Wednesday's Walk

I feel like doing a quiet post today. I just came back from a walk to set my mood straight and here are a few of the things I saw. Even the simplest of things like weeds along a path can bring back distant memories.

Like Goldenrod gleaming in the sun,

and Queen Anne's Lace, wild vines that look like grapes,

Milkweed pods, still green and not quite ready to burst open.

And the littlest hint that the Autumn I've been waiting for is around the corner.

And then I come home to these cuties who live in my yard.

Hi there!

Don't be shy!

All in all I'd say the walk helped lift my spirits. But sometimes change is just damn hard. Perhaps I'll do two walks today!

Cactus Monday: These boots...

...are made for walking in the desert and showing off their BLING!!

Terrible scan. I can't figure out this new darn software! The photo came out worse. Oh well, it's pretty shiny in person. Happy Cactus Monday!

The 5th commenter gets the boots!

Illustration Friday: Magnify

Once I have him in my sights I don't dare move.

I've always wanted to see a Magpie in his formal attire.

He's the dapper looking one among his corvid cousins. Orca-esque in his markings and grace.

I turn the lenses of my binoculars ever so slightly just to be sure that I indeed see him looking back at me.

Acrylic paint, colored pencil on patterned scrapbook paper.

(too big to scan the whole thing)

Six Word Saturday

Summer rain

dances

on

my

windows

Cactus Monday: Rare Sighting

Could it be??? Why yes, it's the rare cactus-back gecko!

He can be adopted by the first one who says they want him. Hurry...he's already walking off the card! Happy Cactus Monday everyone!

Illustration Friday: Caution

Beware of fat flying cats who taunt neighborhood pooches!

This is a repost of my very first "IF" back in 2006 for the word "trouble."

The name of the illustration is "Taunting Spot."

Skywatch Friday: Bird's Eye View

Even the birds at the sanctuary at The Monterey Bay Aquarium have a beautiful ocean view from their window by the bay!

To see more skies around the world, click here.

Cactus Monday: Little Nibbler

This quick ATC is a double whammy today. It's for Cactus Monday as well as my "N" in my ABC atc group and it goes to Teri! Tell me where to mail it Prez.

Happy Cactus Monday everyone!

Illustration Friday: Corvid Kimono

When Raven wrapped herself in her ancestral kimono her heart became still and peaceful. She felt surrounded by her loved ones, past and present.

Most days, that was all she needed.

For Illustration Friday prompt: wrapped.

Let me say it's good to be back.

Acrylic paint, colored pencil on patterned paper.

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.

Thankful Thursday and hair pulling

I've been sitting at this computer for three hours pulling my hair out trying to figure out my new scanner and photo editor!! I'm not tech savvy at all, but jeez all mighty why can't I find where my photos went to?? Are they just floating around somewhere?

Anyway, some of them got edited safely and some are just retakes with my camera instead of my scanner and they're not cropped. I just wanted to post my blogger gifts while it was still Thursday! Okay, rant over.

These goodies came from Debra Kay last week as a housewarming gift. Oliver made a stink about the card saying it was a poor excuse for an African Grey but I love it! I also love the ATC's and the thoughtfulness. Thanks Deb!! XX
Next, this is the stunning bouquet KJ intended to send me for my birthday, however, there was miscommunication (and cheating) on behalf of the shikester florist who delivered the ones below instead!! Buyer beware!

oops!! KJ asked me to describe the bouquet and as soon as I mentioned carnations and mums she hit the roof. "WHAAAT????!!!!"

Let me just say this, I still loved them because of the sentiment and the birthday remembrance, so thank you KJ. XX

Guess who sent me this card?

Hint: She loves jellybeans, chocolate pretzels and rolling down hills.

And purple polka dot bikinis!

Why, it's Emily V.V. Rabbit, of course!! What a funny card! I love it!

And I love you too Em.XX

Imagine my surprise when these goodies came in the mail from Marianne in the Netherlands! And while she was away in Sweden, no less. Wow, let's have a look!

