Happy Birthday Henry

Happy Birthday Henry David Thoreau! You give me joy every day. I'm so grateful that you took the path you did, and had the curiosity and will to see and write about what you saw. You went out into the natural world every day, and for long hours. People saw you standing and staring at a pond for half a day, and chided you for your laziness. You celebrated your poverty because you knew the wealth you were receiving by being a close observer of nature surpassed money. Whenever I feel tired of the world I just read your journal and am refreshed. Here is what you said about purpose: "All that a man has to say or do that can possibly concern mankind, is in some shape or other to tell the story of his love, - to sing; and, if he is fortunate and keeps alive, he will be forever in love. This alone is to be alive to the extremities."

Winter Diary

I'm trying to love winter. I say "trying" because it's not usually my favorite time of year. I'm a summer girl at heart, but I must say that since changing my attitude and finding pleasure in winter instead of cursing it (!) I have found amazing beauty. There is a certain quality of light in the late afternoon that I am now in love with. The starkness of the trees and branches are so gorgeous and graphic just now. Night drives through the country lanes are mysterious and quiet. Shadows are interesting. Tracks and footsteps are fun to put a story to. Of course there is also sitting by the fireside, lighting candles, and eating carbs. What could be bad about any of that? I'd love to know your strategies for winter living, too.

Foggy Meadow

Over at the meadow yesterday afternoon it felt like being in the hills of France or something. Look at this late afternoon light! It was foggy most of the day and I knew I'd get some photos that would show the essence of this place in autumn. I think of it as "Thanksgiving-y". 

Go Outside!

Words to live by. My favorite author, Henry David Thoreau spent most of his life outdoors it seems. He writes with such passion about nature and the refreshment it provides. I have been so cooped up in the studio lately...trying to accomplish so many things. I forget to go out and experience the world with all my senses.  I went for a walk in the meadow yesterday afternoon after the rain stopped. I heard the brook rushing, saw the moon rising and the sun setting. I felt so much better, and vowed to do it more often. Go outside and play.

A Little Break for Stillness

I will be away for the next two weeks cultivating stillness and doing things I have never done before. I will still have my camera and my sketchbook with me, so I'm sure there will be something to report when I return.

Haystack

I learned so much at Haystack. I took the ceramics workshop and made the plates and other things you see here. I loved learning to hand build with clay, and I followed what they were doing in the drawing workshop closely. Nature as the source is the biggest thing I learned. Just knowing that nature is the beginning and end of everything is what is so good and true about making art. The environment here is beautiful. To be fed and cared for while learning and sinking in to the experience of art is such a joy. More to follow.

Beauty Shared

Suzanne has been visiting, so we went to the beach on Saturday. It was threatening to storm all day so we kept putting off our visit until later in the afternoon. When we finally got there it was an exciting rough surf and heavy fog. Then we found this little creature stranded on the beach. We took her/him to the ranger who was going to reintroduce her/him into a safer place on the beach. Send best wishes so he/she will make it! In the middle there is some yummy bruscetta we had one night.

Summer Fun

Here is what we've been doing...going to Suzuki with Leighana and Trey and his family who are visiting Maine for the first time. We had lobster miso (yum). Going to Ocean Point for a picnic at sunset. Going to Chase's Daily for breakfast and a visit to Yo Mama. And I think I don't get out much.

High Season

We are lucky enough to live right next to the beautiful Sheepscot River. Here are some evening shots from the lobster dock on the river, and from a gorgeous beach day we had with Laura and Seth. This is high season in Maine. In a few weeks it will be quiet again...but it seems that everyone wants to be here in August. I can't blame them.

Many Moods of Queen Anne

Queen Anne's Lace is one of my favorite summer things. Here are some shots from a walk we took in the meadow last evening before dinner. I've been so busy with guests and gardening I have not had time to blog or Flickr for a few weeks. But now I'm back, and I will post some Maine summer shots for the next few days.

Earth Day

Find a way to celebrate our beautiful Earth today. Find a way to take care of her just a little bit more.