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First of all, I'm posting so as to get that spammer out of the way!

Second, I'm late in commenting on this, but to me, it's refreshing to be able to visit a website that ISN'T obsessing about the hurricane. We need places like this where we can go to relax and be refreshed, without getting mired down in politics and angst.

Keep dancing and drawing, Keri - it's important!

Keri- I have been reading your blog for several years and wanted to give you kudos and support for the beauty and inspiration you have provided, recently and in the past. Keep writing, creating, and reading Mary Oliver (my favorite poet and always a source of wisdom) and thank you so much for sharing your grace with all of us.

Keri, insecurity breeds apprehension thus fear. Embrace change, gobble it up greedily. CHANGE IS LIFE!!! When you feel you need to control a situation ask yourself, Why? There is absolutely no reason to be in control and nothing you can do about it anyway. The truth will set you free.

I love reading about your explorations in California - they are making me appreciate being out here all the more.

i'm so glad you're going to continue to post. they brighten my day. you're amazing.

Mmm..arugula, collard greens and cilantro!! All of which are so very underrated-I can rarely get them at our little po-dunk grocery either. I have to drive twenty minutes for a decent store, so I can relate to what you went through. Mmmm...it's the little things.
~L.

Keri--Don't miss the opportunity to use libraries in your new neighborhood. Even if your local library is small, you will have access to many other libraries through it. It's easier on the pocketbook and you can sample lots of new things! Thanks for your blog.

I'm so glad you're settling into the area and discovering the bounty that California offers (I'm been in SF for 16 years and I absolutely love it here). Sacramento has some wonderful art events. I think they do second Saturday or third Thursday or something when all the galleries are open. Portland does that too.

Hi Kerri, I read your blog almost everyday. I am always very happy to see a new post from you. You always brighten my day.

I am sorry that you have been saddened (sp?) by negative comments. Please don't ever stop being your beautiful wonderful creative self in the face of any negativity!

I love CA and always associate the smell of eucalyptus in the air with some wonderful time I spent in the Bay area. Enjoy all the sensory things you can while you are there. It will stay with you always.

Keri, I just want you to know that as I was reading your post, I suddenly got SO EXCITED to swoop through my house and change everything around. It was like an instant breath of fresh air swooshed in. Swooping and swooshing; that's what your words did for me today. Thank you!! =o)

Hi Keri, I just wanted to send you some love. I wanted to send you the cozy fuzzy feeling of snuggling with a book and a cup of tea by a window that overlooks a beautiful landscape. It's one of those days that it is kind of chilly out... but lots of sunshine. You kind of loose yourself day-dreaming... you feel warm, loved, inspired!
I'm sorry you had to deal which such rude and pointless feedback lately. Your sweetness, talent and open heart are such an inspiration! Thank you. Enjoy your new surroundings!

It's unfortuanate that you've had to deal with some negative commentary--and it's effect is causing you some pause--
Practicing non-judgement of others is one of the hardest things to do, but it is certainly one of the finest things we can do for ourselves.

i love earthy green plates, and i love mary Oliver, and i love you, Keri. i love reading your blog.i love your blog, your honesty, your creativity and your spirit. you are such an inspiraion.

Keri, you feed my soul. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart.

Keri, I come to read your blog for the very nature of it....ideas, creativity, and to read about your life..be the cyber fly on the wall!
I do NOT come here to read about tragedies in the world, unless you make a comment about them in passing. For those readers who expect this...then switch the tv on and watch a current affairs show. I love you blog, and your life and art is the very essence of it. Please keep doing what your doing....I love it!!

Your new home sounds beautiful.

those shoes look like Keen's. Oh how I love my Keen's.

you keep on bloggin'. it's not your responsibility to make everyone (or anyone) happy. just to live and do what you do.

Keri, thanks for postin' and postin'. I love to take a break at work and read about what you've been up to or just enjoy some fresh artwork.

My sister in Davis complains about the weather thing to me, too. She's flying out here to Iowa tomorrow to visit, and I hope it reminds her that she could have it much worse! Iowa weather is rediculous!

Keri, I am SO HAPPY that you wrote about the little things you've been doing. I love love love reading your observations. So sensory, so detailed, so tactile. It's funny--I moved from Northern California, east for college. Now I live in VT and am just discovering my new city and loving it here. Reading about your little discoveries there made me smile though--it's wonderful to come to a place with new eyes. And Mexican food will never be the same for you again. It is THE BEST there. People call me a borrito snob--you'll understand why now.

Thank you for continuing to write. My mother spoke with Clarissa Pincola Estees at a workshop once. Estees said, "Do what you want with your life--the number of friends and enimies you have won't change."

The fun part of moving is discovering your new neighborhood. I've lived in the same place for 18 years now, after moving 7 times in 7 years, and every now and then I think of just moving for the adventure of it. It's like traveling--exploring something new. Enjoy.

Try dressing in layers so you can peel off the clothes as it gets hotter.

