Maker Faire 2017

Guess who I ran into this weekend?

 Yep, that's him! Mr. R2D2 himself.

 He was hobnobbing at the Maker Faire.  I talked to his "handler" who assured me that he did, indeed, make this entire replica himself. The guy did a fantastic job; it looked just like the movie version.

This pint-size Storm Trooper was so engrossed in creating a digital masterpiece but you can imagine his expression when he looked up and saw R2.

There were makers of all kinds represented.
Cosplay costume artists.

Robots of all kinds were a big thing.

Wood workers demonstrated carving techniques.

Beautiful objects of art, both practical & decorative were on display.

There were those who tool leather into beautiful bracelets and a guy who blows glass into colorful, delicate shapes.

I think this was the 3rd year for the Faire to be held here. I went 2 years ago and they had a great turnout of participants & attendees, but this year was much more! One of the things I loved was seeing how many children & teens got involved.

It's a hands-on event. Kids could try sewing and using a pottery wheel.

My art-doll club was represented. People learned some of the process of doll-making and even create & take a clay dragon.

You could see how stones are polished and purchase various stones or crystals.

This is a 3-D printer. These are amazing little inventions. I'm sure someday they'll develop into something extremely useful but for now we have to be satisfied with small castles & dinosaurs. Actually, they've already come a long way. Three years ago, they were pretty much only producing Cracker Jacks type toys.

 I didn't stop to see what this demonstration was, but it sure was pretty! I assume it had to do with how light is used to grow vegetation.

And that's it - my mini tour of the Mini-Maker-Faire 2017.

Morning Reflection

In 2012, my church/work/social world started wobbling. Like the beginning rumble of a mild earthquake kind of wobble. Coming change was undeniable. I was talking to a minister friend one day and he asked where I saw myself in 5 years. I've always hated that "5-year Plan" thing! I've never been able to plan 5 weeks, let alone 5 years. But this was something that required some serious thought, so I made an attempt to answer...

"I can maybe see two years down the road. Possibly three. But five years - all I see is a black hole."
He replied, "And God is already there in the black hole waiting for you."

I've thought about that answer many times since. It's always given me comfort. With my limited understanding of God and my experience of Him in my life, I understood that my friend wasn't saying that God is sitting in a black hole waiting for me to stumble my way there and keep Him company! He would be with me every moment of every day and we would walk every step of the way together. The way forward would become clearer as the blackness fades. Light overcoming dark.

Last night, a dear friend called to talk. She's facing an uncertain future that looks like a black hole. We talked about many things, many possible scenarios, but the best advice I could give her was that which was given to me in 2012.

As I was having tea on my patio this morning, my mind wandered back to that day and the conversation last night, and I realized - it's been five years. Here we are!

Maybe you're curious about what happened during that time or what my reflections might be? Have I learned any lessons? Am I where I thought I might be? Wow, that is a whole other post and I think I will attempt to answer those questions. It would be a good, reflective exercise. But I can tell you this:

The sun came up this morning.