16 Hour Drive, 30 Years Later

I just came back from an overnight, 16 hour return trip to pick up my Mom from Saskatchewan to spend some time with Dennis and I. To say the least, having a 90 year old around is a bit different in a few ways. Instilling a sense of urgency with a person of the antique vintage is much like herding cats, stories are heard numerous times, and darned near everything is a whole new experience. I'm not used to having another person around during the day so this gives me practice in both patience and empathy.

Mom knows I make glass art and knows what I make, but seeing it in real life is the icing on the cake for her. I showed her my dragons and she was in awe and wonder. She has seen (and has some of) my pendant pieces, but none of the bigger stuff. Now she shows what the dragons look  like. I decided to show her the pipe that I made. She was amazed with the colors and that it is functional if a person decides to use it. The conversation then led to her seeing pictures of other art pipes and hookahs as well. Imagine I was having a conversation with Mom about pipes! Having that conversation with her in my teens would have had as much flight as a tank. Lots of fire power, but no movement.

This morning Mom asked if I can make her a dragon so she could show all of her friends what I make. I can do that. She also asked if I could make her a pipe too so she could show that off as well. Another holy cow, who'd a thunk moment. Never in a million Catholic years have I imagined that my Mom would be asking me to make her a pipe so that she can show it off. Of course I will be making her some other things she can show off and hopefully one of them will be a hummingbird feeder.

In regards to my numbers: I will be updating Phys-Out soon. I am behind with my forms and would like partnership with that. I have included my glass art in with my I Ho Chuan goals because I have approached the goal setting as a template to I move forward with my life, not just in Kung Fu. Some goals I am ahead, some I am behind and some I want to set as a baseline so I can see where to go from there. For me this is a process, not a project.

From where I sit, the most important thing to do is to ground myself in what brings me joy so I can radiate that to the world. Hello pliers, hello torch, hello kitchen, hello nature, and (last but not least) hello Kung Fu.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon