Animal Wednesday: Otterly Cool Dude

I pulled from my distant archives today because I needed a theme to cool me off.

"IT" has finally arrived.

"IT" is oppressive.

"IT" has no redeeming value.

"IT" is humidity!!!

So, let's all take a virtual dip in the Monterey Bay with this cool dude.

Happy Animal Wednesday to all of my cool (and hot) friends!

Saturday Snippet 6 : On Friday :)

I'm posting early because we're doing an impromptu trip here. The weather is gorgeous and my camera is ready! See all of you on Sunday!

Lori, this quote is for you♥  Photo taken at Point Lobos, Carmel California. (Butterfly added later.)
(click to embiggen)

Paper Clay Therapy

I'm very cranky and grouchy today so I thought I'd channel my miserable mood into something constructive.

This is my first attempt at a paper clay bowl. I used the pinch-pot method because I like how imperfect they turn out. Like Suki, I definately lean towards wabi-sabi things in life.

I love the colors in this because they remind me of Monterey. And that's the reason I chose to paint an abalone shell inside, another thing reminiscent of the place where I spent sixteen glorious years. Well, mostly glorious!

I finished off the dish with gold leaf around the lip and a bit over the inside and outside edges. I'm happy with how it turned out, especially for my first attempt. And it took hours!

Good therapy for one old cranky-pants lady :)

I've listed it on Etsy. We'll see what happens!

The book shown in the Etsy photos is "Monterey Peninsula: A Cypress Shore" with photos by Gary Geiger.

Illustration Friday: Atmosphere

I used to love to sit on a bench by the bay and count pelicans with an elderly couple.

We'd always marvel at the way they'd silently glide by just barely above the water.

The fog is a familiar atmosphere for them as well as the human residents.

Chilly and raw, often slicing you to the bone if it was windy. 

Someone once told me that peilicans were pilots who have come back.

I like that. In this life they get to fly free as a bird!

For Robin ♥ and Illustration Friday.

Happy weekend friends!

Skywatch Friday: Rainbow Comet

My dear left-behind friend Mary Helen took these pictures yesterday at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. She only had her phone camera with her but she knew if she drove the 1/2 mile home to get her camera she would have missed this sight.

Cars were pulling off the road left and right. Who could blame them?

Wow, it's as if the rainbow is diving into Monterey Bay.

Happy Skywatch Friday my friends. Thank you Mary Helen!

For more sky shots around the globe, go here.

Skywatch Friday: Silver Fog

I love it when early morning fog on a still bay makes everything look bathed in silver. Happy Skywatch Friday everyone!

For more skyviews, please visit SWF.

Skywatch Friday: The Fog Arrives

One of the reasons we don't need air conditioning here in the Monterey Bay is because the fog always comes in after a warm day, like putting a wet blanet on a fire. The fog visits a little too often for my liking in the summer though.

Check out these skies from around the world to see how the other half lives!

Skywatch Friday: Misty Morning

The first of May and the morning sky is inviting. The mist is rising off the water as the surfers get ready to start their days. Aaaaah, life is good!

Happy Skywatch Friday everyone! Don't forget to look at that glorious canvas over your head. To see other sky shots, run on over to this place!

Skywatch Friday: Heron Morning

On some mornings I have time to take my dog to El Estero Park in Monterey on my way to my first patient of the day. We walk around both loops of the lake as she enjoys the many sightings of Coots, ducks and Canada Geese, but every once in awhile we get to see a heron or an egret up close.

(See her on the left?)

I put Emma in the car so I could get these shots. They're very camera shy!

This is a very early morning sky which ended up being quite blue after awhile.

Still, grey as it is I love the reflection in the lake.

Happy Skywatch Friday! And don't forget to always look up at the beauty and to click here to see more sky shots from around the world!

Animal Wednesday: Too Cool For School

Who's that handsome dude behind those Foster Grants?

I painted this the first year we moved here, 1993. I fell in love with the sea otters at first sight. There's a protection act for them because their numbers were declining rapidly. Now the population is up to some pretty healthy numbers, still though there are some that die way too young at the hands of mean or careless people as well as natural diseases.

Today is Earth Day. Let's celebrate this glorious planet we live on by doing our part to help the environment and all the flora and fauna we so very much enjoy.

Go Green!!

Happy Animal Wednesday on Earth Day!

Skywatch Friday: Cloud Layers

The rains arrived late this year but they were welcomed. One of the things I love about the rainy season are the clouds that give a show in between storms. Here are some clouds over Monterey Bay as the latest downpour leaves town.

This shot was taken near Coastguard Pier and Cannery Row on my way home.

For other shots of skies around the world, go to Skywatch. Enjoy!!

Skywatch Friday: Lover's Point Vista

There's a place about a mile and a half from my house called Lover's Point Park in Pacific Grove. It has miles of walking and bike trails along the coast with views like this one. Lots of folks get married here. Who can blame them?

Check out other sky shots from around the world on Skywatch!

Skywatch Friday: Golf Storm

The clouds are trying to clear over Spanish Bay golf course for this week's AT&T Pro-Am tournament. It may be a washout!

To see other skies from around the world, check out Skywatch!

Skywatch Friday: Blazing Streak

One of the most wonderful things about sunsets are the surprises you see on the camera after the shot is taken. I love the way this airplane trail ended up being the focal point when I snapped the shutter. Kismet.

To see other glorious shots from around the world, check out Skywatch!

Thanks for stopping by. And don't forget to look up and be grateful.

Skywatch Friday : Dreamboat

This sky is over Asilomar Beach on the Monterey Bay where I live. I didn't even know the whalewatching boat was in the picture because I was focusing on the sky, otherwise I would have never stuck him right in the middle!

Make sure you visit Skywatch Friday to see other stunning pictures from around the world!

Animal Wednesday : Gliding Free

This is a detail from a painting I sold last year. I regret not having a full picture of it because it's one of my favorites. The full view has the pelicans entering from the left with a lot of room on the right yet to go. Your eyes want to follow them across the canvas on their journey.

I used to sit on a bench by the bay with an elderly couple and we'd count pelicans. It was a wonderful way to spend time outside as well as keeping a lonely couple company. The man has since passed away and I don't see his wife anymore. She only lives just up the street from the bench by the bay, yet she can't bring herself there without her long-time companion. Today I can't look at a pelican without thinking of them both.

Happy Animal Wednesday, my friends. May you enjoy your journey.