tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292679052024-03-13T14:29:36.483-07:00The Wisdom of Improv . . . Showing up for your Lifemusings about things that matter from a retired drama professor . . .Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-61508182645869840882012-04-24T19:00:00.001-07:002012-04-24T19:00:58.113-07:00I love oranges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My first use of proper Etegami gansai paints. Rich what the orange and yellow colors can do.</span></div>
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<br />Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-72148464989231893392010-04-23T15:07:00.000-07:002010-04-23T15:07:58.901-07:00NEW url for this blog!!!!This blog has officially <a href="http://improvwisdom.blogspot.com">MOVED</a> to a new site:<br />
<a href="http://improvwisdom.blogspot.com">http://improvwisom.blogspot.com</a><br />
I am able to eliminate the word "my" in the title.<br />
So reset your link and join me. I have a new series of posts on Everyday Life is the Way.<br />
<a href="http://improvwisdom.blogspot.com">Join me!</a>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-15561428629388793582010-04-13T11:25:00.000-07:002010-04-13T11:25:03.605-07:00Day 4: My Chair<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8JboFG6X7I/AAAAAAAAAb4/h6MT_LPO9Z4/s1600/My+Chair.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8JboFG6X7I/AAAAAAAAAb4/h6MT_LPO9Z4/s320/My+Chair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459026442450526130" /></a><br />
A few years ago I found myself struggling with back pain. Doing some research I found that IKEA made a sensible reading chair that supported the lower back while holding everything else in a comfortable way. We positioned the chair with the window light behind and the gas fireplace nearby for cold or rainy mornings. Sitting in this chair and having a cup of tea is one of life's deep pleasures. Currently I am preparing for a trip to Sedona, Arizona to study watercolor with <a href="http://www.crowhillgallery.com/">Jeanne Carbonetti</a>. Her style is wildly colorful. I look forward to learning how to play with color in an expansive way<br />
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Sitting in this chair returns me to my true self.Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-19649220160694125202010-04-12T11:06:00.000-07:002010-04-12T11:45:46.969-07:00What are you grateful for?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8NhUIabS2I/AAAAAAAAAcA/NHgtbBBTJ40/s1600/Bowl+of+Gratitude.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8NhUIabS2I/AAAAAAAAAcA/NHgtbBBTJ40/s320/Bowl+of+Gratitude.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459314171786775394" /></a><br /><br />This sturdy yellow bowl is today's object of respect. It comes from the San Francisco <a href="http://www.cafegratitude.com/">CAFE GRATITUDE. </a> Rimming the interior of the bowl are the words: "What are you grateful for?" I uncover this query whenever I get to the bottom of a hearty bowl of miso soup or a rice bowl drenched in peanut sauce. (My husband contends that cardboard would taste good covered in peanut sauce.) <br /><br />But I don't need to be at the bottom of a one dish meal to ask and answer this question. If you attend to life carefully it is hard not to be virtually overwhelmed with appreciation for the people and things of this world that serve us and make our own daily life possible and often, easy. <br /><br />I've written about this in my book,<span style="font-style:italic;"> Improv Wisdom</span> in the chapter titled: "Wake Up to the Gifts." When we fail to notice the gifts it is likely that we are in the grip of our natural self-centeredness. When it occurs to me that <span style="font-style:italic;">"it is not about me"</span> I am able to see how densely Reality is supporting me all the time. Cultivating an eye that looks at the world gratefully may be the single most potent vitamin for the happy and satisfied life. Even the stuff that drives us crazy can be torqued to reveal a gift. <br /><br />I am grateful for so much. I am grateful for this moment when my eyes can see, when my limbs allow me to type, when my mind seems to be functioning normally and I can parse sentences. I am grateful to Google for the technology of the Blogger that allows me to put these ideas together easily and post them "out there" for anyone to see. I am grateful for the rain today which is helping the plants to grow and is washing off the needles of the pine outside my window. I am grateful for problems to solve, for laundry to do, for the time I have to reflect upon my life. <br /><br />And, by the way, the Cafe Gratitude has wonderful food if you are in the San Francisco area. Stop in for a meal or to buy a bowl with the words: "What are you grateful for?" in the bottom. Or simply etch these words in your heart and let them appear when you look at anything carefully.Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-33065734839125697522010-04-11T12:06:00.001-07:002010-04-11T12:56:19.802-07:00Day 2 The Volunteer Mimosa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8IdzXf8nMI/AAAAAAAAAbg/9VNRMUIc-JM/s1600/Mimosa2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8IdzXf8nMI/AAAAAAAAAbg/9VNRMUIc-JM/s320/Mimosa2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458958466645007554" /></a>The window directly next to my bed faces our neighbor's house. I usually sleep with the wooden blinds closed, opening them to let in the morning light. Recently I've been keeping both the blinds and the window open to celebrate my new friend, the Mimosa tree. The volunteer Mimosa tree.<div><br /></div><div>The sliver of land between our house and the neighbor's house is only about twelve feet. We have a raised planter box along the wall next to our house. We garden in these boxes, although we aren't always attentive gardeners. The box below this window has been tended sporadically by Ron's sister, Joan. Two years ago we noticed a tiny Mimosa tree that had sprung up on its own. It was a happy little plant and both Joan and I remarked that we "should pull it out before it gets too big." Well, we never did and now, two years later, the tree is over twenty five feet tall. This is a second story window, by the way. And, as you can see from this photo it is a healthy, happy tree. Today we have high winds and rain, so our Mimosa friend sways and tosses itself. The trunk is extremely flexible and dances in the wind seemingly unstressed by the violent gusts of spring wind.</div><div><br /></div><div>This tree made me think about the "volunteer" attributes/things of our lives that appear. I did not plant this tree. I contributed nothing to nourish it. Nature was at work "doing its thing" and this tree grew and grew. Now it stands outside my window to delight me and to provide a reminder of nature in the narrow corridor between properties. </div><div><br /></div><div>How much of our lives are served by "volunteers"? I marvel at the tenacity of plants, weeds especially, as they break through a sidewalk to reach toward the sun. We try to control so much of life, forgetting that life may have its own ideas of what is needed, of what will grow well in a given spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Mimosa tree, for your labor in growing tall outside my window. </div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-15178764007764681582010-04-10T12:24:00.000-07:002010-04-10T12:51:17.903-07:00Day 1 My Teacup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8DQtRhQWYI/AAAAAAAAAbY/MiuC-bxpHB0/s1600/Day1+teacup.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S8DQtRhQWYI/AAAAAAAAAbY/MiuC-bxpHB0/s320/Day1+teacup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458592224588618114" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Everyday life is the way.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A wonderful PBS program on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/">“The Life of the Buddha”</a> reminded me of this central tenet of Buddhist thought:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The path to wisdom is found in our ordinary activities, in the way we make our meals and fold the laundry, sweep the steps and feed the cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know this, and I forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I want to live this truth and also to reflect upon it. Starting today I vow to spend some time each day to consider this.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I plan to choose an everyday object to start the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On this “Day 1” of my project I picked my favorite teacup. This cup <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 19px; ">was made by the potter, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandyKreyer?ga_search_query=sandykreyer&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">Sandy Kreyer </a>. It is beautifully made, exceedingly strong. The enamel finish is thick and shiny. It is not prone to chip or crack and feels good as I hold it. It is a sturdy cup and deep. The hand painted design is lovely. Each time I use it filled with Earl Grey tea with milk and sweetener I can't help but smile. Such beauty arouses my pleasure. Form, color and function join to bring me a happy moment not only while drinking the tea and holding the cup, but also when washing it or hanging it on a hook in the kitchen. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">There are so many objects in my world that stand ready to serve me and to delight my senses. I've never noticed the teacup complaining when I leave it dirty on the side table. It "lives" (if you will) to serve me. So it is fitting that I treat it with respect and consideration. It even makes sense to me to thank it. "Thank you, teacup, you are always there for me." And, thank you, Sandy Kreyer, for sitting at your wheel to make this cup. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Begin to look around and notice the objects that are "there" for you. