Bayou Tranquility

   Sometimes when I view the photographs of the day's happenings, they bring back vivid memories of other times.  This morning, the rising sun streamed through the pines on the opposite shore casting shadows on the water.  Several years ago, I took almost the same photograph...then, last year, the image was nigh on identical.  The only difference is the grove of trees is getting vastly thinner with all the "progress" on new houses.  No one seems to understand that we actually NEED trees but, what they do across the way is none of my business, I suppose.  So, I turn a blind eye to the ruination of the woods and try to find a positive side of it.  This is a fault of mine.  Let others fret over what is being done since I am old and possibly won't have to deal with the outcome.  They can deal with their own mess. 

  I do not turn a blind eye to everything, however.  I am one of those weird people that just looks at things a bit differently.  I figure there is beauty in all things if we only search for it...hence, the photograph of shadows on the water.  Life is too short to go around viewing ugliness.  That brings forth only despair.  It is far better to seek out beauty and fill the spirit with tranquility.  In this old, angry world, look for serenity and happiness.  Find your peace wherever you can.  The Bayou is where I find mine.

Golden Clams

   I often speak of the "golden glow" of the water during some sunrises.  The entire Bay and Bayou appear to be afire with the reflection of the horizon.  It is mesmerizing.  In fact, I am rarely missing from the pier at daybreak simply because the kaleidoscopic colors send the brain into a frenzy of happiness.  This morning, however, that did not happen.  I was there, the sun rose but the water was missing.  The north wind had pushed the water far out from the shoreline so there was no glorious color being cast.  Mud does not do as well.  Not that I was too disappointed as...the sun did rise and I was alive to see it.  It is just a case of finding other magical moments to entertain the mind.  I did.  As I turned to head back up the hillside, a glimmer of "gold" was found!  Embedded in that slippery mud was a hefty clamshell.  While the mud does not reflect the sunrays, that clamshell sure did.  In fact, it practically gleamed!  There...there was the magical moment!

  It does not take much to make the wheels in my brain to start whirring with excitement.  All sorts of thoughts reeled about in a frenetic pace but the most prevalent was "How have I never seen the incredible beauty in a common clamshell?"  The mud, itself, even became more lovely simply due to how it held the shell.  As I pondered the shell and mud, the sun slid a bit further above the horizon behind me and caused a deep, dark shadow to form behind the clam.  This!  This was the perfect way to spend the morning...on the pier staring at a clamshell...by myself...completely engulfed in tranquility.  Bayou magic!  Nice!

Distracted by a Shadow

   There are those who see everything just as it is.  I, on the other hand, have this warped way of viewing things that allows me to see things that are not really there.  I see...things.  Pareidolia is the ability to see shapes or figures in random things but, most of the time, refers to seeing faces.  I do that, too, but the imagination plays enough that I can envision "random things" in shapes...if that makes sense.  All things are viewed as they are not.

  With yet more carpentry work being done on the Little Bayou House, it has become my task to paint each piece of siding before it is installed.  This is because the work is being done on the dormer windows that sit high on a very steep roof.  Son has nixed my climbing around up there to paint so it is being done before installation.  Thankfully, he is doing that part.  It was while painting that I started seeing things!  The sunshine was bright so shadows were being cast on each piece of plywood that was being painted.  One such shadow struck me as being quite lovely.  In fact, it reminded me greatly of some exquisite orchid!  At first, I thought it was merely the sun filtering through the pear leaves but something seemed off.  I needed to find out what was making my shadow orchid!  When I did, I was astounded as the object looked nothing like my imaginary bloom.  Dangling from what used to be my clothesline frame was a short cable that had two clips.  This was used by Son when he was moving some huge timbers to the pier.  The cable was hung on the crossbeam and forgotten until the sun "brought it to light".

  It is fascinating how from nothingness comes beauty.  Light and darkness...shadows upon the blank wall...hauntingly beautiful...time forgotten.  The light may be noticed but shadows are far more intriguing.

Shadows on my mind...

