Free

Free your heart from hatred 

Free your mind from worries

Live simply

Give more

Expect less.

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Merry Christmas - The Perfect Place to Land

The Perfect Place to Land

This one time on an episode of Futurama our heroes flew around the world 9.84 times in search of the perfect place to land.

They found sandy beaches dripping with sunshine and glistening with sea shells. They found themselves walking the sidewalks along roads that led to far flung lands of ancient whispers in a foreign tongue. They found themselves landing on an atoll in the middle of one of earths vast expanses of salt water, in the darkest hour of the night, and still they were not convinced they had found the perfect place to land.

Along the way they dined on sushi, shakshuka, marshoush ades, and schnitzel. They found the Thai Garden restaurant that could almost hold a candle to the expertly prepared meals at Lemongrass, and yet they were not convinced they had found the perfect place to land.

The cockpit view from 35,000 feet is a spectacular sight to see, and our heroes saw thunder clouds billowing to the reaches of earths atmosphere. They saw countless sunsets that they chased across the miles only to let the sun win when they reached the lands end. They saw great metropolises stretching below them as far as the eye could see. There were endless valleys of desert sand, swallowing up anything in its wind-swept path, and still our heroes did not find the perfect place to land.

Perhaps it is not the perfect place to land that our heroes seek, perhaps enlightenment is their goal. The kind of light that is granted a person through travel, and experiencing life through the eyes of others. Walking others roads, enjoying the flavors of their gastronomy, and taking in the view with a solid foothold on the ground.

Our heroes have found the perfect place to land, it is where they are standing at this exact moment in time. You too have landed exactly where you are meant to be. At this exact moment you are our hero!

Merry Christmas to all and to all an adventurous New Orbit!

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Somewhere-In-between

We find ourselves somewhere in-between the holiday of feasts and the holiday of giving, with winter here in Anchor-town keeping a shy eye on the horizon, making us feel like we are in-between seasons. Is it winter, is it the spring thaw, some days we are not certain.

We have seen three rounds of warmer than average temperatures since November 16, each time melting most of the newly fallen snow, which makes us use the term winter loosely. However, one thing we cannot refute is that it is dark, and the dark will persist a few more weeks. Temperatures might fluctuate but thanks to the tilt of earths axis the darkness in this season is a constant.

When you might be feeling uncertain and in-between, embrace the constant.

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Final Project

Woof... it is done... 30 x 23 inches for water-coloring extravaganza!  And none to soon, our final projects are due today at 4:00 pm. This girl is not used to burning the mid-night oil to finish a class project anymore but last night it was a must in order to be done on time.

There is the hidden (in plain sight) egg, as well as a guitar, a hammer, a peach, and a propeller.

Next up - Intermediate Watercolor starts January 13th!  Bring on more creative exploration.

Have a great week my friends, and let the holiday planning begin!

P.S. I have been hiding an egg in each of my projects as a prompt from my classmates after I expressed such enthusiasm during our first project - eggs & lines. Can you find them in each project painting?

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It Began Here

It began here, my affinity for stickers, stamps are after all stickers that can transport words across the miles or around the world. What do your childhood collections say about the adult you that you have become today?

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Kelly Pond

Midnight surrounded the landscape. The outline of the woods and the edges of the frozen water are only discernable to someone who was familiar with Kelly Pond.

Two people sat at the edge of this pond and waited for the darkness to ease.

As the moon rose, it cast an azure light through the trees and across the pond, transforming the snow into a mystical landscape. The brightest heavenly bodies twinkle their wink as the weaker stars were swallowed up in the moon's radiance. Venus, who only a few days ago was delighted to dance with the moon, now played a game of tag across the sky, catch me if you can.

Securing ice-skates to their feet, they ventured out onto the windswept frozen lake, the ice crackling underneath their skates. Their laughter filling the air.

As they skated, circling the pond and each other, they could feel something growing. Was this the beginning? Could the hands of time and the tick tock of fate be on their side?

Their energy spent, they found the ice to be a comfortable bed. Facing the stars, watching their breath plume above them and drift away, they hold hands, for that moment they are one.

