for the weekend


Sometimes it's the most unexpected things that are the most wonderful.
Impromptu visits from other artisans... an open house event at the artisan center that I ended up hosting/planning...
this whole basement re-do ( started because of water damage and mold to a lot of my studio )...
All of these recent events had the great potential to be complete chaos...
and yet, they've all worked out... and been a great learning experience... and (overall) been a "good thing".
Life has a way of working it's majik.

I think trying to have a positive outlook helps tremendously... and it's not to say that I don't get down and out (because I do)...
But, for the most part, I try to be optimistic. And I think it helps.

I've read so many stories... stories about people who had the worst scenarios dealt to them...
and yet, they have risen from it all and done well. Been happy. Succeeded in what they wanted to do.
It's a lot of hard work... to be sure.
And yet, there is also some serendipity there.
Some magical happenstance.
Call it what you will.
Ascribe it to whatever you believe in... but it's there.
And I am grateful.

And so... I wanted to share some links with you all this weekend:

*the full moon (video)
*about fostering Creative Talent
*on working from home
*why the French are "better at life"
*10 choices
*artist Hiroko Kubota
*how to make mozzarella cheese!
*Oktoberfest is coming!
*some fabulous colorized historical photographs
*a GREAT dog owner
*wanna buy your own (Irish) island?  ... and a great video taken near it
*how to cover a book (old school)... and another.

**and because I had the great pleasure of meeting this artist... and getting an awesome write-up on her blog about the Potter County Artisan Center; that I am part of.... I am sharing the love right back. Check out her blog: here

9-19-14



So.
One of the things on our "to do list" for this house... is to take care of the trees.
We have 9 trees that need to come down... and another 4 that are already down.
Apparently, there have been several bad storms in the past 5yrs... and it did a lot of damage to the trees on this plot of land.
And then there was a "blight" that hit the row of pines behind our house... and... well... there you have it.
We had hoped to tackle the work this summer; but it just didn't happen...
The neat part is.... nature seems to have rewarded us for not taking care of things right away; with this explosion of asters and goldenrod. We have them everywhere! And it is just stunning.




In the spring I asked the daisies
If his words were true,
And the clever little daisies
Always knew.
Now the fields are brown and barren,
Bitter autumn blows,
And of all the stupid asters
Not one knows.
---Sara Teasdale


Links about asters:
-garden in a city
-the flower expert
-Canadian Wildlife Federation
-Wildflowers and Weeds
-asters: medicinal uses




9-18-14



I love hydrangeas.
There is something so very elegant about them...
Like having tea in the afternoon... or wearing long skirts... and reading poetry.
(which I do)

And I am still working on feeling better... so please excuse the shortness of my posts this week.
I will be back in full force in a few days.

On an aside; here is some wonderful info about hydrangeas:
HGTV
Better Homes and Gardens
Old Farmer's Almanac
Hydrangeas.com
This Old House
American Hydrangea Society
wiki

9-17-14



On Monday, the daughter and I took a short drive to these gorgeous sunflower fields.
And no, we did not trespass... even though I really wanted to go in to the fields to get better photos.
And yes, I got some cool shots from the fence-line... which I shared yesterday, and today on my blogs. (see here as well)


And I am sick.
Not sure what is going on... but it's pretty miserable, and hit me Monday night.
And although I feel simply awful for missing a couple appointments and volunteer stuff...
I know that I am home, and that's where I need to be for now.

So. Take care... know that I am thinking of you all...
and will write a better post when I am feeling more up to it.

9-16-14


sometimes it only takes that one person
or that one word
to make a difference.

be that person.


“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
--Robert F. Kennedy

for the weekend


Well... it's going to be another busy weekend...
We are trying to work on our basement... which continues to have water issues.
Just the other day we discovered a colony of these guys living behind our washer and dryer.
yah.
So... cleaning... scrubbing.... trying to water-proof... salvage what's down there (my studio stuff)...
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeehola.

