We are on the road in New Mexico. On our way to Carlsbad caverns we decided to stop off in Roswell to see the UFO museum. The cluster of booths inside a warehouse suggest the government's cover-up of an alien crash. This story is told in a series of newspaper articles, photos and conflicting eye-witness accounts. About half of the museum is a gallery of art inspired by UFOs. It's been on my destination list for a long time. I might have enjoyed it more if I had entered into the spirit of fun like the high school group who sported alien helmets crafted from aluminum foil. At least I can say I've been there. Truthfully the alien-head street lamps lining main street were my favorite part of the visit.

We were lucky to discover a gem in this hot desert town--The Roswell Museum and Art Center which featured an exhibit and an entire wing devoted to Dr. Robert Goddard. Had my husband not been a flight buff we would have kept right on driving. Goddard, the father of modern rocketry was fascinated at an early age with the idea of space travel. His work began in his home state of Massachusetts. His first rocket launched in 1926.

I was intrigued with the museum's display because of the recreation of Goddard's workroom. The opportunity to see a creator's workspace is a favorite subject of mine. Two walls of the large space were lined with workbenches containing rocket parts. Above the tables were orderly rows of tools. The other side of the room stored sheets of metal and a metal cutting machine. It was a fascinating look inside the working mind of a genius.

In the adjoining hallway examples of his many rocket designs are displayed behind glass. In this collection of rockets I was surprised they noted the failures. It's easy to see the end result--"the success" and forget how much work went into the outcome. "During World War II, Goddard offered his work to the military, but lack of interest in rocket development led to his closing down the Roswell establishment and participating in the war effort through a small Navy contract for work at Annapolis, MD, on the development of a jet-thrust booster for seaplane takeoff." ~ Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1960, fifteen years after his death, the more than 200 patents held by Goddard and his heirs were transferred to the United States for a settlement of $1,000,000. He studied and experimented for years in his tidy workshop, was initially ridiculed by the media, had his work rejected by the government and died before he ever saw his research come into use. A plaque next to the rocket displays described his life and work with an interesting word--"tinkerer". Did he think all those years, all that effort was a waste? Picture a seven-year-old Robert Goddard in 1899 as"... he climbed a cherry tree in his backyard and “imagined how wonderful it would be to make some device which had even the possibility of ascending to Mars…when I descended the tree,” he wrote in his diary, “existence at last seemed very purposive.” ~ Encyclopedia Britannica A waste? No way. I think he was just having fun.

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Pizza, Grissini and Chocolate Calzone from scratch.

I've had this topic on my "to write" list ever since last summer.  Imagine my surprise and delight when my all time favorite blog, the Improvised Life gave me a nudge this morning.  Read their article here.

What makes sidewalk chalk so fun?  An unbelievably large canvas for one thing.  What could possibly be a better surface than an entire driveway?   It's spontaneous and unscripted play with a forgiving medium.  The most important reason?  It's impermanent.  Cars and footsteps and rain make it virtually impossible to create a "mistake."

Wouldn't it be great if "grown ups" could capture the exuberance of giant doodles?  I smile every time I see a decorated sidewalk.  And Sally just gave me a reason to join in the fun.  Chalk welcome mats!  Simply brilliant.

I couldn't get to the store fast enough to buy my own sidewalk chalk--I bought a box of 52 washable chalks by Crayola.  Here's my welcome mat and some of the submissions we received.  It's not too late to join--post yours!

It's a busy week for the summer festival so we're camping near Central City.  It's a beautiful place to relax
and journal between seven opera performances.  I woke up in the mountains yesterday next to my husband    with love in my heart and an idea for a journal page--an  exercise in the simplicity and complexity of love.  I pictured a simple graphic heart on a quilt block background as an exuberant symbol of love.  I nearly finished the page that morning; later in the day I re-read a section of Twyla Tharp's book, The Creative Habit.  As she discussed artists' skills Tharp says one goal is to make our work seem effortless.  But to achieve that first we must master  the basics.   It was a perfect fit for my page.

From Twyla Tharp's book, "Picasso once said, while admiring an exhibition of children's art, 'When I was their age I could draw like Raphael, but it has taken me a whole lifetime to learn to draw like them.' "

I've been too busy playing opera to write.  I really should be heading to the shower so we can play an afternoon Carmen.  Instead, I'm making time to write just for fun.  All because of a darling bit of fluff.

I don't even know what category to choose for this post.  I bought it at the opera gift shop so it's a bit like music.  But it's also inspiring my muse so maybe it's even more like creativity.  It's a little bit like a makeover so it fits well in Courageous Communication.  P.S. to Inside Out Makeover.

No matter the category, I just have to share.  A colleague told me about these headpieces a couple of weeks ago.  I finally made it to the gift shop earlier this week to see for myself.  I tried one on and was instantly transformed!  So cute!  But where would I wear it?  Later in the pit, I excitedly shared my find.  A friend suggested I might have to create opportunities for wearing something that made me so happy.  That was all I needed to hear.  Last night I returned with money in hand.  

Fascinators!  Recently in the public eye due to a beautiful and stylish Duchess, these are ethereal confections for your head.  Set at a jaunty angle they add charm and whimsy.  All tulle and feathers and lace--try one on and you won't be able to stop smiling.  

An opera house employee had just arrived last night with fresh stock of hair accessories--the seventh of the season!  There were piles of fascinators.  So many that it was hard to choose.  But then, they are all so darling you really can't go wrong.  My husband was with me when I shopped.  I asked if he liked them.  He said he liked how much they make me smile.  

#3 Power Wear

Third in a series on giving yourself an Inside-Out Makeover, this step encourages you to find your special power garment and wear it to radiate confidence and authority.

I didn't notice my new attitude until this spring.  Just like the previous year, my husband gave me a shoe shopping trip for my birthday.   This time it was easy to choose.  I'd heard so much about the barefoot running shoes Vibrum Five Fingers, I couldn't wait to try them.  It was love at first step.  I felt powerful and I felt free.  In touch with nature I relished feeling the earth beneath my feet.  Athletic and strong I was ready for challenge.  Pliant and vulnerable I quickly adapted to the varied terrain.

Last year's gift was another story.  I had barely celebrated my birthday when Mom's health took a turn for the worse and she died 5 days later.  It was weeks before I was in the mood to shop for birthday shoes.  But when I finally did, I made an interesting choice.  I picked tough chick shoes.  Black patent, strappy, towering heels covered in studs.  Don't mess with me shoes.  Armor for my feet.  Although what I was really trying to protect was my heart.

Last year:  warrior.  This year:  road warrior.  Anyone who knows me is familiar with my love of shoes.  But I was still surprised to see my confidence (or lack of) so obviously demonstrated in my footwear.  And that got me thinking about power wear.

Wonder Woman has her unbreakable bracelets.  My kids had blankies.  There are days when we all could use an extra measure of self-confidence.  Your power garment makes you feel invincible and keeps you safe.  It's an item of clothing that makes you feel your best.  It can be a signature item or your own little secret.  It might be a special gift or a cherished heirloom.  It's significance is your symbol of bravura.   Whether it's your treasured earrings, those fabulous boots or even the most delicious perfume I'll bet you already know your power wear.  Put it on the next time you need a boost.  Better yet, wear it every day.