Something Squirrely is Going On

Song - The Sounds of Spring - Bird Song

This is really a story of determination verses stupidity.  I am not sure which side I am on!

How do you keep squirrels away from your bird feeders?

I have spent - well, a lot on anti-squirrel devices.

It is not like I don't like squirrels as they are funny little characters but I am going broke buying birdseed! They will just hang upside down on one of my feeders and drain an entire feeder in a day or an hour.

Getting ready to attack a freshly filled feeder

Fill 'er up!

They lay in wait to see what I will come up with next.

Watching me through the kitchen window

I have bought domes and caged feeders.  I have even had two that would spin and supposedly send the squirrels flying.  I kinda liked that image - ha!

SloMo Squirrel Flung

I have tried pelting them with ice cubes figuring that it would at least water my garden when melted.  After breaking some garden lights, I decided that I needed a new approach.

"Hey Charlie, what do you suppose she will do now?"

I don't want to hurt them but I really want to discourage them from eating the birdseed.

Super Soaker to the rescue!

My two new anti-squirrel devices

The first one I bought was the pump action kind and by the time I got it pumped for power and firing, the squirrel would be gone (after having a good laugh at me!).


Then I decided to buy a battery operated one.  Perfect, I just pick it up and shoot.  Only problem was that the water was just a little light spray. 

Just waiting for the perfect moment to attack

The squirrels just lay on our pergola laughing and enjoy the cool mist that I am providing for them.  Ha Ha - the joke is now on me.

This one is giving me the "skank eye" and wondering what lame idea I will come up with next!

Shhh......

Don't tell them.....I have attack dogs.....

"But tomorrow, dawn will come the way I picture her.

barefoot and disheveled, standing outside my window

in one of the fragile cotton dresses of the poor.

She will look at me with her arms extended,

offering a handful of birdsong and a small cup of light."

--William Collins

Begin Again and Again

Song - John Lennon "Starting Over" 

This weekend I began three paintings.

I was so happy to have three full days of uninterrupted painting and I rushed in with a childlike eagerness. 

My reference materials were ready.

I had lot's of blank canvases and plenty of paint.

I was pumped up and was swimming with ideas.

Only thing was, none of them turned out like I envisioned.



Painting number one....was of two Peacocks outside a Parisian Orangery. After working on it for a full day, it just felt flat.  I want to paint something fun and different!

Painting number two....very different for me.  A combination of two photos.  One of the beach in Lake Tahoe, with the beautiful colors of water in the background and a sea shell from my collection that I photographed outside on my deck Sunday morning.  Voila!  Not quite. Something doesn't feel right and I am not sure what.  Is the shell too large?  Is it too "fussy"?  Maybe the shadow is too dark....or the wrong shape?  Since I was having trouble trying to figure out where to go with it, I went forth to a new large scale painting.

At this point it kinda felt like "Romey and Michele's High School Reunion" where they are going on a road trip but the car keeps dying on them.  It starts up, they turn on the radio, put it in gear and it dies again and again.  I just love that part, they have such enthusiasm....it has me laughing all over again! 


Oh yeah, back to my "backfires".





Painting number three.  Combining about five different photo's.

Never, ever a good idea........

All of the photo's are shot under different lighting.  How can I combine them and have it look natural?

Arrghhh...  I wanted bigger Adirondack chairs.  Maybe I should of turned it vertical instead of horizontal?  

So this morning my sweet "hunter-gatherer" - Mr. B took me to the Nursery.  I think I will go out and garden to get a new perspective on my life!

Maybe I should paint this pretty little Daylily? Mmmmm.....

“The problem is acceptance, 

which is something we're taught not to do. 

We're taught to improve uncomfortable situations, 

to change things, 

alleviate unpleasant feelings. 

But if you accept the reality 

that you have been given- 

that you are not in a productive creative period- 

you free yourself to begin filling up again.” 

― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Santa Cruzin'

Song - Under the Boadwalk by The Drifters

My parents bought a sweet little cabin in the Santa Cruz mountains about 35 years ago.

It is in an incredible Redwood forest with a covered bridge nearby that you walk through to get to Grandma's Beach.  It has survived earthquakes and floods.

Dad & his brother on the river next to the Boardwalk

It is a sentimental place for them as my father spent his summers camping near the beach as a young boy and my parents would go there while dating.

Friends and family (Mom & dad are on the far right)

My mom & Duchess the dog & Dad's family

When they bought the cabin it was in desperate need of some love and care.  It is a beautiful log cabin, with wood floors and large windows.

Dad & Mom at Aptos

My dad's parents - Violet & John (and Duchess) in Santa Cruz

My parents have faithfully worked on her over the last 35 years and not only restored her to her former beauty but added a lot of extra's! Sheet rock and skylights (which is much needed in a dark Redwood forest), a dormer for the kids to sleep in, they extended the deck, added a workshop for my dad and countless other wonderful features. Many, many years of hard work, but they have a lot of fun there as well.   A lot of new friendships were made and a lot of grandchildren rode in the "Grandma's Beach Express" wagon to the river's swimming hole.

Andy & Katie at Grandma's Beach

After 35 years in such a moist environment, the deck now needs replacing by the next generation.  We all have such fond memories of our time at the cabin that it is a joy to be able to "give back" a little to both the cabin and my parents.

TJ kicking out the deck railing

Andy b. helping to demolish

A rare photo op of Mr. B during the demolition

The foundation piers being set

So for Memorial Day weekend, our family will happily work together on restoring the deck that we have enjoyed for so many years.  Some will cook and some will hammer but it will be time well spent.....together!

Thanks to Mom & Dad for providing us this little spot of heaven!

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." – John Burroughs

Inward

“So this is how you swim inward. 

So this is how you flow outwards. 

So this is how you pray.” 

– Mary Oliver

Becoming.....

The world is always changing, evolving....becoming.

Song - Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin 

Becoming Zen

Most people, especially me, are uncomfortable with the word "change".  


It feels abrupt and unknown as to what may occur. 

Becoming a fig

But "becoming" feels different, like a slow natural evolution.

Becoming an olive tree -  (a sweet gift from Andy & Ashley for Mother's Day!)

I just got my "good" camera back from the shop yesterday.  It was turning itself on, while in the "off" position.  Not too good for the battery or my sanity!

Becoming seed pods that stick to the dogs

Becoming trouble!

So this morning, I took a walk around the garden with my two Westie's, Mika & Max.

Becoming.....

...an apple

Becoming........grapes

Becoming.....

....a lemon

Becoming.....a strawberry

Becoming.....a mother!  (this was not in my garden this morning but at Camp Richardson General Store)

Becoming......honey

Becoming.....sweet, red, delicious cherries

Becoming.....happy

Becoming....herbs to cook with

Becoming......so happy that you have to lick your nose!

"Remember for just one minute of the day, it would be best to try looking upon yourself more as God does, for She knows your true royal nature."  - Hafiz