This week's sources of inspiration and hurricane Sandy preparations

 Garden harvest in preparation for Hurricane Sandy

This week has been one of preparations for the impending impact of Hurricane Sandy.  I harvested all the vegetables that I could to save them being blown away or damaged by potential high winds, and made sure the fall vegetables were snug in their hoop tunnels.  I've also stocked up on materials to keep me entertained should I be stuck at home or if the power should go out as it often does when you live in a neighborhood with many old growth trees that take out the power lines as they fall.

Reading List

The Book Thing

Last weekend I had time to take a trip to a place I love to go that's a free source of inspiration - The Book Thing in Baltimore, MD.  (Yes, I did say free.)  Their mission is "To put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them."  We dropped off a few boxes of books I cleared off the bookshelves and I found a few to fill up the empty space including a classic and a newer memoir that were both on my reading wish list along with a stack of magazines to peruse and use for art journaling and mixed media projects later.

Wild:  From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
A memoir of a young woman's solo hike on the 1100 mile trail after suffering from personal catastrophe.

Walden

A classic that I never had the chance to read that seemed appropriate for the continued struggle between civilization and nature.

Current resources for creative inspiration

After the Jump podcasts and Design*Sponge website

Check out both the podcasts and website by the Grace Bonmey,  Her website is full of inspirational art and design eye candy and diy projects.  The podcasts feature interviews of designers, business owners and up-and-comers in the art community which are great to listen to on my commutes to and from work.

The Next List

CNN has a television show and blog featuring innovators in technology, science and social change.  I really enjoy seeing how people can start with one small idea that can grow into a something meaningful for many.

Other books on my shelf to read:

Becoming a Life Change Artist: 7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life
This book is about an innovative approach to reinventing yourself at any stage of life.  The book outlines 7 key strengths that some of the most creative minds in history shared that can be used by anyone seeking to cultivate change in their life.


ECOpreneuring:  Putting Purpose and the Planet before Profits.  
I serendipitously met the author of this book at the Mother Earth News Fair when one of the workshops I wanted to attend was completely full and I found myself at his display table.  He and his wife are innkeepers and authors and this book offers advice on starting small eco-businesses that incorporate values and priorities while creating income and meaning.

I'm all set to hunker down by the fireplace to ride out the storm, explore these creative resources and cook up a few tasty meals with my harvest.

Thanks for reading!

Fall decorations in the neighborhood