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></p><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><br /></span></span><!--EndFragment--> <!--EndFragment-->Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-15401315809489527542010-02-01T15:35:00.001-08:002010-02-01T16:11:03.367-08:00Half Moon Bay Library Art Show<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dpQA4EOYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/w31jztW_JQU/s1600-h/Flowers+On+a+Rainy+Day.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dm69woPDI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jlgrAzoXUyA/s1600-h/Porch+chair+with+orchid.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dm69woPDI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jlgrAzoXUyA/s400/Porch+chair+with+orchid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433424638642764850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dlZj6_TQI/AAAAAAAAAYs/aW73tseTOHs/s1600-h/Purple+Vase0001.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dlZj6_TQI/AAAAAAAAAYs/aW73tseTOHs/s400/Purple+Vase0001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433422965259586818" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Our Plein Air Painters of Half Moon Bay have just hung a show at the Half Moon Bay Library. I have four paintings on display. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Two of these are done in the "Judi Whitton" style leaving light and air around the paint and striving to allow the colors to mix on their own. The first painting is titled: "Orchids on the Porch". I took a bamboo basket of orchids and posed it on the porch wicker settee. The composition is interesting, I thought.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the second bright painting "Purple Vase" (9" X 11") I was trying to see how dense I could make the color. One truth about watercolor is that the values are often pale and subtle. Inspired by an artist names Jeanne Carbonetti whose work is almost "day glow" in intensity I tried to paint and overpaint to achieve a vivid color balance. She recommends splattering as does Whitton.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Once a year there is a field near the high school that is flooded with yellow mustard. The hills behind are dark evergreens. The contrast is really striking. This was a Wednesday morning painting a few weeks ago</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">titled: "Mustard Field in Half Moon Bay."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dnIRMCr5I/AAAAAAAAAY8/gj8yhNrn1HA/s1600-h/Mustard20100002.jpg"><br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dnIRMCr5I/AAAAAAAAAY8/gj8yhNrn1HA/s400/Mustard20100002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433424867196317586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Last summer my dear friend Victoria Labalme invited me to her family estate in the Adirondack. It was a magical week with a house party of the famous and talented. I was rubbing elbows with filmmakers, architects and writers. On one rainy day a glass vase of roses caught my attention. This small piece (7" X 9") titled "Eagle Nest: Roses on a Rainy Day" is the result. It was done with a Sharpie ultra fine pen and watercolor. </span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dpQA4EOYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/w31jztW_JQU/s1600-h/Flowers+On+a+Rainy+Day.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/S2dpQA4EOYI/AAAAAAAAAZE/w31jztW_JQU/s400/Flowers+On+a+Rainy+Day.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433427199279774082" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px; " /></a></div></div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-45651247627537492082009-12-28T11:48:00.001-08:002009-12-28T11:59:00.077-08:00Check out foreign comments . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SzkL9yVJvgI/AAAAAAAAAYI/6KZnuDpUgd4/s1600-h/Improv+Wisdom+German+%26+Korean.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SzkL9yVJvgI/AAAAAAAAAYI/6KZnuDpUgd4/s400/Improv+Wisdom+German+%26+Korean.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420376782627520002" /></a>2009 was a great year for my book, <i>Improv Wisdom</i>. Publishers in both Germany and Korea bought the book and had it translated. Here are the two covers. I'm eager to find someone who reads Korean to see how the title is translated. Recently there was a comment posted on this blog written in Kanji. I wasn't sure if it was Japanese or Chinese, but I was happy to have a foreign reader comment on the blog. So, before I translated it I "allowed the comment". Just now I took advantage of Google's translation service only to discover that the comments appeared to be a string of sexually explicit words and images. Looks like someone "pulled one over on me." I have deleted the post with its comments so I'll spare any of you. The Internet allows for such creativity, don't you think? <div>I'm wishing everyone a blessed, safe and healthy new year. All the best in 2010.