The Countdown gets some rain

In 7 weeks I will be 41... somedays, this does not make me smile, I haven't figured out why
(ain't never  been an issue before..?!)

The skies tell amazing stories, echoing loudly with stormy clouds 

Crying softly, after the dark, thunder has subsided

drinking and whispering condolences and encouragement

providing nourishment to the forest friends and families.

The daily storms that have been passing through, thanks to tropical storm Beryl have been beautiful. We are fortunate that they are not strong enough to cause any damage (so far) to our region, although I have lost a few tomato and squash blossoms to some fairly agressive and large hail bits (grrrr) .... I wouldn't trade it. I find myself looking forward to these huge gray thunderclouds rolling in, the giant bowling ball sounds bashing around above my head, and then the down pour of quarter-sized rain drops plopping in a rapid fire fall of speed... my blouse yesterday was soaked through and I just ran from the back porch down to the chicken coop to close their door (and back again)... took less than a minute... and then, in about 20 minutes the storm had calmed, the drizzles had started and the ground loves that here. The forest and foliage love it... the BUGS love it... I truly love it. (not the bugs so much) Happy Sunday ya'll........

Project Pink - 52 Photos

The first color of the 52 Photos Project, Season 2 ... is Pink.
 I humbly submit to you, my captures for this week....

Canon EOS Rebel XTi

Canon EOS Rebel XTi

Let The Sun Shine In

If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn.
~Andrew Mason

For many days now the lawns across the south have become littered with these hugenormous dandelions and their poofy white counterparts that dance on the wind, unleashing havoc on the allergen weak.  For the charmed blue farm family, that means 3 out of 4 noses are on constant drip. Should a wager be offered on who is without a sniffle, the smile you see in the first photo, might just give you the upper hand.


Thank you to Ms. Bella and Week Two of the 52 Photo's project for providing today's inspiration :)

A day in the life...

theBoy... and the way we groove

Ash from the 5-18, 1980 Mt.St. Helen eruption, still makin' the classroom rounds, thanks Aunt Marti!

Rain and driving = Happy me

North Carolina sunscapes from the front yard

Gallery 37

52 Projects is a group I joined at the end of 2011 and one that will be at the forefront of keeping me busy and inspired this year... the prompt that is current is:

Capture 1 Moment in time from this day. The Gallery opened yesterday, yet I didn't find myself with camera or reason to leave the house... filled with the need to sit and clean a bit, the desire to release a bit of negative energy that has been surrounding our Charming Blue Farm House since the traditional New Year has began.

I took solace from the outside world and a bit even from indoors. I caught up on blog posts, found about 112 online courses I would love to dive into... I'm seriously considering adding a "WISHLIST" page tab... one just for the WISH Studios.... have you been there (I'm sure I'm the only one late to the game...)

The SQUAM workshops have opened up and Oh... I am.... speechless... and a bit needy... I want more time.... only two classes ??!! What?? And Flora my gosh, I want to take her class... I'm torn sooo torn??!! Can I PLEASEEE go to Italy??! Someone get me a passport! Sheesh-amia! (hehe...made myself giggle)

Here's another... I've wanted to take one of Andrea's courses for the last two years, I am working on follow through... I WILL take one of Andrea's courses *THIS* year!!!

I am fully registered for the next year to continue working my soul into a frenzy and fulfill me to the tip top of who I am. These women keep me grounded, they prepare a safe place to share thoughts, ideas, fears and the inspiration is over the top! The thoughtful love and courageous enthusiasm found here with Pixie and this tribe is beyond awesome!

OK... those are just a very small sampling of what I snooped around and drooled over yesterday... then I went to the Boy's basketball game (he's the scorekeeper since 6th graders can't officially play at his school)... theTeen, by way of being a Teen has "given" heh me her iTouch, and as such, I'm learning all about the instagr.am program.... sooooo here goes :)

TODAY... this is my moment... THIS is what stopped me... this said... HEY... here I am, you pass me all the time, yet you don't say hello... I'm here, I've lived here for a long time... I have a story to tell.

This is a beautiful barn, that I was told by two young men (age's withheld, but if I were to guess, I'd imagine... ehhhh 80ish...) was originally built and painted green in 1913, by one Silas J. Cooper. Mr. Cooper's widow still lives on the property, however, the two gentlemen I spoke with had been sent out to move a tractor and make sure 'the little missy wasn't snoopin' in the junk heap' ;) After I asked permission, they caught a good bit of laughter when I plopped to the the ground and proceeded to click away with the iTouch... of course, my camera was at home... I was on the way back from a Dr's appointment, ill prepared for the photo op ( I *will* STOP that bad behavior) ... They told me to come back anytime... Mrs. Cooper would be happy to fill me with stories and hot coffee and I do think I might do just that!

Today... was a great day.

Wants

I want to co-exist peacefully
this means with my neighbors, all of them... winged, four legged and two,
the ones who bite and leave visible red whelps that itch and irritate, the ones who bark loudly and will try to sneak a taste of your ankle if the opportune moment strikes
and the ones who call with one pretense and knock you off your chair with irrational chatter by conversations end...

Comforting Possibilities... and uncomfortable ones too

(google image)

For months now I have been tip-toeing about my space... my new home, my children (just to be honest... sometimes I stomp through that path without much grace, but not to get side-tracked...), my creative needs and my ability to be comfortable with *MY* possibilities....

Everything seems to frighten me on some base level. I'm not writing about the boogie man or shadowy figures lurking ready to pounce... yet? I am. The land we've invested in, the house we've moved to... our home... the possibilities are seemingly endless and I have filled them up with put this here and that there and we'll do xyz in this part here.... and well, we are working at something most all the time.... all the time. It's hard work, it's rewarding and I feel great pride in the improvements, the new things we've learned... and yet?

I journeyed with Yemaya recently... if you aren't familiar with this gracious, soulful Goddess, I recommend you look for her in your travels. Stephanie Anderson Ladd's new book In the Lap of the Goddess describes her like this: Yemaya, the Creator goddess from West Africa. She is a mermaid who helps you get in touch with your True Self through dreams, ideas, and creative self-expression. What I discovered was...

... I have all the physical tools to do many different types of things that my right brain thinks and wants to do... whether that be painting, encaustic arts, food processing, gardening, photography, graphic arts.... and yet... stymied, stuck, paused. It's uncomfortable. To step out of this shell and into the realm of I could possibly fail.... it's uncomfortable to be afraid.

This morning when I got up, for the second time this month I've had rabbits near my garden. This is a comfort in a few ways... one, because they're cute as can be (and far enough that I'm not worried for the few things that are flourishing!), and two, my neighbor with an over active .22 hasn't shot them... "just because," and lastly they encourage me... they venture out into this open area, my area... there are 3 of them and they bask in the morning light, eat breakfast and then scurry back into the forest when ready... or when I've made too much noise. These furry family members (even if they don't know it) remind me that to get to the things you want... you have to step out of the darkness of the forest and into the morning light of possibilities...

Butterfingers

Canon EOS Rebel XTi 01/16/2011 ebt

Live in the Sunshine
Swim in the Sea
Drink the Wild Air
~R.W.E.~