Drawing on photos!

 Drawing on photos...my favorite pastime --- what's yours?

A birthday card I created for a longtime friend that LOVES Chipmunks!

Latest "Canva" challenge! Drawing on a landscape photograph. I love how this turned out. It's a photo I took several years ago on top of "Big Rock" in Dupont State Forest...my son and my husband.

Happy Sunday! 

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Forest Bathing...

 Sometimes all you need is a walk in the woods to clear your mind and renew your spirit. Yesterday was one of those days. 

The forest is literally busting with newness this time of year, with lots of native plants and wildflowers just waiting for discovery. These "Jack-in-the-pulpits" are always super cool to find and, yesterday, I found several, including a five leaved plant that hasn't produced a "jack" yet
I can't wait to see if one pops up! But the best find yesterday was this very elusive "Hooded Warbler" --- I've been hearing it singing for a couple of weeks, but have not been able to actually see it, until yesterday, which was bitter/sweet, because I had a very difficult "Mother's Day" this year, with everything going on in my family. This beautiful bird seemed to say "just keep on singing, everything will be alright"

And I was even lucky enough to get a pretty decent photo of it, too!

And then I got to witness a pair of Carolina Wrens building a nest in my hanging "Angel Wing Begonia" that is in a macrame' hanger my dad made years ago

I thought it was pretty funny watching the pair pick out nesting materials...while one of them [assuming the female] made some very elaborate choices, the other one [assuming the male] would just fly down and grab whatever he could, not thinking twice about it. They were so much fun to watch!

I can't wait to see the little family! 

Happy Monday!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Smudging vs. Xanax

 
I always forget how relaxing and healing "smudging" can be. Instead of reaching for a Xanax, I did a smudging ceremony, opened my windows, and did some meditation while listening to the birds. After I was done, I took a walk into the forest and witnessed two Cardinal parents teaching their baby how to fly.
Then I saw the first Mountain Laurel bloom of the year

 and a brand new Reishi Mushroom growing on a hemlock log. 

I realized then that I don't need pills to make me feel better, or make me grateful, I just need my own inner magic --- it's a win/win!

I always have to remind myself that negative energy fields can manifest as scattered emotional patterns, projects or goals which become delayed. Spiritual Influences, restless sleep behaviors, arguments or disagreements, illnesses, headaches, or visits from undesired guests, can result in us absorbing negative energy, sometimes without even realizing it – though we may feel uneasy without understanding the reason why. All of these times are good times to get out that smudge bundle.

Maybe you need to do some smudging, too! 

love and peace always ~ Kathy

What do you think about AI technology?

 

So what do you think about all this AI technology? I thought it was really cool when it first showed up and I use it all the time to edit photographs [like the one above, using Topaz software to create a "painterly" look], but now that it's actually "thinking" for us, I'm not too sure about it. When you can type in "a poem about frogs" and it writes this for you:

"Frogs croak and hop with glee,
 In ponds and streams, they dwell free.
Their skin may be slimy and green, 
But their songs are a joyous scene.

From tadpole to adult they grow, 
In nature's cycle, they flow.
 Their eyes bulge, their legs strong,
 A wonder to behold all along.

Oh, frogs, how you delight, 
In the day and through the night.
 Your presence fills us with peace,
 A reminder of nature's sweet release."

It makes me wonder what we are truly becoming...I spend a lot of time writing poems, writing stories, writing blog posts, etc., so this type of technology has me wondering what, if anything, is left to the imagination? What do you think? [and don't use AI for your answer 🤣]

And Happy Earth Day!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Bear Medicine

This whole year has been so daunting and depressing and feels like nothing will ever get better. Dealing with elderly parents, especially when one of them is having severe mental issues, is exhausting. One day they hate you, the next day they are crying like a baby and apologizing. Something just has to give. I went on a walk through our forest and pulled a few of the wildlife camera cards, just to see if there was anything on them to make my day. It has been a few years since we have seen a bear, so when I saw this big fuzzy wuzzy, I was so stoked! I said, Thank you, God, you know I needed this medicine today. And, ironically, I had been sitting on that chair the same afternoon and the day after that. It's a little chair I have set up by the little pond and I sit there and watch the tadpoles swim. And one of the websites I still get daily emails from is "DailyOm" --- it's amazing how often the messages in their emails is exactly spot on with what I'm feeling/going through. Of course, when I received the following email, it made me very emotional...if you don't think things happen for a reason, you need to think again! Thank you little Bear!! You have no idea how much I needed you!!
 

