Recent Days

Recent Days

Days gone by

Viewed car-bound, commuting

Leisurely walking in and out of

home.

Our home.

At times our sanctuary  from the world at large.

At times.

Work walks.

Sanctuary of another kind.

Life,

Come along, won't you?

*As always, click on photo to enlarge

The day after I posted a comment saying 

these flowers that are usually in bloom by now - are not.

Bam, up they all popped! 

Love these bulbs, here when I moved in 17 years ago and evidently, 

still going strong.

Mama rose, blooming and happy in a refreshed, refilled pot of soil.

Wild with new growth from all of the rain!

The gardeners knocked off my poor Indian's feather.  Boo Hoo.

Seen at the weekly shopping.  Pretty wild!

These things are huge!

And we got to sample one!

Sweet, dry, crunchy...mango like flavor.

Also seen while shopping.

For some reason the idea of Maxwell House 

celebrating Passover gave me a pause.

More rain and they look pretty battered.

No worries though, they were back to their perky selves soon after!

Arriving home to another storm

*Altered photo

It was so BLACK in this direction!!

I tried to alter the photo to really capture how it looked, 

as my camera didn't do a very good job.

This was close, not perfect.

 This was the night our valley got rain, thunder, lightening, and hail!

Big deal for SoCal!

Tiny delicate flower lifts my spirits on my work walk.

It was about the size of a dime!

Work neighborhood soil, dirt, earth.

I have a fascination of the different shades of Earth.

Like people-colored crayons used in preschools.

I thought I'd finally snap a picture of one of the colorations (my word) 

I'd been noticing. 

I keep thinking a window ledge with glass bottles of Earth would really be something, wouldn't it?

*Note: I'm going to try and binge blog.  I've taken so many photos lately 

of things I want to remember here. So, bare with me or ignore me altogether! 

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2017

One Thought Leads to Many

Today I thought of this quote posted over at Henrietta's place,  

8 1/2 x 11: Thread Reading

Wisdom

Mom always says, "never cut a knot, always untie it. If you can't figure out how to untie a knot, you'll never figure out how to solve your problems."

I was working on that old...slow going weaving in my car, on my lunch break.

It has been giving me problems as the warp threads had loosened and then knotted in the back, making it hard to weave on.

As I kept weaving, challenging myself to make it work, I began to think: What else can I do here...this is not working...I don't really like how it is looking and don't want to put in lots of my precious time only to have it fall apart in the end.

As I wove my beloved, soft brown Alpaca yarn, 

I considered just unweaving the whole thing.

But that seemed silly.  

What would I use these small pieces of yarn for if I did that?

I didn't really want to waste these fibers, especially the Alpaca and the multi-colored warp & weft yarn as I wrote about almost one year ago.

I kept turning it over and fussing with the knot, to know avail.

Finally I couldn't stand the problem solving of it anymore.

What if I just cut it and then knot the ends and finish the opposite ends.

Stop considering, stop struggling and just let it go.

If I cut it loose, it would be free to become something else.  Something else equally beautiful, just different than I had planned.

So that's just what I did.  I cut it right apart.

And I knotted it, so it wouldn't fall apart, which it hasn't so far.

The opposite ends are still on the little loom.

But, it is holding.  It is still together, even with the somewhat loose ends.

And it is still beautiful.  It is already inspiring new ideas.

I have some leather from a Pow Wow past that may make a cool back...

It may sound silly, it is only fibers aferall...

but going through this thought process and taking these steps was 

a kind of unplanned therapeutic exercise.  

It felt good.

I'm excited to see what comes next with this one.

When I got home, Dee's post was in my inbox.

It is called:

Tangled but not defeated

I think my favorite part is that we looked at our knots from completely different places, yet both came to resolutions that felt good and right to us.  Not only that, but I can see her side when she says: 

"knots can be undone".  

I can totally agree with her, even if I also say 

they can be cut and transformed from there!

Isn't it grand that there are so many ways to do things?

Isn't it wonderful to know that there are so many ways to do this thing called life?! 

* So, a big shout out to Dee for bringing this long day full circle.  This means a lot to me.

*I'd also like to give a shout out to Jude

...who showed me, by her example, that cloth and fibers 

can be manipulated quite bravely, if you want.  

* And my last shout out goes to my daughter 

who is beautiful no matter where she stands.

(((hugs)))

Nancy

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2016

 

10 Minute Drill #24 ~ Apricots

A quick post of my abundant apricot tree!

I can't believe how many there are this year.

They've already started to change color.

This post was inspired by Deb over at Bee Creative.

Her garden is always a treat to visit.

My guy is busy keeping the birds and squirrels at bay a bit.

Although, there are many to share this year!

In the past the critters have had a feast and we've had nothing.

I can't wait to eat some...they are the best apricots ever!

Ahhh...beautiful spring!

 I am so grateful.

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013

10 Minute Drill #23 ~ More Sky

Too pretty to pass up sharing this 

little fingernail moon!

Experimented with the flash...

enjoyed the warm night air.

It was very hot here today and 

it's supposed to be hotter tomorrow!  Which version do you like best?  I couldn't decide, as usual!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013

10 Minute Drill #22 ~ White Weaving

While exploring the desert and surrounding San Diego county...I treated myself to a beautiful weaving by Beryl E.M. Warnes. I debated...left and then walked back in to purchase!  That's how art should be...something that moves you.  Something that for sure you will think about later, and for a long time.  I didn't want that regret.  So, now I'm enjoying this one at my home.

