6-16-14


It's been a very busy day up here on the hill.
And it's been hot.
And very muggy.
One thing I will say though, is that is is significantly cooler here at our place than many others around town... because of all the trees. And I am very grateful.
And, another BONUS...  is that the studio is in the basement... which is even cooler.
Now, if I could just find some more time to be down there...

Today was full of errands... to the bank, to the post office, to the thrift shop to drop off a bunch of things, then a stop off at my part-time job to check on a few things and talk to the boss, then a trip to drive an acquaintance out of town as he was walking... and a stop at my mom's to water plants, take care of a few things, etc... then a drive to a nearby village to take some books and movies (from my mom) back to their owner, a quick stop at a yard sale, and a stop to a relative's house, and a stop to chase baby groundhogs off the road... then a stop at the local nursing home to drop off a huge box of "Good Old Days" magazines, and a stop to another family member's house to drop off laundry... and then off to the grocery store.... and then unloading everything... making supper... etc. etc. etc.
Some days are just a bit crazy.

I was going to post a poem for today... But I think I will do it on another post.
Know that I am thinking of you all... and working on my art daily...
and will be back tomorrow with (hopefully) an interesting post.
And now... for a drink and maybe some of those fresh blueberries...


for the weekend


I've been seeing fox lately..... near our house... but have also a few my travels.
There are many interpretations of the symbolism of the fox... so it is up to much interpretation depending on what you believe. However, this site HERE has a lot of good information.

It's been a long week here on the hill.
However, I think great strides have been made (on my part) as to getting down some semblence of a routine.... that encompasses part-time work at a local business; and part-time volunteer work at the local artisan center... and of course, several "check-ins" with friends and family.
My ever-present "to-do" list is still at about 5 pages in length... but I am thinking 3 of them (which involve stuff that needs to be done here around the house).... can basically be tossed out the window.
Anyone who owns a house.... knows full well; that it is always a "work in progress'"... and that things are never really done to satisfaction (unless of course you are moving imminently-- haha).
The other 2 pages are essentially a list of things I have pledged to do for other people... and I am whittling away on it.

And my art business... always in motion to some degree... but definitely has been somewhat dormant... and obviously on the back-burner for several months.... which it can't be.
Yes, I still maintained my daily blogs (this one... and this one)... and took photographs most every single day... but really, I was too exhausted (mentally and physically) to do much else.
And while I've always suspected it... if I am not doing art regularly.... my physical being suffers.
I'm just no good for anything.... if I don't take time out regularly to make art.
And so... (hopefully) you've noticed a change this past week as my focus has shifted back to making art.

Here are some links for you to ponder with what's left of the weekend
(and my apologies for posting this rather late in the game):

*some fabulous book shops
*some "awwwwwwwwwwwwwe" photo moments
*Estas Tonne. I came across a link to a video with him featured.... and fell in love with his music. Here is his website.
*tea to help you sleep. Good info... ignore the promos on what to buy.
*50 states of America if they were high school kids. Ok. But it's funny.
*5 books every creative business owner should read
*a very cool DIY blog
*best coffee shops in America. Like I need incentive...
*on making your own mud-puddle. A cool post from an even cooler seed company.
* some ancient herbal remedies
*20 of the best cities to see street art. Again. Like I need incentive. What I need is travel money (lol).

--- and as a bonus.... this video.

6-13-14


The sky has grown almost completely pitch black here on the hill, even though it's only 3:30 in the afternoon.
A massive rain front is moving in.
The wind is dancing through the trees like some crazed rumba dancer on crack.
Soon the rain will begin to fall... but not quite yet.
It's like Mother Nature is standing on the edge of a cliff.... somewhat holding her breathe.
It's quiet.
Even the birds are still.
No foxes in the yard romping... no bunnies or woodchucks nibbling on freshly mowed blades of grass.
...just this stillness.

Today is an unusual day in many ways.
It's the full moon... (the Strawberry Moon).
It is Friday the 13th (gotta love it)
We are in the midst of a Mercury Retrograde (cosmic chaos according to Astrology)
... and then there are the sun storms that have been dominating the news...
and now... this awesome storm... and the rain is coming down in sheets.

I turn on the lights, and put the kettle on to make water for coffee.
I put on some music.
Balkan beat box is making time with the rain.... and all is good.
In the other room... I hear Sabrina roll over and grown.... a small interruption of her afternoon nap.

My art business... I'm getting things back up and ready to run.
We are on to something new here ... something good.
And it's a new day.



And now, just as suddenly...
the sun is out.... the birds are singing...
the leaves are dripping with fresh rain.
... and there is a rumble of thunder in the distance...

