What's for breakfast these days...

mmmm... green smoothies! That's right - kale, chard, lettuce, romaine and a whole lot of fruit. After attending a class at Fresh Abundance I was inspired to go green on the inside. And I have to say it's pretty good stuff. I feel good after drinking it- good energy, nice skin, clear eyes it seems to do a lot... not to mention other things I won't mention. It has become a ritual every morning to make a blender full for one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Happy happy body. I don't think I could sit down and consume that much green and fruit, but drinking it sure makes it easy.

Peppers and Pears

I've joined a photography website and will be posting photos there regularly. This was the first submission from the assignment-kitchen. While our kitchen is nothing spectacular I think some of the food that passes through it is just that. The goal here is to have fun first, and to also improve on my images. We'll see what happens.

A friend...

sent this article to me and I thought it was so very good I wanted to share it with you.

Tom Hennen has a line in his poem, The Life of a Day, that says,

“We examine each day before us with barely a glance and say, ‘no, this isn’t one I’ve been looking for,’ and wait in a bored sort of way for the next, when we are convinced, our lives will start for real.”
That line is a little bit frightening because you read it and realize you’re guilty. You’ve been waiting for that day when your life will start “for real.”

The trouble with life is that it’s just so daily.

I share this with you because I’ve been thinking about my two grandfathers who are dead and my father who is likewise and I’ve come to the obvious conclusion:

Live while you have the chance.

“Papa was a rolling stone. Wherever he laid his hat was his home…”
- The Temptations, 1971

In the final moments of his life, my father scribbled a note for me to find. In barely legible pencil he scrawled, “All the little things in life add up to your life. If you don't get it right then nothing else matters. It gets lonely in the promised land by yourself.”

My Dad died lonely, I think, because he never made deep commitments. My father’s confession of his loneliness makes me sad, but his scribbled note tells me he wanted me to learn from his mistake.

I meet a lot of people who sigh deeply and say they’re looking for their passion, something to set their souls on fire and send beams of light shining out through their eyes.

But the people with light shining from their eyes know this:

Passion does not produce commitment.
Commitment produces passion.

Solomon, that wise king, spent years of his life searching for passion. In chapter 9 of the chronicle of that search, the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

People read that and think Solomon is saying, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die," but that's not it at all. He's saying, "Throw your whole heart into whatever you do. Live while you have the chance."

This is my Holiday gift to you,
I hope you will receive it:

Find something that needs to be done
and throw yourself headlong into it.

Let today
be the day
your life begins
for real.

Roy H. Williams

"May you live all the days of your life."
- Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels

OK....

so I have no picture to show you of the kids drawings from Kopanga. I missed my chance to take a picture of the piece before it got framed and went to the event. Everything was nice at the event, over $13,000 in auction items. I'm not sure what the grand tally was but it seemed like most of the items had bids. There was not the turn out they had hoped for but with this economy I think it was the best one could get. I had my fill of trying to be the social girl for the evening- that's all I'll say about that, but it was great to hear some stories from the people who had already been to Kopanga. A wide range of experiences, and opinions of the situation there, some a bit opposing. I think I'll just have to see for myself.

On another note I got a new camera... rather my Mother gifted me a new camera - a Nikon D90, and I am absolutely loving it! My D70 was nice but this one is so much fun, and I know I have barely scratched the surface with what it can do. I feel some shooting days coming on... yeah!!!

What we've been up to...

healing and painting for the most part. Bella is on the mend- downy hair is growing back on that goofy looking shaved leg just in time for cold cold, and we are half way to our next x-ray to show how the leg is healing... never mind that she snuck out the dog door to chase a deer in the back yard because I forgot to close the dog door. The one time I forget and out she goes- not just casually either- full bore across the entire yard and back after that deer. Lets hope that it didn't do anything, but I have my serious doubts. Not to mention several slips on the hardwood floors. I have run out of throw rugs to put down, so it's a patch work of rugs along the main travel routes. She graduated to getting to be in the whole lower part of the house. No main stairs for a good while yet. The word "SLOW" is drilled into her head and the questioning look she throws my way is thrown back with a, 'I'm serious! Your dad will not pay for this again so you better be good' look. Such a long healing process makes for one bored doggie.