But in the meantime... here are some great links to brighten up your weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday:

*Jim Carey's life message (video)
*HGTV: Trends for Fall
*Martha Stewert : American Made Finalists ... and my friend Eppie who is one of them!
*Designer Deb VanZyl
*Centralia, PA ... I want to go photograph there.
*The Republic of Tea
*some crazy cool folk art
*40years alone in Russia
*and a found ship from 1846
*artist Junko Oki
*creative wisdom
*7 steps to Living a Bill Murray life
*making Bread and Butter pickles
*the science of storytelling
*Mission to the Edge of Space (video)

9-12-14



there is a decided chill in the air
frost on the grass
a nip on the cheeks when stepping out to see the moon
whirlwinds of leaves
swirling
twirling
dancing in the pre-autumn air
getting ready,
ready for fall.
ready for pumpkins
dancing in the streets
sweet treats on the tongue.
For calls of ravens as they leave the fields
full of corn
stalks drying
dirt resting
howls towards the sky from lonesome coyotes
gearing up for the hunt
for the final throws of the year
to chase with the bear
up for the night and on the prowl for berries
fat from the summer sun
for apples dropping on the ground
that the deer haven't already eaten as they gracefully wander
for turkey calling out to the geese as they fly overhead.
And us, resting on our porch...
just taking it all in
and feeling grateful.

9-11-14



A friend of mine suggested a place to photograph some flowers today... and so I did.
They happen to be a plant called Autumn Crocus; which I didn't even know existed until last fall when we moved back to PA. For some reason; I had just never seen one before... and so it was a really pleasant surprise to learn that there was a variety of crocus that appears just in the fall... instead of spring.
So... today is just a happy little post... full of pretty flowers :)
---see you all tomorrow.


9-10-14


ah... another night of late night blogging.
sorry.

But it was a good day all around, I think...
in spite of the fact that I only got 2hrs of sleep, my mother had a fall and I've been checking on her, that I had to work (my volunteer job)... that I spent waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time (last night and today) wiping a layer of mold and mildew off stuff in my basement (and still have alot of it to do)... and that water is still an ever-present problem in our basement/studio space... and that (consequently) there are now boxes of things all over my house which makes it look like we just moved in yesterday...
and .//... yah. It's been a day.

But it's also been great in many ways!
I got to visit with friends at the Art Center here in town, and had the pleasure of seeing lots of new art coming in for the week. My daughter submitted entry into the center, and was approved! So we got her bio framed and put on the all along with a piece of her art.
I had a great dinner made from all sorts of leftovers in the fridge... which means the fridge is clean :)

So you see... it's sometimes all about your perspective.
Like the photo for today's post... I could be frustrated that fall is edging ever-so closer... which means an end to summer... or I could say... whoa! Look at the color on those leaves!

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
--Abraham Lincoln

9-9-14


Today I am exhausted... and I've been trying all day to find a piece of artwork; and can't seem to locate it. 'Tis the trials of moving, and not completely unpacking yet... but frustrating none-the-less.

There are days (like today) when I despair of ever having the basement cleaned up...
of ever having the upstairs the way we want it...
of having walls painted... and shelving up... so we can unpack all those boxes of books, et all.
And I know it's going to happen... it's just the interim.
And it's such a third-world problem anyway.
I have a house.
I have plumbing... and a roof.. and fresh water... it's all good.

And so I am taking some time out of my frenetic whirlwind-ness... to just stop.
Stop and be grateful.
Smell the clean air.
Walk in the fresh, green grass.
Look at the stars.

Hope you all have a great night.

9-8-14



wow. And it's a Monday.
There are some Mondays that just feel so Monday... if you know what I mean, and this is it.
Nothing horrible... just feeling behind, feeling rushed... feeling like... where did the weekend go?

My kitchen has looked like some sort of veggie warehouse for a couple of days.
I had picked up a bushel of roma tomatoes, a huge bag of onions, a basket of sweet peppers and garlic a few days ago...
and so yesterday; I spent the day fixing spaghetti sauce.
Today I hope to fix another huge batch of spaghetti sauce... and use up the rest of the tomatoes that are taunting me from their waxed box on the floor. And then of course, it will all need to be canned/processed.

I did fix a BIG bowl of fresh salsa... and we've been feasting on salsa and chips... which is great.
So I went to the store today to get a bottle of Jose Cuervo... cuz you can't have salsa and chips... without margaritas.

Then... I have a box of cucumbers I was gifted, to use up.
I've been thinking of making pickles, but can't seem to locate my recipe box; or my BALL canning book... which I can only guess is still in the stack of 26 boxes of books we've yet to unpack that is sitting in the basement.
(because we need to build shelves. because we need to paint the walls first, because we need to clean out the room... and so on it goes).
Anyway, so I went to look for recipes online, and discovered that 99% of them seem to be recipes for refrigerator pickles...
so I've been "winging" it.
During the night, I made a huge jar of pickled, chunky relish (see the photo below)... which seems to have turned out OK.


So... what's left of today will be a jumble of making pickled relish, making more spaghetti sauce, canning stuff... and who knows what else.

