This Week Challenge

Paradox

We are to focus on the Paradox pattern from Zentantle.com we may add to it, but the focus should be on the paradox pattern.

Digitally Frame

I had a hard time with this challenge a online friend of mine that I have known for a few years now gave me the news that she has 6 months to live. Sorta shook me up needless to say. The original challenge I could not wrap my head around, so I decided on this challenge instead. I didn't realize it till it was completed that the Paradox pattern looks like a cross.

Interesting!

ROLO ART

Made for PaperScrap

Front View

Back View

Both front and back are Hand Drawn.
Medium: Ink and Watercolor

Rolo Art

Made for Linda4atc

Front View

Collage with original background

Back view

Hand drawn

Medium: Ink and Watercolor

THIS WEEK CHALLENGE

Let's be Square

This week challenge we are to focus on the form of a square. We are to have at least a minimum of 2 squares if not more. We may add to it, the main focus though is on the square.

YOU TELL ON YOURSELF

You tell what you are by the friends you seek,

By the very manner in which you speak,

By the way you employ your leisure time,

By the use you make of dollar and dime.

***

You tell what you are by the things you wear,

By the spirit in which you burdens bear,

By the kind of things at which you laugh,

By the records you play on the phonograph.

***

You tell what you are by the way you walk,

By the things of which you delight to talk,

By the manner in which you bear defeat,

By so simple a thing as how you eat.

***

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf;

In these ways, and more, you tell on yourself.

Author Unknown

This Week Challenge

I am a bit late posting this

..but..

This week challenge we are to learn a new pattern the Swirl from Zentangle.com

We are to add the beeline pattern and a pattern that you designed yourself.

Catching Up

Wow a lot has happen since I've been back in here ..*smile*.. I sorta got side track. Over at ATCsforALL we were voting for what we thought would be the next year place for the AFA Gathering that they held each year. Portland, Oregon was in the lead, then New York and Texas. So us West Coast ATC Artist just knew that we were going to have a AFA Gathering and were we excited! ..giggle.. Well to our great disappointment we discovered instead of being first we were last due to not having enough experience if I understood that right. Anyway it was mention to me that they would love to see more Regional Gatherings. At first I back off thinking I can't do this I'm a Country Girl but the more I thought about it the more I wonder so I open a forum asking all California members if they would be interested. To my amazement they are! Yes, you guess it that is where I have been organizing spending a lot of time on the computer helping CentralCaliGrrrl who has graciously volunteer to help. Poor thing, I don't think she realize what she was getting into I know I didn't, but, are we having fun. We are planning to hold this event
in Monterey, California that is where the majority voted for on April 30th & May 1st 2010 we will be checking in Friday holding an all day event on Saturday. As soon as we figure out which Hotel we will be staying at I'll be posting the details. Well my friends thank you for being so patient with me I promise to post some art real soon!....

A GOOD CREED

If any little word of ours

Can make one life the brighter;

If any little song of ours

Can make one heart the lighter;

God help us speak that little word,

And take our bit of singing

And drop it in some lonely vale

To set the echoes ringing.

***

If any little love of ours

Can make one life the sweeter;

If any little care of ours

Can make one step the fleeter;

If any little help may ease

The burden of another;

God give us love and care and strength

To help along each other.

***

If any little thought of ours

Can make one life the stronger;

If any cheery smile of ours

Can make its brightness longer;

Then let us speak that thought today,

With tender eyes aglowing,

So God may grant some weary one

Shall reap from our glad sowing.

Author Unknown

WHEN i THINK OF.....

Zentangle Post card

"Flowers"

When I think of Spring I think of flowers
I can't wait for the first bulbs to poke their heads

through the snow.

***

When I think of Summer I think of flowers

as they gracefully nod their beautiful heads

in the dry summer breeze.

When it warm n hot you can't help but smile

when you see their beauty surrounds you.

***

When I think of Fall I think of flowers

I see that they are slowly giving way to Winter

They are beautiful their heads are bowing humbly

for they know that Spring is round the corner.

***

When I think of Winter I think of flowers

For in my window sill my succelent plant

blooms the most beautiful pink flowers that put

a smile on this face.

***

So yes, when I'm down and discourage

I look toward my Heavenly Father

Asking for his help and just like the flower

one of his beautiful creation

he always puts a smile on my face.

Ranie Patridis

THE MOST VITAL THING IN LIFE

When you feel like saying something

That you know you will regret,

Or keenly feel an insult

Not quite easy to forget,

That's the time to curb resentment

And maintain a mental peace,

For when your mind is tranquil

All your ill-thoughts simply cease.

***

It is easy to be angry

When defrauded or defied,

To be peeved and disappointed

If your wishes are denied;

But to win a worthwhile battle

Over selfishness and spite,

You must learn to keep strict silence

Though you know you're in the right.

***

So keep your mental balance

When confronted by a foe,

Be it enemy in ambush,

Or some danger that you know.

If you are poised and tranquil

When all around is strife,

Be assured that you have mastered

The most vital thing in life.

Grenville Kleiser

This Week Challenge

This week challenge over at Zentangle with a Twist we are learning to draw the OPUS/with an AURO from the Zentangle.com newsletter. For the life of me I just could not wrap my head around this pattern. Staying true to my self, the type of art that I draw, I drew my own version of the OPUS pattern plus adding a couple of other patterns to enhance it.

Digital frame added.

Designed and Hand-drawn by Ranie Patridis

Zentangle Lightening Bolt

Medium: Ink and Watercolor

traded to Linda4atc

SOAP, THE OPPRESSOR

The folks at home half the time are thinkin' about dirt;

It sort of gives 'em horrors an' they act as if it hurt;

The sight of just a little makes 'em daffy as can be-

They're always washin' somethin', and half the time it's me.

It ain't because I wet my feet that gives me colds and such;

"Tain't runnin' round that keeps me thin-it's cause I'm washed too much.

***

It does no good to tell 'em, they're so stubborn, but I hope

That some day they'll discover what deceitful stuff is soap.

I tell you very often when my hands was clean and white

I've gone along to wash 'em 'cause it did no good to fight.

When I stuck'em in the basin, it was plain enough to see

The soap would make the water as dirty as could be.

If folks would give me half a chance with soap that didn't cheat,

I guess they'd be surprised to find I'm nacherally neat;

I'd take on flesh and leave off havin' colds and' such, I know.

And no one would complain about the parts of me that show.

Burges Johnson

Zentangle with a Twist Challenge

Lightening Bolt

This week challenge we are to zentangle a ATC with a lightening bolt somewhere on the card. This card here represent my feelings from this past week which I spent with my family. My heart goes out with love and the lightening bolt represent the strike of sadness upon having to leave them. My little nephew and niece are so precious growing up so fast and my parents are aging.

Time is flying by.

WHICH ARE YOU

I watched them tearing a building down,

A gang of men in a busy town;

With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell

They swung a beam and he sidewalk fell.

I asked the foreman: "Are these men skilled,

And the men you'd hire if you had to build?"

He gave a laugh and said: "No indeed!

Just common labor is all I need.

I can easily wreck in a day or two

What builder have taken a year to do!"

***

And I thought to myself as I went my way,

Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care,

Measuring life by the rule and square?

Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan,

Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker, who walks the town,

Content with the labor of tearing it down.

Unknown

Zentangle Book Page

Mermaid

Made for Linda4atc

Host: Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

Zentangle Book Page

Gecko

Made for Bright-Sparks

Host: Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

Zentangle Book Page

Lovebirds

Made for Kat

Host: Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

Zentangle Book Page

Oriental Delight

Made for Adifferentstory

Host: Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

Zentangle Book Page

Cat

Made for Patti

Host: Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

Zentangle Book Page

Under the Sea

Made for LindyLu

Host: Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

INDEPENDENCE BELL-JULY4,1776

There was a tumult in the city

In the quaint old Quaker town,

And the streets were rife with people

Pacing restless up and down-

People gathering at corners,

Where they whispered each to each,

And the sweat stood on their temples

With the earnestness of speech.

***

As the bleak Atlantic currents

Lash the wild Newfoundland shore,

So they beat against the State House,

So they surged against the door;

And the mingling of their voices

Made the harmony profound,

Till the quiet street of Chestnut

Was all turbulent with sound.

***

"Well they do it?" "Dare they do it?"

"Who is speaking?" "What's the news?"

"What of Adams?" "What of Sherman?"

"Oh, God grant they won't refuse!"

"Make some way there!" "Let me nearer!"

"I am stifling!" "Stifle then!

When a nation's life's at hazard,

We'Ve no time to think of men!"

***

So they surged against the State House,

While all solemnly inside,

Sat the Continental Congress,

Truth and reason for their guide,

O'er a simple scroll debating,

Which, thought simple it might be,

Yet should shake the cliffs of England

With the thunders of the free.

***

Far aloft in that high steeple

Sat the bellman, old and gray,

He was weary of the tyrant

And his iron-sceptered sway;

So he sat, with one hand ready

On the clapper of the bell,

When his eye could catch the signal,

The long-expected news to tell.

***

See! See! The dense crowd quivers

Through all its lengthy line,

As the boy beside the portal

Hastens forth to give the sign!

With his little hands uplifted,

Breezes dallying with his hair,

Hark! with deep, clear intonation,

Breaks his young voice on the air.

***

Hushed the people's swelling murmur,

Whilst the boy crys joyously;

"Ring!" he shouts, "Ring! Grandpapa,

Ring! oh, ring for Liberty!"

Quickly, at the given signal

The old bellman lifts his hand,

Forth he sends the good news, making

Iron music through the land.

***

How they shouted! What rejoicing!

How the old bell shook the air,

Till the clang of freedom ruffled,

The calmly gliding Delaware!

How the bonfires and the torches

Lighted up the night's repose,

And from the flames, like fabled Phoenix,

Our glorious liberty arose!

***

That old State House bell is silent,

Hushed is now its clamorous tongue;

But the spirit it awakened

Still is living-ever young;

And when we greet the smiling sunlight

On the fourth of each July,

We will ne'er forget the bellman

Who, betwixt the earth and sky,

Rung out, loudly, "Independence";

Which, please God, shall never die!

Unknown

Zentangle Book Page Swap

Made for Smtheus

Host by Linda4atc

ATCsforALL Art Group

Size 5x7

Altered Domino

Over at Altered Dominos and Other Altered Games

our challenge was to altered a domino and the theme was Heart

we were to embellish them with wire, beads and anything else we would like.

This goes to Shell-Shell

THIS WEEK CHALLENGE

This week challenge that I am hosting over at ATCsforALL at Zentangle with a Twist we are to take 2 patterns the beeLine and the Cadent plus a circle/partial circle add our own patterns come up with something interesting and fun.

THE OLD STOIC

Riches I hold in light esteem,

And Love I laugh to scorn;

And lust of fame was but a dream

That vanished with the morn:

***

And if I pray, the only prayer

That moves my lips for me

Is, "leave the heart that now I bear,

And give me liberty!"

***

Yes, as my swift days near their goal,

'Tis all that I implore;

Through life and death a chainless soul,

With courage to endure.

***

Emily Bronte

Zentangle Book Page

Linda4ATC is hosting a Zentangle Book Page swap over at ATCsforALL. Being part of this group we each received 7 pages to zentangle. My first page is going out to Robin, she is such a delightful person her art is so whimsy and special. I had no problem deciding what I wanted to zentangle for her I immediately got to work here is what I came up with.

Mushroom Zentangle

Artist Trading Cards can be very addicting. I have been making these cards now for over 2 years now. It always amazes me about these cards. I think the reason I love making them they are something that I can finish within a reasonable time. You never know with what you may trade for either. I have learned to be open minded and trade with anyone each card is unique in its own way. And, I'm delighted that each Artist is different some are more advance than others but heck we all can' t be the same now can we. Here is a card I did for the

"Lets Get Stitching2" Swap

over at

ATCsforAll.

PECANS IN THE CEMETERY

I have been getting this little magazine in the mail from Hope International it has the nicest little articles in it. I just have to share this one with you.

******

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

***

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "one for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

***

"Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls." The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." the old man whispered, "boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord.

***

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "one for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."

***

They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.

submitted by Diana Olson

Hope International Magazine

*********

Well that just tell ya, you can't always believe what you think you see or hear.

Gotta get the facts first!

D is for Donuts

Doesn't this make you hungry?

D is for Donuts it sure makes me hungry. The Doc says I have Diabetes to be exact I have high blood sugar meaning I got to cut back on food that is high in starch n sugar. Poor Doc he is trying to get me to take that Diabetes pill I'm not going for it. ..giggle.. I have brought my sugar level down a whole lot through diet and exercise. Still have more to come down, but, for now I'm not considering that pill.

IN SCHOOL-DAYS

Still sits the school-house by the road,

A ragged beggar sunning;

Around it still the sumachs grow,

And blackberry-vines are running.

***

Within, the master's desk is seen,

Deep scarred by raps official;

The warping floor, the battered seats,

The jack-knife's cared initial;

***

The charcoal frescoes on its wall;

Its door's worn sill, betraying

The feet that, creeping slow to school,

Went storming out to playing!

***

Long years ago a winter sun

Shone over it at setting;

Lit up its western window-panes,

And low eaves' icy fretting.

***

It touched the tangled golden curls,

And brown eyes full of grieving,

Of one who still her steps delay

When all the school were leaving.

***

For near her stood the little boy

Her childish favor singled;

His cap pulled low upon a face

Where pride and shame were mingled.

***

Pushing with restless feet the snow

To right and left, he lingered;

As restlessly her tiny hands

The blue-checked apron fingered.

***

He saw her lift her eyes; he felt

The soft hand's light caressing,

And heard the tremble of her voice,

As if a fault confessing.

***

"I'm sorry that I spelt the word:

I hate to go above you,

Because,"-the brown eyes lower fell.-

"Because, you see, I love you!"

***

Still memory to a gray-haired man

That sweet child-face is showing.

Dear girl! the grasses on her grave

Have forty years been growing!

***

He lives to learn, in life's hard school,

How few who pass above him

Lament their triumph and his loss,

Like her,-because they love him.

John Greenleaf Whittier

I KNOW SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOU

Wouldn't this old world be better

If the folks we meet would say-

"I know something good about you!"

And treat us just that way?

***

Wouldn't it be fine and dandy

If each handclasp, fond and true,

Carried with it this assurance-

"I know something good about you!"

***

Wouldn't life be lots more happy

If the good that's in us all

Were the only thing about us

that folks bothered to recall?

***

Wouldn't life be lots more happy

If we praised the good we see?

For there's such a lot of goodness

in the worst of you and me!

***

Wouldn't it be nice to practise

That fine way of thinking, too?

You know something good about me,

I know something good about you?

Louis C. Shimon

E is for Eggplant

E is for Eggplant

Another Alphabet Zentangle for my collection. I have one more to show then I'm done for a while till the muse hits me to draw another alphabet.

F is for Fish

F is for Fish

Another alphabet Zentangle

G is for GRAPES

Now n then, I have been working on drawing the alphbet Zentangle style on ATC's size. Here is G as in G is for Grapes.....

Dragonfly Delight

Dragonfly Delight

I hosted a Butterfly and Dragonfly over at ATCsforALL at the Zentangle with a Twist Social Group.

This is just one of them, later on I'll be posting more as I drew my cards for the different swaps and trades I was in.

What I love most about ATCs is the size, the ability to be able to draw get it done and go onto another project. I find this very comforting and fun plus I love sharing with you all!

Rural Health Care

This past week Mike and I was at our Local Health Service Clinic for our 3 month check-up. While there we discovered that our Governor of California is planning to shut down our medical clinics in Rural California claiming it will save the State a whole lot of money. Which to be honest I do not quiet understand this, what is more expensive Rural Clinics or having everyone run to the Emergency Center at the Hospital for every little thing. I don't quiet get Politicians and their way of thinking. Anyway back to our clinic while there they were making this film for You Tube.com about what is going on with Rural Clinics. We need our rural clinics desperately, please go watch this at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0cQWSFERe4 Thank you!

WASHING THE DISHES

When we on simple rations sup

How easy is the washing up!

But heavy feeding complicates

The task by soiling many plates.

***

And though I grant that I have prayed

that we might find a serving-maid,

I'd scullion all my days, I think,

To see her smile across the sink!

***

I wash, she wipes. In water hot

I souse each dish and pan and pot;

While Taffy mutters, purrs, and begs,

And rubs himself against my legs.

***

The man who never in his life

Has washed the dishes with his wife

Or polished up the silver plate-

He still is largely celibate.

***

One warning: there is certain ware

That must be handled with all care:

The Lord Himself will give you up

If you should drop a willow cup!

***

Christopher Morley

**********************************************************

On another note today is

FLAG DAY

let us honor our Verterans by flying the Flag!

*********************************************

NOT BY BREAD ALONE

If thou of fortune be bereft,

And thou dost find but two loaves left

To thee-sell one, and with the dole

Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

***

But not alone does beauty bide

Where bloom and tint and fragrance hide;

The minstrel's melody may feed

Perhaps a more insistent need.

***

But even beauty, howe'er blent

To ear and eye, fails to content;

Only the heart, with love afire,

Can satisfy the soul's desire.

***

James terry White

Butterfly Zentangle

With Spring here now it is the beginning of Summer

I decided to host a

Butterfly and Dragonfly Zentangle challenge.

***

At the time I was doing this my computer went down. Boy is it hard to host a group when you can not share anything.

***

This is one of my drawings that I did I'll be sharing the others later.

SELF-RELIANCE

Real adulthood is the result of two qualities:

***

Self-discipline

and

Self-reliance

***

The process of developing them together

in balance is called maturing.

***

J.W. Jepson

JOY RIDE .....

As I continue my saga of Joy Ride I left you at the Restaurant where we had a delightful lunch. We all had fish n chips the best I have ever eaten it was really good. We left there started heading home just as the fog was beginning to come in. In some section it was very cold thankfully I had my sweat shirt on. We headed back to Hwy 36 to come home. On the way back as you can see in this picture we stop up on South Fork the guys were checking out our trike trying to figure out why they kept smiling gas. That my hubby showing the best side of him looking under the trike. we discover later that it had to do with the reserve gas tank. We believe we have the problem solved hopefully. Well that is the end of this saga we had a delightful day still put a smile on our face when we think of it.

Joy Ride....

As I continue with our story, Rhonda and I was looking over the side of the wharf looking for seals. We did not see a one. We looked and looked then over on the beach we saw a seal in the distance we decided it must have been dead. But I couldn't figure out why people where over there staying a good distance from the seal. I wish I had gone over there now and taken a picture but I did not instead I kept looking down upon the ocean looking for a seal. As you see in the picture I took pictures of the rocks and ocean instead ..giggle.. it was so much fun and can you believe when we finally left the wharf to join the guys at the resturant off in the distance just about where we were there were 2 heads bobbin out of the water!

Joy Ride

Mike and I have been riding on Sundays with a group of friends. We have been having so much fun. On this little ride we went to Trinidad we ate at a little resturant on the ocean had the best fish n chips. Fantastic! Rhonda and I walk down on the wharf to see what everyone was catching. Well we did not see anything it appears that nobody had caught anything yet. The children were having a blast fishing. I decided that I should take some pictures for inspiration for my drawing. I thought to myself well, here is a boat I've been wanting to try my hand at this. This was all I needed to pull my camera out. I started clicking here n there all over the place. As you can see it was a beautiful day. The coast was clear as a bell, the fog was out. But by the time we left and started heading back home the fog was coming in. Boy is that fog cold and damp.

A CHILD's LAUGHTER

All the bells of heaven may ring,

All the birds of heaven may sing,

All the wells on earth may spring,

All the winds on earth may bring

All sweet sounds together;

Sweeter far than all things heard,

Hand of harper, tone of bird,

Sound of woods at sundawn stirred,

Welling water's winsome word,

Wind in warm wan weather,

***

One thing yet there is, that none

Hearing ere its chime be done

Knows not well the sweetest one

Heard of man beneath the sun,

hoped in heaven hearafter;

Soft and strong and loud and light

Very sound of very light

Heard from morning's rosiest height

When the soul of all delight

Fills a child's clear laughter.

***

Golden bells of welcome rolled

Never forth such notes, nor told

hours so blithe in tones so bold,

As the radiant mouth of gold

Here that rings forth heaven.

If the golden-crested wren

Were a nightingale-why, then,

Something seen and heard of men

Might be half as sweet as when

Laughs a child of seven.

***

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Pineapple Topper

Well since my computer been down I have spent more time out side than inside. Been working in the yard, taking photographs and on the weekend Mike and I been going for a motorcycle ride on Sunday. A group of us goes, I'll have to share some pictures of us all. But, for now I'm going to share you all my Pineapple Topper. I was just relaxing one evening started doodling which I turn into a Zentangle. At first I thought hm, that sorta looks like a hat. When I added the color the first thing that came into my mind was a pineapple. My husband saw it too, but, then Bertha my art teacher saw a hat ..giggle.. it is all in the eyes of the beholder how one interpreted art.

A Touch of Spring

Walking out in our lower paster with the dogs, I was admiring all these very tiny, I mean very tiny little yellow flowers. You know those that are very low to the ground. When looking at them it looks like the fields have a yellow carpet. Well that is how mine look at the time. I took my Coolpix P4 took a few photographs I was very please how these pictures came out on such a small camera. I do not know the name of these very small delicate flowers, they were so beautiful.

SUN RISE

One morning and Mike and I were going over Hayfork Summit at dawn I kept looking at the sky. The clouds were going by towards the East I couldn't help notice the sun trying to peak through. Then as I look more to the East you could see where the clouds had not quiet reach that far you could see the redness from the sun on the valley floor. With the mountains looking dark the sky so alive it was just beautiful, just beautiful to behold.

HAPPINESS

Happiness is like a crystal,

Fair and exquisite and clear,

Broken in a million pieces,

Shattered, scattered far and near.

Now and then along life's pathway,

Lo! some shining fragments fall;

But there are so many pieces

No one ever finds them all.

