As the snow falls along with the temperatures here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my imagination moves me into warm gentle ocean currents where mermaids swim and beautiful underwater scenes fill my head. I loved the colors in this art piece and had fun overlaying it all with sparkling netting, strand after strand of green seaweed like strings dripping with shiny glass beads. Look closely and you’ll see some beachglass peeking out as well. It will be a joy to begin putting together the larger mermaid artwork, working it’s way around my head from glimpses of her reflection within the blue-green waters of Lake Erie. Perhaps now is a good time to test out ways to dye fabric in the snow, using the cold ice particles as a means of drawing batik-like swirls in the pieces used later for her image. The collection of driftwood and other beachglass is waiting to be put into use as well this cold January evening. Patience . . . Patience . . . is what the sea teaches as “Gifts from the Sea” remarks. Patience in the depth of winter to know that summer will arrive after the long wait.