Tomorrow is another day.
But at least today has margaritas, chips and salsa... and music.
Lots of music.


for the weekend


Nestled between 2 of 3 large Masonic buildings in Williamsport; is this little gem.
We had stopped briefly for a short walk-about to stretch the legs on our way home from the family reunion late on Monday... when I saw it.
Copper flashing.... green with verdigris patina from age... bright red window casings and mirrored "windows"... hanging ... seemingly defying gravity.

It's probably a walk-through between the buildings... but how awesome!
And of course, my 9yr old inner child began weaving stories about it... with a most decidedly "Harry Potter"-esque leaning.

I've always been fascinated with Masonic Rites and Lodges. Probably because here in Coudersport, there is a huge Masonic Hall known as the Consistory. I would often work as a waitress or kitchen help during events at this local lodge, and longed to see more of the building... but never had the opportunity.
My mother has sung in the choir of the yearly "Passion Play" events held there... and I just have never been around at the right times to go see it... or (better yet)... sneak off and explore some of the rooms.
I am told their is a ballroom... a billiard room... and of course, the large and open theater room with it's massive pipe organ.
But alas, someday... 'cuz... the future is just golden.


And in the meantime, here are some links to peruse this weekend:

 *my friend Eppie Bailey 
*this is one of the bands featured at the Austin Dam Show I was at a couple weekends ago. They hail from Germany!! and stayed at this local hotel/bar/restaurant
*50 novels by 50 female writers under 50
*how creating art lessens the burdens of depression
*went to see Guardians of the Galaxy this past weekend... and it was awesome!!! I highly recommend it... and here is the soundtrack (full version) on YouTube.
*artist Diane Sudyka (LOVE her artwork)
*I had posted some poetry by Mary Oliver the other day, and a good friend recommended that I read Amy Clampitt.... so here
*and then I came across this poet from Ireland...
*easy refrigerator pickles recipe
*native plants for birds come fall (and to plan for next year)
*Penn's Valley is named Top Place by Mother Earth News (and it's right near here)
*inspiration for rural PA creatives
*Photography links!


9-5-14


I love the Farmer's Market here in town.
Only open on Friday afternoon's... it is small... but mighty!
Several farms are represented; along with a fabulous baker of sweets and treats, wine, jellies, jams and honey, a lady who brings her alpaca's fine wool roving and yarn goods, a lady who make gorgeous paper flowers and bouquets, another couple who make wood furniture, and a couple who has recycled sweater purses & totes, knitwear and handcrafted wood toys. Usually there is also a local dairy farm represented that brings handcrafted cheeses and yogurts... but they were absent today... and I am sure I am forgetting some...
The point is... I love being able to get fresh, handcrafted and homegrown goods.
No preservatives, no pesticides, just good food products and handmade lovelies.

Along with my "haul" today (photo above includes most of what I bought today... and a few leftovers from the previous week)... I also was able to get some little bags of soybeans (I adore edamame).
The other day, I was gifted with some perfect little cucumbers from a friend, and some fresh garden dill from another friend... that I am making into pickles and cucumber salad/relish. And... I stopped at a local farm stand and purchased a bushel of roma tomatoes, some garlic and a bag of onions... and I am intending to make spaghetti sauce for my husband. I also was able to get a big lot of peppers... I was told they were sweet.... but some were burning my hands as I cut them... so I am assuming they are spicier than I was led to believe.
So... as you can see... the next few days are going to be spent in the kitchen... preparing, freezing and canning this goodness for future months.

There is a growing trend (no pun intended) ... of people who have learned to appreciate home grown, organic goodness such as this. People who appreciate small mom & pop type stores and restaurants. People who shy away from the "big box" places and prefer to shop local.
I am one of them... and I am glad that our local area has such wonderful opportunities such as this.

I know, I know.
Time to get off my (grocery) box and go cook something good.

9-4-14



I often wonder as I am taking pictures.... if people see what I see.
Obviously, we each have our own vision... and therefor, interpretation... of things we see.
This is why if a crime is observed by 10 people, there will be 10 different versions of what took place. Yes, there will be commonalities... but it's the minute details that we probably "see" differently.

So. I was taking photos a few days ago of these button mushrooms in a nearby yard.
They were nestled in underneath a thick hedgerow of pine... where it was wet and dark and misty.
Perfect growing conditions for mushrooms... but then my mind started to wander.

Could it be the forest glen of a leprechaun colony?
Was that wonderful musky aroma really the smoke from carved bone pipes being smoked by the elders of the clan?
Were watchful eyes making sure I didn't disturb their gardens?
And imagine the feast come harvest time!
Huge! (for them) mushrooms roasting over open fires... salads of watercress and minute wood sorrel... the roots of plants made into a mashed delight.

