Skeletons as an Art Form
Thoughts on a Monday 1-3-2022
I’m feeling a bit frazzled this morning – not sure why.
Our son left us a URL to a video featuring Peter Green. He was playing a really soulful guitar and singing, “Fool No More.” I don’t remember ever hearing him before. I think he’s amazing.
Our day is pretty today – lots of sunshine and plenty of cold temperatures. It’s 24 right now. I haven’t switched gears to having winter yet. When we’re home and relaxing in our recliners, I’ve turned on my heat pad to warm my bones. :0) We have several errands to run, and a pretty day to run them in.
We have no evidence yet of more raccoons, but I don’t think we have EVER had just one…
On my list of ‘things-to-do” today is exercise. I will do my yoga stretches this afternoon and see if I can actually build a habit this time.
Have a nice Monday.
Filed under exercise, Mother Nature, music, Thoughts on a ________
Wonderful Wooden Giants by Thomas Dambo
Filed under Thomas Dambo - Wooden Giants, When Wood Comes Alive
Saverio Scoleri Art 2
Filed under drawings, Saverio Scoleri Art
Fun Snow People
Filed under snow people
Thoughts on a Sunday 1-2-2022
Good morning! I hope 2022 will be a great year for you!
Although my husband scoffs, the weather people were absolutely right about what the weather would do yesterday. Temperatures fell all during the day and it was 17 degrees F. this morning. We didn’t get any snow flurries yet, but I don’t think you’ll hear any complaints. It is COLD and gray outside, with some stiff breezes.
I got the ingredients for beef stew into the crock pot first thing this morning, so we’ll have a nice comfort meal this evening. I also got a comfort gift – having a chat with our son. He’s in Thailand and has almost forgotten how cold it can get in Arkansas. He considers wearing a hoodie and shoes other than sandals “cold” there. :0) He fondly remembered my fixing beef stew in the crock pot while he was growing up. Although crock pots aren’t big in Thailand, he’s thinking about trying to order one online so he can fix his own stew. It was a wonderful way to start the morning, talking with him before he goes to sleep. (He’s 13 hours ahead of us this time of year.)
This is a great day to have a warm, dry home. My heart goes out to the people in Colorado who are now suffering through such awful devastation of hurricane force winds driving wildfire. I hope help comes soon.
I’ve become a slug. I’m not exercising as I should. I’m trying to “get back on the horse” exercising three times per week and see if I can actually keep that going. It is said that you can build a habit in three weeks. I guess it takes longer for me. I’m not really kicking myself, having learned that that isn’t productive, but I HAVE written it on my calendar, and hoping to check it off. Fingers crossed and trying to build determination. I’ve also gotten back into cronometer.com an online program for tracking your food, drink, and exercise. Things CREEP in insidiously. You THINK you’re only fudging a bit, and one bit is added here and then there, and…. OUCH. As my friend Maria encouraged me to do, I’m breaking my goal into “doable chunks ” and I plan to reward myself with stars, time to play in my art room, etc. to encourage success.
I hope you have a warm, quiet Sunday, doing something that brings a big smile to your face.
Filed under DIET!, exercise, Mother Nature, Thoughts on a ________
The Raccoon Has a New Home
After my husband filled our bird feeders on the deck two days in a row, only to find them completely empty and one hanging askew, we knew we had the last raccoon of 2021. My husband set up our humane trap on the deck, placing it so the trapped animals wouldn’t completely demolish our grill cover again, eat a chair, or other related incidence.
The first night nothing happened. This morning the trap was FILLED with raccoon. The biggest we have ever had. My husband estimates he weighed 20 lbs.
When we had a break in the rain, we put the trap in the back of the truck and drove out behind our home. I guess we travel about 5 miles on the winding road. There is a creek that runs under the road that is away from most of the actual houses and yards where we let the raccoons out.
This raccoon just stood inside the cage with my husband holding the end open for him. It was like he was deciding if he wanted freedom or not. He finally turned a bit, realized the end was open, and was gone in a flash. We could watch him land in the water and swim away.
I guess we’re awful neighbors, driving the raccoons out away from our home and ‘dumping’ them where there is a chance they will be a problem to others, but we really want to give them another chance at life.
Since they don’t ‘share’ the seeds, but eat every last one of them, and then sometimes trash the feeders, we think they don’t play well with others. We hope they find other family members, dance for joy at their regained freedom, and stay away…
Filed under Amazing Animals
Giants from Wood 3
New Year’s Resolutions to Consider
We all have our personal resolutions, but I found a few I think we all should consider adding to our lists –
“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” ~ John Burroughs
“Resolve to make at least one person happy every day.” ~ Sydney Smith
“This year I challenge you to a new resolution. I challenge you to just be yourself.” ~ Aisha Elderwyn
And
- Eat chocolate often
- Send flowers to near & dear ones
- Smile more often
- Listen to your heart
- Accept your flaws
- Adopt a New Vice
- Live . . . Love . . . Laugh MORE!
Filed under Challenges, holidays
Timeless Good Advice from Maria
Thoughtful Thursday New Year’s Resolutions
Maria, of Floating Waters Art is a wise lady. I often visit her blog and not only read what she has to say, but make a note of it. She posted this recently on her blog and I wanted to share it with you.
It’s hard to believe that there are only 23 days until the New Year and then we’ll be in 2022. With the holidays in full swing many of us have busier than usual schedules. But this is the perfect time to start thinking about the New Year and what you want to accomplish.
A good place to start is to see where you are on your resolutions from this year. Did you get to where you wanted to be? If you did that’s awesome! If you didn’t, then take a look at what may have thrown you off course. Think about how you can improve on that for the next year.
When deciding on New Year’s resolutions, choose ones that resonate with you. And I mean something that you “really” want to attain. Don’t make resolutions for things that you feel would be nice to do or have some day. Those half hearted resolutions will never get off the ground because you’ll never fully commit to them. And by not reaching them, it’ll have a negative impact in your mind.
So stick with fewer resolutions that you’re passionate about. Put all of your heart into reaching your goal and you will. Stay focused and remind yourself everyday of what you’re aiming for. Check in weekly to make sure you’re staying on course and if you need to adjust your resolutions a bit, that’s ok they’re not set in stone.
Quick Summary:
- Set New Year resolutions that are attainable and that you’re passionate about.
- Decide on 3 resolutions at the most. Too many are overwhelming.
- Give yourself deadlines to make your resolutions a reality.
- Look at your resolutions everyday to keep you on track.
- If life throws you a curve ball, adjust your resolution a bit.
- Most important, be kind to yourself and celebrate the journey!
I hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for stopping by!!
Share the Happy
“What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what YOU bring to the New Year.” ~Vern McLellan
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Filed under Blog Repost - Wonderful Posts
Skeleton Art 2
Happy 2022!
And, enjoying the beginning of January 2022 from a different standpoint –
I thank the Australia Firefighters for creating this calendar and making it affordable, reminding me that “I ain’t dead yet.”
On this, the 1st day of January, 2022, we caught a BIG raccoon in the humane trap we set on our deck, trying to catch whoever was eating all of our birdseed the last week or so. Last night we caught him, and will give him another chance at life later today, ‘relocating’ him about 5 miles from us, in a creek beside the road. Hopefully, he will enjoy the rest of his life, forgetting where we are.
Our weather is awful. The day started at 61 degrees with pretty heavy rain. It is still raining, and the temperatures are falling as a cold front barrels in. The low is supposed to be 19 tomorrow morning. We have rain now, the possibility of severe storms this afternoon and evening, and the chance of snow flurries tonight into tomorrow. Happy New Year….
I’m going to get a beef stew in the crock pot tomorrow to ‘comfort’ us about the change in the weather.
Help for my friend, Kay, seems to be on the way. They are now working to expedite the okay on insurance coverage and she should get some definitive surgical help in the coming days. Fingers crossed.
I hope that 2022 is a wonderful hear for you!
Filed under holidays
The World of Paper Mache’
Filed under paper art, paper mache
My Wishes for You in 2022
“My Wish for you in 2022:
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires.
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words …….
May 2022 be the best year of your life!!!”
~ Unknown
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“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.” ~ Neil Gaiman, British author
Happy 2022 from the Lewises – via Calvin & Hobbes – Bill Watterson
Filed under holidays, Lewis Mailbox Decorations
Skeleton Art
I have discovered there are a bunch of really creative people who want to celebrate Halloween-type skeleton art all year around, and I couldn’t be more delighted. It’s amazing how peoples’ minds work, coming up with wonderful idea on top of the last, making me grin like a Cheshire cat –
Filed under Skeleton Art
Who’s A Good Boy?
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography, CUTE!
