Animal Wednesday: As the crow flies....home

Today is the last day to post anything I want to say other than commenting on other blogs.
This has been an interesting 'packing up and tossing away' of memories.
The sheer physical work of a move this size is enormous, but the emotional weight that bears down on you is immeasurable. Even if you're the one that initiates the move, it still has significant impact.
As I was going through papers I came across this quote that I had on my bulletin board in my first studio. It's powerful to me.

"If you wait for a better time to create, better than this very moment, if you wait until you feel settled, divinely inspired, perfectly centered, unburdened of your usual worries, or free of your own skin, then forget about it.

You will still be waiting for tomorrow, and the next day, wondering why you never managed to begin, wondering how you did such an excellent job of disappointing yourself."

I hope I heed these words and get those paintbrushes out of the box as soon as I land on the other side. If not then...when?

Thanks for coming on this ride with me. It will be interesting (as some of you have said) to see what the move brings out in my art.

Please stay tuned!

Skywatch Friday: Double Delight

This will be my last Skywatch post until I get to my new place back east. I thought it would be appropriate to show the last sunset I photographed when my uncle was here 2 weeks ago. The sky went from a gorgeous twilight lavender to a blazing sunset in a matter of twenty minutes.

Talk about the right place at the right time!

I'm looking forward to posting photos from the other coast soon.

Until then, check here for other skies around the world...and thanks for stopping by to enjoy the scenery here!

Thankful Thursday: Regarding Mimi

Most of you remember this post, the one I wrote when my dear client and friend Mimi had to say goodbye to her old dog, Casey.

When Mimi's husband Ed asked me how I felt about them getting another Corgi, I went into protection mode for the future dog. Ed is 90, Mimi is 80 with early stages of dementia. Who would walk the dog? Would she overfeed it or overmedicate it because she had forgotten if it had been done?

When Casey was alive I visited every day to administer his treatment and to check on him. Now they're on their own.

Fast forward one month and meet their new 'baby' as they lovingly call him.

They named him "Corgi" and they defend their right to do so. (They love Corgi's and they love him!)

Yesterday was our farewell lunch before I head East, and it was my first time meeting the new pup.

I don't have to tell you it was love at first lick! I sat on the floor with him and started snapping pictures. I played with him, held him and fussed over him until he went to sleep.

The light in Mimi's eyes was brighter. She was remembering a little better as she brought up memories of Casey and our long journey together.

What I took away from our visit wasn't only that we'll have a forever friendship, but that this little pup would be okay in this loving home and I'm not in charge of the world.

I'm thankful for sometimes knowing when to let go and trust the universe, and my heart is filled with memories of this wonderful day and Mimi's healed heart.

Animal Wednesday: Drug Testing

This is one of the loves of my life, my dog Emma. I've emailed this photo to a few of you already but I thought it was so darn cute I wanted to post it today!

Here's the deal. You know we're moving and you know what goes into the process. Things get packed and tossed around and moved about and the animals pick up on the frenetic energy of their world changing. Emma has a mild form of epilepsy but when she has a seizure, it's a doozey. She doesn't have seizures frequently enough to warrant medication, thank goodness. When I took her and the cat in for their pre-travel check-ups I asked if I could get some valium for Emma in case she got frazzled along the way.

So this is Emma with a half of a valium on board. You can't tell in the photo, but she was swaying ever so slightly! In my sweet-talking voice I said "Emmie, do you like the valium?" To which she tilted her head and gave me this zoned-out look! I'll take that as a yes. This cross-country drive will be a breeze ;)

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Cactus Monday: Twilight Delight

I took a fast break in the packing to whip up an atc for today!

HCM my friends!!

Skywatch Friday: Phoenix Rising

I was just closing the door when I spotted this cloud formation out of the corner of my eye over my neighbor's roof. To me, it looks like a spirit rising , possibly Phoenix or someone's beloved pet. It could be.

For other wonderful glimpses of clouds, go here.

Happy Skywatch Friday!

Thankful Thursday: Double Happiness

Another week and another pile of gifts in my mailbox from my blogger girlfriends. Wow you guys, really, I'm so spoiled by you!!

Here's the show and tell part.

This is a wonderful postcard from KJ telling us our new home is ready. It was just the smile I needed in this hectic week.

And I could totally live in this bohemian place. I love it!(That's my old address, no worries.)

These fabulous photo cards were also sent to me from KJ in case I wanted to write letters from the road.

I took these shots of them just now and it's not showing how wonderful her images are. I'm just short on time to scan each of them!

Thanks, dear friend. xxoo!

Soulbrush struck again and sent me 2 gorgeous atc's that I adore. I love the 3 people soaring together. They look great with the firebirds in the other one!

Thank you dearest. You know how special you are to me!

Lynn totally surprised me with one of her latest felted atc's!

That woman is amazing, always trying something new and each new thing is a success in my opinion! Thanks Lynn, I love this!!

Margaret over at waterblossoms gifted me with these 2 wonderful ATC zentangle blossoms on linen paper. The blues and browns are just stunning together! Is it any wonder she's one of my favorite artists?

Thanks so much my friend! Your generosity knows no bounds.

And finally this card from a dear friend of mine who is trying to understand why I spend so much time blogging, and how on earth I could ever make 'real' friendships here. She realized the way she had gone about her questioning had hurt my feelings. The next day I got this wonderful card from her that said "This card says it all." I now realize she's just having a hard time saying goodbye to me, and quite honestly she may be feeling a little abandoned.

I may be moving away, but I'm not leaving friends. You'll always be with me.

I hope I didn't leave anyone out this week. My desk is a mess and I'm too stressed to tidy up. The next step is packing it all up.

Thanks one and all. Friends are just the best medicine! xoxo

Animal Wednesday: For Debra Kay

A couple of you saw these photos already that I took at the Monterey Bay Aquarium while my uncle was visiting. I thought Debra Kay would like these because she really wants a shark! Perhaps these Leopard Sharks would be big enough for her. This guy was about 3 feet long. Fast and graceful!

I love the underside shot and the different colors of the foreground, middleground and background. I got lucky!

I wish I could have posted the ATC I did for Teri yesterday but then it would have been too early and I'd blow the surprise;)

HAW!!! Be careful when you go in the water!

Cactus Monday: At The Mission

One of the things my Uncle and I did during his visit was go to the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission. They have this magnificent, huge cactus in the main courtyard that I have sat and sketched a few times. Today I only have time to post a few shots of it but you know I'll be using these photos as ATC references for future CM posts and trades!

The movers are coming today to give an estimate which leaves me no time for art again. Sheesh. Meanwhile, HCM to all of you!! I miss you!

Skywatch Friday: Cloudgazing with Uncle Don

My favorite uncle is visiting me from Ottawa, Canada. Yesterday we went to Big Sur and enjoyed the scenery and the sunshine. This photo was taken while we were sitting in an outdoor cafe and chose to turn our chairs towards the hills to watch the clouds float by. It was a beautiful day!

For other Skywatch Friday shots, click here.

Hey, pull up a chair and watch the clouds put on a show!

Animal Wednesday: Nosey Neighbor

I was testing my new camera when I spotted this guy on my neighbor's shed.

I'm smitten! Just look at that face ;)

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Cactus Monday: Warm and cool

I drew this atc while watching TV last night and just painted it five minutes ago using the hairdryer to hurry it along! Traded to Lynn!!

You won't see much more of me this week with Uncle here, but you never know!

Happy Cactus Monday!!