We can incorporate bear energy into our lives by remembering to take time to go inward, to rest and rejuvenate in daily mini hibernations.

"When the image of a bear enters our consciousness, we may first notice their size, strength, and power, but beyond their physical attributes lay many traits that can guide us deeper into our experience of life. Their abilities as hunters and powerful protectors of their loved ones are well known, but you may also envision them on a quest for variety as they seek out the flavors and scents of the world, first fishing, then enjoying berries, or braving angry bees to indulge in honey. But their hidden strength lies in the bear’s ability to travel between the physical and spiritual worlds, a talent that is recognized all around the world by those who live in harmony with nature.

One way that bears access their inner world is during hibernation when they find a safe and womb-like environment to let their physical bodies rest while their spirit travels. They travel through time, mentally digesting and learning from their experiences, but they also travel beyond the realm of mind and body into the dreamtime, where they are able to be rejuvenated by the source of all life. In this sacred space, they are connected to physical, mental, and spiritual realms all at once and can find the balance that they need to reenter world.

Polar bears don’t enter a deep state of hibernation like other bears, but instead fluidly cross between realms on the physical plane as well the spiritual. Their reflective, translucent fur makes them difficult to see as they move across the frozen ice, blending into terrain covered with snow, making them seem like they are shimmering between dimensions. They move as easily in water as on land, agile and able in both worlds. They can remind us that we are one with our environment, inseparable from it. They teach us that while we can take time apart to connect with spirit, we can also carry that awareness with us as we move through life, making the spiritual indistinguishable from the material. By aligning ourselves with bear energy, we fully embody the best of all worlds."

Then I found this clump of maple tree "whirly birds" and thought: Every day I'm challenged by more of what God thinks I can handle! Sometimes I wish I could be like a tree and just release everything that no longer serves me --- easier said than done. It's hard, but I'll get through it...I've gotten through much worse.

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Summer Love!!

Enjoy this beautiful video! Summer is in full swing!! 

I also have to share this adorable little "Snowy Planthopper" that's been hanging out on my money plant. He is so cute, but he is tiny!!

Hope your Summer is going well!! Autumn is just around the corner...evenings are cooling off.

love and peace always ~ Kathy

How cute is this little "Junk Bug"!

 How cute is this adorable little "Junk Bug" aka [Lacewing Larva]! It was crawling on my foot last night, while I was washing dishes. They carry all sorts of "junk" on their back in order to confuse predators. But, the best thing about these cute little critters is that they love Aphids, which are their favorite food, and the larva is usually called "an aphid lion.". Nature is so amazing!❤️

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Hope you enjoy this cute little video! Happy 4th of July!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Living in Wildness...

 
It's that magical time of year! Time when all of the Spring Wildflowers start waking up from their Winter naps. Yesterday we found this gorgeous "Yellowroot", sprouting up along the banks of the Davidson River in Pisgah National Forest. Besides being beautiful, it's medicinal properties are amazing! "Yellowroot is an anti-inflammatory and a natural antibiotic. This plant can help in the treatment of sinus infections, bladder issues, cold/flu symptoms, sore throat, laryngitis, mouth sores, colitis, gastritis, congestion of the chest, and even earaches. Yellowroot is also uterine tonic and a digestive aid. It is an excellent liver stimulant and is useful in soothing the mucus membranes. Its’ cooling astringent qualities allow it to reduce any phlegm. Its versatility allows it to be used in a variety of different ways. Some of which include, as a mouthwash, tea, tinctures, eyewashes, salves, douches, and even ear drops. Can also be used to treat female health conditions including PMS and yeast infections. It has also been found that it can be helpful in lowering blood pressure."
And even though the water is still freezing cold, it warmed my soul, just standing in it and seeing all of the beautiful rocks and clean, clear water. Made me feel so grateful. As I was walking around, my eye caught something and, upon looking a little closer, it was a beautiful little Eastern Garter Snake! My first Snake medicine encounter of the year!! I was so happy!

