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??

TOC - Biblical References

This week's Theme of Consciousness was Biblical References, being Easter weekend and all.

I thought of a lot of ideas. "Thou shall not kill", Noah and his rainbow, and my favorite, "Love One Another." Had to go with the disobedient Eve. That woman really messed things up for us females, but I love her still! She's a free thinking rebel, and I love that about her.

So here's my quick little painting, done in acrylic in my larger sketch book.

TOC - Heart

Theme of Consciousness for this week - HEART.

Here's my little doodle embellished with watercolor.

Got one song played... Grateful Dead - "Easy Wind".... really cool Pig Pen song.

Strawberry Creek in March

Went on a walk on Strawberry Creek today. This is the creek that runs through town. Always a nice peaceful place to walk. I can't wait for the greenery to burst out in a month or so. Soon it will be filled with Azalea, Wild Rose, Berries and other assorted plants.

You can see how I get a little bit inspired by this place if you see my art in the previous post.


Here's Wesley standing with a pretty large old growth 2-in-1 Cedar Tree. You can almost imagine you're out in Sequoia National Park, our own little piece of heaven.

TOC - Home

This week's Theme of Consciousness was "home." A very warm and fuzzy theme, really. The tribe chose some great songs that Jim loves, and some great sets were made.

Here's my little creation for the theme. Easy enough to think up, and doodley-fun.

And I had some requests played... Dead "Throwing Stones", Stones "Prodigal Son" (a sharer), and the rare, unusual honor of the Opening Song.... Ten Years After with "I'm Goin Home." Yes, I was a little spoiled this week. But I requested a whole shit-load of perfect, Jim-type-of -songs, so it was bound to happen!

Who knew the Dead had SO MANY songs that mention Home!