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If...

If items are promises, what do these containers promise?  Is their promise to be realized or let go to make room for something else?  Something that better fits who I am today.

I am a push over for a container, especially if it is shiny.  Add in vintage and belonged to my Great Grandma and I'm sunk.

Any advice? 

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2020 Vision

There have been days, even months, in the past five years where my vision of what our future was going to look like was muddled with uncertainty. Before moving to Anchor-town the path forward seemed easy, obvious, attainable. We would have an idea, devise a plan, and implement the plan into action. These recurring uncertain days have been unsettling to say the least, and it is high-time to put these days behind us and have a sharper vision of our future.

We have tasked ourselves with clearing away the overgrowth of debris in our lives, both physical and emotional, our goal is to have an unblemished view of our future. The coming new year brings about opportunities for rejuvenation.

We have experienced a long fall, metaphorically speaking. I suppose you can say it has been a time of resting, and gaining strength. Now it is time to use the gift of our rejuvenated spirits. Time to foster healthy ideas, devise the plan, and see where 2020 leads us.

Our 2020 vision ~ rejuvenation!

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True Love Language

True Love Language

It is not about getting what you want, it is more about giving what they need.

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Project Four ~ Textures

Project four is out the door two days early! And it's out of this world. Wood, brick, and rust with a few celestial bodies for balance.

Now it's time to enjoy the remaining hours of the weekend with my favorite fella and a cozy fire in the fireplace.

I trust your weekend was relaxing, invigorating, and fabulous.

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New Chapter

One upon a time I did something else, now I am making plans to do something new.

New chapter, new chances for growth.

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Joys of Moving

The joys of moving mean that you get to clean out your pantry, and perhaps find some yummy graham crackers. 

It turns out that they do not taste very good when they are almost six years past the best-by-date. In fact they smelled so stale that a square made it to my lips just under my nose and I cringed away.

Good to know that the local Fred Meyer's store has plenty of fresh and tasty graham crackers in stock.

Happy moving day for both of our sons. Thanks for letting us join in on all the fun. Another good weekend in Fairbanks making memories together.

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Project Three ~ Reflection

Today we turn in project three, shadows and reflections. I was able to experiment using the classroom airbrush to enhance the flowers reflection, it is a fun tool. I can see the attraction for using an airbrush to produce watercolor paintings. 

We have one more project that is focused around texture, and a final project which needs to be painted on a full sheet of the fancy French cotton paper, 30 inches x 23 inches. Any and all ideas are welcomed.

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Moments of Change

There is a moment in time when everything changes, when a belief you thought you knew as truth becomes unfamiliar. Grab hold of this moment of growth as you just might become the best version of yourself to date.

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International Language

The international language of play. We all own it, possess it, and live to be part of the kinship. Laughter and harmony, one with who we are on the inside.

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Items are Promises

"Items are promises, promises of someday when." A day when the stars align and everything in life will be a fulfillment of those peaceful daydreams, a perfect picture of happiness. That is the day to un-package that item you have been saving. That something for someday.

Make today that someday. Take that something out of the package, off the shelf, or from the back of the closet and use it, drink it, light it, and enjoy today.

Change Your Closet, Change Your Life - Gillian Dunn - TEDxWhiteRock

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Sustainability, Culture & Connection

“The United Nations just released a global report on biodiversity showing that areas with some form of indigenous governance—amounting to a whopping one-quarter of the world’s land base—have significantly better protection of ecosystems. Culture, connection and protection seem to naturally flow from continuous occupation. The report calls for governments to support indigenous involvement in conservation efforts as a key part of helping to “transform the public and private sectors to achieve sustainability at the local, national and global levels.””

The Viking Guide to Oil Wealth Management

While other countries let corporate interests plunder their oil, Norway strong-armed the CEOs into giving its citizens a windfall. By: Mitch Anderson

Reasons to Be Cheerful - Tonic for tumultuous times.

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Project Two ~ Indigo

Did I tell you I have signed up for and am taking an art class at the university this fall? Beginning watercolor.

Project number two parameters included the use of only indigo paint, and the gradient is to be light to dark with no light next to light or dark next to dark of the same gray scale.

The class turned in their works of art yesterday and we partook in a group critique. My class mates are all talented, and their kind words shone  bright for other's pieces of works.

On to project three... painting water, with reflections and shadows.

Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it to keep up with my young and talented classmates.

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Twilight

As twilight approaches the raven calls, his voice echoing in the cool crisp air.

The leaves lose their luster, then their lofty view, letting go of the past, for change is what they do.

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Spoils of Summer

It was an excellent summer. You?  What gifts did you add to your list of happy moments?

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Earthquake ~ 5.1 - Upgraded to 5.2

Just home and about to start supper. These large shakers still give me a startle after the one on November 30th shook me to my core.

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Eggs & Lines

Eggs and lines equal the beginning of a creative interlude as summer turns to fall.

It is time to see what has been quietly resting under the shell of my inner abilities.

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Feeling Lucky

Feeling lucky to have lunch with my best fella on a random weekday at the Lucky Wishbone.  Best fried chicken on the planet. Seriously, on the planet!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends. Fry on!

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Glacier Hunting

Portage Lake in Portage Valley

Cascade Glacier in Prince William Sound

Barry Glacier in Prince William Sound

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Summers Remaining Blooms

Along the trodden lane, summers remaining blooms.

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Path

Along the path home. Where does your heart lead you?

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Alone

He left me alone again. Here with my thoughts of loneliness and isolation.

Alone does not suit me.

He surely noticed me crying in the car. And uncomfortably chose not to ask why.

Are we that distant? Do we know each other so thinly?

They say miles and time create a valley. To each his own life lived.

Surrounded by the foreignly familiar my heart aches with the wanting of my old life.

Will I ever be that happy again?

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Unexpected

A Hummingbird Clearwing Moth enjoying the sweet nectar from the flowers in the gardens of Monticello. An unexpected sight, and a first for me.

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Summers End

Only a few days of summer remain, as the sun sets and nightfall again comes to the land of the midnight sun, we begin to hold our breath. Winter is at hand. May the warm glow of candlelight fill your heart with hope. May the peace that winters stillness brings give you comfort.

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Birthday Bear

A giant Bear and his truck Helena.  

That sure is one hell-(ena)-of-a-truck perfect for a giant Bear.

Happy birthday son! May the next orbit bring you great joy!
 Love you tons!

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Drifting

Drifting in and out of the dream, that dream that I have cleaved to all these years. Should I hold fast or let it glide down river and out to sea?

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Mulberry Row

Mulberry Row on the grounds of Monticello

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Alaska Fire Season 2019

232 fires in Alaska - active, smoldering or in the process of being demobilized 

Snapshot of particulate matter PM 2.5

The Alaska fire season 2019 will go down in my record book as one of the top ten worst smoke-filled summers.  Anchor-town has had smoke and particulate filled air since the Swan Lake fire, on the Kenai Peninsula, was first reported on June 5th at 6:52 am. The Swan Lake fire has consumed 140,949 acres as of today.

An additional two fires that were reported on August 17th, the McKinley fire and the Deshka Landing fire have been adding to the smoky air, and not only consumed acres, but structures as well. There have been road closures along the Sterling and Parks Highways both of which are major transportation roads north and south of Anchor-town.

The good news - as the cooler air of the approaching fall begins to take hold, we should see relief from our extremely active fire season 2019.

The above images are from the UAFSMOKE - Wildfire Smoke Prediction of Alaska website.

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UVA ~ Go Cavaliers

“This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1820

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Strongly Held Beliefs

"​Strongly held beliefs can keep a society from evolving, and can contribute to a societies collapse." Dr. Jared Diamond

Coming across this quote has validated how I was feeling when I wrote this post on Beliefs. Not only is the individual affected by questioning ones beliefs but the societies that we are surrounded by can also be affected. And I for one am aiming for a positive change in my work group and university society.

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