How Big Is The Sky?

 

Jesse Jackson 'I Am Somebody' on Sesame Street

LINK 1:25 minutes

May we encourage others, and ourselves, to be the somebody we were meant to be...however that may appear to the outside world, may we just be and fight for everyone to have that ability as well.

She wanted everyone to read, so she opened a library that never closes (1983)

LINK 5:14 minutes

Between the thrashing of the rain and the brilliance of a sky opened up by holding more, bigger clouds than the mind can imagine.

Can you see the rain? Yeah, probably not, but just know that it was pouring!

33° tonight, more rain tomorrow.

We jokingly called it 'the big muddy' today. Well, at least in our little corner of the world it is!

The river has grown wider again after the rain. It was muddy and very fast moving. Beautiful.

Ripples and clouds bursting from the sky, their beauty...stunning.

"To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand" ~Jose Ortega y Gasset 

Stark, big...dramatic.

"Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows" ~ Henry David Thoreau

Somewhere in the muddy flow was a long, maybe 4 feet long, stick, which I threw like a spear and raced to the other side to see it rolling on the river! Success! There it went, pat the fallen tree, through the ripple-bumps, that reminded me of an ancient dinosaur spine. Rushing, rushing towards the sea.

"No matter how full the river, it still wants to grow" ~African Proverb

After my trail marking with the Spear Stick I later propelled into the river...I next played with Stick Splashes. Oh, how fun! Here J. handled the splashing, while I snapped a photo. 🙂

The oaks think its Spring. We are expecting more green and maybe a Supper Bloom this year.

How do you hold the sky?

 

May you dream with the clouds

May you respect the tumbling waters

May you play in the puddles

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Finding and Getting Lost

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(One side)

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If you need to get lost for some time, try this...

My Garden of a Thousand Bees

Such a fascinating look at bees, with truly wild photography!

AND/OR

Try out one, or both, of the links below to check out the story of Helen Jean Taylor, an amazing potter and person of community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUVlpfgp3mA&list=RDCMUCDG7_piIA5baWqIvtOQ-trA&start_radio=1&rv=CUVlpfgp3mA&t=1010

https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/episodes/life-centered-the-helen-jean-taylor-story

(Other side)

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If you need to get lost, finding beauty, inspiration, and community...

Check out my page (also above) for other's blog/web homes.

It is a work in progress, but I did make some big changes today.

Looking for The Same Old Place

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I've completed two more CMB using the green warp yarn.

That brings the count up to: 18, I think...I may have to do some re-counting to check on that!

2 are set aside for Mo & Rod, when mail is more easily delivered

2 are set aside for others, but may go out as CMB instead (we'll see)

When I started making these 'green warp' bags, we made guesses as to how many it would make...

"I said 30 and he said 20...we both revised and I said 42 and he said 30"

Those estimates from the first 'green' post may need to be revised again!

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Upon heading out today, the first thing that got my attention was the Very Loud Song of tiny birds.

There were SO MANY! And their songs, joined at one time was SO LOUD! I thought J. would be able to hear it due to the volume, but the pitch was just too high for his hearing range. Moments like this have me longing for a way to record and play back for him in a way he could hear. Their songs were marvelous!

Can you see them better now? All of those tiny dark dots are birds! Amazing!

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Today ended up being a new version of our outing last time. Stopped over to pick up something, using the afore mentioned gift card...then before coming home, we headed up that canyon to see if the bags were gone. The one on the gate was and I sure hope it was the little girl who found it! We then got carried away taking a drive in that general area (and forgot to look for the two at the park, which I'm sure are gone as well). One thing I discovered today was that I had absolutely no idea how many houses were back there! Seeing all of the houses, which were built in an area that was raw land when I moved here 30+ years ago or when he lived here as a teen, is not something we are fond of. It's so crowded with over-sized tract houses and large SUV's (even though many of the houses have 3-car garages!). For me, us, it just symbolizes so much of what is wrong with our country's attitudes and values these days.

However, we were curious about the possibilities of other hiking places, it was a beautiful day and I was in no hurry to go back into "The Box" (our apartment), so we went on a drive-about and then I came home for further learning.

Stevenson Ranch

You can see what it looked like before in this Bare Land photo. I lived here then and remember the building of the Marketplace and new houses, I just didn't realize the size of the destruction project. I also remember how those of us not thrilled with this building used to joke about all of the "stepford wives" coming down to shop at the new Walmart. Obviously extravagant sameness is not my thing.

