Reflections 4

February 3, morning after the storm...shadows and light

January sunset, 4:46pm sky...

January sunset, 4:31pm sky...

February after sunset, 5:50pm sky...

February after sunset, 5:37pm sky...

Deep into winter, this series, now, 'Reflections 4', definitely gives the feel of the season. Soft pastels, with some hints of the blazing Colorado sun. We see signs of spring, with the tiniest of buds on the trees and bushes, the days, markedly longer, enjoying some warm temps this week well into the 60's. So much so, sandals and short sleeves yesterday and a long long walk in Cherry Creek State Park. 

I am slowly working on a project with the 'Reflection' series, so for those of you who pray, I would ask, please pray for this handiwork to proceed forward and, which when completed and presented, it be a blessing!!

My shadow, yesterday at the defrosting lake...sweater hanging off my being, making for an interesting shape!

'In the midst of morn she quietly rose

to greet the dawn of silent repose

She searched beyond the frozen hills

and through the bough's of crystal frills

She danced in dream as clouds rolled by

in hopes the sun would pierce the sky 

As moments passed nil of light

the wind kicked up with all it's might

In tumbling turmoil the west winds raged

in fluttering beauty to turn the page 

Within a breath a single sigh

the Winter wrath had waved goodbye

As sunlight burned of velvet white

upon her face a shaft of light... '

'A Day When Winter Said Goodbye', by Rick Parise

Winter Trees...

There is something so beautiful to me about the late afternoon light any season of the year. Here we are, it is early February. The 5 o'clock hour, is no different on bare trees, maybe even more beautiful, as the trees show their complex design. With the big Colorado skies as a background, I was happy to capture this one shot as we drove through the park on our way home yesterday. Bowls me over every time...and then this morning in my readings from Streams in the Desert, this, love this: 

'Be like a bird that, halting in its flight,
Rests on a bough too slight.
And feeling it give way beneath him sings,
Knowing he hath wings.'

BOUGH: a main branch of a tree, branch, limb, arm, offshoot

"apple boughs laden with blossom" 

'snow-laden pine boughs'

We Walked on Water!!!

So, okay, it was frozen. In and around the perimeter of the lake there was no telling where the shore met the water and it was beautiful, simply beautiful. We saw people quite far out, on what we were told was a good 4 inch layer of ice, seriously praying that they would not wind up on the 6 o'clock news. We were a bit more cautious and stayed closer to what we thought was the shore...but, on the ice we walked!!! We spent well over an hour navigating our way through the footprints in the snow, which was the only indicator of where the paths to the lake existed. Amazingly, even though the temps were in the 30's, it did not feel cold and there was no wind to speak of. The long shadows being cast by the bare trees made for such a picture perfect winter scene, I just could not help myself and took pic after pic after pic. Normally, if I take a boat-load of photos, I am happy if I actually get one 'good one'. But, yesterday, the lake was camera ready; she smiled and posed @ every turn. We figure, that maybe by mid-January, we will go further out on the frozen water...until then...

The Finish Line is in Sight!!!

Finished the water...blue blue blue...

While still working on the 'blues'..

Yet to be completed large and 'smaller' dolphins...

As a whole...48"x32"!!!!

Truth be told, I am somewhat obsessed at this point to finish the puzzle. I think that being an artist has helped because so much of this puzzle has been about 'hues'. The blue-blues, to the aqua-blues, to the light-blues, to the gray-blue hues, to the almost white blues. Now onto the grays for the dolphin. The almost white grays, to the green-grays, to the blue-grays, to the almost charcoal grays, and everything in-between. Shapes are also key. However, with many pieces, I have looked at them, once they fit, saying 'Really??' (yes, still talking to the puzzle....).

The discussion has moved on to, what to do with the puzzle when completed. I am probably going to use Mod Podge to seal it and give it more stability. Then I can choose a backing and it will be a done deal. I am also thinking of donating it to the children at one of the community centers, where Jimmy has been doing so much work!I have my sights set on doing many more jigsaw puzzles, BUT, I will limit myself to 1000/1500 pieces, or whatever fits on Mom's old bridge table.

Lessons learned, and then again, re-learned from this marathon. You cannot fit a circle into a square space. Things will happen when they happen, and then rather quickly. You cannot force it. You can try, but it just will not work, and you will walk away frustrated and bleary-eyed too boot. Not worth it. You really can do anything you set your mind to. It all seems rather basic, but the whole point of doing this puzzle was to stay busy during this Winter, when it was below zero and everything was shut down. Granted, in Colorado, we have not had 1/2 the Winter that the rest of the country is still muddling through, but, Winter nonetheless.Clearly it, (the puzzle) has taken on a life of its own, and has been a fun conversation piece. So, excuse me while I go put a dolphin together....as a storm gathers on the horizon...

Postscript: after working on the puzzle on this wintry snowy day, I have 30 pieces left...looks like tomorrow is the big day !!!

FINISHED, Saturday, March 8!!!

The 18th Mile (or so) of the Marathon....

 

 

This is a pic of the WHOLE enchilada..

My friend, back East, who has blamed me for the harrowing Winter many in the States are experiencing, simply because I had to tackle this 3000 piece puzzle, has given me a deadline....she has had enough!!! Make sure you send me a video, she said, when you put the last piece in because I will immediately start looking for signs of Spring. We have had a very good laugh for a Winter which still needs some comic relief  (so so sorry East coast). I have made progress since 'East Meets West'. I feel as if I am on the 18th mile of a marathon. The end is calculated, but no less difficult. I am left with blue (the water) and gray (the dolphins) pieces!!! The days are markedly longer here in Colorado, which works in my/your favor...so, here is to a quick sprint to the end with the hope of Spring and that very first daffodil making an appearance!!!

