Cover of The Adventures of Viv Writer

Well, here are two ideas for the back cover. I got a million ideas. It's fun creating! Real life calls so I'll have to put my ideas on hold for a bit. Thank you so much for the feedback. I will continue to add more ideas and you continue to email me. It is appreciated! vivwriter@gmail.com

Enjoy Life!

Thanks for the love

Thanks for all the emails! I'll never get to all of you individually right away so I thought I would thank you on my blog.
I am feeling much better since the car accident. No, I was not driving at the time. My husband was driving and he feels awful about it too. We are all fine now. Your emails were very kind and made me feel good. Again thanks and much love to you all.

Love,
Viv

Prairie Dogs

I went for a walk today in Second Life on the sim of Julia Hathor. It is always a treat to go there. She is really talented beyond words.... really. Anyway, I saw the most adorable prairie dogs. I couldn't believe how cute they were. They were animated too. How cute is that?

It reminded me of a family trip we took a few years back. My husband, daughter, her friend, and I traveled west to Mount Rushmore or as my daughter says, "The four big heads".

We stopped along the way and had a lovely time. We actually saw the prairie dogs and Julia has done a fabulous job capturing them in her artwork.

You have done a GREAT job Julia. Second to none in Second Life.

Creative Fantasy Home & Garden , Serenity Falls (48, 43, 21)

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Serenity Falls/75/42/23/?title=Serenity Falls

Enjoy Life!

Go Tamara!

I was glad to hear Tamra sing in Second Life this past weekend. What a wonderful voice. She is a Broadway performer and is currently working on a new show but took time stream in a show for us. She was in great voice and everyone of us had a great time.
She sang songs from her album and I loved everyone of them. There was one song that was so beautiful that it made us all weep. It was called, "Always and Only You".
If you would like to listen to it here is the web address: http://www.tamrahayden.com/main.shtml
Thanks Tamara!

Front Cover of my new book

The pictures above are not meant to be the cover of my new book but I just wanted you to see this fabulous place I found. Isn't it lovely? The whole sim is great and the prices are incredible. The designer is Koshari Mahana. I hope you go. You will enjoy it:)

Four Winds, + Four Winds + Victorian Houses and Medieval Buildings, Calraige (85, 55, 24)

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Calraige/84/59/23/?title=Calraige

I am in the process of creating the front and back cover of my new book. The two above are meant to be for the front cover. I will post some ideas for my back cover later. I'm still working on those. I would love to know what you think. Email me at: vivwriter@gmail.com
I love creating!

Enjoy Life!

I love it!!

Today I spent quality time with my daughter. At this age she likes to hear stories about what she was like when she was a baby. She wants to know the funny things she did and said. Lucky for me, when she was born I kept a daily journal. I was very meticulous about it for several reasons but I'm glad I did start one. I can remember those days like it was yesterday and now we both can look back and laugh. I have a daughter who is very much like her mommy and daddy. She too....

Enjoys Life!

Thank you for being a Friend!

Oh my, what a sad day. I never knew the actress, Bea Authur but I know her work and we share the same birthday, May 13th. Her body of work speaks for itself and the huge number of awards just puts the exclamation point at the end of the sentence that says she was one of the best.
I have seen much of her work but the sitcom Golden Girls is my favorite television sitcom. The writing was wonderful but the acting ensemble made that collaborative effort one of my all time favorites.
Bea Arthur characters were well played (Dorothy and Maude) and they were people you wouldn't mind being friends with in real life. She was a wonderful actress and I am glad her body of work remains here for us.
Bea Authur.... Thank you for being a friend.

Sweet Dreams

It is almost time for bed and my mind is racing with a million things. I have been struck by the imagination bug. I love when this happens. I have so many ideas. It all begins with, "What if....?"
I do dream work on some ideas and in the morning I see my vision even clearer. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to exercise my imagination.
As a child I was allowed to dream and when I told them my dreams they didn't look at me like I was crazy. They allowed me my time to dream. As an adult I allow my daughter the same opportunity to dream. Who knows? Maybe they will come true for her.

Enjoy Life!

