THIRTY!

Today is a most special day. A day when the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true. They sprinkled moon dust in her hair, and a golden starlight in her eyes so blue....

My dear, Inspiring sister.

Stephanie Joy Platter

And a joy she is.

Witty, fun, caring, loving, wise, majestic, beautiful, smart.... oh don't get me going on Smart!

Happy Birthday dear one. :) I love you.

Twenty-nine

Sparks specifically sang to me today. Sometimes a melody can say what your soul wishes it could. What is it about music that grips our heart? How does it sway us? How does a song sound "sad" or "inspiring" or "reminiscent?"
Like a feeling.
A truly talented songwriter can capture a complete thought in a song, a complete feeling, while still allowing the listener to believe there is more to it. It's like a conversation- say too much at a time and you'll lose your audience.
Few people really know how to converse. Fewer write good songs. Those who do, inspire me.

Twenty-seven & Twenty-eight

Oceanography class inspires alot of things, including a few mock drawings of Hokusai's Great Wave. I know, this piece is now quite over done, and may be considered a cliche, but I still love it. It has become an icon for Japanese art, and it symbolizes much of what is important to that culture- Their great Mount Fuji (Fuji-san, as they call it), and the sea, which is important for their lively-hood. The sea is something bittersweet, it may be what they believe provides, but also what puts them in such peril. (I think the fishermen would contend for that in this painting.) It is amazing what a painting can portray.
Here are a few of my Oceanography works-
(Could not get this upright for some reason....)

Also, I added a "smack" in there for fun . (A smack is the name for a group of jellyfish. Who knew?)Not great pics... I know. Camera was running out of batteries, so I did it quick!

Twenty-six

From the right person, some things just mean more....

"Abbie, ya, she knows what she's doing."

may not seem like much, but coming from my my art teacher, Mr. Lindman, it was completely inspiring.

Twenty-five

If anything is inspiring... it's that.
Oh boy.

Twentyfour

Although I really shouldn't, I try to keep Saturdays free of "have to's" - meaning homework and the like. Yet by 2 o' clock almost every Saturday, I begin to feel plagued by "shoulds." Really, I just get restless, and after about 3-4 cups of coffee and tea and maybe one or two breakfasts (I'm a hobbit), I feel the need to get up and go! See the town! Get my blood moving! Not do what I have to do, yet do something great!
When I told my mother of my restless feeling, she responded, "Wanna go outside and tapdance on the lawn?" (I love my Mom.) My vehement yes for some kind of creative activity landed us on the Issaquah Creek Trail. The trail was my mother's inspiration. I thought it just the right place to go.
So off my mother, my brother, and my self went!
We had a great time on the trail.

After our not-so-strenuous-walk, I, of course, was hungry. So I had a steak melt. But here is the COOL part of that boring statement.
Imagine this:
Trader Joe's Mustard
Steak
Garlic Sourdough Bread
Muenster Cheese
And...
(As inspired by my sister Stephanie)....Strawberrriiiieeesss!
Good Saturday.

Twentythree

York Minister, in York of course, is the largest Gothic chapel in all of Northern Europe. This is not a surprise when you admire it's inspiring stain glass windows. At first glimpse, I thought "This is too much for my self righteous, bleeding heart to take. Didn't they know people were poor and dying even then???" I'm sure they were not totally unaware, and who am I to criticize great art of any time and place?

I've been pondering as of late whether great man-made splendor and beauty are right when the world is in turmoil- which is all the time. I dearly love beauty and all things wonderous and gaudy (Gaudi being one of my favorites in the art world, and he was not by any means subtle or sparing in extravagance.) Yet, I am bothered by those who pour themselves and their money into things of no consequence. Is life only about yourself, your friends, your family, and your happiness? No. Who is the ressurrection and the Life? Riddle me that, oh seekers of splendor.

The windows of York Minister, as you may know, are very finely detailed, yet so high from the ground, what person can even look so close as to see the ornately done pictures? The artist, John Thornton, said (roughly) that the details were done "for only God's eyes to see." Isn't that beautiful? Thornton's work was done for the Lord. His time was given for God's pleasure, just as ours should be in all we do.

Each day, why do we try to keep our thoughts clean? Why do we try (and sometimes fail) to be good even with no one watching. Ah! But He is watching, and His eyes see the details of the windows to our souls.
In the end, I feel all things we do are done through our hearts. Some things can be done for us, and everything done for ourselves will perish. And Some things... some things can be done for God.

So today, do what is beautiful for the eye's of God. The splendor of man will perish, but the Lord is forever.

Twentytwo

Can I just say....
THIS is my dream car-
Chevy Nova. Late 60's- Early 70's. Yah that's right. The one above happens to be a 73.
Today, I road in one very similar. It was tan and missing a front bumper, but I dare say I was giddy. So giddy, I was inspired to share with the world my love of this car.
"Most people don't even know what a Nova is." The driver said.
"Oh, honey, I KNOW what a Nova is." was my highly witty response.

Twentyone

Don't you think maps are just so inspiring?? I just picked this one up today, and I'm particularly excited to explore what it offers. Of course, my map may not excite most people around, but I think we can all admit that a map means adventure. From the good old treasure maps we drew ourselves as little kids, to the old world maps from hundreds- thousands- of years ago, maps generate the desire of more than where you are right now.
I once went on an entire roadtrip dedicated to the Lewis and Clark voyage. We visited many re-enactments, to scale models of boats, tents, and gadgets, and many taxidermied animals (slightly creepy, but relevant.) All of it gave the true feeling of a fantastic feat. I would do the entire trip again.
One small part of the trip that amazed me was the map that Clark drew during the voyage. It's really quite accurate! Every few miles Clark would stop and continue his cartography endeavors. The mountains, the rivers, the canyons all got a place in his book.
Map Making... A mystery.

Twenty!

Here are twenty little inspirations:

1. Dandelions
2. Friendly Notes
   
3. Disney Short Films
4. Hobbits
   
5. Little Golden Books
6. Babies
7. iPods
8. Diamonds
9. Neurons
10. Fables
    
11. Stamps
12. Mustard Seeds
13. Proverbs 3:5
14. Small Answered Prayers
    
15. Penny Whistles
16. The Seven Dwarfs
17. Pearls
18. Ants
19. Kind Words
20. Fingerprints
    

Eighteen & Nineteen

I am inspired by...

those who speak their mind.

For I often should and don't.

And by those who can stay silent.

For I often don't, but should.

Seventeen

I am taking a drawing class. Two days a week, three hour classes, and right away I know how much more I have to learn. Alot....
It's inspiring to know that other artists throughout history have struggled through proportion, shape, and perspective as I have today and for the last two weeks. I just spent about six hours on a few drawings that really aren't worth looking at. I drew the same still life 8 times at different angles. I could draw it 1000 more times and probably still not be perfect... but just imagine what I would gain from such a feat. It's the equivalent of doing scales on a piano. It's not a song. It's not a melody. But one day it will lead to something great.
That is the hope anyway.

Fifteen and Sixteen

Yesterday, I was so inspired to see my Brother, Andrew Platter, perform at this arena last night! (Just so happens that Justin Bieber will be there in July... Nice of Andrew to share the stage I guess.)
It was really a great show. The first band was super hot, obviously, and the final band, Newsboys, played some of the hottest new hits of the 90's to date! There were lights and kicks and even some 50 foot platform jumping. All in all a fun time.
That guy... so great at what he does.

Course, He's not too shabby either....

Fourteen

In today's beautiful sunshine I decided to go out for an adventure. My lack of driving abilities was made up for my residency on a few wonderful acres of woods, so I hiked at home. I walked all about the woods, and with all the right clothing, all was possible. (As the Norwegian's say- "there is no bad weather, only bad clothing." I say, along the same lines, that "Whatever your clothes can, you can.")
As a kid, I was way too afraid to do anything like climb trees or jump off of tall things. It was too risky. I, however, was a little daring, but very cautious (obviously a very torn individual). So I've been trying to make up for my lack of daring when I was young. Today I climbed trees, walked across logs, and jumped down from trees, and acquired a few scrapes and bruises. It was all very worth it and was much better than the workout I had planned.
All that being said, I am whole heartedly inspired by one particular individual....

Oh Bear Grylls, are you a super hero?

I find him... admirable.

Sometimes, his eating habits seem a little unconventional.

And some say he's not that impressive... ha!

But in all, I think he's also pretty down to earth.

Well, maybe not so much.

