9-8-17



In these golden times
everything winds down
rain falls more softly
leaves flutter in the wind
--cascading down in ombre shades of orange and red
deer take their time as they meander on nightly walks
even the bees slow their buzzing

seems like Mother Nature is sighing...

9-7-17


-----------------

This is a photograph I took in 2012 on a road trip. 
Last night, I decided to edit it... to me, it speaks of peace.
May you all have some peace and solitude today.

9-6-17


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).

~~~

It was hard to catch the Williams' Sisters standing still.
Of course, keeping 6 girls in the same household dressed and fed would have been a feat for any parents;
 but John and Sylvia Williams were not ordinary parents.
Having 3 sets of twins was strange enough... and to have them so close together!
Being a strong Catholic family, they had determined to keep trying for a son, but it was not meant to be.
That said, many thought John was more than happy to have a home full of women.
All the girls were in scouts, then dance lessons, then swimming lessons...
but it was when they got to be older teens that they discovered water sports.
Always competitive, they signed up for a water ski show in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
Sylvia was not surprised when they won... and soon the girls were touring the nation, performing in such fantastic shows as the
Wisconsin State Show Tournament and the Steel Pier Show in New Jersey.

Soon enough... they were all married off, moving to all points across the nation to start their families... alas, summer ends for everyone.
But every year, at the Williams Family Reunions on Lake Michigan,
they were said to have been easily convinced to don their suits and glide across the waves far into their late 70s. You go, girls.

---

The story, of course, is made up.
But water skiing in Minocqua is very real, and still active today.
See more HERE.
Here is more about the history of Water Skiing.


9-5-17


Today I am cultivating peace... rest.... and concentrating on alleviating some pretty bad back pain that seems to have reared it's ugly head. 
And so... soft music... easy stretches...ice packs... hot coffee... and snuggles with my pup are on tap for today.

--------------------

photo for today's post is one I took a few weeks ago when we were up at Hammot Hospital, Lake Erie. 
This was taken at Presque Island park.

9-4-17


I hope you are all enjoying your long Labor Day weekend.

This morning, I awoke at 4am, after only a few hours of sleep... and so I was able to read an interesting biography of John Wayne
... and watch the fog roll in. No sunny morning here, but gorgeous just the same.

And this weekend I was able to finish up a couple of projects.
First, a scarf that I hope to list in the Etsy shop later on. It is part of a series of scarves that all feature poly-blended yarns
 in a "mix" of variegated colors. The patterns end up being quite spectacular. 
They are long on warmth and strong on the fun!


I also worked on a classically styled SET, composed with potato shaped freshwater pearls... 
big and scrumptious... accented with Honey Yellow Jade. The larger round beads are carved, and absolutely beautiful
... as is the focal bead in the front and center. I have made matching earrings. 
This set will be donated to a fundraiser coming this winter. 


But alas... the coffee is done, and so I will enjoy a cuppa and probably take a long morning nap.
See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend


a chill in the air
tomato soup on the stove
fall is coming soon

---------------

ZeeZe isn't feeling well today... and so we are all just taking it easy...
doing laundry... reading... napping. Poor dude, even though he is sick, he is  still such a happy guy.
(he's doing the "happy dance" in the one photo).
And I've made some tomato soup from some tomatoes that my mom grew on her patio (and herbs from our garden). 
It's the first time I've made it, so we'll see how it goes. 
Have a great weekend! 
See you all on Monday.

9-1-17



I took this photograph 7 years ago.... and was playing around with it today -- adding a more "artsy" look. I like it. 
Sometimes, you just have to remember to play. Hope you are all enjoying your day.

8-31-17


...working around the house today... pup at my side.
Hope you are all enjoying this very fall feeling day...

8-30-17


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).

~~~

Sometimes in the stack of photos that I find, there will be landscapes and travel photographs.
This is one. Judging by the age of the photo itself, this is from the 1950s... but I don't know where.

I imagine, this was a once in a lifetime trip for a young man named Arnie.
He had just finished with his military service oversees... and was taking his last day before returning home to Wichita, to see a few sights. He stumbled upon this local treasure, and decided to take a shot. He would have taken more photos, but it seems as though this was the last one on his roll, and he had no spare change to buy more film. And so he wandered around for the rest of the day... trying to memorize the sights, the sounds... the feel of this foreign land. It was as he sat humming a soft tune to the geese in the ponds, that he saw her. An Asian beauty of the likes he had never seen before.
Emboldened by the shortness of the remaining time he had, he asked her to walk with him.
She did. In fact, they walked all night... and into the dusky morning.
Her name was Dongfeng (Chinese for "East Wind")... her parents had named her after hopes of prosperity for their country,
 but Arnie just called her "Donna"... and she smiled.
In the wee hours of the morning, they contacted every agency possible... and made arrangements to not only get married
... but to get her travel arrangements back with him to Wichita.
28hours later, they were in Kansas... and Donna and Arnie were meeting his parents.
It was a great beginning ... and a very happy (and yes, prosperous) new life for them both.

8-29-17


...a few weeks ago, I did a post featuring some of the book stacks I was going through here at the house. I didn't mention though, all the books I went through this summer.... so I thought I would share them today.

* The Selected Poems of Donald Hall by Donald Hall  -- just excellent.

* The Little Book of Big Decorating Ideas by Katy McCoil
* A Touch of Farmhouse Charm by Liz Fourez
* Salvage Style by Leslie Linsley
* Flea Market Style by Samantha S. Thorpe
* American Artifacts by Jules Prown  -- all decorating themed books. Quick reads, and all very good.

* High Fidelity by Nick Hornsby -- Love the movie... love the book.
* The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon. I've decided to read some of the books by Michael Chabon. This is his first work. Very good.
* Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon -- his 2nd book. I adore the movie... and the book is just as good.
* Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs. In the series of "Miss Peregrine's" books. .. these are short stories. Very good.
* Walden by Haiku by Ian Marshall. --Loved it.
* One Frog Can Make a Difference by Robert Riger.  -- yes, It's a Muppet book. Yes, it's a kid's book. But I don't think you're ever too old for the wisdom of Kermit the Frog.
* The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. -- had a very hard time getting into it. But it's well written.
* The Vagrant Viking by Peter Freuchen -- wow. I started looking up info on Mr. Freuchen when I saw a photo of him on the Pictures in History page online. What an amazing life.
* The Making of the African Queen by Kathryn Hepburn -- had too. I love her.
* Our Numbered Days by Neil Hilborn --- truly great. I do believe that his work is better absorbed when you hear it spoken by him (there are videos). But the book holds up.

* I also waded through several books on Fracking, for local/ political reasons: Hydrofracking, The End of Country, Going Local, and Environmentally Induced.... all pretty scary stuff.

* plus of course, tons of magazines. Our local library allows older issues of magazines to be checked out, so I've been working my way through lots of them. Issues like National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic, Martha Stewert Living, HGTV Magazine and American History Magazine; which I have never heard of ... but it truly amazing.


8-28-17


I had a great weekend... 
The daughter, hubby and I went cruising around downtown for a walk... and I was able to get some more yarn. Then we went out to eat and had the best steak I've ever had in my life (with a horseradish, blue cheese cream sauce and shrimp on top... with a side of fries and fresh garden beans and a glass of Reisling)... and then we went to a friend's bookshop where we perused books.. and came home with a nice stack.

Today... I've dusted, swept, vacuumed, stripped the linens, did the dishes, watered the plants, checked the mail/ email... and I picked a fresh cucumber from the garden... which was awesome. I feel like I might be getting a bit more stamina finally.

I am also trying to finish up some projects for local fundraisers...
but still have a few more to do before the year is out.
(you can click on these photos to enlarge them)





It's definitely becoming fall out there, and while I absolutely love fall,
It has left me wondering where in the world summer went.

