Art, Life and Grief

A local parking lot had these beautiful blooms, which I have now discovered are on a  Myrtle-leaf Milkwort.

I took a quick screenshot from this SOURCE, as I've always had a thing for the ROLODEX...not as a tool for addresses, but as an avenue for art. I've enjoyed the fact that both Jude and Grace have one, to use as they wish. The one pictured here is not my particular style, but I can appreciate that the maker had some fun working on it. What would you use a Rolodex for? Besides art (painting, drawing), my brainstorming comes up with prompts or 'story starters', swatching or samples, favorites (fabric, images...?), family history stories...a particular color or ? There is something about turning that wheel and seeing where you land that I am attracted to. ha.

I'm thick into the 'blue glue book'...more on that soon.

I saw the America's Got Talent video and first heard this song HERE. But, I'm posting a "softer" version here -even if her AGT performance was amazing. A song for anyone who is or has ever grieved a loved one. She wrote it for her baby nephew when he passed from meningitis at almost one year old. her voice is so haunting and pain-filled and beautiful.

Her channel can be found here, where you can find other versions and other songs too. The "official version" from 10 years ago is equally heartbreaking, if not more so.

Stephanie Rainey - Please Don't Go (Live at St. Lukes Church)

LINK 4:05 minutes

The empty crow's (?) nest looked like it has a bit added to it. Mmm?

While we strolled the path, someone left a meaty drumstick on the bridge, possibly for Owly (as it was placed below her nest)? That was a surprise to see.

What surprised you recently?

 

May you find peace

May you embrace warmth

May you stay loved

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Mating Season?

 

Medical Office Weaving

Extreme heat warning: 100-degree temps to hit Southern California

LINK 4:11 minutes

Plastics woven together

Proud: That question keeps popping up, again and again.

Woke up...create a

journal, old ways, a new way

what am I proud of?

Proud of things I am actually responsible for

what about being proud of others and how it reflects on me

False pride

What are you proud of?

One owl, many crows, 1 hawk, and 16 lizards. Did some reading about owl life. Crows circling, a pair...ready to nest? Owls are one of the earliest nesters, I read. Crow pair sits in the nearby tree, we move on.

It was a very hot Sunday at the bridge.

Their expressions say it all, or nothing.

What are you looking at this time of year?

 

May you observe with care

May you interact with respect

May you keep a gentle heart

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Middle of the Week

 

Very tall grasses, maybe 7 inches high

How to See an Exquisite Corpse | Surrealism at 100

LINK 14:47 minutes

I continue to watch art making videos. I find them inspiring and pleasant. This one was quite curious. It led to memories of one of my former students and his "Continuing Art". You can read that post HERE. Anyway, doesn't this look like fun? 

Today we went back to one of the parks in our Parks Project. I was waiting for the Meditation Garden to open, so I could check it out. You can see our first visit HERE. We walked the short loop, pausing to sit on a bench and listen to the rock fountain for a few minutes. I have to say that it was surprisingly underwhelming...but it led to a good conversation regarding where we do feel connected, at peace, meditative and so on. The bridge still wins out for me. I sure wish there were more benches there though.

There were a lot...I mean a lot of children there today. A big group of middle schoolers playing football on the grassy field. Many moms stood around chatting or moved off a bit down the trail to hang out at a picnic table. There were a dozen younger siblings on the structure and racing their scooters along the path. Four year old boys, fearless in their own power. One young girl tip-toed in stealth quietness through a batch of rosemary, stalking a lizard.

I photographed this tree the last time we were there too. I was captivated by this unique trunk. The last photo was shot from a slightly different position. This one really shows the "flow" section of the bark in the middle. 

We watched the last of the series Rose and Maloney tonight. we've been enjoying it, but I warn you it is gritty and intense. The opposite of a meditation garden, for sure.

The view towards the riverbed turned out like a painting, yes?

Where would you like to go for a follow-up visit?

 

May you give new spaces a try

May you honor where is best suited to you

May you take it lightly at times

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Post Office Day

 

18-YEAR-OLD MOLLY SCHAEFER SPENT 6O0HOURS PAINTING

LINK 1:05 minutes

Don't ya love this story...and the connection to Theo of Golden?! I've been watching so many art making videos, but I'm trying to hold off starting anything new, while I work on things I've got going.

Today was a Post Office day. I mailed off some books and other gifts and goodies. I'm super excited to share these items. I sent the book created with the Kindergarten group and those created with the Infant & Toddler classroom, along with a couple of others. I'm so happy to share the books and their stories with my grandchildren. One of the books I sent is seen below. I've had this book since college. I loved it so much at the time. I thought the theme was strong, the illustrations amazing and the lessons valid. Of course, in 2026 I would be including conversations regarding labels, kindness and problem solving through collaboration. At 18 years old, I didn't think quite that deep about it. I still think it has the potential to be a meaningful addition to growth and learning during current times.

War and Peas by Michael Foreman

LINK 4:17 minutes

In reading it again (I always reread every book I send their way!), I read the back jacket flap and was curious about the author's other book. I easily found this reading of it to share here. Still timely as well. It really makes one wonder when humans will ever learn?!!

Dinosaurs and all that rubbish | Full Story | Bedtime Stories

LINK 5:28 minutes

The last Medicine Bag is in the mail and I've prepped a basket with selections for the next one. It is hard to put into words how much I love this part of the process. I sat on my bed with all of my yarns spread out around me. Thinking about the recipient for this weaving...thinking about the yarn colors and how they look side-by-side and the meaning for each color chosen.  Some of these may not end up in the Medicine Bag, but it is the process that thrills me, including thinking about this particular person and weaving with love and care.

