4-24-14





I love this building; located right on Main Street here in town.
I'm sure everyone here knows the story... but suffice it to say; at one time it was a really cool; really well kept tavern with rooms to rent... fell into disrepair... went thru a series of owners... was gutted at one point with the intent to restore it... and now has been empty for years and years.
It's a tragedy... in many, many ways.... and a source of frustration for many here.

I try to think of her as a very old woman... still dignified... still standing... but beyond the point where life is vigorous and one could do things with verve. She is fading away... but will (no doubt) remain in the hearts of many. And I am afraid.... her days are numbered now due to weather and time.

 I still think she's gorgeous.... and try to appreciate her every time I wander by.
-- this is from a local news source:

 "Built from 1875-1880 for F. W. Knox, this large Italianate residence was converted for use as the Old Hickory Tavern in 1928. Located on Main Street in Coudersport, Old Hickory is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Coudersport Historic District. 
Old Hickory has been closed and vacant since 1987, and was owned by Adelphia, which was destroyed by an accounting scandal and entered bankruptcy in 2002. 
The current owner acquired Old Hickory in 2004 with the intention of rehabilitating it, but has not been able to do so to date. 
The owner looks forward to working with Preservation Pennsylvania and other partners to find a way to get the project moving in 2014." --see more information HERE

according to legend... it is haunted by the ghost of a young man
~~~OLD HICKORY INN (Coudersport, Potter County) The Old Hickory was once a popular stopover for locals and travelers.  Now it's a derelict building, deserted except for its one forlorn spirit.  An underage drinker had too many, and got into a brawl outside the Inn.  He was shot, and they dragged his body upstairs, laid him on a piano, and let him die, afraid of losing their license.  The spook can be spotted looking out the the upstairs window late at night... see here

this is a cool blog post done by someone passing through...
photos of this building on Pinterest
and a video on VIMEO that I came across.

4-23-14



Having my birthday on Earth Day has always been a fun coincidence.... being a hippie child and all... it really suits me.
And while I normally do not have the best of times on my birthday
(I go thru this whole self-evaluation thing that is just not fun... and something I am working on cutting out of my life)
-I love focusing instead on the Earth Day aspect... and doing something out and about in nature.

One thing we've done for several years now... is to plant something on Earth Day.
This year was no different.  We planted a gorgeous yellow forsythia plant... near our front steps...
and my daughter gifted me with a stunning lilac bush... which we planted near our deck.
I am really looking forward to smelling those blooms for years down the road.


Things I am Grateful for Today:

-lilacs
-the bright sunshine color of forsythia plants
-fresh good dirt to plant them both in
-keeping traditions that are fun and enjoyable
-trying to get rid of those traditions that are not
-bunnies in the yard
-and a groundhog! he was HUGE. And while I hope I don't catch him in my gardens come summer... he was fun to watch
-celebrating my birthday this week with lunch at one restaurant one day.... dinner at another a different day... and tonight... dessert at a 3rd restaurant.
-getting some money back on yearly taxes we hadn't accounted for
-cake. Cake is good.


4-21-14


Today was sort of a lesson in futility...
I packed the jeep full of recycling and lots of garbage the daughter has been clearing out of the woods behind us.... and we took off... only to find out that the Recycling plant/local dump was closed for the day (Easter weekend). So.... we took off on a side road to stop at a local greenhouse-- thinking of getting some garden plants (which; as it turns out... isn't open yet... but will be opening in a couple weeks).... and I was going to work in the yard today... but alas, my allergies had other thoughts.
And so.... another day.... another day for all of it.
And that is OK.


On the plus side... Things I am Grateful for Today:

-we got out and about in the wonderful spring weather
-we got to meet a couple adorable puppies at the greenhouse location... a wonderful basset named Shovel and his little labra-doodle companion.
-we saw a couple old barns along the way... and I LOVE old barns (one is shown in the photo above)
-we found more wild leeks
-and so I am making some more wild leek and potato soup for dinner---vegan style so my daughter can eat some... and I'll share some with my mom.