</div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-28492544443807638532009-06-15T09:51:00.000-07:002009-06-24T22:06:42.021-07:00Plein Air Painters of Half Moon Bay<div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=8ea03b1f68842f004aa06a" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=8ea03b1f68842f004aa06a&skin_id=1702&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:408px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=8ea03b1f68842f004aa06a&skin_id=1702&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/8ea03b1f68842f004aa06a/1702.gif" style="border:0px;" width="408" /></a><br/><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt4" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make an on-line slideshow at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-24359749631844000202009-06-10T14:05:00.000-07:002009-06-10T14:12:33.673-07:00Alena Jean's Flower Shop in Half Moon Bay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SjAge8XZLtI/AAAAAAAAALI/SqNmflrg2vE/s1600-h/Alena+Jean%27s+garden.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SjAge8XZLtI/AAAAAAAAALI/SqNmflrg2vE/s400/Alena+Jean%27s+garden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345808473661189842" /></a><br />I belong to a Coastside Plein Air painting group that meets on Wednesday mornings to paint together. We assemble at locations along the Coastside to paint local landmarks and scenes of natural beauty. For the past two weeks we have been the guests of a charming shop in Half Moon Bay, CA: Alena Jean's Flower Shop at 340 Purissima St. The gardens attached to her small, but well stocked shop are magical. For all garden lovers I urge you to spend an hour absorbing the wonder of this place.In July this group will have an art show of our works at La Di Da, a local cafe. Stay tuned for news about this event.Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-68318982329418426672009-05-26T21:27:00.001-07:002009-05-26T21:35:01.836-07:00Loaves and Fishes by David Whyte<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShzBWAS2aiI/AAAAAAAAAKw/yLWoA1wFE0Q/s1600-h/Pescadero.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShzBWAS2aiI/AAAAAAAAAKw/yLWoA1wFE0Q/s400/Pescadero.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340355841934912034" border="0" /></a>
<br />A charming purple house in Pescadero that I painted last week.
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<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b><span style="font-size:13;"><span style="font-size:180%;">
<br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">Loaves and Fishes</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><b><span style="font-size:13;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">This is not
<br />the age of information.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">This is <i>not</i>
<br />the age of information.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Forget the news,
<br />and the radio,
<br />and the blurred screen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">This is the time
<br />of loaves
<br />and fishes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">People are hungry
<br />and one good word is bread
<br />for a thousand. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""> -- David Whyte
<br /> from<i> <a href="http://www.davidwhyte.com/house.html"><span style="color:blue;">The House of Belonging</span></a> </i>
<br /> ©1996 Many Rivers Press <o:p></o:p></span></p> Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-33356549722506535502009-05-26T08:49:00.000-07:002009-05-26T10:18:06.214-07:00Obamasize yourself . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShwSg8ryzxI/AAAAAAAAAKo/MtKSaL_8390/s1600-h/Obama-Patricia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 293px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShwSg8ryzxI/AAAAAAAAAKo/MtKSaL_8390/s400/Obama-Patricia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340163615409491730" border="0" /></a>Today's distraction from doing useful things is to Obamasize your own photo. <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShwPsXtKckI/AAAAAAAAAKY/6A-F6ROXPo4/s1600-h/Obama-Patricia.jpg"><br /></a>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-24718573018921339302009-05-23T14:20:00.001-07:002009-05-23T14:33:35.883-07:00In praise of real work . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShhqEgcAjiI/AAAAAAAAAIc/wJLY_QsuRXc/s1600-h/DSC06898.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/ShhqEgcAjiI/AAAAAAAAAIc/wJLY_QsuRXc/s400/DSC06898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339133983907155490" border="0" /></a>
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<br />The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24labor-t.html?src=twt&twt=nytimesbooks">Sunday NYT Magazine</a> has a thought provoking article this week on the value of physical work. In it a poem by Marge Piercy is referenced. I found the poem and love it. I can't help thinking of my wonderful husband, Ron. He is a champion of doing all things that are real and physical. There is nothing that I've found he cannot do. Here is the wonderful poem.
<br />
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="">To be of use
<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">by Marge Piercy</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The people I love the best
<br />jump into work head first
<br />without dallying in the shallows
<br />and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
<br />They seem to become natives of that element,
<br />the black sleek heads of seals
<br />bouncing like half submerged balls.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
<br />who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
<br />who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
<br />who do what has to be done, again and again.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I want to be with people who submerge
<br />in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
<br />and work in a row and pass the bags along,
<br />who stand in the line and haul in their places,
<br />who are not parlor generals and field deserters
<br />but move in a common rhythm
<br />when the food must come in or the fire be put out.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The work of the world is common as mud.
<br />Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
<br />But the thing worth doing well done
<br />has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
<br />Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
<br />Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
<br />but you know they were made to be used.
<br />The pitcher cries for water to carry
<br />and a person for work that is real.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-size:100%;" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >"To be of use" by Marge Piercy © 1973, 1982.
<br />From CIRCLES ON THE WATER © 1982 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. and Middlemarsh, Inc.
<br />First published in Lunch magazine. </span>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-11612459427913009762009-05-11T12:24:00.001-07:002009-05-11T12:32:08.869-07:00Mother's Day 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/Sgh7psAsjNI/AAAAAAAAAIU/YMBqqK8ziEg/s1600-h/1959.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/Sgh7psAsjNI/AAAAAAAAAIU/YMBqqK8ziEg/s400/1959.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334649714739285202" border="0" /></a><br />This photo was taken to accompany a feature article in the Richmond News Leader in 1959. It shows my mother, Virginia Louise Pittman Ryan and me (standing in a party dress) having a "typical family meal". Mother always wore an evening dress to dinner, of course. I think the main thing this tells us is something about the year 1959. In the bottom of the photo is my brother Michael and sister, Kathleen.<br /><br />My mother was a beauty beyond compare. She was a high fashion model for a decade, wearing the couture of Oleg Casini, among others. But, as we wrote on her stone in the memorial rose garden: "More than her beauty, which was like the rose, was her goodness."<br /><br />On Mother's Day I give thanks for the world's greatest mom. We were truly blessed. She died on Christmas day, 1998. Love to you, Mama.Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-23711699473777915432009-05-09T12:41:00.000-07:002009-05-09T12:53:08.087-07:00The Dragon's Gift - The Art of Bhutan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SgXcycvBoAI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Exq7bOu4Iik/s1600-h/DSC07355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SgXcycvBoAI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Exq7bOu4Iik/s400/DSC07355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333912092955222018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is one of the nation's treasure houses of great art. This week an exceptional exhibition closes after a three month run here. Brought together by a team of Bhutan specialists, curators, monks and government officials this exhibit assembles 100 pieces that can only be described as breathtaking. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Gift-Sacred-Arts-Bhutan/dp/1932476350">exhibit catalog</a>, which also contains a DVD of the sacred dances of Bhutan (Cham)is stunning in its collection of photographs and articles about Bhutanese art and culture. <br /><br />Ron and I went back one more time to bask in the energy of this collection on Friday. Tibetan monks roam the gallery chanting blessings twice a day. <br /><br />Here is Ron in one of the masks used for sacred dance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SgXei9nfUPI/AAAAAAAAAIM/lZDjrDvuGtE/s1600-h/DSC07358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SgXei9nfUPI/AAAAAAAAAIM/lZDjrDvuGtE/s400/DSC07358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333914025927332082" border="0" /></a>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-35112436829808502172009-04-20T19:36:00.000-07:002009-04-20T19:37:19.766-07:00Judi Whitton's Watercolour Workshop in