An Accident

We were in a car accident today. It was very very scary. I am still alive but I will need to take it easy for the next few days. Even with all of that I am very grateful to be able to function. It didn't have to end that way but it did. God is good..... all the time.

Enjoy Life

Love Is.....

"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
--Paul in I Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law."
--Paul in Romans 13:10

May you find what love is and enjoy it.

Enjoy Life!

Give Voice

I am reminded again and again why I enjoy the online game, Second Life. The creative freedom I am given and allowed is reason enough but my work, however you want to judge it, is the voice of my feelings. We all need an outlet. I am blessed to have several but right now I enjoy Second Life because it allows me to express and stretch. Where else could I be 8 again.? Hell, I don't remember being 8 the first time.

Anyway, I love bringing my thoughts and ideas to the table and sharing with other artists. This online game is full of voices expressing themselves. I am happy to be among the ranks.

I was very pleased for Susan Boyle and I hope her voice continues to touch others. She has a great deal to share and I hope she is afforded the opportunity to do so.

Enjoy Life!

I See The Signs

Well, I am a bit distracted at the moment with loads of other projects but I will get back to The Adventures of Viv Writer. In fact, today I worked on the sign I want to hang on the building. It is so difficult to work on just one project at a time. I really do like juggling several different things. I know I must get back to Nana's Noshes because I have the story ready to go. I just need to get it down on paper. It's up in the air now but in just a minute it will be completed. Then there is the matter of Episode Three..... hmmmm. Truly, that is another story.

Enjoy Life!

Abroad

This is a lovely public domain book I found. I have had a great time making it available for the readers in Second Life. It is a lovely tale no matter how old you are. It is wonderful also if you are looking at historical content in images. It really is a wonderful read and the images are priceless. Makes me want to pack a bag. Actually I don't need any excuse to pack a bag and get away.

Enjoy Life!

Happy Easter!

I had a happy Easter! It was a beautiful day and I hope your day was beautiful too. This season brings new meaning for me each year it comes around. It's amazing how the years create more wisdom. The more I learn, the more realize, the more I have the learn.
Eggs are just one symbol of the season. I wish I could have seen more rocks. You may not get that but maybe someone will. It's all about the rock.

Enjoy Life!

Just Playing....again

I had a great day. I spent a great deal of it sleeping but I did have time to have fun! I added a trowel to my gardening animation. That was fun. I played around with creating several scenes and taking pictures too. I really do enjoy the process of creating a picture book.

I love cookies

Personalized Shopping Bags

I still have not finished exploring the many uses for personalized bags. I think this is a good vehicle to give my short stories, The Adventures of Viv Writer. When you visit the online game, Second Life, visit my shop and get your copies of my short stories for free. I'll see ya there.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Book Island/194/88/37/?title=Book Island

I love these little shopping bags. I have had such fun personalizing them. I have made them gift bags for friends. They seem to like them too.

Enjoy Life!

What is Second Life?

Open publication - Free publishing - More virtualworld

A Few Hours Away...

Today was a good day. I went to another animation class in the online game Second Life. I learned some more great things. Thanks to those talented teachers.

I began doing more animations. I created a few baby doll animations. I hope to use them when doing the graphics for the children's book I am writing.

Oh, I made an awesome friend today. Most people I meet are great and my new friend is talented, funny and very generous. Cheers to you!

After being behind the computer, I decided I wanted some time out by the water. It calms me and soothes the spirit. So we loaded up the family and headed out. We always have a great time as a family. I took some pics and hope you enjoy. May I suggest you too go out and....

Enjoy Life!

AKA

Greetings to all my sorors. I've had a wonderful day and I hope you have too.

In the Peaceful Gardens

I love it here! Thanks for such a wonderful place to go and reflect.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Serenity Falls/88/66/22/?title=Serenity

My Dollhouse

It was another productive day in Second Life. I created a wonderful animation for the dollhouse. The doll house comes with a beautiful animation but I decided I wanted to create one as well. It was fun.

Enjoy Life!

Lights Out

I can't tell you how relaxing it is for me to sit and create. Even though I don't always like what I create, the process itself is great. Today, I began work on an animation for turning off a light. Why? I have no idea. It was something I dreamed up and just because I could, I created it. Now that is what I call freedom!

Enjoy Life!