-I saw ants! and a couple bees! in the yard
-daffodils
-I found someone I was able to gift my "old" laptop to who could use it.... even though it has a couple issues (that may be fixable)... doubly-good because this person loaned me their printer so I could print some photos a couple weeks ago.... and now it all worked out for each of us.
-and I am able to gift my "old" one... because Jim surprised me with a NEW one for my birthday coming up.
-and that turning 50 isn't really all that bad


for the weekend


It's hard to believe that it's Easter Weekend already.
But... here it is.

I've wanted to post these photos for a long while... but was saving them for this weekend.
The photo at the top is one of the main stained glass windows in our local First United Presbyterian Church.... which is the church I grew up in. Often; as a child during sermons... my mind would wander and I would imagine myself as if I were living in the scenes of these windows. Happy in fields with the sheep.. barefoot and content... listening to their chatter as they ate sweet grass.
And while I find that I am no longer comfortable in the confines of formed religion... this place; this building; these windows... still make me feel safe, secure, and loved.

And so... I wish you all a very Happy Easter weekend... and whatever that means to you... and the activities that entails.  But before I head off for work today.. . and gatherings with family tomorrow... I thought I would share some links... all on an "art" theme:

-some amazing surreal photos
-great fox photos!  and a link to an awesomely happy fox video.
-a very cool artist 
-and this mixed media artist
-and some awesome collage art links (my latest fascination)...


-great things to do for yourself.
-and this great "feel good" story....




4-18-14



I love Coltsfoot.
One of the first wild plants to emerge in the spring... many people confuse it with dandelion...
And happily, we have some growing in our yard.

The birds are singing... the peepers are peeping at night... and I have to get new birdfeeders, as the bear did more damage than I had realized. But all is well... and I have quite the extensive list of things that I need to be doing.... time to make some coffee.


Things I am Grateful for Today:

 -coffee
-yard sales! We found 2 around town today while doing errands.
-old canning jars... with glass lids and wire clamps.... sorta like these. Nothing fancy, but I love to use them to store dried goods in.
-vintage dishes! I picked up a couple old plates and am really looking forward to making them into jewelry pieces.
-old friends. Today we stopped for lunch (look HERE. The stromboli is excellent)... and I ran into a friend that I haven't seen in forever. BTW... she still looks 20.
-wild birdsong as my alarm clock.
-peepers. There is nothing like walking outside at night and being serenaded by peepers.
-not having to work until tomorrow.
-the weather being warm enough to keep all the doors and windows open for awhile.
-"new" movies from Netflix. On tap for the next few days are: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, and Forrest Gump.


4-17-14


One of my fav buildings in town; is this blue barn... conveniently; another favorite is a green barn on the same property... and the house across the street...so I come down this way alot.

With the celebration of the opening of fishing season here... as well as the imminent arrival of Easter; I've been making some themed jewelry pieces for the local artisan center... and it makes me happy.
Earrings and such made with vintage fishing lure pieces... pendants with fat bunnies made of lampwork glass... it's been a ton of fun. The artisan center has only been open for a few days now.... and it's been wonderful to see all the people stopping in to see the artwork... and just to say "hi."

That's what living in a small town is like... and one of the many reasons why I am glad to be back.
That friendliness... which brings me to my list of:


Things I am Grateful for Today:
-blue barns
-seeing bunnies frolicking in the yard
-a gift of some gorgeous feathers. A fellow artist found them on her daily walk with her dogs... and brought them in for me. I am looking forward to finding out what kind of bird they came from... as the design on the tips is very distinctive.
-and teeth from deer! This same artist, also found some scattered deer teeth... and brought them to me to work into some jewelry pieces. I am VERY excited.
-dinner with my hunny. Tonight, my husband took me to a local restaurant. I had a wonderful steak (it was perfect), fries made from local organic potatoes, and a side of zucchini and squash that was perfectly seasoned. Oh... and a glass of Riesling.
-the love and support of my fellow artists here. It's a very supportive community... and that is awesome.