On a creative note these are the items going to the P4P Auction on Friday the 13th. I love the bird photo. I played with it in photoshop with the watercolor filter and like the result. Printed on textured paper gives it an almost real watercolor look. It just so happens that the Red Shoe Event, which I usually donate a painted piece of furniture for, is the same night as the P4P Auction and in the same building. If the table doesn't sell at our auction I'll toss it next door to the Red Shoe!

The P4P group just got back from Kenya this weekend and with them brought a collection of hand drawn pictures from the children of the Kopanga area. I can't wait to see them! I will be collaging them together like a tiled mosaic for an auction piece at the fundraiser. Stay tuned- I'll put up an image when it is completed.

Oh Miss Bella...

chasing that squirrel wasn't worth it in the end after all. Bella tore her CCL ligament and meniscus in her back left leg, a common knee injury in both humans and canines, and it comes with an expensive price tag and a long slow recovery. With three days into this I can see it is going to be quite a long haul. With a mind numbing regimen of medicines I hope Bella copes okay with the long required sedative state that she will have to endure. She's so sweet all drugged up- her goofy little eyes can hardly focus on anything, and she's so wobbly when she walks outside for potty breaks. These new knees are supposed to be really strong once they recover though... and now the goal is also to keep the other one from doing the same thing, which I understand is quite common. A month of absolutely nothing but going out for potty breaks, then a little walking in the house- no stairs, a big challenge if you've ever been in our home: every room is on a different level so we'll be residing in the family room for a month or so, and I will be very used to sleeping on the couch. Then at 8 weeks you start with 3-5 minute walks on level ground outside 2-3 times a day, then up to 10 minutes and so on until you work up to 30 minutes over several weeks time. It takes between 4 to 6 months for full recovery. I'm glad we're heading into the cold season so she won't want to go out as much.

Oh this little sweet girl- to think that some people said just put her down... inconceivable to me. As much as a parent loves his or her own child is how much I love Bella. It is an unusually strong bond I admit, but I can't explain the connection there is for me with this dog, more so than with any other animals I've lived with. We have a mind thing, an understanding of sorts... and a communication that is different than with any of my other existing animal companions. There is a lot of life left in her and she and I will get to see it on my watch.

I love you Bella girl, and I know you're going to be good and strong again... maybe you'll get that darn squirrel next time!

Another one on my list

It appears that I will be going to Africa this coming June... Kenya to be exact... and even more exact- a small city called Migori and another even smaller village named Kopanga. After months of talking to the powers that be, that I needed something to happen in my life, some kind of adventure or new direction, a friend thought of me during conversation with someone she knows needing to find a photographer of sorts to document her group, Partners for Progress, charity work in Kenya. She passed on the information to me via email- repeatedly saying no pressure on this, you just popped into my head during our conversation. Well, what more can someone ask for. It felt like divine work to me! So on that note I talked to Mike and said, "I'm going... are you?"

Africa has long been on my list of places I wanted to see before I left this planet and it is now tangible. I dream of seeing the vast plains, and oh... the animals... the large herds, the elephants and lions, and to see and meet the beautiful people who inhabit this big land. If I close my eyes and think about it I can smell the warm air drawing me... closer and closer each day.
It is with such a full heart that I prepare for this journey, this adventure. It brings back the feelings I had prior to going to Peru- the feeling that my life was about to change, and so welcomed a thought. One can never be the same after traveling. Like Peru I know Africa holds ancient energy- and I know too that all I see will not be pleasant or easy to see, that my heart will bare witness to much human suffering, and as that acknowledgment is deeply felt I can in the same instance hardly contain the anticipation I feel to stand upon the earth there... to feel her, and soak in all that she has to teach me.