Ah...the co-op... :) Isn't it just FABULOUS to be able to bike everywhere? We weren't nearly as isolated on our island as it sounds like you were in Canada, but the primary thing that nearly moved me to tears when we moved here is the incredible abundance of fresh produce. Oh how I loved returning to that. In the tropics we were often lucky to find even an unshriveled head of lettuce. But even better is to be able to walk out the front door to pick tomatoes and chili peppers from the yard. Glad it's been such a feast for the senses thus far.

All sounds great Keri!! I'm glad you feel good! Buenos dias!!

keri -

I moved last year from northern california to france - admittedly and exciting and wonderful opportunity - but my, how you are making me miss home! enjoy.

what brand are those shoes? I love them! I'm on the hunt for good Mary Janes!

Any chance of seeing a picture or two of your new home?

Hi Keri,
I just started reading your blog a month ago. I am continually encouraged by it. I hope you will continue with it. At the point that I stumbled upon it I was in a creative dry spell. Your works and wish jar ideas were just what I needed to get out of my funk. Are you in Northern or Southern California?

. . . if your blog were to go away I would so miss it, miss you . . . you with your optimism and honest displays of funk and fear, you with your sweetness and ongoing flowing creativity . . . but I get it . . . at least partly . . . I didn't blog for a couple of months this past summer, and now I feel a passion for it that I haven't felt in quite a while . . . Life: it does do the serpentine dance of duality doesn't it??? (and I am glad that you are finding beauty and love and interesting stuff in your new home . . . :)

Thanks for continuing your journal, Keri! :) Three whoops and a hurrah!

i love the way you write. i feel right there. i was thinking about you making the transition when i drove past davis coming back from burning man! i love the discovery of a new place-- i look forward to reading more:)

I like your new shoes--they look like sturdy Keens.
Good for walking through a new world, with fresh eyes.

i have those shoes! only mine are light blue. aren't they just the most comfortable things you've ever put on?

Keep up the great journal! I read a few by creative and artistic women and I have to say that yours is absolutely the best!

Is there a library? If so check out 'snow' by Orhan Paluk its wonderful!

If you want to turn off the comments....

My blog is not widely read, I've had it for almost 5 years and it has mutated, from a very personal blog, to a music blog, to another personal blog and so on.. once someone left a really nasty comment on one of my posts. I had posted about how it makes me sad to see small, poor, forgotten villages and towns in Mexico (I'm mexican) and how I see hundreds of children that will grow up without any opportunities at all. How they will remain there forever without knowing anything else but their current surroundings and some girl left a really nasty message.
So what did I do? I knocked off the comments. But first I wrote the little disclaimer to her: "don't like what you read? then don't read it"
The thing is, you still have absolute control over your blog, and you can delete comments, or just take them off and leave an email. The people who really want to make contact with you will write.

I'm glad you will keep up the blog. I really like your drawings and you are a great source of inspiration.

From MX
enjoy burritos, try guacamole and yummy tortilla soup!

Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do.

I read your blog 3-4 times a week, so I am also glad that you are able to find the courage to continue with your blog. I think your insights help people to find their creative voice.

The feelings your expressed today about your apprehension coincides with feelings I have been having lately about being judged. It's so hard to move forward and to be yourself when eyes are watching every move you make and everything you say just waiting to pouch. Being open with the world like you are here takes so much courage, courage I just don't posess even for small things. But when I read this today it gave me a feeling that I am not alone in my fear of what others think and the saying you posted is going to be a new mantra for me.
Thanks Keri!

Hi, I just found your blog recently! Were thinking in stoping? Please don't! Your work is amazing and what you write and draw a font of inspiration!
I love de 100 ideas project! I'm tempted to follow it, unleast to do a few things! See a great help for others you are, i'm going to look to my sidewalk and draw my diner and listen to the birds instead of thinking in only material things!
thanks
best wishes!
Sonia
ps. sorry for my bad english i'm a portuguese living in the netherlands!

I moved to CA 17 years ago. Used to live in Iowa. I've only been back two times and believe you me, I NEVER want to see snow as long as I live. CA is just about the most wonderful place to live - so much opportunity right at your feet!

I hope you enjoy the book of poetry. Mary Oliver is my all time favorite poet. She speaks so beautifully about her observations of nature and then throws in one of those "Aha!" spiritual moments. I hope she is encouraging for your soul right now as you adjust to your new life.

hi keri - bleeping blarneybytes... i haven't written 'cause i was shocked read: deer 'n headlights mode... keep up your art, keep up your positive spirit... each of us is only one person... CA dreaming... i've only been to CA once near SF, but i was totally impressed at the laid-backness not found quite as much here in the mid-Atlantic states... Neat for you on the olive trees and eucalyptus :) patty

I love the smell of laurel and eucalyptus. I used to live in California and now live in New York, and there aren't nearly enough good smells.

If I might ask, how did you hang your journals with clothespins and tacks? That sounds like a good way to display them.

I am so very glad that you have decided to continue your blog here. Not only because of what it does for you, but because there will always be naysayers, but that doesn't mean that the rest of us aren't enjoying every minute of our journey with you. Thank you for your braveness.