Tools

 

This post, as other recent posts have been, is a combination of many days, over a week's worth of days. I've just not been so good at posting regularly or focusing on a specific theme. Sometimes the videos pull it together for me, sometimes they are just things I've seen and enjoyed & want to share. Oh well. I guess this is the time I'm in.

This post and the next one I have in mind will share walks...then I will be quiet for however long because...night before last, in the middle of the night bathroom visit, I lost my footing - jammed my toes and partially fell. Oy. So, I've been hanging out with 'elevation' and 'ice packs'. sigh.

Anyway, these pics (above and just below) are from a neighborhood walk last week. It was another gorgeous day...sunshine and season. Neighbors decorating for the season (Fall & Democracy!) or for Halloween, tomatoes hanging over a garden wall and a couple of figs still on the vine. And again, the clouds took my breath away.  I spent many moments peeking between homes and trees trying to catch a view. I planted a CMB on the gate at the end of the road, surprised I had not thought to do this before. It was gone by the next day, which made me happy.

Tools involved (some): Camera with memory card and battery, tennis shoes & socks, sunglasses, loom, yarn, needles and scissors.

Tools excerpts from Craft in America

LINK 15:18 minutes

City Park: It's been in the 80°'s - just beautiful walking weather. I smiled at that one orange tree along the path. Not the abundance of colors folks get back east, but I'll take it! The sunlight has that amazing Autumn feel, hitting everything just right. I appreciate the benches along this trail, as it is so lovely to just sit and watch the crows, hawks and small songbirds. It is a great place to notice nature, within the city. And of course, the roses welcome me home. The white one has such a light and lovely scent...the candy cane rose was hiding way too deep in a bush to get a whiff! haha

Tools involved (some): Camera with memory card and battery, tennis shoes & socks, benches, sunglasses, sun hat.

*I had planned to take a CMB to plant on this 'city park' walk, but I forgot. Oh well, next time.

🌺

The video below shows more of this amazing artist. A creative use of fallen feathers, yes?

Feather artist Chris Maynard creates art inspired by nature

LINK 7:29 minutes

*

A walk over near the "same rock found twice" trail brought thoughts about natural spaces over time. There were views with no hint of man that could have looked the same 100 years ago. I treasure the fact that I can so easily see spaces like this. There were nice folks on the trail and lots to notice, even the slightest hint of lavender on the edge of a flower fills me up. The buckwheat was a dried arrangement in the natural setting and the cottonwoods sang. Light through the trees, a patch of Century Plants and Jack-o-Lanterns left in the wilderness...sigh. There were 3 hawks circling above the hillside, their calls ringing through the fields below.

On the way out, I planted a CBM on the gate. That's 87 planted for those of you playing along at home 🙂

Tools involved (some): Camera with memory card and battery, tennis shoes & socks, sunglasses, loom, yarn, needles and scissors.

What 'tools' do you use?

 

May you do what you can, when you can

May you appreciate what moves you

May you slow down when needed

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025

Peacefulness Ties Them Together

 

88°...felt much hotter though.

Leaves fade, twirling towards the ground

Meet the artist who embraced the slow art of sewing after an illness

LINK 8 minutes

At the bridge today, I was surprised by how much the riverbed had changed since we were there on October 10th. Where once we could see gobs of green growth over the water, we now see the river flowing and lots of the riverbed exposed. We had a big rainstorm on the 14th, and today we could see how washed out things had gotten.

Right away we saw a coyote meandering through the riverbed...strolling through the water...back and forth. It looked very healthy - at a good weight and all.

A BOTTOMLESS RESERVOIR OF JOY | Short Documentary

LINK 5:41 minutes

So much water flowing towards the sea. The darkening clouds provided beautiful light on the Fall leaves.

A bumblebee´s Paradise

LINK 16:48 minutes

After the moments of trying to stay informed, I escape to videos like these. Art, nature...peacefulness. I escape to making something or another. I give (leave) gifts, which not only brings me joy...but hopefully spreads that joy around a bit. I find ways to get through.

I had gathered red, white, and black tid-bits to make this art stick. After working on it a bit, my energy for it ran dry. So, I added some more bits for the making and left it with an offering for the whoever finds it to continue on. The other side of the larger tag reads "Free Enjoy", as usual. I hope it brightens someones day.

There was a woman at the bridge today, arrived when we did...she took a small journal and stood out in the brush, facing the bridge. I couldn't be sure, but it looked like she was sketching what she saw. I wonder if she saw the coyote down there? On our way out, as she walked in front of us, she paused to look and the plant life and to pick up a leaf. I kind of wished the lil art stick had already been planted, as she seemed like one who could appreciate such things. Anyway, I do hope it is found and embraced.

"Add your own treasures" & "May every knot, twist of the braid...every button or bead hold peace, health and love"

Last, but not least...I added some 'compassion' to the word cloth, as I am still considering what Beth from Still Life Pond questioned about empathy VS compassion. Something I want to ponder long term.

What surprises you or steadies you?

 

May you do what feels good to you and others

May you bask in season

May you catch glimpses of other worlds

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025

Sweetness & Humor, Adventure and Artistic Expression & Inspiration

 

I have recently looked back to Bridge & River photos from last year at this time. Man, what a difference! It is so green right now (and these pics were from before our big rain storm of the other night!). last year at this time, there were wide swaths of bare earth in the river bottom. As of now, it is mostly covered in green growth. I'm curious to see how the rest of winter goes.

