for the weekend


Right now, it is a stunning, cloudless, bright blue sky kind of day.... which reminds me of the Carpenter's song 
"...not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes and I won't be surprised if it's a dream..." 
For the past several mornings though... it's been cool and green and foggy.... 
which is perfect weather as far as I am concerned. The photograph at the top of this post is one I took the other morning
... and below is one of my mandala prints made from that photograph.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend, and I will see you back here on Monday.


6-2-17


So the other night, after having a rough several days... and finally having enough of the drama that is ever-present on Facebook, TV and internet; in regards to memes, political commentary, religious zealotry, financial woes, and just general disregard for our fellow man and fur friends. It can be chaotic out there. And so, I made a commentary, expecting lots of negative backlash...

"so. Here's the deal. I am disappointed with people (in general). Love a few select (like really). Am all about art, love, peace, and puppies, living simply, handcrafted and homemade. That's it. I will be concentrating these things.. and crafting a creative life... from here on out. No more politics. It's all about helping my neighbor. Helping those who need help, those who can't voice for themselves. Helping my friends.... If you've done me wrong, yes, I know it. What comes around, goes around. If not in this world, you WILL answer for it. You can't be an asshat all your life and get away with it forever. ...Barter. Trade. Share. Live. Love. Do what you can. Enjoy a simple life. Be one with nature. Enjoy the wonderful things we have ... gifts from the heavens. Save for future generations what you can. Shine a light. Call me a hippie. Call me optimistic. Whatever. I don't care. oh... and READ A BOOK. Turn off your TV. Sit in the woods and marvel at creation. Peace."

Now, this is not to say that I am not going to do what I can -- sign petitions, etc. It just means that for folks like me that are more empathic, I have to  limit what I allow into my space... and put a reign on the negativity. I am going to try to effect change in my small area of the world as much as I can... and trust that if everyone of us does our little bits..... we will surely encompass the world with love and compassion.

And so, tonight, I had my mother up for dinner (we shared a nice steak, some zucchini soup, delicious open face tomato and cheese sandwiches on homemade bread). Afterwards, we were talking and having tea and orange-aid... when our favorite lady deer strolled through the yard. It was wonderful.... and re-enforced to me that peace is a conscious choice we must all make. We will be rewarded.




6-1-17


ZeeZe is having some sort of "tummy trouble"... so we are just taking it easy today.
Which, is all I am up to be doing anyway. 
On the plus side, we saw a deer in the yard...
and we fixed up an old, salvaged, sterling charm and found a nice chain for it as a gift for my mom.
Sometimes, it's the little things that can make all the difference in brightening someone's day.

And the bottom picture is just for giggles. 
I went to get something outside, and noticed a smiling face in the window.
Lucky for me, I had my camera.

See you all tomorrow.


5-31-17


We've done this for almost a full year!
Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

Folks have been graduating all over the country for the past couple of weeks.
Graduating from High School, trade schools, tech schools, colleges...
It's amazing really. Education is very important, whether you continue learning through self study or more formal ones... it is key.

This is KC, according to the notation on the back.
I am not sure the year, although by the buildings behind her, I would guess the 1930s?
What story would you create about her?

5-29-17


for all those who have served, and all those who are currently serving our country, 
we thank you.

5-26-17


Happy "One-Month" Anniversary to Zerro "ZeeZe" Sprocket. 
We are so very grateful for him.



5-25-17


Migraine day.... which I can only attribute to a storm moving in and out.
But at the moment... it is sunny... and sweet... and cool.... and lovely.

The photo for today's post is of a gorgeous azalea bush my daughter transplanted into the yard.
It is an old bush, and was not doing well... so we've trimmed it all up... and moved it to a different location,
 and hopefully it will be ok. The rains last night seemed to really freshen it up... so here's hoping.
See you all tomorrow.

5-24-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

With Memorial Day coming up, I thought I would post one of my found photographs that showcases folks in the military. Having come from a family that has a military person for every generation since the Civil War, this is a remembrance day that is close to my heart.
No story today... just love and respect for all those who have served.

5-23-17


It's been a long day, so I am just going to share what I put on my facebook artisan page today..
because it's Einstein, and Einstein is cool.

Quote for the day: 
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." -- Albert Einstein

To keep following along with me; Check out these links:

5-22-17


It's hard to believe that I have written on this blog for 9 1/2 years... 
in some ways, it feels like I only have just started.

