Driving

Going for a drive is something we can do.

So off we went last week.

We took along some old charming maps my mom had saved and explored J's old neighborhoods. I find it funny that she was so interested in these old stone buildings and many years later here I am with someone who lived there!

Tujunga ~ Sun Valley ~ Sunland ~ Shadow Hills ~ Stonehurst

 

I didn't take a ton of photos, as most places are private residences,  but just to see the rock work was amazing! In NV in the early 1980's "river rock" was all the rage, I've always had a soft spot :)

You can read more:

LA Times

Research with photo 

Recreation Center

Okay, more!

His home is long gone, but there were so many others to see. 

A beautiful Fall day!

Black and White photo inspired by Deb

"I like big leaves and I cannot lie!"

I really do! Giant and tiny fascinate me.

I dropped some books into two different Little Free Libraries, in two different valleys, which for some reason I found to be incredibly fun to do. I picked up only one book: 

"How to be Black"

It's pretty funny.

I have to say, at both LFL's, I really wanted to straighten things out 

so they would look more inviting! You can barely see what's there. 

I still have a few books in the car, for our next drive-about!

May you venture out, back, forward

May you investigate and explore

May you share

 

Photographs by NAE ©2020

Gifts Made

How to Tie a French Hitch Rock Wrap by JD Lenzen (TIAT)

My sister sent me this link:

Tying It All Together

Such beautiful rock-wrapping art!

So I headed over to the You Tube channel (as shared above) to take a peek.

I've seen rock coverings that are crocheted, felted or knotted with string,

but this precise patterned tying was new to me.

Looks beautiful and fun to do, even if I usually enjoy my rocks au naturel!

I could see this as a fun activity for children, not this precise of course. 

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On another front in making and giving, I've finished Orlo's Christmas Stocking.

I really like this textured delight and it's not overly busy look.

Simple works, especially now.

His mommy & daddy love hiking in the woods, so the stocking body is pine cone filled.

I hope it brings them many years of joy during the holiday season.

 

With cotton, corduroy, velour, velvet and cross stitch fabric...

this one is a textural delight!

Getting the colors in photos right lately has not been easy.

The heal is brown, the big toe is caramel and the little toe is deep red.

The inside is muslin, both the cross stitch fabric and the muslin are tea dyed.

The back pocket is just plum worn out!

It really is much more faded than the piece behind the name, both from old corduroy shorts from my high school days.

The button, which holds the hook on is made from abalone, 

sewn on backwards for the color and the texture.

I used an old flannel pillowcase instead of batting.

My special signature is tucked inside this time, 

as there was not really a light enough place for it (the pocket was a little bumpy!)

A little something to add in the pocket and it is ready to go.

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When looking at the video above, I found this one too.

I think I'm a few feathers short for this kind of weaving!

I certainly have never thought about weaving with them or even getting them wet!

I was also fascinated with the process of working with the yucca plant fibers.

Turkey Feather Blanket

 

May you expand your creativity, doing old things in new ways

May you embrace learning for entertainment's sake alone

May you  enjoy the feeling of completion

 

xo

Photographs by NAE ©2020 

The Way of Books

I love books. I really love books. But, you all know that.

I love to pass things on. I really like that. 

I always try to find a good match, someone who will like and appreciate the gift. Additionally, we saw one of those Little Free Libraries on our drive last week, so that may be a fun option for passing on books.

I have been deep cleaning in the bedroom, inspired by the fact that the guy came to stretch the bedroom carpet (so grateful I won't trip on that anymore). What started as moving the stuff off the top of the furniture, turned into undoing and cleaning everything. I would not have chosen to do this on my own, but now maybe half-way done going through everything, I'm so glad I did! As typical for me, there is so much thought on "stuff" and the meaning of that...on many levels. However tonight it is books.

I decided there were some I could pass on, some I should pass on, so it is with that in mind that I began to put them away, making a stack to go and a stack to read (and then keep or go). 