   Since winter presents us with a variety of weather here, it is always a good idea to "make hay while the sun shines",  In other words, get busy.  The words chimed through the head in Pop's voice this morning when I first stepped out the door.  He used the phrase more than once when I was a kid back on the farm and it was not always about cutting hay (even though we did our share of that).  The phrase was applicable for anything from farm work to fishing.  Today, I think Pop was probably telling me to get in that garden.  I followed the directive and enjoyed a good day's work in the warm sunshine.

  That same sunshine cast a lot of shadows around the hillside.  On my early morning hike, I was enthralled by how vivid the shadows of palmetto fronds were.  With the usual overcast skies blocking such a sight, it was grand to see.   This all got me to thinking about how we take things for granted.  It is not hard to appreciate the huge, warming sun but how many of us take the time and effort to appreciate shadows?  I do.  Here lately, I am even more thankful for each and every thing that I come across.  Each is a gift and is there for my enjoyment.  

  Actually, shadows have been a huge inspiration to me in my artwork.  It seems that I am entering a phase where shadowy art appeals to me far more than my usual bright and happy pieces.  Perhaps, I am entering an entirely different phase of life and not just art.  Shadowy art, dark pathways, dusty, dark rooms all have an appeal to me.  It is as if something there is hidden.  Something lures me to investigate.  I NEED to find what is concealed in the shadows.  I may never know.  I may never know but it is fun to let the imagination run amok.    

Good For the Body, Mind and Spirit

  In the late afternoon, the sun throws some pretty interesting shadows about the hillside overlooking the Bayou.  While the marsh and waters usually stay pretty bright, the heavy oak trees and tall pines start casting shadows as early as mid afternoon.  By the time the sun starts to set in the west, the woods on that side of our place pretty much blocks any light.  I am happy with it actually.  Otherwise, I would continue the chores until much later and, as an old lady, I do not need to be pushing it that much. So, the work that starts before 7 am, usually ends by 3 pm.  That is enough for me.  The yard work, gardening and shed cleaning is taking a toll on this old body.

  This afternoon after quitting for the day, I noticed the shadows on the yard.  Even though I was exhausted, I had to take a peek.  Well, this time the peek was merely through the window on the east side of the house.  It only took that one peek to make me fully appreciate where I live.  It is a good feeling to look out over the water whenever the whim strikes me.

  It is not just me that feels the power of the water.  Scientists have proven that those who can hear or view water on a daily basis are more relaxed and more creative.  It seems that watching and hearing waves puts our brains in almost a hypnotic state.  Being near water of any kind can lower stress levels and help with our mental well being.  Well, I could have told them that!  This effect is what I have long called "Bayou Therapy" and it has powerful soothing properties to all who come to seek it.  Trouble minds can be settled merely by sitting and staring out over the Bayou.  Take a hike near the marsh edge and down to where the creek empties into the Bayou and all sorts of magic can happen.  My long-held beliefs are now scientifically proven.  Bayou Magic!  Bayou Therapy...it is good for the troubled spirit.

The Shadowy Door

  Ever since I was a child, I had an interest in shadows.  For some reason, I was drawn toward what others found unsettling.  Whether it be the shadowy path in the woods or hand shadows cast on a blank wall, they appealed to me.  I wanted to know more about these fleeting bits of beauty.  What caused them?  How did the shapes change so rapidly?  Why were others so frightened of being in a shadowy area?  The allure did not fade as I aged.  In fact, I became more obsessed with the idea of shadows being cast for my enjoyment and for no other reason.  I will often stop whatever I am doing to watch shadows as they constantly weave a story as the sun moves across the sky.

  This afternoon, I flung open the french doors to let the warmth fill the living room.  Son has "winterized" our window screens and that included the two screen doors on the south side of the house.  A mirage of shadows astounded me.  Hundreds of leaf shadows were cast on the back side of the screen door panels.  This was odd because there are no trees nearby except for one on the far side of the doors.  These shadows were being cast from trees far from the house!  With a stiff northerly breeze shaking the treetops, the shadows danced across the screen doors with wild abandon.  What a beautiful sight to behold!

