1000 Fields of Roses

Through The Cracks

I don’t like this summery version of spring…
felt a bit woozy in the heat today. Lots of water/cordial was had.

Well, at least I finished my lino print!

Not perfect, but I quite like it.
I plan to call it “Ya Reckon?”
…which is sort of how I’ve felt today. Lots of thoughts rolling around in my brain! It’s been a bit difficult to process the news lately.
I found comfort in my Bible reading this morning. Someone made an interesting choice!
Also enjoyed listening to songs I’ve loved in the past, and reflecting on the variety of music in this world.

But this morning I also realised that, no matter what happens in the world, I can still create beauty. I think that’s sort of my job 🙂
And I can continue to notice the little bits of good in each day, whatever the circumstances.

Life grows, even through the cracks in the concrete, the dirt, or the bitumen.
Time to create – to burn bright in the dark skies.

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on November 7, 2024 at 8:01 pm Leave a Comment

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!

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on November 2, 2024 at 8:33 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Home Free

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”.

😀

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on October 31, 2024 at 9:00 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Home Free, rafter and rose, VoicePlay

Well, That’s One Way..

..to see where the leaks are!

We (along with lots of other people) were suddenly hit with a bit of a storm last night.
Pretty sure there was hail, too.
The people over the road had their Halloween display reconfigured, including an absolutely massive spider upending itself on the lawn – I’m assuming it’s some sort of heavy plastic. Now they’ve added giant figurines…

I was feeling snug and dry inside – we’ve been through storms here before.
There was leaking through the roof of the back porch, and a river was running down outside our bedroom window (the guttering is either split, or has a hole), and there was a fair lot of water that had come through the door/window downstairs. That’s happened before, and we had enough spare towels to plug all the leaks, in the end.
The boys were watching the cockatoos grimly hanging on to the tree next door – one seemed to be attached to a branch just by a wing tip – so I went to check the back porch area again.
I thought it was funny that, amid all the sound and fury, one tiny sprig of leaves had stuck to the kitchen window, with nothing else around it.

This little mini twiglet.

It’s not focused particularly well because, just as I snapped a shot, I realised that the kitchen windowsill was rapidly trying to emulate Niagara, and the next chunk of time was taken up by plugging the gaps. I’m not sure whether it was coming through the window seals or around the metal frames – I just stuffed towels everywhere they’d fit.

All dry today, and nothing wrecked.
Glad I decided to keep all those towels when we moved, though!
😀

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Thinking....

on October 29, 2024 at 10:26 pm Leave a Comment

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: Ren, Sesame Street, The Librarian - Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Musing Into The Weekend

…before launching into the week ahead!

Published in:

on October 19, 2024 at 9:14 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Elle Limebear

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: Kim Walker-Smith

My Life, As I Know It

It’s pretty good, really…
I had a productive day today. Did some stuff I hadn’t got to before.
Some days aren’t quite as smooth – I had a bout with pain the other night, something that tends to come roaring out of nowhere, and smashes my schedules.
Generally, it doesn’t stay long, but I tend to be quite tired the next day or two.
This was day two.
Suddenly – Energy! Ability!
What to do when I wake up and feel capable?

ALL THE THINGS!!
At least until my body goes, “Nope.”

But at least I got stuff done 🙂

Well – life as I know it.
Pretty good.
Just sometimes a lot slower than at other times…

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on October 11, 2024 at 10:36 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Home Free

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…

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on October 9, 2024 at 7:47 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Cindy Morgan

Before The Rain

It’s been pouring out there for a bit.
Seems to have tapered off now.

I knew the rain was coming – there were warnings all over the place. Up until just over an hour ago, it still looked fine…
I did a big load of laundry yesterday, anticipating a few days of storms.
Also noticed a tiny nasturtium, popping up in the front garden. I don’t know where it came from – I haven’t planted any, and there hasn’t been any since we’ve been here.
It’s one of the plants I’ve been thinking about putting in, though.
And, suddenly – here it is!

A bright spot of colour, in amongst the mulch and the weeds…
Here’s a profile 😀

Yesterday was taken up with various tasks, so I didn’t get around to photographing the flora.
Today I thought I’d better do so before the storms set in.
Including some dandelion close-ups!