Artist without a Muse

Pepper Grinders–Mickey Style

2012-01-24T18:56:00.001-05:00

Winter Tree

2012-01-21T10:20:00.000-05:00

Such Comfort

2012-01-02T16:17:00.002-05:00

Sculpture

2011-12-28T06:04:00.000-05:00

Holiday Lights

2011-12-26T17:57:00.000-05:00

Trains at Christmas; Wonderful

2011-12-22T07:36:00.000-05:00

Santa

2011-12-21T08:30:00.001-05:00

National Christmas Museum

2011-12-20T08:33:00.001-05:00

National Christmas Museum

2011-12-19T08:30:00.001-05:00

Grounds for Sculpture

2011-12-18T20:23:00.007-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T18:46:00.003-05:00

Last of the Summer Sun

2011-10-27T08:56:00.002-04:00

Bird House

2011-10-21T08:29:00.001-04:00

Pure Joy

2011-10-18T15:15:00.005-04:00

The Versatile Blogger Award

2011-10-12T12:20:00.002-04:00

This award was obviously given much too generously to this blog! Thanks go to Tammy at Small Pond, whose writing is eloquent. That is a skill I really envy, as I have problems putting thoughts down on paper. Well, along with this award comes the harrowing process of answering seven things about myself: Obviously I have a problem writing. I am trying to exercise that by starting another blog called Disney Musings where I shall try to improve my writing ability. I love to paint and draw, but can't seem to find the time. Work seems to take all the joy out of it. This is the best time of the year, "Hallowthanksmas" time, where we start the process of decorating the house and garden for the holidays! The fact that the decorations overlap don't bother me at all! I have a thanksgiving tree that I am very proud of. I bet not many people can actually say that!

I also have to send the award along to other blogs who are deserving:
The Artist's Blog
Living La Vida Rita
Modesty is Pretty
and My Thrifty Closet
How will they know they received the award from me? I don't know!

Coneflowers

2011-10-11T10:59:00.002-04:00

Castles in the Sky

2011-10-10T10:20:00.000-04:00

Chocolate

2011-09-21T15:21:00.003-04:00

A Kid in a Candy Store

2011-09-20T12:48:00.004-04:00

Vogue, Paris Original

2011-09-14T10:42:00.002-04:00

Zinnia

2011-09-06T09:14:00.002-04:00

Green After the Rain

2011-09-02T12:17:00.003-04:00

Pink Door

2011-09-01T14:07:00.002-04:00

I wish this was my door and stoop! Alas, these beauties reside in Boston.

Pink, It Runs in the Family

2011-08-29T12:25:00.003-04:00

Ebay is a place to find amazing things, even, maybe, your mother's dress, long gone? Well, I thought it was hers, but not quite, hers was a shift dress and my new/old dress is an empire waist dress, but what a dress!

Blue

2011-08-25T09:44:00.003-04:00

Green Door

2011-08-24T15:27:00.001-04:00

Wreath

2011-08-23T12:46:00.003-04:00

Ship Friendship, Salem, MA

2011-08-23T12:38:00.007-04:00

Ah, Paint

2011-08-04T07:37:00.003-04:00

I've had these cases for years, and just refill them with tube watercolor as needed. Aren't the colors lovely?

Vintage Dress Details

2011-07-21T07:44:00.002-04:00

Awesome vintage dress details, and it's all mine!

Pet Food Bowls

2011-07-20T07:53:00.002-04:00

Feed Me!

Vintage Bus

2011-07-19T08:56:00.006-04:00

Purple Finch, Final

2011-07-08T12:10:00.002-04:00

Purple Finch continued...

2011-07-07T09:07:00.002-04:00

Update on Painting...

2011-06-30T12:51:00.003-04:00

The fabric for the skirt I'm having made has come in and it exceeds my expectations. It is softer than I thought it would be and the pattern is more fun than I even anticipated!