  Shadows are often used in reference to an ominous presence.  Some feel that shadows are the harbingers of something evil due to the fact that they are the absence of light.  To me, the shadow pictures bring peace.  There is nothing more calming than watching the ever-changing ballet of darkness and light.  It can be mesemerizing! Yeah...probably just me.

Never Rely On Shadows!

  The old dog and I try to make several short hikes throughout the day.  He is just not up to taking long hikes any more.  Our last walk of the day is always just as the sun is setting.  The trees cast long shadows about the place and make it sort of ethereal!  I enjoy these strolls just about as much as the early morning ones.

  This afternoon, we made it back to the steps just in time for the sun to cast shadows of old Mr. PJ.  While he was waiting patiently for me to open the screen door, I had to giggle at what the sun was doing to his shadow.  Mr. PJ is all dog.  He a big, gruff old dog that definitely shows his "bulldog" side.  (He is a mixed breed animal which are the best kind ever, if you ask me!)  Anyway, even though the old dog is massive and very "dog-like", his shadow resembled a cat!  Yep.  A CAT! Or, at least, my imagination says it is a cat!

  So, folks.  Do not trust shadows to ever be truthful!  Sometimes what you see as one thing is simply not so.  In fact, what you see may be just the opposite of what is actually there.  Poor, old Mr. PJ would probably be distraught to know he has a shadow of a kitty cat following him.  I won't mention it and let him be the fine fellow he truly is.

Lurking Overhead...

  Yesterday's post was all about things lurking in the shadows on my morning hikes.  One can never be too careful when out before the sun rises.  That time of day sees most critters out and about. While I am not overly worried about my wild critters, those of the two legged sort would give me the jitters if I ever came across one.  Nowadays, people are scary!  I am thankful that I live down on the Bayou and not up near the main road.  Sometimes, swampy areas are a blessing.

  This morning, it was not a critter lurking in the palmettos or marsh that gave me cause for concern.  Just before the sun came up over the pines on the opposite side of the Bayou, I heard something on the rooftop!  What was creepy-crawling around up there?  Easing my way out the back door, I soon found my answer.  Two large, green eyes peered through the darkness at me.  Silly cat!  How did you get up there?  Ms. Nycto was stranded atop the house!  Earlier, I had heard a ruckus near the front door and figured there was some cat fight about to happen.  It never did and, obviously, it was because Ms. Nycto did a fancy escape.  She had climbed the oak tree next to the house, made the leap to the roof but then had no idea how to get down.  She is notorious for that.  More than once, we have had to come to her rescue.  This cat is not a fighter...nor very agile about climbing (at least, climbing down!).  Son had to let her in the upstairs window because she was not about to find her own way off the roof.

  The catfight began because there is a feral cat in the area.  This scraggly yellow cat is grubby, skinny and mean.  It will howl and hiss at anyone nearby and threatens other cats (and small dogs).  This morning's episode is the third time that Ms. Nycto has been "treed" by the feral cat.  Enough is enough!  It sure makes me wish that Ms. Put (the Bayou Queen) was still alive.  She never tolerated such misconduct and would have put the rogue in his place.  Many times, this tiny, six pound cat would reprimand (by literally mangling) wrongdoers that came to the Bayou to stir up trouble. I sure miss that little spitfire!  Ms. Nycto has no protection now other than the rooftop.  She needs to learn to stay inside where it is safe!

Someone is lurking in the shadows!

  During my early morning hikes around the Bayou, there are some pretty wild sights to be seen.  Critters are out in full force at that time as the nocturnal ones are heading to bed and the diurnal ones are shaking themselves awake.  Sometimes when I make the mistake of heading out too early, the shadows are tremendously dark and I ponder what might be lurking there.  Since the old dog, Mr. PJ, is not strong enough to be any defense, it is prudent that care is taken.  There is no reason to put him in a dire situation trying to protect me. 

