Around the Edges of Oddness

Dear Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

We've had some glorious spring-like weather days in Vermont.  Then we curved back into winter for some surprise snow and cold and wind. Today, a Saturday, is a gift of warm, hopeful sun.  This morning my fairy was 'The Fairy of Today' and she’s helping me dust off the weariness from my work week and easily look brightly towards the future.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of offering 'Fairy Card Readings' at the 8th Burlington Yoga Conference on the top floor of the UVM’s Davis Center.  I loved my conversations with people poised for self-transformation.  The fairies in my Bluebird Deck are excellent participants in these talks.  Just the right fairy arrives, at the right time, in our 3-card readings. 

For today's posting I drew (during last week’s conference) from the Bluebird Fairy Deck this wonderful down to earth fairy: 

Oh, she's a welcome sight.  Yes, we can all identify with the feeling of oddness in our lives, can't we? Many of us are reminded of the strong emotions we had when we were young that, for whatever reason, we were not 'fitting in' with the rest of our peers. Not wearing the right sneakers or having pants that were too short were huge dividers when a I was young.

The phrase, 'around the edges of oddness', comes from a man named Tracy Thresher.  Tracy has autism and types to communicate.  He's a co-star in the movie Wretches and Jabberers. 

A couple of summers ago, I was enhancing my skills supporting people who use Supported Typing by working with Tracy and other members of the Communication Alliance down in Barre, Vermont. 

 That summer, everyone in our group of 'Typers' and 'Communication Supporters' began to realize that my favorite thing to do was going out to lunch.  I don't usually like being in restaurants like the ones we frequented because they often don't have the food I prefer to eat.  But, these experiences had so much more to offer.  They reminded me of going to diners with my deaf grandparents where I got to play the role of being their interpreter.  In this case, the men from the Communication Alliance didn't need interpretation they just needed support for their words to flow out.

The waiter or waitress would invariably approach our table with a nervous look.  As each guy typed out his friendly greeting and eloquently ordered his meal their face would bloom into easy happiness. In those moments you saw two human beings connecting with each other. 

Tracy after one of these lunches said 'Why are you so happy at these meals?  When I told him, he typed   'Yeah, our iPads help them get around the edges of our oddness'.

We all have varying degrees of oddness and it's all relative to our life situations and the experiences we gravitate into.  I believe we all have the ability to own the oddness, embrace it, because it’s ours, and seek ways to move through it. And whenever you can, seek ways to connect with others who might be feeling a little odd today. It eases the edges around us all.

 I just did a new t-shirt printing of this fairy over at Amalgamated Culture Works. So, if you are a woman, or someone who loves a fitted V-neck cut, who would LOVE to have a shirt for yourself or a friend. Please drop me a line. 

Fun projects are on the horizon.  I'm starting to do 'Fairy Card Parties' so please be on the lookout for more information about them if you're thinking about gathering some girlfriends together for a fun night. 

Keep tuning in and taking your innate wisdom into all you do.

Fondly,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

"Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing is a field.  I'll meet you there when the soul lies down. In that grass the world is too full to talk about."  -Rumi

The Fairy of Bluebird

Hello Dear Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

I hope this blog posting finds you all in growing-lighter-by-the-day spirits.  In these times filled with a mixture of decay and huge promise it’s important to let the growing light open our minds and float our hearts upward!

Today’s fairy is-

I’ve written about how I consult Ted Andrews’ book Nature-Speak when I need information on flowers, trees and land formations. I do the same with his Animal Speak whenever an animal comes into my life.   Ted provides an overall (Keynote) attribute for the animal and then a wonderful mixture of fact, lore and meaning.  I always find resonance in his writings for what’s happening in my life and those around me.

I’ve never seen a Bluebird so I’ve never read what Ted has to say about them. The other day we were surprised to see a Red-winged Blackbird outside our window.  As I headed towards the listing for “Blackbird” I paused at “Bluebird” and read it. Wow.

The “Bluebird in our name”, Bluebird Fairies, was inspired by Charles Bukowski’s poem “Bluebird”.  It’s rough and sweet.  Definitely take a listen to his growly voice reciting it. 

I believe we, like Charles, all have bluebirds in our hearts. They’re our unique, sweet way of being human.  It’s my belief that Bluebird Fairies and the fairies each of us draw to express positive parts of ourselves assist our bluebirds to come out and greet the world with strength, confidence and lots of practical light-heartedness.

So what does Ted Andrews have to say about “Bluebirds” and is there a connection?

Oh, it is SO perfect.

Its overall meaning is “modesty, unassuming confidence and happiness” says Ted Andrews. He then goes on to say “the bluebird is a native bird of North America.  Although once common they are now quite rare. This is a reminder that we are born to happiness and fulfilment but we often get lost and wrapped up in the everyday events of our lives.

“ If bluebird has come into your life look for opportunities to touch the joyful and intrinsically native aspects of yourself that you may have lost touch with.”

Onward we go.  Whether sitting still or flying, you deserve happiness, confidence and to always be in touch with your true, funny, fun self.

Be well and I will too!

Fondly,

Emily and Bluebird Fairies

Announcements:

Interested in supporting Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign?  Please check out my “Fairies for Bernie”.

Our Bluebird Fairy Decks now come with a wooden “Fairy of the Day” stand.  If you already have a deck and need one, please contact me.

Fun Fairies of February

Did you know that Speeder and Earl's Coffee Shop on Pine Street has a 'Bluebird Fairy of the Day' sitting earnestly on the counter near the register? Last week I finally got to see it in action when I bought one of those great tea cakes they have that the Barrio Bakery makes.  I remarked about it to the barista who said 'Of course, we have a fairy of the day!' Please check it out.  I love getting reports of people’s fairy sightings. 