There was a beautiful lotus mandala ATC, an Inukshuk (an Inuit word meaning 'in the image of man.') He represents a silent messenger showing the right path to follow. How wonderful is that? And just look at this framed mandala. The details are exquisite! Too bad I can't show you because I can't find the scanned image! Perhaps you can enlarge it. It's a beauty! I have all 3 underneath my birth mandala.

She also sent this delicate silk scarf with amazing, shimmery detail and this little pair of Dutch shoes in blue and white ceramic.

Not only that, she sent some rose scented moisturizer that is heavenly!

Thank you Marianne. Your generosity knows no bounds! XX

Of course I received lots of gifts from family and local friends, but I just show my blogger stuff here ;)

I've also received loving emails from Joss (Soulbrush) who as you know gifts me all year long! Love ya Jossie! XX

Whew, what a birthday and what a transition this still is.

Thanks for being such a great support team and lovely friends.

love, Lolo

Post script! I just found another wonderful item on my messy desk from Linda at Stampmaiden. I was remiss (and pissed at my scanner) for not posting it. Stay tuned next week!!

Cactus Monday: A Ponderable

I went to see a long time old, old friend today which is why I'm just showing up now, and while I was driving I got to thinking about this...

What if cactus grew in cornfields???

Summer makes my head spin in the heat and humidity!

Happy Cactus Monday my friends ;)

Skywatch Friday: Birthday Clouds

Emma enjoyed the summer breezes at Colt State Park today.

Because it's my birthday, I feel these perfect clouds were just for me ;)

I do like to share though!

For other skies and sighs, go to Skywatch Friday.

Happy weekend everyone!

Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine...

Cactus Monday: 3 moons for the buffalo

I thought I'd try a collage for a change. I just let it evolve and then the title appeared and I knew I was done.

Happy Cactus Monday gang!

(You can click this week's entry to my ABC ATC group here.)

Illustration Friday: Modify

It's in my moleskine this week!

Click here.

Blogland Lane # 7 ~ My Dream Home

I've joined KJ and many other friends who have set up 'home' on Blogland Lane. Seeing as my new reality home has hit a few bumps, this is the place I've decided to move my hopes and dreams to. There will be plenty of room for friends to stay without encroaching on anyone's space. This is the front of the house. Someone got carried away with the number plaque, it should just be a "7." I'll fix it later. C'mon, I'll give you the tour.

This is one of my favorite spots in the back yard. I love to sip wine there with friends or just sit quietly with the animals and read a book while I gaze out at the ocean. There are lots of hawks and deer and rabbits who keep me company too. It's really a magical spot.

This is a magnificent old barn that has been renovated into my dream studio and gallery. I also use it for 2 months out of the year to bring in children from poor neighborhoods and give them a free summer of art, good food and a safe haven. The only thing they have to do to be chosen is get good grades in school.

So far this incentive has worked and many children have gone on to win art scholarships!

Finally, this is the long winding road to the house which shows the beautiful view of the ocean. The view is most spectacular from the studio in the barn but the salt air kisses every inch of the house, inside and out.

I think this is quite a neighborhood we've created! Welcome to my home.

Please stop by KJ's place and visit all the other residents!

Skywatch Friday: A Walk In The Park

Brian and I decided to stop at Colt State Park in Bristol yesterday on the way home from running errands. I had forgotten how lovely this place is with it's green grass, lush trees and winding paths along the Narragansett Bay.

Just what the psychiatrist ordered!! Nature has always been able to restore me.

For other skies along the way, check out Skywatch Friday!

Thankful Thursday: Inch by inch

Well, my dear friend Soulbrush did it again. I swear she tunes into me and knows when I need a little help getting my chin off the floor. Here's a card I got from her this week, and inside it was this wonderful ATC with well wishes written on the back as well as all of these 'inchies' with their own small messages. The whole presentation made me smile! Thanks Soulbrush.

We'll always have that special connection!

It could very well be that Brian and I will be able to stay in this house if we can keep things workable for all parties involved. I just hope the day comes soon when I feel like myself again and not like someone who's been abducted by aliens. I think I'm having one huge out of body (and mind) experience!

Care to join me?

