OH-SO-DISAPPOINTED

Such sadness. Such disappointment. Such absence (aka no treat lol)

Last summer my husband, who is SUCH a softie for any living creature, found a chipmunk living in the yard. "It looked hungry" (he told me). "It stared at me" (he told me). "What could I do"? (he said to me) "but give it a few of the (non-salted) peanuts I was eating"? His kindness and sharing ways are two things I love about him, without question. But I had my doubts about feeding the 'cm' population. (I am mean that way lol)

But I said nothing and he and the cm had a long happy friendly peanut filled summer and fall.

This spring we have more cm's in the yard than you can shake a stick at!! roflmo Thus sadly (but necessarily) the peanut sharing has stopped. I'm not sure who it's been harder on - the cm (as seen above) or my DH who misses feeding him... (no picture of that :-)

(And just between you and me, I check the level of the peanut jar once a week, lol)

ALMOST!

Spring may still be best enjoyed from the inside (it's cold!) But sunlight streaming thru the windows and inside daffodils go a very veryyyyyyyy long way towards erasing my winter 'blahs' :-)

Of mice & poo

Somehow, beyond any rational impossibility of size, shape and clearance a mouse managed to find his way into one of my kitchen drawers. There was nothing of daily use in there. In fact not much aside from an nice (empty) dovetailed divided wood silverware tray.

Now I am not a fussy, girlie, if I get mud on my feet I'll pass out kind of woman. BUT I am not ever going to use that box for silverware! lol There is no way I'd be able to put nice forks where mouse poo was, then take a fork for that same tray, drive it deep into a scrumptious piece of cake and then put that forkfull of cake into my maw. Not without thinking of that mouse poo. And that kind of takes the edge off the cake, ya know? Yes I have choloroxed the box (even if it IS wood) In fact to the point that the paint may begin to peel and the wallpaper may fade. It' not the actual science here guys, it's the IDEA. Ick ICk ICK!

But here's the good news - now I have a reallllly nice wood tray for some of my glass or jewelry tools! (once the full gallon of cholorox smell passes, lol)

1 + 3 = free

I recently spent exactly one hour with a three year old.

Not unsupervised - no no. Mom and grandmom were there to tend to any maternal or grandmaternal issues had any arisen. So those of you who know me and are aware that I don't have pets or even plants can breathe easy. No need for any audible gasps at the though of my flying solo with a wee one of three :-)

With no estrogenic responsibility I was free to interact with her and watch how she devoured life over those 60 minutes.

Here's the fascinating thing: In one hours this 3 year old shared with me that:

*sequins & tiaras over jeans & sneakers still a princess make.
*plastic cows may (at some time) want to wear barbie makeup.
*gathering eggs from your grandparents barn in sequins, barbie makeup and tiara "so the chickens can see your outfit too" is very thoughtful (if not actual princess ettiquette)

Most importantly she shared with me that all things are possible (if not perfectly reasonable) when you think of them the right way, see them in the right light (or reflected sequin sparkle).

Princesses can gather eggs, plastic cows look surprisingly good in barbie makeup and you should always wear jeans and keds with your tiara - just in case you want to play like a boy too.

1 (hour) + (one) 3 (year old princess) = (remembering how to set your adult mind) free....

Giggle for the day! (wonder if it works...)

Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to my husband that my breasts are too small. Instead of characteristically telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a suggestion.

"If you want your breasts to grow, then every day take a piece of toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds."

Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts.

"How long will this take?" I asked.

"They will grow larger over a period of years," my husband replied.

I stopped. " Do you really think rubbing a piece of toilet paper between my breasts every day will make my breasts larger over the years?"

Without missing a beat he said "Worked for your butt, didn't it?"

He's still alive, and with a great deal of therapy, he may even walk again.

Daisy Hill

Six months have passed since Daisy Hill
Has whispered "sit with me"
To dream a dream, or rest awhile
Amid my breeze-tossed sea... FDFerris 2009


That's the best thing about MARCH - we're marching closer to SPRING! So, in honor of March 1st here's an images of one of my favorite spring (and summer) places, Daisy Hill....

A £ TO PEE?

Most times these days the headlines are vexing. And while this online article isn't good news (link below) I have to admit it made me laugh. You know, laugh in that insane-hag-you've-got-to-be-kiddin'-me-is-this-for-real-sort-of-way.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090227/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_ryanair_toilet

I don't think I've laughed in quite that fashion since I came across a proposal to tax ranchers/farmers for cow farts. (This gem of proposed fart legislation was conceived in the US).



.Photo credit www.copyright-free-pictures.org.uk).

The premise for this proposed 'fart-tax' was based on the thought that cows everwhere are contributing to to pollution via their gas passing....

Poor cows.
Poor ryanair passengers.
Poor insane world.

The Old Ways

It may seem that the 'old ways' of things are a lot of work. That's because they were and are still, lol. But as is often the case the rewards are profound. Take my buddy COALBY - our first foray into coal heat. Many (many) years ago DH and I burned wood and in fact we cut our own wood - believe it or no, I'm pretty good as one half of a two man logging saw - but that's another story, lol.