-If you want, check the left sidebar for Oct-Nov 2024. What a trip.

Lamb And Her Rock

LINK 3:57 minutes

Her name is Florence

Lee Walters channel for more darling sheep videos. Florence evidently does not like to share that rock with the resident cat! haha

A new rock noticed at the bridge. I was fascinated with the two types of rock as one sample. The dark, blackish end on the right held crystals glittering in the sun.

BELOW:

This video showed up. I was mesmerized. A cat that likes kayaking? A silent, loving communication between human and cat? Gorgeous nature on the water, an area I'll probably never see in real life...yes! Sign me up. I had a hard time choosing which one to put here for sharing, they are all so relaxing and intriguing.

Louis Wildlife Channel here

Whiskers in the Wind: Louis’ Kayak Adventure & Curious Cabin Exploration

LINK 10:29 minutes

Then I came upon this one below. I was entertained and inspired. I tried to think of 30 different kinds of art to do. I thought it would be fun to try different kinds of making, but know that I may only try one or two.

What do you think? What would you like to try? Is it in or out of your comfort zone?

I Tried 30 Art Styles in 30 Days (Full Journey)

LINK 32:24 minutes

As for my own making, I completed this cloth diaper cloth.

I really enjoyed making this gift project. Here are the few pieces pulled together.

What do you like to make for gifts?

 

May you smile at the sweetness

May you keep an eye out for adventure

May you try something new now and then

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025

Tribute & Pow Wow -Day #2

 

How I Created A Safe Place In A Harsh World

LINK 16:23 minutes

My Saturday evening viewing. She often touches on something I've been considering...and just as often talks about things that I have absolutely 0 interest in (shopping, make-up etc.). But, there is usually something that I enjoy and I embrace the ritual of it, the beautiful photography and her dog often 'sings' with her at the very end, which cracks us up.

This week she touched on the passing of Jane Goodall (@5:23 timestamp), and put a quote of hers in the description box and inspired many comments from her followers...all honoring and remembering Jane Goodall. From her description box:

Above all we must realize that each of us makes a difference with our life. Each of us impacts the world around us every single day. We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place - or not to bother Jane Goodall

She talked about connections fading (the ones from her past) and current connections...with the world, friends & family now, nature and animals...purpose, peace...

"Life can be a struggle and lately it feels like the world is spinning out of control. But, I remind myself, I'm not out of control. My world is what I make it..."

~Susan of Little Poet

On our way into the Pow Wow today, we paused to appreciate these 3 amazing large rocks. Funny how we've passed by these rocks for years (even yesterday), but today was the day we took a closer look. The top rock reminded me of the rocks used used in the Walker Ranch Fireplace, near Placerita Nature Center. They have that same melty look. J. noticed the "wishing rock" (middle photo) before I did! Ha.

Large silvery rock was labeled: Muscovite Aquamarine. There were many rock, stone, crystal  vendors this year. Lots of jewelry to be bought. Today we also noticed many knives to be had. An elder with a large wagon stopped us to offer his wares of handmade knives. His work was beautiful.

We walked over to Heritage Junction to have a look. The Train Station has finally re-opened after an extended closure, but they are only open on Saturdays. They have been closed ever since I returned the "Indian Rock" back to the tribe. That feels like eons ago! We'll go take a look another day. It felt like they have done work on some of the other buildings as well. Today I noticed the small 1:12 Scale Model in the window of the Mitchell Adobe. I thought of Grace as I snapped a photo. 🙂

There is a lot more to explore here, but it was time for Day #2's fry bread!

 Today J. enjoyed an "Indian Taco" and I had my usual: powdered sugar fry bread. The past few years...since before the pandemic I guess, there have been different vendors for the fry bread. They are good, but not as good as the Begay Family fry bread from years ago. I kinda miss that group, but happily eat away anyway! 

The friendly folks of Wildhorse Native Foods served us well this year.

We arrived earlier today...but they still start a bit later.  It is always slated to open at 10 am, but the Grand Entrance was not until just after noon.  This gentleman on the advertisement for this year has been attending as long as we have. You can see him above as one of the 'flag bearers' in the opening ceremony. His family is standing off to the right. We've seen the family for years too. In fact, his son (on the left of their group, next to the seated camera man) was just a small boy when we started going to Pow Wow. There is something about the long, shared (if distantly) experience...that familiarity (even from afar), that warms my heart. Anyway, all of the different tribes stand with their group around the circle for this part. there is always a blessing to open the circle, blessings for the elders and Veterans...there are many somber moments included in the burst of colorful joy of the dancers.

The group drumming for the opening is called Blue Star and they've attended for years too. You can see the gentleman in the dark glasses hitting those high notes! Generally, I don't like real high pitched sounds, as it hurts my ears...but the with the deep sound of the collective drum beating in my heart...I'm taken far away and I embrace it wholly. In this photo you can see some of the women standing behind the drum circle, singing with the men. This article explains about the drumming/singing. I'm sure there there is variety based on tribe or location, but it gives you a general idea.

As I said, I got 25 cents X 4 worth of polished rocks over the two days of Pow Wow. I will send out a few and put the rest in planted CMBs. I wore my own blues Medicine Bag today and my eagle necklace (the one I've had since I was 17), which felt nice.

Here is more info and videos, if you'd like to look some more. 

KHITS 

The Signal

SCV NEWS

To remember the weekend by, a few stickers and a handful of rocks and a full tummy! 

What do you want to do next?

 

May you get out and do stuff

May you learn things

May you come by and share now and then

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025