-visits with family. Today we had a wonderful visit from my husband's brother and niece.
-apple cake. My daughter brought me home a chunk from this place... and it is THE BEST.
-getting home just in time to watch Chopped Canada!
-knowing I can sleep in tomorrow

4-16-14


My mother's daffodils are blooming.
All around town; as I walked home from volunteering at the Art Center today.... were little pops of spring forcing their way up threw the ground
... in spite of yesterday's snow.
Hyacinths, daffodils of all varieties, snowdrops, coltsfoot, tulips (or rather, the leaves)... I even saw some very brave gladiola 
leaves coming up around the local Presbyterian Church.

Everyone tells me that spring is a little late in coming this year... and judging from photos I have taken here in previous years; attest to that theory. Regardless, spring is coming.
You see so many photos of spring flowers in color (which makes perfect sense after the doldrums of winter)...
but I thought I would try a black and white shot... hence; the photo at the top of this post.
I think, in some ways, shooting in black and white makes me appreciate the texture of things all the more... which is never a bad thing.


And so... Things I am Grateful for Today:

-black and white photography... and color photography. I love them both. Have you seen this?
-ham steaks *it's what's for dinner*
-coke (as in Coca-Cola). Cuz you have to now and then.
-spring flowers in all forms
-walking home and seeing hawks fly right overhead
-home-made applesauce (fresh from my freezer from last fall's crop)
-insects. These past couple of days I have seen worms, ants, a bee or two... even some flies!
-sudoku puzzles. Every night I "de-stress" by working on several puzzles. It really helps me unwind.
-alstromerias. I have a bouquet on my kitchen table... they are a pretty sunshine yellow.
-rocks and minerals. I keep an antique bowl by my computer. It  is full of rocks, shells, beads, feathers...
 random loveliness that I fiddle with while I am typing and cruising the internet. It makes me happy.




I took this photo in the wee hours of this morning... of the gorgeous full moon.
I am not sure why the colors turned out the way they did... and I am not sure why I got the mirror-like effect of the moon with circles around it... or even the halos.... but I like it... and thought I would include it in today's post.

Sleep well, my friends... until tomorrow.

4-15-14


Some days are not all rosey-rosey.
I wake up in a funk...I (physically) don't feel well... it decides to SNOW... 
I find another huge box of my art supplies and such that are completely ruined from the flooding we had a month ago... my art journals... books from my dad... old and funky papers...all ruined and in some sort of moldy brick-like block...
I try to make things... and I just feel like it's no use... that everything I make is horrible...
I say the wrong things to the wrong people... 
I try to please too many people and the end result is that no one is happy...
...even my dog is avoiding me today.

It's days like these (days, weeks, months... you get the idea)... 
that I need to force myself to remember that it will indeed get better....
and that it's probably not as bad as I think it is... 
I just feel like I am doing everything wrong.

I have no idea how to fix this... or if it is even fix-able.
And yet... I must try.


Things I am Grateful for Today:

-the world didn't implode
-the mortgage is paid for another month
-even though I didn't do my homework completely for tonight's art class... and even though what I did get done essentially sucked... the instructor didn't boot me out of the class
-we have bananas (and according to Dr. Who, "bananas are good.")
-as far as I know, nothing else in the studio is still soaked in flood water (I've been afraid to look at my photos in the big totes though)
-the taxes are done and submitted
-I haven't killed any of the houseplants; in fact, the 2 poinsettias gifted to us at Christmas look wonderful
-I've lost weight... approx 15 pounds since the end of December
-apple blossoms...I love them. The photo at the top of this post is from April 15th last year. Today it is snowing... but I have faith that in just a little while... we will have apple blossoms blooming again
-and like waiting for this year's apple blossoms to come forth... I need to remember that good things will come... even after craptastic days like these...



(These are some earrings I made last night as an homage to the beginning of Fishing Season here in PA. 
They are made from vintage fishing lure pieces, and some glass fish beads.)


(And this is a gorgeous Gerbera daisy that is in a bouquet on my kitchen table ... 
a gift from my mom in celebration of me helping/being a part of the new Art Center in town
that just had it's Grande Opening this past weekend.)

4-14-14


Things I am Grateful for Today:

-spring crocus (see the other ones on my photo blog)
-wild  bunnies
-wild bear... even if they do steal my feeder
-trees all around
-spring rain
-easy mondays
-this video
-convenience stores... for coffee, mozzarella stix and pretzles.
-getting money back on your taxes (so very grateful)
-realizing I have 24hrs to complete my homework for tomorrow's class...yikes. 
          But it could be much worse...





for the weekend



It's been a crazy, busy week for me... which has culminated in the Grande Opening of the Potter County Artisan Center... today and tomorrow. There will be live music, demonstrations, food... plus lots of "meet and greet" opportunities with some fabulous local artists.
I didn't get near as much done of my personal art stuff as I had intended.... but I still have lots of photography prints, postcards, recycled paper envelopes and cards, walking sticks, handmade scarves... and, of course... some of my jewelry.
I hope for a rousing high turnout and ultimate success for everyone involved... and I think it will be a huge benefit and resource for the community.

That said... I am tired.
I am anticipating several days with long hours of dead-like sleep punctuated by brief periods that involve scrounging in the kitchen
 and using the bathroom. And that is OK.

But before I head off to bed... cup of tea in hand... my faithful Brina by my side... I thought I would share some links for the weekend:

-an interesting article on "the 15 richest living artists"... seeing as we were on the subject of art.
-a collage artist I like
-and this link for some awesome journals
-and this link for some amazing  photography.

And then I got to reading about gardening and such; and wanted to include this link,
and this link on planting tomatoes, and this one on garden ideas.
This article got me thinking... and I am really glad I've cut alot of sugar out of my diet...
and have been eating much more of the organic, raw, natural variety.

Earlier in the week, I was reading about this family... who took a trip around the world with their teenagers.
So awesome! I even found a link to a blog written by their daughter.
I found out about that family; because THIS family had recently been under some bad scrutiny for taking their 2 toddlers on a vast sailing trip
... and ended up needing rescued when the baby became very ill.

Then, a friend sent me this link... which is Jim Carrey !singing! ...
which led me to finding this link.... labeled as the 15 Worst Covers of Beatles songs...

But don't despair.... there are always "cute raccoon" videos.
Until Monday, my friends...




((the top photo is of the stairs leading to the house next door. The house has been empty for several years... and it is a wonderful source of interesting photos for me. 
This last shot; is of 2 hawks that flew right over my head as I was standing 
on the front deck trying to get a photo of the setting sun))

4-11-14



It's hard to believe it's Friday... and today and this weekend are going to be super busy.

But it's been sunny... and spring-like (I haven't worn a coat in a week or so).
Crocus and snowdrop flowers are in bloom at various places around town... birds singing...
kids out playing... the spring season is definitely here to stay.
And while the woods around our house still have snow in spots... for the most part...
it has receded into the earth once more.

Last night I went to a watercolor painting class. I have always been interested in learning how to paint with watercolors... but have always been too afraid to try. And yah, I sucked. I couldn't keep my paint in the boxes I had drawn on paper... I couldn't get the "proper" gradient technique that the instructor was showing us... even my brush was betraying me by leaving loose hairs all about.
I stressed. I felt like a failure.
But you know what? I tried. I stepped waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone.
And it was good.
And I went for a glass of wine afterwards.
And we'll see how it goes at class next week...


Things I am Grateful for Today:
-stepping out of comfort zones
-trying new things
-even things you are afraid of
-friends who accompany... and don't make fun of you (thanks!)
-new art supplies!
-good teachers who are passionate about what they do
-paper. There are SO very many kinds out there! Who knew...
-paint. Wow. So many colors... so many different properties... the possibilities are endless
-the fun of experimenting
-and a glass of vino for the nerves....

