What A Difference or Not

Two days since our last visit...the drumstick is gone, the river looks lower and other happenings, both obvious and subtle, continue to show themselves.

I am again and again so grateful to have this space to visit as often as we do. To have a touchstone in nature that feels like home is a gift that keeps on giving and giving. 

Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World | Official Trailer | American Masters | PBS

LINK 2:55 minutes

The old crow's nest has had more work done in the last two days. From one side, it looks small and bare...but from the other side, there is quite a bit of white fluff. So now the pondering begins...what is that fluff? Where did it come from? Who is doing the building? We did not see any birds near this nest, so the questions continue.

I've had the blues...well, the glue book blues that is. Working in this little book is a good escape from other blues too...for sure. I have other pages started and many blank ones, just waiting. There is comfort to be found, not only in the making, but in the holding and looking through these little creations. A good place to let one's mind wander.

I have room to add more to some of these pages. I think my favorites for now are "Sly Dog" and "Which Fruit Is Best?" - the dogs obviously chose blueberries! That big doodle dog even knocked over a glass to get one out! That is a bit hard to see with my fingertips holding the book open, but you get the idea. I like that there is another "Build A Strong Foundation" page, as there is in the green book I made. In the green book, the foundation being built was about family...this time it is about caring for the whole earth.

Where do you find comfort? Is it an old place or a new endeavor? 

 

May you have a touchstone in nature

May you have places to explore through art and making

May you hold both close to your heart

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

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

Storms of Thought

 

It is stormy looking today...and a bit chilly when the wind blows. We walked to the fence change and spent time looking. I'm glad we got out before any rain that may fall actually does so. I'd wanted to go yesterday, but was not feeling well. So, I was glad to get out today.

A Visit to Carlsbad's Fix-It Clinic

LINK 6:55 minutes

 In my own, odd way I guess I've been 'celebrating'...or better said, reflecting on Earth Day over the past week. It started with needing glue sticks (something I knew would need to be purchased with all of this collage work). I've been trying to find workarounds for Amazon.

So, I went into one of those 5 Below to look/price glue sticks. I was struck by the sheer volume of "stuff" (picture a more colorful word here!)...most of it plastic or some other cheap material. But it was the amount...THE AMOUNT! Oh my lands. Talk about visual overstimulation! Even on a budget, even with a need & a list...I doubt I'll shop there again.

Then today I tried DAISO, a Japanese goods store. Oh man. Sigh. Again, the volume of plastic stuff, most of it with characters on it, was overwhelming. I must have missed the glue sticks buried in there somewhere. For the most part, one and done for me and this store.

I know this about myself. I don't want, need, or like this abundance of 'stuff' (do you hear George Carlin in your head yet?) and visiting these two stores just confirmed that for me. When I am in situations like this, I just see it all as if in a landfill. I can't help it, that is just how it looks to me.

That's is why when the top video popped up, I thought perfect timing! This is a mighty big ask, a mighty big fix for worldwide attitudes about material belongings. sigh.

*NOTE: Links above are for reference, unless you want to see lots and lots of stuff!

A Skill We Stopped Teaching

LINK 9:22 minutes

I watched this 2nd video earlier today and came away with...with thoughts.

**A long time later...

Well, I had a cohesive train of thoughts going...was putting this together, when I paused to talk to a friend who's mother just passed away. We had a very nice, long catch-up talk. While I was involved with that call...another shooting. This time at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

So, I've now run out of words and thoughts and will just stop here and leave you with some pretty photos.

When do you throw in the towel on a plan?

 

May you be there for self and others

May you find what you like and do that

May you move forward always

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Finding Joy

 Thursday I couldn't believe how green and beautiful the hills looked. We could again walk at city park and did. On this day, I was able to go the short distance to the bridge there, where we discovered that the swallows are indeed back now! There were SO MANY and they were SO BUSY!! Almost every small mud nest had a little face poking out, while the others in the community were rapidly coming and going. We could not tell if those were babies waiting in the nests, only that the others would fly in to the front of a nest and then fly off again. The sheer volume of little chirping birdsong was something! Some of the nests looked a little worse for wear since last year, but most were in pretty good shape. If repairs were needed, there was water and mud in the wash, ready for use.

Bach - Trio Sonata from The Musical Offering BWV 1079 | Netherlands Bach Society

LINK 19:01 minutes

I have gotten back to my rereading of "Theo of Golden". All four musical offerings here are from my rereading. I've enjoyed listening 'new to me' music, except "Summertime", which I already knew. I was looking forward to getting to the musical references in the book, so I could explore them. It was well worth it. I believe I may get to hear others, before the book ends.

As I did when I started this rereading adventure, I've also been looking up unfamiliar words, locations, people and so on. It has been interesting and fills in some of the ideas of the story.

One of the things I was reading about is the Morpho Butterflies, as they are spoken about in Theo of Golden. They are gorgeous. Every time we see any kind of butterfly on our walks, it lifts the spirit!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpho_(genus)

Lastly, the rereading of this book has given me a lot to consider as I am seeing it through new eyes, even after reading it such a short time ago. The first time I read it was through the lens of primarily: connection and kindness.  It was read from an emotional standpoint, from my gut. This time around I am seeing things in the story that I washed right over in the first read. Maybe I'll talk about that more later.

Miklós Rózsa Toccata Capricciosa, Op.36 for solo cello

LINK 6:33 minutes

We haven't really seen any red-winged blackbirds so far, but I did spy this bird in the tree. I am grateful whenever I get out in nature, whatever that looks like.

Summertime

LINK 5:00 minutes

Who would have guessed that I would be listening to this piece of music from Portugal! haha I guess I can say that reading Theo of Golden in this way, I have certainly expanded my horizons - at least momentarily! 

Hino Nacional de Portugal - A Portuguesa (versão completa/com letra)

LINK 5:01 minutes

The past few days have been spent with the Pink Glue Book. I am not really a pink girl at all and I thought this book would be one of the hard ones to find images for...but I was wrong! I've found a lot of pink. Here is a sample below. I've done others since I started this draft, but I'll save those. I've also begun adding words to the pages seen here. What words do you think I found to add to each spread? What story does the image say to you? I've also covered the front & back covers, both inside and out. I like it like this and plan to try it with the other colors too.

Our weekly jaunt up the canyon did not disappoint. It never, ever does. The scents, sights and vibe are so...right. I saw a pink thistle that escaped being photographed. But, the ones below stood out so much, how could I not snap a pic. There was a lot of purple-flowered sage and many scrub jays along the way. There's always something familiar (thus comforting) and something new to see on this short drive. I treasure it each time we go.

I am continuing the tradition of lighting the white ("health & caring") and the green ("money") candles each afternoon. They stay lit through to bedtime, reminding me of those important to me or a silliness that began decades ago with the lighting of money candles. One refreshing and hope-filled , and the other silly, but wishful. Their light brings me calmness and joy.

When do you like to revisit things?

 

May you learn something new, even from something old

May you never fail to appreciate the goodness around you

May you care for yourself and others in the best ways you know how

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026