Chasing Clouds

The Texas sky has been beautiful these past few days.  I couldn't resist loading up my Aussie dog Tess in my jeep and heading out to find interesting clouds.

We took our favorite country road and came upon these gorgeous clouds.  The picture does not do them justice.  

I love the ring around the left cloud and the bright colors in the middle.

   

                                                                      

                                       

We had a great time, the air was cool, the songs on the radio were old favorites and the wind in our hair did us good. It gave me time to unwind and think about all the beauty that surrounds us each day.

The Gulf Coast

I am trying to understand the

situation in the Gulf Coast.

I will not get political about it, this

is not what my blog is about.

I just pray that the right thing

is done very soon.

simplify

I have been thinking about what is important in my life and what it takes to make me truly happy. It used to be new shoes, new car, new anything. When I went through a life changing ordeal several years ago, I had to make a change in my lifestyle. It was very difficult at first, not being able to go out and buy what I thought I needed. I purged and uncluttered, sold and gave away many things I thought I couldn't live without. I found myself keeping only the things that I really loved, simple things like a tin full of pennies that my grandmother gave me when I was 16, my dad's drafting kit he used while he was in college, a small gold heart necklace my aunt gave me when I was born, baskets that my mom weaved. Most everything that I now have has sentimental value. I still love to have new shoes and new clothes, but now when I go shopping, it is for something I really want to wear, not something that is trendy or will just hang in my closet.

I love my new life, one that is uncluttered. It made my mind clearer, more alert to my surroundings and hold dear to my heart my family and friends.

What really makes me happy is to see a newborn calf, the smell of fresh hay, a clear blue sky, laughing and if need be, crying.

My favorite thing to do at the end of the day is to sit on my porch with a glass of iced tea and reflect on all the good things in my life. Some days it is hard to come up with any, but after a while, I usually come up with a long list.

So my mantra is SIMPLIFY!

look closely

Sometimes I am in such a hurry that I whiz by and I don't see anything around me. All I have on my mind is what I have to get done, when it has to be done and if it will get done. Then....I remind myself that there are so many things around me that are far more important than what is on my mind at the time. I am but a tiny link in a large chain that makes up planet earth . My energy has to coexist with other energy and they deserve just as much attention as I think I do. So, I slow down, open my eyes and look around. It doesn't take long before I discover so many living things that are so beautiful, all trying to do their best. Everything and everyone needs the opportunity to make their mark in this world. God created so many things that it boggles my mind sometimes on how He thought of so many spectacular things. (you have to admit that He has a sense of humor, or how do explain the platypus??). When looking at the small world around me, I am less selfish and more appreciative of what is offered...free of charge!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

My mom taught me so many things, too many to list, but the most valuable to me is that she showed me how to be compassionate, look at the small things, look at both sides, be creative and never, ever let anyone take me for granted and most importantly, to be true to myself.

I love this picture of my mother as a child with my grandmother. She still has that sweet smile and a gleam in her eyes.

When I was a child learning to swim, my mom and I waded into barely knee deep water, I was climbing all over her shoulders and head screaming to not let me go. (I am sure it was a pitiful sight), I don't know how long we stayed in the water, but she had the patience for me to get up the guts to finally get in the water. I am sure I thrashed around like I was drowning, but I remember once I calmed down, I was floating on my back, the sun hitting my face and my mothers arms under my back supporting me. It was a feeling I have never forgotten. My mom is my rock, she has guided me through some rough waters throughout my life, just like she did when I was learning to swim. If I would calm down,think about the situation and just breathe, I could relax and figure things out.

She let her children make their own paths in life, just like she did. My mother was a woman's libber way before the word existed. She stood up for people without a voice, feed people without food, warmed people without warm clothes. She is compassionate, so very funny and a truly remarkable women that many people love and respect. I am so proud to call her mama.

Art filled weekend

I had a wonderful time yesterday with my friends in Hico, Texas at the Antique and Art Show. What an inspiration it was! I have to say it was the best Antique and Art show I have been to in a long time. I purchased all kinds of goodies for my cards, and altered art pieces. I am so excited to get started!

I met two new friends that were so nice and so very funny. They love all the things that I do and are so creative. It was nice to widen my circle of friends.

I am planning on attending "Meet Eleanor" this evening. An Art Exhibit by my dear friend's daughter. She has a great blog - http://oldfashionedkitty.blogspot.com/

Here are a few of my apron cards I have been working on and

a glass house with a birds nest I made out of German bubble stained glass.

Friends

My good friends mean the world to me. I would have not been able to survive the last several years without my friends. I have many friends, but I have a handful of really close friends that really understand me and want the best for me. They do not judge me, try to outdo me or criticize me. I love my friends because have the same interests that I do, love for nature, gardening, antiques and art, a good laugh (maybe gossip a little!). We help each other and always encourage each other. I can go for a month without talking to a great friend, but when we do catch up with each other, it is like we never missed a beat in our conversation. I am glad that we are at the age where petty things don't bother us. We really don't care if we can get into a bikini anymore, if our house if perfectly clean or we have the newest line of clothes. We would rather talk about gardening, art, antiques, our relationships, our pets and what makes us happy. Sitting on a patio full of vintage furniture, Christmas lights in the trees and a bottle of wine makes for the best conversations. We don't get together as much as I would like, we are all busy with our lives. However, if I called a "meeting", I can bet my last dollar they would be there. In fact, I feel a "meeting" is in order very soon!

p.s. This is going to be the cover of my book...."Squirrels in the Attic" when I get around to writing it! Picture was taken at my house a couple of springs ago.