Sunday, July 31, 2011

July 31,2011

Always making new friends...here is Goliath, the Gila Monster




Monday, July 25, 2011

July 25th, 2011

today was the birds of prey show...did I say I love my job?






Sunday, July 24, 2011

July 24th,2011

Today is a Utah state holiday..Pioneer Day. Of course they will celebrate it tomorrow! I used to feel left out because I was not of Mormom pioneers..then I thought about the fact that my family came to the US in the mid 1600's and basically paved the way for the later "pioneers". When my family came Pennsylvania was a wilderness with nothing but forests and native Americans. They built their homes far from any real settlements and made it on their own. So no need to feel left out!!
Those were the Russells, the Swigers were German imigrants who settled in the western hills of West Virginia. My grand dad was born in the family cabin that is still on top of a mountain. My Dad's family settled in Tennessee. They were from England and Scotland. Technically we are hill people!
Enough family history.
Yesterday a fellow came with his Golden Eagle, Holly. She is beautiful! My old pal Smokey the Bear showed up and delighted the kids. Tomorrow the "birds of prey" guy comes back with more. I get really happy to see the animals. Here is a pic of my closeup encounter with Miss Holly.


Smokey and the fun ranger..Roberta!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

July 21, 20011

Wow hard to believe it is the end of July so soon!! I spent the last 2 days off cleaning, running errands and finally getting to my travel journal to send to Peggy Krantz..my apologies Peggy for being so slow! It seems that my energy level is low on days I work and so my evenings are a bust. But I feel better this week..losing weight is helping.
Picked some apricots but they are kind of sandy and many have those darn earwigs in them!! So they are a treat for the horses and chickens.
Had to do my laundry at a laundromat this week. Now there is an interesting way to spend time. Our washer is on the fritz and so I washed at the expensive washers and line dried my clothes at home. I really like pegging out the laundry. It is a zen like experience for me. Sends me right back to childhood and hanging out the sheets for Mom.
I also managed to finish 3 journals. One is the traveling journal, the other two are gifts for my sons' girlfriend and her 7 yr. old daughter, Lily. I am going to do a quick colorful drawing in each and hand them over. The travel journal has one page started. I cheated and glued a small fish painting to it and will finish it out to the edges tonight. Then into the mail it must go.
The long beads I made myself from stamped cloth.
Anyway..enjoy your day everyone..off to work I go. TTFN




Wednesday, July 13, 2011

July 13,2011

Beautiful morning, couldn't sleep so took photos of the morning clouds.
Unfortunately found a missing chicken. We think a dog got her.
Poor thing..she was an independent chicken and it did her in.
Plenty to do so enjoy the pics....





Tuesday, July 12, 2011

July 12,2011 oh knee

my orthopedic Dr. today gave me some good news and some bad news. My left knee looks ok for now. My right knee needs replacement! After seeing the xrays..no wonder it has hurt so much! No more cushioning..just bone on bone. So after my job is over in Sept. I will schedule surgery. In the meantime I want to lose some weight so I lessen any risk factors for surgery.
So I am tired and going to take a nap then I will finish my traveling art journal. Friday is the reception for the 12x12 show at the Hive Gallery and my oldest son, Shane, will go with me. He has also agreed to help me in my fitness quest..he knows a lot about healthy habits.
Going ack to some old art..enjoy.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

July 9,2011

wow..just tired. and sore. Back, knees and foot. Hopefully I will find out Tuesday what is in store for the knees.
Drove up to Tibble Fork Reservoir the other day after work while it rained. Hence the new header photo. The backside of Mt. Timpanogos is in the mist.
The garden never got done, the weeding has not been done. Can't get onto knees to do gardening. And too tired from work. But did get the 3 12x12 paintings to the Hive Gallery. The opening reception is July 15th and I hope I can get there.
\the cranky old farmer finally decided to deliver hay and he was so nasty I had to think that he was not feeling well. He did admit to falling back into a ditch and stretching muscles around ribs. But he is always nasty. He does have good hay though. But not sure I want to put up with his cussedness for such expensive hay!!!
Reading the latest Watercolor Magazine and an article on watercolor batik interested me. I think it is an approach that will work well with my type of painting.Using paraffin wax as a resist..the author of the article used a good translucent rice paper...and of course watercolor paint..the results are wonderful.
well not much going on...hope you all have a great week.


Sunday, July 3, 2011

July 3rd,2011 Kim's birthday

My little sister has a birthday today. She is my best friend, cute as a button. We are polar opposites but we love each other so much. I miss being with her. She came out last August just to drive up to Sheridan, Wyoming to hang out while I did an art workshop. She lives in Ohio and is currently living with my Mom. She is a strong person and a pretty good advocate for Mom. She has 2 sons as I do and they are terrific men. She is working this summer at the Kent, Ohio KOA campground..I suspect because she gets to drive a golf cart around to clean!!! She also works during the school year at Kent State University. Happy Bday Kimmer Monkey!
Yesterday our head ranger Mike dressed up as Smokey the Bear..here is the pic taken with me! I am at my info desk at the visitors center with my little bookstore behind me. Notice that I have taken complete ownership of my little space!
Have a great day..off to work I go.