6-12-14




I've been reading lots of "advice" on-line for artists and creatives... and believe me, there are many of them.
All of them tend to sport one main line of thought or another..and some have an agenda of sorts... but they all seem to list a few "essentials" when it comes to leaping out in faith and starting your own business or entrepreneurial path. And so, I have paraphrased them a bit.... consolidated them... and added a little of my own "bits".....

  • Listen to yourself. After all, no one (not even your mother) knows YOU better than you.
  • Remember to take care of yourself. Drink enough water, get enough sleep. Eat well. You can't conquer the world if you don't have the energy to get out of bed. And if you can't get out of bed; at least brush your teeth (just sayin)
  • Concentrate on what is to come; not the scary thing at hand. One step at a time... even if it's a seemingly small step.
  • Celebrate  the small stuff.  Every goal accomplished. Every item you can cross something off that list.
  • Surround yourself/only listen to people who support you and encourage you. Haters are gonna hate. You don't need that. And remember that sometimes that includes that voice in your head as well.
  • Don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself to anyone or anything. Probably the hardest thing for me personally.... and oh.... so necessary.
  • You are more than what is in your bank account. I know that is really hard when your bank account looks like a lone serial killer... just waiting to pounce on you out of desperation... and seriously... I'm there too. But you (I) have to remember that success isn't measured in bank account balances, or CDs, or stocks or bonds.


“Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck.
Your profession is what you were put on earth to do.
With such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.”
—Vincent van Gogh

6-11-14


It is all "well and good" to say that you are an artist... and to make living an artful life and making things part of your daily routine... and another to be able to "make a living" at being an artist.
There is alot of very hard work that is involved in this.
Marketing.
Promotion.
Logos.
Branding.
Licensing & Copyrighting.
Packaging.
Mailing lists.
... and so on.
It is very conceivable to be working a 10-12-16hr day and do nothing but marketing, sales, photographing items, writing descriptions,
sending emails and such... and still not get to the business end of actually making things.
It's a fine line... and somewhere in there is a balance of making things and the business of art.
Even though I have been in business for myself as an artist since 1998; I still find it a very challenging thing to balance it all...
and often-times; I do not succeed at that balance.

But having struggled with my inner voices these past several months; I find, however...
that I have no other choice in life than to be an artist.
A working artist.
I feel like Tim Gunn... and am having a sort of "make it work" moment, here...
But there it is... and here I go (again).

If you haven't seen this clip making the round on the internet; I highly suggest you see it.
And... you can see the whole speech HERE.

"You can fail at what you don't want. So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love."
- Jim Carrey

6-10-14


I've been thinking about this post for over a week now... and I am finding it still fairly impossible to write.
I feel like these past 6 months or so (since our move to PA)... I have been floundering a bit.
I feel like I have been running in circles... trying to balance work and play...
Trying to reconcile myself to expectations of me working full time; and knowing full well;
that that was really beyond what I am capable of doing on a physical level.
Trying to appease the inner and outer voices telling me to suck it up and get a real job...
and yet, feeling like an abject failure for not continuing the pursuit of my art-life...
which truly felt like a part of me was dying a slow and very painful death.
It's a hard thing.
I felt like I had to get full-time work.... but every time I would pursue any semblance of a work-week...
I was completely exhausted and there was not time for me... or my family... let alone my art.
It was all re-coup... in order to work again.
And so I would try harder. And harder. I found myself getting behind in everything.
Not doing well at anything.... and certainly not succeeding in any part of my life.
As an example; right now, I have a "to do list" that is 4 pages in length.
Running... running.
Circles.

It is time to get off that merry-go-round.... and go on a ride I enjoy.
...tune in tomorrow.

for the weekend




so, as you know... we were in Chicago this week.

We went to see one of my husband's favorite authors; hear him give a short talk... and get a book signed.
It was also a chance to meet some people my husband has been in a group with for several years... some traveling as far away as England for this event... so, to say it was awesome... is sort of an understatement.

And... along the way...

-we had deep dish Chicago style pizza at a great Chicago eatery... and met our "new" friends for the first time
-were part of a HUGE downtown "rave" type event in honor of the DJ who gave us HOUSE music
-saw "the bean"  and Millennium Park
-went to the Field Museum; and a great exhibit on the Chicago World's Fair of 1893
-saw people from all over the world who were in the city for this important soccer game
-saw the underground subway station
-got to stay in a really nice hotel (with a hot tub)
-got some really great coffee (including a nearby Starbucks Cafe)
-saw Lake Michigan and Navy Pier (from the car)
-drove the downtown ... which was very cool... lots of street musicians and such.
-played Jeopardy at a little pub, and WON two games... yah... that was fun.