It's not easy trying to live out your dreams... but I wouldn't have it any other way.
When we moved back to PA in the fall of 2013, we anticipated getting a "normal" job, working and living a relatively quiet life
 while helping to take care of family. Who knew, that the job market was just not opening up for us... and we had to scramble
 to find something else to pay the bills. 
And now, Jim is writing a work of fiction... and I am making art, jewelry, and fixing up things we come across (upcycling). 
We're making lemonade, so to speak, from salvaged lemons. 
This year, we hope to concentrate on fixing up the house and yard a bit more.... 
working on our gardens.... and getting more of our work "out there." 
We are not making heaps.... but we are ok. 
And I am grateful.

5-19-17


3am... how I love you so. .. even when I can't sleep.
And so, I am doing my blog... editing photos, and reading silly stuff on the internet
 while listening to music from the 60s and drinking excellent Earl Grey tea.

Hope you are all doing well. 
Enjoy your Friday, and I will see you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

5-18-17


The weather is doing that whole... "give me 5 minutes and I'll look completely different"... thing today. It's been wonderful to watch. Today was another day of weird sleep... but at least the nightmares seem to have abated.. which is awesome. There are times when I wonder if I will get my energy back and be able to do things.... but I also know that now is the time to rest and read... think and plan.
So it goes... 

See you all tomorrow.



5-17-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

With Mother's Day being this past Sunday,
I thought this was a wonderful photograph to feature this week.

According to the inscription on the back, this is Marvin James at 3 months old (and his mother).
Today I went through a small box of photos, collected from various antique shops, thrift stores and the like over the years...
I am slowly (along with all the other ones I feature on Wednesdays) restoring them. I think they are awesome.
As a photographer, I don't understand how these treasures end up for sale.... but ... I guess that is the beauty,
because now we can make up elaborate histories, poems and such about them.

This one I will leave completely to you.
See you all tomorrow.

5-16-17



The lilacs have been absolutely wonderful this year. 
We hope to plant more than the one we have in our yard, but for now... 
I am enjoying the ones that belong to the neighbors.

It is quiet here (I am posting at almost 2am).
The new pup is snoozing at my feet, my hubby's soft snores wafting from the other side of the bed.
I have been having "night terrors" for almost a month now, a side problem associated with my PTSD.
It's unsettling to say the least.
Usually... there is a "trigger" of some sort, something that will spur the mind to wander so violently in the night... but I can't think of one. And so I have been having difficulty sleeping.
I seem to sleep in 3 hour bits.... and frequently find myself awoke, drenched in sweat,
not completely remembering what it was I was dreaming about.
And, if I do, it often has no bearing on anything that happened in real life... so...
I thought that perhaps it was the ZzzQuil I have been taking off and on for the past few years...
perhaps my body was reacting oddly to it... but no. It should be completely out of my system now that I have not taken it for 3 weeks.
Anyway. Life is a bit.. off... with my sleep patterns being wonky.

I will say, though... that it is deeply beautiful out at 2am.
Sunrises lately have been pretty spectacular...
and the smell of lilacs wafting in my bedroom window... is everything.

5-15-17


Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend.
I'm up early this am with the new pup... and enjoying the last of the violets in the yard.
This weekend was a busy one, with Mother's Day and all... but it was good. 



The past few days I've been working on some new prayer beads and rosary rings... which I hope to get finished and into the Etsy shop later on this week. Always remember to keep creating... and making time for artistic work. See you all tomorrow...


5-12-17


Just a couple more photographs that I took yesterday on my walk around the yard.

This morning, I had the neatest thing happen...
I am sitting at my desk checking the emails on my computer,
when an amazing Baltimore Oriole lands on the window near me, taps on the window...
SINGS!!!
and then flies off. He was stunning.

See you all tomorrow.

5-11-17


I've been in a lupus flare since around Halloween... and I think this has probably been the worst one I've had to date. It's been rough. Now, that said... there are so many who have it far worse, so I am not complaining. If anything... it is merely frustrating 
how little I seem to be getting done.
For a more "Type A" personality... it can be devastating. There are days when I am only awake for a couple hours... 
and days on end where I don't sleep at all.... but can't seem to do anything either... so I just wander about. And then there are the disturbing dreams... the night terrors... the arthritis stuff... immune/ allergy stuff...all the physical stuff that goes along with having an immune system that sees itself as the enemy.  It's just ... maddening. There are so many things I want to do... so many things I need to get done... and it's just not happening.
On the other hand, I've snuggled our new puppy endlessly...
read lots of books
saw some movies (thank goodness for Netflix)
studied my jewelry books
sketched out endless jewelry designs
surfed the internet
... and today I took a walk in the woods.

We are a little "behind" things a bit here on the hill. We still have tons of violets, Forget-me-knots.... and leaves of wild trout Lily. 
Ferns are beginning to unfurl. Weird and wonderful mushrooms and fungi are all about. It's amazing. 
And it was just what I needed.

See you all tomorrow.