Giants from Wood 2
Preparation
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography
Thoughts on a Thursday 12-30-2021
It looks much like this beautiful photo outside our house this morning. We did our errands in the rain yesterday and cooler air is coming in today, changing us from summer to fall to winter in a matter of days. We may actually see some snow Saturday and Sunday.
My sweet friend Kay might finally be getting some help since her fall recently. She has a broken bone in her back and she may be covered for a procedure to fix it, finally getting some relief for her pain. This has been a frustrating situation, but hopefully is finally being resolved. We have all been doing what we can to help, but pain coupled with healthcare providers dropping the ball have thwarted our efforts at every turn. Fingers crossed.
You may be shocked to learn that I did NOT win the lottery last night. I only buy a ticket when the pot is over $400 million, and always enjoy at least an afternoon of hope, imagining all the nice things I would like to do if I ever DO win…. They announced the winning numbers, but didn’t say if they had sold the winning ticket to anyone.
This is a VERY nice day to ignore the ‘shoulds’ on my list and simply enjoy. I hope YOU are enjoying this kind of day, too.
Filed under Friendship, Mother Nature, opportunities, Thoughts on a ________
Giants from Wood
I found these via Pinterest. I think the artist is Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist.
Hope Springs
The last stop on the errand list was buying $10 worth of hope in the shape of a lottery ticket. The ‘pot’ is now up to over $440 million – a nice, tidy sum. Though my husband and I don’t agree on how we would spend the money (remember, we don’t even use the same salt), the ticket is in MY name, so he’ll need to listen carefully if he wants a part of my winnings.
High on my list is our son and his financial security, and that of a dear friend who can’t afford to retire. She will – if she wants to – if I have a say.
It’s nice to hope the rest of the day.
Filed under hope
Glorious Metal Art
Filed under metal art
Snowy Thoughts
I have to admit that winter is not my favorite season. That said, there are many things I LOVE about it –
I’ve always loved sweaters and layers and boots, shawls, mufflers, crocheted hats with snowballs on top, gloves, snuggling under throws, sitting by the fireplace.
Snow people and critters have a special place in my heart. I’ve rarely been in enough snow to actually make them, but really enjoy the creativity shown by people, and wonderful photos like the one with the fox and the snowman above. That one made me laugh out loud when I found it. :0)
When my husband and I started dating a hundred years or so ago (he was 17 and I was 14), we had a rare, really good snow in Arkansas. We celebrated by building two snow people in the front yard of my parents’ home. I built a traditional snowman. My husband built an extremely well-endowed female snow person. They met with a sad ‘accident’ pretty quickly – I think due to my mom instructing my dad to ‘modify’ them before she got complaints from the neighbors…
My parents had a gorgeous, open design fireplace. Somehow, it was designed to be open at one corner of the bricks so you could see it ‘around the corner’ – in the foyer and also in the living room. I’m still amazed at the design. My parents had a gas insert because they wanted to be able to turn the fire on and off when they wanted and didn’t have to store or haul firewood. I have many memories of sitting in a sling chair beside it, or sitting on the hearth in front of it, warming my back.
We have a fireplace insert in our home now. You can’t see the fire well unless you keep the doors open on the insert. It’s made for efficiency and a heat source in case our regular heat isn’t working. We have firewood stored and always have a fire laid, ready for the strike of a match to start it. When we don’t have anywhere we need to be and the weather is really cold, we light it for the COMFORT and good feelings it brings, rather than the need. A definite, wonderful luxury.
Comfort food is wonderful. My mom made big cast iron skillets of spaghetti sauce and garlic bread, and a lovely bean soup. I like to get a beef stew going in the crock pot, serving that with a crust of bread. I also love grilled cheese sandwich and soup dinners.
My favorite snow is one with huge, beautiful flakes like in a snow globe. It coats the ground in pristine, glorious white, looking beautiful. If there are children around, enough for a snowball fight, snow angels, or maybe a snowman. Then, the sun comes out right away, the temperature warms, and the snow is melted on our driveway and the roads, leaving it on the ground otherwise. Fantasies are made to be enjoyed. :0)
Roller Coaster?
We’ve been having record warm weather lately, with lots of sunshine and summery temperatures. It was 78 degrees F. A few days ago.
Now we’re enjoying fall-like weather, with sunshine and rain, cooler temperatures, lots of gusty winds, and leaves everywhere.
The forecast is for continued rain followed by cooler temperatures and a distinct chance of SNOW Sunday!
Leave it to Arkansas to provide three seasons in one week. I have my seat belt fastened and will try to enjoy the ride.
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
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