 

Books and Booklets to go, a beginning of the sorting

As I waited for the floor guy to finish, I looked at the stacks on the living room floor and started making mental notes on which ones would go. I stitched on Orlo's stocking (almost done) and listened to the news. Of course one of the stories was about what will we do if he won't leave. I suddenly thought of this old favorite. My kids loved this book. They thought the story hysterical and I especially loved the artwork! I've got their copy, probably signed by the Woods, stored in one of the two big tubs of childhood books. I've been pondering those books too, but that's for another time!

Anyway, I seriously think we need this Page to get him out, even before inauguration would work! I hope you enjoy this reading.

 May you know when to hold on

May you know when to let go

May you love a good book

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2020

Help

Do you know? Do you wanna play the guessing game? Are you more knowledgeable than Google?

Today, taking a break from clearing out the bedroom for the carpet stretchers, who come tomorrow...I was laying on the couch watching a 'house show' when I saw a shadow fall across the lower part of the sliding door (blinds mostly shut). I heard a slight thunk.

I thought the broom had fallen over, and later when looking I saw nothing out of the ordinary. Later, J and I went out to look some more. Leaning over the railing, we saw this strange thing on the grass in the corridor. A little crack on one end was all that showed. We opened it up and discovered the brown fibrous form inside. It is about 3 inches, long ways.

Any clues anyone? Mo?

I love how the ridge on the center piece fits into the outer piece! Boy, what a puzzle!

 

May you have fun & curious surprises

May you enjoy working the puzzles 

May you continue to search

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2020

Red

 Okay, so Acey says, "Red".

I have always said, "I'm not a red person", but I thought I'd try to consider some of what she was saying. I'm not always good at that. Perhaps because my mind is elsewhere, I'm not educated enough in subjects of which she speaks, or because I'm not spiritual enough to go there, or because of some other reason. I often feel like I just don't get it, but I keep trying to consider new things though.

So, RED.

This small piece of red silk(?) was sent to me years ago by Michelle, if I remember correctly. Or maybe it came from elsewhere...my mom? another cloth friend? I'm not sure but, I've always associated it with dear Michelle.

It's small, maybe 8X8, or smaller. I've never quite known where or how to use it. I usually sew on cotton, so this fabric is an unknown for me. Anyway, so here is the way it went...

Acey said, "red" and I remembered this little square was sitting out on top of the fabric tub for some reason. I think I had found it in a basket when I unpacked it. Anyway, there it was, sitting still. I tried real hard to consider one true thing. I thought of the many trinkets that are treasures to me, but nothing felt "one true thing" enough or maybe it was that I was trying to think of the one MOST true thing, just one. This is part of my current mental state and philosophy of letting go, of a lot, what holds that much value, when not a lot does these days. Then I thought of my wallet, it is red too.

This wallet comes with story. When my mama was getting confused on which checkbook to grab when going to take care of different kinds of purchases or bill paying, I suggested that she get two thin wallets in different colors to hold the two checkbooks. Then she'd have the color cue to remind her and help keep things straight. So, we did. We got this red one and a green one. And it worked great for her! When she passed, my sister kept the green one and I kept this one (my license removed for photo). I kept this one because it reminded me of my aunt's that I had for kept for much of my life. You can read about that here.

When I went to photograph it, I grabbed the Word Cloth to lay it on. I have trouble with bad lighting and a lack of surfaces to lay things out. I snapped two pics and realized that I had laid it on the Word Cloth with the most recent, unfinished word, "HOLE" showing. I started that word around the time Michelle passed. Her passing and certain other life circumstances leaving such a hole for me. Trying to respect the process without falling too deeply into hole. So, by virtue of not thinking too much, I created a metaphor for now.

Family ~ Friendships ~ Financial ~ Holes

Thanks for the prompt Acey!

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May you discover new things

May you feel good, even if by accident 

May you steer clear of too many holes, but embrace friends

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2020
 

 

Not a Walk

Today it was not a walk.

