I could not sleep at all last night, I had gotten news that the Big Pour I have been waiting months for was scheduled to happen this morning at 7:00 AM sharp.
But just a little after 6:00, I heard the creak of the opening gate, followed by a slowly traversing parade of trucks and a crane making their way uphill, and so I shot out of bed with camera in hand.
Good morning April 15, 2015! It was Tax Day, but this day marked the pouring of the foundation for Crafting a Life, LLC.
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Despite dealing with last-minute tax business, there was every reason to smile on this day, including the site of this candy-cane cement crane complete with a fun retro font/logo!
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The night before at the 11th hour, I invited friends on Facebook to text or message me their artful wishes, hopes, and goals that I wanted to tuck into the foundation before the cement was going to be poured. Some people posted their thoughts publicly, many sent messages to me privately. I printed them all–seven pages total–sealed in an envelope, and placed into the foundation this morning.
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I explained to my contractor the gist of the contents and how important this envelope was, and when someone thought to remove it just before the cement was being poured, he waved his hands and said, “NO, NO, NO! That envelope absolutely belongs there!” You can see the envelope on the lower left corner of this video…
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After the foundation was leveled, they wrapped it in plastic for sealing and protection from further construction. The plastic covering will not be taken off until the art barn is completely finished. To me it is a symbol, a wrapped present, a reminder what a gift all of this is.
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I am eager to unwrap, to unveil, but in the meantime, there is a raven that has been watchful all day from the towering trees above, and when everyone left, he stood guard. He and I have been greeting each other since I got here in January. I like to think he is my protector on this project.
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I am having a little Pokey Pour tonight in honor of this day. 🙂
Cheers,
So exciting. Your future barn is now on my bucket list of places to visit! Love the raven watching over the proceedings.
how exciting….
What?!?!?!? you didn’t throw in an old shoe and a stale jar of peanut butter? That’s what my brother and I wanted to do when we poured new steps after mom died. One of her shoes, and the peanut butter for dad. Congratulations on your new baby.
Congratulations on yet another milestone! You go girl!!!
Your Raven is Edgar Allan Poe!
I’ve heard that if you leave the Raven little treats, they will return the favor and bring you shiny little gifts.
Congratulations, love the Raven. I live on a street called Ravens Pointe ?
Oh, Pokey, this is wonderful-truly a dream come true! I am very pleased for you and hope that I may enjoy the art barn someday.
So cool about the raven….
Congratulations, Pokey! I love the suggestion to name the raven “Poe”!
Super-duper fantastic. I read it last night around midnight and it brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you and truly understand the feeling. xox
Lesley Riley Les leyRiley.com
Pokey…The pour celebration with the envelope included, such sweetness in the energy that comes from the project, every step of the way. The raven surely knows of that sweet energy – they are such amazing and wonderful birds.
I have a pair that sat and watched me my first retired year as we turned a brown, flat yard into organic vegetable gardens, beautiful floral displays for bees, butterflies and seeds for birds, fruit trees, bushes and vines….and every morning and evening when they arrived form their nighttime roost they watched. I would see them from time to time through the winter and now, three years later they are my friends…they gather pieces from the tops of local Dutch Elm trees to build their annual nest in a very tall conifer to the north…I sit and read or stitch as I watch them now again this spring…I leave small bundles of threads for all the nest builders here..
You have a story building with your feathered friends .. a wonderful children’s book as well as a quilt project.
Oh how I look forward to coming to spend some time at the retreat center …definitely on my future list of things to do.
Kristin
I love watching all the proceedings! Seeing that large pad of cement really helped me to see how very LARGE the barn will be. This is so exciting!!! I love your Raven guard. I look forward to meeting them someday. 😀 Were the pups in the house barking their heads off at all the activity in the yard?
Your heart must be exploding with joy! The Raven holds a very spiritual place in the history of the American Indian.. Many blessings for more exciting events on this journey of Crafting A Life…
It is such a treasure that you are bringing all of us along with you on this journey! As I looked at the foundation pictures I thought – Oh the adventures that with come forth from this foundation for everyone who takes a step in on it as they come to create! This is wonderful, Pokey!
I loved hearing that there was seven pages of love and good wishes going into the foundation of the art barn. It will be a fabulous place to create! I think you have a guardian in the raven. Reminds me of Old Faithful at Yellowstone. It had guardian ravens as well. They became more vocal before the geyser erupted. They are very in tune with their surroundings…receptive. His intuitive vibes will help with creativity! He’s good luck!!
Such a wonderful event. They say ravens are the wisest birds. You picked a great spot.
Congratulations! You are such an inspiration for all of us to keep pursuing our dreams and make them a reality. Looking forward to seeing each new step of your dream come to fruition. May the raven be with you.
Foundation looks great…did you leave your mark in it?
Pour Pokey pour! So enjoy reading about your dreams coming true. You go Girl!
Justine
Sent from Samsung tablet
And one day i’ll bring a bottle of wine and fabric to quilt…sigh
That is a beautiful piece of concrete. Congratulations. xo L
It is so lovely watching your life. I live in Tampa, Florida US. Maybe someday I will get to fullfill my lifelong dream (since I was 10 and now 65) of visiting Australia and New Zealand. I love our sewing and creative gene we share. Keep on keeping on. Thanks for sharing.