I couldn't help but think of Jude, who loves the woven and speaks in White and Deanna, who manipulates cheesecloth, works in white and embraces lace...and Saskia & Grace who hang cloth in windows to see the light shine through.  And all of the other fellow What Iffers? who have been exploring White along with me!
If you'd like to check out more about Ms. Warnes...you can do so here:
http://weaverslink.com/fiber-artists/beryl-warnes/

She is busy preparing for the local "Fiber Dance" and making saddle blankets and woven clothing!

Here is a link for anyone interested: fiber dance festival

This is the weaving in her shop...really caught my eye!

close up...holes

In the breeze on the apricot tree

No shadows this time

A river runs through it

A light touch of bling adds so much!

On the Mama Rose Bush

 I, of course, realize that I've just shown you several photos of the One Same Weaving...

but each photo holds the light, shadows and fibers in such an interesting way, 

that I couldn't resist!

Thanks for humoring me!

I plan to hang this in a window so I can always see the light dance through it.

Beryl did tell me that she made it as a window piece and I think she got it just right!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013

 

10 Minute Drill~ # 21 A Different Trail

She rose earlier than usual to the 

cool morning air

Stepping out barefoot

a shine catches her eye

upon closer inspection

her imagination follows the trail

...and wonders

Can you see the trail?

Let me make it clearer for you!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

10 Minute Drill #20

Apricot Moons!!

Captured Moon

Spooky Moon

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

10 Minute Drill #20 - Surprise!

Tonight I was surprised by albino seeds in my pomegranate!

I have never seen these before, have you?

There were about 5 or 6 total and they tasted just as sweet as all their plump red relations!

Little pearls of goodness!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

10 Minute Drill # 19 - Solar Eclipse!

Well, that's it!  No special lens...glasses or whatever.  

I just messed around taking photos out back.  

I found if I tilt the computer screen a bit, I get a different view!

Enjoy :)

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

10 Minute Drill # 18 - Did It!

Really quick...

I did it!!  

"What?" you ask.

I set a goal for March to 'remove' at least one thing from the house every day.  It could be thrown away, recycled, passed along to someone else, or dropped off to Good Will.

And so it has been done.  Yippee!

Some days I cleaned out whole drawers or cupboard shelves and 'removed' way more than one thing.

A few days, I forgot and had to jump out of bed to take care of it!

Yet, I met this goal.

My house looks exactly the same!

So, I'm trying to decide what the goal should be for April.

Mmmmm...

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

 

I even clean out some fabric scraps and passed them on to a great group of preschool teachers.  However, I kept this little selection!  They spoke to me :)

Have you done any Spring Cleaning?

10 Minute Drill #17

Have you seen this?

Snow Circles

Today I am grateful for this beauty!

10 Minute Drill #16 - Weeeeeee

OK...environmental impact aside (because how many could really be brave enough anyway)...

How would it feel to fly?

The most recent research says swinging is good for brain development and brain organization skills!  Yet more and more schools have been removing swing-sets.  Do YOU like to swing?  When was the last time you had this kind of swinging good time?

This is some powerful brain fun!!  Heehee

It made me smile :)

And some of the other videos below look rather intriguing, 

but I'm off to help my sister unpack more boxes.

Go here to see the swing

Have a Swinging Sunday folks!

10 Minute Drill #15 - Sunset

Look...Look...Look at this beautiful sunset tonight!

Could the solar flares, experienced today, have contributed to this amazing glow?
Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

10 Minute Drill # 14 - The Joy of Books

   

Thanks to my sister for sharing this!  I know that as a child, I believed my toys came to life when I wasn't looking.  But I never dreamed my books were playing along too!

10 Minute Drill #13 New Flash

My niece just started her own blog!

Let me tell you, this girl can cook/bake!

I have no idea what she plans on blogging about, but I have had the delicious dessert in her first post.  Not something to enjoy everyday...but, oh YUM!!!

 Her name is Danielle and you can visit her here.

10 Minute Drill #12- Inspiration Continued

  

    So, here we are...the Day After Christmas when all the news wants to discuss is the sale shopping frenzy.  Instead, I invite you to relax and listen to this young girl.  To me it matters not that she sings of religious ideas that are not my own.  I just hear her as sweet inspiration.  Her beautiful voice, her songwriting...her ability to see right down to the heart of what is important - Every Day kind of important.

"Our dreams seem nearer and words are kinder, to the people that we meet..."  

"Families come back home, to the place they belong and their broken hearts are healed...."

May you celebrate this kind of inspiration all year long.

                      Here is a bit more to read about her.  She certainly leads by example doesn't she?  As she lives in a 2 bedroom house with her family, yet plans to donate part of her itunes sales monies so others may have the gift of music, what could be better than that?

                                           What word comes to mind as you listen?  

I have so many one word answers.  But, I keep coming back to

 "inspirational".  

May we all have an inspired year in 2012.

Here is the link, in case you need it: Night of Our Lives

10 Minute Drill #10 - Gifts

I love to give away things I've made.  This time my sister and my 3 nieces were the recipients of warm winter scarves as part of our Hanukkah celebration.   One side strips of colorful fabrics and one side soft fleece.  Mmmm...cozy!

Woodsy Yosemite Niece!

 I hope your upcoming winter days are filled with family, warmth, and the joy of giving.

                                                        

Sister's vintage fabrics!

Flowers for the photographer/dancer niece!

 

Guitar-playing Music Business Niece!

 

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2011