Homeward

It's fine to leap above the rain and find sun to greet us above.  My heart is light and yearning for my Treehouse and for the joyful homecoming that awaits me there.

Peace

Facing the future...

I packed and taped up box number fifty and then waited for the truck.
Eventually it came up the driveway and two cheerful men loaded my treasures and drove away.  Sometime in the next month I hope to see it arrive in Grass Valley.
And then I wandered through those hallways one more time, felt the lush green grass tickle my toes, listened to the mad chorus of birdsong and gave the kitty one last pat, a long goodbye. It is done.
Now I turn my face to the future and I know my heart is firmly in the present. 
Twenty-six hours until take off, another six to home and loving arms and the joyful barking of the boys.  It will be a blissful reunion.
There are so many things to look forward to, my heart soars.
Where do I go from here?  What's the limit of my imagination? How big is my capacity for life? How well and how deeply can I love?
No answers are needed, no limits are allowed.

Peacefully, cheerfully, lovingly I smile at you.

65 hours and counting...

Until my plane leaves Minneapolis and I'm on my way home.


The work is progressing nicely, tomorrow the truck arrives, Friday I head to Minneapolis.  It's almost over, I can do it.


There is another reason to want to be back in my Treehouse, a hope.


For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.
Judy Garland


Peace to you and yours.

Packing up

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
Oliver Wendell Holmes


It's not here in this beautiful place.

I can't wait to be done and back to my Treehouse.

Peace

River dining

Dinner at the Trempealeau Hotel tonight, a beautiful location on the Mississippi River.

Peace

Midwest bound

On my way, already missing my boys, my men and my Treehouse.  Once I get through the nasty, jittery, people filled airports and get on the way to Winona I will get jazzed about seeing my old friends. 
This week I will be able to pack the final pieces before the truck comes on Thursday to take it all to California.

It will be a poignant series of memories to wrap carefully.  They were as a rule beautiful.  My new memories will sustain me this week.

Peace - hard won, gratefully cherished.

Locked out

Sorry, can't update, have been locked out for a day or two.

Peace

Living

Mother's Day was both sweet and painful.  I cooked breakfast for family and friends and did a little wandering around town.  That was the good part.

The painful part is the Mom part.  In the last great transition we will be cleaning out their childhood home and even though they've left it there's still a lot of sadness involved.  The feelings are hard, especially when I'm seen as the reason for the loss.  I grieve too, this next week will be hard.

But, I made the decision not to live my life for the happiness of another. It's the only way I can be healthy in mind and body. It's not the easier path and sometimes it feels like my heart is breaking but I can only hope.

Don't wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you've got to make yourself.
Alice Walker

Peace

Flowers

I'm a sucker for flowers.  This was up at the Empire Mine this morning.

And this was a test of sorts.  I have finally figured out how to post here from my Droid.  Jeez, I LOVE technology.
Peace

Summertime

YouTube - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Summertime

Peace

Gifts of the Goddess - Thursday update

The piece is progressing well.  I may create another layer of chain to hold the goddess.

I'm having a great time with this piece.  Keep in mind it's just bare bones right now, lots to add.  It will be exuberant to say the least.

I try to remember to be thankful and to honor the gifts I have been given, to use them with integrity and love, to celebrate the skill of my hands and the creativity of my brain.  Sometimes life interrupts but that's ok too.  It's hard to explain but I don't think the blues come from sadness but from being really happy and wanting to share that feeling.

Isn't this great?

My new logo, created by Palaezcreative.com

Peace

Gifts of the Goddess

This piece has been brewing in my head for awhile.  The little goddess bead comes from Germany, born from fire and the skill of Teresa Laliberte's hands (Lavender Creek Glass).  She's been waiting for me to come up with a setting appropriate for her.

This will be called "Gifts of the Goddess", each word stamped in sterling silver reflects a personality trait, loving, tenacious, intelligent and so on.  Here's the fine silver chain I built, the goddess and some of the "gifts".

Tonight I finished the tags and have started to build the piece, adding interesting shapes in fine and sterling silver.  I love these squiggles, they are about three inches long.

Starting to put together the pieces, long way to go.  I plan to create a wild tangle of shapes and stones to complement her.

More tomorrow.  Tonight immersing myself in this helped combat a terrible case of the blues that came crashing down on me all at once.  Don't know why, sometimes it's hard to stay positive and upbeat.  I think it was the warm beautiful night that had me yearning for someone to share it with.  This spring season brings the promise of new in every breath, every smell, sight, sound, taste, feel, touch, in the heat of the sun, the caress of the wind.

 I got a call from a very intuitive friend, we cheered each other up.  It's all good.

Peace

Somewhere...

Go outside,
play,
laugh,
run,
walk,
feel the breeze,
the chilly water,
think of those you love,
those you've lost,
those who love you,
smell the flowers,
taste the joy,
watch a bird fly,
hear a child laugh,
BE who you are.

Car Show

It was a gorgeous day, sunny with a cool breeze and Grass Valley was packed with beautiful cars and people.

The combination of fine old cars lined up along streets filled with historic buildings was great.  I like the Corvette's, the Mustangs and the '56 era Ford and Chevy trucks.

This California Special Mustang was especially nice.

This one was my favorite - a Shelby Cobra, sexy little beast.

I ended up voting for a beautifully customized Mustang for People's Choice.  It was a great day!

May 1st - I'm looking forward to this month, lots to do, lots to see.
I have a couple of classes scheduled at Beads Galore (Beginning PMC).
I'll be traveling back to Minnesota to arrange to have some furniture shipped.
I'm going to enjoy every minute of this beautiful weather and hope, hope, hope that my house purchase plans come to fruition.

Right now, time for a walk around the Empire Mine, my companions are getting antsy.

Peace

This and that...April in Grass Valley

The weather is getting better and better, though I shouldn't complain with all the carnage in the South.

I think these are trillium - I'm used to white flowers - these were really striking.

Lovely evening in downtown Grass Valley yesterday.  A drink at the beautiful Owl Tavern bar and then on my way to the Holbrooke Hotel for live music I saw this building.  I just stood there and admired it, wow!

Yes, that is wisteria trained so artfully all over the building.  The contrast between the lavender flowers and the peachy wall color was stunning.

Good day!  Off we go for various adventures!  Walks and some shooting today, then back into the studio, getting lots done there too.  And, maybe some truck washing, badly needed.

I love you all.  The disastrous tornadoes make me want to hug all my loved ones, ease the heartache, pour the cool water of love over us.

Peace

Great Hike

FINALLY!  The sun came back today so we headed up to the Independence Trail for a really good hike.  I've been trying to find the connection from Jones' Bar back up to the trail and actually did today.  It's a pretty nice four miles loop with some fairly challenging ups and downs but it finishes on the handicap accessible trail which is ever so much easier on tired legs.

The best part is the quick, steep quarter mile down to Jones' Bar.  There are beautiful pools everywhere and lots of water for the boys to wade around in.

Saw some pretty wildflowers.

A pretty view from the road we were hiking up.

It wasn't until we'd walked under this downed tree that I turned and saw it was hanging in the air.  Jeez, quite the balancing act.  (Remember you can click on these photos and see them much bigger.)

Of course the two tick magnets managed to haul back twenty or thirty of the nasty little critters.  I picked them off, brushed them off and squished them, hope we got them all.

It was a great day, sunny and beautiful.  The dogs are still zonked out and I'm looking forward to a great night's sleep.  I also sat on my deck with a glass of wine and watched the sun set, it was glorious.

Peace

This and that...

The wildflowers down at Bridgeport are still beautiful.  These pics aren't that great but you get the idea.

Lupine, fairy or globe lily, pretty flower and canyon dudleya.

A rare sighting of the elusive canyon Corgi.

Yesterday's trip to Anderson to purchase a project Bronco, not for me, I was riding shotgun.  If you ever get a chance to head up to the Chico area it's worth it.  The geological formations are fantastic, Butte County, the Table Mountain and the Feather River are all worth exploring.  California is so rich in places to explore, you could spend a lifetime in just this one state.  I am thankful every day that I live here, fabulous wilderness, exciting cities, great people, superb weather.

I've got to head back to Minnesota this next month to arrange to ship the remainder of my furniture out here.  I'm so looking forward to seeing old friends and perhaps there will be an iris or two blooming for me.  I probably won't have a house of my own for a few more months but you never know.  I have such a good feeling about the little Treehouse I'm trying to buy.  It felt right the first time I saw it.  I can see me and the boys there so clearly.  I see friends too, laughing and drinking and eating simple things prepared with love.  I can see warm nights with the windows open and cool nights with a flickering fire.  I can feel the peaceful bliss of spending time with someone special, whispering, laughing, loving.

It will be very good, I know it.

Peaceful dreams to you too.

Sunset Series

It was a very pretty night.  The food, wine and company was good.  I took this series with the different modes on my Droid.

Regular - It was incredibly beautiful and looked like this.

Sepia

Solarize

Posterize

Aqua

Looking at these reminds me that I can look at something and see it many different ways.  Often I forget that. Of course it all depends on my mood at that minute or on that day, just as these photos seem Beautiful, Somber, Frenetic, Disjointed and Melancholy.  I learn something each day, sometimes in painful, sometimes in joyful ways, sometimes a little of both.  The process of interacting with the world means there will inevitably be disappointments because we cannot be all things to all people.  But I think that disappointment, pain and sadness are like clouds, they will clear and leave a bright sunny day.  The sun dries our tears, warms our heart and leaves us with another beautiful sunset to cherish.

Peace to you.

Baby Face and Flowers

I found this photo of bode when he was a baby. He was about three months old and we were still taping his ears.

Some iris from my garden in Minnesota.  I'll be going back there in June so maybe I'll see some of them again.  I wish I could bring some to California but it's not allowed.

This is called Batik, they always come out in wildly different patterns.

This is a Beverly Sills (the pink) and another which I don't remember.

And this is called Throb, perfect name isn't it?

I hope you know that you can click on most of these photos and they will get much bigger.

Rainy day today, still, gotta head out with the boys for a little walk.

May your day be warm and filled with the beauty of nature and the laughter of friends.

Miscellaneous Fun Stuff

Monday night is pistol shooting league, which is both thrilling and nerve wracking for me.  I love the shooting but my uber competitive streak has set in.  Last night I shot a 177 on the front sequence and 162 on the back sequence.  The best you can do is 180 so that's not bad.  We change the requirements every two weeks, last night was complicated, strong hand, weak hand, standing and kneeling.  Fun stuff.

Today I went in for a echocardiogram and  while I have to wait for the Cardiologist to read it the tech did say she thought both he and I would be pleased with the results.  This is a non-invasive procedure but I've still  been really stressed about it.  The last one I had sent me into the Cath lab.  I can't help but remember that day in shards of glass detail.

Then I had lunch with my beloved Sister and did a little browsing in Nevada City, always a good place to eat and wander.

AND, after that I signed the papers to put in an offer on my first house!  It's going to be a long haul but the house feels right so we shall see.  I can see myself in the sunny studio which is through french doors from the kitchen, while the boys wander around the small yard.  I will paint the rooms in golds, maybe have the living room ceiling raised and covered with white painted car siding.  My bedroom will get a set of french doors that open out onto the flower filled patio.  I will fill it with the laughter and love of those who mean the most to me.

Peace

Lovely Weekend

Ok, yeah, I may say I live in the mountains but really Grass Valley is just the foothills.  I plead innocent though, 23 years in Minnesota has skewed my perception just a little.