How have your impressions about certain books changed? Stayed the same?

 

May you find that thrill in the best places

May you read and read again

May you weave a good life

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Creativity

 

The artist who makes miniature figures attempt the impossible

LINK 11:46 minutes

There's all kinds of creativity, yes? Yes. I found this lil video the other day and was so enamored.  Aren't her creations and collections wonderful? I of course thought of Saskia and everyone at The Dwelling. I think this is such a fun kind of play.

Below is my kind of play over the past few days. I really like the story here. For those of you who don't know, the two stitched pairs between the mountains and the water are my symbol for "friendship" - which I created based on the American Sign Language (ASL) for that word.

What kind of creativity do you like to view or create?

 

May you play...can I say that too much? Nah!

May you welcome new ideas

May you gain skill in old ways too

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

A Few More Hats!

 

A small walk at the bridge. Nothing much to write home about. A stroll on a lovely day, where there were several women joggers, for some reason. My foot is still sore and I'm frustrated. That's it.

Teacher turns first graders’ drawings into real hats — their reaction says it all

LINK 2:50 minutes

I came across this video after posting the old classroom "Hats!" book. What a wonderful collaboration, filled with math patterning, color recognition and generous and creative adults. A teacher to remember!

One successful Pooh Stick game, 2 young boys playing in the river...a mom with two toddlers sits on a bench scrolling her phone while they climb around her. Another day. Pretty quiet, mostly peaceful in my heart.

What would you do if you could? What would you give the children?

 

May you appreciate those that can and do run, run, run

May you appreciate the littles who play in the river

May you appreciate others who show strength in their teaching

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

 

CAMARADERIE

 

Delia Robinson - Wave the Ocean Crankie

LINK 20:27 minutes

Big thanks go out to Jacqui for sharing this video! Isn't this artist just delightful?!! Wouldn't it be fun to make "crankies" with children?!

I completed a new Medicine Bag and began the leather piece seen her. Then I went on to add "CAMARADERIE" on the Word Cloth. This is a word which has always held my heart. Recently it came up for me in a couple of places and I thought Ah-Ha...Word Cloth! So, there it sits, along the edge near "Belonging" - "Good Trouble" and "Ease". Feels good.

What word(s) mean something important to you?

 

May you stay playful

May you play with words and also hold them tight

May you implement your ideas 

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

The Wheel Keeps Turning

 What is "Phenology" anyway?! I stumbled onto the video below and fell down a rabbit hole on and off, for days and days! You all probably know me by now and know that all of the looking, researching and thinking is really what gets me excited. But, not always the doing it...or doing it in such a structured, consistent manner. This is why I truly love my little journal-drawing book so much - there is no timeframe, order, requirements and so on. Anyway, in my discovering, I did really like the idea of doing them with children. Their drawing/paintings were so charming to see. Plus, I like the idea of helping them get tuned into the earth, as they will be here long after we are gone.

I could have added dozens and dozens more links below, but stopped myself. Some are to read/look at and some are videos. Use them or not. 

I'm still considering if I will do anything of this sort or not. The hardest part for me is the commitment...there are so many variables each day to consider. Maybe this exploration will touch what I do in other ways than doing exactly as demonstrated. No matter what...there are some seriously good artists out there just truckin' along - doin' their thing. Love that.

I've Made a Tiny Painting Every Day for 675 Days!

LINK 26:29 minutes

Do you feel inspired to make one with young children? A bit more HERE, HERE or HERE

more inspiration HERE...or HERE for a Moon Phenology Wheel!

Or maybe you want to make one that is an accordion book instead: HERE - very interesting, even if a bit long and specific!

There is so much out there about 'wheels' and books and journals all having to do with 'nature' in one way or another. I thought about what I would want to do, if anything, and how I'd want to do it - if at all. But, I also thought of all of you with your grand/great-grandchildren, specific art making (what would a wheel of Old Bird King look like through a year's time?) or...??? Since one of the videos I came across was embroidering for each month on white cloth...what if it was naturally dyed pieces appliqued as triangles onto a wheel?

My brainstorming brain just takes off. My follow-through does not! haha So, of course I'm just going to go spinning along now...

Have a nice evening.

Kate Wolf - Medicine Wheel

LINK 3:52 minutes

What starts your wheels turning?

 

May you discover new ideas  

May you act on them however you like

May you creative wheels spin with ease

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025

When I Walk

 

Three days ago...a walk somewhere we've not been in a while. An old road, disappearing into the brush, an uprising of stone, glittering heart-leaves - wiggling in the bright sun...graffiti thoughts of those who came before us. The warmth of the sun and the boldness of the day was invigorating.

👣

Top 40 Hilarious Finalists of the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

LINK 3:00 minutes

Echoes of Heritage | AI Animation Video Art | Mamta B. Herland

LINK 1:38 minutes

...the remnants of a fallen man-made damn, protruding rocks - like a monster's knuckles grasping the edge of the mountain, giant boulders, cracked like an egg...spray-paint "non-GMO" (what? why?)...a gathering of rocks - a big square with a path that leads in, a place to come together?

I've really been enjoying the substack of "Carri": LINK

I really wanted to share this post of hers. Hopefully, you can find it HERE. You may have to sign in to view? So far, I've enjoyed each post of hers. Maybe you will too?

In light of my foot injury, this announcement we saw on our way out fits perfectly.

Where do you want to be right now?

 

May you hobble

May you slow down and focus

May you keep going

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025