Happy Thanksgiving

Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.

-- Fred DeWitt Van Amburgh

ARRR, Matey!

My pirate name is:

Iron Anne Bonney

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

a visit

I've lived in the United States now for almost 29 years. My folks never visited. (I kept asking... but there was always something else that needed taking care of first.
When Mama died, Dad came for Christmas. It wasn't much of a "vacation", since I was new here in Tennessee, had a house with no furniture, and we were griefing for Mama. Funny enough, it was one of the best Christmases I've ever had with my Dad.
Three years have passed, and Dad (now 73) wanted to come for another visit. But now he "wanted to see something" ! For the month of September, I was personal translator, chauffeur, attendant and american culture guide.

Here a picture of the fine art of viewing football and rooting for a team. Explaining the rules? Not a clue there. Dad with "Helga hat" and braids? Priceless.

the people are migrating

Yesterday these folks arrived via priority mail at my place! this is Star Dancer's idea:
Originally, there were 910 people, and about 200 have migrated to different places or found permanent homes. You can follow them on their web site: http://www.myspace.com/peoplesmigration
The one on the right decided to stay on here.

What I made this weekend

A zentangle for a black and white themed deco.
Rubberstamp image by Teesha Moore.

Earth Mother

This little project is for a craft swap themed "handmade Goddess" It's my first attempt at sewing a doll. Fun to make, from a pattern by Ellise Peeples. I like her patterns a lot. She no longer sells them, but every once in a while I can find them on ebay.
I recycled a pair of yard sale shorts for the body, made a polymer face cab, and embellished with yarn, beads and a bit of fabric painting. I think I will make a few more -- for friends and one for myself.

The man can sing!

Check out the beginning of the video! Wish I was there...
Still think it's a great loss that Freddie's gone.

first try at a dottee doll

This is a little crafty project called a "dotee" doll, named after it's creator, Dot from Australia. It's all the rage amongst mail art swappers. This is my first try, for a swap over at swap-bot. Often I find that zen space where it is the process of making something with my hands that makes me happy, not so much the finished product. I'm good with giving the result away...
Although, I think she did turn out rather cute :::smile::: I named her Ruby. She is going to live in Indiana.

adopt your own virtual pet!

One of my favorite quotes

“This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun, and animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men; go freely with the powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and mothers, of families: read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life: re-examine all you have been told at school or church, or in any books, and dismiss whatever insults your soul.”
Walt Whitman

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

And off into the mountains again!
We made camp at Cumberland Gap National Park. Got the tent up, and a tarp, and then came a thunderstorm and downpour of rain for the rest of the night. Not that it dampened our spirits! We had fun in spite of it.
It was beautiful, and peaceful, and there was a little show at the parks' amphitheater about Abraham Lincoln's Kentucky roots. Presented by Mr. & Ms. Lincoln themselves.
Ah, Life is Good, when you are camping. Wether it rains or not.


"Four score and seven years ago..."


Ms. Lincoln looks on


Our campsite (D18!-- good spot.)


Tinks' nap spot

Magic Wand

Life is... busy. I have a lot of work at the moment. Not much time for art. Or, should I say, the muse is too tired at the end of the day, most days. But I have been working on this piece of assemblage art for a swap -- a magic wand. The picture doesn't show the detail very well, but it was fun to make and I hope the person who gets it, will find some magic in it. :)

Memorial Day Weekend

What a wonderful weekend I've had! Sweetie and I packed up our camping gear and headed for the Great Smoky Mountains. We stayed at Cosby Campground -- and I can't say enough how soul refreshing the woods are. I napped under a canopy of green leaves and blue sky and every time I opened my eyes I felt I was in heaven.
Here a little picture show to get a glimpse of how beautiful it was:


The Canopy of leaves

Cosby Creek

Abandoned Birdnest

Now here are some things that my artistic eye found stunning. I like taking pictures of patterns and forms. I can't get enough of nature, once I'm out in it.





A diseased leaf, moss on a rock and a very gnarled tree.

And to close, here is a true mountain Man:
Mr. Curtis, who sold me a fabulous walking stick made out of juniper. (He is holding it in this picture.)
I feel very very happy.

Freddie Mercury

We miss you, Freddie

Just 'cause.

Morning View

Before I left for work this morning, I saw that my spot in bed was being kept warm and cozy. There is just something about a nice cozy bed. I think Fiona (the dog)gets that from me.







Wish I was a dog in my household.

Hungry Mother Spring Fling 2008

I had a few wonderful days here!



Once again, we were able to join the annual gathering of Women at lovely Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia. Cabin 20 was were we stayed. But the visiting and eating and laughing mostly happened at Monica's cabin, who organizes this get together.






We ate wonderful food, laughed, went for walks, talked, played -- it was the best!
There is just something about this place. It is quiet and peaceful, and very healing to me. When it's time to go home, I don't want to leave. I'm looking forward to next year already. Thanks to all who came and made this so wonderful!

