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.

Across the big pond, part 4

My camera really did not do it's usual fine job -- maybe it is time for a new one soon. I didn't get very many good pictures.
I visited my very favorite aunt Christa. She has the most beautiful, calming place. I called it "Oasis Christa". And it is. Peaceful, tranquil, regenerating. I always enjoy my visits there tremendously. Here is the view from her balcony: