Flexible Nature

Wondering

2009-07-08T16:49:00.001-06:00

I've been painting for a few days. I hope to finish the living room tomorrow and then we can have a bit of the house back.

Fog

2009-05-03T14:28:00.000-06:00

Out in the woods, dragging dead trees to a pile. Thick fog permeates the forest. I hear something and look up. There, flying low, is a crane or an egret...couldn't tell. Made the day. Happy I have a mind-photo.

Two months...what's up with that?

2009-03-24T14:42:00.002-06:00

If I'm going to do a blog, I need to get my act together..geez, I've been saying that for decades. Couple of days in Phoenix. At home now for spring break. Walking the dogs. Mailing packages. Hoping for snow. Snow! We need snow!

Times moves on

2009-02-22T08:32:00.001-07:00

Long time, no post. Life moves along.

snow

2008-10-11T17:09:00.001-06:00

It's foggy and drizzly and wet outside. We might get a few flakes of snow tonight. The new wood stove is too, too yummy. Warm and cozy and all good.

Melancholy Day

2008-10-09T16:36:00.003-06:00

Today, I wore a lovely shawl my mother had made. I needed my mom to be close by. Miss you.

small delights

2008-06-27T15:51:00.001-06:00

Off to Istanbul on Sunday.

Colors

2008-06-19T09:46:00.002-06:00

The irises are struggling with our incredibly dry spring, but they still manage to stun me with their beauty. I can't quit taking pictures!

Crossbills

2008-06-11T17:53:00.002-06:00

We've had some crossbills here this week. They are so magnificent!

June

2008-06-03T07:17:00.002-06:00

A glorious month in the forest.
Too much to do in the house.
Solution - stay out of the house.
Wish that it were.

change

2008-05-25T16:54:00.000-06:00

Life changed today.

glass

2008-05-24T06:55:00.002-06:00

This is one of the first pieces of warm glass fusing I completed. I am now completely hooked on this art form. Too, too much fun. It is amazing how much time and thought goes in to manipulating small bits of color and form.

Slippery Slope

2008-05-17T17:08:00.002-06:00

It's a slippery slope between frosty mornings and the right time to plant. The spring bulbs weather the snowfalls and frosts. The lilacs sit in waiting. And then on a warm day, today, I walked out to the barn and saw 3 leftover pots from last year with new growth. Any plant that makes it through winter deserves to be dragged to the deck, watered and set in the sun. Then I found the seeds I'd gathered late last summer. Hundreds of scarlet runner beans, marigolds, nasturtiums and more; all waiting to be placed in the warm earth. I'm not too sure of the warm earth part (this is Colorado), but tomorrow is as long as I can wait. Seeds...start your engines!

Life and Death

2008-05-10T12:29:00.003-06:00

This little guy should be rambling across a lush mountain meadow in search of dinner. He should be climbing trees and frightening rabbits and eating fresh berries. But, for now, he has an okay abode. The water is clean, the fish are fresh and the area is not yet too small. We're closing in on each other. We're closing in...

Voles

2008-05-03T16:27:00.003-06:00

How much fun are those two little ladies having? The girls are trying to find voles. They have dug quite a few holes and it's early in the season. Stella has a long, narrow snout...perfect for sniffing out voles. Dory is a great digger. What a team!

Crazy Times

2008-04-27T16:26:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year when you go sit on the deck, the sun hits you and you start peeling off winter layers. Then a cloud drifts in and winter is still in the air. Sun comes back and you repeat the process. 28 degrees on the deck this morning and trying to reach 60 this afternoon.

Camille leaves tomorrow and it will be a very melancholy day.

Wheel of Life

2008-04-26T17:27:00.002-06:00

The circle of life continues to ebb and flow. I am not surprised it has been so long since I last posted, but that's how life is.

This simple little flower appears in the midst of nothing and signals the beginning of a new season. Pasque flowers.

flowers

2007-09-23T12:10:00.000-06:00

A summer comes and a summer goes.

One July

2007-07-01T18:27:00.001-06:00

How did it get to be July? June flew by. It was busy and crazy and fabulous. July will go much too quickly. I already have a very long list of stuff to do. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy being busy. Give me more. Stack it up. Pile it on.

Frost

2007-06-08T17:41:00.000-06:00

Frost kills and it did last night. Scarlet runner beans are toast. Virginia Creeper is badly damaged. Vincas look very sad. It's June 8th. It was not as cold as this picture shows, but it was cold enough to break a very, very old record.

2 June

2007-06-02T07:49:00.000-06:00

What a weird, wonderful set of seasons. Our winter was extraordinarily snowy and spring has been very wet (with an occasion delinquent snow shower). The ground squishes mud under your feet. And in typical Colorado fashion, it should be 82 on Tuesday. I have lots of seeds that seem to be waterlogged and doing nothing, so I guess I'll push more seeds into the mud and hope for the best. The scarlet runner beans, marigolds, and nasturtiums are coming up, but some other "new" plants are hiding in the soil and I'm afraid they have no intention of growing.

Memorial Day

2007-05-28T07:24:00.001-06:00

A million, thousand years ago we used to celebrate Memorial Day at Fullerton Park. My folks would haul wood, pans, pancake mix, eggs, bacon, orange juice, snacks and lunch. We were usually the first ones at the park and my mom and dad would get started fixing a huge breakfast. It was always chilly and foggy and we complained and shivered and knew inside it would be a great day. After breakfast we'd reload the car and head down to another section of the park. We'd find what we anticipated would be the best place to throw our blankets and stake our claim to an area. There were races down the grassy hill, softball games that never ended, food, more food and then more food. Water balloon fights often ended up in the bathrooms and they were a blast. Trees to climb, tree tunnels to forage, and bugs to smack. Great times.

Sleep well

2007-04-20T17:42:00.000-06:00

We have them because we love them and, unconditionally they love us back.

Nippy Day in the Forest

2007-04-07T19:05:00.000-06:00

The Mallards!

2007-04-07T19:00:00.000-06:00

It took me awhile to get the mallard photo posted! I've been to L.A. and back since then and saw mallards on the bay near Los Alamitos.

Dory

2007-03-17T10:41:00.000-06:00

It's good to be Dory. We just walked to the pond and there were two mallards swimming around. Dory stood quietly and watched and then jumped in! She never got close to them, but she is now one wet dog. The mallards put up with her for a minute and then flew off. They'll be back and I'll have my camera next time!

Two more weeks and we'll have had Dory for a year. When I think of the unspeakable acts of cruelty she endured before she came to us, it makes me sick. But now, she is one lucky girl.

Stream of Consciousness

2007-03-13T17:24:00.000-06:00

Spring is on its way. We have 2 streams on the property..well, that's a bit of a stretch, but there is definite running water. The pond is overflowing. It was 72 today! Spring is such a great renewal for one's spirit.

While I wish I was going to Mexico for spring break, it will be fabulous to see the Southern California contingent. I have the best mother-in-law on the planet earth! It will be good to share a meal, laughs, and beverages with that awesome woman.

Life is good.

Time changes

2007-03-11T14:59:00.000-06:00

We'll be in Los Angeles in 2 weeks. The time change sucks. I don't know why we are all such sheep, following along calmly while changes are made around us.

Mosiacs and Tiles and Beauty

2007-01-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

We were surrounded with spectacular antiquities everywhere we went. I have my students working on mosaics at the moment.

An Amazing Expedition

2007-01-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it to Istanbul. What a wonderful trip! It was truly a life-altering experience. The Turkish people are extraordinary, especially our new son-in-law to be. Our daughter is living a life that makes us tremendously proud. Food, architecture, antiquities, people, more food, history; it was overwhelming.

12-21-06

2006-12-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

Well, that's me. Yesterday the snow continued to fall and we cleared as much as we could...just in case the airport opened. It did not. We have NEW reservations for 12-26 and we feel really lucky to have them. Istanbul...we're coming!

Messed Up

2006-12-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

This is some messed up weather. We are supposed to leave for Istanbul tomorrow and we are in the midst of a blizzard. Interstates are closed. This photo was taken right when the storm began and we must have 2 feet of snow now.

December

2006-12-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

Crazy times. We leave for Istanbul in less than two weeks. It has been fever pitch shopping, carding, wrapping, etc. I feel like one of these paper stirps. Colorful, ready for fun, and a total mess! Life is good.

New Camera

2006-12-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

We got a new camera for the trip to Istanbul, so we went for a walk today to test it out. Really nice close-up shots! I think I need to take a class to figure out how to REALLY use it. It was below zero when we got up this morning.

Snow Day

2006-11-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Well, we have a snow day today and it couldn't be timed any better. I am going to try and finish my holiday shopping and get the holiday cards out the door. Wish me luck. The temp outside is 20 degrees and that will be our high temp for the day.

Crazy Times

2006-11-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

Things are getting crazy. The trip to Istanbul seems very close at hand and there are lots of things to do until then. Went shopping for holiday gifts today. Trying to clean the house. Lesson plans and homework to do. How about another week at the beach?

Myrtle Beach

2006-11-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

I spent a few days in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at an IB/MYP Conference on assessment. The conference was terrific. The beach, as always, brings peace to my soul. The waves and the wind; the birds and the smells; all were wonderful. I enjoyed being there in the off season, without crowds.

Choice Art Studio

2006-11-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Choice art went into full swing this past week. The students have 5 areas from which to choose; weaving, wire/wood, painting, drawing, and papier mache. Lots of activity. Lots of exploration. Some frustration (and that's a good thing in the art world). I keep telling them they need to make mistakes and struggle and experiment and forge ahead.

A good day!

2006-10-26T13:32:00.000-06:00

Still snowing and blowing. Look at the angle on the windsock!

Great day in Colorado!

2006-10-26T10:31:00.000-06:00

This is a perfect day! We've had over a foot of sbow since midnight. Dory is a happy girl...me too! We had blue skies and warm temps yesterday. Around midnight it hit and hit big! Wahoo for snow!

2006-10-24T16:54:00.000-06:00

We bought tickets to Istanbul. We leave in December and will visit our daughter, Camille, and Okan.

I am so excited. I will stand in awe as I gaze at The Blue Mosque.

I wonder what exotic foods we will eat? I wonder what ancient places we will visit? I can't wait to experience first-hand the renowned hospitality of the Turkish people.

Bring Them Home...Alive

2006-10-20T05:33:00.000-06:00

U.S. Says Violence in Baghdad Rises, Foiling Campaign

Getting Better

2006-10-19T16:51:00.000-06:00

I took Dory to the Bear Creek dog park last Friday. It was terrific. She made a friend, Zuma, and they played in the stream, chased each other, and generally had a great time. Dory is such a fragile little lady. Her prior life must have been horrendous. It is a joy to see her relax and be a dog. I am so appalled that humans can be so destructive.

newly discovered artist

2006-10-08T09:33:00.000-06:00

This is an amazing piece created by a newly discovered artist in Vail. It is multilayered, brilliantly colored, and a 3-dimensional treat. The artist is Mark! Who knew?

Vail

2006-10-07T16:27:00.000-06:00

A room with a view.

By the time we left this afternoon, most of that circular section of aspen leaves had fallen to the ground.

Mark and I played with acrylics, plaster, plastics, and more today. He created the best piece! The art teachers were oohing and ahhing!

I learned lots and my artistic spirit was renewed!

Appreciation

2006-09-29T15:15:00.000-06:00

Back from 4 days at High Trails. Hot water is a good thing. More later...

Choice Art is Working

2006-09-22T17:13:00.000-06:00

The first quarter of school is coming to an end...2 weeks to go. I followed few, if any, of the Choice Art guidelines and ran myself ragged this quarter...BUT...I have some amazing student work to show for it. I just posted some work to the Artsonia website, so that parents can order a t-shirt or a mug or just look at some amazing work. I will do things very differently next quarter, but I will not abandon the idea of Choice art.

Last day of summer...first day of snow...AS IT SHOULD BE!

adrift in the wind

2006-09-19T18:18:00.000-06:00

nurture
reach into the soil
sip drops of rain
flourish
burst
fly away
drift for awhile
float
spin
find shelter
begin again

or

I'm really into linear art. I love lines. I look for lines in everything. Lines lead one into altered directions. Lines are clear and crooked and they cross each other and bend and twist and just occupy space. Are you looking at the silver lines or the green lines? A line is a point in space connecting another point in space.

I think I need to weave something.

wow

2006-09-12T18:24:00.000-06:00

I've been sick for two+ weeks. Today, I went to work and could not figure out why everything was going so well and I seemed to have boundless energy. That was even before students arrived. I finally figured out it was the first day I felt GOOD! I got so much done today. I had a great day with the students and yesterday I was ready to quit my job, so go figure! It sucks being sick. I hate feeling crappy and dragging myself around. I am so glad I was surrounded by enthusiastic young people creating some very dynamic art! Wow! Dream job!

2006-09-08T16:34:00.000-06:00

This is an amazing work my 8th grade students completed last year. Each strip was to represent crucial events in their young lives. They made lists. I did not look at the lists. Then they interpreted their words into line, shape, color, pattern, rhythm, and texture. This is the result. Today, I glued the weaving onto a board and I have a 4 x 4 pice of acrylic to mount on it. Then it is to be secured to the wall in the foyer of our school. What dreams and wonders and broken hearts are wrapped up in these stips of paper?

It was a good way to end a tough week.

gifts

2006-09-02T18:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that just happen. No planning. No hoopla. Tonight, on my walk with Dory, I found my present. In the window well outside our bedroom, there was a very chilly salamander. I raced to the house and grabbed Mark. We needed to save it now! He came out. Dory stayed in the house. The rescue ensued and the salamander is now safely ensconced in the pond. I really don't need anything else.

crimson

2006-09-01T17:20:00.000-06:00

and then the next evening rolled in...

pouring rain, hard rain, in the forest
temperatures plummeting
leaves stained crimson
deck plants screaming for help
chilly air baiting the orchids raised with the angels

warm beaches and hurricanes
floods and beached vessels
migrating birds
migrating storms

screens full of rain
grey skies
no glimpse of a hummingbird

the loom comes home tomorrow

fall

mama said there'd be days like this

2006-08-31T17:45:00.000-06:00

I don't know. I have a messy cold. It's Thursday of a very long, snot-filled week. I have a million things to grade and no energy to grade them. I see my weekend before me. I need some medication, but none of the boxes sound quite right. Mark's mad at Dory. Sam needs books and money. Camille needs to be safe. I need a nap.

random thoughts

2006-08-27T12:22:00.000-06:00

Went for a long walk with Dory this morning. We walked to the poetry station along the trail. There is a small book inside and you can leave a thought or two. Great idea. The temp was 52 when we left and that brought loads of joggers, walkers, runners, horses, dogs and one pack mule onto the trail. I took photos to share with the High Trails folks. This would be a great activity for the young campers. I may also see about doing this around school or in another park. This could be a terrific language arts/studio art collaboration.

Telltale signs

2006-08-20T08:38:00.000-06:00

Fall is creeping into the forest. It's early yet, but there are signs. Walked to the pond early this morning with Dory, looking for the grey bird. The forest was misty and cool. No bird.

Zen

2006-08-19T17:10:00.000-06:00

It's been a day of soft rain showers with a bit of thunder here and there. It is dusk and the light is beginning to fade. Chilly. Decided to walk Dory out to the pond before I change into warm pj's. We were walking out, looking at the mushrooms pushing their way through the forest floor. Silent. No sound of crunching pine needles. Nice. I heard a noise and looked up. From the pond flew a very large bird. I'm not sure if it was a Sandhill Crane, an egret, or a heron. Come back. I need more time. I was so enthralled with your beauthiful flight, I didn't look closely enough. I think you had that delicately curved neck and that would be an egret or a heron, but your color was greyish and blended with the grey sky.

We have been running the hose into the pond for an hour a day. This is the first year in a very long time that the frogs have half a chance to reproduce. I bought feeder goldfish to amuse myself and let them loose in the pond. There are loads of tadpoles, but I think the goldfish are gone. Eaten by a crane perhaps? I hope so. Order up for more feeder goldfish.

Fall is in the air.