***

You may find a bit of beauty,

Or an honest share of wealth,

While another just beside you

Gathers honor, love or health.

Vain to choose or grasp unduly,

Broken is the perfect ball,

And there  are so many pieces,

No one ever finds them all.

***

Yet the wise as on they journey

Treasure every fragment clear,

Fit them as they may together,

Imaging the shattered sphere,

Learning ever to be thankful,

Thought their share of it is small;

For it has so many pieces

No one ever finds them all.

Priscilla Leonard

BETTER THAN GOLD

Better than grandeur, better than gold,

Than rank and titles a thousandfold,

Is a healthy body and a mind at ease,

And simple pleasures that always please.

A heart that can feel for another's woe,

And share his joys with a genial glow;

With sympathies large enough to enfold

All men as brothers, is better than gold.

***

Better than gold is a conscience clear,

Though toiling for bread in an humble sphere,

Doubly blessed with content and health,

Untried by the lusts and cares of wealth,

Lowly living and lofty thought

Adorn and ennoble a poor man's cot;

For mind and morals in nature's plan

Are the genuine tests of an earnest man.

***

Better than gold is a peaceful home

Where all the fireside characters come,

The shrine of love, the heaven of life,

Hallowed by mother, or sister, or wife.

However humble the home may be,

Or tried with sorrow by heaven's decree,

The blessing that never were bought or sold,

And center there, are better than gold.

Abram J. Ryan

I'm Back Once Again

Well, I believe I am back for sure now. ..*smile*.. I got my computer back, I got on it made a entry here and a couple of other place and BAM my computer locked up and went down. Talk about being disappointed. I have been on line now for about a week now and so far so good. So I think I am here for good. I have been catching up on my Art groups, it was nice to be able to up load my pictures. It is amazing how you feel so lost when you are not able to get on the computer. While down though I did get a lot of yard work done and there is so much more to do. I don't know where all these weeds came from and the tree's they have grown so fast and needed pruning desperately. Oh my, what a mess it still is a mess but look a whole lot nicer now. Well my friends, I shall be back tomorrow take care have a wonderful creative day!

I'm back....

Hello everyone, I'm back.

Between having computer problems and Blog problems well as you know I have been off line for the last 2 1/2 weeks. During that time I went through Computer With Drawl and got a lot of yard work done and still working on that. I've been out pruning up the Pine and Fur tree's in our yard. Now that the days are getting warming I will be going out very early in the mornings now working till about 10 a.m. then work the rest of the time in my shack or on my Arts n Crafts. Never know what I'll be doing that is for sure.

Mike and I have been enjoying riding our Boss Hoss trike. We have been riding with a group every Sunday last week we went to Trinidad had a fish n chip lunch boy was it good! It was such a wonderful day, it seems all the cares one have is blown away for that day. We love riding that trike.

Went to the Eye doctor today, been a rough day for me. They dilated my eyes they needed to check to see if the Diabetes I have had done any damage to my eyes. They were very concern about the little blood vessels in the back of my eyes that due to the high sugar level may have cause my little vessels to break and bleed thankfully it did not I feel so bliss. It looks like I have caught it at the right time. I have manage to bring it down from 200 - 325 to 119 - 145 there abouts and still bringing it down. I have hyperglycemia  so I need to bring my sugar down, if I was not able to do this through diet then I would have to get on that Pill, I did not want to take that pill at all. Anyway I'm sitting here in sun glasses for my eyes are still sensitive to the light.

Well, we finally got my car back. Been at the Car Hospital since last November. The Electrician never did discovered what was wrong with the car. I was very disgusted the guy thought maybe something he did that he did not know what he did may have fix it. He never could get it to stop running. Well we brought it home, I drove it back to Hayfork, guess what? This morning we jump into it, won't run!!! I didn't say a word, not sure what we are going to do now.

You are now caught up with me....starting tomorrow I'll be back on with my Arts and Photography you all have a ............

Wonderful

Memorial Weekend

I am, going for another ride this weekend!

Metamorphosis

This was a fun Swap over at http://www.ATCsforALL.com Kat hosted the Metamorphosis Swap.

We were to draw or stitched on 3 ATCs, on each card we were to have either a caterpillar, butterfly and Pupa Cocoon.

I always like to have a card for my self I did not want to draw 3 seperate ATCs so I put them all together in one card. Also did this for the Host card too. This is the one I kept for myself.

Medium: Ink and Watercolor

Chunky Fabric Page

I did it! I finally figure out how to get out of Draft Blogger..geez! Now I can upload a picture. Appearantly something is wrong with draft blogger.