Animal Wednesday: Bliss's Window

This is my sweet kitty Bliss who had a hard time adjusting to the drive and the relocation. She finally sits in the window that is in front of my drawing table and she loves it! For those of you who don't know the latest chapter, we may have to move again because the landlady decided she needs to sell the house. Sadly, she didn't get the lease to us before we moved in. (Now we know why!)

The saga continues....

Meanwhile, HAW to all of my pals out there!

Cactus Monday: Sepia and Orange

I kind of just let my sepia Pitt pens do the talking today with nothing concrete in mind. I used an orange sharpie for the contrast. Slowly but surely I'm getting my workspace together.

Happy Cactus Monday everyone!!

Skywatch Friday: Along the way

I didn't get a chance to take many photos because of all the road construction while we were driving cross-country, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity at this Utah rest stop. Utah was where I thought for sure we were all going to be killed by those crazy drivers on those hairpin turns through the mountains!

At least the scenery was pretty here and there ;P

For more skies to ogle, go to Skywatch Friday!

Thankful Thursday: The Welcome Wagon

There were a few goodies waiting for me when I arrived in Rhode island. It helped ease the transition of closing one door and opening another.

Dear, sweet Marianne did this small canvas of the sun, moon and sparkling stars. The outer edge of the mandala has seagulls in the sky.I hung it up right away where I get to admire it several times a day.

She also sent my "H" atc for hibiscus, which I love...

...and she surprised me with this cactus rose. Such a soft, beautiful painting.

Then she wrote a "Welcome Home" note of this Frida Kahlo card.

She really knows my heart.

Thank you, dear friend!

This card winged its way to me from a friend I left behind. She and I both love ravens/crows. All of the black writing is hers, playing off that game of "telephone" we've all played as a kid. The inside of the card says "We're not ready to accept your departure." I smiled for days at her humor!

(Click to read it. Pavels is a local bakery in Pacific Grove.)

The next piece of mail to put a smile on my face was Mr. Grouper, my "G" atc from none other that Mim. I just adore her drawings!

She wrote a sweet note on the dragonfly card by Lynn. Thank you Mim!

Speaking of Lynn, she sent my "I" atc card with none other that that hoochy-coochy Inspiring Ismerelda! She's one of my favorites! I'll bring her out every time I need to channel my diva ;)

She mailed her in another one of her beautiful cards. Thanks so much Lynn!!

Inside this wonderful card from Lisa B was my....

..."J" is for Jackdaw atc. The Jackdaw is the crow of the old world. I love him!

But wait....

She also sent this long box. I hope you can read the writing if you enlarge it.

Inside it was this....

...AMAZING hand painted crow's feather depicting the great plains where Ibis and (my totem) the crow are often found. WOW! Thanks so much Lisa!

You're so very thoughtful ;)

And yesterday I went to the post office and found this wonderful card that says it all from KJ! And the bonus of my first week here so far has been meeting KJ face to face. Yay!! It was easy-peasy, like having my sister stop by. Now our friendship has taken on a new dimension and has gone beyond virtualness.Is that a word? Anyway, it felt good to finally connect. I'd love to meet all of you one fine day.

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

Whew, what a first week!! One to be thankful for, for sure.

Animal Wednesday: From my new roost

I finally uncovered a scant few art supplies so I could paint a quick 'something' and get back in the loop. This was painted in minutes in a dark room, but hey, I tried!

I've been in the new house in Rhode Island for a week and a half now. Right down the street on the same side of the road is one of my favorite places, One Hundred Acre Cove in Barrington. It's a river with marshes and a zillion birds. Okay, not quite a zillion but I'm awakened each morning by the most beautiful variety of sounds including loud, baritone bullfrogs. I was thrilled to see the posts put up for the Ospreys to nest on. Cape Cod started that years ago to get the Osprey population back up. So now I have them in my back yard. I'm grateful for that. (Mim, you'd love to kayak there.)

I'm trying to re-adjust to the climate and humidity and the awful mosquitoes who are eating me alive! Other than that, the house is coming along nicely, the animals are finally adjusting and it's good to be so close to family and friends, new and old. Well, I guess I'm officially back. That feels good too because I've missed being a part of things here. Thanks for waiting! xoxo