Pine Trees on Tin Bucket

I don't paint often (right now) but I did manage
to decorate a tin bucket with pine handles that I got at
a yard sale for $1.00. (what a deal, eh?! :-) ) I love painting,
I truly do, but with all of the housework that I carry as a load
I rarely get motivated and have the energy (at the same time)
to pull my painting things out and actually complete a project!
I am hoping to set up a utility room that we have so that
I can have my crafting/painting/ clay/fiber materials
and tools and projects handy to just walk in
and work on a project I have going at my whim.
That's the only way to go when trying to make use
of snippets of time! Here is a sample of my work
(however) that I did complete just last week, entitled
"3 Trees of Pine" (I am feeling a bit
Christmas-y this week, apparently...)
The trees here in the High Country always inspire
me due to their obvious personalities and their great beauty!
What do you love to do for a hobby or for
your own artistic funny bone,
I wonder....?!?

Christmas in July

These photos kind of speak for themselves....
Ready for a cool break from the heat wave?
I am.
I cannot believe how these woods transform
into a snow and ice capped wonder!
:-)
What are you favorite things...
about winter?
Mine? How the snow looks like shaving cream
that is edible draped over even the ugliest of
shapes giving them a romantic feel.

Le Jardin

1. Hidden Yellow

2. Peeper?

3. Blooming?

4. (A favorite of mine; 'Can't Get Enough!!')

5. Big.

6. Can me...

O.K. I am back after taking a few days off to clean,
prepare and tend to some family business!!
Today I have for you...a garden guessing game!
Can you guess what vegetable from our current
somewhat soggy garden
(from to much precipitation...)
is in each photo??
I will announce the winner on this blog!
And...please share your veggie photos as well!!
Be a veg head!
And just veg out!
-Be good- and take your Vitameatavegamin.

[Anyone who 'gets' this reference will 'earn extra points'
and an extra shout out (Yes, from myself...personally!!)]

You Came to Me

You came to me in a cloud
Yes, you did--
like the mist that settles in on my shoulders,
warming me up and draping me in lace, again.
You came to me in a dream
Yes, you did--
settling down from up above like a dove
that descends (anew) in dark the chambers of my mind.
You came to me in a ray of sunshine
Yes, you did--
illuminating everything that you touch.
You came to me in my womb
Yes, you did--
as an idea implanted, inside.
You came to me as a tender shoot
Yes, you did--
like the new growth of a young plant, freshly lime.
You came to me like a second chance;
Yes, you did--
it was like being born, yet again.
You came to me as a way of seeing
Yes, you did--
seeing inside.
You came to me on the night wind
Yes, you did--
like a prayer.
You came to me as a flickering flame drawing me in to yourself, as you do
Yes, you did--
and I could see you far off, in the distance.
You came to me and all is well
Yes, you did--
regardless of the 'ins' and the 'outs' of a great (many) things.
You came to me like the drink of cool water that you are and I am invigorated
Yes, you did--
I am refreshed and made whole.
You came to me with hoary head imparting your wisdom
Yes, you did--
And now, I can (more than) make it through another day.
You came to me as a warrior knight in the midst of my pain
Yes, you did--
and as you know (full well)
I have come to slay the dragon.

Mist and Wet and Rainy

Column of Mist, Rising

House Nestled in on Misty Hill

Mist Rising in Background But Cleared in Foreground

It was a wet weekend. It was quite a bit cooler,
here with much rain! I'm afraid that because of
all the moisture this season...our garden is dwarfed
(even.) I catch my husband standing in the garden,
inspecting, and mourning this thought.
We took a ride on Saturday, though, and managed
to find this wonderful mountain mist rising on a hill.
I never tire of watching the mist gracefully
(and playfully) rise up and off of the mountain
tops when the day starts to heat up.
It is a constant source of wonder, to me.
:-)

Feeling Beachy

Where Rock Meets Waterfall

North Carolina Waterfall

Wilson Creek Gorge (Boy Swimming)

