somepinkflowers

warning, warning, warning!

one little carry on

Plus one camera case.
Yippee!

 

haiku my heart on my way home

plump are my secrets
holding promise of sweetness
too tempting to share

~~~~~~~~~~~

for more haiku my heart
which takes you around the world,

please visit
recuerda mi corazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

seaside? still?

 seaside   salty air    seafood 
simmering soup   {{ limoncello }}   shore birds
splashing   {{ dear friends }}    sassy salsa 
solidtude    siesta    sand  seagulls
seafront    seaside sparrow
sky  serenity   seacoast  secrets
seaside still !!

haiku my heart with morning brightness

where is our balance?
Sun glowing through the window,
please, bring Sister rain...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

here in florida we are having scattered wildfires waaaay early in the season ... a few butterflies made their chrysalis in my yard in january and were then frozen solid by sudden hard freezes in february... loquat trees bloomed & made fruit in january, fooled by the unusual warmth, then the freezing weather came & the wee fruits were also frozen & they turned black like little marbles and fell off the tree leaving a scurry of hungry squirrels scrambling now in april for a noon day snack ... one confused leather*back sea turtle deposited her eggs on the beach 2 months ahead of normal last month ... temperatures never stayed low enough to kill back the mosquitoes which now find their way through my open studio door... air temperatures affect ocean water temperatures which affect long term weather events such as hurricanes ... i'm just letting you know what is happening in my neighborhood ...

{{ when it comes time to Vote,
please vote for leaders
who understand Global Climate Change
is Not just about Temperature,
leaders who understand the Web of Life,
the Interrelatedness of Nature,
please do that ...
i would really appreciate it if you did. }}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

after this Florida News Update
and Personal Rant,
why not visit over here---->
with recuerda mi corazon

where we gather on Fridays
for a taste of haiku...
 

of what use are grasshoppers and why are there 10,000 feasting in my yard now

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Normally I try to feature lovely pink flowers or sweet white seashells over here on my blog.

Or maybe exotic locations, like Daytona Beach, where I have tromped about...

What you are viewing here today is the damage done by a monster*size grasshopper to one of my favorite amaryllis bulbs last season.

Not exactly a work of art during the best of times, most amaryllis bulbs could pass for an old onion.

After my new bulbs bloom during the Christmas holidays I routinely plant them outside to bloom over and over and over again in my yard the following spring.

Well, that is the plan that has served me well over the years.

The plan that worked until the monster*sized grasshoppers took over a few summers ago.

This spring, in a last ditch rescue operation, I relocated my outside bulbs into indoor pots and placed them behind a locked screen door out of hopper harm's way.

We will see, we will see...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the baby hoppers are back in full force. Inch~long black ones with high hopes of growing HUGE by eating my dear garden.

Clearly, clearly LOTS of grasshopper hanky*panky was going on end of last summer right out there under my nose.

For days I traveled far and wide to find a cure to rid my yard of the 10,000 babies. Each hour they multiplied and doubled in over-all size. No joke.

"I could sell you this poison," explained Janet at the local hardware store, pointing to the bottle on the right, "but it wouldn't kill them and you don't want it NEAR your herbs. Do you have squirrels and birds in your yard?"

"You might try that mixture," explained Jim at Home Depot, pointing to the can on the left. "Of course, it will cost you $40 plus the $55 sprayer and you might want to wear a HazMat suit. Do small children play in your yard?"

So,
right now I am looking for a group of 8~year~olds who would be eager to gather up the baby hoppers at a penny a piece. Maybe a nickle for the larger ones. I'll even spring for some rocky-road ice*cream at day's end.

Also, I am willing to throw in a jar so each volunteer can carry their collection of insects back home ... into another neighborhood ... far, far from mine.

If you cannot find me for a day or two I am over here busy, busy designing a Baby Grasshopper Collecting Girl Scout Badge which is my Plan B.

We will see, we will see...

 

loving my spring*time

I don't know about where you live but over here, down here, in Florida we are celebrating Spring Time.

Spring Time is when I go sit over here & dream of things to do when I am not over here dreaming.

Spring Time is when I throw open the doors to my wee studio & stir up some Arty*Projects.

Spring Time is when I throw open the doors to my wee studio & enjoy glorious Mother Nature outside, whilst still being inside my own self.

What Spring Time magic is brewing in your life?

over on the island

Over on the island things have been hopping for days & days.

Chilly waves to jump, busy beaches to walk, lonesome shells to rescue.

And that was only during the day*time...

At night the island was swinging Big Time with

• The Moody Blues
• Bill Clinton
• Tony Bennett
• Lyle Lovett
• John Hiatt

I know you are thinking:  I did not know President Clinton had a band!

But, no, Clinton spoke of global issues such as how the current trend toward expansion is not sustainable & how we All can make a difference. He spoke on Civil Rights, literacy, water issues in China and other concerns facing our spinning planet.

He spoke with a voice strong & true.

Do not get me wrong.

President Clinton & I have not always seen eye-to-eye on Certain Things but maybe age has mellowed us both, as it is apt to do. There is no denying his accomplishments. There is no pushing aside his infectious optimism.

So much dreaming in the sun & so much dancing to the music for one Spring Break. Remembering the past, planning for the future.

Needing another break, I bought these fine little roses & headed on home.

Always, always it is about Time & Natural Forces.

 

spring breaking

art house co-op, the jar project and me

Those wonderfully creative folks over at the Art House Co-op!
One just has to love their way of thinking about the world & life & art...

Those lovely people are always sending something most*interesting up my front walk.

Last year I did The Sketchbook Project with a TON of artist from all around the world.

This ENTIRE project traveled all around the US of A.
I ventured out myself to view The Sketchbook Tour 2011 in Seattle with two fun friends.

Last week I submitted a photo--as part of The Meal--to help the Art House Co-op focus attention on Action Against Hunger.

This month, along with 199 other artist from all over the map, we are filling little glass jars with stories.

{{ this is NOT a drug test,
so poppy seeds on my bagels will cause me No Harm ...
i am just saying ... so do not even make a comment about THAT ...}}

Yes.
I am thinking now of a story to tell in my jar
as after I return it there will be a Big Display for the multitudes of Boston & the surrounds.

Making a wee world in a jar should pose no problem for moi.

I am a Collector of Things Common & Free
which I carefully & with very little thought what-so-ever
preserve in jars of all sizes & shapes for scientific observation & artistically*correct sketching.

My Cabinet of Curiosities.

{{ Before I return The Jar would you like to see my story?
I am thinking
Of the Sea     OR     From My Heart
hummmm ... }}

collecting little red*wings

Clearly, clearly in another life*time I was a scientist who walked beaches collecting shells for naming.

I was a scientist who harvested seeds for drawing, not for planting.

I carefully pocketed acorns & seed pods & hoped for the best as far as insects were concerned.

I tried to stay away from poison ivy & poison oak & Certain Evil Snakes.

Audubon & Darwin were Great Friends of mine but I only wanted the cast off pieces of old nature.

I did not want the need of killing things to look inside.

And to this day my desires are simple.
I want to look Close Up at the beauty of seeds & shells & left~over nature bits.

I want to share them with you.

why i love my st augustine amphitheatre

• Well~known artist play their hearts out here, they are so happy!
• Venue under the stars could not B better. {{photo taken from cheapest seat!}}
• Yummy food like locally made crab~cakes with rich remoulade sauce.
• Volunteers, like moi, smile & help out graciously...Wellll, we do.

haiku my heart under the trees

held captive by her...
Dancing White Flower Blossom,
ghost child of some nymph

