Leftover Paint

Whenever there is a little paint left from painting a wall, ceiling, barn, etc., I had, since my childhood, been taught to 'waste not, want not.'

This was taught by my parents. So.....

This first effort at cleaning out a paintbrush, was taught by Dad. He painted this buck for my son years ago, on a dry fungus called an Artists Conk found on dead stumps and trees.
The rest of these efforts, were done by myself, attempting to naturalize my sons room when he was a teenager. There used to be trim at the base of the painting that is rail height, which was made of dried and sealed leaves, which have long fallen off and finally removed. His curtain rod was and still is, his bamboo fishing pole that caught many a trout in his youth. He still loves that room today.

Buck and does...
Camp with one of his old bows still hanging near...

He must have jumped this one setting up camp...
About half of one wall...

There is also the full moon, Big Dipper and a cluster of stars under a wall full of arrows, shells and other ammo that he has hanging on his gun rack.

So....

That's how I empty my paint brushes from laborious projects...

I should get busy. These were done sooo long ago, that these old walls should really be torn down and done over...hmmm...maybe My new studio room?

God Bless Your Day

Shadow Dancing and The Round Table

While making a fresh pot of morning coffee, my view out the window was this early sunrise shadow of one of my wagon wheels on the side of the barn. Immediately, I thought about my brother and a bunch of his friends who meet at the local gas stations coffee table to 'chew the fat,' several mornings a week. They all call it 'The Round Table'. I'm sure he does not tell all they 'chew' about, but some of the conversation is about solving the worlds problems, fixing some broken down tractor, jokes, of course, the going price of pulp, lumber and hardwood logs, what kind of chicken is best for meat and eggs, and whether or not we will have another drought year.

Some of these guys are truckers, some farmers, loggers, industrial workers, some independent small business operators, some just plain interested in what's going down at The Round Table. I guess you would compare these fellas to the gals at the beauty shop or girls night out. Either way, the visiting gets done, the problems solved, some of them anyway, the jokes memorized for the day, the broken equipment fixed , whether or not to sell the logs just yet, and Rhode Island Reds or Plymouth Rocks and whether or not they should start rain dancing.

So goes at my house and at The Round Table...

What do your shadows remind you of???

BlessYa'll

Whistling Swans

From following me this past half year, many of you know the love I harbor for the swans, more so, since the death of my sister a year ago.

So here I was Monday, on a road trip to another family funeral, Mom and I were fortunate to see a pond full of Whistling Swans. Though we were much too far away to get close photos, we certainly enjoyed the view.

They are so graceful and beautiful with their straight necks, black beaks and 4 1/2 to 5 foot wing spans. The Whistlings were traveling with a flock of Canadian Geese, I suppose, also on their way to their far north nesting grounds.

They sure were a refreshing chance to slow our trip, getting out to walk around a bit and love what we were seeing. They continued to feed, butts up in the air., and preening themselves, not bothered much by our presence.

One regret was not being able to get closer. There were at least 40 pair of the swans and just as many of the geese. I also regret not getting a full shot of the pond to share. Next time.
Enjoy your Day and God Bless

Bring It On

Spring and Summer cannot come soon enough. The winter has been so much longer, it seems. I am so ready for some

Frog Jumping Contests,
Rides through the woods trails to the cabin,
Planting Sugar Snap Peas,
Ice cream giggles,
And more ice cream giggles,
Merry-go-round rides,
Four-wheel rides at Easter to kick off spring, GGrandma with 7 of my Grands.
Softball games with 3 of the granddaughters,
Rock-hopping the creek by the cabin,
And Grasshoppers to squish.
So, I say, bring on the spring and summer for lots of outside fun in the sun, green grass and gardens, GrandLoves and Loves..I wonder what this year will bring?

BRING IT ON!

God Bless Your Hopes

Tea Time

As just a 'wee' one, I think I was about 6 yrs. old, I got this lil' rose tea set for Christmas. As an adult, I found this cute cabinet to display them in.