The Little Seamstress

Well anyway here is a one page that I just finish and sent off to the Host of "A Charm, Beads, Fabric & Fiber Swap.

These are 4x4 fabric pages.

Really had a lot of fun making these up. I printed off on fabric the poem and the picture of a child sewing on her doll.

STILL UNABLE

My Friends I am still unable to upload pictures.

I have join the Bloggers HELP Groupnot getting anywhere there much.

I can find now way of contacting Blogger Tech for help either.

So until I can post pictures for a time I'll share my poems, quotes once in a while.

I don't know what I'll do if this does not get fix.

Guess I shall wait and see.

Well I don't know,

For some reason I an unable to upload any pictures.

I have search for the last 2 hours trying to fix this.

I am very disappointed with Bogger right now.

...sigh...

I don't want to join a group to asked question?

I want to let Blogger know that I am unable to upload pictures!

MY EARLY HOME

Here sparrows build upon the trees,

And stock-dove hides her nest;

The leaves are winnowed by the breeze

Into a calmer rest:

The blackcap's song was very sweet,

That used the rose to kiss;

It made the paradise complete:

My early home was this.

***

The redbreast from the sweetbrier bush

Dropt down to pick the worm;

On the horse-chestnut sang the thrush,

O'er the house where I was born;

The moonlight, like a shower of pearls,

Fell o'er this "bower of blis,"

And on the bench sat boys and girls:

My early home was this.

***

The old house stooped just like a cave,

Thatched o'er with mosses greens;

Winter around the walls would rave,

But all was calm within;

The trees are here all green agen,

Here bees the flowers still kiss,

But flowers and trees seemed sweeter then:

My early home was this.

John Clare

And they say....

And they say, those that keep busy stay out of trouble. Well you can say this for Tom Blackburn I don't know how he could get into trouble with all the work he has put into this trike. I can't wait to see what this will look like completely finish. Nice trike Tom!

My Day Sunday

Wow! What a wonderful day. We decided that a group of us was going to go for a motorycycle ride on Sunday. As the plans got underway I realized that I needed to go to our 1st Art Showing at the Hayfork Enchanted Florist and Tea House to view my friend Diane Glass art. So I politely informed all the riders they needed to meet us at the Florist shop and we all had to go in and look at Diane art. Oh by the way she has a beautiful blog site Artstanding Stranger she is also known as Glitter Crow in different art groups. We have the cutest little Florist Shoppe the owner Jan Rafferty she also serves tea too and she likes to display Art from our little town. Jan is such a beautiful wonderful person. The shop was full of Diane art and beaded jewerly, not to say the little 4x4 chunky pages and ATCs so much more.

Chatty and Glitter Crow aka Artstanding Stranger

Between us is a face of one of her pieces of Art. Diane like to take pictures of her relatives does like an abstract art with them. She gives them different types of bodies and emebellishments. They turn out really nice and the table beside us is full of her beautiful beaded jewerly.

Some more of Diane Art and jewerly.

Very nice indeed.

***

Then off we went on our ride. There were 4 motorcycles or trikes in our group which included 6 individuals. We had a blast we took off to Mad River to a little hamburger stand and had lunch. I wasn't to happy with my lunch I had a Turkey Melt, very bland and dry. I won't try that sandwich again. From there we took off to Wildroad we stop at the little store there picked up something to drink for us it was lemon Lime Gaterade, big drinkers we are ..giggle.. then we came on back to Hayfork, got gas, we are now ready to go on our next little skirting. Hey, tomorrow I will share with you all the trike that Tom Blackburn is building boy is it amazing. Right now he is driving it with just a frame body, he will be working on the fiberglass body soon. Till we meet again everyone, have a great day!

MYSTERY

As Mike and I was coming home, along the way we would stop taking pictures of interest. On this one, we found a beautiful rock chimney standing all alone. As we were walking around it, you couldn't but wonder what story this chimney could recall.

Rock Chimney

Standing all alone it had a air of mystery.

***

Now as I was taking pictures Mike kept teasing me that I might fall into a septic tank the lid of the tank was off of the septic now were is that septic I don't know! He was so concern about it that when I turn around to take a shot at him I caught him

Mike Yawns

yawning, boy does he have a BIG mouth! He should be tired we drove over 180 miles this day. Did we both sleep good that night.

****

Now isn't that a beautiful Trike we just love it.