4-10-14


Alot of people ask me, "What... in all the photos you have taken; is your favorite?"
It's rather like asking... what is your favorite book, or movie... or food. It really depends on your mood, the day... all kinds of factors.
That said (and not including photographs of friends and family)... I think I would choose the one I've included in this post.
It's not a technically perfect shot. It's grainy; as I took it at night... handheld (no tripod) with a simple point and shoot camera.
So... it's not perfectly sharp; it's not perfectly exposed... I'm sure you could find alot of fault with it if your tried.
However. I love it. I love the colors, the subtle changes in tone from leaf to leaf. I love the mood it invokes.
A clear summer night... moonglow... the majik that is 2am...leaves rustling ever so slightly in the breeze...
perhaps the howl of a coyote or the hoot of an owl in the distance.
You can feel it. I feel it.
And that is what I try to capture when I am out and about taking photographs.
I don't always succeed... but I try.

I"ve been going thru photos these past couple of days, making up postcards and prints for the gallery here... and it's been hard. How do you choose? Where do you start? Of course, time and money are also a factor... so I can't print too many right now... >>sigh<<
In the end; I let my husband and daughter pick a select few photographs... all of which I have taken in the past 5 months since moving here.
Thank the gods for family who step in and help so much... I don't know where I would be without them.


Things I am Grateful for Today:

-my daughter and my husband.... who have helped me so very much these past couple of days to get (mostly) ready for the gallery opening.
-for ZQuil. For when I can't sleep cuz I'm too freaked out
-for endless large cups of dark black tea
-and toasted english muffins
-for easy to make dinners. Tonight I made plates of cheese, english muffins, fresh fruit and brats
-today when I came home from errands and volunteer work... I discovered a single, gorgeous, purple crocus in full bloom! in our yard. I have no idea where it came from. (you can see it here)
-Brina.... who is always willing to snuggle.... even when I am stressed (or maybe especially because I am stressed).
-energy. Or maybe it was necessity... but I got the studio space more/less straightened up and organized better (since the flooding). I can't work well in a disorganized space... and even though I really needed to be working on other stuff.... organizing the area was definitely a priority for me.
-Advil. When the headaches come.
-and for deep sighs... and the hope that it will all work out OK in the end...

4-9-14


When I lived in Albuquerque, I maintained a "vision board".... a simple framed piece of thin plywood that I ad lying about from a previous project. On it; I taped up things that were important to me that I wanted to keep close in my mind/ heart, things I wanted to accomplish over the course of the year, things I wanted to get over the course of the year. Most of the photos represented something to me... like the photo of earrings was a style I wanted to learn to make... the sketch represented to me time I wanted to spend making art... you get the idea.

I changed it out every year to reflect what was going on at the time; and at the end of each year... it was awesome to see what had evolved and what had transpired.

Since our move in October, the board had been "lost" somewhere in the depths of the basement... and I hadn't had the opportunity to review it at the end of the year like I had in years past.

I found a photo of it today that I had taken prior to the move. (see above).
And much to my surprise... most everything I had wanted to do/ get/ see/ keep close... had indeed happened.


Things I am Grateful for Today:
-the opportunity to send something in mind out to the Universe...
-the unbelievable miracle of wishes coming true
-working hard to help make positive change
-the internet/books/tv/ schools.... the amazing resources they all are... and the ease in which they are accessible.
-positive thinking
-encouragement from people we know and care about... so lovely
-discourage from people we know and care about... because it may just spur us on
-finding things... just when you need them
-affirmation
-vision boards/journals/ wish lists... prayers/intentions... whatever it takes

catching up



It's been really busy... and I am not complaining.
Having SLE (systemic lupus erythmatosis) does however complicate things sometimes; as my energy levels certainly go in spurts....
and sometimes I am just down and out.

In a matter of days... our local Potter County Artisan Center will be having it's Grande Opening; and I am pleased and proud to be one of the many featured artists there. We have all been working very hard towards getting the place up and running... and I believe, it will be a great asset to our community.