As a young mother, they soon were passed down to my first born, Darcie. Many times throughout my daughters youth, they were carefully set at the table with her teddy bear and dolls. I often wonder if she remembers this, as she spent the majority of her time outside tending to the animals. The tea set is still in my care as her little boys are quite rambunctious. Someday soon, she will take them home with her and display them lovingly, hopefully, out of reach of anxious fingers.

I remember, there used to be a music piece under the teapot, that my twin dismantled. I don't think I forgave him for that yet. Something to consider. Maybe that's why this set still is under my care...oh...little boys just don't understand how important these things are to some little girls.
This second set was a gift to my aunt who still displays them in her buffet case. The top third of this set is a pale yellow that you can see better if enlarged. Just click on the picture to see either tea set close-up.

There is something captivating about children's tea sets. It must be all the memories that surround them...the chit-chat with little visiting toys, and imagining being someplace far away, the miniature factor or just that it's like Mommy's that I can't touch.,as a child.
Time for a spot of tea, Earl Grey perhaps...lol...with one gloved pinkie, up.

God Bless Your Weekend

Sweet Williams

The Sweet William are one of my most loved flowers. It is one of my first promises of more blooms to come of all colors, scents, and eye-quenching, for the spring.
It also happens to be a favorite for it's name. My Sweet William is the love of my life. I'm sure some of you consider this corny, but it's the truth.

My first plant came as a housewarming gift from a neighbor, 30 yrs. ago when we first moved into our home. That very first plant is the sweet william that has survived through our drought these past 7 yrs. Pray for rain.

God Bless You All

Spring Lambing Season at the farm between 1978-1985 was always an exciting, exhausting, busy time. Here's part of the family , the ram is in the center of the doorway manning who enters or leaves the barn. His ladies and lambs surround him.
The newborn lambs were tended by my mother. She is holding my son who is not liking the whole ordeal., while the ewe tends to her twins. Did I ever tell you that I am a 'twin'? Back to the lambs. Mom would vaccinate them and hold them while Dad docked them and tagged them, to keep track of their progress. Each one had their own name and number. No critter on the farm went without a name. Sometimes it took awhile to name them based on a developing personality. That was usually everyones job, even the grandkids got in on it.
The folks sent my youngest brother to Sheep Shearing School when he was 13 yrs. old. He said it was sure better than the book learning at regular school.

It was the same time my Dad got laid-up with his bum legs. My brother had to help at the farm in between schooling and sleeping. He sure grew up in a hurry but never, ever complained. We all knew he would rather have been home than inside a school building all day long.

After sheared wool was bundled and sent onto a carting company, it wouldn't be long and Mom would get many wool quilt batts in the mail to warm every bed in the house. As adults, all of us, my siblings and I, got a batt for Christmas. I still have the quilt I made from mine. It's amazing how warm in winter and cool in summer, wool feels.

Lunch time was always a thrill to watch...sometimes the lambs would get so aggressive that their mamas had to put them in their place, even though the ewes tried their best to be patient with their youngin's.
Snack time was serious business in a lambs day. It was one time that they all payed attention to what they were doing and not 'kicking up a storm' and running their little legs off.

J.J. and my brother were best buds...
more 'serious business' going on....dinner time
Each spring, one of the 2nd grade field trips, was always to 'The Sheep Farm' to see, hold, pet and feed the lambs. The children would line up on the feed troughs two bus-loads at a time.
After a morning of fun with the lambs and a little education from my Dad, Mom would bring out the koolaid and homemade cookies. No child ever got back on the bus without at least 2 cookies.
Once the day was over, nightfall would mean all little lambs had to get back in the barn with their parents for a long nights rest. Afterall, more lambs-play tomorrow to wear them all out. There were always a few that had to get one more game of 'king on the mountain' in before bedtime...just like a lil lamb.
The farm has raised many different animals at different times throughout my life. Sometimes several species at a time...but back then it was 'The Sheep Farm'.

So, there ya have it. Yet more memories.

I think I must be craving spring time at the farm...more to come.

God Rush Your Spring