  This morning, the sun was not cooperating about rising.  A thick cloud cover made things a bit shadier than norm.  Sounds from the Bayou were exaggerated causing a bit of angst but my hike was not to be hampered.  At one point, the red sky reflected in the last remaining tide pool in a nigh on empty Bayou.  My position put me in the right spot to see just what was wading about in the water.  Right in the middle of that reflection stood my friend, the heron.  The great blue heron was fishing for breakfast before dawn.

  The heron knew I was just a few feet from him but he made no effort to fly.  He was aware of the fact that I could not get to him without some doing since there was a small strip of marsh that included lots of brambles between us.  The bird felt safe and continued his hunt for breakfast and I went on about my merry way hunting for my next adventure.

Prettily Creepy! (Not to be confused with pretty creepy)

  When you are doing something like a haunted house or, in my case, a clue hunt, decorations demand a bit of thinking.  It is wise to plan out things far in advance then visit flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales since you never know what you might find that can be revamped into just what you need to set the mood.  While my theme for the clue hunt this year was not creepy and did not take a lot of time, it still needed items that I do not normally keep at the Little Bayou House.  Mark took me to thrift stores just about every week and we sifted through mountains of stuff to find just the right things to use.  A masquerade ball requires "pretty" things not creepy.  So, I went with prettily creepy!

  Last night, something was added to my decor without my intentions.  A floor lamp stand had been fitted with a hanging, beaded lamp from my daughter's room when she was a teenager.  Yep. I still had it.  The lamp was needed to bring ambiance to the "parlor".  While I did put the lamp in place, I did NOT actually know how nicely the thing would fit.  The lamp added a bit of flair to the room but the shadow added the ambiance!  Quite by accident, I discovered that the lamp would cast a remarkable shadow into the darkened hallway when positioned in just the right spot!  Ohh!  Creepy!  Or not...I think it is rather pretty!

  Shadows are some of those things that can set the mood for any type of Halloween decorations.  Shadows flitting across the porch wall and windows bring dread.  Shadows in the corners of a room causes the light in the middle of the room to be a bit cozier.  Shadows of lamps in the hallway...are just a happy accident!

Shadows of Doubt

  Between the rains today, there were bursts of bright sunshine.  I took advantage of those brief moments to do a few outdoor chores.  It seems that either we have frigid temperatures or drizzly rain so any sunshine means time to scurry around and get things done.  While out, I noticed that the brilliant sunshine was casting a rather impressive shadow of a spindle on the canvas window coverings on the greenhouse.  Although the canvas is a dark gray, the shadow was quite strong.  A stiff easterly wind was fluttering the canvas enough to make the shadow change shapes at times. I thought of how that shadow was a lot like things in life.

  We all have "shadows" that slip into our days at times.  Whether it be a bit of the blues from missing family, a surge of angst over an upcoming event or just some unforeseen bit of gloom that strikes at a moment's notice.  These things, and those like them, can all seem overpowering at times.  If in our darkest hours, the shadows of doubt start shaking us to the core, it may be helpful to take a different perspective.  Without light, there can be no shadows.  In the pitch black, no shadows are cast. A source of light has to there to strike an object to make the shadow.  Just like in our lives, somewhere there is a light beaming brightly. When we think things are at their darkest, it will help to find the light. That beam may be casting shadows but it should also remind us that things are not all bad.  There are good points in our lives.  Perhaps, we need to focus more on that light than the shadows that seem foreboding.  

  I try to concentrate on the good in all things but it seems to be getting harder and harder to do so.  Sometimes it seems almost impossible to find the "happy" thought when we are struck with things out of our control.  Those shadows can become distorted enough to seem massive and all-consuming.  Just like the shadow on the greenhouse window.  Without light, there would have been no shadow but, throw in that breeze and the shadow became distorted enough to almost be unrecognizable.  It would twist and turn and become grotesque just like the turmoil in our minds.  However, let the wind settle down a bit and the shadow would return to its smooth self.  Then, if I turned in the opposite direction, I could see the bright sunshine...the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.  Focusing on that light instead of the darkness....my new goal for the year.