Challenge site links

http://gothicarches.wordpress.com/
http://tmta.wordpress.com/
http://wednesdaystamper.wordpress.com/
http://themethursday.wordpress.com/
http://4x4friday.wordpress.com/
http://makeamooortwo.wordpress.com/
http://thankgoditsfriday.wordpress.com/
http://stepoutsideyourboxsaturdays.wordpress.com/1 - Gothic Arches (Sunday)
2 - Think Monday Think ATC
4 - Wednesday Stamper
5 - Theme Thursday
6 - 4X4 Friday
6 - Make a Moo or Two (Friday)
6 - TGIF
7 - Outside Your Box Saturdays

Just something to check out for myself. Of course you can, too. :)

Zentangles

It was only a matter of time for me to come across these! And of course, only a matter of time for someone to give doodles a fancy name and market a kit to go along with it. Check it out at www.zentangle.com
But they are fun to draw, and it's relaxing, and I passed the time in the doctor's waiting room nicely filling several pages in my mini doodle -- err -- Zentangle book.

Uploading of picture is not doable tonight. Will do as soon as techno gadgets cooperate.

Two hours later: Here they are!

Good morning

Some days it just seems hard to get out of the sleep world and into the awake world.
I love the early morning hours, when it is still quiet, and dark, and the light slowly changes from dark to dawn to full day.
The seasons have changed also, although it seems more like April than March. Monday it snowed -- beautifully, heavy white flakes swirling, and now it's in the sixties and seventies for the rest of the week. I feel change coming.

Detail

Nicci Mechler's "Body positive" chunky book

Here's my contributions to the body positive book hosted by Nicci.
The batteries gave out on my camera, better pictures after recharging them!

Watercolor with wood grain textured background, pencil and charcoal drawing, polymer clay and fiber charm

One week later

I know I haven't posted much art lately, but I can't help it -- puppies and kitties are just soooo adorable!
Here is Tink after one week of joining our family. And she is as impish as she looks. I think having a dog is just a wonderful thing. And two is even better. I napped yesterday with one plastered to my front and one to my back. Who needs a blanket?

A new addition to the family!

Once again, we ended up at the animal shelter instead of the grocery store and this is what we brought home:




It was the honey colored, black ringed eyes that got to me, and before I knew it, I had a puppy on my lap in the car, and she promptly peed on me. Which is why we named her "Tink". I think she is going to be a little fire cracker and a nice addition to our family. Fiona is doing remarkably well with her, mothering and showing her how it works here. The cat, of course, is annoyed.

Voting in the primaries

I still feel a sense of elation and pride when I go out to vote. I cherish that right, I worked hard for it! Of course, here in M-town I get to vote in a picnic shelter at one of the local parks! Now THAT is priceless! Even better, I took the dog with me, and she was asked if she wanted to vote.
Here is a picture of voters standing in line at the picnic shelter:

If you can't laugh at yourself....

We had a fun girl's afternoon yesterday! Only the finest facials from Big Lots at 50 cents a piece. Featured are (left to right) Sweeties' Momma in Avocado and Aloe, Sweetie in Mud and Aloe, and me in Cucumber and Witchhazel.
Honestly, I think laughing is one of the best things in life....

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

... It is 3:30 am, and I can't sleep. That's highly unusual for me. Why???? You may ask? I certainly wondered. I had no orange juice on hand, but had these low carb fruit juice drinks that I like to drink. So I drank about 5 during the afternoon and evening -- only realizing about midnight that they had an energy booster in it! So, Zing! Out of bed, back to bed, out of bed, pace, to the potty, back to bed, doodle, listen to radio, read,repeat. I will try the TV next. That usually works.
Here are some of the doodles I doodled:


I like this one. Sometimes interesting stuff comes out with random intuitive doodling. I think I'll call it "Hag". I may use it in one of the decos I'm working on.


This one may have potential for that same project too. Lately I have been using bold frenzied strokes, especially apparent here.


And guess who can snooze any old time? Fiona. Only time I can actually attempt to draw her, because she doesn't move!

And here is what not to drink five bottles of:

Journal page

This is a journal doodle drawn on what it feels like to have a fever. Hot bands of red holding the body captive, surroundings are fiery hot.

I'm home in bed, sick again (or still) with a raspy cough and wheezing, neatly summed up under the nebulous title "URI" at the doctors. Another shot of antibiotics in the tushi, and more horse pills to swallow. Sigh.
Send orange juice.

We have a rather bizarre cat. She LOVES the bathroom! It is her personal domain. She likes to play in the bath tub, sits on the toilet like it was a throne, or takes a swim in the bowl, if we fail to close the lid. She likes to sit on the heater vent, and poke her little head out the door. When it is occupied, you can be sure that a little paw will reach underneath the door, fishing for the pants around your ankles. Today you can observe her lounging in the sink.
I wonder sometimes if she knows she's a cat.

Winter Sky

These are pictures taken yesterday afternoon in the play yard at work. A lovely blue sky, with a wintry sun shining, and a cool wind breezing. Just cold enough to wear a jacket. And there... the moon!

And yet, and yet
This very wind, the winter birds
The glory of the soft sunset,
Come there to me in words.
Claude McKay

Strep throat!!

That's what I got! Fever, roaring head, whole body aches, can't swallow, tongue looks white as a sheet -- quite miserable.
I made it to urgent care yesterday -- I was first in line! Got a huge ol' shot of antibiotics in my tuckus and some horse pills to take and a shot glass of liquid Motrin that tasted like manna from heaven and acted like it too. Bed is sanctuary and I'm resting and dozing and listening to book on tapes and making brief ventures out of the bed to sit up a bit. Doggy has hardly left my side and Sweetie has been fluttering about making sure that I drink lots of fluid and eat something. I'm lucky to have them.