Ideas

2006-08-18T16:35:00.000-06:00

My students amazed me today. This is their first "Choice" project and they were bursting with innovation. Brain activity in my room today was on hyperspeed. We all started on the same page and now I've thrown the ball into their court...they are on the run and I love it!

The torn-paper portrait is from last year. I'll have to be sure to suggest this idea. Amazing, isn't it?

Shiny stuff

2006-08-16T17:51:00.000-06:00

Today, I was showing my new students things I had collected. Bits of flotsam and jetsam from hikes and alleyways. I had an old, rusted, squashed chewing tobacco tin and I was showing it off. Yesterday, I showed them baskets with willow, elm, and rose bush cuttings. A young girl raised her hand and asked me if there was anything I didn't think was beautiful. She was very sincere.

Great question.

Cloudy Skies

2006-08-13T16:42:00.000-06:00

Lots going on. Students come tomorrow and I have high hopes for the new program and jitters to go with the high hopes.

Wishful thinking.

Family issues.

Raindrops cling to the window.

Choice in the Art Studio

2006-08-09T16:08:00.000-06:00

Had a teacher's in-service today...all day. It was about learning styles. I'm a "divergent" learner...no surprise there. My decision to jump into TAB-Teaching Artistic Behavior/Choice this school year is totally validated with the inherent differentiation possibilities offered through this methodology. I am pumped! The Art Studio is the perfect place in which to touch all learners.

liatris punctata

2006-08-07T15:14:00.000-06:00

Beautiful colors, delicate petals, and as wild as can be.

August thoughts

2006-08-07T07:37:00.000-06:00

It's August 7th and I go back to school tomorrow. I am excited about a new program I will introducing. I will use the ideas of Tab - Teaching Artistic Behavior garnered from several websites and a wonderful group of art instructors in a Yahoo group to which I belong.

And I think of the young children in Lebanon and Iraq and how I would love to have them create art in my classroom. What a joy it would be for them to paint and sing and live in peace. My daughter sent me the link to some very powerful blogs and I hope you will read them. http://beirutupdate.blogspot.com/
http://frombeirutwithlove.blogspot.com/

My students will come to school in new clothes, with lockers full of school supplies, bellies full of food, and many of them will whine about how hard their lives are. They have no idea. I have no idea. We are a spoiled lot.

Religious warfare. Such a waste.

July

2006-07-22T14:23:00.000-06:00

July is one of those melancholy months. Beautiful. Summer waning a bit. My daughter's birthday. She is 30 years old today. I am a wreck. I wish I was in Istanbul.

Tattoo

2006-07-13T14:25:00.000-06:00

Well, I was bored today, so I went and got another tattoo. It's a "whimsical Celtic insect/butterfly" according to the pamplet that came with the stamp. I have always liked it and I wanted something goofy.

Thursday

2006-07-13T09:34:00.000-06:00

The frogs are singing out at the pond and the wildflowers are starting to bloom. It has been a hot, dry summer and then our monsoon rains finally came. So, the frogs and the flowers appeared late, but at least they appeared!

Paper trail

2006-07-12T14:05:00.000-06:00

I'm glad I kept a photo of this piece...the cats decided to attack it one day and the cats won!

July

2006-07-12T14:00:00.000-06:00

I am going to try and post some of my art work. We'll see how it goes. I need to get into the habit of posting regularly. School starts in less than a month and I would like to add student work and talk about what we are doing in class.

2006-03-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

I spent a good deal of yesterday roaming the internet in search of retirement homes or property. I looked through several Olympic Peninsula sites and could have moved in a flat second. I looked through British Columbia sites; mostly the islands. Puhleeze! I have also looked at Salida, Colorado. It's a choice between massive humidity and no humidity. I would love to be near the water...ocean, lake, stream, or river, but I don't know if I really want to be back in the mildew mind set.

We're off to get Dory in a little while. It would be an easy drive to Salida from the prison. Maybe we should take a peek.

Dory

2006-03-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

This is Dory! Tomorrow we will bust her out of prison and bring her home!

spring break

2006-03-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of spring break. We are getting a dog tomorrow. The weather should be perfect for long walks and lots of outdoor time. I wonder what you are doing?

beginning in the middle...

2005-08-06T16:29:00.000-06:00

How bizarre is this?