7-11-18


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).

~~~

According to the back of this photo; this is Raymon, age 8... and his sister Dorothy, age 11 weeks.
Most all the photographs I have picked up over the years, do not have any notations on the back... so this is rather cool.
I'd like to think that Raymond and Dorothy grew up to be close siblings, in spite of their age difference. Raymond looks to be a doting and protective older brother, and I imagine him taking great care of his little sister. Perhaps they even lived near each other, and their respective families took vacations together.

See you all next week.

7-10-18



In hindsight, moving a bunch of furniture when I already didn't feel well, was probably a bad idea. 
And today, I am paying for it. That said... I did get a bit more done at my mom's house...
and I was able to sell a few items as well... which is good. 

Today is a quintessential summer day for me.... it is cool, but sunny... skies are a solid blue...
dogs are barking and kids are playing in the streets. Birdsong is everywhere... 

Our yard is full of teeny white clover. 
I have never thought about it before, but I've really only used red clover in teas and such.
But here is some great information on white clover, which turns out to be a fantastic medicinal herb!
Look here... and here.... and HERE.

7-9-18


I've been feel lousy all weekend... and into today. Not sure what is going on... but it's annoying. 
Seems like I have this endless replay going on in my head of stuff I shoulda/ oughta be doing... and my body and such just isn't co-operating.
So... for today... I am doing the minimum... and working on a small project just so I can feel like I did something productive.

In other news.... FERNS !
I adore ferns, and we have some stunning sensitive ferns growing in the shady areas of our yard.
They are amazing... and I love them. Look HERE and HERE.

7-6-18


It's been a very strange, busy, chaotic... unsettling week....
combined with super hot and humid weather... and then lots of rain.

I think we are all recovering... even the beetles.

7-5-18



It's a rare thing when my daughter and I both have some "free time" ... so we took the opportunity yesterday afternoon
to work a couple hours at my mom's old house to clear out. It was great, and we got quite a bit done. 
Yesterday we had a ton of rain... which was an amazing reprieve from several days of incredible heat and humidity.
And although ZeeZe was a little freaked out by all the thunder, it was wonderful. 
We also have a couple hollyhocks!!! grown from seeds of flowers we had when we were in Albuquerque.
We had planted them a couple years ago... but this year they came up and bloomed 💗
Our son is back at his home after being in the hospital for several days... and we are very grateful that he is feeling better. 
AND.... last night as I took the pup out for his midnight walk-about, I saw that we had 2 deer sleeping in our yard.
So... lots and lots of good things happening.
See you all tomorrow.

7-4-18


May you all have a safe, and thoughtful 4th of July

(this is an image I found on the internet. There were no photo credits to it)

7-3-18


It's still hot... .although it's not so oppressive since yesterday's rain... which was awesome.
I even went outside and got soaked... it was wonderful.

And our currant bush was loaded with berries! ... so we have a nice little bag of them in the freezer.


7-2-18



I think I am too hot ( in a not-good way)... to even think coherently...
so I am just going to post a couple photos from my gardens... 
and say... stay safe... stay cool.... stay sane.
See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend


Yesterday we had a family crisis... and I feel this weekend is going to be a hard one.
My son is in need of love and encouragement... and it's so hard when we are so very far away. 
I know he has a good support system there... and for that, I am extremely grateful.

This busy weekend... have fun... hold your loved ones close. 
Be thankful; and be safe.

6-29-18


It's very hot and humid today... so I hope to be spending time in the (much cooler) studio.

I am always amazed at the orange day-lily (above). When I was a teenager, my grandmother had them all around the one side of her house. They were lush! When we moved back to PA.. there were no flowers around this house (we're working on that)... .and certainly, no day-lilies in the nearby areas. And yet.... I keep getting this one bloom. Personally, I think it's my grandmother's way of looking out for me 💛 and letting me know she is around. 

In other "news"... here are some pieces I finished up the past few days.


6-28-18


Yesterday, I had a very productive day in the studio... and it was awesome.
Today... I've re-organized my Etsy shop a bit; to include a new section of Jewelry SETS... 
and I've also lowered the prices on a few things. I hope to get more work done in the studio later.

In the meantime, I had another (mostly) sleepless night... so I am thankful for the cool... and the rain misting...
and the fog rolling... and perhaps I might just snuggle my pup and read a good book.
Catch you all later.


6-27-18


Somehow, I managed to spend most of my day in the studio... and it was awesome.
I did not, however, plan a "creativity prompt" posting for today with an old photo. 
I will try next week. 

And.... a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful daughter, Kristin 💙
You make me proud every single day.

6-25-18


This weekend was wonderful.
Yes, it had it's moments... but overall, it was relaxing... and peaceful... and just what I needed.
I was able to work a little in the studio... and for some reason, felt I needed to make this set (below).


Necklace and earrings set on an Egyptian Theme.

This necklace is comprised of Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Tibetan Coral and lots of sterling -- with a sterling vintage Ankh pendant. Total length is about 20 inches (including clasp). With matching earrings!... all in sterling, Lapis and Malachite.

*So. I was looking up the stones I used. Metaphysically, the ancient Assyrians called Lapis Lazuli "Blue Sky stone," and felt is symbolized inspiration and divine wisdom. The Ancient Egyptians considered Malachite a stone of strength and spirituality and believed that the 'Goddess of the Sky dropped stars on earth in the form of these green stones.' The ancient Egyptians also placed pieces of coral in the tombs as a protection against evil spirits.... so there you have it! 
They all work perfectly together for this Egyptian themed set.


ZeeZe has been having an itchy week or so. I thought it was allergies. I had given him a bath (with dog shampoo for sensative skin), and clipped his hair shorter... but in the process cut his neck hair much closer than I intended (I forgot to put the #2 attachment on, and shaved a strip or two really tight to his skin).... anyway.... so he's been even more prone to scratching... and has somehow opened up several areas on his inner thighs, his underarms... and his neck. He looks like he got caught in a fan... poor baby. So I've been putting arnica on it... giving him some Benadryl to get him through the night... and the past few days, I've had to resort to keeping a neck scarf on him to prevent him from scratching his neck. 
I feel so bad for him.... and so very responsible.... my poor little boy. 
I love him so.

But here it is Monday... and I've got to get back to work... 
See you all tomorrow.


6-22-18



It's an overcast, hazy... cooler day... and I love it.
*except for the sinus headache/ mirgaine I am dealing with at the moment*

I'm thinking today is a good day to just try to chill... perhaps read... and drink lots of tea.
See you all tomorrow.