This weekend my great good friend took me up to his beloved mountains.  He dazzled me with lakes and rivers, foamy waterfalls and peaks still covered in snow.

He drove me through sleepy towns where we discovered beautiful old barns and searched out houses old and new and dreamed of places to live.

We found wildflowers everywhere, lupine is one I knew and this little beauty.

Then he scared the living daylights out of me (not hard to do) with nasty, narrow, stinking, crumbling little roads overlooking endless drops.

Here I pleaded mercy and we didn't climb any higher.  It got worse later, a simple mountain road which he drove skillfully and well while I sat in a miserable little huddle and tried not to cry.  But all in all it was glorious, good company and great to get away and enjoy some new scenery.  I'm looking forward to going again, mostly, thanks D!

Heights are not my thing.  I've never been to the Grand Canyon, the mere thought of standing on the edge gives me the willies.  I don't even like ladders, though I have managed to conquer them up to about 12 feet, reluctantly.  Flying I've come to terms with (barely) because traveling is one of my great loves. Enclosed spaces are pretty bad too.  Beets and sauerkraut are nasty.

Things I'm good at:  Animals, tackling life on a daily basis, loving my friends and family, torching metal, planning large events, learning new things, meeting new people, shooting holes in targets and cooking a lot of great things.

Peace

Rekindle

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer

There are a very few people in my life who are always there for me.  I'm pleased and privileged to be there for them too.  Deep and satisfying bonds like these are good for body and soul.


Who knows what we'll find up in the mountains?  It doesn't really matter, it's just all good.


Peace

Quote for Wednesday

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Peace to you and yours from me and mine.

Touch My Heart

Things that have touched my heart so far this week:

Eating pie with my Mom and Dad.

Seeing the twinkle in my Dad's eyes.

Bode and Dandy kissing my face.

Talking about an old kitty.

A few words from someone I lost but still miss.

Early morning phone calls.

Crazy future ocean dreams.

Feeling the deep bonds of trust and friendship grow and strengthen.

Knowing I'm home in my mountains.

Springtime weather.

Peaceful, magical dreams.

I Believe...

I believe that there is good in people, it's not always easy to find but you have to keep looking.

I believe you can't hold back on what's in your heart, otherwise you are less than whole.

I believe that when you feel like you've been burned it's just the tempering process and it will make you stronger.

I believe using strong sunscreen will keep your nose from peeling.

I believe we meet some people for a reason, beats the hell out of me exactly what sometimes.

I believe a glass of wine and a good cry are essential every now and then.

I believe blood oranges, raspberries and lemon curd make a damn good dessert.

I believe a woman has the right to go and do whatever she pleases and that she should be allowed anything that makes her feel safe doing so.

I believe a smart phone kicks ass.

I believe you have to go for what you want, waiting for it to come to you takes too long.

I believe we aren't getting any younger, but we are wiser, more sensual, funnier and less concerned with silly stuff.

I believe age and treachery will always win out over youth and skill.

I believe life is not worth living without pets.

I believe if you find a man who isn't afraid, one who will face your fear, your anger, your passion and your love with kindness, courage, understanding and openness of heart you'd better keep him close forever.

I believe it's important to have a place to call your own.

I believe if you're gonna have a beer, have a good one.

I believe you have to take a good long look at what you think you want, could be it's hiding the thing you really need.

I believe you have to have a dream.

I believe you need to be thankful everyday, grateful to the one, caring to the many, thoughtful to those close and open to it all.

I believe that this day is mine to make of it what I will.

I believe a long walk in the sunshine may be the most important thing I do today.

I believe I'll make it.

I believe.

Popcorn snow

WTF?  I've never seen such weird stuff, little balls of soft snow come plopping down on your head and car and EXPLODE!  It's like hail only not, hard to imagine.  This morning is blue and clear.

