Happy Anniversary!

View From The Inside at Casa Mantequilla by Finijo

Several times this weekend I have found myself sitting at the computer, looking out into the back yard and marveling that we have been in the house for a little over a year now. It is an amazing feeling to have someplace to live that is your own. I don't think there are words that could convey how good it feels, it has to be experienced.

I've been up early the last two days and watched the sun come up, enjoying the view from the inside. With the way my mind has been racing lately, it's been nice to get up early, enjoy coffee and jazz and be very still first thing in the morning.

Yesterday, I watched the rain pour down and quench my thirsty garden. All that was wilted and tired is now turgid and beaming. For the last year, I have had the extreme pleasure seeing doves, blue jays, cardinals, and finches soar through my back yard. Sometimes joyously bathing in the birdbath, and sometimes doing acrobatics and playing games that only other birds know the rules to. I've been amazed at the myriad butterflies that do their aerial dances as they flit through the garden. We've gotten used to the carpenter bees, who've bored holes in our pergola and our new friends the spinybacked orb weavers. There is only one spinyback left now, and we've named him Eugene. I haven't seen the rats in a while, but I'm sure they are lurking about. It's been Spring since we saw the opossums, but the squirrels are ever present. They scurry along the fence, climb into potted plants and run through the trees and across the power lines in ways that seem to defy physical laws. Our favorite squirrel is named Fat Ass - King of the Squirrels. He's the biggest, fattest squirrel I've ever seen. When he climbs the trees, the span of his posterior is close to six inches across - what a marvel. Just a few minutes ago, we dubbed another squirrel - Joan of Oak. She is very brave and took several shots at getting into the new solar bird feeder we hung over the patio. Joan took a dive at the bird feeder , which rapidly spun her around until she flew off into the yard.

Today, I think I will wash the windows for a clearer view.

ART!

I have recently been exposed to some new artists. The artists are all surrealists, and each one is quite unique. These photos are of work done by Floria Sigismondi. Her work is gorgeous and repulsive all at once. I will probably post some others in the coming days. I don't want to hang their work in my living room, but I am positively mesmerized by the imagery.

The Changing

Persephone by Melia Dawn Newman

As we slide into Autumn, or at least what passes for Autumn in Texas, I thought this painting would be appropriate. I found the artist on-line over a year ago, and I really like her work. Ms. Newman has information on the web that says she sells her paintings on Ebay, but I haven't found anything except an ACEO of cats, which doesn't speak to me the way her series of archetypal women does.

I feel myself going through some changes lately, although, I'm not really sure that I want to change right now. On on a deeper level, I know that change is good and it will keep me from turning to stone. I can't tell if the way I am feeling will pass like the changing of the seasons, or if I am entering a new phase of life that will be more enduring. At times it seems like I'm progressing and other times like I am devolving, but I think anything is better than feeling the stagnation of not moving at all. For now, I think I will embrace the shifting in my nature, in spite of the fear and the discomfort it brings.

Another Bright Spot

Bright Spot by MEG

My good day from yesterday continued through today. I am working crazy hours, but the work is keeping me going, and it seems like my whole team is on fire. We are making a difference. The days are flying by much too quickly, but so much is being accomplished, that it seems like all is as it should be. I feel like I am living outside of myself.

A Good Day

Unknown Artist (I can't read the name)

Today was a very good and productive day at work. It was a very long day, but I feel like I made a difference and that I helped someone. I don't think work can get any better than that.

Spinybacked Orbweaver Invasion

We are in the midst of an invasion. We have three giant spinybacked orbweaver spider webs surrounding our back door. When I say the webs are giant, I am talking about a 5-6 foot span. The spinybacked orb weaver looks like a combination crab and alien life form, but it is harmless enough to humans. They apparently have no desire to enter your home, and live only to eat other insects. Since our backyard has been taken over by mosquitoes the whole summer, I am thrilled that we have an army of spinybacked orbweavers to finally take down those malicious, blood-sucking bastards. Marilyn, who has arachnophobia, is not thrilled. She is anxiously awaiting the next big thunderstorm in the hope that it washes all of my freaky new friends away.

Sync

Fractal Image

There are certain times in my life where I feel like everything gels, and it almost seems like I can feel the synapses in my brain firing. I have clarity and it feels like electricity is running through my veins. There is synchronicity between how I physically feel and what is happening in my life. I am in that place now. I don't know what makes it happen, and I hate that it doesn't happen more often and that it never lasts very long. All of the words that I can think of to describe this feeling are trite. "Being one with the universe" is the most grandiose, but it almost fits the feeling. When I feel like this, I run into people I have been thinking about by chance in the most unexpected places. I feel like I can think six moves ahead and I could give Dad a run for his money on the chess board. I feel like I am connecting with the people I am trying to help at work and like I am better at my job and better with my family. I want to paint, write, cook, blog, garden, and even clean. While I am in this devine mode, I will enjoy it for all it's worth - it's a shame it won't last.

Eye in Sky Blue

8.3 Number 73 July 7, 2005 by Ran Elfassy

I found this gorgeous eye on 350 Rans. If you look closely, you can see the photographer and a woman selling chickens on a street in Shanghai. The photographer is doing 350 self portraits which he posts one a week for 350 weeks on his website. He sells the photos and uses the money for environmental causes.

This is the message Ran sent me when he mailed the photo:

From:"Ran Elfassy" sigeimedia@gmail.com

To:"'Karen West'"
Subject: Printed,
mounted and about to fly
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 18:10:13 +0800

Great news! The photo is printed, mounted, signed and about to be picked up by the
courier; I’ll get a tracking number over to you when I have it. The courier will
most likely confirm on Monday, but rest assured that the photo looks great. I’m
pleased and proud to welcome you into the group of 350 Rans owners.

To let you in on some more news, I plan to continue the
series (I’m now on week/photo 186 of 350, so September 2010 will be a great time
in my life), get a book together, and some exhibitions. Proceeds go towards
supporting environmental protection and conservation, so the bigger picture is
even better. The point being that through creativity, I hope to make a positive
difference for all of us.

Again, thank you for your interest and support, and I think your image will look great in your home or office.

- Ran

It is a lovely way to raise money for a good cause and to express yourself creatively. And the print arrived matted, and we are looking forward to framing it and hanging it as soon as possible.