A Footprint in the Sand

Just Under the Bridge

Sailboat Glassy

Aqua Love

Boca Lighthouse

Rusty Blue

My daughter left this morning to go to the
beach in northern South Carolina- so my
thoughts are of the 'beachy' kind this A.M.
She packed her swimsuit, towel, flip-flops
and the like...here (in 'honor' of her summer
trip with a girlfriend...) are (some) of my favorite
'beachy' scenes. I seldom have the need to get
to the beach these days. Here in the mountains of
North Carolina, the abundant waterfalls, streams
and gorges present my soul great beauty
and is wonderfully satisfying for me.
Here also (Top Three) are
(just) a few...of those.
And I send many blessings to you
of the watery, summer kind...

A Mauve Beauty

Yesterday's Sky

Today is cloudy, dark and cooler. I was delighted to get out
and find this painted sky at about 6:30 A.M. yesterday morn;
a mauve and purple beauty.

Painting on the Sky

Painting on the sky
greets me.
Tender mauve
and glorious gold,
framed by mountain foliage, black
against the early morning
sky, lit up
glorious.
Oh, what a day
awaits us.

Dance

Dance for me, my pink sky
as you pass on by.
Clouds aloft, like dreams that drift,
do cause my thoughts to stir and lift.
Dance for me, clouds of gray
as I stand and cast my glance your way.
Dance for me, my beauties fine
clouds that travel,
billows of the divine.
Dance for me
or I will tell
of the lazy day and the heavy-hot summer night
where the air was so still and laid upon the breast of this, our fair hill
as a water blanket--
here my beaded brow did long for
any breeze to transport...
the hot, cloudless sky that is my gift tonight.

The Nest

Tightly woven miracle, baby bird's nest.
I could not work you so-with my hands...
Immortalized you are-in the Smithsonian
(of all places.)
I cannot alter my appreciation
for the tiny beak that persevered to weave you so-
like a small straw purse,
perfect in form and so lovingly adorned;
functional home,
a roofless wonder.
A sanctuary, you are-
made of twigs and straw.
A delight to investigate.
Tiny hands carefully hold you after your makers have flown,
so great a natural wonder-- you are.
Much just like a baby's shoes that have been bronzed,
I have tried (in my own manner) to immortalize you, here.

lg
:-)

(Due to some family circumstances, I am taking a break from posting. Back soon :-))

We took another...

gravel road (this weekend, past) and came around
a big curve high up and found this lovely, huge
curvy field of Christmas trees growing on a hillside.
They were in the forefront as well, so the photo does
no justice to the vastness of the shot. The trees went
on 'forever;' in the middle of 'nowhere' (Top Two.)
Just click the photo to get a feel for how huge this field
was against the skyline... I think that in all likelihood,
life is much like this....you come around a big bend
in the road of life and something you never expected
(that is good and well and fine) is waiting there for you...
:)
Bottom Photo: A lovely deep red barn that stands
alone on a hilly mountainside with color that 'pops' against
the lushness of the summer green grass...

Empty

This morning, I saw the mother (still chirping at us)
with a baby sitting in the tree in front of our house.
When I was walking toward the house, two of the
babies flew over the roof line, playing and they looked
like two little rockets; traveling fast and furious!
This family is out and about and survived their
very sequestered beginning in my
front door fuchsia planter!
Voila!!

Happy 4th!! :-)

Journeying Well


Mountain beyond the mountain
All places we must go.
Mountain beyond the one I'm climbing
preparing me, you know.
Mountain after mountain
each journey worth the climb
Mountain peak and mountain view
each one special, each one new...
Horizon after horizon
All calling me to push
venturing beyond what is safe
With limit after limit breached
and all upon my dusty foot...
Sunset after sunset
with color that never pales
Until I reach my resting place
Pressing, I will prevail.
Mountain after mountain peak
and singing all the way
What I see from the valley fair
is calling out to me.
Mountains, limitless mountains
all standing in a row
Like soldiers they remind me of
places I have yet to go.
Glory upon glory
and wonders all round
I stand and gaze on mountain peaks
for this is hallowed ground.
Mountain after mountain peak
and pressing all the way
With story after story to tell
I'm leaving on my way.
Fair mountain you are a friend to me
I tuck you near my heart
Calling to travelers everywhere
To up and run, to leave...depart!
Shake off the dust of yesteryear
And breath in something new
Fair mountain with one hid behind
is calling out to you...
So pack then, lightly friend
brave travelers alike
And we will feast on mountain airs
upon this, our lofty hike.
Soldier on, yes soldier on
and we will greet the day
Standing where our ancestry stood
stalwart, come what may.
Mountain fair, O mountain friend
to you we rise and sing
All gathered 'round
as children glad,
receive this, our offering.
Mountain looming, mountain next
to you we must away
And stand as the tomorrow shines
Aglow, as our yesterday.
Fair mountain on horizon, lifting
you beckon to me and call...
I will conquer and upon you stand
for you are fairest of them all!
Arise, O slumbering nations!
and enter in to rest...
Banishing strife and your warring cease
to receive our Maker's very best...
For we each, are gentle warriors
on this, our Earthly home;
each precious day a gift on display
to unwrap, to discover and to gently hold.
And treat this one time journey
just like a loving child...
Held so sweetly to your breast
never left soiled, tired...undressed
And with a lightness in your step
run free, run brave, and run wild.

Happy 4th!!

I Meant To

I Meant To

I meant to

see the hummingbird and to hear the bee

I meant to let you have more of me

I meant to meet you at the car

I meant to wish upon a star

I meant to travel and to grow

I meant to be in the know

I meant to take my time

I meant to save more than a dime

I meant to mean what I say

I meant to be there for you today

I meant to hold your dear hand

I meant to crisscross this great land

I meant to live life real slow

I meant to know more than I know

I meant to stop in and to say “Hi”

I meant to turn and say “Goodbye”

I meant to sit and tend the fire

I meant to show you my desire

I meant to live my life real grand

I meant to dance the allemande

I meant to be a movie star

I meant to have my dreaming take me far

I meant to write another song

I meant to enjoy having you along

I meant to think and to dream big

I meant to let go of what we did

I meant to push up toward the sky

I meant to look you in the eye

I meant to do a great many things

I meant to fly and then have wings

I meant to count the minutes and the hours

I meant to linger in the showers

I meant to sing a happy song

I meant to celebrate life long

I meant not to dwell upon the past

I meant to have myself a blast

All these things, I meant to do

No, I have not-but just a few.

Laura

Laura

The trellis on the garden wall was leaning. As a result, the pink roses drooped to the side and hung down, in a lazy off-setting manner. They were crooked. “Like my mouth,” she thought. Since the accident Laura couldn’t keep up with the things that needed done. The roses seemed to say “The person who lives here needs help. They would like to keep me up-but cannot.”

She sighs as she struggles to get her clothing on. It is now a laborious process; sheer drudgery. But then she hears the call. A small song bird’s revelry pierces her early morning consciousness. Strong and vibrant, it lifts its voice as if to remind Laura, “There are still new things to come,” and “You can find your place in the sun Laura; as you can see-I have,” and “He clothes (even) me in His splendor, why not you then also, my dear one?”

Laura’s crooked smile reappears. She feels a light refreshing, as if the rain has come at last on a long summer day and strikes ones face and back and neck…and then a cool breeze picks up and ripples across the body.

“I will reinvent myself,” Laura decides. Her quickie wheelchair tires squeak as they travel the length of the kitchen floor. Sunlight strikes her golden hair and she cannot see the flame of radiant beauty so evident in her profile. The light waits to play off the bridge of her nose, the slight angle of her cheek, and her sweet, smiling, rosebud lips.