See you all tomorrow.

8-26-17


The past few weeks we have been so very blessed, 
and I would like to take a moment to say THANK YOU. 
(you can click on the photos below to enlarge them)
We received some extra garden veggies... and I was able to make some chunky spaghetti sauce that was just amazing ( and put some in the freezer). And, when our microwaved suddenly died, and I was trying to figure out how to buy another...a friend mentioned she had an extra one that she was going to put in a sale... and sold it to us (for cheap). 



And today, I received a gift of art from a new friend... ((WOW!)) 
(along with some incredible Bakelite beads I ordered from another friend in Santa Fe). 


Today... I am thinking of a friend who is very sick... 
it seems like so many folks are down and out at the moment... and we all need to be a bit kinder and gentler...

So I will leave you with thoughts of gratitude and thanks...
hope and blessings for all my friends going through trials...
and positive thoughts for tomorrow.

8-24-17


As you all know, I have had troubles with anxiety my whole life. I was diagnosed with PTSD in 1989, and had counseling off/ on for years. It's not an easy thing.... and lots of folks have a real stigma about mental health issues (even in my own family). That said... most all the time, I am a perfectly  functioning, productive human being who contributes to society and, by and large, tries to be optimistic. But there are days... and these past few weeks have been full of them. 
I am sure it is a combination of things... politics (local and national), financial worries, elder care issues, missing my son and worrying about my granddaughter whom I have not seen or heard anything of at all in years... health issues... sleep deprivation... I could go on. The bottom line, is that I have to take care of myself. 
To this end, I am trying to get back into the habit of some daily stretches... and daily meditation. I am also trying to take a walk every day... even if it's just around the yard with my pup. 
I think many folks have some real misconceptions about depression and anxiety. It's not like I choose to have these issues. Anxiety to the point of immobility and inaction is not something we choose. It is a forced condition that leaves us feeling helpless, hopeless, and less than zero. So I continue to push myself to get up.... keep moving... keep trying. 
In terms a photographer would use.. it's almost like we are in a constant MACRO setting. Too overwhelmed with the minute details to be able to grasp the bigger picture... or even to focus on any one thing. Everything is a blur that is constantly shifting... leaving us feeling un-grounded, imbalanced... weightless.... drifting.
Today... if only for a bit... I am trying to remain focused... centered... clear. 
See you all tomorrow.

------------

photo is of red clover in my yard.
Traditionally, red clover is seen as a symbol of vitality.

8-23-17


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).

~~~

Nancy Mae was a feisty girl. Growing up with 6 brothers, who taught her to climb trees... race bicycles... jump off cliffs
... and play football ... all lead her to be one of the "tough" girls in school.
She didn't mind, though. She wasn't a "girlie-girl," as her mother put it.
So it was no surprise when she decided to travel out to Oklahoma with a friend who was going to school there. She didn't go to school... instead, she got a job as a waitress in a country bar, and soon began dating a local cowhand named Earl. Only 3 months later, they got married and settled down on his grandparent's farm. They helped his grandmother (his grandfather had passed on) tend to the cows, chickens and expansive gardens. Soon, they added goats and hogs. Plowing fields, raising stock... it was hard work... but they loved it. After his grandmother Pearl passed on a few years later, they added a couple rooms to the little house, to make room for children... which would come soon enough. It was a good life. A simple life. And as Nancy Mae was oft to say... "she was born for it."

8-22-17



Today I am trying to knock things off my "list" of things to do.
The hubby, daughter and I all sat down and made a list of things we would like to do around the house... and on a personal level
... and we are prioritizing and attacking :)
I am also trying to find a happy compromise between resting alot in order to regain some health... working on stuff that just needs to get done (copying photos, business stuff)... and creative endeavors. It's always a struggle with those of us who are self-employed, I suppose.
The balance between doing things to keep an income coming in... and doing things that feed  your soul.

But first for today... I replanted some pots on the porch. 
They were looking a bit sad... and it's always good to play in the dirt. See you all tomorrow.

-----

The photos for today's post are of Jewelweed.
Lots of folks know them as "Touch Me Nots" ... because the flowers will spontaneously pop off when touched.
It seems to be a favorite snack of a couple deer that come to the yard.
Jewelweed is a native plant, Impatiens Capensis, that seems to prefer shady areas.
I have seen it in both yellow and orange colors... although we only have the orange ones here in the yard. 

8-21-17



First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting this weekend.
There are times in life when you think you are getting better... and then things sort of fall apart just to let you know that control is not in your plans for the day. This was my weekend. As you know, I have been sick in a Lupus flare since Halloween, and I thought I was (finally) getting through it... when it decided to let me  know it was in charge. Pain, panic attacks, lack of sleep, vivid nightmares... they all came visiting with a strict agenda for me.
This move back to PA has been rough on so many levels... not the least of which is a huge financial worry. But also, ... and probably as expected... my PTSD has had more than its share of triggers. After (many) years of counseling and working through issues that led to a diagnosis in 1989, I thought I was "over it." ... but alas.
So.. I do what I usually do when anxiety and such rear their ugly head... I clean. I try to be productive.
So... the house is vacuumed, dusted, swept. I went through my side of the closet and unloaded some things. I went through my desk. I straightened the bookcases. I discovered (much to my repulsion)... that my business ledgers were in disarray... something I will be fixing this week. I watered plants. I cut back on my time on social media. I read alot. I worked on some crocheted scarves. I worked a bit in the studio.
And I made myself some ultimatums: To get my finances in better order. To update my will. To go through our "important" papers and make sure things are ok. To work on copying all my photos (yah... tens of thousands) into digital files so that we don't have to worry about lugging them around, or if they get damaged. To finish any projects (or pass them on to someone else). To take classes (probably online) on subjects I really want to learn about. To get (physically) more fit and healthy. And most importantly, to try to de-stress.
Today I am making spaghetti sauce, thanks to a gift of some tomatoes and sweet peppers from a friend. I will ponder the eclipse. I will listen to good music. I will snuggle my puppy. I will take some photos. I will work on creative endeavors. I will continue my mission of trying to make this world a better place... and me a better person for having tried.

8-18-17



Happy Friday!

Today I am just trying to bring peace and calm all around me... 
enjoying the brief spurts of rain... 
and thinking about my mom, as today is her 85th birthday.
(Happy Birthday Mom)

8-17-17


This is one of those days when I felt horribly behind before I'ld even gotten out of bed. I am not sure why I do this to myself... I am sure it has to do with a deep desire to do for others... Or maybe it's just part of being a typeA personality... not sure. And it doesn't matter. What is important is that it robs you of enjoying the moment when you are too caught up in the woulda/coulda/shoulda things. 
I am working on it.

In the meantime, I am marveling at the 3! little cucumbers growing in our garden... 
the pot of squash I cooked up last night and am preparing to freeze...
and the gorgeous poppies that suddenly sprung up out of nowhere.
There are a couple California poppies... and 2 gorgeous pink poppies that burst up along with the blue flowers at the top of this post. 
I think they came from a pot I had planted the first full year we were here (2014)... but why they came up now, and not before... I have no idea. 
But I am grateful.
See you all tomorrow.


8-16-17


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).

~~~

I adore lighthouses.
That said, I have no idea where this one could be...

I think perhaps... (in my dreams at least)... this is one of the lost art colonies of the Great Lakes.
Inhabited by the schemers, the dreamers, the makers of great things... it was an idyllic place.
Every summer, there would be a huge festival, featuring belly dancers, jugglers, music makers,
 fire eaters... conjurers of the mysterious... and more.
At sunrise, their tents would wave in the summer breeze...
at night... moon-glow would cast shadows on the walls and the puppeteers would reign,
telling stories of long ago.