Sunflowers

2011-06-29T08:13:00.002-04:00

Purple Finch...Continued

2011-06-29T08:12:00.003-04:00

Purple Finch, A New Project

2011-06-24T10:51:00.003-04:00

The start of a new project is always exciting and scary, all at once. Will I be able to finish it? Will it turn out well, or will it be a flop? Will my eyes survive the close up work that a piece like this entails? Tune in to find out. This is a piece for someone special! And they will be making me something as well! I can't wait to see how that turns out...

Flea Market Cardinal

2011-06-22T14:54:00.002-04:00

In the Garden

2011-06-16T09:59:00.001-04:00

Snail

2011-06-15T14:36:00.002-04:00

Mimosa

2011-06-13T14:44:00.001-04:00

If Only I Could Go Outside...

2011-06-10T12:12:00.001-04:00

Amphora, Pompeii, 79 AD

2011-05-31T08:19:00.001-04:00

Bread, 79 AD

2011-05-31T08:16:00.003-04:00

This loaf of bread was left in the ovens along with eighty or so others when Pompeii was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius. Amazing how all that destruction left behind such a complete picture of what life was like back then.

In the Garden

2011-05-27T08:54:00.004-04:00

2011-05-25T09:12:00.001-04:00

Pink

2011-05-24T12:04:00.004-04:00

My Best Model

2011-05-24T08:24:00.007-04:00

Yes, He is as mushy as he looks. I call him "Puppy" as he follows me around wherever I go and when I stop, he must be as close to me as possible; on my shoulder, in my lap, or on the book I'm trying to read.

Flea Market Frog

2011-05-23T15:26:00.002-04:00

Mirror, Mirror...

2011-05-20T10:37:00.002-04:00

Iris

2011-05-19T08:27:00.002-04:00

Artichoke

2011-05-18T09:14:00.001-04:00

Swan

2011-05-17T09:06:00.001-04:00

Swiss Chard

2011-05-17T09:00:00.003-04:00

Best Friends

2011-05-12T15:01:00.001-04:00

First Birthday

2011-05-12T08:35:00.000-04:00

Asparagus

2011-05-11T11:53:00.000-04:00

Strawberries

2011-05-10T12:40:00.001-04:00

Sand Sculpture

2011-05-09T10:02:00.003-04:00

Baby Hams

2011-05-09T09:57:00.007-04:00

When do babies learn to become hams? This fellow is one and a half. He was running around and fell in front of me. I whipped out the camera, and all of a sudden the tears stopped and he became a male model, showing off and posing like he's been at it since birth!

Cabbage

2011-05-06T12:07:00.004-04:00

Redbud

2011-05-05T07:34:00.001-04:00

Dogwood

2011-05-04T13:39:00.003-04:00

Who Keeps Their Old Textbooks?

2011-04-27T15:05:00.002-04:00

College Misery asked the question, "who keeps their old textbooks?" These sure have been loved for the past twenty odd years or so! One was even sent out to be rebound!

How Do You Choose Just One?

2011-04-27T11:10:00.008-04:00

Disney's Dinosaur Ride, named and based on their movie of the same name, is my husband's favorite ride. My favorite part is the "adoption area," filled with mushy bellied, crazy eyed dinosaurs at the end. They're all looking for new homes, and they are hard to refuse!

Butterflies

2011-04-26T10:37:00.005-04:00

Easter Eggs

2011-04-25T09:56:00.004-04:00

2011-04-22T10:44:00.002-04:00

In Summation, Arizona is Awesome!

