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Winter Solstice

25 Dec 2008 at 6:14 pm

Deep dark days of winter are upon us now, the frigid nights cause contraction and hibernation, a dark night of the soul. Let this be the time you set intentions for what will manifest as the light returns. Many things are coming, yet are scarcely more than a whisper.

Snow-laden boughs begin to sway. Occasional sprays of white blast into breathless air. Yearning for the warmth and light, knowing ... read more

 

Fabulous News!

22 Oct 2008 at 8:30 pm

How I love to watch the birds feeding at this time of year. The addition of suet to the offerings has brought many. When I stroll through the garden at the side of the house they swoop upwards enmasse into the pines with a whisper of wings which quells the heart. Indeed the heart is as a little bird, sensitive and fluttering.

Now for the fabulous news. I have become a member of ArtPoint Gallery

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Weekend Getaway

18 Oct 2008 at 10:38 am

The Columbia Valley is a glorious spot tucked between the Purcell & Rocky Mountain ranges. This is where I spent the long weekend.

The energy of the land whispers ancient secrets. It's beauty can carry you to another place and time. I felt as though I had been there before.

We stopped at Radium Hot Springs for a soak, then deposited ourselves about half an hour from the springs at the cabin

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Remembering Gratitude

9 Oct 2008 at 7:11 pm

Long weekend coming up this weekend in Canada. Thanksgiving is almost here, or as I like to call it gratitude weekend. I am grateful for the chance to go to Radium Hot Springs this weekend. Sharing in good company and turkey. Immersing ourselves in nature and the mineral springs.

We had strong winds here this past few days, so strong in fact it tore my gate off the hinges. That gate must weigh

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Golden Light Flow

3 Oct 2008 at 6:26 pm

Golden light seeps in, permeating the surroundings deeper and deeper. Still no urgency to prepare for winter, in the current upswing of warm temperatures.

Formulating is the next step in my process of creating. Wonderful things are taking shape. No sense of when things will manifest just yet. I have a busy busy mind, so a great deal of still time through meditation is required. Staying grounded

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Transformations

11 Sep 2008 at 6:40 pm

The early morning dew is thick and heavy like clinging tears which mourn the loss of summer. Birds stuff themselves all day long at the feeders in preparation.

Hard rains came a few days ago, a thick deliberate drizzle soaking tree trunks and the wooden fences. Fairy rings are popping up here and there.

Azure blue contrast to the subtle changing color of the leaves. Only a vision of what is t

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What Is

1 Sep 2008 at 6:10 pm

Creaking doors shaken by mid afternoon gusts signify an omen to the unsettled. Airspace is a flurry of activity, sights and sounds of the delicate winged creatures in preparation for the long nights.

Blinds clank against the window frames. A surge of cold air, the forbearer of rain whisks itself into my bones, chilling for a moment. I pull my wrap tighter.

What value to place on the art and al

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Change in the Air

25 Aug 2008 at 10:14 pm

Birds are flocking. This murder of crows was seen across the street from my house a couple of days ago. I counted more than thirty congregated in the tall pines.

Nights are getting cooler here in the foothills. Wonderful for sleeping, but not so great for the flowers. Some are struggling along, and others are attempting to bloom a second time.

This double pink hollyhock looked liked this befor ... read more

 

Summer Blazes

18 Aug 2008 at 9:03 am

Late afternoon breezes graze the hushed hotness of the day offering small relief. It is another scorcher! Restless, not wanting to budge, I am enveloped by the throb of the summer heat. Woolgathering thoughts hover like the predaceous wasps, relentless. Muffled flutter of a bird's wings like rustling taffeta breaks the monotony.

Hollyhocks are plentiful this year. This is the first variety to a ... read more

 

Sailing

15 Aug 2008 at 1:14 pm

The last thing one would expect to find in Calgary is a sailboat. However the Glenmore Reservoir sports many sailboats. One can also rent canoes-I would like to try that before the summer is out.

Calgary's drinking water comes from this reservoir. The park itself is about 84 hectares, another oasis in this rapidly growing city of ours. The pathway system is busy with cyclists, runners, roller b

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Nice Place to Work

13 Aug 2008 at 8:55 am

This lovely setting is the upper terrace at the Banff Springs Hotel. I was there doing face painting for a private party last weekend.

Also involved in the party was Buddy the Clown A BBQ with fancy foods and a jazz band for the adults.

Here is the action at the face painting station. The kids really enjoyed it. I am convinced-children are the best customers especially when it comes to face pa

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Red

8 Aug 2008 at 6:44 am

Thanks to all who found time to watch my music video and to comment. More interesting projects are shaping up. You never know what it will be next. Even I can't imagine sometimes!

"Red sky in the morning ... sailor take warning!" This was the sunrise the other morning. Sure enough we had hail later in the day. I had one foot out the door on my way to the folk festival on Princes Island Park a c

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Summertime

4 Aug 2008 at 12:52 pm

Have a listen to my musical debut on YouTube and this blog. It's me ... singing and playing guitar late last Friday evening in my living room. I am also enjoying toying with video production. Been a while since I have publicly performed. Enjoy!

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Pause to Refresh

23 Jul 2008 at 6:13 am

Home from a refreshing day in the mountains. The weather was optimum. Fresh air, sunshine and good company-how can you go wrong? We strolled around Vermillion Lakes. Here is a view of Mt Rundle from that area. No paintbrushes with me this trip-just my camera. However I really must take them with me next time for some plein air painting.

We had lunch in Banff, and went to the Upper Hot Springs, ... read more

 

Upshots

15 Jul 2008 at 7:26 pm

I have been trying to write this post all week. Many interruptions have prevented me from posting.