Today it was a drive.

However, I noticed/felt many of the same emotions and reflected on yesterday's game. I guess you could play that game a lot. We were gone two hours, the time we had to be out due to the bug spray man. It was lovely. Peaceful, beautiful, perfect temps...just right.

Take a look, I bet you'll agree.

Shimmer Trees

Unknown Hawk

Really big skeleton!

Long view

Big man, bigger canyon!

Bright trees in dry earth

Cottonwood! 

May you feel small in our big world

May you keep your heart as big

May you remember the long view

xo

Photographs by NAE ©2020

Days of Pendulum

 

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the heel and toes are made with textured fabric.

The toe is velvet, which is so soft! There is some of the old shorts corduroy behind his name.

I had planned on putting a snowflake or two or so, but it is not going to work out, as I seemed to have lost the little baggie with the last couple in it and pandemic snowflake shopping just won't happen. Good enough.

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 I took a little walk again today. Much shorter, on orders by my bones & muscles ;)

I had to really encourage myself to get out there, but I was spurred on by comments from my last post, and posts of yours as well. I remind myself how often I read about Dee's walks with dog, Jude's walks to know rock and more, Saskia's walks near waterways, Grace's walks with land & tree...Penny's walks with Rusty Pups and Mo's walking explorations through museums and her beloved mountains.

Anyway, I carry this inspiration (and more!) with me and that of Michelle and all of her City Walks and her kind comments to me here on the trail. 

Today I really had Liz on my mind. I reflected on her last post, which held an acorn & feather, as I had done in my previous post.  This gave me an idea for a game, because I am working real hard to swing that pendulum towards positive. I didn't have my camera today, so I imagined my answers to Scavenger Hunt Clues in words alone. I'll include the Clues list, in case you want to play too!

1. Find/Tell of something that surprised you.
2. Find/Tell of something that delighted you.
3. Find/Tell of something you see as beautiful.
4. Find/Tell of something that inspired you.
5. Find/Tell of something you see as remarkable.

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1.  I was surprised by a power pole about a block from home. The exact moment I was walking by said pole, I heard a very loud rattling, falling sound (Imagine the sound of a rain stick, just really loud! It made me jump). I stopped and looked at the wooden pole and noticed strapped beside it, a large PVC pipe. My mind flew to conclusions to solve the puzzle. We have lots of woodpeckers around here, was it that? Did a woodpecker drop acorns down that PVC? But, no, I did see any birds. My next consideration was, did I hear some sort of electrical surge? That did not seem right to me because the sound didn't match the idea. So, I guess I will have to just remain surprised! 
2. Something that delighted me was bumping into an old friend and ECE gal outside of her home. We hadn't seen each other in years, so there was lots of catching up to do. We sat in the beautiful warm sun on her bleachers garden bottom bench. There were dozens of plants between us, which made social distancing so much more delightful!
3. Today I walked up my own street about 3/4 mile, where a gate ends the through street. I walked beyond the gate and sat down on the curb in the quiet of this car-less road. I saw crows and turkey vultures circling some distance away. Round and round they floated on invisible air currents, miles up in the blue sky. I always find this not only beautiful, but so calming, sentering. Beautiful can mean many things.
4. I was inspired by my friends gardens, not only on the bleachers, but throughout her front yard. Raised beds growing a wide variety of winter vegetables, chimes and yard art included at this last house on the road. As we chatted, several people walked or drove by on this dead end street, most waving saying "Hi" or stopping to chat. Green growing things, friendships and friendly neighbors are always inspiring.
5. I found it remarkable to see a clear top-teeth retainer, flattened in the street. I have one of these retainers, I know what they cost! Remarkable that it just lay squashed in the street!
   

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I found a beautiful leaf that I was compelled to carry home with me so I could share it with you.

I found it to check off every number on the Clues List: 

surprised, delighted, beautiful, inspired & remarkable.

 

Isn't she a beauty?!