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I became curious about why one of the roadways was completely closed off and learned about it:

Document

This led me to a map or two.  Yay! I love seeing the whole, all of the pieces put together and so many of the places we've been or drive on a regular basis. When I looked at the wider view, I thought I could practically put a dot for all of my old "drive" or "hike" posts in every area shown! wouldn't that be fun, to have the skills to make your own interactive pop-up maps?!

~BREAK~ 

Okay, so you CAN do this!!! Just a quick Google Search Away

Of course, many of them have a cost involved and are quite complicated in the amount of choices, but it still looks so fun in a creative thinking way.

I may get seriously lost in this!

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MAP

Wider Area Map

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As it turns out, Mentryville, from my last post is a MRCA park, which I then read all about. I discovered they kinda mean business about those parking fees - haha.  Also learned that the road J. took a short walk up is probably old Oil Company land (and yes, there are "no trespassing" signs now!) But, more importantly, I learned that many of the places we go are a part of this system. Interesting. The learning really never stops.

MRCA Park

For whatever reason, my love of maps?...my interest in going into nature?....my fire-tracking?...at any rate, I really have enjoyed looking at these different maps and seeing all of the Open Space, all of the shapes of green to show these parks or other open land.

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These old, long memories of Judy Stevens (written in 1997) were interesting as they contain so many locations I have traveled to, explored as day trips, have personal memories of or visit on a regular basis. I even learned a word, which I somehow had never seen/heard before (wonder why that is?). Yes, I still listen to the recorded  pronunciation every time!

née

Judy Stevens's last paragraph states...and I agree~ "No one wishes to live in the past, but I do believe that in today's ultra-technical society, it would be advantageous for our youth to comprehend and pursue some of those uncomplicated activities which so often afforded us some peace of mind while they live their lives in the fast lane."

Yes, both, right? Getting out there and fussing with a computer to read & learn or make your own map! Balance, right?

~~NOTE~ 

I have overloaded this post with content and links. It helps me to put it all down in one place...these posts sometimes have a mind of their own...I am fully aware that you, as a reader, may not read the whole post or follow all of the links and that is okay by me! Maybe you'll even be inspired to learn more of your own area! Enjoy however you do 😀

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May you never stop learning and sharing (I think I always say this!)

May you never be embarrassed  to say what you don't know or to ask for help 

May you hear the songs of birds and get lost now and again

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2021 

1-18-2021

 Inspired by Maria's recent comments on an old post of mine here on the Trail, which reminded me of some of the videos I've posted in the past. Videos that touched me in one way or another.

So, I went looking for a new 'soft' video, one which would help me (and possibly others who visit here) recenter, relax and wait. It is hard for me right now to have an open heart to all in the general public, but perhaps I could continue to focus on friends and then have one for myself as well.

This is what I found, a reminder of Blessings.

Here is the post that came to be.

↶ ❤ ❤ ❤ ↷ 

                                                                    link to video

The video link came from Gratefulness.org

- if you want to poke around a bit 

On this Martin Luther King Jr. day, may we pause to remember and hold ourselves and others in the light of kindness and love. May we breathe.

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Darkness cannot drive out darkness;

only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate;

only love can do that.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

 ↶ ❤ ❤ ❤ ↷ 

Tomorrow the big grandson turns 18!

Here he is when he was 4, hanging out with little grandson on our 2021 calendar.

 May we hang on to help this world heal, 

for the little ones and the not so little ones too.

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2021

 

 

Commuting as a Passenger

When I ride with a co-worker, she takes a different route than I do.  This has allowed new visual explorations.  Each day, we drive past this sculpture standing in front of a local branch of the city library.

It catches my eye...the simplicity, the conversation.  Why two colors?
So, one day, in my own car with time to spare...I stop.  I pull into the empty parking lot, noticing the attached park.

It is a beautiful morning.  Cool, before the blistering heat that is to come.  The heat that never seems to end.  I notice the beautifully blooming Jacaranda trees.  Their purple flowers, like confetti on the grass.  I smile to myself.

I always notice when the Jacarandas bloom around here and it seems like every year I notice them in more and more places.  The are gorgeous, but messy!  You can read how they came to this area here...and learn something like did!

I stroll around the sculpture, taking photos from different angles.

I like being alone in the cool morning air, on a work day no less!  I am accompanied by some little yellow birds ~ chittering from place to place.

I, of course, take some "art shots" (my favorite kind!)

The one talking!

 

Circling around, I come across the dedication plaque and become even further intrigued.



That night, I Google for more information.  You can read more of the story
here and again, learn as I did.  What I found so fascinating, was that an act of goodwill, began a friendship that has lasted now 57 years!  A simple act of kindness.

We need so much more of this these days.

A few days later, I share these pictures with a few co-workers.  Two who knew right where the sculpture is, but knew nothing of the history.  Another co-worker told me his mother was born in Incheon.  How wonderfully full circle is that?!

May your daily treks provide times of calm and enlightenment and community.
xo

Photos by NAE ©2018

Indie Kindred

No hike this weekend.  

Sunday was busy catching up with regular chores and such, because...

On Saturday my sister and I went to a screening of Indie Kindred.  You can watch the trailer and learn more here.  It's a film about collaboration and art and finding your people.  Jen Lee and two of the artists were there and did a Q&A after the viewing.  I've followed Jen for years.  I posted about her back here in a story about stories!!

It was held at City Garage in the Bergamot Station,which was a great intimate venue...perfect for this film.  I came away with feelings of inspiration, longing and gratitude.

I am so thankful for my online community of fellow clothmates.  I'm so thankful to have found you all through Jude.  My days are richer because of all of you.  I feel inspired to continue on my creative path, hopefully incorporating even more time to make art and share conversations.  Alongside my gratitude for what I DO have, lives my deep longing to have in person interactions like those I have in the Spirtcloth world.

Before we left, we stopped in an amazing paper shop called Hiromi Paper, Inc.  I thought of Velma of Wake Robin and could see the allure of paper/book making.  I thought of the exquisite Laura Ashley sample book seen on FB.
I stopped myself before I bought out the shop!!!
On the car ride back to my sister's we had a good conversation about the film experience and friendships and finding our tribes.

We also shared ideas about how all of this thought on collaboration led us both back to how we work with children.
I have always incorporated activities (sensory, manipulative, art...) that encourage the children to share space and materials.
It's interesting to consider how many ways we all collaborate.
I, of course, thought of Jude's Magic Feather Project.
A collaboration between many.

May we all continue to create, collaborate and inspire one another in the
days, weeks...years to come.

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2013

Sing! Day of song - Bobby McFerrin - Improvisation

 Here is link for the above video.

                                    OK......
So over at Deb's for the last couple days, mentions have been made of Bobby McFerrin.
That sent me on a trip down memory lane!  As I just this weekend got a working VCR hooked up again after many long years, I took time in my day Sunday to delight in watching my children growing through their childhoods, in such random order that my brain was dizzy by the end!  Oh but such good memories, one of which includes my daughter aged 6 singing "Don't Worry, Be Happy"... a true favorite song of hers.  Boy, that whole parenthood piece that feels light years away now.  This was a different viewing than those past because now both of parents have passed on and so I was grateful to see them moving, talking, singing and laughing again.  It was wonderful!  I think I'll consider this an early Mother's Day gift to myself.

But, what also emerged after viewing a few of McFerrin's videos is what I've missed all the years since he sang about happiness.  I remember at the time that song came out it was criticized as fluff.  My theory, at the time, was that there must be some reason it's such a hit!  I thought (think) it is: People need song, every kind of song, for every kind of reason!
This man is a special spirit and musical genius.   Simple as that.

I highly recommend getting lost for a bit to welcome some journeys either old by taking a day trip down memory lane...or new by following a new (or renewed) interest down the trail for a bit.

You may want to check out some of these:
Catching Song  ~ A nice long interview to listen and stitch with
Wizard of Oz    ~ Bobby style!  What a ride :)
Spontaneous Chorus  ~Wouldn't you love to be in this audience (on or off stage)?!
With Anne Marie Hassing  ~All of the Master Class & Aarhus Vocal Festival are a treat!

I'm forcing myself to stop linking.  But do explore for yourself and share your favorites!
*Note- don't miss his son and father as well!

I'll leave you with the closing thought, in the way of a question:
If you watched any of these videos, did you notice that in every one...there was not only song...but there was laughter, hugs and pure joy in their shared experience!
Now that's what this world needs!

Some Stuff

Birds on a fence - sculpture at the nursery

Random, not necessarily connected stuff...

• Saw this sculpture on the fence while at a nursery earlier this month.  It made me think of Grace and Mo Crow ... and all of the friends out there who love birds and feathers and the marvels of our natural world.
• They have been filming a Sears commercial across the street all day long.  There is a small "Kraft Services" truck (food!) and shades to create proper lighting and a giant crane.  Every now and then a deep voice comes a shouting words I can not discern.  But a couple of times, I could tell they were calling for "quiet".  OK, Shhhhh...
• When I got this post from Gretchen of The Happiness Project, I read and pondered her ideas as I always do.  Then I zipped down to the end where she always posts interesting links.   The link to 1000 Awesome Things proved to be just as fascinating as past links.  I had seen this a long while back, and had forgotten about it.  So, maybe that would be my 1000th thing (if Neil has not already done it!).  Having some little bit of goodness come your way.  Something you've seen before, but forgotten about, but feel refreshed by it all over again!  Do watch his TedX talk here.  It will make you feel all warm and fuzzy - happy inside!   UPDATE: Michelle shared this link for more information on this project.
• For the Teacher in me and for those of you...or for any of us with the Love of Language...something is coming!  Yep, it's the annual Poem in You Pocket Day: Thursday April 26, 2012.  You can learn all about it here.  Isn't that a lovely idea, to carry a poem in your pocket...to share poems for others to place in their pockets?  What poem would you carry with you?
• I also had this in my inbox...an update from Kay Angel an orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti.  I have a soft spot for these folks; first because a friend of my sister's is a founder of We Can Build an Orphanage.  That's usually good enough for me..."you're her friend, oh OK, you're my friend too!" But once I started reading Lia's blog posts, once I read about (and met) each child, once I worried about them after the earthquake...well, then i really felt a connection.  Hop on over there and see if you don't feel the same.  Feel free to click on the donation page too.  Every little bit helps.  I have learned so much about perseverance, making do, embracing life, sharing and showing love...generally living the good life, in any circumstance.

• Something's comin'!  The photos to the right and below are your hints.  More details to follow!

• A long time back, I posted this about Delaney & Bonnie and many others.  If you saw that post, you may remember their daughter Bekka.  Today I saw this video someone had posted in honor of her birthday today.  I just really love her voice, her heart.  So, Happy Birthday Miss Bekka!!
• If you happen to be in Bangalore, India, maybe you will be lucky enough to catch the upcoming show of Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel (hint: click the 'play' button right in the middle)  I know their show will be well worth it!  I sure wish I could see them :)

A friend among many!

•  Same nursery, same day...different critter!  This one reminded me of Jude's drawings and cloth beasts.  Look at that face...love it!  Someone recently said that we (the sewing folks of the Spirit Cloth world) end up thinking of one another throughout our days, being reminded of one another as I have been here and with the birds.  I like that.  I think that is what makes this community a lovely, warm place to be.  If it was you who said this comment, please leave the link in the comments.  As usual, things are tangled in my forgetful mind, but the essence of how I read that has stayed with me.
• Well, that's all for this day of sharing.  No cloth pictures.  No recent stitching, just mounds of magazines and cloth sorting into give-away piles!  Every time I think I am close, I discover more that I don't really need :)  Oy!

Have a great last part of the day!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

Crazy Growth ~ Announcement!

Growth Swirls

 OK, so here is the announcement:

It seems I'm in a forever stage of cleaning out. 

But, it's working.  A lot of physical items found new homes in March and it feels really good.  I've been deciding on an April plan here it is the 8th already!  But, what I've decided for this month is to work on a couple of larger tasks, which I have been doing this first week.  Here is one of them:

There are things in my studio I just no longer need.  Nothing wrong with them and they will be quite useful to someone else, I'm sure.

I am ready to let go of some fabric and art magazines.

So, I'm offering them to others.  If you're interested, let me know and we can work out the specifics.

Magazines:

• doll making
• mixed media
• quilting (some with patterns) 
• studio inspirations

 Fabric:   

• Mostly quilter's cottons, lots of different prints.

 I've yet to completely go through it all, but I've begun to set things aside.  
Sometimes growth happens in swirls, not in one organized ring after another.  What was once interesting and inspiring moves on to mere memory.  Tastes change, focuses change, plans change.  What was once in your mind to do becomes a layer in the process and then shows up in another way.  Make sense?
Anyway, I just want to put the word out...I'll update as needed. 


Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012

Ode to Cloth

seeing things

as stitches

items cloaked as cloth

 eyes abound

color, shape and pattern,

themes to represent

alterations to make

dreams to embrace

   Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012 @ Birch Aquarium at Scripps & Pacific ocean nearby