You can be in the worst funk ever and spend just an hour in nature and your whole outlook will change! Try it! It's so healing and good for your heart and soul! 

Happy Spring!!!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” ~ Margaret Atwood

Your Life's Work!

 
My version of "Legs Up the Wall" Yoga Pose!

So this year I'll be 61 years old! I've been thinking a lot about "what" my life's work actually is? Sometimes I think was it my job when I was working at a Life Insurance Company for 20+ years, a group of Financial Advisors for 5+ years, a CPA for several years, or is it what I did outside of my "job" that would be considered my "life's work". But, in reality, I think my "life's work" has nothing to actually do with work itself. It's the "time" I spend working on myself and doing what I love to do that has become my "life's work". And then I read an article from a website I follow "Daily Om" and this is what it said about your "life's work" and I thought, YES, that's exactly it!!!

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"Sometimes it takes us the better part of a lifetime to discover our life's work, even though we may have been doing it our whole lives without necessarily realizing it. Our life's work is not always what we do to make money, although we often think it should be, and sometimes this way of thinking prevents us from seeing clearly what it is. It may be the work of having children, caring for them, and running a household. The way we know our life's work is by how we feel when we are doing it.

When we are doing our life's work, we feel an uncanny sense of ease and alignment. This doesn't mean that the work is always easy, and it doesn't mean that it's the only work we have to do; it just means that there is a conviction deep inside us that tells us we are in tune with our innermost self. When we are engaged in our life's work, our bodies feel more alive, because our energy is devoted to a cause that, in turn, feeds us. We may be tired after engaging in our life's work, but we are almost never depleted. We feel grounded in the world, knowing that we belong here and have something important to offer. 

When we are deeply unhappy, depressed, or subject to one illness after another, this may be due to a sense of disconnection from our life's work. At times like these, finding the work we are meant to do is an essential act of healing. Most of us remember a time when we felt fully engaged in some act of work, service or creativity, and it is here that we may rediscover the work we are meant to do now. On the other hand, it may be time to explore what inspires us through volunteering, taking a class, going back to school, or just doing whatever it is we long to try. We all have callings, and when we find them, we owe it to ourselves to nurture and protect them, because while they may or may not be our livelihood, they are the keys to our wellbeing."

So now I truly believe my "life's work" is discovery! Being a steward of our land, it has been very important to me to learn as much as I can about "who" lives here and "what" grows here. It is truly fascinating to find rare plants, lichens, wildflowers and mushrooms that might only grow in the Appalachians! My motto now is "never stop learning" And today I did some forest yoga, while talking to my "tree therapist"...that tree knows a lot about me!

I hope you have discovered your "life's worth", but, if not, there is plenty of time...just think about it! In the meantime, enjoy this adorable little Bobcat that visited one of our ponds!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Your most important work in this lifetime may not be your job. It's a conviction within your soul, recognizable if you allow it to shine." --- the Daily Om

I live in the woods!

 
Oh my gosh! I had to share this! Both of our little ponds are alive with calling/mating Wood Frogs and the Hawks are taking full advantage of the love sick amphibians, like this unsuspecting female that ended up being a quick snack for this gorgeous bird. And yes, nature is cruel, but it's the way of the world! 

And just another "perk" of living in the woods, Iris tried to bring this animal spine inside! I have no idea what it was, but I'm suspecting a Squirrel...and since I've seen a Bobcat, two Foxes, several Coyotes and a Bear on the cameras lately, finding small animal bones on our property does not surprise me at all! Of course, Iris is disappointed!