I have closed my Etsy shop for a couple weeks... having my yearly "spring cleaning"... which involves taking out some stock... putting in new items... revamping listings and photos as needed.... as well as researching trends and stats to see where activity lies and what needs tweaking. It's a process, and albeit... one I am not the best at... but I try.

And, I am trying to list things on Ebay that are more of the collectible/antique/ or just plain cool variety...
as well as gearing up for a big yard sale in May.

And of course, it's Easter... spring ... that great and majikal time when windows and doors are flung open and a lifetime (or so it sometimes seems) spent huddled inside from the winter cold ends... and things must be cleaned out and freshened up. We hope to do alot around the house in the next few months... not the least of which is starting and planting a garden space.

But I digress.
As always.... I am out and about with my camera most every single day...writing the (more than occasional) Haiku... and trying to make art and/or jewelry every single day. The hubby is busy at work on his book... and I couldn't be more proud of him.
The son is happy and doing well back in ABQ; as is the lovely Sophia (our granddaughter)... and our daughter here is doing well and enjoying rural living. And of course, Brina is more than thrilled that the snow is leaving the yard... and things can be sniffed.

Hope you are all well, safe, happy and healthy...
See you tomorrow.


for the weekend


damn. How did the weekend get here already?
Time is moving so fast... and like the chefs on "Chopped"... I feel like I am panting, sweating... and wondering who sped up the clock...
It's a busy, chaotic time for me right now.
And, I believe, this is a good thing.
I just need to manage my time well... and get things done.

And so... I will be huddled in my studio for the next couple days... as much as I am able...
In the meantime... I wanted to give you all some links to ponder at...

-this has me twitching. 
-I loved Susannah Conway's book.... and I read her blog ... so thought I would include this.
-this is a "sorta local" artist, and I will be taking her class soon on watercolor painting. It is something I've always wanted to learn more about... and I'm thinking it's time.
-some music I recently discovered by Shawn Lee and Bei Bei... look here.
-this is another blog I read... and this post was cool.
-a photographer whose work I love.
-cuteness overload          >>warning<<
-this is a friend of mine in Albuqueque. I absolutely LOVE his work.
-one of my "hidden" passions is collage. I hope to explore this more this coming year... but in the meantime, thought I would share one of my favorite collage artists here.
-and here is another. I was just able to buy a couple of her small pieces... and I love them


* I have been volunteering time at the Potter County Artisan Center... in anticipation of our Grande Opening this coming Saturday.
I am extremely excited about this...





4-4-14



I saw this sign in an alleyway on my way home from the grocery store... and it was screaming at me.
It seems that --- now is not the time for resting.... parking... but for "getting it in gear."
And I've lots to do over the next week or so...


Things I am Grateful for Today:

-celebrations. Today is a good friend's birthday; and I am happy for her. It also would have been my parent's anniversary (my dad passed away in 2010).... and while I miss him (very much); I think it is still good to celebrate the loving union they had.
-it's not snowing. Yah... sounds bad I know. I do LOVE winter, but there is also a wonderfulness to life when the snowing/ ice/ hail all stops... and the weather turns to spring.
-patience. Sometimes I am really low on it.... and I just need to be grateful that (ultimately) things work out in the manner in which they are supposed to.
-tolerance. Lots of times.... people think of patience and tolerance as going hand-in-hand. While I'm not convinced of that... I can certainly appreciate that we; as humans; are not all alike... and that is a good thing.
-USPS.com. It's nice to be able to print off postage ... get things ready... and drop them in the mail. Even if it's 2am.
-spray paint. What an awesome invention... and one I will be using alot in the next few days around the house.
-hot packs. I am sore... I am tired. I am feeling old... BUT I love my hot pack... especially today.
-it's Friday. 'nuf said.
-It's April 4th... and just out of curiosity... alot has happened on this day throughout history (look HERE). Today I am grateful that we have the capacity to look up interesting bits like this in mere minutes...
