Inspiration

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Spring peeping around the corner

Although winter has not packed his bags ready to go on his March break trip just yet, he has decided to, go for an extended drive into the country. Of course, when the cat is away, the mice will play, and the starlings, the skunks, foxes, and of course the butterflies. Yes, the butterflies and bees are back. Butterflies are like last summer's wishes that have come back after a long winter snooze. While walking our trail with Beauty-dog, a curious Mourning Cloak butterfly gently graced my shoulder for a breath-taking moment, then flew off again in search of food and a place to lay her eggs. The tell-tale band of bright yellow that bordered her burnt umber wings told the story of today. Spring coming to visit us early and she seems to be sticking around. The bees have told us it's spring already, as have the birds, and the love struck squirrels running around in the yard. A dangerous proposition with a Beauty-dog around! But it was none of these things that brought spring home for me. No, it is the marshland lullaby that convinces me that spring is close on the heels of old man winter. I will be sung to sleep for the next few weeks. If the cold weather returns the song gets quiet, but it doesn't stop. Today's sunset brought about the spring-time song that I favour the most. Rising from the marsh just a few dozen feet away it came. A love song really. A love song about new beginnings and surviving the cold. The soft song of the Spring Peeper, a tiny, frog that sings like a giant. Their song drifted across the evening sky. It made me smile. Now it really felt like. Spring was here.

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A different perspective

This past summer we had a very unique and wonderful experience. Amy Whitney, of The Inspirational, Transformational Network came to see us. Amy has a blog that features people that are forging their own paths through life. If you need hit of "feeling good" this is the place to go. You can find people from all walks of life that have followed their hearts and dreams. It is an honour to be included in this group of people.

Not only did she want to see what we were doing on our small piece of the earth, but she wanted to film us as well. Frankly, it was frightening. We now have whole different perspective for those who regularly stand in front of a camera.

Amy was patient with us. We told our story to her and she captured it all on film. Of course it is a fairly long story. Amy patiently whittled it down to a wonderful short film. Even Beauty got into the story!

Thanks Amy, it has helped see ourselves through a different lens!

Click here to check it out: The Inspirational, Transformational Network Channel

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Almost Daily Painting: 09/20/11

• $30 - framed
• 5"x7"
• water soluble oil paint
• the third in a series of egg paintings from our hens. These are from the silkies and are lovely subtle shades of yellow, pink, and white.