I haven't made that, but...

I've been hoping to get up to Sautee to photo the new paintings, but my work schedule - and that of the shop haven't permitted it.  Been really busy, refinishing kitchen cabinets with my bud Carol, doing a chair makeover (Carol sewed up the silk-screen fabric cushion covers - look at that piping!), and finishing the rejuvenation of a side table for a client.

So I wasn't going to blog tonite, but some things just won't wait.  For instance, Elvis wanted everyone to see his new nose scratch.

Elvis' ouchy

And Spooky has been pestering me to show off his rare and unusual coat.  Spooky is a "sable" according to my vet, but I've never seen any cat with fur like his.  In rabbits, the term agouti means varying colors on an individual hair shaft.  Spooky's fur looks black, but when the fur parts, he appears to have a cream colored undercoat.  His lovely coat won't be passed on, however, for Spooky boy traded his very large cahones for a forever home with endless head rubs and scratches (from me, not Elvis) 

Spooky showed up last fall looking too pretty to be a boy - and having a really fat (I thought pregnant) belly.  But when I finally got a close look (and smell) he was all boy, just fat from eating all the dry food I leave out at night. He went from total panic, to lying here on the computer desk, waiting for a pet or more food.

 

He says "teh."

And no post would be complete without Gracie.  Here she is lounging on laundry left draped over the cat tree.  She just loves a clean t-shirt.

"I cans cross me legs..."

Oh - and by the way.  It's a pretty safe bet that Elvis' nose ouchy is courtesy of Spooky.  But don't feel sorry for him; he always starts it.

Nest time: new art.

I Love the Rain

Perhaps I was born during a rainy fall day.  Would that explain how much I love the rain?  Walking through the pine forest in a mist or fog I have often felt that time has stopped.  I could be anyone in any hour of any day in this or another century.  Everything slows down and I am able to focus on what is small and near and tangible - as that which is far away is softly obscured.  Bark and leaves and textures, tiny branches, toadstools and fungi, droplets of water on my head - and sounds - sounds that are both muffled and magnified.  The tapping of the water droplets, the sweet percussive sound of a runoff creek  as it carries bits of the natural world down a fresh gravitational path.

If I am lucky, the tree frogs are singing - or I may chance upon a rabbit or doe rustling away into deeper cover.  I love, too, the light after a rain, when the mist rises from warm earth seeming to carry the light up and hold it in place; a mist lit from within.

And then everything blooms!

After two days of steady soaking rain...

 

 My narcissus doesn't bloom every year.  The drought and heat of the South cause undo stress - making me wait for well timed rains to bring it into full bursting glory.

Before the rain... two days ago.

Yes, I've been painting, but I post my commissioned works here - a pair of paintings for Mother's Day.  So for further entertainment, here is the very undignified Gracie lounging atop my (formerly) clean laundry.  No - she's not nursing kittens, she just has very fine short hair, rather like a Rex, on her pink and plump belly..

Gracie - rescued last year from a Walmart parking lot.  She never has to eat greasy popcorn chicken again.

Over the decades of my life I've rescued or adopted many many cats.  Gracie is unique in that she shows her joy and gratitude at being safe, loved and fed regularly.  She is affectionate, sweet and loving all the time, and wants nothing more than to be a lap cat.  Whoever dumped her there missed out on a very special feline.

Dreaming of Friskies...

Ain't that the pinkest kitty nose you ever saw?

And when it rains, Elvis gets back in "the box".  Note the new scratch on his nose.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms.

Remember me?? I've missed being in touch so -o much!

Elvis waiting for email...

It's been over a year since I had to give up my land line/internet service (or risk not being able to pay my mortgage). At the time I thought it would be a couple of months - HA! That was in fall of 2010. But 2011 and 2012 have been kinder to me and my budget. The economy must be better as I'm getting calls for artist services once again. I was also able to refinance my property with a lower payment and no balloon, so my financial stresses are greatly reduced.

Thank you to all my followers/friends who have stuck by me. I am eager to meet and catch up with everyone so I'll be visiting each of your sites really soon.

The daffodils are blooming away!! Photos to follow...