-and finally, for today... I am grateful for the wind. It is amazing to be able to sit in the sun... close one's eyes... and just listen. Apparently, the word psithurism... means "the sound of the wind in the trees and the rustling of the leaves." How cool is that? That we even have a word for that...

Thoreau also had an affinity for the wind through the pines: “The white pines in the horizon, either single trees or whole wood, are particularly interesting. The wind is making passes over them, magnetizing and electrifying them…This is the brightening and awakening of the pines…As if in this wind-storm of March a certain electricity was passing from heaven to earth through the pines and calling them to life.”
--Journal of Henry David Thoreau 1855-1861

4-3-14



... and the snowdrops have arrived at a couple of homes downtown... and they are gorgeous.
They are one of my fondest images of springtime here in Potter County... and seeing them always chases away any thoughts of winter still lingering around.


Things I am Grateful for Today:

-harbingers of spring... like snowdrops and crocus
-having to look up wild bird calls on google to see what I am hearing
-car wash places... and washing the road salt off of Roxy (the jeep)
-walking home from work (I volunteer at a place in town)
-getting a "paws-up.. full frontal" greeting and face smooch... from a pit bull mix "walking" her family
-quilt tops
-lunch with friends
-spouts on potatoes. They always look like alien life forms to me... not that I know what alien life forms actually look like... but I can dream...
-light thru pheasant feathers in my window
-working with local business owners and managers. How cool is it to actually be able to talk with the person who OWNS the place? #smallTownLife.

4-2-14


Spring is popping up... in little spurts... and it is good.

As I mentioned a few days ago... April is going to be busy.... and so it is.
Seems like all of us (animals, plants, people) are busy with the renewal of life.

The photos above show a local home (it was the Episcopal Church parsonage/manse when I was little)... that is aglow with Eranthis hyemalis... also known as Winter Aconite. It's bright and sunny yellow are almost shocking after such a harsh winter... but I think I'll survive.

And so on this wonderful Wednesday...
Things I am Grateful for Today:

-yellow. Not my favorite color... but happy to see it as the snow and ice recede.
-not sure if this is a "Grateful" post or not... but we actually had 2 big ole horse flies in the house today. ...Winter is definitely over.
-Sargento mozzarella sticks
-handmade soaps, tinctures and teas
-incense
-these photos ... and these photos....by Katerina Plotnikova
-early morning birdsong
-THIS video
-and this "feel good" story for the day
-and finally... that the parking ticket I got today (I was working and forgot about putting additional money in the meter), was only $5. Could have been worse... and at least I had the money on me... so I paid it right away and posted it in the mail. yay.


4-1-14


We have a grouping of what I call "witch trees" on our property. Gorgeously twisted and gnarled older trees of different varieties... but in a grouping... most of which have damage from a storm... lightening marks, torn areas... one of them is split the full height of the tree... in half.
And yet, they have survived.
Come warmer weather, I hope to clear a bit of the debris from around and beneath them... and scatter wildflower seeds all over for this summer. Bear rest here... deer sleep here... and there is evidence of many others who find refuge in their shade. It is a majikal place.

We are so blessed to have landed here.

Things I am Grateful for Today:

-fresh tulips on my table (see my photo on my other blog)
-a variety of cheeses in my fridge. Havarti, sharp cheddar, baby swiss...
-pita chips (I love this brand)
-this week we are paying off our credit card debts. This means (other than the house)... we are completely debt free. Broke... but debt free.
-new moon energy
-this land on which we live. It's awesome. And yes, I love the trees.
-pomegranate juice. It's keeping the "yuck" at bay this week.
-my boots. I own 2 pair of boots (one slightly larger than the other so I can wear them with thick socks), one pair of summer sandals, and one pair of vintage converse sneakers (yah, that's it). I go everywhere in my boots. I love them.
-towels. Today I bought 4 new towels for the bathroom. Yes, it was time. I love the colors (2 green and 2 teal ones)... and it's always wonderful to use a new, fluffy towel.
-bunny poop. Everywhere I go in my yard, there is bunny poop. Which means... there are bunnies frolicking in our yard. This. is. awesome.