You all know I adore poetry.... so here are some links on some poems about the faerie folk that may just live in this hedgerow...

here
and here
and here


Come fairies!
Take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you 
Upon the wind and dance 
Upon the mountains like a flame.
 --W.B. Yeats

9-3-14


I love diners.
I adore diner food.
I love the camaraderie of the clientele...
the smell of coffee in the air...
comfort food from loving hands wearing flour dusted aprons.

My first "real" job was in a diner, and it was a wonderful place in so many ways.
The owner was an older, heavy-set woman... used to long hours and sad stories.
She made the most delicious donuts on the planet, and had a heart as big as the great outdoors.
She fed them all.
Well off, and dirt  poor. All on the same plates, and with the same care.
She allowed those without funds to eat on "credit"... although she would often, somehow, misplace their tab when it came time to pay.

And it was the heart of the community.
Everyone came in at some point... if only to smell the donuts and grab a cup o' joe.

The other day, as we were traveling home from the family reunion... we stopped at such a place.
BLT's on toast... home-made cookies... endless cups of coffee... and happy chatter from patrons and servers surrounded us.
It was awesome.

No real lesson in here... just wanted to share the experience...
These are the kind of places we so desperately need in small towns... large towns... heck... everywhere.

9-2-14


so.
I left for several days to take my mother down to the Philly area for a family reunion...
and several people wanted to know what I thought of it.

It's a difficult thing for me to describe.
Yes, they are family.
Yes, I know a few of them.
But by and large... I don't know many.

You see... my sister was over 11yrs older, my brother over 9yrs older.
When they were little, we lived closer to extended family and had many get-togethers.
By the time I came along and was old enough to potentially enjoy these events; we had moved to a different town. My brother and my sister moved out and on with their lives before I was even in 4th grade... so we didn't have the usual bonding that siblings who grew up together have.

I didn't know my mother's parents well; if at all.
Her father died before I was born, her mother when I was 4.
Most all of my mother's siblings are older than her... so hence, most all the extended family was older than me... some significantly older.

I am, therefor, somewhat of an odd in-between child.
In between the age of the cousins... and their children.
Not old enough to have much in common with the cousins, too old for their children.

The same is sort of true for my immediate family, with my siblings being older.
Not much in common with my siblings... too old for their children.

My parents were not the same people they were when my siblings were little.
Economics, health issues... family relations and troubles with my father's family took precedence.
We didn't go on vacations.... or even go out of town... save the once-a-year trip to a neighboring town to get Christmas gifts.
I had a different experience.
I don't totally "get" this joy of reunion... that some of the family members do.
They can reminisce about sledding together... camping together... all those sorts of things that siblings and family that grow up together ... do together... and share in common... and talk about.

My mom loves the show, "The Walton's." It's an iconic reference, and one so many share.
What if.... after all those kids... they had another child 10 years later?
Come reunion time... all of those kids would be swapping stories of when John-boy and Elizabeth went fishing... or Erin and Jason learned to drive... but the last kid... what did they share?
Yes, the same parents. Yes the same relatives. But not the events. Not the commonality.
Not the camaraderie. Not that shared >>wink<< and a nod when stories come round.

It's a feeling of being part of or wanting to be part of .... yet being completely separate.... feeling so much like an outsider.
And  it has me thinking a lot about differing views on family.
How for so  many people; their life revolves around family and family functions.
Sharing holidays and events.
Sharing rights-of-passage.
Even sharing clothing and such.
Sharing the burdens too... caring for loved ones... having mutual parents aging, facing health issues... even passing away.
You have that commonality.
That root.
That bond.

I think in older times... families tended to stay together more... even on a geographical level.
I know of several families where entire generations of siblings/cousins etc grew up together; and so did their children... and their children. Their whole culture and experience was very different.

((So... deep thoughts today on how things effected me;
and how things, in turn, have effected my children... who didn't grow up around any extended family either.))

9-1-14


I love taking photos... and I take them most every single day.
Amazing, I suppose to some. But I've been doing daily photos since 2008; and can't imagine a day without making art of some variety.

A fascinating benefit of this, is that I usually end up looking things up (in books and on the internet) to find out more on what I've photographed. I've learned a lot.
I still have a a great amount of learning yet to do... but it's a process.

