Ode to the Gulf of Mexico...

I have been working on this mixed media collage on and off, and it finally came together, in kind of a sad way, but with HOPE, that we, the human species, will change with the progress and horror of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
I want to say that I'm so sorry to the dolphins, the turtles, the various species of fish, the ospreys, the egrets, the herons, the pelicans, the Thomson's plowers, the snowy egrets, the gulls, the aingas, the coral reefs, the sea horses, the shrimps, the oysters, the squid, the crabs, all of the species that have to suffer from the oil spill.  I'm appalled at the stupidity of the human species, and the greed that governs all!

I have walked along the shores of the Gulf so many times, totally wrapped up in my own agendas and problems, and then have my spirits lift as a dolphin plows out of the water and jumps with joy into the air, maybe 50 feet from the shore. I love the sound of the waves surging against the white sand, and all the wildlife surging with it.  I remember the day when there were hundreds of stranded squid on the beach, and how we threw them back into the turquoise water with the sun diamonds dancing across the waves.  I remember the shoe horse crab frenzy of mating, that had the beach covered with them, and some that were left behind because they were washed over with the sand.
I remember the gesture of gratitude eye-to-eye after saving one of the horseshoe crabs from suffocation in the sand.  (If that's what happens to them.)  These are memories that come to mind after a decade of living in Florida and walking on the beaches, and I can't tell you about the sadness felt in Louisiana at this time, because they see the pelicans diving into the oil, looking for food.

I just don't know how it's possible to do so much pollution!  And so much damage!  Why don't we learn...?
I don't want to be a downer, but my whole world is turned upside down with the thoughts of what we're doing to the sea.  I LOVE the sea that keeps on giving and giving and giving.  It's time to soul search--how much do we need the oil?  Can we support a simpler lifestyle, or alternative fuel?  This is a time of choice, and to live by that choice.  Please let's get together and pray to what feels good to you that major change for the better will be the result of this atrocity

Ode to my cat...my soulmate...or one of them!

My cat Bailey is the most wonderful being to be around. He's definitely one of my soulmates in this lifetime. I came home from some art classes this afternoon, and as he always does, he met me at the car. He followed me into the house, and followed me around until I'd changed into my shorts-and-Tshirt. Then I lifted him up and sat down on the couch holding him to my heart. The connection of love is so strong, and he never falters. His love is ALWAYS there, never questioning me or wondering where I'm coming from. We connect in Unconditional Love just sitting there, close.
HIs fur is so soft and his purr so healing. The best companion you could ever wish for. He even comes when I call...
I used to work at this cafe that was open until midnight with an outside patio and live music. The night I met Bailey, the cafe was packed outside. A lady came up to the window and said there's a stray cat in the crowd.
I went out to check him out, and he was an orange stripe and white, long-hair. I asked if anyone in her group was going to take him home, and she said no. I'm a sucker for orange cats and I had lost one three months earlier. The heart ache, and you doubt you can live through another loss!

I thawed out some slices of turkey to give him, but he didn't like turkey, so he went without.
I went in and out of the cafe all evening long, and every time, he was sitting on someone's lap and trying to go home with them. No one took mercy on him.

At the end of the evening, after clean up at 1:30 am, I was the only one left there--and the cat, sitting in the middle of the patio. He looked at me and I looked at him, and I said, "I guess it's you and me."
I had a truck at the time, so I loaded him up in the front and took off, realizing I had to stop at the all-night Walmart and get food and litter for him.
He slunk out of the truck as I opened the door at the store and started running across the empty parking lot at Walmart--a very bad place to be a stray kitty with lots of big roads all around it.
A guy tried to help me catch him, but we couldn't.
I felt really bad, and stood talking to the guy for a minute or two.
The next thing I knew, the cat came back, right up to me, and rubbed against my leg. I lifted him up into my arms and he rested there. It was as if he knew that I was his "saviour.". :)
He and I bonded right away, and have had 4 happy years so far. I don't know how old he is.
One twist... For about a year he was named Bella because I thought he was a girl, until one evening when he washed himself, I realized differently... Bella became Bailey... It was quite an exercise in rewiring my thinking... He took it all in stride because he doesn't care. He lives in the 5th dimension, and he's all LOVE.
What a great feeling to stick my face into his long soft fur and smell the woodsy scent of him. He just purrs...all is right in the world when you have a cat to remind you. :D

More boxes....

Here are some more boxes.  I finished five over the weekend.  I think my creative drought that has lasted for months is over (at least hoping so.)  I'm working on a mixed media collage mermaid incorporating polymer clay tiles on canvas.  Yes, another mermaid, but she isn't ready to show herself to folks yet.  Somewhat shy, and the fish are embarrassing her with their garish colors!  Too bad...
The boxes are already available on etsy!

I really like these blogs...

Learn to change from consumerism to do-it-yourself.  Green living, getting back to sanity, taking pride in self-propelled survival, enjoying a simpler life...  Check these out!

Down To Earth

Simple Greene Frugal Co-op

I will have to post some pictures of my garden...

My dad...

My dad would've been 96 today if he had lived.  He passed on in 2004 after a short illness.  He was a strong spirit and healthy until near the end.  Not always the easiest person to get along with, but I give him A+ for courage.  I don't have a picture on my computer to share alas, and I don't have a scanner.  I could maybe take a picture of a photo!  Next post if I get around to it. 

Here's to Dad, see ya in the Great Hereafter! :)

New blog to check out...

My friend Diane has joined us in blogger land!  Please check out her blog and leave a comment.  We all need a push in the beginning. :)

http://mysealofapproval.blogspot.com

Not in the mood!

Everything got out of whack for me with the oil spill in the Gulf, and I'm still really upset about it. How do we move on from here??  I haven't been able to create anything much since.  If feels pointless.

I did however produce some polymer clay mosaic boxes over the weekend, and as they read "miracle box" and "angel wishes," you know what my wish is...  I also painted a load of tiles for future boxes so now my work surface is bare and inviting.  Maybe?  Soon? 

Happy Mother's Day everyone!