Where’s The Confetti?

It was a bit of a storm tonight…
no inhouse flooding for us, thankfully, but some hail.
The hail didn’t last for long. Just long enough to get the car as far under the overhang as possible, before the rain drowned it out! 😆
There was a spectacular lightning display out the bedroom windows as well.

So, we’ve been checking the windows for flooding most evenings this week, as the rest of the world flows around us.
Feels like there are storms all over the place, and at least half the world has lost their collective minds.
Feels like time for prayer.
And no, not “thoughts and prayers”.
More like the warrior kind…

and a time to not forget that joy is coming.

Or, if you’re not quite there yet, and need to remember that you’re seen –

Published in: on November 14, 2024 at 10:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Blue Sky Smiling

I’ve been out this morning – a women’s get together at church. We were doing “faithbooking”, which is basically scrapbooking.
Lots of fun!
It wasn’t as hot as I’d expected, even while I was waiting outside for my ride home.
I took some photos of flowers, just because they were there.

And I’m sure the sky was smiling at me!

😀

It’s Saturday night – time for some music!

Ok, I can fit in another one…

Whether scraps or smiles
flowers or fuzzy clouds –
it’s been a good day!
🙂

Published in: on November 9, 2024 at 9:53 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

Thankful

Still haven’t finished my print.
I have done quite a lot of it.

It’s me! 🙂
Only in one colour, though.

I finished the carving for this colour yesterday, and printed up proofs and the prints for the edition.
There are always things you don’t quite expect – this time around, the pin holding the roller in the holder fell out, and there were a few ink-where-it-shouldn’t-be mishaps.
Overall, it went well.

I was achy this morning, but had hoped to get the last bit done.
My back argued with me, after hours of bending over the lino block. And my (cutting) hand wasn’t best pleased either. I decided that the best results would come from leaving the final printing until next week…

The (mostly) final block – it’s only while I’m looking at it now that I see that one area needs a bit of fine tuning. I’ll need to cut some paper to mask the bigger areas, as well.

Why am I thankful?
Well, for one, right now I’m comfortable in bed with the fan on, and a cup of tea by my side. 😀
But also – even though I ache from using muscles harder than I’ve had to lately, I was still able to do it.
And that’s just wonderful!

Published in: on November 2, 2024 at 8:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

Facing The Fear

I don’t do Halloween.
Our neighbours do…

Yes, it’s not very clear – had to take it quickly because there were people walking around it and I don’t like to put random strangers (at least their faces) on here without permission.
That’s just one section of the yard – there’s lots more to see. And at least some of them are movement activated, so we’re getting strange sounds drifting across from time to time.

Skeletons don’t scare me, but I have been putting off carving my lino block for my next assessment.
I’m very good at procrastination.
Got started on it today and, as usual, it wasn’t as hard as I’d thought it would be. Not the design or design transfer anyway. The actual carving requires more energy than I had today, so I’ll continue tomorrow. Of course, it would all be easier if I didn’t take aeons to think about everything that could go wrong!
The block that I’m using is 40 years old, so it might not be as easy to use as these new-fangled lino blocks…

Yes, I have carved a bit more than that!

I think I’m so tired today because we were out yesterday (I pretty much came home to bed). Glad to be able to be out and about, though 🙂
We went to our favourite place.

🙂
Checked out the flowers before going in.

I don’t know what these are, but they look like tiny parrots.
Pink seemed to be the order of the day.

…and a welcome cup of hot chocolate.

I did find my own little monster for the windowsill.

A…dinochicken? Chickosaur?

Like I said earlier – I don’t do Halloween.
I do, however, do “silly”.

😀

Published in: on October 31, 2024 at 9:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

Books On My Mind (And Money Too)

Today I don’t feel like I have a coherent theme, or possibly a coherent brain, so I’ll just round up some interesting things from my week…
I am continuing to feel better than I have in a while, but I have also managed to do something(?) to my neck/shoulder/both. Apparently this occurred because I did the very strenuous thing of…sitting on a chair.
No – not the action of sitting down on a chair.
Just…existing on a chair. 😆

Anyway.
Interesting things.

As I’m doing an art course, I am seeing different artworks, from different eras and styles.
This one came up yesterday.

This is called “The Librarian”, by Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
It was painted in 1566.