~~~~~~~~~~~~

it must be Friday!
please visit us
over here
with recuerda mi corazon  
if you have time
because
we would like it if you could...

what i wore to the oscars last night

I am nothing if not Fashionable over here in my north Florida home minutes from the sea.

After much FB chat yesterday concerning what I should wear to the Academy Awards last night, I fell into my old stand by...

Yes, as always, when in a pinch, I decided on Craft Casual for my Oscar watching attire.

After only 2 crochet lessons under my belt, I decided I was ready to take off on my own armed with Chain, Double Crochet and Shell Stitch.

Welcome to Miss Striped Afghan!

"...And who are you wearing? " Tim Gunn asks, leaning in for a closer look at the striped afghan placed seductively in my lap. I am sitting on the floor crocheting in front of my TV. It was so thoughtful of Tim to pop in.

"Well, Tim, I am wearing a silky soft bamboo blend by Caron in shades of ocean spray, dark driftwood and stormy blue," I answer breathlessly, holding my matching green~metalic Boye crochet hook, 5.50mm, delicately in my right hand.

My right leg slides out coyly from underneath the draped Project~in~Progress.

"I am so happy to be here!" I tell Tim honestly, reaching for another skein of green sheen.

{{  I think Angelina Jolie got that leg idea from me, but I could be wrong... }}

tourist tuesday goes back in time

Quickly, quickly take my hand.
We are going back in time!

Think sweet*granny historical thoughts
& mind the stairs as we go up...

Treasures hidden under mother's old bedside table.
I bet you want to look inside.

Maybe another day...

Turn left at the faded tulips which have seen a better day...

White  Cockatoo stands guard over precious water stained wood...

Willetta's purse hangs on the wall with a secret inside.
I bet you want to look inside.

Maybe another day...

Window to the World via London souvenir from 40+ years ago.
Big Ben chimes here on the hour.

My daddy's crossword puzzle dictionaries and reference, pages marked...

What story in the stamp guide?
Faded illustrations from a country no longer on the map.
I bet you want to look inside.

Maybe another day...

A wee,white-throated bird who longed to see his family left his pink cage & skipped town.

He flew plum out the Window to the World, leaving an email address with White  Cockatoo.

Did he fly to London? Italy? Madrid?

We will never know as White  Cockatoo is the strong silent type.

Well, that story is as old as the hills.
Remember, we turned the corner and are back in time.

You can rest a while, beside my grand-father's straw hat which was tailored specifically for him back in the day.

{{ No one can find you back in time. }}

Then click here when completely refreshed & you will be returned safely home. Maybe.  Until next time. ♥

haiku my heart with anything goes

the country hen sits,
then six brown eggs come to me.
{{ possibilities }}

~~~~~**~~***

every friday we limit our words
because, well,
haiku is fun,
we love The Challenge
and, frankly, call us strange
but
we like to hang out with each other this way...

please visit us
over here
with recuerda mi corazon,
if have the chance.

 

 

on valentine's day there are always two kinds of people

Today, on Valentine's Day, there are always two kinds of people in the world.

There are those who are in love and there are those who are not.

There are those who are in love and want to tell the world.

And, there are those who are in love and want to keep it a secret.

There are those who are in love and want to tell the world and so they buy cards and chocolate and flowers and fancy dinners out.

They might even hire a sky*writer to spell I LOVE YOU up beside the fluffy clouds.

Also, there are others, like moi, who might get out red-handled scissors and make little hearts from lacey paper doilies and decorate them with sparkly glitter.

Or, maybe they recently learned to crochet wee, red and white hearts and whilst watching Downton Abbey  they make a china bowl full of hearts to give away.

Yes, there are always two kinds of people in the world.

There are those who make valentines with wee, red and white crocheted hearts and mail them out On Time so as they will be received today, on Valentine's Day.

And, then
there are those who make valentines with wee, red and white crocheted hearts BUT FORGET to mail them out On Time.

Fortunately for me,
I hand delivered my valentine to mysweet mom yesterday...

For the rest of you, this one is for you!

haiku my heart at the end of the day

one postcard from me,
so far from you my heart bends.
{{ ripe, golden sun knows }}

~~~~~~~~~~~

for more haiku my heart
which takes you around the world
visit
recuerda mi corazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

haiku my heart loves this flower

too long in coming
short~lived, extravagant bloom
my heart does leap up...

~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~for more delicious haiku my heart
with
recuerda mi corazon,
please, pop in over here~~~

~~~~

february is the month of love
and
i am so in love
with the marriage of technology & nature!
i took this photo
only moments ago
and
now i send it around the world
to you.

isn't life grand!

~~~~~~

 

in the silver toyota

Wearing soft white curls, driving along in her silver Toyota, she was clueless.

Maybe she was a momma, a grandma, but certainly an elderly daughter all grown up and sweetly aged.

Ignoring all rules of physical science she motored.

Mass, inertia, force & momentum were clearly not riding in her shiny, small car yesterday.

Without a look to the left, without a glance to the right, from a standing STOP she pulled out onto State Road 1.

Cars & trucks coming and going all around.
Cars & trucks zoom, zoom, zooming all around.

Speed limit 45mph, if one had the mind set to follow rules this far away from town.

The sound of vehicular screeching could be heard as others veered. Some swore silently behind glass. Several dropped cell phones, conversations stranded midstream.

Starbucks coffee sloshed on leather seats.
Dog pens shifted in pick-up trucks.

A wave of disbelief, followed closely by the sudden backwash of Thanksgiving, washed over many.

Wearing soft white curls, driving along in her silver Toyota, she was clueless.

Maybe her own angel*mother was looking down with a shield of Abundant Protection for us all.

Did anyone phone this in?
I have no idea.
My own iPhone sequestered away in the back seat, far from texting temptations.

I have no idea.

 

God grant me the wisdom
to hang up my keys
when the time comes.

~~~