Highlight of the Day!

  In every art class that I ever took (and it has been eons since I have), the instructor always stressed shading and highlighting.  It was drilled into my head that if you wanted a painting to look nice, you needed to use both.  Both techniques would accentuate the one thing that you wanted to feature as the focal point of the picture.  Okey dokey.  I am good with that as far as instructions go but, also as most folks will tell you, I have a hard time following "rules" when it comes to things like that.  My oldest son explained it to me one time as we were watching a line of ants traveling from their food source to their nest.  (This was right after he had joined the military.)  "You see, Mom, I am going to be like these ants. I will follow orders and stay in the straight line.  Ants are so organized."  As we were talking, a single ant came scurrying willy-nilly around the rest.  This ant was making circles and loops.  It was going up blades of grass and then retracing its steps.  We sat and pondered that single ant until he looked at me and said, "That, Mom, is you.  You are the one ant that marches or scurries to the beat of a different drummer. You are always out of step, out of sync and always a little bit weird."  While most mothers might have been a bit miffed, I sat there thinking how right he was!  He nailed it!  

  The weather, of late, pretty much keeps the sky covered in clouds.  It was those clouds that brought back memories of both the art classes and of the conversation with my son.  First, the offbeat side in me found beauty in a dead pine tree.  Not that the thing ranks any better than other trees, it just happens to have a bit of odd appeal to it.  I like that.  Today, the Master Artist was following all the rules of art class when He decided to highlight the old tree.  Set against the dark clouds, the tree would have been difficult to see, much less photograph, but with the help of highlighting and shadows, the tree stood out with flare!  A break in the clouds perfectly outlined the old tree.  This made the beauty of the dead tree even more intense. The tree's one gnarled branch reached out as if it was trying to shoo away the threatening clouds.  (That, in itself, was ironic as it was a similar storm that took out the tree in the first place.  One strong bolt of lightning killed the tree several years ago.)

  While I never learned to follow the rules pertaining to art, I did recognize the method behind the madness.  A simple thing like a break in the clouds did wonders to accentuate the beauty of the old tree.  It goes to prove that while some of us know the way, we do not always follow the same path to get to the end results.  And that is ok. It takes all sorts of folks to make this world an interesting place.  

  

Seeing? Or Merely Looking?

  It was a bright, sunshiny day here on the Bayou.  It was one of those days were the sun beams down upon you and causes sweat to run down your face in tiny rivulets.  It was hot.  It was one of those days where it was best to work in the shade if you had a desire to be outside at all.  I chose to repaint the wicker chairs.  This could be done in the shade of the old oak tree and allow me to at least avoid much of the heat.  All was good.

  While out, I decided that the garden needed the aid of the sprinkler so I dragged the garden hose about the place and set the sprinkler in motion. Well, that was not the brightest move!  The sprinkler was blocking my exit.  I would have to walk the long way around the house to get back to my painting job.  As I did, I noticed that the Gloriosa Lilies were blooming.  Ahh, what is a few extra steps when you can observe such beauty?   I admired the lilies' bright hues and then noticed that the brilliant sun was making me "see" much more than I observed.  While the lilies were highly colorful with their yellows, oranges and reds, it was the shadows that actually made me see the shapes of the flowers and leaves.  Wow!  I was looking at something I have seen a thousand times in an entirely different way;  

  I am always stressing to folks that they need to see and not just look. This action takes things to a higher level.  Seeing the minuscule, the obscure or the overlooked sometimes can enlighten you to new thoughts, new ideas and a new way of seeing things.  The beauty enthralled me to the point that for the rest of this sunshiny day, I chased shadows.

That's why....

  The other day, someone asked me why I get up so early.  I have a tendency to rise before the sun and make my coffee. Then, that cup of coffee is enjoyed as the sky starts to brighten in the east.  Why do I get out of bed so early?  I have no definite answer.  I just do.  Then again, maybe I have more than one answer.  I suppose if you stop to think about it, this could all be Pop's fault.  Back when I was just a kid on the farm, we were rousted out of bed when the roosters crowed.  "Time to get up!" Pop would call as he started cranking on that old wall-mounted coffee grinder.  (That thing made enough noise to get anybody out of bed whether they wanted to or not!)  Pop knew that there was a lot of work to be done and he needed all five kids to be up and ready to work at an early hour.  You are just not lazy on a farm!  Now, however, it is not the chores that awaken me.  I have this built-in alarm clock that seems to sound at a predawn hour.  I just cannot sleep!  So, I am up and ready to go as soon as I down the first cup of coffee. 

  Personally, I love the way the sun casts shadows on just about everything as it is starting to peep between the pines.  I see things that most never experience.  The way the light filters through the trees, illuminates the palmettos or causes fungi to almost glow never seems to disappoint me.  I am like that proverbial "kid in a candy shop" as I can always find something to delight the senses.  

  I love to hear the birds as they start to chirp their happy calls and I love to hear the last yelps of the baby fox as Mama calls them back to the den.  I love to see a dragonfly stretch its wings for the first time as it transforms from nymph to flying beauty.  I love to find fresh berries or other fruits as the morning dew glistens making them look like jewels. I love the smell of the earth that has just been refreshed by the coolness of the night or the sweet aroma of gardenias (or magnolias, jasmine, roses, wisteria..you name it!) as the buds begin to open.  I love the coolness of moss under my bare feet or the bite of frost on my nose depending upon the season. 

 I just love morning...early, early morning  I love the peace, the calmness, the solitude.  It is "my" time of the day.  My time...made just for me...my time to revel in all of the Good Lord's magnificence.

Afternoon Peace

  So Thanksgiving came and went.  It was quiet and we had far too much food prepared (just as I thought we would.)  The meal was eaten without the usual chatter and giggles that accompany large crowds. There was no crowd, large or otherwise.  My two days of work ended with more work as I tried to stash the huge amounts of leftovers in the frig.  That was just not working well!  I do believe that next holiday will see me getting a headcount before the cooking begins.  This was ridiculous.

  With the afternoon empty, I decided that Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, and I needed a hike.  There is nothing like a bit of fresh air and a loyal dog to clear the mind.  She and I roamed about the hillside looking for anything interesting.  She sniffed and I peered at anything that moved, wiggled or flew.  She, also, sniffed anything that she found on the ground...I did not.  I did noticed that the nandina berries were bright red and waiting to be plucked by the Cedar Waxwings if they make an appearance this winter.  The clusters are thick and will provide a hearty meal for the birds after their long migration.  Mother Nature was thinking about her critters.  She filled most of the bushes with berries and the hickory trees full of nuts.  The winter on the Bayou will pass with very few hungry bellies this year.

  Once the old dog and I reached the lane that heads out from the Little Bayou House, a sight brightened the day tremendously.  The setting sun beamed brilliantly through the trees and gave the entire pathway sort of an "otherworldly" feeling.  It never fails to intrigue me how sunlight plays among the leaves and dapples the ground with shadows. I stood in awe for a bit until the free-for-all broke loose.  Ms. Nycto and Ms. Put had a misunderstanding over whose yard it was and Ms. Ez decided that both cats were in the wrong.  The big, old dog lumbered through the fallen leaves to dispel the ruckus that the cats were creating.  Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen, had sense enough to lay low while Ms. Nycto, the interloper, barreled around back.  This caused Ms. Ez to become needlessly excited and she gave chase.  So much for my peace and serenity.  I retreated to the greenhouse to recapture whatever calmness I could.  Let the critters fend for themselves!

Garden Shadows!

