Friday, August 31, 2012

To the ocean

Mount Shasta viewed through a smoke screen.
Road construction on highway 299, this tractor is jack hammering the rock away.  The operator gets the award for major cojones.
The fog rolling in from the ocean, only 20 miles to go.  The temps have dropped to 53 degrees and the humidity is higher, it feels shop good we want to cheer.
Next a brewery and some fun.
Peaceful dreams.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Day one - over the mountain

This is Donner Lake, incredibly deep and incredibly blue.

I'm heading out on an adventure, over the mountain, to the coast of Northern California for a Blues Festival and then up the coast toward Oregon from there.

Be ready for lots of gorgeous scenery.

Peace

Monday, August 27, 2012

Sweet dreaming

I found this little fellow at the fair, all curled up and dreaming.

He or she looks like a lop eared rabbit.

Peaceful dreams to you all.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ripples

I love it when I take a photo and later see so much more than I had intended.  Which is sort of a metaphor for life in general, isn't it?


It's just Bode doing his thing, wading into any little bit of water he can find.  I know he's hot but he just seems to like water.  I'm still trying to get him to swim out.

And they both stunk like pond water on the trip home.  I hosed them off, dried them and now they are sacked out.


This was down at the creek off of Champion Road.  Make sure you click on the photo to make it bigger.  You can't really tell how big this is can you?

Peaceful

Monday, August 20, 2012

Little Radar - Spitfire Video

Their first music video!


They filmed it with a GoPro camera, check it out.

Woot!

Suggestions?

I have these great little glass fish and need some suggestions for words to add.
Hmmmm?

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Smoky sunset

Thankfully there were two of us on the trip down to Sacramento Monday.  My passenger took this great shot.

We could not believe how beautiful it was.

Peace

Friday, August 17, 2012

Pigpen

This is why my house develops a layer of dust every two days.


It's a good thing he's cute.  See his tail wagging?  He's usually smiling too but right now he's wondering if I'm going to get the vacuum and use it on him.

It's been hot and smoky as we are surrounded by massive wildfires.

I've been consumed with every day things.

I power washed my front fence and ended up with most of the dirt on me.  Next is to re-paint it and the back steps.

I have lots of things in process in my studio, getting ready for the Open Studio Tour the first two weekends in October.  Hopefully I'll have some pictures to show today.  In the meantime, here's a photo of the new copper fold formed earrings I'm making.  The first two pair sold quickly.

Peace to you and yours.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Hot August Nights


We headed down to Reno to see a great upcoming band called the Heartless Bastards and got an extra bonus.  They call it Hot August Nights in Reno, fabulous classic cars come from miles around to parade around the town.  It was wonderful to hear the big engines rumble.

And here's a shot of the Heartless Bastards in concert.  They were really good.


Finally, a shot of smoke from the Chips fire up in Plumas County, which has now grown to over 30,000 acres.  It's heartbreaking.


Peace

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Get the Stick

There it is, get it.

No, you get it, it's too deep and I'll mess up my fur.

Mom doesn't care, she says you're a pigpen anyway.


Ok, brawn didn't work, let's try brains.  Ahhh, there it goes...

Stupid stick, didn't want it anyway.


Maybe it will come back?  After all, Mom says my face can get blood out of a turnip, whatever that means.



(Click the pics for bigger versions.)

Next stop - RODEO!

Peace

Did you know?

That car seats actually come with cup holders now?  Where is the cell phone charging outlet and pocket?
Wow!

On a more sane note.  I took the fur faces down to the river to play.  I picked blackberries for Dandy and me.  Bode thinks our culinary choices are poor.  But he likes chasing sticks.

The habitat of the rare and elusive mountain Corgi. They are known for their stealth when tracking cookies and their ferocity when confronted with a new squeak toy to dismember.

Crikey, there's one now, hide your food, unless you'd like a kiss or two.
More later...

Peace

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Hot Summer Days

The boys and I out at the Mine.

It's hard to imagine, but I'm standing on a pile of crushed rock 20 or 30 feet deep.  We walk along here everyday and it's just a long stretch of white rock and sand.  Until you go over there by the trees and see that the pile drops off steeply and then you know you're standing on a LOT of rock.

It's hot and getting hotter but so far the nights are down in the 60's, which means I can sleep with the windows open.

The cold river is calling me.  This time last year it was still high and cold from mountain snow run-off but this winter was considerably milder.  I wish time would slow down a little.  It's true that it goes fast, especially when you're having fun.

The Nevada County fair is this week.  I'm going to the Rodeo tomorrow night and the Demolition Derby this Sunday.  AND I will be looking for a corn dog at the Job's Daughters booth, yum!

My son turns me on to all sorts of interesting music.  I get to see the Heartless Bastards up in Reno this weekend and maybe again in Sacramento on Monday.


Someday Little Radar will be joining bands like this.

Peace




Friday, August 03, 2012

Back to Reality

The fountain is cleaned out and refilled, the hummingbird feeder is cleaned out and refilled, the bills are mostly paid and the general catch up is done.

I cannot believe how adorable my furry boys are, they are happy to see me too.  They settle down once I've got the suitcase unpacked but they don't get far away from me.  Both of them are sacked out at my feet waiting for a nice walk or some frisbee fun.

The trip was uneventful and fairly comfortable as I scored an exit row seat on both flights.  Ah, sweet leg room!  The frenetic airport atmosphere makes me sort of crazy but some good music via my Ipod and my Kindle help tremendously.  And the people watching is just terrific.

I'm so happy to be home.  My time with my children is joyful and gratifying, but...

My heart lives here, nestled up against the big mountains,
My blood is in the waters, rushing cool and strong,
My strength comes from the rocks,
My feet are rooted deep like the pine trees and oaks,
My vision is the sky, streaked with clouds, multicolored as the sun rises and sets,

Life is good.

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Last Night in Austin

I missed a night, oh well.

Yesterday was mostly a busy day for trying to finish little projects, packing and whatnot.

Late at night we headed back downtown to The Parish, which is an awesome musical venue, to see Little Radar play.

I'm so glad I got to see them again, on a great stage with fantastic lighting and a big open room that really let their sound out.

All if us were there so it was special.  Grant is amazing to watch.  His natural environment is performing.  I just kept thinking how great it is to see someone doing what they love, with skill and confidence. 

This week has been great for me.  Not so much a vacation week but a family week, just doing what they do in their own way.

Sadly I pack up but happily I head home.  I'm yearning for my furry boys and my studio waits quietly for me.

It won't be long before I'm here again, later in September when its not so hot.

Peace