I have much to do and prepare for as I will be photographing the work being done at the clinic and telling the story of this village, Kopanga, so that others may see and be moved and inspired to reach out as these doctors and nurses of Partners for Progress have done. Check them out at- uspartnersforprogress.org

Thank you Universe! Bless you -bless you- bless you.

Can you guess what these are?

Sunflowers

I went to a sunflower patch and left all my worries behind. One can't help but feel happy with those smiling faces so bright and cheerful towering over you like tall friends reaching out to say "HI!"

This trip was made great by playing with the newest edition to my lens collection... a 50 mm prime lens... should have had it a long time ago it's so fun. Love the shots it took, and the wheat field with it's soft color against the sky made me feel so dreamy I had to catch it too.

My sauce runneth over...

and my freezer is delightfully full. This is just one weeks worth of tomatoes if you can believe that. My plants were prolific this year, and the sun time is running out on the rest of the green ones waiting their turn to ripen. This has been a great vegetable season and not bad for the sunflower either... my giant flower friend. It is hard to believe that our growing season is coming to an end soon, and that we will be feeling the cold on our fingertips again. How fast these seasons shift... one into the next till already a year has passed. I wish a quick jerk on the reins would work to slow down the speed just a little... but I guess mother nature is on her own time and I must go along for the ride. It seems the ride speeds up every year. In truth I actually relish the shift into autumn, the tangible internal shift of wanting to make yummy warm and soothing foods, hot tea mornings and crisp walks with the dogs... but not quite yet my friends, not yet.

Thank you....

Mr. Bumblebee for all your busy work in my garden. Because of you I have wonderful things to eat! I love the connections in life- no matter how big or small... and it seems sometimes... OK, a lot of the time, it's the smallest things that are the most powerful links to success in life. Isn't that so grand!

Giant tomato plants...

taller than me are quickly blocking my windows. They are amazing! And I tell them so every day when I water and look them over, count the tomatoes growing and look for signs of any mantis life. l am truly awed at how fantastic they are. I think they like being told they are amazing. Really all of my garden amazes me- that I can have food right outside my own back door is an incredible feeling. I keep saying that over and over, but I never cease to be amazed, amused, and delighted.

If all continues this well I will be busy canning this fall. Yay-that was the ultimate goal, plus having summer fresh produce. Thank you sun and dirt and water for the magic you make happen.

At a glance...

this looks like an ordinary happy garden, and a lovely one at that- if you don't mind my saying so. All those future salads and red sauce growing closer to my kitchen daily...mmm. But, what one doesn't suspect is the army that I've been so impatiently waiting for, and it finally arrived this morning in the midst of all that beautiful vegetation. Beware other bugs... the mantis is here. Unfortunately they don't discriminate between the good guys and the bad guys, if they are hungry they will nab you regardless of which side you're on.


I just happened to peek at the egg sack this morning on my garden rounds, expecting the same thing I've seen everyday for weeks now... nothing... and what a fantastic moment to peek! There they were, hatching out right before my eyes- fascinating and creepy all at once.

I've always been fascinated with the Praying Mantis thanks to my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Waterman. Every year she would bring in a jar housing an egg sack for her class room to watch hatch, and then we got to keep one in the room to roam free till the end of the school year, thus my fascination began. Each child, also got to release a box of Monarch butterflies tagged with a number on their wings for tracking their migration. It was a fantastic sight to watch hundreds of butterflies released all at once- a cloud of color filling the sky. Thank you Mrs. Waterman for instilling a life long interest in bugs.

I love the mantis in logos and artwork, and spiritually speaking the praying mantis has long been honored by the Chinese as a symbol for meditation and contemplation- because of her mindful movements.
I am so happy for their presence in my yard, and am hoping for some to establish permanent homes here. We'll watch for egg sacks this fall. Oh God, I'm turning into such a garden geek! I love it!

Always...