But, I have to say, I love seeing the wildlife on our property!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! This is my latest little drawing from the prompt "Goldfish" --- but while I was drawing it, I started thinking about my daddy. He was a huge Pink Floyd fan and not a day goes by that I don't wish he was here.

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Spring is on the way!

 
While everyone else is awaiting "Punxsutawney Phil" to see his shadow, or not, I know it's time for Spring when the Wood Frogs start their calls! I've got it timed perfectly! They always dig out from under the leaves and make their way to my tiny little pond when there are a couple of mild days and rain in the forecast. I knew they would be showing up this week and I was not disappointed. But, I'm not the only one excited about the frogs showing up...the Owls and Hawks are, too! It's their once a year little treat and easy pickings from a pond full of "love sick" frogs! 

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In just two more weeks, my little pond will be full of tadpoles! Stay tuned! Happy Spring!

love and peace always ~ Kathy 

“If we can discover the meaning in the trilling of a frog, perhaps we may understand why it is for us not merely noise but a song of poetry and emotion.” ~ Adrian Forsyth

Earthing, Grounding, Shinrin-Yoku

 Is there some snow melt in my future? I hope so!!! Time for some much needed shinrin-yoku [forest bathing] today! I need some Sunshine!!! How about you? 

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 Happy February! love and peace always ~ Kathy

New Moon Monday & Drawing from Memory!

 
The Moon cycles sure to seem to get faster and faster. And if you are in to that kind of stuff, like I am, this is a really cool animation of Moon phases for 2022!
And with tomorrow's New Moon on February 1st, it's also the Chinese New Year! Year of the Tiger! 

I drew this fun little Tiger yesterday, following a youtube tutorial! So much fun! And I did watch the Bengals win yesterday, so I'm super proud of our LSU Tigers!!! I can't wait to watch them win the Super Bowl! And, I'm not even a football fan! But while I was watching, I drew this awesome little Owl! This week's drawing challenges are all animals "from memory" --- lucky for me, I know exactly what an Owl looks like!

I love how Procreate records your drawings in a time lapsed video [this is the short version]. So cool! And it's finally going to warm up a wee bit today, so I'm looking forward to some afternoon sunshine! Happy Year of the Tiger!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

 
Me in my "element"! During a recent camera club presentation, a friend of mine [Jo Crebbin] had this photo of me in her slideshow presentation. I don't even remember her taking the photo, but I certainly remember the day! This was several years ago, during an outing at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC --- we were there to take photographs of the Sunflowers! So keeping in the spirit of things, below is a picture of Jo!

When you get a chance, be sure to check out her photography! She is amazing!!! Absolutely stunning photographs! Thank you, Jo!!! And here is another photo from our outing! What a gorgeous day!
 
And it's another gorgeous day today, so I'm going outside! Happy Sunday!! But first, Meet "Gordon" --- another little character that's been living in my head :)

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love and peace always ~ Kathy

 Every man dies. Not every man really lives. ~ Randall Wallace

As we welcome Winter, a new year and a new 'mindset', we wonder what all of it means. Every New Year's Eve is celebrated with hope for the future, whatever that means these days. I don't know about you, but what I'm noticing more and more is the downright 'meanness' in people these days. While those boast about kindness, loving each other, helping each other, blah de blah, those same people are pointing fingers, judging, harassing and taunting others that don't agree with them. When did this become the 'new norm'? And if it is the new norm, I don't like it! It does make me glad that it's Winter though, since I can just stay hibernating until Spring and hope everything gets better. I wish we could really be like the trees and shed everything that we grew during the Spring and Summer and start all over again. I subscribe to the "DailyOM" email and these words, in particular resonated with me...I hope they do the same for you! 

"In fall, the earth begins the process of releasing all the things she has been holding onto throughout spring and summer, and by midwinter she has let everything go. She sits clean and undecorated in her simplicity, free of the frenzy of life that defines her in the warmer seasons. There is a quiet humility about the earth in the winter months, as animals and people retreat inside to escape the wet and sometimes freezing cold that takes hold. Inside our homes we create abundance and warmth in response to being effectively kicked indoors by the dark and cold that permeate the outdoors.