Take the photo for today's post, for instance.
When I was a kid, we called these "bird berries"... and I was told to never eat them.
From what I gather, these are the fruits of a variety of honeysuckle that grows wild along my driveway.
Some links indicate that it is a Tartarian Honeysuckle.
All I know, is that they are pretty... and I love their color.

read more here
and here

And yes, according to some of these sights, if you eat a "large quantity" they can make you very sik as they are "slightly" poisonous.
I'm not sure what constitutes "slightly" as opposed to "definitely"... but I'm not taking the risk.

What got me thinking though... is how these berries are like some people.
Pretty to look at... joyous to behold. Perhaps even excruciatingly nice and pleasant to be around... and yet, potentially toxic. Now, they are not toxic to everyone (like with the berries... which are fine for birds and some animals)... but they can be a debilitating pain to your very core if you are susceptible to their poison.
I've met people like this.
Adored by many, painfully poisonous to you.
They drain you... eke the life out of you.... suck you dry and spit out your bones.
Often, with no warning... no inclination as to the danger that lies within them.

How do you deal with that?
I don't have the answers.
And really, everyone has their own way of dealing with toxic people.
But here are some links I found on the internet that may start the process for you:

Here
here 
and here

Be safe out there... and be nice to each other.
---and here is a link on berries that birds love ... see you tomorrow.

for the weekend


Well... another week has absolutely flown by.
But it's time for the weekend...
for resting... relaxing... maybe sitting by a campfire...
chilling with friends...
watching a movie or reading a good book...

Whatever you are doing this weekend,
be sure to get some rest and take some time out to do something fun!
And if you happen to be online; here are some cool links I've gathered up for you all:

*10 things I've learned from Jack Kerouac
*15 wonderful words with no English equivalent
*75 empowering quotes for kick-ass women
*DIY: tin can lanterns 
*How to make a hula-hoop rug! OR... how to crochet a rug from old t-shirts
*a website about Janis Joplin.   #Because.it's.Janis.freakin'.joplin.
*artist Mark Yasenchack
*THIS. Because it's Lego's... AND it's Steampunk!
*yard FALL ideas on Pinterest
*and then there was this. Because it applies to me... right here... right now.
*did you know there were a grazillion Wizard of Oz books? I didn't. But winter is coming...

*** and then.... this. Because Eppie is a friend of mine. Because she stepped out of her comfort zone. Because she is doing what she loves. And because we support artists. Read it... share it. Thank you.


Hope you all  have a fabulous weekend... and I will see you come Monday.


8-29-14




It's so peaceful here; living next to the woods.
It's been quite the adjustment, moving from the sunny southwest back home to PA...
but it's also been very rewarding in many ways.

The hardest part, honestly... has been figuring out the money issues...
what with the hubby taking classes online and writing a work of fiction; he doesn't have a job in the traditional sense... and has no money coming in at the moment.
I've had some temporary work... but am now concentrating on building up my art business;
which takes time for things to pan out financially...
So the whole "money" thing has been rough... but no more so than so many people I know.
It's been hard all over for so many people.

The good news... is I feel we are on the right track.
Yes, money is extremely tight... as we are basically living off of savings at the moment.
But. There are certain freedoms and a certain sense of self that you get when you work for yourself... that is just not like any other.
Plus... we are both doing what we love .. and there is no price tag that you can put on that.

It's been hard stepping out in a HUGE leap of faith... but one we have to try.
And it's been rewarding in other ways...

*I was recently featured as Artisan of the Month at the local Potter County Artisan Center. ... something I've been working hard at since it's inception in January. We opened the center in April... and we're off to a really good start.
*I've been mentioned in several newspaper articles in relation to my art business and work at the Artisan Center... which is super cool.
*I've done several local shows and sold some of my art, craft and jewelry pieces... which is awesome.
*I was recently accepted as a juried artisan in the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail... and had some of my photographs and work featured in their new brochure. It goes all over the state to various State Parks, Visitor's Centers, and artisan centers like ours.
*I found out this week... that I was nominated and honored as one of the TOP 6! artisans in the Wilds Region along Route 6 here in PA. WoOt!
*I've applied for acceptance into some other art groups... and we'll see how that goes
*and I've sent a submission in to a magazine I admire (they didn't need my work at this time... but that isn't to say it couldn't happen in the future, right?).
Applying to things has been a "huge" leap out of my comfort zone... but all of this helps me to grow and learn... and it's been good.

It's been hard work... and it's been really scary at times... but anything worth having and striving for ... is usually difficult and scary at times.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." -- Neal Donald Walsch

Stepping out of your comfort zone? Here are some links:
*from Forbes
*from LifeHacker
*from HowToLive.com