"Shadow..an area where direct light from a light source cannot reach due to obstruction by an object."....  At least, that is what Wikipedia tells us it is!  I say that is all fine and dandy but I tend to think a shadow is pure fun!  I have this thing about shadows and my imagination.  Once I see the clear image of some object being cast upon a wall or other object, my brain starts whirring with fun ideas!  This morning, Michael and I were out taking advantage of the sunshine.  The fence to the old Rose Garden/new Herb Garden needed moving.  I had taken down a good bit of the fencing and a lot of the posts but some remained in their original spots.  The sudden onslaught of a rainy week threw my project quite out of kilter!  Michael being the stronger of us, volunteered to help move the fence.  We took down old fencing, moved posts and then waited for Mark to get back from the building supply place with new fencing.

While we waited, I noticed that the sun sure felt good beaming down on my tired shoulders!  I, also, noticed shadows!  There on the steps of the back deck were the shadows of tiny Oxalis blooms!  Lets just say that not a lot of work got done after I spied the shadows!  Michael and I talked about how sharp the images were and how you could definitely tell what type plant was casting the dark spots.  After a bit, he up and left me there with my thoughts.  That did it!  He should know by now to never leave me while my imagination is in full swing!  Too many ideas pop into my brain!

I now want a Shadow Garden!  It need not be elaborate but some small space that I can place plants with unique shaped blooms and leaves.  There would be the need for a backdrop of some sort to cast the shadows upon and, well, of course we would need the sun!  But wouldn't it be interesting to observe the shadows at different times of the day?  I could add a few items like wind chimes or trellises to add to the effect making this quite the interesting bit of the yard!  Why do folks not think of things like this?  A Shadow Garden could work just as well at night if a light source was included in the workup of the garden!  I may be onto something here!  MICHAEL!!!! I need your help!  I want to make a Shadow Garden as soon as we finish the Herb Garden!  MICHAEL!!!!

The Mansion and the Family!

Sometimes I worry about the mentality of some folks.   Not that I am the brightest crayon in the box or as Michael would mix it up and say.."You are not the brightest chicken in the tool shed!", but I can at most times use a bit of commonsense.  In keeping with the season, the Halloween decorations are sort of scattered haphazardly about the living room as I decorate.  There is one metal votive candle holder in the shape of a haunted mansion that my daughter ordered from Yankee Candle Company.  This decoration was sitting atop a box on the table as I had not decided where to put it as of yet.  This evening when I turned on one of the lights, the mansion cast a rather vivid shadow on the window blind.   A mere chance of lighting created a very unique shadow on my window blind.  Ooooh!  That is a bit creepy!  Being a tad camera-happy, I photographed the shadow..which, by the way, is not as easy as you would think!  Anyway, this all reminded me of something similar that happened just about this time last year.  Same window..same light but that time, a different shadow appeared on the window blind.  It was a shadow of the hanging light fixture..nothing as interesting as the mansion (complete with bats!)  Out came that camera and a few pictures later, I had one clear enough to post on the computer.  Not long afterward, someone asked me "How did you do that?"  Huh?  Do what?  Take a picture?  Nah, they wanted to know how I created the shadow....duh!  In all fairness, I suppose that relative assumed that the picture was another of my creative attempts at decorating for Halloween but...how do you make a shadow?  Hmmmm...darkness....light...some sort of screen (window blind in this case)..object in between light and screen...magic words...abracadabra!  Shadows!!!!  Hmmmmm...do you think anyone would believe that one?  So my shadow tonight brought a few giggles about something from a year ago.  Shadows area always amusing!

The decorating is taking a bit longer this year merely because I am trying to do about a zillion things at one time.  I only get to decorate when I am taking a break from the everyday chores, the creating of a special craft room (for me!), doing yard work and refinishing a piece of furniture.  I am also gathering together mountains of stuff for the Senior Citizens' garage sale that my sister is helping organize!  Well, ok, not a zillion but enough to fill my day!  The "Family Portraits" came out of the boxes today! I arranged them on the mantel in the living room and gave each "family member" their place of honor!  A bit of creepy cloth and a few knickknacks added a bit of eerie "antiqueness" to my vignette!  This mantel now has the monster crew on showcase!  I am sure if you look closely enough, you might recognize a few of these "family members" as we grew up knowing most of them from the movies or television shows!  These movie monsters add a quirky bit of creep to the decorations!

