The Fox

Here are a couple shots I took of what I considered river regalia. Those kayaks were so bright and colorful and the group sounded to be enjoying their afternoon immensely. This is the river that captured many a winter morning walking down the snowmobile path. Today was a full day. Rushing to get 8 hours taskwork done in 6. Teaching this afternoon and the challenges of giving individual attention to 13 kids in the same hour is mind taxing. Got done there and managed some banking before work at vet. Was finally able to locate my article on feral cats and sent it off to the newspaper for National Feral Cat Day on Oct 16th. I'll have to share that here...maybe on the 16th! A friend called and I went out walking with him this evening. Was rather pleasant coversation, especially for someone like me who talks through a computer! Here to close out my day with sharing. I finally saw Sunhawk out traveling this aftermnoon and somehow she appeared snow white against the gray skies. I was entranced, wondering if she bleached herself blonde since I had seen her last?

Alice's Mushrooms

I had seen many varieties of mushrooms at the park, but these captured my eye. Looked good enough to eat. Don't know much about picking mushrooms...think they'd make me small?

Here's a new model! She was fantastic! She even worked at holding her facial expression! The long pose was really enjoyable, especially as she was able to fall back into similar position and then of course I had to! Originally I was opposite position and had to move as all I could see was pillows! I'm so glad I had the evening to continue to play with my new pencils. I must take time to add water brushmarks. That will also be brand new to my repetoire!

There is no path.

"There is no path. The path is made by walking." ~Antonio Machado

The path here, is snowmobile path at state park. Four miles, not all as beautiful as this section, includes fields not as comfortable for walking. And I needed to share a glimpse of coming colors. The naysayers keep saying we'll not have fall colors this year, maybe not as much, but this certainly isn't brown or barren.

Silver Springs

I took an art date today to reconnect with the river that had captured much of last winter. The bridge and road repair have been completed and the route to visit my folks passes the state park. I had a wonderful walk, starting with recognition feral cats being fed and ending with why? Why hadn't I been here since maybe March? It hadn't been convenient, I hadn't had free time, and why hadn't I planned a snack and drink for my outing? It was thoroughly unplanned, I keep my walking shoes in the car,so it happened. As I left, the pavilion was empty and I thought what a nice place to set and sketch awhile, but it didn't happen. I was blown away by the whole experience. I walked under the woodland canopy and listened to the rain above me. It was quite gentle. I was astounded at the changes the weather and river and past year had wrought for the river edge. I was pleased to photo the silver springs that move all winter long, with currents and fresh plantings that continue through the darkness of winter. The springs feed down into the Fox River and the imagination added to the photo winter cold and ice falling from the pipeline rather than forced water. The hike was overdue, the river has been beckoning me. I took a nice long bike ride against the wind to buy a dozen fresh eggs for this evening's cooking. Got some weekly cooking in and rested this evening rather than push myself. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Still searching

I had downloaded daytime walk pictures and have been unable to locate where? This piece was done several weeks back when I had had some surrendered oil pastels. They were tiny chunks of colors. They'd been taken by Capt Destructo, so I'd seen a few decorations in yardwaste! Productive laundry day. Other tasks swept at. Life is moving and I'm overdue for a holiday!

Cooperation

Isn't the computer required to cooperate with its user? It is ignoring my every attempt to load a picture! Oh, well. Didn't post last night, watched some of the vice presidential debates and was fully blown away! My pitbull is smarter! How many people don't already understand what is going on in this country? How many people are ignorant as to what is represented in the media? It is alarming. This is exactly why we lost lives to 9/11.
My personal delimma's strike even harder today as I was asked to take a cut in pay. No. I cannot accept that, I will take a cut in hours and hopefully recapture living among the living. In poverty of course, hopefully not homeless. I run myself ragged for pay that does not cover living expenses, but that is the way of current America is it not? Of course the nation has filled with fear, but I already know poverty...it is normal to me. Maybe I will learn homelessnmess. All for keeping the countries CEO's on their jet planes and in their hot tubs.

Life Drawing

Here is first 20 minute pose working with new pencils from potlatch. Thank you to my tribe! The later poses with more time became somewhat muddy. Looking forward to experimenting and finding out what a water filled paintbrush might do. Creative play, to learn through. I hadn't allowed myself in the past to fail at a piece, but now I do. With perfectionism out of arena, growth through mistakes comes much faster. Watched for fellow earth dwelling companions while I walked today, with light disappointment. Expectations to witness wildlife each day are out of proportion to the daily habits of individual friends. I was blessed to see Whistlepig on m,y way to children's drawing class. Approaching it I was thinking, that is one fat squirrel. But a squirrel it was not, and it was enjoying whatever was falling from a roadside tree. My children's class went very well. We drew macaws today of all imaginary colors and I had enough feathers to share with each child from my own blue and gold. I suppose a picture there would be forthcoming. Maybe tomorrow as three jobs on this day have wiped me out. Had a hard time staying awake scanning labs this evening, had to stand on several occasions to keep body heat from dropping. My pets need extra care. Pictures of today's frolic though the foam jungle should also be taken. Another cushion shredded and lost while all the dogs find the foam particles rather enjoyable to roll in. Mascara chewed up again. At least it's not getting old and target for parasites. And of parasites, it's comforting to hear at clinic that I'm not the only one battling fleas. Seems present plague. If only the toads liked fleas!