Bella and Sophie are two of the biggest loves in my life.I crack to think of life without them- though I know that day will come. Everyday is filled with routine, beginning with the bedside greeting of warm breath and an intent gaze that says wake up, wake up it's another day- lets get going. Then a jump up on the bed for some affection and the question I pose every single day "Should we go have some breakfast?" which is responded to with a cocked head and a wag of the tail. "OK" I say, as I drag myself out of bed put on my robe and glasses and make my way to the stairs where Bella waits for me before going down. She takes one step down, stretches into a down dog position, and I scratch her rump in front of her tail, she turns her head, smiles at me, and bolts down stairs. Sophie does a little dance as if getting up for the day and getting started is the best part of the day- and maybe shes right, that it ought to be greeted that way everyday; yay a new day- a new adventure! Dogs are really smarter than humans, they get it.

After breakfast we're on to the garden, watering, weeding, pinching, and maybe a few throws of the ball or a game of chase... then on good weather days a walk through the mini forest close to our house, in which great new smells are abundant and ripe for eager noses to investigate. A couple of treats and scolding barks as we pass the yapping white pip-squeek that lives on the corner and we're back home to do whatever needs doing for the rest of the day. One thing is for certain, my companions are never far behind and always happy to follow wherever the work takes me- up and down the stairs, into the laundry room, out to the garbage, into the kitchen and on the floor next to the couch when it comes time for a nap.

My heart will be full of these two... always. Whatever the effort, I am paid back ten fold in loyalty and love.

Priest Lake 2009

This year, like all the others, was windy and rainy- while the sun escorted us out on our way home. Our same group each year, a few added and a few left behind, witness the ticking of the clock in year increments- with most of us heading into mid-life, and kids getting louder and crazier, older and cuter, our nights around the fire aren't as wild as in years past or as late, conversations have more of a political air than they used to, bodies creak a bit more, and lounging occurs much more frequently than hiking or biking. All the efforts, the discomforts, the laughter and silly drunken men, the giggles and tickles, bumps and bruises, and food galore make this a memorable weekend.

It is a group unlike any I have ever known. Year after year I learn more about these people, these friends, I watch them grow and learn to appreciate and love them all more- for all of their greatness and idiosyncrasies endear each one of them to me in ways I never would have anticipated.

Here's to another year at Priest Lake!

How does your garden grow?

In just two weeks this is how my garden has grown... mmmm I can taste the fresh already! With the attractive deer fencing up and working so far, things are well on their way. Every morning I get up and peek through the blinds to see if I've accidently caught a deer- I don't want to think about that scenario. And so far the slugs haven't visited- but just in case I have beer ready and waiting for the occasion.

The nasturtiums are just coming up about an inch or so. I'm curious to try them on a salad- I've heard they are kind of spicy and they are so pretty sitting on your plate. Who would have thought to eat flowers! What a great thing energetically... to eat beauty.
Wishing you all well with your gardens!

One Tired Man

The 24 Hour Round the Clock race over Memorial weekend takes place in Riverside State Park, and it was HOT this year. Unlike most of Spokane's Memorial Day weather- which are drizzly and cool- this one was dusty hot, upping the difficulty for riders to stay hydrated. A short run up the mountain starts off the first lap of the 24 hour race to space out the riders, then hopping on their bikes they are off on a 15 mile loop of crazy terrain riding as fast as they can. Mike was on a five man team, the Columbia-High Mountain Road Marmots. They rode a total of twenty laps- each rode four laps, one lap about every four and a half hours; not much time to hydrate, eat, clean your bike and your body, and rest somewhere in the middle of it all. It was grueling- but they did finished proudly and with minimal injury. They were consistent with their times- in fact one team member kept his same time of 1 hour 7 minutes for each lap including the night laps- impressive. Thanks to Columbia Sports Wear they had a great wardrobe of riding gear and looked fantastic as a team. Thanks Columbia!





Mike was too tired to reach up all the way and hit the bell at the finish line. The question now is will he do this again next year? I think we'll wait a few days for that question.


Cheers to the team! Such great effort and team support on all counts- good job Marmots!

What does one say to 45?

I don't really know. I've thought it through, and well, it feels kind of odd to think that I'm half way through this journey- and, it feels great too. There was however no confetti cake for this girl- staying true to my roots German Chocolate was the flavor of this birthday. 

