9 Moons Ago

If you’re hoping that the Spring weather will bring a little bit more life to this journal, you’re in luck because I’ve been getting dirt under my fingernails out in the garden… and that always makes me feel more alive. Here’s a lovely burst of color on our kitchen windowsill from early this morning:

Pulling up old weeds, trimming back the overgrown vines, taking cuttings from the first blooming flowers, and making fresh beds for new plants are great metaphors for starting a-fresh in one’s life. And you don’t have to wait for a certain day, month or year to start…begin where you are. I used to think it was better if I waited to make changes till the first of the month or a new week…or New Year’s Day. But I’ve learned that wanting to have a clean slate and an unbroken string of “good days” is just asking for trouble. That makes it too easy to say “Oh. I’ve failed. Better start again…next week!” And sometimes next week gets forgotten along the way.

Now my attitude is “So I’ve missed a few days…Begin again NOW.”

I’ve starting drawing in my sketchbook again and I’m loving it. I have several starts, which I’m going to develop further, and I’m also planning some bigger blog-related projects for myself. Things are getting busier these days. I’ve got an appointment on Monday to get set up with a volunteer job. Not sure what kind of work it will be, but I’m looking forward to it. I keep meaning to call my family..even have the phone card, guys!..I’ll try tomorrow!

The day is overcast, a little rainy, and then the sun comes out again. Think I’ll put on my overalls and my jacket and do a bit o’ gardening soon… rain or shine!

Several months ago I received an email from a friend, telling me that there was a care package being made up in the States that would soon be sent to the Troops in the Middle East. She asked if I would like to participate, and I was so glad to get the chance to help send a bit of love and support to the soldiers who were missing home and family. I offered to write a letter, which would then be printed up and sent along with the package, and was told that letters were among the most treasured items in the care packages. The mailing was a small-ish, private mailing and it made me feel good to have contributed to it.

Today I got a message from another friend (Thanks, Christina!) inviting me to post a website that makes it possible for anyone, anywhere to send a note of support to the troops.

Here is what she said:

“I was hoping you could do me a favor and post a website on your blog. It is Let’s Say Thanks

This website is a way that anyone can send a card with a message to troops in Iraq. I know that there are many feelings regarding the war and our (United States) involvement. But the truth of the matter is the troops are there from all over the world. I can not imagine what it is like being so far from home and my loved ones. This is a way to add cheer to their day and express your own feelings. ”

The site has card illustrations from children and children can also submit a design of their own for possible use in the future.
I’ll keep a link to this site under my family and friends section, as well.

One of my favorite quotes is, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” …. this is one of those things that doesn’t take much time or effort and can make a world of difference to someone.

Thought I’d take you on a mini-tour ’round the garden today, with photos:

And because it’s good to have balance, I bring you a white-trash moment.
-The broken toilet bowl we replaced a few months ago, tucked away in a neglected part of the fernery:

But I won’t leave you with that image, funny or fitting as it may be… because I figure most of you would prefer to have a picture of a cheerful daffodils in your head, when you leave this site, rather than a busted-up ghetto toilet.

The view from our bedroom window:

I’ve been waiting for these…ahh, lovely!:

Noticed that it’s a full moon tonight..on the 9th! (My lucky no.) Happened to see the beautiful reflection of the moon on the surface of the pond tonight. It was all shimmery and a swirly liquid light against the deep indigo darkness, since it was rainy and blustery. So cool.

Things are pretty busy at the moment, but my next goal is to draw and paint more of these sorts of things! Till then…

Well, the site has been down for a couple of days, but everything has been running smoothly for a good number of hours now, so -fingers crossed- it’s all fixed up now. The email list, however, is playing up, so I’m looking into that matter later this week. Of course, I’ll email everyone once it’s fixed, and you can still contact me easily enough if you want to comment on anything or be added to the mailing list.

Spent a lovely couple of days with the Miller Clan, celebrating Melissa’s Birthday! YAY! I gave her a lovely bunch of flowers from the garden, and a card from Cam and myself. Mum made a special roast pork dinner for lunch and a Toblerone cheesecake..Y.U.M.!! Got to hear all about Mel’s trip to the Cook Islands, where she was student teaching, and her new boyfriend. Lots of gorgeous beach pictures, and beautiful people. Loved the pics of Mel wearing a wreath of flowers on her head, looking very tropical indeed!
Adrian and Daniel came over as well, and it was good to catch up with them. Eb was there, too and in the evening, I took out my sketchbook and drew her portrait. I felt pretty rusty, but something about the drawing captured Ebony’s spirit, and Mum and Dad loved it. So I’m copying the original, then giving it to them.

Today we priced scanners, and most of them were $120 or more, and then we stopped at a place that I jokingly call “Dodgy Brothers” for various reasons, but in reality they are nice guys that work there, and my reasons are unfounded. Well, 10 minutes later we not only have a scanner, but it’s also a printer, and can print photos! It was $89! And we’ve tested it (except for the photos on photo paper) and it’s great! We’ve been needing a printer anyway, and just figured it was a low priority at this point because we haven’t used one in all this time. So YAY!!

I bring you my first scanned artwork. Portrait of Ebony:

That’s it for tonight..it’s waaay late..time for bed!