I think I may have looked similar to this lately.
I do love reading. And books. And libraries.
Currently, my library basket is full, with due dates coming up on some of the books.
The problem is – they keep getting new books! Which I then borrow because they look interesting!
And, added to that, I have also started trying to catch up with some of the books I own, but haven’t got around to reading yet.
It’s been a (personal) book week 😀

What else have I come across?
A live version of a classic Sesame Street song.

😆

I have no idea who these people are, or what they do when they’re not mimicking muppets.

Also, here’s the latest from one of my favourite artists.
I haven’t shared any of Ren‘s work on here so far, because there is some language used that may not go over too well with some readers…it’s not really gratuitous, and I think it’s worth hearing what he has to say. If you want to know more it’s probably a good idea to start off with Hi Ren, and maybe Sick Boi. Then have a look at more of his views on money, and move on from there...

You might want something pretty and light now.

My garden says hi!

Published in: on October 25, 2024 at 7:27 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

Musing Into The Weekend

…before launching into the week ahead!

Published in: on October 19, 2024 at 9:14 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

The Tiny Spark

Yesterday was a very big day for me.
Most days I stay home; some days I go out, but not generally for long, and not far from home.

It was my Babe’s birthday on Monday, but I couldn’t get a booking for his birthday surprise before yesterday. By surprise, I mean that I didn’t tell him where we were going until we got in the car, and he still had to wait until we got there to see what was happening. 😀
We went to the Planetarium to see the show. Last year was 50 years since “Dark Side of the Moon” was released, and they’d put together a planet/space/moon/light show to complement the full album.
Yes, it was spectacular!
It was also further from home than I’ve been lately…
We’d already been out in the morning, and we were out in the evening as well. Three events in one day!
…and today I’ve been feeling good too 🙂

I had some prayer the other night, for specific areas of my health. In the days since I have seen big improvements – it feels a bit strange. There are other things to pray for, but it feels like that first small spark that can turn into a flame.
There are things to do and places to be!

I have been noticing the “tiny” in my environment lately, whether it’s the fragrant white flowers in our hedge, with their bright little berries,

the nameless (to me) weeds flourishing in the grass,

or the rosebuds waking up to the sun,

they are all living their lives to their proper rhythm.
Some will quietly exist, and then fade away.
Some will open out into scented beauty.

I still have a spark to fan into flame.

…and I think you do too.

Published in: on October 17, 2024 at 9:47 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

What I Know

Had another pain episode this evening. Put a bit of a crimp in my plans.
Fortunately, there is always music.
And new artists to find…

Published in: on October 9, 2024 at 7:47 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

Joy Crashed In

Got the sheets washed, duvets clean and aired, ready for spring to make its mind up and stay.
Or summer.
Whatever.

The last few days have been pain days, but I’ve still managed a lot more than I thought I would.
Watched lessons and zoom calls.
Maybe even understood most of them! 😆
I keep the laptop off on Sundays (except, very rarely, if there’s a deadline I need to meet), so I try to catch up by Saturday night.
Rest (and recharge) time tomorrow – yay!

I have refreshed my memory of beauty encountered on our getaway last weekend…

Fresh flowers by the bed 🙂

This giant on the patio!

A wealth of patterns, and textures, and shadows…

My studies have shown me interesting things.

…like the building blocks of creativity.

And I’ve been listening to music, to let the joy in…

I’ve had the lyric video for this on the blog already, but here’s the people version…
Rainbows and sunflowers!
(Of course, in my head, I will always hear Kermit ❤ )

This one came out of left field, but it’s something to think about.

May joy be unconfined!

Published in: on September 21, 2024 at 10:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , ,

Remembering Priorities

Well, winter came back for a visit.
It’s still not quite as cold as it could be, but my toes are gently freezing…yesterday the wind was so strong that I didn’t even consider putting the washing on the line. I had visions of our clothes winging their way to the river, and beyond!
The asparagus has sprung up again, and is ensuring that we don’t have to buy any for a while.
It seems the wildlife is also finding its way to the garden – I surprised a snake in our yard today, just next to our back path. It was only about a couple of feet long, so mid-size, I guess… they can move fast, can’t they? Don’t know what sort it was, but I thought I’d stay out of its way.

We’re off on our anniversary jaunt tomorrow, or at least an overnight stay not too far away.
It’s been many years of winters, washing, and anniversaries. Not so many snakes, though. 😀
But, it can be easy to let things slide, and take all the good stuff for granted.
Time to take stock again, and remember what’s important.
We’ve had our moments over the years.
But we’re still here 🙂 🙂 And there are a lot more years to come!

❤

Published in: on September 14, 2024 at 9:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »