Little Things

It remains hot here. My back did a little "tweak"...so I'm doing small things. Making, reading & writing, taking photos. Relaxing. 

Learning to Let Go | A Sketchbook Practice with Shapes and Paint

LINK 31:45 minutes

As seen in the previous post, I was inspired to play with my new watercolors in the way seen in this thumbnail pic. Paint a blob, see what you see, draw it in with a fine line. Today I added to what I saw in the paint.

It may be hard to tell what I saw. Maybe you can zoom in? The big purple blob is Barney the Dinosaur (I was never, ever a fan of that one!!) and the orange swirly blob is a tornado. The little purple/pinkish blob is a creature peeking out and saying "Boo!" 

Recently I had some good conversations with J. and my son about A&W Root Beer floats, so of course the A&W mug jumped out at me.

I think I want to do this again, but not as separate blobs, but rather to paint much of a page as we used to do in Jr. High. It takes a relaxed mind and practice to see what has not been intentionally placed there.

Power Sticks: I did a little driftwood sanding today, as one of the pieces was a bit rough. I really like the feel of working with wood and have always wanted to do more. My biggest dreams are wanting a carved Hawk, about 1-2 inches tall. I can see it in my mind's eye: it is very smooth, almost a rectangular block shape - so no out stretched wings or long tail feathers or sharp beak. I want to be able to keep it with me, in my pocket. Perhaps I will start by trying to draw it? I've also had the idea to create a small cube, rounded corners...made from a gorgeous piece of wood, smoothed with - what? oils? But, a small cube as I read about in the book The Tao of Pooh, "the wooden block". I did draw that one a couple of years ago. I can see it so clearly in my head.

#11 Driftwood

BTW~ I opened up the page (up top) for "The Shoe Project" again recently. I'd been thinking about it with all of my gluing, so thought I'd make it easily available again. 

What small things fill you up?

 

May you feel good enough 

May you find things to create

May you grant yourself grace in every moment

xo

#goodenough

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

To The Coast

 

Off we went to the coast...a drive we had not done in some time. Time was spent noticing the many changes on the highway that had once been my daily commute. The photo above shows another hilltop gone...razed, cut clean to make way for new homes. The amount of traffic blew my mind. So many people and they are building new homes for more! So many valid concerns about roads and infrastructure, the environment etc. etc.

The air was so refreshing! The last time we were here was the day I donated the La Conchita quilt. It was winter and cold. Friday was really lovely. It smelled so good!

A few driftwood homes, the cries of seagulls and crows - along with the little song of a small bird too. I enjoyed seeing others there enjoying their day too.

Rounding a bend, a smiling face had me smiling too! The fire pit seating area is now down to the pit and the log chair, with a few scattered pieces. 

Where one can see forever! Where does your eye land when you are in nature?

It took several minutes to find this little one who was chirp, chirp, chirping!

Small rock buildings and small boys playing nearby...crow takes off - love those dangling legs!

I had not planned to make any more Power Sticks, but the driftwood called to me once again. So, I guess my heart is still in creating those.

On the way home we stopped to see the beautiful flowers planted alongside the crops. I could not recall seeing this from commuting years. As soon as I opened the door to take photos, the sweet scent of peppers jumped up to great me! It was glorious!

The clouds beckoned us towards home, where I laid out the beautiful gifts from the sea.

Where would you go for a great day trip?

 

May you observe 

May you notice

May you pull off the highway

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Fly

 

Learning To Fly - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Cover by Jack & Daisy)

LINK 4:25 minutes

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Learning To Fly (Version 1)

The crows played in the winds today.In attempting to clean-up from my last round of making, I got inspired and made yet another "Power" Stick, this one without the Power Words. This one is light as a feather and super simple.

While cleaning up, I also found this...

Seems like a good message, yes?

I know so many are suffering with the smoke from the fires...and my heart goes out to you all.
Zeek at The Lookout gives extended learning and coverage.

How do you plan for flight or fires?

 

May you delight

May you discover

May you go with the flow

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Making

 

Peace Will Come By Tom Paxton

LINK 2:28 minutes

After listening to the song above, I listened to lots of Tom Paxton HERE while stitching the long Metta cloth. It was fun to hear some of these old songs.

I'm stitching it with some of Deb's threads. I have a little stash that I like to use. I chose this one because it showed up so well on the muslin and because I thought I'd have enough, as the lil holder was almost full.

Now I'm not so sure. I'm at "content and loved" and still have to stitch May you live with ease. Mmm...

I've been using 4 strands because I wanted it thick and textural...fingertip worthy. It is those things and I like how it is working out thus far. but, I hope I don't run out of thread.

Today I noticed that Deb numbers them. Is that a color number I wonder? This one is #20. It's quite old.

What you see with it is the beginning of a "Power Stick". I'd been planning on making some again, which in part, was the reason for the visit to Emma Wood. This one has one end - the holding on end - wrapped in leather. This piece of leather was already cut in a rather ragged, uneven way. But, I found when wrapping it that the narrow end was perfect for ending it off. I taped it in place and went about cleaning in the bedroom. When what to my surprise did I find? ...A beautiful antique flower tack. This tack came out of an antique press-back rocking chair I had when my children were very little. It had a floral needlepoint seat (mostly green background) with trim around the edge where needlepoint met the wood. The tacks held that on. The chair has been gone since the late 1990's...so how on earth this tack is still floating around in a 'peace' mug on my dresser is anyone's guess! But, boy am I glad it was. We took turns pushing really hard to push it into the driftwood. And there it is pretty as can be and working perfectly!

The other side of the wood has this special little circle. I sat with this Power Stick today, sanding a few rough spots and inspecting it and holding it. it fits perfectly in my hand and the leather feels so good to hold. If I ever run out of leather, I'll have to keep my eyes on the Pow Wow vendors to get some more. I'm good for a while though.

I also dug the Power words out of my computer in the past few days, but I plan to take my time with this one, so I've not even begun to write those out yet.

 In looking for old Power Stick photos, I came upon this one. I had no recall of doing this, but once I read the note on the back, I kind of remembered that an old boss ordered this for a friend with Breast Cancer (it's so rare that I've sold things). I hope it brought her comfort in the journey and strong healing vibes.

Last thing...I came back to add this video. I love these videos. I was touched by what she said about "unfolding" and patience. Letting things unfold...

And asking "what do you need?" to self and others...

And accepting who you are and the softening of aging.

What Do You Need?

LINK 13:18 minutes

 What are you making in the early days of 2025? 

May you feel creative in your bones, heart and mind

May you become an expert in problem solving

May you give yourself time

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025 

#goodenough