The colors caught my eye, but the green stitched veins are what really fascinated me!

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Always within the day these days, the pendulum swings quietly.

The news cycle and adult concerns keep it real, 

which is why the walks and our friendships are so important.  

 

The following deep-heart writing comes from 

Jen Lee 

I get updates, info and writings from her in my email.

The last few writings have been very touching.

This one fits my mood of late.

We need to be gentle with ourselves and our loved ones.

These have been hard times and you can't ignore that.

Maybe you lost a friend to this pandemic. Maybe you lost three. Maybe your best friend just got a lung transplant at age sixteen, or you heard that terrible word: inoperable.

Maybe you are staring down the long double barrel of autumn and winter and wondering who we will be on the other side, and who will be there with us.

Some days I think of everyone I've ever loved. I am thinking of the unspoken or unsaid things and they rise and fall in me like waves.

The sound it makes is: thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you.

For things taught and kindnesses shown. For recognition and togetherness and making the world a more hospitable place for our strange and wondrous selves. For acceptance and this feeling of carrying in our hearts and being carried by others.

I do not know what to tell you. Maybe that tears come quickly for us in these days. Our voices break in the middle of so many sentences.

I want to say there is something about violins that gives this feeling voice. There is something about the blanket of night that makes it easier to say.

I imagine us always saying thank you, or I love you, as if every other sentence were these in code. To the liquor store owner passing wine bottles through bulletproof glass. The super who reminds me of my dad calling me by name as I walk by. The courier arriving with the medicine at 10 pm at night. The bus driver delivering me home safely and the old man waving through the barbershop window.

Our heart of hearts, our home base, or the safe harbor we dropped anchor into.

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you. 

Copyright © 2020 Jen Lee, All rights reserved.

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May you appreciate the highs and the lows

May you find a way to play

May you embrace folks & birds

xo

Photographs by NAE ©2020

 

The Counts Are In

Well folks, the counts are in.

I've heard from each and every bone and muscle and it is unanimous...

I'm old!

Let me fill you in.

 

Today I woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. While J was at the grocery store, I decided to clean the almost empty fridge. Not a job I spontaneously do. But, I did. Then, I decided that I really need to Get Out! So, I decided to go for a walk. A big walk, for me these days.

I've wanted to walk "up to the gate" near my house for a really, really long time. I used to walk there all the time, then work, commute, life got in the way.

My body noticed the years it's been between walks there,                                                            even though it's only a few miles there and back.

These last months, I've not gotten the exercise I used to or that I should. But, I decided to push myself anyway (knowing I'd hurt tonight, which I do), because my spirit needed this.

Here are many pics:

I headed up my street, accompanied by gorgeous clouds! It was about 60 degrees with a nice breeze. A beautiful day.   

Off onto neighboring streets, a statue I'd not seen before and some wild turkeys I heard before seeing them perched in an oak...plus the dirt part of the road not taken (well, not for a few years!)

I rounded the corner to the familiar road to the gate. The first house on the left, a small one bedroom I've always loved looks a bit worse for the wear, but it has a new windmill thingy. I love those for some strange reason. :)

Almost to the gate, a small bird on the fence of an empty lot I used to imagine a home upon and the gift of a feather (red tail hawk, I do believe)

I sat on my old rock down by the gate for a while. I wondered at the blue skies and huge, old trees. Even though this is just a sidewalk-less street in a suburban town, it has been a get-away for me for over twenty-one years, ever since I moved to this side of town. I've missed being there. I've needed to be there.

The road back home.

 

There were lots of acorns, a few pumpkins and some beautiful flowers too!

 

While we don't get gobs of Fall Color around here, I always notice and appreciate the bits we've got! Soon after I got home, it rained lightly...and then hailed for a few minutes, before the bright skies returned. The sunset was pink tonight :)

 

May you find resolve when you need it

May you get out when you need to

May you go in when you need to

May you remember you are loved

xo

Photographs by NAE ©2020