Abstract Horses, Beloveds.

Whiskers.

Winter Coats.

She is a beautiful Paint.  Though this is her one-and-only spot.  She's what I would call "roan" but then, I don't know that much about Painted Ponies!  I do know that she is such a good Mama, and her youngster is definitely Painted, black w/white.

On the day that I took these photos I was patiently waiting for the Starlings to wing their way back around to us.  I wasn't really paying much attention to what I was doing, so was pleasantly surprised to notice that however and whatever I frame-up, there will be an abstract slant to it.  Must be how I see things.

These are "the kids."  A trainer has been coming out and dressing them all up in saddles, blankets and bridles, and walking them, together, up and down the lane.  I love it.  Sometimes they are talking with him, with soft lip-smacking nickers.  I love that sound.  Obviously they are comfortable with him, which reverberates through the perfect little clip-clopping of round hooves.

These are my kids.  

Well, you know: daughter & grandkidlets.

Yes, they are impressed that she ran the marathon, early spring.

Her main fan.

A couple of my guys.

Grandpup with Beetle.

Kai!

Kaitlyn!  At Uncle Skyler & Auntie Gina's wedding this past June.

Love and hugs.

xoxo

LPC

Me Dogs

Two faces which make me happy and grumpy, sometimes simultaneously.

I've not spent any time(until August, 2 yrs ago) around a male Labrador.  I should've, a long time ago.  There is not much on the planet that inspires such belly-laughs, frustration, joy, annoyance and just plain marvel.  Anyways, that describes my Emerson.  I've said it before, but here it is again, "I love love love him!"  He personally brought home at least 7 lbs of sand.

And here is the regal Ms. Luna.  She just turned 5!  Today I will give her a chicken neck to celebrate, since her birthday was the 10th.  Sorry, Big Girl.  But she knows, since she is a Sagittarius, that Life Is A Party.

Go ahead, say it!  She is beeeeeeeyoutiful!

As long as you are not a chicken or a varmint.

I enjoy accessorizing her.  She looks so good in pink and polka dots.  She is not too girly-girly, in fact she looks truly pained when I bring out the nail polish.  She does love new collars, though.

This is "sit" with an ear towards small game.

Yes, ever so well trained.  This is the "down."  Long enough for a photo.  :-)

This weekend qualified as a most------------------(frustrating, damaging, annoying, exhausting) fill in the blank.  Suffice to say that today it feels as though I have a hang-over, and didn't have any fun.

But, I am recovering.  Bought chicken food and Kill-the-Damm-Fleas stuff.  Got a cup of coffee.  Got gas.  Drove out to the Lake w/said Dogs.  Drank the coffee.  Threw the balls.  Drove home.

I am grateful for every single moment of Life.  Yes.  Even bewildered moments.

1.  I am grateful for my ever-cheerful dogs.
2.  I am grateful for my awe-inspiring daughters.
3.  I am grateful for people who never say anything.
4.  I am grateful for my camera.
5.  I am grateful for my sister.
6,  I am grateful for my program.
7.  I am grateful for this moment.
8.  I am grateful for the fact that I may learn how to forgive in this lifetime.
9.  I am grateful for Gratitude.

xoxoLPC

This Isn't Just About Birds

I took one dog (because the Black Labrador had no manners at the front door, he had to take the march to confinement, and missed out on a ride to find the Starlings), and my camera and took a late afternoon ride.  Drove a big loop, ending near where I began, about 5 miles as-a-crow-flies downriver from our house, where the birds were doing their thing.  I threw the ball for Luna and watched the sun set behind the coastal mountains, while the Starlings practiced their murmurings.

At times I feel as though I am running as fast as I can go so as to not feel.  Of course this is contrary to Life, Purpose, etc., etc., etc.  Today I noticed that my spiritual practice doesn't seem to be "working"  it appears that I cannot shake this thing, even on an excursion into a sunny day.

My granddaughter has been extremely ill.  I have not been brave enough to write about the illness head-on. Now I just want to say that she, and her mother (my youngest daughter, Elisabeth), and her brother Kai, are the bravest people that I know.

So from my ramblings today I have decided, once again, to keep my priorities straight.  My lists will serve me, my prayers are noticed.  The tender places will always be inhabited.

Elisabeth, has created a blog. Click here:  Kaitlyn

Love and hugs.

LPC

House Work

So.  I need to get back to sweeping.  Vacuuming.  Dusting.  Or.  Do I?

Love you.

xoxoxo

LPC

A Thing of Beauty, This World

Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  First on my "to do!" list was a trip with dogs out to The Lake.  Rain-sign everywhere, from the gray sky to rivulet-trails down the road and beach.  Emerson has mentioned recently that he'd be happy if we were to move out there, so he could swim all day, every day.  Luna says yeah, she'd go for that too.  The Lake is full of coots, those little black water fowl with white frontal shields on their heads.  They swim together, looking ahead or to the side in unison, so it looks as though the water is sparkling as they move en masse away from the black Labrador head slicing a V through the deep turquoise water.  Someday(!) I will get a photo!  When Coots have had enough of this entertainment, they take off, and run on the surface of the water, just out of reach where they settle down again.

Currently I am in love with Spanish Moss and the Oaks.  Together they define aesthetic for me, with hue, value, composition, and beauty in perfect balance.  Spanish Moss is not one plant or animal.  It is a lichen.  Hehehee!  And now that I look it up, I find that this is not Spanish Moss at all, but Usnea!  Well, hay; live and learn is one of my many mottoes.  Usnea is very strong medicine.  Should you find yourself out there, with a surface wound, wad up a handful of this and put it over the problem.  It helps it to heal and sterilizes the area.

I love how it comes alive when the rain soaks it through.  Its color enlivens and it seems to grow longer.    Just read that the longer length it grows indicates less pollution in the air!

Ok.  Enough of the book-learnin'.  I just love the stuff.  It is appearing in my paintings, both in the ground gesso, and the composition.  I am inspired by its color, the way it hangs or drapes over branches.  How when the trees lose their leaves the usnea glows.  I love the Life of it.  It feels as though it loves me, too.

I am Gallery sitting this morning.  Spending time with incredible art is healing and inspirational.  Hopefully patrons will flood the premises!  Yes.  Good.

This amazing ceramic piece is one of our guest artists, Jane Gardner's, work.  Jane's ceramics reflect her deep connection with the earth and sea.  She has developed her glazes to high art: using them as painterly, as surface treatment and as an extension of the clay body.

Kayla Esmond and Michael Smirnov create amazing birdhouse-sculptures from every imaginable found-object, plus a few that are constructed from antique wire, insulators, light bulbs.  This is just a small detail of the top of one, but I love it so much in front of my painting.  "Something magical is happening in this corner," one visitor told me.  Yes.

This morning, on FB, I listed the names of my 7 children.  What a beautiful experience!  For me, writing, printing, typing, drawing, even painting the letters, is such a heart-connection.  Kids may not fully realize until they have their own, of course, just how much they are revered, how they are studied, memorized, adored, petted, yes and worried-over.  Of course I am grateful for them in my life, but it is so much more.  I do not think that grateful is a big enough word!  Now, they have spouses and children, and are each involved in their own full lives.  My memories and love continue as my experience.

These are the layers of Life.  These are the layers of my art.

Thank you for reading/listening.  I love you!  xoxoLPC