1695. all together now

 

such a team effort

12 - six inch quick release clamps

keepin’ things real tight  🦊❤️

I am in the midst of a flurry of frame building for an upcoming show.  My ever growing legion of clamps makes it a snap. Today’s post features my collection of 6 inch, quick release bar clamps!  My only complaint is that the glue still takes too long to dry!!! Patience - Patience!! 🦊❤️

1694. fly day

 

way up on the limb

momma, poppa and squab

today is fly day 🦊❤️

Yesterday from my balcony I watched Mourning Dove parents encouraging their “squab” to make its virgin flight. Gentle nudging, modeling and finally allowing the novice flier to perch alone on the limb as they waited on the ground below. Finally the little one spread its wings and glided to his parents waiting on the ground. It was a great lesson in “nature’s way” as well as good parenting and the wisdom of “letting go”.  🦊❤️

1693. sunday is for resting

 

there is nothing like

and empty chair while shopping

i found a room full 🦊❤️

We took a nice drive to see a friend’s painting at the Wayne Art Center only to find that the gallery was closed on Sundays! (Huh??) We decided to swing by Ikea for a cheap (not so much) lunch.  After eating we decided to wind our way through the Ikea maze. About halfway through the maze I saw a showroom of empty folding chairs. I decided to unfold and take a little break! I saw the light - Sundays are for rest! 🦊❤️

1692. holding tight in volatile times

 

clamps, clamps and more clamps

i love clamps - big ones and small

like having three hands 🦊❤️

If you want to bring precision and stability to your life and activities, clamps are the answer. There is nothing more satisfying than watching wood glue ooze from perfectly aligned pieces of wood that are tightly held in place by properly selected clamps.  So as we experience the coming and going of this volatile phase of the financial markets, consider diversifying your portfolio with a modest investment in clamps.  You won’t be sorry! 🦊❤️

1691. keep your eye on the sky

 

some rough and tough times

but there’s still blue in the sky

my eye’s on the sky 🦊❤️

I was amazed by the deep crevices and rough texture of a huge tree’s bark. It reminded me of a vast, impassable mountain range. But then the deep blue sky caught my eye.  There were birds flying in the sky and beautiful clouds floating across the blueness. I forgot about the rough bark and kept my eyes on the sky… 🦊❤️

1690. the maestro

 

like a grand maestro

orchestrating the dark clouds

thun’drous crescendo  🦊❤️

During a quiet evening walk I was spellbound by the power and magnificence of a massive tree seeming to direct the incoming rain clouds. 🦊❤️

1689. “lesser” is more

 

lesser celandine 

there’s more and more day by day

then suddenly… gone! 🦊❤️

It’s the time of year for the very invasive ground cover, Lesser Celandine, to blanket just about every inch of free space in the woods. It is a fine illustration of what the term “exponential growth” means.  Its 15 minutes of fame is relatively short lived because it seems to magically “dissolve” back into the earth before you know it.  Not to worry - it will be back next year! 🦊❤️

1688. rescuing big mac

dropped along the way

dirty and soaked to the core

time for t.l.c. 🦊❤️

I have a soft spot for stuffed toys that are lost by their owners. I am convinced they have feelings too. The book “The Velveteen Rabbit” has left an indelible mark on my mind. 🦊❤️

1687. “x” marks the spot

 

searching for treasures

“how will i know when i’m close?”

“x” will mark the spot 🦊❤️

Sometime we find the “X” that is the proverbial mark that signals where our sought after treasure lays is in the most unlikely spot.  🦊❤️

1686. super hero

 

after a long day

of saving the earth from doom

some ice cream is due 🦊❤️

Saving the world takes lots work and worry.  Even a  super hero needs to take a break when the day is through to enjoy a nice dish of ice cream. 🦊❤️

1685. tiny straw man

the man on the street

preaching - preaching all day long

mainly to the choir 🦊❤️

My attention seems to be inordinately drawn to the teeny, weeny details that I encounter around me. They act as little “keys” that open my mind’s door… 🦊❤️

 

1684. carrying on

 

how well you’ve mended

the cuts and wounds from the past

you have carried on 🦊❤️

I was fascinated by this Sycamore tree’s contours, especially how well it had repaired the areas where limbs were cut off.  It is a stellar example of the value of “carrying on” in the face of unfortunate circumstances. The wound never completely went away but what remains of it is interesting and beautiful.  🦊❤️

1683. friends

 

like yin and yang

opposites bringing wholeness

felix… mr. blue 🦊❤️

A couple of days ago my friend’s new cat Felix was featured in my blog. His friend Mr. Blue was absent because of still being skittish in his new home.  My friend was able to capture some candid photos of their new dynamic feline duo and strongly hinted that I should feature them in a haiku.  Being a good friend (and easily persuaded) I complied! 🦊❤️

1682. land of make believe

 

on this chilly morn

the smell of cotton candy

permeates my mind 🦊❤️

Spring time is the time of awakening.  Everything takes on a fresh new appearance.  As I looked at two beautiful blooming Cherry trees, I imagined them masquerading as cotton candy treats. I think that I have been watching too many Mr. Rogers reruns on TV. “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…” 🦊❤️

1681. felix the cat

 

so nimble so sleek

a shadow with four white paws

it’s felix the cat 🦊❤️

Our friends got two new cats recently. Today’s post features Felix only because Mr. Blue,  the other half of the feline duo is still getting used to his new home and is camera shy. Felix is sleek and nimble.  He reminds me of a blend of Doberman Pincher and River Otter! Actually he also reminds me of a flying squirrel as I watched him fly from atop a countertop to a cabinet quite a distance away! 🦊❤️

1680. a mind at play

 

it doesn’t take much

for playful minds to set a

table of plenty 🦊❤️

On a log bench at the side of the trail was a collection of  “groupings of things” that I assumed were meticulously assembled by a child.  Blades of grass, tiny slivers of rotten wood, twigs broken to the same size, a little pile of dirt and small pieces of a fungi filled the “table of plenty”. It was fascinating to look at. A beautifully arranged exhibit of   “ simple things” created by a mind at play… ah to be so lucky! 🦊❤️