We laugh, eat, and talk, sleep, or catch up on reading, while outside our windows the earth grows dark earlier and stays cold longer, accepting as always of the process of change and her place within it. We might remember to learn from her as she so gracefully surrenders to the emptiness that precedes all form, the peace that precedes activity, the darkness that precedes the light. For everything she gives and teaches, we might offer a blessing, extending a goodly portion of the gratitude of this season her way, holding her in our hearts and thanking her for our very lives." 

And, since we are talking about Winter, I thought you might enjoy this little video from one of our ponds. The Fox and the Deer are trying to figure out what happened to the water...it's frozen! But, just like us, it will soon thaw out.

Happy 2022 Everyone!!!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible Summer...and that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” ~ Albert Camus

Merry Christmas!

Not quite cold enough to freeze the bubble entirely this morning, but certainly cold enough to create this cute little Snow Globe! I'll try again tomorrow! 

Merry Christmas to all of you! Happy 2021!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Pity Parties

Photo @Rob Waddington

We all do it, we can't help ourselves, it's just who we are as humans...or, is it? What does it really have to do with...is it a perception of what we think things should be like, or look like, or feel like? Do people that literally have nothing in this world, and have never known any different, have pity parties? I seriously doubt it! Why? Because they don't know things could be "better" for them. In their minds, they have everything...they are alive, they might not know why, but that's all they need to keep them going. I look at photos of people in other countries less "fortunate" than us...they are standing there with the biggest, most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. Right there, at that moment, they have everything. 

When I find myself going down the rabbit hole, I just go look in the mirror and say to myself "shame on you...you are perfect and you have everything you need to be happy" and then I make myself go outside and take in some nature, lay in the leaves, look up in the trees, listen to the birds singing, and think "yes, indeed I do have everything". So when I see someone I know constantly complaining, constantly in woed me mode, constantly asking for prayers, constantly "bitching" basically, about what a horrible life they have, they are sick, they have no money, they need a new car, they need a new phone, they need new shoes, whatever the "complaint du jour" is, it just unnerves me to my very core! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm in no way perfect and I am guilty of throwing myself a pity party on occasion, but not every other day, or once a week! It's not healthy, or helpful for anyone to do that! And it's so interesting this article was in one of my daily reads from "Daily Om": 

 "Having a pity party for yourself is alright as long as you learn from it and don't dwell in it for long periods of time.

We all have days when the bad things seem to outweigh the good ones and we begin to think that life isn't fair. You get stuck in traffic, which makes you late for an important meeting, and then your car gets towed. You might ask yourself, "Why me?" Events like this one can test anyone's ability to be grateful and feel optimistic. If you have a tendency to feel sorry for yourself, and many of us do, things usually progress to the next stage: the pity party. You begin to feel like the innocent victim of a dismal fate because you are seeing your life through inaccurate lenses. Most of the thoughts that run through your mind at times like these are not helpful, and they mainly serve to increase your indignation and feelings of powerlessness. What these feelings and thoughts don't do is change your circumstances or make you feel better.

When you have a terrible day, there should definitely be a time and place to have your feelings so you can process them. It's important not to pretend that you are fine with things when you aren't. It's also important, however, to notice when you're having a pity party. It's a good idea to set a time limit in which to fully express your emotions and not feel guilty, ashamed, or judge yourself. Having a friend witness you during this process can be helpful. You may also want to write about your feelings. When your time is up, let go of the negativity you just expressed. You can declare your intention to your friend. If you've written down your feelings, you can burn the piece of paper or throw it in the recycling bin.

Try not to dwell on unpleasant experiences and do everything you can to avoid holding on to negative emotions. When you indulge in self-pity, you only make a bad day worse. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, release the notion that you are a victim, and notice the good that exists in your life." ~ Madison Taylor

So next time you are in a "funk", throw yourself a real party! Invite some friends over...eat some cake, drink some wine, laugh, have fun, enjoy your life! You only get once chance! Don't "pity" it away!! Life is good!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy