Wednesday, February 16, 2011

More "Bright Wings" Poems - The Chickadee and a Sunny Walk

I took the opportunity to take a walk outside yesterday in the marvelous sun which we have not seen enough of lately.  I found some interesting treasures right in my back yard.
First, some moss growing out of the snow at the base of a tree -- perhaps a sign of spring?
















Second, a precious little bird's nest in my trumpet flower vines.  I don't know what kind of bird made it -- maybe a Robin?
















The trumpet vines look like a Halloween card this time of year without any beautiful greenery and orange flowers and with the hummingbirds buzzing in and out.
















Third, my terracotta man looks quite lonely without any flowers.

















Fourth, some footprints in the melting snow.........

Deer.

















Humanoids.

















I saw some Precious little Chickadees flitting about, but they were too fast for my camera.  They were hard at work looking for food.  I did find some bird tracks in the snow. Probably too big for a Chickadee though.
















This time of year it's tough for birds to find water that's not frozen.  I think that they should go to Walden Pond.

















And now two poems concerning the Chickadee from the book "Bright Wings", Edited by Billy Collins.

            December Notes

  The backyard is one white sheet
  Where we read in the bird tracks.

  The songs we hear.  Delicate
  Sparrow, heavier cardinal,

  Filigree threads of chickadee.
  And wing patterns where one flew

  Low, then up and away, gone
  To the woods but calling out

  Clearly its bright epigrams.
  More snow promised for tonight.

  The postal van is stalled
  In the road again, the mail

  Will be late and any good news 
  Will reach us by hand.

           -- Nancy McCleery

    In Walden Wood The Chickadee  

  In Walden Wood the Chickadee 
  Runs round the pine and maple tree,
  Intent on insect slaughter:
  O rufted entomologist!

  Devour as many as you list,
  Then drink the Walden Water.

              -- Ralph Waldo Emerson






















Until next time -- Be Well and Happy and Sing Your Heart Out!

Robin

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Four Little Kittens Have Lost Their Mittens But Mamma's Got a Hot New Pair of Shoes

Today we saw something that we haven't seen much of lately -- the SUN!!!
The glorious sun!!  This time of year can be so gloomy, and it was wonderful to feel the warm sunshine on my face.  Cats love the sunny spot in the window too.  Here are some pictures of my Henry Frank II and Bunny and my sister's Pumpkin and Muffin.
The ever-handsome Henri Francois!
















Bunny is playing hide and go seek in the couch!

















Pumpkin a/k/a the "Bumble Bee" is having a major catnip seizure!

















Muffin is just chillin' on some wrapping paper.


















But wait, some of the kittens have lost their mittens!!
















Don't worry, all 4 kitties are safe and warm inside their respective houses.  If only I could get rid of these winter boots and wear real shoes for a change.
















I recently discovered the wonderful clothing website ModCloth, and it has a fabulous assortment of clothing and shoes.
http://www.modcloth.com/
Just this morning I was lusting for several pairs of their very unusual, trendy shoes that I have never seen the likes of before, however, they were all over $125.  Ouch.  So, even though I was not looking for shoes today, I happened to be at Marshall's and I immediately spied this pair of fabulous goodies.  No sooner did I get them on my feet, and a lady came over and said -- They look awesome on you, you have to buy them!  Well, given that they were only $25, I felt obligated to give in to my temptation.  So, here they are, complete with the purple stockings that I also bought at Marshall's for $3.














I know they're not red shoes, but, Dorothy, eat your heart out!

"Everyone notices nice shoes.  They are like windows to the soul."
                      Natasha Hamilton (British Pop Singer)

Until next time, Be Well and Happy!
Robin

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Free Vintage Valentine Downloads

Just a quick post to give you some Valentine downloads from The Graphics Fairy -- The awesome queen of vintage images of every kind!!!







 Be Well and Happy!
Robin
 


Welcome 2011 and Free Valentine's Day Downloads

Yes, this post is about one month late, but after a couple of weeks of illness, and a week in the hospital, I am finally back to blogging.  You may have noticed that I have added some new blogs to my "Favorites" list.  I will most likely be adding some more, as well as updating my lists of favorite craft sites and best sites for downloading free images. 

I have resurrected a love for yarn!  I have crocheted for many years of my life, however, not lately.  So, I gathered up the crochet hooks and started on some new projects.  I also am going to be taking knitting lessons, which I have wanted to do for years.  Alas -- Another obsession -- YARN!  I have managed to control myself so far, but once I learn how to knit, I may not be able to resist all of the gorgeous yarns out there!  I already have my "Intermediate" and "Advanced" knitting projects lined up!  However, I suspect that many "Beginner" projects will have to be completed by these hands of mine before I can move up a level!

I have many goals this year which I will talk about as we go.  I would love to buy a new camera and learn how to take beautiful photos.  Time will tell.  I promise to post soon.  I have not bee very good about that, but this is a new year!
Enjoy some Valentine's Day Downloads, many of which are courtesy of the Graphics Fairy!

Be Well and Happy!
Robin



Saturday, December 25, 2010

Does Santa Live In Heaven?

Since I can remember I have always loved Christmas.  When I was very young, only about 3 years old, I, being quite precocious, quizzed my Mother incessantly about all of the details of Santa Clause and his life and activities.  I remember the house that we lived in at the time was a wonderful old house with many nooks and crannys for me to disappear into when I wanted some "alone" time.  I had one particular corner in the living room, though, that was where I prayed to God, and, during the holiday season, where I talked to Santa Clause.

Just before my third Christmas, I remember standing in that corner praying to God and asking Santa if they would bring me a baby sister for Christmas.  One day my Mother asked me what I was doing and I told her.  She patiently explained to me that God is the one who brings us baby sisters, not Santa Clause.  I accepted that explanation at the time, however, I was still confused.  In my mind, Santa lived in heaven with God, so they both must bring us babies.  After all, everyone said that heaven was up in the sky and, where did Santa and his reindeer come from -- Out of the sky!  Yes, I knew that  people told me that Santa lived in the North Pole, but, in my little mind, the North Pole was in the sky in heaven with God.

So, during the next year, I continued to pray to God for a baby sister and, lo and behold, a month before my fourth Christmas, my new baby sister arrived!  I was so thankful to God.  Since it was so close to Christmas, I figured that Santa must have had a hand in it somehow, so I also thanked Santa for my new sister.

My, the years since then have gone by so quickly.  I still believe in God, although my faith has been tested mightily.  My faith and belief in Santa Clause has, for the most part, remained strong.  His spirit still comes alive in me every time I see the twinkle of the lights on a Christmas tree; feel snowflakes on my eyelashes; savor the smell of cookies baking in the oven; or relish the scent of fresh pine branches.  Unfortunately, during the past few years, the circumstances of my life have not always easily allowed me to open my heart to the Christmas spirit.  I have a serious chronic illness.  I have lost my career and virtually everything that I have worked my entire life for.  I must admit that I have lost and found my faith in God many times over during the past few years.  A few times, it even felt like Santa's spirit was flickering and in danger of being extinguished.

I must admit that I really was not looking forward to Christmas this year.  That is - Until yesterday when Santa and God sent me a moment of "Christmas Joy", and reminded me of some things that I had forgotten.   I was cleaning the house and I was listening to some Christmas CD's.  My little cat - Miss Bunny - was sitting on the back of a chair in the family room when Placido Domingo began singing an Italian piece entitled - "Mille cherubini in coro".  It is a lovely, soothing piece, and as Placido began singing the chorus - "Glory, glory....", I looked over at Bunny, and her little head was gently rocking back and forth and her tail was delicately swishing side to side in time with the music.  She was so thoroughly enjoying the music and the moment --  The first thought that came to my mind when I looked at her was -- "PURE JOY - PURE CHRISTMAS JOY".

Tears streamed down my face as I watched her serene and peaceful face.  And then I had a thought.  I suppose that it is possible that my brain was solely responsible for this thought, but, I would like to think that, somewhere up there in heaven, God and Santa Clause decided that I needed a reminder, and they telegraphed my brain this message, which is as follows:

   "Moments of Christmas Joy, my dear Girl, are all around us every day of the year.  You need only slow down, take a good look around, be still and quiet, take in the world, and the joy will come to you.  Each day it will be different.  Some days it will be more powerful than others, but keep your heart open, and we will both fill it with joy."

Well, there you have it.  Straight from the heavens where I have concluded that both God and Santa live.  So, thank you God --  thank you Santa, for reminding me to seek out and find Christmas Joy.  This Christmas, I will not ask you for a house or for money -- there are so many people who need your help more desperately than I do.  I would like to have more days that I am well rather than sick.  Maybe the two of you can help me there.

I don't know what 2011 will bring for me or for the billions of other people on this wonderful blue planet of ours.  My humble Christmas Day message to all of you in Blog Land is this -- Regardless of what God you pray to, or whether or not you celebrate Christmas, my Christmas wish for you is that you will keep your heart open to finding at least one moment of "JOY" each day for the rest of your life and "beyond".  It will make your life more fulfilling and meaningful.

May you all be well, be happy, love, and be loved by many on this Christmas Day and forevermore. 

Robin

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is Hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is Peace;
The heart of Christmas which is Love." 
                  --Ada V. Hendricks

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Welcome December!

I apologize for not posting for so long, but I have been quite ill.  However, I am feeling much better, and I am full of the Christmas and Winter spirit!  Unlike many people, I actually like winter!  The weather forecast for today calls for some snow flurries later today - hurray!  Our first snow!  It would be a welcome change from the absolute deluge of rain that we have been receiving yesterday and so far today.

Anyway, I am doing a show this weekend, and then -- let the holiday decorating begin!  I am frantically completing my last minute "Treasures" for my show, but I wanted to share with you some precious vintage Christmas images.


  







Sleep In Heavenly Peace






















   Yummies for the Tummies!





Let's Have A Tea Party



















            Jolly Kitties!











            Of Course, Some Christmas Robins!





I think this card is absolutely precious! It reminds me of a very special Christmas card that my grandparents sent to me long ago.  I will tell you more about it in an upcoming post.










That's all for now.  Be well and Happy!  By the way, I came across a very unique and cool Blog yesterday.  It is called "My Best Thing Today".  http://mybestthingtoday.com/

People submit illustrated postcards which tell the story of what their best thing that day was.  It is really interesting to read and look at -- check it out.  I would love to submit a post there, but I can't draw to save my life. 

Tell me what your best thing today was.  No artwork required!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Delicious Autumn





"Delicious Autumn!
My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns."
               -- George Eliot






















October's Party
October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds  came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
         -- George Cooper 


Professor Wind has indeed been working overtime here in Western PA, and, unfortunately, he has been blowing all of the gorgeous leaves off of the trees too early!!  I was able to find some beauties that survived the Professor's huffing and puffing in Bethel Park, PA.  If only they could last all winter long. 

I still have to buy my Halloween candy for the trick or treaters!  Tomorrow I will show you my collection of Halloween primitive dolls.  Spooky! 


Get your costumes ready you little ghosts and goblins!!
Be Well and Happy -- and Spoooooky!






Robin