Cornwall<div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=88cc8fc835dbec2603e4d7" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=88cc8fc835dbec2603e4d7&skin_id=1702&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:408px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=88cc8fc835dbec2603e4d7&skin_id=1702&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/88cc8fc835dbec2603e4d7/1702.gif" style="border:0px;" width="408" /></a><br/><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt2" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Photo and video editing at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-71492961751911802682009-04-20T18:37:00.000-07:002009-04-20T19:41:34.987-07:00The Cuisine of Cornwall<div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=881ca7a1e074d605bf7cf3" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=881ca7a1e074d605bf7cf3&skin_id=1702&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:408px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=881ca7a1e074d605bf7cf3&skin_id=1702&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/881ca7a1e074d605bf7cf3/1702.gif" style="border:0px;" width="408" /></a><br/><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-38256851169200418192009-04-15T13:35:00.000-07:002009-04-20T19:30:45.940-07:00Perranporth Beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SeZFi6THmmI/AAAAAAAAAH0/pK2IU3wiSPQ/s1600-h/Rocks+at+Perranporth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SeZFi6THmmI/AAAAAAAAAH0/pK2IU3wiSPQ/s400/Rocks+at+Perranporth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325020075479505506" border="0" /></a><br />This is my painting of the famous rocks at Perranporth Beach on the western coast of England in Cornwall. We spent a day here doing plein air painting with the Judi Whitton course.<br /><br />Coming soon is a montage of our gourmet dinners.Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-34959159740971621232009-03-31T10:16:00.000-07:002009-03-31T14:04:53.655-07:00New ART Montage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SdJR7ICgD1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/JPM7oj5i-Uk/s1600-h/Methodist+Church0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SdJR7ICgD1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/JPM7oj5i-Uk/s400/Methodist+Church0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319404186090082130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">This painting is of our local Methodist Church in Half Moon Bay, CA.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span class="transl_class" title="Click to correct" id="0"><br />With the help of "One True Media.com" I have had the fun of making another short montage of my artwork. This piece includes a painting by Dalla Brown and also one by my sister, Kathleen Ryan. Enjoy Montage II below.<br /><br />Tomorrow I fly to London and then on to Cornwall to paint with Judi Whitton.<br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=86572a340f152d57b60113" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=86572a340f152d57b60113&skin_id=1702&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="408" height="382"></embed><div style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 408px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=86572a340f152d57b60113&skin_id=1702&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/86572a340f152d57b60113/1702.gif" style="border: 0px none ;" width="408" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br /></span></span>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-1354453158486350782009-03-29T14:22:00.000-07:002009-03-29T14:28:14.077-07:00Cornwall . . . HO!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/Sc_mzZnesFI/AAAAAAAAAHA/8AkU9CF0VMc/s1600-h/Judi.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/Sc_mzZnesFI/AAAAAAAAAHA/8AkU9CF0VMc/s400/Judi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318723455672037458" /></a>Packing now for two weeks in England with a week studying with my favorite teacher, Judi Whitton. Her work in this image shows a vibrant, spontaneous style that I admire. The workshop is being held at the lovely <a href="http://www.crantockbayhotel.co.uk/cgi-bin/breaks/newsscript.pl?record=2">Crantock Bay Hotel in Cornwall</a>. Then on to London to spend three days browsing museum. the food courts at Harrod's and seeing some great theater. Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-26819464731341833042009-03-16T14:52:00.000-07:002009-03-16T15:22:09.668-07:00Parenting: the Ultimate Improvisation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/Sb7MBIkf1ZI/AAAAAAAAAG4/TZm6Y_uS71s/s1600-h/Michael-ryan.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/Sb7MBIkf1ZI/AAAAAAAAAG4/TZm6Y_uS71s/s400/Michael-ryan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313908930196264338" /></a><br /><div>When we improvise we step up to the moment with eyes wide open and with a mind/heart ready to make sense out of whateever is going on, and do something constructive. I continue to be delighted and amazed at the applications people have been making for the maxims of improvisation. I have heard from ministers who have used the prinicples to write a sermon, Lesbians who are using the maxims as <a href="http://lesbiansanddating.