Digger Pine Cone

This past weekend, Mike and I spent riding on our Boss Hoss Trike. We road over 200 miles practically in a  circle. What I mean on Saturday we left for Redding, from there we went to Red Bluff from there we went to Wild Road back to Hayfork and home. Then On Sunday we took off to Weaverville drove around the lake and back home. The days were beautiful up in the 90's a bit warm but oh so lovely. You know we have Spring Fever bad! Coming down Wild Road we stop by Hayfork Creek to rest and to admire the sites. I happen to see a Digger Pinecone ..giggle.. I had Mike take a picture of me with it. This pine cone was as large as my head if not larger....

Digger Pine Cone

Can you imagine one of these falling on your head!

Photograph using my Nikon Coolpix P4 Camera.

TURKEY CHASE

As most of you know I live up in the mountains in Northern California. Up here we have wild turkey's. We just love them, you will see them out in the field every now and then, mostly lately though they have been near a neighbor of ours. The Old Tom, must be lonely, for his ladies are nesting right now. ..giggle.. For some reason this fella chases white vehicles and we happen to be one of those white vehicles. So this one morning I took the camera and and took a few pictures here is one for you.

Old Tom

Isn't he handsome!

Well, it is back to working in the yard for now.

Picture taken with my Nikon Coolpix P4 Camera.

Juanita Iris

I was delighted this week to notice that my first little miniature iris has bloomed. I am hopping to that I will get more these little iris are so special to me.You know you never know what you really have till you loose someone close to you. For me that was Juanita Irvine. Now let me tell you she was a character she was a bit hard to get to know, but, once you did, well, she was special. Before she died a vew years back she gave me some of her prize minature iris. Now whenever they bloom, I say, Hello Juanita how have you been and in my mind that little iris says back to me: "It's about time you got out here working in your yard!" now that is exactly what Juanita would say. ..*smile*..

Juanita Minature Iris

So far I have not seen any of these little iris in any of my flowers catalogs...If I ever find them I'm going to snag them I just love them. This picture was taken with my Nikon Coolpix P4 a delightful little camera!

Mushroom House

While my Computer was down I have been working on some swaps. I have gotten into making these Chunky 4x4 pages so far mine have all been fabric.

I just love it!

I made several, I will show two here and the rest will be in my Flickr Site soon.

Mushroom House

The two I am sharing here I kept for myself. Eventually I am going to have a book just of mine own fabric pages that I created.

All hand stitched and designed and signed by the Artist.

I HEARD A BIRD SING

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December

A magical thing

And sweet to remember.

***

"We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,"

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

Oliver Hereford

NEARER TO THEE

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross

That raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

***

Though like the wanderer,

Then sun gone down,

darkness be over me,

My rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

***

There let the way appear

Steps unto heaven;

All that Thou send'st to me

In mercy given;

Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

***

Then, with my waking thoughts

Bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs

Bethel I'll raise;

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

***

Or if on joyful wing

Cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot,

Upward I fly,

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Sarah Flower Adams

FALL BACK

Spring is here! So what do I do, take pictures of my minature iris started transplanting some candlesticks I have then today I got to looking back on some photographs that I took last year. I love Fall, the colors here changes to orange n yellow to brown so pretty. We have a huge Oak Tree down in our lower field that every year I try to take a picture of. When that ole Oak Tree started to change colors it is so beautiful we take so many things for granite every time I see this Oak Tree I smile quietly saying to myself have a good year my friend.

Photography by Ranie Patridis

Yahoooo I'm Back!

Yahooooooo! I'm back!

***

Can you believe it, my computer is fix and I love it.

Wow, does it run nice!

Did I say I love it..

***

While I was down I had the opportunity to go with Mike for a ride out into the country side. Of course you know that I am going to bring a camera with me. The weather has been so unusal here, one day maybe a week it will be very warm so spring light it is hard not to get Spring Fever then the next day or week it will be freezing. This weather has just been amazing.

****

Here is a picture that I took early in the morning, from Hayfork Summit looking Eastwards title:

Sunrise

This was taken with my Nikon Coolpix P4 a great little camera!

Still Here

I feel so lost, being without my computer I am unable to upload my art to share with you all. Hopefully I will have my computer soon. In the meantime I must be patient hopefully I will be back online soon. Now you are wondering, how is she writing this if she is not on the computer, well, I have borrow a laptop from my friend I can surf the Interent and communicate in my Art groups but unable to share my art. What have I've been doing, getting caught up in all my swaps and trade and doing a lot of deep cleaning house work. Doesn't that sound like fun ..giggle.. well my friends, my thoughts are with you all, for now I must go.