Lent

I woke up early this morning and as I made my way to the oatmeal calling me from the kitchen, I had one of those moments when you ask yourself, "what was that, in the corner of my eye?" I retraced a few steps to be greeted by a most provoking site.


The sun was filtering in just right to create these images of the crucifixion scene that a dear friend and masterful carver of Santos, Eddie Johnson, made for us several years ago. As a lapsed Catholic, I love liturgical art and have a fantasy of having life sized statues of the saints, like I grew up with, in the house.


This one is shades of Dali.

Click on the photos to enlarge, you will see more of the light that I love.

The moment was mystical and I felt compelled to share this art with you.

Spring

The ranch has enjoyed the rain we had this year. We needed it so badly and I hope we can get at least a few more showers before we head into Summer.

I am always amazed that beautiful flowers grow in great profusion, in unlikely places, with no help from us. In fact, I realize that they grow precisely because we leave them alone! I'm sort of like that, I tend to bloom best when left a bit wild and alone.

The flowers, vague ghosts of earth,

the heroic daughters of March, appear.

They sit in the sun, eager to greet our steps

if only we would venture

outside of the tended garden.

lm/2010

Even now, our highest good is rushing to us from unknown sources. Bless our efforts
to open our arms wide enough to receive it.

Art and Soul

What happens in Vegas, gets posted here!!! That city is a photographers paradise.






Look up
look down, look around, go to the rest room just bring your camera!


Just spending time with my sweet daughter was enough of a treat. Then spending time with Katie Kendrick (I'll admit it, I was a bit star struck meeting her after following her blog for several years)


and making delicious books from cardboard and cheese cloth put me over the top.






I have been basking in an attitude of gratitude ever since.

I wish for all, an experience of the abundance of fun that makes the world go 'round.

February already?

Here we are, rushing headlong to...well, somewhere! Life seems to be so fleeting, it's nice to know there are places that feel timeless. The photo above is of our beautiful San Gabriel Mountains. I never get tired of visiting this view.

I have been playing with my camera more than making paper art. Besides my new Canon, which I love so much, I have downloaded several apps for the camera on my phone. Some amazing stuff out there for little money: Toy Camera, TrueHDR, Camera Bag, just to name a few.

This is my guy Roy. He is the craziest dog I have ever had. I came very close to getting rid of him many times but could never bring myself to give up on him. Now I can't imagine living without him. No, Matt, he is still not for sale.

I have been exploring the shadows. Inside and out. Welcome to my kitchen.






Winter sunset, my favorite time of day. These were taken just before a wonderful dinner at Laguna Beach.

Here's to finding new in the same old places.

Happy New Year

I know, it's already 9 days since the new year, but I am just catching up. Between the holidays and being sick...you all have been there, I know.

Update:

*We have a brand new member in our family. Our first grandson has arrived healthy and beautiful. Our amazing son is his Daddy and the beautiful Swan at Heart is his Mommy. Because of this awful sinus infection, I have not had nearly enough time with him. I am actually aching to get my hands on him again.

*The Husband continues to spoil me. A brand new Mac was my Christmas present this year. Now I can read all of your blogs in style.

*These opening doodles are my secret to passing the boring hours of being sick. I am also reading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (beautifully written) but there were times when a headache made reading torture.

I'm off to lay down my fuzzy, throbbing head.

Rain!

The rain in Spain may stay mainly on
the plain, but rain on the ranch brings relief to the plants. Many SoCal natives complain when it gets chilly and rainy, but I love it. Too much sunshine makes me nervous. Maybe because I grew up in Cleveland.

The bird bath in the photo is very special. Our first granddaughter, now nearly 9, was baptized in it.

I took many shots before I got this one. The husband loves these white roses but they are very fragile. The rain is going to be the end of them so I wanted a little present for him. I don't think I've ever before been patient enough to do what I had to to get the picture I wanted. In the rain no less!

Wishing you all a most refreshing day.