I thought I'd start a subject on how thru the years, life changes have affected my puppetry and the ways I've been allowed to continue puppetry thru each life change. I thought it might spark ideas and be pretty interesting to hear stories from everyone about what they do and how they keep their love of puppetry in their ever changing lives.

Blacklight Theatre has always been my first puppetry love. 18 years ago I dove in full force. Even with two young children I did big things with Blacklight. Lots of energy and the ability to stay up late and get up early to create my puppets/prop. Lots of big stage shows.
After the kids were older I was able to continue the big stage shows and also add my one woman show to my blacklight venture. The kids pretty much were old enough to keep themselves busy when I rehearsed and so I took my blacklight theatre out and on the road for birthdays and schools and various functions.
Skip on about 14 years later, one child had left the nest, one at home almost ready to leave the nest. Still doing the stage shows and one woman shows and now my time allowed to take blacklight into the afterschool programs.
This has been my position till present. I see that taking care of Tessa will be more full time so the one woman shows will need to end and I will have one more big stage production in June. I am ending a year of blacklight in the afterschool program here next month. I see that the remaining way to continue some sort of blacklight theatre with the situation I'm presented with is to choose maybe just the afterschool programs. I'm not sure I see myself back into my one woman show...If Tessa remains in our care (long story) until she leaves the grandparents nest,,,not sure at that time my little body will still allow the one woman show stuff. BUT, my brain will still allow the teaching of the art! My brain could possibly do the creative thinking by then and maybe my wishes for so long will begin to happen. I do the thinking, the imagining, the choreography, the intricate thought work. Disney (hehe) can then take my thoughts and do the dirty work. Hire the seamstresses, the puppeteers, ect. Then I can sit and watch my blacklight shows,,,with my little old body and gray hair and well. That's kinda where I'd like to see my blacklight adventure end. Can you tell I've always longed to be able to put shows together for Disney or somewhere in Vegas, that would rock my world. And only take my brain....
So the ever changing in our lives and the things we do to keep our love of puppetry in them as we age and experience life. Just wondered if you had a story or thoughts on this.
Takecare. Time to go wake Tessa and get her up and moving for the day.
Here's her latest photo slideshow. This is my joy in my life right now. She comes first. I'm ok with that too.

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w276/puppetpatti/?action=view&current=599a24cd.pbw

I did forget one thing. I have had to take down my website. I just can't take on orders as I used to. Time doesn't allow. I've turned over some of my regular orders with companies to others who I know will do a fantastic job. Still ok with this decision. I can maybe sew up little girl clothes when time allows too. sigh,,,this really is some emotional typing I'm doing right now. God is with us during this trial. I know that. I'm hanging on to Him. Peace again.
Patti

Precious picture! ...and very professional looking. Looks like a magazine photo. I know you will rebound and of course God is with you.

If you need help with anything, you know you have a great group of people here that can make a rainy day into sunshine.

Thanks Sonny,
I enjoy photography. She's a fun subject to take photos of :0)

Wow, you have had some curve balls thrown at you it sounds like.  You have an amazingly positive attitude and I really respect your priorities.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you.  Is there anyway you could post a couple pictures of what you did as a one woman black light show?  That is really intriguing!  Tessa is as adorable as ever!! Thanks for sharing!

Well, I am working on a new to me Macbook Pro. Still learning my way around it. I have program loaded that will allow me  to upload some of my blacklight work. Just finding the time to do that. I REALLY want to share it, especially the big stage stuff. I also want to share the one woman stuff.  I will read more on how to do these things. Thanks for reminding me that I should do this.
And Thank You! For your words.....

Patti it is always so uplifting hearing from you .... no matter what is going on in your life. You have a angels watching you and they will help guide you along the way. speaking of little angels she has grown so much. Please keep in touch and remembr we are always here to support you with what ever is going on on in your life.

Billy D.