The fall-like weather that we have had for the past few days has made me more excited about the coming holiday.  Mark, Joanna, Elizabeth and Robbie have been decorating their houses as well.  Since we cannot easily just drop in to inspect each other's works, we have been sharing pictures and ideas.  It is not the same as being there, but at least we can share our efforts with each other.

Imaginations at Work!

It is a strange habit of mine..this seeing of faces in all sorts of things. Back when I was younger, my grandfather used to show me "faces" in everything from tree bark to flowers. There were faces in clouds and there were faces on buttons. There were faces in my oatmeal and faces in dead leaves. At first, I could not see them, but then he would patiently point out eyes, nose and mouth until the face came into view. Now I see faces! Everywhere! Today, a small piece of plastic wrap was crumpled up in a ball on the kitchen table. The sun beaming through the window made this plastic look just like Alfred Hitchcock! Oh my! I could not get a clear photograph of Mr. Hitchcock but it made me think of another face I had recently seen in my window. This one I did photograph! It started one day when I was out near the driveway, I stood absentmindedly looking at my house. Then I saw it..or rather him. There was a man in my house! I could perfectly see the profile of a giant through the window. My goodness! I know that I have a very active imagination but there he was as clear as day..in my window. Now curiosity will always get the best of me and cause me to investigate. I walked toward the house fully expecting whatever was causing the silhouette to become out of focus. It did not. I pressed my face against the window screen and had to start laughing! It was not just one thing that was causing the silhouette but a whole slew of items. From the position that I was standing, I was actually looking through one window, across the room and through the screen door. Beside the door stood an old hat rack that had accumulated all sorts of items. Among these items was a pair of binoculars, the binocular bag, several straw hats, one cap, and a short handled scoop net used for catching minnows. They were just haphazardly thrown onto the hat rack but at the right perspective and from a distance, formed a very distinct profile. The man in my window! A giant of a man to be sure, but still he was in my house! Oh, what would we do without vivid imaginations! The world would be so boring!

While speaking of imaginations..meet Belina. Belina is the second of a series of ragdolls that I am making. I introduced you to Agatha a few days ago and thought another introduction was in order. Where Agatha is quite the tall gal at thirty inches, Belina is rather petite. She is a mere fourteen inches tall, but what she lacks in size she makes up for with spunk. With her bright orange feather boa and gleaming gold headband and necklace, she appears to be ready to walk the Red Carpet! Yes..I admit..the imagination is soaring lately!

Light and Shadows

"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind you." Maori Proverb

I love shadows! Early in the morning as I walk through the gardens, the most simplest of things turn extraordinary. Commonplace forms can be viewed with a new perspective. The imagination is turned loose to wander, creating all sorts of fanciful ideas that bounce around in the brain. I have never needed much to make my imagination kick into high gear, but shadows have fascinated me since I was a child. I remember making "shadow puppets" on the wall with any given light, a playtime activity not known to many children of today. Simple pleasures that allow us to while away the hours!

Silhouettes also fascinate me. Not the type seen framed hanging on the wall but rather those in nature. A bug's shape seen through a leaf or a leaf behind the window curtain..these silhouettes. The ones that you just happen along during the course of the day. Happy little occurrences that make the day brighter just because they are there.

Of shadows and silhouettes, I have also noticed there is a vast difference in those cast by the morning sun and those in the evening. As I see it, morning shadows seem full of hope, beckoning the new day with excitement and wonder. It is as though these are saying to come out to play, to greet the day, to breathe in this wonder. Those seen in the evening, speak of the coming night, a calming time. The time to sit idle and reflect on what has been, what was or what should have been accomplished.

In literature most shadows are representative of darkness, obscurity and angst. I have a tendency to think just the opposite. Somewhere there is the light that is needed to make these shadows. When you start looking in that direction, things do not seem so bleak. Take time to see shadows and you will always see brightness, a light showing the way. Sometimes it takes the dark to notice the Light.