That is so true, Harley! Sometimes though, you have to forge your own path to coincide with your dream.
Harley, thank you for restacking this post --Jill can be an inspiration to so many others that you don't have to put up with second class treatment like her husband was doing.
C.J., this lady could have been me. When I was 19, as part of my college, I spent 3 months in Jamaica. I fell in love with the crafts people who sold their creations. I wanted to do wood carvings. From time to time this dream has resurfaced in my life, but I have never found a path that would help me fulfill that dream.
It’s never too late, Harley. Stand true to your dream. We all have a dream or two. Yours sounds wonderful!
Have you continued to do your wood carvings and do you have some finished pieces you can take pictures of? There are several sites online that will allow you to have an “online store”. One I can think of off the top of my mind is Fiver.
I also came across a writer the other day who was selling his book, T-shirts with his Logo, and other items right from his Substack account. I’ll try and remember what his name is —I’m old and I’ve forgotten.
I gave up wood carving years ago. I was interested in carving masks. I have doodled masks for years. I have also made pen & ink drawings of masks. For the past 13 year I have been doing Zentangle. Writing has always been my first love. Art is second. Something I dabble in.
Actually, anyone can do Zentangle. That is a core teaching principle. I began creating Zentangle art in 2012. In 2016 I took a 4 day course in how to teach it from the founders. There are no mistakes in Zentangle. It is also a form of meditation. I have made almost a thousand drawings.
Thank you, Carol. I wish you a super special week, too! And you’re right. It’s a good feeling having friends all over the world that we can talk and share with, who have the same interests we do. Writing does bring like-minded people together.
Yeah, she could probably afford to do what she did and that’s good. Independent is another good word for her. I was in a small way envious, too. St. Thomas is such a gorgeous, magical place and to have her own business like that …
What's more is that her business is so simple and relaxed and serendipitous. Her daily strolls along the beach garners her materials. Hard life, I must say.
I do remember you relating this story someplace. Interesting the people you meet when traveling, and the impact they can have on you. Strong and very wise woman. Sounds a lot like someone I know 😉
Ken, you have an excellent memory! It’s a piece I wrote in 2023 and I think you were the only one who read it back then. I dragged it out and rewrote it last night.
The cruise was in 2004 as I remember. I’ve often wondered if she’s still there selling her jewelry and enjoying her freedom.
Thank you for your generosity of spirit and your unwavering support —you are a very special man and your wife, a lucky lady. 😘❤️
Kevin Nash, thank you for restacking this post. Jill really was a top-notch lady and it's good more people will read about her once they see this restack.
Love the story about a women with an amazing combination of guts and ingenuity.
It took guts, determination, and a dose of self love to pull it off, and she did it!
Thank you Frederick.
You never know where life leads you. It depends on what paths you take and what choices you make. Great story.
That is so true, Harley! Sometimes though, you have to forge your own path to coincide with your dream.
Harley, thank you for restacking this post --Jill can be an inspiration to so many others that you don't have to put up with second class treatment like her husband was doing.
C.J., this lady could have been me. When I was 19, as part of my college, I spent 3 months in Jamaica. I fell in love with the crafts people who sold their creations. I wanted to do wood carvings. From time to time this dream has resurfaced in my life, but I have never found a path that would help me fulfill that dream.
It’s never too late, Harley. Stand true to your dream. We all have a dream or two. Yours sounds wonderful!
Have you continued to do your wood carvings and do you have some finished pieces you can take pictures of? There are several sites online that will allow you to have an “online store”. One I can think of off the top of my mind is Fiver.
I also came across a writer the other day who was selling his book, T-shirts with his Logo, and other items right from his Substack account. I’ll try and remember what his name is —I’m old and I’ve forgotten.
I’d love to see you fulfill that dream!
hugs
I gave up wood carving years ago. I was interested in carving masks. I have doodled masks for years. I have also made pen & ink drawings of masks. For the past 13 year I have been doing Zentangle. Writing has always been my first love. Art is second. Something I dabble in.