But honestly when the desire to supplement the furnace came around again last year I had to admit I have arrived at a point where I no longer wanted to cut wood, haul wood, split wood. I love burning wood - the smell, the soothing crackling sound. But the work of cutting, hauling, splitting remained fresh in my mind. So as an experiment we adopted our coal stove COALBY. (yes I name EVERYthing, lol).


He's warm, he's cheerful, he's my new best-heat-friend. The only time he vexes me is on 'cleaning day' (my job) - Just for the amusement factor you've come to expect from me :-) I've included a pic of me on COALBY CLEANING DAY - sans hat and goggles and gloves (good mask is under the bandana). I'd have shown you the full regalia but I wanted to give you a laugh, not a heart attack or seizure, lol

So there you have it - a bit of February news from the Upstate NY homefront...

WHEN THE SUN RISES

Morning dawns on the african velt. The lioness awakens. She knows she will have to run faster than the gazelle or she will starve....

Morning dawns on the african velt. The gazelle awakens. She knows she will need to run faster than the lioness who hunts or she will not survive.....

The truth of this tale applies to everyone. Regardless of who you are or what the parameters of your life may be, when the sun rises you had better be ready and committed to hitting the ground running :-)

DOES IT LOOK LIKE I LOVE WINTER?

At the moment, not so much! LOL
SNOW SNOW SNOW in which I am covered
Temps minus 2, minus 6, windchill minus 25 ~

Geeessshhh!

A Friend Stops By For A Treat

"Any unwanted cookies, cake or cat food??????"

(If so, I'd be GLAD to help...) :-)

WEDGEWOOD ANGEL

With six days and counting 'till christmas I should be attending to the list that begs to have items crossed off as done.... But instead I find myself sifting thru boxes. Bit from here, there and everywhere. This perfect wedgewood angel ornament emerged from one of the boxes today. I've never used her for fear she'd be broken - yet it seems oddly foolish NOT to use her, not to let her see the light of day doesn't it?

I think for now I'll just set her (and her exactly matching sister) aside till I have a moment to measure care and caution against fearful foolishness!

New work (Peek or Buy)!

I'd mentioned I was working on some pieces for a trunk show of my work. This is one headed for the trunk show - unless of course one of you just can't live without it, lol. In that case first to email me glasschick at yahoo dot com will be it's new bead/jewelry mom :-) Just cut/paste/fix the yahoo email above to contact me.

Or

Claim it via comments here on this post. Whatever way the requests arrives lol, it goes to whoever claims it first!

I've placed it on a really neat dual adjustable necklace (included). The bead ties on the bottom as seen & the necklace has no clasp to fuss with - it has two slide knots @ the back which you pull together to lengthen to slip over your head. Best of all is it then adjusts (by sliding the knots at the back apart) to any length you like for wearing!

Another faboo aspect of this cord is the fact you can change beads (or add beads) to the bottom strings whenever you like ~ Fun! Just untie the knot and change to another bead. The bottom ties are aprox 2 inches long.

*** REMEMBER to re-expand it again before you remove the necklace (and pleassse DON'T ask me how that little gem of advice came to my attention, roflmao, spaz that I am :-)

If it calls to you, journal readers only price of 12.95 (NYS residents tax too :-( it's a must). US shipping ~ JUST A BUCK! ~ UK, CAN, $4.00 US FUNDS for regular first class shipping

Now, back to work for me !

Thankfulness Sunday

I know that thanksgiving day is technically the day to mentally and emotionally weigh all the things one is thankful for - but let me confess that the only weight related event that occurs for me on 'turkey day' is adding to my own personal poundage, lol! Too much of everything solid and liquid and cream covered is the priority. Then there's the laughing, talking and kidding to happy excess. The really truly serious pondering is held at bay on Thursday. Friday is for returning to a vague reality, Saturday for catching up. So each year I find Sunday is the day I really think about the year and the gifts it contained.

This Thanksgiving Sunday I find at the top of my list is simply the quiet slow return of enjoying the tiny happiness

Those who share my world personally (or here) know that recent years have been heavily woven with tragedy and worry, loss and sadness. Not that there haven't been wonderful and happy events as well - there have. But those happy aspects were forced to sit quietly at the feet of of larger life events - things uncontrollable and difficult - waiting for better times.

As is always the way with life and her path, she's changed course again and there is a calm. However long it may last, an ease. And it's stayed just long enough that I realized yesterday I honestly wanted to string some lights. I was enamoured with the thought of retrieving the tree from the attic. I was able to actually connect with these small pleasures again, for the first time in years.


As is the case with so many things in life what doesn't seem like such a big deal IS when you've lost it (or lost your pathway to it). It's just now that I've discovered the reconnect is viable again. Wonderful for the holidays and an even happier realization for the year to come - or however long these moments of calm choose to stay...

I also know as I think about it that the depth with which I'm enjoying these small bits of happiness are all the better for having temporarily lost my way to them......

There is it seems a thread of happiness woven into every journey, waiting for the right time to be seen and found.

HOPPY Thanksgiving!

A quick wish for a hoppy thanksgiving with the assistance of one of my lampwork frog beads, lol. As you see, he's happily settled into a bracelet - much as I'm happily settled amid my beads and bits, creating for an upcoming trunk show of my work....

Have a wonderful holiday everyone - and remember, one of the things that I'm very thankfully happy to have in my world is each of you!

6:30 AM - ish

Up at 4:15 each day, coffee infusing by 4:20 (first into the pot then into me asap! lol) what you see in the picture is the 'later morning' coffee with breakfast.... The never out of my reach cell phone upon a few bits of LAST Sundays paper. (A timely reader I'm not that's for certain)! The uber-yummy pumpkin bread is thanks to my mother who spoils me far beyond what I deserve (thanks Mum!)

You'll notice my mug (holds 5 tea/coffee cups of coffee).

WOMEN RULE it decrees. Indeed.

So there you have another fascinating little insight into MY world, roflmao.....

Using Fire To Create Ice!

Not much new around here :-) just using fire to create ice, lol (Icesicle Ornaments)

I'm glad the the elections are over, and I have to say I'm feeling hopeful ~

What are you working on? something in particular? holiday related? Do tell! (Share in the comments) I'd love to hear what YOU'RE doing (links to images welcome)

TTFN!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

Cold enough to snow actually. Drat! But I have the magic of images to remind me why I love living here (most of the year, lol) Tho I photograph horribly, this one taken during an 'inspiration walk' by my husband in late August isn't tooooo bad. MY favorite part of the image is all the GREEN surrounding me in our fields.....

Inspiration walks

really get my muse humming - so much vibrancy, detail, drama and color can be found amid the riot of nature at her summer season apex! Tho unseen in the image, there's a riot of field flowers, some yellow, others purple, even red amid the field grasses.

On this day, the heat bugs were buzzing in the background, a summer breeze blowing.

My muse wasn't muttering - she was singing clearly....

I'd love to hear (in comments) what inspires and stirs your muse to a frenzy!

WHAT MATTERS

If nothing you do matters,
then all that matters is what you do....

I heard this statement recently and I confess that at first blush it struck me as nonsense at worst, confusing at best.

The person speaking went on to explain that at those moments when you realize your actions will not change the 'big picture outcome' of a situation it's time to turn your attention, effort, heart and soul towards what small things you ARE able to do. Take actions that WILL make a difference. Those things within your control may or may not be related to the larger issue at hand - but you always have choices.

Quite profound.

It is incredibly easy (and disheartening) to look at a situation and realize that try as you may you are NOT going to control the outcome. Reasons vary, but you realize it lies beyond your grasp to rein in (or rein out) the horses and wagon you see about to go over the cliff.

The light bulb for me within the statement I mention was the tool of refocusing. Finding (if you can) some smaller inroad you may be able to attain within the bigger picture. And if that can't be found move on.

Do what you can in some other unrelated arena. Make some other small progress. Give some kindness. Change the world (or the day, or the moment) in some other small way. Do whatever you can within your reach.

To be powerless in 'given situation' doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing you can do - it may mean you just need to do something else.....

I don't know why I'd never really thought of it that way!

Sometimes life leaves me feeling a bit powerless - but as long as there are choices, other paths I can choose 'what I do matters'. Just, perhaps, in a smaller reaching circle....

THE ASPEN TREE CAFE

There are certain aspects of being 50-something that I confess I'm not keen on...

For instance needing glasses to read ANYTHING. Poo and bother. Because that leads to needing the magnifier glasses which I never have with me when I want to read something (drawing my attention to my lack of planning). Not knowing where any of these pairs of glasses are leads to an awareness of my lack of memory, as I can't recall WHERE I was the last time I used my glasses. Hunt & search for glasses. Poo and bother!

There are other aspects of this point in my life that, alternately, I love.

Take the ASPEN-POPLAR CAFE pictured above.

There was a time I wouldn't have in any way broken my routine or slowed my schedule to accept an invitation from my husband to sit and chat with him (with a wine for him and a beer for me) on a sunny Summer day. No, no. Too busy was I. Too busy was the business. Too soon would my next student arrive. No, no thank you....

Now I wonder how many moments I've lost to 'I have to's' that are long gone, forgotten and were (I know now) not of the import I assigned to them. You often read essays, articles, books reminding we mortals to savor time with our children, our parents, our friends, our hobbies. Far less often do we think of saving (or making) time for our spouses. Perhaps because our husband or wife is so integral to our days that the concept of making time for them escapes lucid thought.

Even less inclined are we mere mortals to take time to spend alone with OURSELVES....

In the rush and worry, responsibility and race of each day it seems optional if not silly to carve out time for husband/wife or ones self. But the 50-something me has come to understand that time spent with him and time spent by myself are not only important but wonderfully renewing.

It may not be so for everyone (not all husbands are created equally, lol) and not all people believe they need any time alone with themselves (tho I'd debate that with vigor).

Still, the next time you're invited to steal away for a shared moment of time (or the thought occurs to steal a moment for yourself) at your version of the Aspen-Poplar Cafe go for it!