 At 45 I am comfortable in my body now, and life doesn't throw me around as much as it seems it used to, or maybe it does but I just go with it instead of fighting it. Should I be doing something wild and unexpected or do I reserve that for the big 50? I'm sure everyone goes through some passage right about now. I've lived half my life, now what? What contribution have I made, what contribution do I want to make... should I make...I have no offspring to leave behind... I am the end... do I need to leave something behind? Maybe I should just eat another piece of cake, go shopping with my birthday money and think about it later. 

 The one strange thought that crossed over me with this birthday is with the state of the world, and feeling like it is all shifting- getting ready to crumble and rebuild, I felt an odd recognition that I wont be here to see how the story ends- so to speak. I know the story will never end here on earth, but I was feeling sad to know that I won't get to (physically present) see how it all turns out, and I do really want to see what happens with humanity.  Will we get it? Maybe I'll just have to negotiate coming back again. Or maybe another forty years will see a glimpse.

 Hmmm... on to cake.

 

In my yard today...

yes, more birds- never tire of them in my presence.They refill my joy tank and sustain my hope in the world. Mr Robin here was quite a beautiful sight sitting in the blooming cherry tree. I must get to painting some of these birds soon. Perhaps after my garden gets planted this weekend. 
I've not see these in my yard before- they are White Crowned Sparrows and so cute with their little striped caps. They've been twittering about in one particular bush by the bird bath every day and they don't seem to mind posing for the camera- I hope they stay for the season.A broken tile that I placed in the moss still peaks out... time to trim the moss a bit. I like seeing the dragonfly when I walk by- it's starting to get crusty and old looking- my favorite look for little spots of treasure.

Another Confetti Cake...

and a soon to be new driver on the road. Do you remember the feeling of getting your first car? Maybe it looked something like this- the excitement on Alix's face was priceless... ahh freedom! 

Seventeen years old sweet girl... you are growing up so fast, and such a great little, well... tall, chicklet you are. It's been fun watching you grow up... enjoy every moment Miss, and Happiest of Birthday's to you!

A Creative Breeze...

blew about me last week and this is what transpired. I'd wanted to do something for above our bed and I mulled it over along time... months in fact. Last week inspiration hit and I painted like crazy for three days. 

I love watching the birds in my yard, and look- one found it's way into my bedroom. It was just the right feeling to put me to sleep and greet me in the morning. I don't know why I haven't thought of painting birds before, I guess because they have just become a fascination in the last couple of years. Seems natural to follow up photographing them with painting them huh? Some drawing practice is in my immediate future I think.

So this is the first image- and I think I will try some more. Smaller scale. Using cheese cloth over the masonite was an interesting texture to work with and I liked it very much along with the seams it created in connecting the pieces to cover the whole board. It feels blissful to paint again.

Really?

New Condo going in....

just have to figure out where- and get the ‘‘for rent" signs up. Might be too late for this years tourists, but isn't it cute. Some long bearded old guy sitting on a North Division corner lot was selling these handmade houses during one of our April hail storms- I just had to stop and buy one; I mean if someone is going to ride out a hail storm... you have to support that!

Seeds of change

I sat on my land yesterday and listened to her speak. She was soft and supportive, and strong- so very strong. I could feel her pulse; I felt sublimely alive, and thankful for being a steward of the little piece of her that I live on. We are going to work more with her this season and accept all that she will graciously give to us with deep gratitude.

Nothing fills me more than to have my hands in the raw energy of the earth, to get my hands dirty with life and green. Our bedroom window flourishes with tender newlings waiting for warmer days to come, while the yard gives up more grass to allow green of a different texture and color to grow. Joy and humor, tired muscles and satisfaction fill my being tonight.

Our green room.

My cute hunk of a husband playing Farmer John for me...
                                       who could resist that smile! Thanks farmer boy.
 Walla Walla sweets going in- four rows this year...  it's going to be a sweet summer!

Bella delegating from the sidelines.