A treasure for any photographer is catching a bird in flight. This crow emerged from the tree, while I was seated on the front step. My camera was ever so handy. The neighbour's garden is sporting these yellow roses. Summer is in full swing.

Some sunshine, rain, thunder, lightening, and even hai ... read more

 

Dog Days of Summer

2 Jul 2008 at 6:42 pm

Sultry hot wind under blue skies and sleepy eyed cats staying cool under the cedars. Lovely hot Canada Day long weekend, with only a touch of rain to my delight!

Great time for some summer reading. I am reading The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine, which is incredibly empowering for a 'Jill of all Trades ... Master of Some' like me.

Grateful for the support and love of my friends, fami

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Still Life

19 Jun 2008 at 7:57 pm

It's being said this has been the worst spring in twenty years. Solstice is upon us, yet it hardly feels like summer. Things are about a month behind here.

Besides the rain-the drawback for my garden this year was having so much of it trampled down by painters and their ladders. Very disappointing! I suppose I will be photographing other people's gardens this year, having already spotted some ir

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Zen & Then

17 Jun 2008 at 9:35 am

Here is the wall hanging as it stands at the moment. Seven feet high, and 1.3 ft wide. I have plans to add more detail and of course it will be mounted on bamboo dowels. I just love working on bamboo-it's a very Zen experience.

The background is not really yellow as it looks here, although I think it looks good, and I wonder if I should add that. This developed into a wall hanging from a would b

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Saturday

7 Jun 2008 at 10:48 pm

Well it's finally happening-we are actually growing webbed feet here in Calgary. More rain-a quiet weekend here. I spent a relaxing day with a friend yesterday.

I've been tagged by ganesharocks.

1.What was I doing 10 years ago?
Starting over in Calgary(two years into the process)

2.
Five things on to do on today's list
bath
laundry
clearing for garage sale
painting
music practise

3. Snacks
I

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Increase

6 Jun 2008 at 5:56 pm

With the increase of the light, things are expanding around here. I managed to capture feeding time. This proud Mom is very attentive, as is the father. They take turns tending the babes, and feeding. Fascinating to watch, as the cats can attest to.

The house painting continues, but may be delayed by rain. I sure hope the forecast is wrong as rain is called for all week. Loud chatter of the spa

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Spaces

3 Jun 2008 at 8:31 pm

The air is heavy with fragrant blossoms, which are multiplying daily. Things are becoming lush and green from all the rain, which is ongoing.

The house is being painted, and the painters have told me they saw the robin eggs and there are five!

I am purging in preparation for a garage sale. The universe cannot possibly deposit good things here, as there hasn't been any extra space.

Ma, the s

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Rhythm of the Rain

27 May 2008 at 10:29 am

Fern ">

It's easy to lose heart when things do not seem to be going as one thinks they should. Fear can easily step in, and tell you all sorts of crazy things, attempting to further erode your state of mind, even try to convince you time is running out.

It has been raining for days, a calm steady pour, the quiet roar; hissing wet pavement; swollen river running high. Its rhythm brings blessings ... read more

 

Critters, Curtilage, Canvas & Clearing

21 May 2008 at 8:18 am

The butterflies are arriving. This is a painted lady, who tend to show up here about this time of year during their migration process. Add this to the menagerie that is developing around here.

I had a woodpecker on my chimney the other day-tap tap tapping on the tin cover-it sounded like a machine gun-I think he had OCD, because he couldn't stop! The other night I went outside to take pictures o

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Never A Dull Moment

17 May 2008 at 4:56 am

Look at what has appeared just outside my bedroom window! This had to have been yesterday or today. I know for certain it wasn't there before that. I have a sneaking suspicion that this robin and her mate are the ones who were displaced from the cedar tree.

These birds have picked a busy spot, over the back deck, near the back door which is high traffic around here. Not sure about the electrica ... read more

 

For the Birds

13 May 2008 at 3:51 am

Near the Bow river we have Ospreys nesting. I swung by there today to see if I would be lucky enough to see them. This one was waiting for me, and stretched his wings, as I pulled out the camera. They prefer the tall power poles, which gives then an excellent vantage point near the river. A chain link fence prevented me from getting any closer.

Last week, sharing the birdbath with a robin, was ... read more

 

Anatomy of a Painting

3 May 2008 at 8:41 pm

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Bluebird Blessings

26 Apr 2008 at 7:48 pm

Spring is sure to be close by. I spotted a flock of bluebirds this week while out on a walk.

Amazing how such tiny creatures can stay warm, upon their early arrival. What a dimension their azure color adds to the bland landscape which we have grown so weary of. This is the first time I have seen bluebirds.

Mythology and symbolism about the bluebird is ancient, transcending many cultures, its

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Art By Us Auctions

22 Apr 2008 at 2:32 am

Here's a chance to get some super deals on some of my original art. I've decided to list some paintings on Art By Us which is an auction site for artists.

... read more

 

This N' That

19 Apr 2008 at 3:47 am

Need I say more?! Winter is back. Just yesterday I was raking debris from the garden, and noticed a few lily of the valley shoots bravely poking through. Oh how fast things change.

Blizzard like conditions with a heavy snowfall warning. The moisture is welcome, as we have had a fireban already in this area. It's really coming down out there, heavy wet sticky snow. Seems I got home just in ti

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Spring HotchPotch Review

16 Apr 2008 at 4:12 pm

The Art Show was a success from a creation standpoint. Attendance could have been better. Sold enough to cover costs and then some, though sales did not reach the goals I had set.

The process which surfaced during the planning and executing of the show was a necessary one, if only a dress rehearsal for next time. The 'Goddess Brigade' setup crew did a fabulous job of honoring the paintings, by ... read more