The celebration of “Galentine's Day” at the O.N.E Arts Center in Burlington last Friday night was wonderful.  Amidst the opportunities to make natural body products, get massaged or talk about frankly about sex I sat at my table giving Fairy Card Readings.  The options on my menu: Self Love, Romantic Love and Truth, Truth and Dare.

I love doing Fairy Card Readings.  When I created the cards for myself I never thought I’d be sharing these drawings with others.  That, in part, is where the alchemy of the Fairy Card Readings begins.  In these conversations people share their efforts to live well and with a sense of hope which is what I was seeking as I drew them.  At times, during these talks, our sharing can drift into dark spaces.  When this happens I look down and see the 3 fairies chosen for the reading smiling up at us and they pull the conversation back into a place of positivity.

My “Wildly New” Fairy Card Reading of the night was 'Truth, truth and Dare'.  The card fairy I selected for my “dare” was:

Ah, once again the “Fairy of Comfort and Easy Joy” with her earnest looking face and sturdy body.  I have to admit that often what I need more than anything is to sit and breathe.  Lying on the couch when I first arrive home at the end of the day is the best way I can achieve this. The images of the day and my dreams float through me. I become calm and comfort and easy joy find me.   What would have been mindless chatter transforms into gentle stories. 

I wish all of this for you. Whenever you need it.

Please keep checking in and always feel free to write to me with any questions or to request a private consultation or find out when we'll be doing public fairy card readings.

Fondly,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

More Not Doing and All Gets Done

Dear Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

A friend of mine often said around this time of year that January is reserved for 'getting over the holidays'.  I find it’s true.  During December there's so much expectation and excitement.  Then we give energy to making the shift into the New Year a positive and hope-filled one.   It's not surprising we're exhausted.

Mid-January I experienced rejuvenation by 'embracing difference'.  I had an opportunity to travel to a cool part of Florida and meet my boyfriend Brian's family.  Along with meeting fascinating people, seeing Florida manatees swimming neighborhood canals and rivers, taking boat rides, staying in a house filled with fine artifacts from around the world, walking roads lined with tropical plants, hearing often the threat of alligators and wild boar, I saw mermaids performing in an aquarium built over a natural spring. 

When I returned I dismantled a studio space that has been my creative home for 8 years.  Since Bluebird Fairies grew up in this space leaving it is allowing new horizons to come into view.

Being still a tad bit exhausted I was delighted when I drew this fairy from my fairy deck. 

Things are moving for Bluebird fairies because people who love what we do have been assisting cool ideas to move into place. 

Here are some of them:

At the suggestion of my dear friend Dr. Ellen I'll be posting a 'Fairy of the Day' daily and weekly connecting a fairy with her Facebook page.  These postings will be either brand new fairies, fairies I've not yet shared with the public, regulars from the Bluebird Fairy Deck and, every now and then, a demon.  So please “friend us” for your daily dose. 

On February 12th, I’ll be setting up the Fairy Booth at the Galentine’s Day Event at O.N.E arts in Burlington’s Old North End.  It’s going to be a fun night with lots of talk about romantic things.  I’ll have some erotic fairies on hand.  There will be a special fairy card reading to inspire love. “Heart Thumping Love” T-Shirts will be available with a nice, sexy fitted cut.  (Contact me if you’d like one and I’ll send one to you for $18.)

Dear friends, please hold images of what you’d like to create in your hearts. If necessary, write them down on pieces of paper.  Let the “Fairy of Not Doing and All Gets done” to take over and assist our dreams to grow.

Be well.

Fondly,

Emily and Bluebird Fairies

What Buoys You as Change Renews You?

Dear Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

Happy New Year to you all!

Here is a little writing inspired by the Fairy I drew on December 18th.

Oh, our lives are always changing.  A beloved shirt wears out. The store down the street closes.  A new co-worker moves in.  Oh, a season ends.  Someone graduates from high school.  The flowers on the table that shared their grace with you are now heading to the compost pile.

Sometimes larger changes arrive on our horizons.  We realize we need to leave a job we’ve had for many years. Or a relationship that serves its purpose fades away.  Sometimes it’s a place that is no longer needed for our growth.  Outside forces can be the inspiration of these changes.  Other times we know deep inside ourselves that the change is needed so we can keep becoming the person we’re destined to be.

The Fairy of rejuvenation with her big curly hair and fun glamourous and spritely body reminds us that though difficult at times these changes in our lives resuscitate us. Especially if we can find ways to buoy ourselves with the things that ground us as we step into the embrace of what’s different. 

The things that buoy me are doing yoga every morning with Brian.  Setting intentions and saying good words with each other before we step into the outdoors.  Taking the time to say our “gratitudes” at night before sleeping. In between these events I hold good, loving energy around things that feel like they might be difficult. 

Take a moment to hold in your mind “what buoys you”.

Breathe in the possibility that change in your life can renew you.

We are wishing you ALL the best as the calendar moves us into 2016. 

Plant your seeds of wishes and tend them through these upcoming cold months.

The sun will come and the growth of all will follow.

Be well.

Fondly,

Emily and Bluebird Fairies

p.s.  The Bluebird Holiday Shop is closed for the season.  It was a wonderful success.  I was so proud we were offering new products (Greeting Cards and Fitted T-Shirts for Curvy People).  The Fairy Card Readings were light-hearted, practical and pretty, often just the perfect thing for the folks receiving them.  I LOVED the vibe my fun, holiday shop partners brought in.  Kara with her Twenty-Three Karat company selling upcycled clothing and accessories.  Alicia and her painted galaxies.  Julie and Oak Knoll Apothecary.