Rain Makes Green

 

Things are blooming like crazy...everything is green. Each tree or bush growing in its own way. As seen in my last post, one cottonwood at the bridge is just getting its leaves, while others are full and have masses of cotton seed fluff. It is so warm, bright and uplifting. 

But, tonight...it is pouring rain. It's been raining since late afternoon. It should be very green the next time we head out!

The Most BEAUTIFUL MELODY IN HISTORY

LINK 25:18 minutes

My little green mini-composition book is possibly complete. I've added several new pages, especially since I received a gift envelope in the mail, stuffed full of a wide variety of "papers" to use in my new collage explorations (thanks Beth!).  I pulled out the greens first...but have already seen some other great pieces that really caught my eye. Yay!

I love hot air balloons from my days in Northern Nevada (more of the story is here). They used to land in the cow pastures right across the street from our lil tri-plex. Some of the pages in this book have meaning, many do not. A lot of different factors went into how or why I created them (and the pages in the other color books too) as they are. I've looked at them all so many times. I've actually found it quite calming, sort of centering.

It has become quite chunky...a fat little packet of goodness. Here is a short stroll through some of the pages...

I've enjoyed this so much...really got lost in the process. Looking forward to more play time.

How do you like to spend rainy days?

May you get and give gifts

May your gifts be tangible, or not

May you celebrate the gift you get when giving yourself

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Symbols and Gifts

 

It's remains hot. Heat warning kind of hot. Our last stop at the bridge, we saw a small group of people playing in the river, building a small damn, digging and searching in the mud and water and moving about. They had a Frenchie and a Pug and looked to be having such a relaxing time.

The owl was sitting and the crows were flying, twigs in beaks, because...a pair of crows were building a nest! I had a feeling that they would be doing this soon, due to our last visit and  seeing them landing on the top of the bridge.

I finished all of my weaving and stitching and Power Stick making and mailed them off. This was a super special time of making and gifting. 

For my stitching, I did some research...

about Pentagons...

about Pentagons inside a circle: (AI answer)

A pentagon in a circle symbolizes harmony, balance, and the protection of the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit) unified within the universe. Historically used by Pythagoreans for health and identity, this symbol often represents the microcosm, connecting humanity to the cosmos.

And I did some research...

about finding one's "True North", in the spiritual sense. You can read some HERE (just the beginning of the story - no subscription, but confirmed my thoughts).

I really enjoyed this kind of storytelling and the symbols that arose.

I'm also still working in my mini glue book. Where my weaving and leather stitching and Power Stick making is deeply infused with deep meaning, the gluing is just for silly fun. I've dug around for papers to use for "background" and started two new little books. Very relaxing.

First the background, then the layers...

The piece with the two chairs is unbelievably old. I'm glad it has finally found a new home. I'm not sure if this page is done. I may add some words.

What do you want to do next?

 

May you gift with love

May you give to others

May you give to yourself

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

# 13

 

"Today is going to be my peaceful day"

Photo Source

#13 - Valencia Heritage Park...lots of open grass playing fields, climbing structure and so on. I'm noticing the city seems to have this park building down to a science. Each one has some of the same features and are very family friendly. There were a lot of adults and children at the climbing structure and a group of children at the picnic tables learning about self-regulation (I've taken to disappearing folks out of the photos). There was a Great Dane and its person enjoying the open grass. Otherwise, it was pretty quiet. 

Perfect temperature, bluest of skies...just right...and a big bush of those red berries from memories of my childhood apartment life.

Along the trail we discovered next to the park, there were lots of fallen oak leaves and Cottonwood trees...2 small shells that came from where? Plants with spiky hairdos...a teeny lizard and more.

After the missing Cottonwood at the bridge yesterday, I was quite enamored with these big gnarly trees standing in the riverbed. We think this is a tributary to the Santa Clara river, which flows at the bridge. There are simply trails everywhere! Bits and pieces, I'm seeing a lot of it all. The photos really don't do these old ones justice, nor the wide expanse of sandy soil that makes up this waterway. It is a much more wide open view than we see at the bridge.

Big riverbed, big sky...open heart. I'm grateful that we keep bumping into the river as we explore the parks.

A Heritage Bear?

There are many of these art bears throughout the city. I remembering photographing one of them by the mall many years ago. A few are placed in places that are harder to get to. This one honors the history of this area. The nose had much of its images rubbed off, by the children I assume (it is placed near the climbing structure). It is respectful of this place, filled with history and charming.

I've completed the gift Medicine Bag, coral & purple. Such lovely colors together. I also completed another one late last year. Pinks and dusty green (a bit hard to tell in this pic). Sweet.

What do you want to do in the moment?

May you live with love

May you live with compassion

May you live in peace

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026