Wishing For Spring

Don't wish for Spring before it's time,
Thinking all will then be fine.
Time moves swiftly on its own,
Life flies by all alone.
Don't hope that it will faster fly,
Or it may listen, and then you die.
----Saffron


I wrote this poem March 5, 1992. Boy, my life hasn't changed much it seems. I still dwell on the winter weather, trying to survive it and it's hardships. This only makes me realize I still have over month of real winter here on the mountain. I have to deal with it as best I can.

Altered Cigar Box - Be Happy, Elf

Wow! How can this be?? I'm updating my blog again, already?? And it's only been a week since the last entry?? What, am I returning back to myself? Is the content me returning? Whatever it is, I'm glad!

So anyway, I was lucky to receive a whole shit load of cigar boxes from a special friend. This is my first creation using them, they are fun!


I painted this elf on the top, and added some tissue paper collage. Also on the side I added some tissue collage for some flowers.



Inside there is a little print of a painting I did a few years back, reminding you to Be Happy! I know I must remind myself of this from time to time! It's the perfect container for your potions, trinkets, or love letters. How nice it is to get a love letter!

It's available now in my Etsy shop! Have a looksey!

Hats Available

I've been making some hats this winter..... some slightly hippie or maybe grungey type of hats.


Or maybe they're just woodsy and mountaingirlish.


Well whatever you call them, they are soft and cozy and keep you good and warm. See some in my Etsy shop.

Also, I was part of a shop last December. Luckily my smARTS/blogging buddy, Mother Bliss, got some good pictures of the little shop., including my little section.

Last Drawing of 2009

This was my last drawing of 2009. I started in the summer...Glad to finish it!

This is Kane Milohai, The God of Life. It's elements are the sun, sky, earth, and upper heaven. He is a symbol of life and the father of living things.

I won't be neglecting you, Little Blog, this year. I just know it!

Life for a Mountain Girl

So for the last couple of months I've been doing the stress-less job of yard work. I'm enjoying working outside, getting some exercise and experiencing the different environments of the mountain.


This week I worked at what has to be the most gorgeous yard on the hill! There's a natural pond, the water is just seeping out of the ground, which by the way up on this mountain of So Cal, is a pretty rare thing.


There is also the largest crop of lady bugs around here. This is just a small percentage of the many nests that I saw. No aphids are surviving in this yard.


And the highlight of the day was seeing this little cutie! I was lucky to get this shot. Yes, I'm a good worker, except when I stop to chit chat with the neighbors, or stop to take pictures of frogs.

Return of the Batiks

This is the fifth year I've done this batik project with every 6th grader at the local school.


It's a lot of time and work, but really is one of my favorite projects once it's all done.

An interesting thing that usually happens with this project is how the best drawers in the group don't always have the best batik. They seem to add too much detail. The kids that keep it simple have the best results. This shows you how different projects help different people succeed in different ways. But it's a reminder to me to really stress to make the designs simple, which I do, but maybe I need a more forceful approach for those few who want to go too detailed.


This was my favorite one for the year. Can I just say I lost it and keep it for myself? Guess that wouldn't be very nice, huh?


Here they are hanging at Open House in the classroom. Pretty huh?

See the past 2 years results and details here and here. They're better photos too, I took the pix this year at the wrong time of the day.

Critter Encounters

I don't know what's up completely, but I've done a terrible job of keeping my blog alive this past month. I'm hopefully recovering now and will be back on track!!

Yesterday on a long walk to Inspiration Point, we saw this beauty . I love these thistles- crazy weeds, but so pretty.


Last week I was watching a lizard like this at a job where I was gardening. I couldn't get a shot of him, but I got this one instead. I don't know what kind they are, but they really seem to have a more lively personality than some lizards. And look at the blue under the neck. I love his expression too. If I had more time right now I might research to find what kind it is. But there is no time right now, so have to save it for a boring day.... you know, those come around all the time, right??