Thirteen

We were grass-whistling at Gas Works park. I'm the profile on the far right. I think I look like peter pan.
Behind us is a "sun-dog." Quite a wonderful phenomenon that my Meteorology teacher spoke of often as his favorite. It's really Inspiring, you might say... I made a big deal about it.

Twelve

Eleven

Have you ever been on a road trip? There is something about one that is completely magical. Inspiring, even.
However, today what inspires me is not roadtrips themselves, but the emblem of home along the way.....

Starbucks


that Inspires thoughts of home when home is far away.

I can't wait for my road trip this summer....

Ten

I have this poster in my room. It was originally a lithograph done by Ben Blessum in 1937. I am inspired by it daily and I hope that you are today. It happens to be in my favorite painting colors- Blue and orange- about my nearly favorite place- Norway- portraying one of my favorite cultures- the vikings ;) I fell in love with the poster the minute I saw it at the Fargo Mall in North Dakota, and I brought it four states west to my home (I went back to Minnesota first, hence the "four" states.) It fits perfectly on my yellow walls and displays my Norwegian pride very well.
I love it.

(My poster doesn't have the travel info on the bottom. It simply says "Scandinavia" in very modern letters, which I personally prefer in this case.)

Nine

So here's the thing- I love watching Evening Magazine on King 5. I feel so enlightened with almost every viewing. (The sportisodes are really not my thing. I don't really care what the Sounders do in Arizona during the springtime, but I'm glad others do.)
I get so inspired watching the wood carvers, the tightrope walkers, the entrepreneurs, the designers, the parks, the raptors, the chefs, the volunteers, the proactives! - I could go on.
Truly, though, it takes me away. I like the feeling of idealism. Things are happy. People are "real." Lives that you want are being lived, and it all seems in your grasp. Dreams are close and the Northwest is made a place of wonder! It's like watching grown up "reading rainbow." Meeghan Black isn't at all what LeVar Burton was, but we must make do....
Oh Look!

How'd that get there....

Anyway, if you want to be locally up to date and educated in some way while also being transported to a seemingly better alternate reality. Try and give it a watch.
Evening Magazine may not be your weakness, but it is certainly mine.

Eight

Today I went without shoes. I walked the pavement, the classrooms, and the cement steps on just my feet. I had a few friends join me, and many more around the world joined for the same cause. We did it voluntarily for people around the world who don't have a choice. Truthfully, it wasn't so hard for one day (granted, a little cold at lows of 44 degrees), but, of course, I had shoes to go back to.
Many people don't.
Many children can't attend school because they are not allowed without shoes.
Many men, women, and children have diseases and infections they get from not wearing shoes.

Someone said to me that this point could be made just as a statement. I don't need to go bearfoot for this, but I didn't do this for a statement. I did it to show I care. I did it so others can be aware. I did it for myself. To Learn. To Soften.



I'm inspired by them.

Seven

I met a very Inspiring Kenyan woman today.
She spoke about God and Jesus.
She was so real.
So honest.
Rose.

Six

I'm inspired by Fridtjof Nansen.
This wonderful Norwegian was an accomplished oceanographer, inventor, zoologist, artist, statesman, professor, 1922 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Wow. What a Viking.

Four & Five

New Beginnings inspire a...

Haiku

Easter is New Life
Our new lives in Christ begin
When we are reborn

College can be sad
When people don't know the truth
They think they know

Each day I hope- pray
They will see what Easter is
And start to believe

Three

The Greeks and their-
Yogurt

+
Their Movies

= Me, Inspired.

This guy might have helped...

Two

Inspiration for today- for life:
His Sacrifice
I chose "The Crucifixion" by Degas because I visited it at the SAM for "Inspiring Impressionism" last year. Of course, it is a picture of our Lord's death on the cross. Although the actual happening would have been far more gruesome, moving many more than this simple painting could ever do, the piece comes back to me often, perhaps because of it's ironic nature. The sky is bright with little tufts of clouds, and the entire picture is so clean, yet it was Jesus. Dying. for me...
That's inspiring.

Today is Good Friday. The day to Remember.

One

A month for inspiration. At least one for every day.
We can do this.

Today I am inspired by....

My new red toms
Ropes just for adventures




And how gray days like today seem mysterious and make me want wander...

More to come!