...I have alot of links for you this weekend...
I hope you enjoy looking at them, and I'll see you all back here on Monday:

*20 things to start doing in your relationships
*6 subtle things that productive people do every day
*from the tops of El Teide mountain
*30 things to start doing for yourself
*cool google tricks
*houses from shipping containers
*this is NOT a lobster
*so. I was searching to see who created this fabulous piece of art I found online... turns out it was this person: Susan Seddon-Boulet.
And then, by chance; I also found this person: Julie Alice Chappell
*Benjamin Von Wong... and more on his newest series
*wow. Couldn't agree more.
*best find in a junk shop?
*8 ideas to make your life more extraordinary
*hey. mandalas. twisted.
*this awesome bit...

---and some wisdom from Maya Angelou.  ( from this book )

for the weekend


Another busy week has gone by.
I've been working my part-time job; and there is potential for more work... which is good.
I've been working/volunteer hours at the Artisan Center... and more artisans have joined... and the place is filling up nicely.
And we are working on the house... Jim is writing daily on his book... the daughter is happy with her job...
and Brina... well, Brina likes napping in the yard.

I've (as usual) been taking photos every day... and it seems like everything is suddenly ALIVE, and fresh, and blooming... and GREEN.
The photos above, are ones my daughter took yesterday afternoon of some fox kits that were romping about in the woods near our home.
Such a wonderful treat!
We have seen them prior, but were unable to get any good shots of them; until now.


And, as usual... I've gathered some links for you to ponder and check out this weekend.
This time; all of them are about photography:

*Benadict Fernandez-images from the 1960s
*Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower; photographer
*visions from the deep. Photographs by Alexander Semenov and his FlickR account HERE
*Ariana Russell (no relation)
* a photo journal on Vinyl
*Hillerbrand and Magsamen
*adventures in dreaming
*JJ Tarkovski- Polaroids
*early 20th Century Russia... in photographs
*and of course, one of my main inspirations... Vivian Maier



And, as a "food for thought"...
look HERE
and here

5-30-14



There is a house nearby that has a gorgeous apple tree in the front yard.
Right now, it is in full bloom.. and it's just stunning.

The photos on yesterday's post; were of an apple tree just outside of town...
And I know of lots of other apple trees that have been in bloom over the course of the last couple of weeks.
So... as you can imagine... I have been in heaven.
If you have ever been under an apple tree when it's in full bloom... you understand how intoxicating it is...
and it's one of those scents you never forget.

And so yesterday, I spent a few minutes taking some photos of this tree... and enjoying the humming of the bees....
the wafts of heady perfume... the massive swirls of petals underfoot...
and I just had to share it with you.




(and thanks to my neighbor; who allowed me to tromp around her front yard... camera in hand)

5-29-14



One of my favorite trees is the apple tree.
I was once told that there are over 800 varieties of apple tree... and I believe it.
They are fairly abundant here; and it always makes me smile to 'round a corner and see one of these beauties in full bloom.
PLUS... the smell is wonderful.

I found some wonderful links about apple trees; and thought I would include them in today's post.
*Wiki
*The Old Farmer's Almanac
*how to grow an apple tree from seeds
*about.com
*OrangePippin.com (all about apples)
*choosing an apple tree for your yard/garden
*and then there is this guy


5-28-14



spring wakens the trees
yawning and stretching upward
draped in viridian


5-27-14


There is a gushing spring just outside of town.
And in my many errands that I run; I often go by it.
Lately, it has really been stunning...
and so I stopped to take a couple photos and to bask in the fresh water-infused air.


gushing, rushing forth
burbling up from the ground
quenching my parched soul

for the weekend



Well... this weekend is the massive yard sale at my mother's house.
Around 10,000 books (no joke... my father had ledgers)... years and years of things my parent's had in their basement.... stuff from my neice's home (kid stuff)... You get the idea.

And it's been busy... just getting things ready and set up.... has been alot of work...
but it's been good. Lots of people are out and about... what with the holiday and long weekend ahead.
Children playing... dogs barking... cats lounging in the sunshine.
People saying hello after a long winter of mostly staying inside.
Summer is coming on... and it shows.

I hope this weekend finds you all well, happy... and having a good time.
And I've found some links to share with you all:

*so I'll start with this one. I know this person't mom ...
*3200 year old tree!
*lime green "blobs" in the Andes mountains. I thought it was cool ... and a link to the photographer that took the photos of the "blobs"... has this book in print.
*fun facts about dogs
*and then there was this... which is kinda scary.
*some very cool dishes
*lawnicide... and my next big purchase... and go eat your weeds!
*what I'm listening to right now
*this is just awesome. It's addicting though....so be careful
*how to make a sourdough starter
*great motivation...
*and a great idea.