2 Week Puzzle Progress!

 

 

 Edward: 'Mom, you are aware that you are talking to yourself!'
Me: 'If you were working on this puzzle, you would be talking to yourself too!'

Well, my goal right now is to see the puzzle connect horizontally. I can most definitely see a huge difference in the number of pieces I am rummaging through (way down from the original 3000) to find the gold, if you will. So, in some respects it is easier. However, it remains a difficult puzzle. I can see that I am going to be left with a ton of gray pieces for the dolphins and another ton of light blue for the ocean.  In the very short run, this challenge was a really god idea!

Old man winter is still sticking around!

A postscript :
From my friend who lives on Long Island (back East):
Next year buy a 200 piece puzzle - then maybe it wouldn't be snowing every week here - Somehow I think this long cold winter is your fault, just so you could do a puzzle!!!

#WhatwasIthinking???

So, in the middle of Colorado's 'Siberian Express' in early December, I thought, this could prove to be a long long winter. One of the best cure-all's for me has always been a jigsaw puzzle. I grew up doing them w/ Mom, and some tough one's at that. We even did a Jackson Pollack once. Off I went to Barnes & Nobel, and scoured their jigsaw puzzle section. Some just looked way too easy, and really, what would be the point. After some talking to myself, I chose the above pictured Ravensberger, 3000 piece puzzle. That should do it, I thought. Well, first, I had to figure out where in this house I was going to actually do this monster of a puzzle, and on what surface. After a couple of failed attempts, Jimmy and I finally came up w/ the perfect spot on the perfect surface...and the games began. The border was relatively easy, as it is a given. Here is what I have found so far. Anyone who does puzzles, will understand this. It rules. It tells you how it is going to work and you just have to play along. I have also found that to actually sit down and 'work' on it requires hours. It needs all your attention and you have to go through each piece over and over and over again once it starts growing. What I love about looking for that needle in a haystack, is that when you 'happen upon' a certain piece you know it, you know exactly where it goes. (Singing, 'Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...'). An 'issue' which I have to deal w/, is that I have blepharitis in my eyes. I think it came from (the best I have been able to figure) a combination of events colliding. Dry eyes, allergies, possibly picking up 'something' during our long stays @ the hospital w/ Mom...just a theory. Anywho, it cannot be cured, controlled, but not cured. So, when working on the puzzle, or doing any tedious visual work for hours on end (like making cards), I feel it, things become blurry and I have to stop and rest my eyes. Annoying, that's all. All this to say, I am taking my time.

After all, it is just mid-January.

Will keep you posted!

Just Because...

LK loves that morning sun...

So ridiculously cozy....

BK & LK lounging in Jimmy's office...late morning/early afternoon...

It's been kind of quiet out here on the prairie this past week. The wind has been so loud at times, I wish you hear the 'whispers' of the hawk. Thankfully, the house is strong and I haven't felt the need to plug up any air leaks. The air is cold, the sun is warm and BK and LK are taking full advantage of the sun as it moves from room to room as the day goes. Make no mistake, it is still winter in Colorado. Looking forward to opening the windows knowing that the air is warm. I am starting to plan my new garden, possibly in large Terra cotta planters...we'll see. Research continues. In the meantime, here are BK & LK soaking up the sun (and nuzzling in)...just because...

Remnants...

I see the smallest of buds on the pear tree, the lilac bush, the dogwood, the first sightings of the hostas and lilies are also present. I actually did some 'gardening', if you will, yesterday. I cut back the thick, thick dried stalks/leaves from some lilies mixed w/ some hostas, w/ my mini-rake (no laughing). I raked under some of our bushes in the front of the house to draw out the leaves which were not going to budge w/out my help. I am thrilled. Planning a new garden, looking into growing some 'other' things, which I will keep to my self for now. What really struck me was this planter. I kept it out on the deck all winter and the brutality of these past few months is evident in the picture. The glaze literally broke off from pot...be it the cold, the snow, the ice. But, you know what, I LOVE IT...I'm going to do a small repair job @ it's base, but it is so chiseled and so organic...after all, it has literally been changed by the elements. I am most definitely going to plant something special in it. It may be very porous, but, I'm keeping it around as a reminder. It is a remnant, a remaining quantity of what it once was, a vestige of this harsh winter past.

But, it's still here....

Music & Art

I had the pleasure, years ago, to draw a friend's violin. The whole instrument has remained ingrained in my being, especially, the 'F-holes', for the sound. I decided, as I was playing with this drawing, that I would make the shape exactly what it is, rather than, 'it just looks like'....for fun. Hence, there are strings, along with the graceful shapes for the soulful sound which came pouring out of the violin I drew so many years ago.

A Winters' Thought...Hope for Spring

We are all feeling the 'winter weary thing' setting in. It's only the middle of February, and we have a way to go. Yes, the days are markedly longer, the most hopeful sign that Spring will certainly make a most welcomed appearance...at some point. In the meantime, I've reacquainted myself with my beloved prismacolor pencils. This drawing, a moment in time, a cold, very windy afternoon at the drawing board.

Wordless Wednesday

The designs of the Khombu Winter Walkers were inspired by the Sherpa guides of the Himalayas! My best purchase this winter!!!