Happy Easter!

Wishing you all a very merry day! It was beautiful here -- blue sky -- sun shining, birds singing, Spring has sprung.

Oktapodi

All went well

waiting in pre-op


silly surgery pet

I'm out of the hospital; the surgery went well, and I was pleasantly surprised how tolerable it was. The staff was wonderful and made me as comfortable as possible. Sweetie was a gem and stayed with me at the hospital; she made so much difference. I could have muddled through on my own, but it was so soothing to have her there and to be able to lean on her for help. Not something that I like to do. But that was alright to do. Thank you so much.
Now onwards with healing.

More on that

Well,now it is the weekend before surgery. I feel apprehensive and on the inside, if I would let myself, I'd be screaming. Sometimes there is something freeing in being able to scream. I had to learn that. I used to think that it was "undignified" to give your feelings that much vent. It's really quite primal. Maybe I'll pencil in some screaming for today.
What I'm thinking about:
*I've met the surgeon twice, and had to decide if I trust her enough to let her cut into my body.
*I don't like loosing any of me. It's part of a whole -- me.
*Anesthesia scares me. When I dream, I still am aware of me. When you are under, there is nothing. Just black. Totally irrational, I think: "What if I die, I wouldn't know that I'm dead." Because I can't feel myself.
* It's hard for me to give up control over myself and let someone else have it. Especially someone whom I don't know.

And there you have it. Say a little prayer for me, if you do pray. Or think a healthy thought.
Goddess willing I'll be back soon.

Going under

I have to have some surgery on Monday. Removal of the uterus. I'm not happy about that. Some women I've talked to are envious. I don't feel that way. I'm sad to loose it, even though I never used it... More later.

Vase by stephanie rollins

chekere

I want one of these! (pronounced sha-kay-ray, I believe)
Send me your gourds.

Purple Tree

Another prompt from Milliande's artist date club.
colored pencil, watercolor crayons

Black, White, and grey

An artist prompt from Milliande's site -- play with black, white and grey colors, think of birth, flow, new beginnings... I'm calling this "Begin where you are".
Hello out there!
water color crayons, pencil, ball point pen

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. :)