*** and some food for your soul this week...


5-23-14


The big leafed plants in the photos for today's post; are known as "skunk cabbage" (symplocarpus foetidus). Not truly a cabbage, it is more closely related to tropical plants like calla lilies. It is one of the first plants of spring; and actually uses heat it generates itself; to thaw the ice and snow around it. How cool is that?
According to one online source:
"Skunk cabbage gets its name from the unpleasant odor it emits. This scent is a way for the plant to attract pollinators that are attracted to rotting meat. The scent is especially noticeable when the plant is injured. It travels easily because it is carried on the warm air that constantly rises from the spathe."

I think it's cool. It also reminds me of pitcher plant, and Jack-in-the pulpit plants... which I love.

This past weekend; I took a few hours out... and the daughter and I went tromping around the area with our camera...
and found this gorgeous swampy/ wetland area that you see in these photos... and thus, ended up taking the photos for today's post.

I am a firm believer... that when times are so horribly busy... like they have been for a couple weeks now; that you HAVE to take time out... even if only for an hour or two... and just walk in the woods.
Take some photos.
Commune with nature.
Meditate.
Watch some clouds.
Whatever it takes to get grounded... and then you are much the better for the visit.

Much love to you all... go breathe some fresh air... talk with a tree... and I'll see you tomorrow.




For more info on Skunk Cabbage:

look here
and here
and here

5-22-14


When I was in 3rd grade, I had a boy bring me a bouquet of violets.
It was an extraordinarily sweet gesture; and I still think fondly of it today.

According to one online source; there are 500-600 different varieties of Viola out there... who knew?!
And to my surprise, I read on another site... that violets have been cultivated by the Ancient Greeks starting as early as 500 BC. (certainly before my 3rd grade experience ... but my son would probably argue that LOL).
The violet has long been a symbol for fertility and love; and is often used in perfumes and love potions.
You can read more on the meaning of flowers; here.

Anyway. I digress.
I love violets... and was thrilled to find that they are very abundant in my yard.
We have mostly the Common Blue Violet, but I have also seen a few of the white; and a few of the striped. I remember, as a child; seeing some yellow ones... but I can't recall where.
In any case... violets here abound... and I am thrilled to be able to see them most every day when I go out and about.


Here are some links on violas:
Link to the American Violet Society (with tons of links at the site map)
Link on Botanical.com
Link on the Flower Expert

5-21-14


Most of the daffodils in the area are getting ready to be done for the year...
but oh! how beautiful they have been.

This coming fall; I hope to have made large beds all around the perimeter of my house
so that I can plant some bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and grape hyacinths in them.
Won't that be awesome?

According to one website:

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
NARCISSUS / DAFFODIL

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the “Lent Lily.” Lore connecting the daffodil to not only a sign of winter’s end but a lucky emblem of future prosperity is found throughout the world. In Wales, it’s said if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your next 12 months will be filled with wealth, and Chinese legend has it that if a daffodil bulb is forced to bloom during the New Year, it will bring good luck to your home.
The March birth flower and the 10th wedding anniversary flower, a gift of daffodils is said to ensure happiness. But always remember to present daffodils in a bunch – the same legends that associate this cheerful flower with good fortune warn us that when given as a single bloom, a daffodil can foretell misfortune.





I've found a couple websites that offer planting info and such:
here
and here
and of course, this site from the American Daffodil Society

5-20-14



Another very busy week ahead for me... including working part time at the Artisan Center ( I volunteer there), part-time at my job, and a ton of work coming as I set up a yard sale at my mom's. This includes completely emptying out her garage (in case of rain)... and moving about 9000 books into it.... cleaning, organizing, pricing, tagging... We've been planning on having this yard sale for months... and now it's crunch time; so to speak.
Add in with that: errands and doctor appointments with my mom, getting groceries, checking in on a couple people I know, housework, yard work, time for my art business... well, you get the idea.
Plus, I'm behind on some projects that I really need to get finished.

I love my life here, but I am also looking forward to taking some time off in the not-so-near-future.
Among the future plans... a short trip to Chicago to meet an author my husband respects and admires... as well as some fabulous peeps from his online gaming group.

And yesterday was my husband's and my 24th wedding anniversary.
I feel blessed in so very many ways.

For the next few days; I may just be posting photos of nature bursting forth around me... while I try really hard to get some stuff done. Thanks for being patient with me... and know that I am working hard, and continue to take photos every single day and will be posting them here and on my photo blog.



5-19-14


Well... I am anticipating a very busy week ahead... and today was no exception.
It was, however; also my husband and my 24th Wedding Anniversary...
so we are going to rest and enjoy a quiet dinner.

See you all tomorrow.