Lovely World

green

It is all green here. We are settling into summer. The first round of lettuce and radishes are just about done. The peas and string beans will be harvested in a couple of weeks. One more day of walking the kids to the school bus stop. I have been enjoying these walks, the morning air so full of life. We have a very long driveway, so there is always something interesting to see along the way. My son and I saw a coyote on the driveway a few weeks ago.

Here are some lovely things for you:

♥ Maissa Toulet

♥ Chinelos de Trapo (don't you want a pair?)

♥ Kettle's Yard (let's go here)

♥ Sonia Delaunay at the Cooper Hewitt (too good)

♥ Sally Nencini

Bye for now.

storms

We have had turbulent weather lately. Lots of rainy storms. Last night a big one blew through. I had never heard such strange howling of the wind. I sat up watching the trees sway in the flashes of light from the electrical storm. We had trees down over the driveway this morning. Lots to clean up.

As I was walking around town this morning I came upon this sad bird's nest. It had obviously blown out of the tree during the storm. Poor little birds must wonder where their nest and lovely eggs went.

The storms have washed out quite a few of the girls' softball practices and games. I have to admit that I have enjoyed watching the games that have been played. I also enjoy watching my daughter learn something new.

The Green River runs through the length of our town. Here is a view I had of it today. It flows into the Hoosic River, which then dumps right into the Hudson River. The water has been running high all spring. This has been a boon to kayakers and other boaters.

Lastly is a photo of a shelf on my work table. (The photo on the middle shelf is of my parents, me, and two of my siblings. We are all just a year apart in age.) I have been so engrossed in activity that I have had very little quiet time working there. I awoke at 5AM this morning, restless, so I was able to creep quietly to my work room to paint before anyone woke up and demanded my attention.

Have a nice long weekend. We have some travel and some celebrations ahead of us.

spring thoughts

Another thunderstorm with hard rain this morning. I was out walking my brother's dog while he and his family are away. We took shelter before the height of the storm.

So many wildflowers to see now: red trillium, trout lily, and spring beauties. Also skunk cabbage and fiddleheads. We hope to hike on Pine Cobble this weekend. There are many, many ladies' slippers there, although it might be too early for them.

Do you like the flamingo so far? Wings, eyes, and legs today.

The wildflower paintings are from a very large, old guide book I found at the library book sale. The paintings are quite nice, particularly in the large format.

My daughter changed the quilt on her bed. I love the blue and white. Her room is so quiet. I hope she will always be able to have such a retreat.

more about birds

Warm temperatures. Thunder storms. Daffodils in the garden. Wildflowers along the trail in the woods. I think spring is settling in.

I purchased this Peterson's Field Guide to Birds' Nests at the library book sale last week. I am enjoy looking through the pages at the wide variety of nesting that birds do. What a leap of faith for these birds to leave such fragile packages among the branches of trees and brush, or even on the ground. I guess it is the same leap of faith that we humans take when we have a baby. I believe that pregnancy and parenting are such practices in letting go. Letting go of control. Letting go of preconceived notions of how things should be. These are not always easy lessons. And they can bring both great joy and terrible heartbreak.

I made a couple more linen and wool wading birds. I think I will make a flamingo next. I have some beautiful pink hand-dyed wool and pink linen. I am also working out some patterns for butterflies. I see the wings as opportunities for embroidery. These are my spring projects.

busy

Busy.

My children are on school break.

Passover began yesterday evening. We had 15 people for our seder. A very nice time, after days of preparation.

Our public library's annual used book sale is this coming Friday and Saturday. I am very involved in organizing this event. Today we moved two moving trucks full of boxes of books to the school gymnasium. We unload and set up over the next two days. Hard work, but good work. And it is very satisfying work for a book lover.

I apologize if I owe you an email, and for being a bit absent from my usual blog reading.

I've been busy.

Many years I find myself in July, wondering what happened to those lovely months of April, May, and June. These are often months full of activity. I am committing myself to a mindful appreciation of spring this year. Yes, this week is a busy one, but I am going to stop and notice and be present.

watercolor birds

I finished these new birds last week. I am very happy with the bright and cheery colors. The hand-dyed wool is so nice to work with. I especially like cutting and stitching the tail feathers.

It was 77 degrees here yesterday. The resident birds worked themselves into a frenzy of song. I can hear them out there again today. I expect we'll be seeing baby birds before too long. I also heard the frogs peeping last evening. That is a sure sign of spring. The peepers are one of my earliest childhood memories. I remember my mother holding me as we stood outside in the growing dark. She told me that the peeping sound that enveloped us was the frogs awaking to spring.

What is it that makes early memories? An experience with strong emotion surrounding it? An experience reinforced by repeated retelling? An experience of something so new that it deeply embeds in our mind and heart?

poppytalk white

Friday is the final day of spring color week at Poppytalk. White!

In particular, I was happy to revisit these photos of the goose egg and cotton boll that my friend gave me for my last birthday.

I hope you have a nice weekend. I'll be here to post my calendar and book on Sunday.

poppytalk lavender

Thursday is lavender during Poppytalk's color week!

I've pulled out some vintage patchwork squares. The ones on top and bottom are quite old, from the early part of the 20th century. The one in the middle, signed by the maker in embroidery, was probably made a little later around the 1930s or 1940s. I like the middle patch of the top one - the little spade-shaped leaf pattern - and the bark-like pattern of the bottom one.

poppytalk pink

Wednesday is pink at Poppytalk!

I am loving the new group of birds that I finished over the weekend. This pink one is a preview. I'll post the others soon!

poppytalk yellow

Tuesday is YELLOW at Poppytalk Spring Color Week!

I was so honored to see some of my photos posted in the green mosaic yesterday, and today my embroidery is posted. Thank you dear friends at Poppytalk!