I love the look of Zentangle. It’s so intricate! It must be very hard to do —impressive, Harley!
Just keep in mind that you have options. Nothing is set in stone saying that you have to give up your dreams, okay?
Go get ‘em, Tiger …
Actually, anyone can do Zentangle. That is a core teaching principle. I began creating Zentangle art in 2012. In 2016 I took a 4 day course in how to teach it from the founders. There are no mistakes in Zentangle. It is also a form of meditation. I have made almost a thousand drawings.
Beautiful work, Harley! Very impressive!
Come to my beloved South Africa. You will never want to leave lol 💙💜😢
I’m sure you’re right —I would find it lovely! Are you living in the U.S. now?
No, I’m living in Johannesburg which is also beautiful in a completely different way.
Isn’t it lovely to share our beautiful countries with each other so kindly and helpfully?
You have a super special week.
Kindest regards
Carol
Thank you, Carol. I wish you a super special week, too! And you’re right. It’s a good feeling having friends all over the world that we can talk and share with, who have the same interests we do. Writing does bring like-minded people together.
Friends always
CJ
No could not leave my beloved SA ever. Just would love to move back to my beloved hometown of Cape Town to Simonstown or Kommetjie in particular 💙💜🇿🇦
Ohhh, you’re still in S.A., just not in the city you want to be in and you miss it. Now I understand. ❤️💕❤️
We have pansy shells like this in my beloved South Africa.
But rarely, now.
Nature’s Valley, near Plettenberg Bay.
I miss my Cape Town and the sea so much.
I know you call them something else in the States💙💜
Hello Carol Ann. Yes, here we call pansy shells ‘sand dollars’. They’re rare here, too, and I feel fortunate when I can find one.
How long has it been since you moved away from Cape Town? You must still have family and friends there, which makes it even harder to live away.
I’m happy to ‘meet’ you. Thank you for subscribing to CJ’s World. I look forward to reading your writings and getting to know you better.
Wow: sand dollars, golden name.
Moved to Johannesburg for my ex husband and beloved daughter in 1999.
Can’t afford to move back sadly but anything is possible, right💙💜
Absolutely. Dreams can and do come true. Hold onto that dream, Carol Ann.
WOW! What a way to drop a bombshell. And good for her courage to drop everything but her suitcase.
I admire her courage! She didn’t take that shee-it from him —she blew him off! Isn’t it great to hear of a real life success story like hers?
Yeah … WOW
She also probably had a bunch of her own money from her job in NYC, but I hope she cleaned out the bastard. teehee Don't get even. Get it all!
Yeah, she could probably afford to do what she did and that’s good. Independent is another good word for her. I was in a small way envious, too. St. Thomas is such a gorgeous, magical place and to have her own business like that …
WOW is right.
What's more is that her business is so simple and relaxed and serendipitous. Her daily strolls along the beach garners her materials. Hard life, I must say.
Love those jewelry pieces! Great story! 🩷
I agree. Jill did beautiful work! I’m so glad you enjoyed her story. Thank you, Wen.
I do remember you relating this story someplace. Interesting the people you meet when traveling, and the impact they can have on you. Strong and very wise woman. Sounds a lot like someone I know 😉
Ken, you have an excellent memory! It’s a piece I wrote in 2023 and I think you were the only one who read it back then. I dragged it out and rewrote it last night.
The cruise was in 2004 as I remember. I’ve often wondered if she’s still there selling her jewelry and enjoying her freedom.
Thank you for your generosity of spirit and your unwavering support —you are a very special man and your wife, a lucky lady. 😘❤️
CJ What a great story . Thanks for sharing it. D
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dave. She was a remarkable lady.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you, Kathleen Hobbs, for restacking this post!
Kathleen Hobbs and Kevin Nash, thank you for restacking this post!
Robert Cosmar thank you for restacking this post. 💋💋💋
Kevin Nash, thank you for restacking this post. Jill really was a top-notch lady and it's good more people will read about her once they see this restack.
Thank you again, Kevin.