Searching for houses, some poor derelicts, some not bad.  Out here everything is either a short sale or a foreclosure, when you find a real house being sold by a real owner it's quite a treat.  I found one that seems perfect but we're looking at three more this next week.

Today I get to spend the whole day at the Range taking the concealed carry class.  It should be fun.  At least in my goofy world, last weekend race fuel, this weekend gunsmoke and oil.  If I could find horses to ride next weekend I would call it winning the trifecta, with lots of outdoor time in  between.

Peace to you

Working or Playing?

Yesterday I got back into my studio and found my passion and my joy waiting there, what an incredible feeling!

In the last few years my art has sheltered me in the midst of pain and uncertainty.  It's given me an outlet for my passion, love and creativity.  It's been my focus and my anchor.  It's kept me from flying apart in a million little pieces.

It's who I am.

I need to create and if I don't I become less.

I tend to forget.

Yesterday I whipped up a pretty little piece to donate to a fundraising event here in Grass Valley.

And I tore apart my favorite piece - Warrior's Heart - yet again to fix the balance.  Here's a shot of it after I applied the patina.

And after I polished off most of it - I prefer the silvery look.

I've also got a bigger project brewing and need some words for it.  Think of the people in your life.  Think of the one word that describes their character.  Tell me.  I've got Integrity, Compassion, Creative, Courageous....need more.

Peace

Signs of Spring

I suppose the first sign of spring is that it's not freaking raining, which is good because I'm sure I was growing moss between my toes.

Now the only rain is pollen, always nice for the companies who makes Claritin, Zyrtec or Flonase, bless them.  Otherwise there would be no breathing going on at all.

Yesterday we headed out for the Empire Mine loop.  It was beautiful and the dogs got a little more sniffing time as I'm gingerly walking on a least two large blisters from this weekend.  Any aches and pains are well worth it, it couldn't have been more fun or satisfying.

I found this little beauty down by Little Wolf Creek.  I love salamanders.

Down by the Mine entrance I saw this.

The color is just beautiful, the car is kinda cute too.

AND, then I shot 177 on the first sequence at league last night, woot!  Of course, the second sequence wasn't so great but I'll get there, it was only my fourth night of league.

These days and this weather make me almost giddy.  The breezes are cool and soft, lifting and rearranging the crazy strands of my hair, cooling my skin as we walk down sunny paths and through dense, quiet forests, wrapping the scents of the plants and the tangy dirt smells around me, it's heavenly. The dogs lift their heads and flare their nostrils to suck in the scent too and every now and then will circle and circle from one side of the road to the other, catching the meanderings of an animal gone quietly back into the woods.

Last night about 3am I woke up and opened the curtain so I could see the night sky from my bed. The stars were blazing and it was dark and still, no noises, all thoughts stilled in sleep, dogs wuffling softly.

I slept well and deeply, peacefully.

I wish the same to you.

Infineon Weekend or...

...I love the smell of race fuel in the morning!

Wow!  What a great weekend in each and every way.  I started by blasting my way through a couple of shops in Berkeley, my wine closet is now FULL and ready for some great dinners on the deck.

Then I met up with a very great friend and helped him celebrate his birthday with a margarita or two, Happy Birthday D!  Saturday morning bright and early we got to the track.  It was a CSRG - Classic Sport Racing Group weekend so it was impossible not to drool on most of the cars in the paddock.  Of course, the best are the Corvette's.

Warm up.  The man who keeps them moving fast.  He's really not as scary as he looks, that's his concentrating face.

Saturday night was more excellent fun and on Sunday my Mom and Dad came down for the day.
My Dad getting ready for a ride.

A good friend getting ready to go zoom too.  The best part is seeing their faces when they get back, BIG SMILES!

The weather was fabulous, sunny with a cool breeze.  I need more sunscreen and maybe a hat. The ZoomZoom noises are incredible.  I can't wait to go again.

So, today I'm back, happy to be in my Treehouse again.  This afternoon I'll be looking at some houses for sale, wish me luck!

Peace