Monday 22 September 2014

Messy Scratchings


Fall is here for sure now


Drove up the valley for doctor's appointment
then on to a FAB meeting already in progress.
Found the girls pounding colour paints
onto scrunched up cottons.


First Taoist Tai Chi class
I am determined to keep moving this winter.
I remembered how much I love stitching blind
for two days.
Can't get much more expressive than that.


Friday and chair yoga started again
my body was very grateful.


Brrrr
Saturday we walked crunching over the first frost.
Sunday and drawing the negative spaces.

Friday 19 September 2014

Fly By


Following the leader
Flying South for the winter
such sensible creatures!

Perhaps not so sensible
you can hear them honking amongst themselves well before
you actually see them.


Thursday 18 September 2014

Reflecting on Herons


The sun was strong enough to create reflections
but only just.


Sometimes you can only just see the herons through the long grass.
I have been wondering what the reflection down the right side
of the water is.
Perhaps the mountaintop wind turbine.


Chasing his own reflection. 


Mirror imaging
only just
because I missed most of his reflection.

Tuesday 16 September 2014

South African Journeys


In my small collection of embroideries
are these South African pieces.
Some simply record the local animals


Some record the local folklore.


Each one heavily stitched
by the women of South Africa.
All these pieces are from a dear friend, Valerie Hearder.
Valerie leads groups on trips to South Africa
where you would meet the women who make these
What a treat that would be.


Monday 15 September 2014

Time Passing, Time Scratching


It's been a busy week in between
Facetime sessions watching
beautiful
Ashley Rose!


The hairy woodpecker
dropped by the bird feeder.
Haven't seen him for ages.


On Tuesday the Artist's Way Group
met around a huge sheet of brown paper
on which we placed all our paintings
 outlined them
and recorded which painting would go where.
Hopefully this will help speed up
hanging our show at the end of October.


I have been gathering up fallen apples
and cooking delicious deserts.


Geese are gathering on the Basin.
Very tempting for certain Rusty Pups!


I have been cutting up and stitching greys.
Do you remember fishnet stockings?


On Sunday drawing classes started again
with Louise.
It must be Fall.

Monday 8 September 2014

Scratching A New Arrival


A red letter week.


Just imitating the life ring stitching going on.


Ashley Rose arrived in this world on September third.
Oh the joy of being a Grandma!


I made pizzas when a friend dropped by for dinner
and we celebrated with ice cream and wine!


Busy stitching away
and watching our grand baby on Facetime!

Friday 5 September 2014

Sunrise on the Marshlands


We walk as the sun rises
and the marsh hawk looks for breakfast


He then flies off looking for a better vantage point
as the heron wades in shallow waters.

I love this time of day.


Thursday 4 September 2014

We Have Joined the Ranks of Grandparenthood!


Yesterday baby Ashley Rose
arrived in this world at 11:32 am
twelve days early!
Do you see her little hand clinging onto Mark's finger?


Despite being so early she weighed in at 7lbs 2oz.
Mother and baby looking serene.


At last a baby girl for me to spoil!

When a very calm Mark phoned
Handy Hubby was of course on the golf course
with his phone turned off.
Harry, who owns the golf course,
happily drove over to the thirteenth hole
to get HH to phone home.
Boy, was he surprised to hear his granddaughter had arrived so suddenly.

The miracle of a new life
that has brought parenthood to a beautiful young couple
and the joy of grandparenthood to us.




Wednesday 3 September 2014

Lazy Days of Summer for Rusty Pups


RP Shandy....


....never far from a tennis ball.


Whereas RP Kayla would rather lounge around
giving herself a good back rub.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

The Circle of Life


I have been stitching round and round in circles


Inspired by a couple ....


....of pages in my sketchbook.


Rhythmic meditative stitching


and your mind changes the initial idea
of a tree's life rings


to my own life circles
where the rhythm of each year is always interrupted
by events
both joyful and sad


The ebb and flow of life.

Monday 1 September 2014

Scratching Through August


August coming to an end
Summer will be changing into Fall


The RP's and I have been disturbing the Marsh Hawks
on our early morning walks
and
there seem to be herons fishing for their breakfast
at every turn in the dike.


One Rusty Pup as you know is tennis ball crazy
the other prefers to roll on the grass
giving herself a good back rub.
We walked up the mountain for a change
and chased a deer.
Luckily not for very long.
I have been stitching round and around in circles.
Another deadline nearly met.