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-steps-to-improvised-life.html">wisdom for dating, </a>health care workers using it to train <a href="http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/472046/58726/caregiving#">Alzheime's caregivers</a>, entrepreuneurs who are applying it to <a href="http://blogs.salon.com/0002007/2008/09/11.html">business challenges</a> and most recently I've read a wonderful blog which uses improv wisdom in <a href="http://www.healthline.com/blogs/teen_health/2009/03/i-will-give-you-improv-parent-teen.html">Parenting a teen</a>. Dr. Nancy L. Brown, a specialist in adolescent health has written a delightful blog on this topic. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or, of course parenting and grandparenting are the ultimate improvisation. Nothing really prepares us for the surprises that children and teens bring to our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love this photo of my brother, Michael and his grandson Ryan. It won't be too long before Ryan will be teaching his grandpa things about the computer. </div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-83389861988253963452009-03-05T16:44:00.000-08:002009-03-12T08:49:18.001-07:00A Bigger Voice Interview with Carol RossWisdom Entrepreneurship is a wonderful idea. Carol Ross has been providing help and inspiration on her exciting blog, <a href="http://abiggervoice.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Bigger Voice</span>.</a> She interviewed me a few weeks ago and recently posted <a href="http://www.abiggervoiceblog.com/2009/03/interview-with-patricia-ryan-madson-part-1.html">part I of a talk</a> with me about the origins of my book <span style="font-weight: bold;">Improv Wisdom</span>. Thanks, Carol. If you go to listen take some time to explore her blog as it is chocked full of great ideas.<br />Today, March 11, 2009 Carol Ross posted <a href="http://www.abiggervoiceblog.com/2009/03/patricia-ryan-madson-part-2-staying-true-to-your-vision.html">Part II of my interview. </a> In this section I talk about how Improv Wisdom has been used by those coaching Alzheimer's caregivers and by a women who woke up from a coma. She discovered that all she could do was improvise! And now, <a href="http://www.abiggervoiceblog.com/2009/03/patricia-ryan-madson-part-3-building-community-and-moving-into-action.html">Part III of my interview</a>. Moving into action is the theme. I would like to thank Carol for her initiative in making this interview happen. Clearly SHE is one of the new "wisdom entrepreneurs." I salute you, Carol!Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-75353256421552740262009-03-01T10:47:00.000-08:002009-03-01T13:06:44.269-08:00The Art of Patricia Ryan Madson 2009<div style="text-align: left;">With the help of OneTrueMedia.com I have created a montage of recent art work. It is a pleasure to share this.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw68V-p3l2S5v-OXPCHMxZSdnTFRDckSyYZiF3GbB-NYw_C-G887GC7iDlh9CaiCCuC5694DjowVgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-18957992894772339742009-02-25T19:32:00.000-08:002009-02-25T19:37:37.560-08:00The Orange Cattleya<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SaYNyoexIBI/AAAAAAAAAGk/ghwH9PgUF_0/s1600-h/CattleyaOrange.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SaYNyoexIBI/AAAAAAAAAGk/ghwH9PgUF_0/s400/CattleyaOrange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306944374413795346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This week I'm working indoors and I've painted a beautiful orange Cattleya. I'm still trying to get the hang of the Whitton style of loose watercolor. Note the messy blobs and splatters.<br /><br /></span>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29267905.post-12930986646123410962009-02-06T09:46:00.000-08:002009-03-02T16:18:56.576-08:00Listening to A BIGGER VOICE -Interview with Carol Ross<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SYx5ydURmiI/AAAAAAAAAGU/db4RFv8e424/s1600-h/A+Botanical+Art-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SYx5ydURmiI/AAAAAAAAAGU/db4RFv8e424/s400/A+Botanical+Art-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299744769278319138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SYx5Mc6eSCI/AAAAAAAAAGM/6qkLy2surcU/s1600-h/Nebbia+Winery.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kaYFCdmdOkY/SYx5Mc6eSCI/AAAAAAAAAGM/6qkLy2surcU/s400/Nebbia+Winery.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299744116335069218" /></a><br />I was recently interviewed by Carol Ross, a talented change maker. Her blog<a href="http://www.abiggervoiceblog.com/"> "A Bigger Voice"</a> is in the business of promoting the idea of "Wisdom Entrepreuners" and assisting them to get their message to a larger community. Her edited version of the interview in three parts will soon be posted on her website. Stay tuned. Our lively conversation has helped kickstart me to return to this blog and get involved in spreading my thoughts to readers. <div><br /></div><div>As a place holder I'll publish several of my recent watercolors. I've joined a local plein air painting group who meet on Wednesday mornings to paint and help each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend I'm welcoming 14 Madson relatives to our home for the first ever Madson family reunion 2009. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Patricia Ryan Madsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14719484543862133758noreply@blogger.com0