2011-04-18T13:32:00.005-04:00

Tonto National Park, Petroglyph Site, AZ

2011-04-08T14:35:00.007-04:00

Walnut Canyon National Monument, AZ

2011-04-08T09:06:00.009-04:00

In wooded country southeast of Flagstaff, the small seasonal stream Walnut Creek has carved a 600 foot deep canyon as it flows east, eventually joining the Little Colorado River en route to the Grand Canyon. The exposed Kaibab limestone that forms the upper third of the canyon walls occurs in various layers of slightly differing hardness, some of which have eroded more rapidly forming shallow alcoves. During the 12th to 13th centuries many were used by the local Sinagua Indians who constructed cave-dwellings along the steep well-protected ledges, high above the canyon floor. Walnut Canyon has been protected since 1904, first as part of the San Francisco Mountain Reserve (later Coconino National Forest). Early caretakers lived in a log cabin on the canyon rim. Walnut Canyon National Monument was established in 1915, one year before the National Park Service. After a long day of hiking, stop in at the Rock Spings Cafe for pie, pie of any kind. They have it all. And it's good. 35769 South Old Black Canyon Highway, Black Cyn City, AZ 85324. thanks to americansouthwest.net for the information and the photo of the ruins on the Island Trail.

Chiricahua National Monument, AZ

2011-04-08T07:26:00.007-04:00

Twenty seven million years ago a volcanic eruption of immense proportions shook the land around Chiricahua National Monument. One thousand times greater than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Turkey Creek Caldera eruption laid down 2,000 feet of highly silicious ash and pumice. This mixture fused into a rock called rhyolitic tuff and eventually eroded into the spires and unusual rock formations one sees at Chiricahua National Monument today.

The Chiricahua National Monument occupies an area only 5 by 6 miles. A winding 8 mile scenic drive climbs steadily from the entrance, past the visitor center to Massai Point (elevation 6,870 feet) where several trails branch off, descending into canyons and towards the main rock formations, which are not visible from the road. On the way, the scenic drive follows the course of a stream along Bonita Canyon for most of the route and passes picnic places, a campsite and various geological features most notably the Organ Pipe formation. This is a sloping cliff face, weathered into many rocky columns.

The formations at Chiricahua are similar in size and shape to those of Bryce Canyon, although without as much color - the rocks are mainly grey but often with a covering of green lichen. A one mile circular route winds through some of the most impressive groups which include several examples of balanced rocks - boulders perched precariously on top of much thinner supporting columns. thanks to americansouthwest.net for the information.

Road Food at Wisdom's Cafe, AZ

2011-04-07T11:14:00.009-04:00

If you see two chickens along the side of the road in Tumacacori; 1931 E. Frontage Road, Tumacacori AZ 85640 to be exact; stop your car, make a U turn, do whatever you can to get to Wisdom's Cafe. Plan your day around the dessert: fruit burros, order them first, they take a while to make. They are well worth it. Photos are of the chocolate cherry burro that companions couldn't wait to break into and wouldn't allow a nicer photo of, and mine, a blueberry burro, like homemade pie, but somehow better, and all mine. No, I shared; because we also ordered lunch and it was an all around excellent meal.

Fort Bowie National Historic Site, AZ

2011-04-07T10:37:00.011-04:00

Fort Bowie National Historic Site commemorates the story of the bitter conflict between the Chiricahua Apache and the United States military. The fort was established in 1862 at the former station of the Overland Mail Route at Apache Springs. It was here, that peaceful relations between the U.S. Government and the Apache ended in 1861 when a young Lieutenant George Bascom falsely imprisoned Chiricahua Apache Chief Cochise on charges of kidnapping a white child.

Followed by a series of bungled decisions by Bascom, Cochise escaped and retaliated in all out war against the white settlers. As the Apache attacks increased, Fort Bowie was established on the station site to help fight against the Apaches. Though construction began on Fort Bowie in 1862, it resembled more of a temporary military camp than a fort. However, in 1868, more permanent buildings were built and the fort became the focal point of military operations for more than 30 years. In 1886 the fort then returned to use as a travelers’ stop until it was totally abandoned in 1894.

In 1964, the site was authorized as a National Historic site. Today, the remains of Fort Bowie are carefully preserved, as are the adobe walls of various post buildings and the ruins of a Butterfield Stage Station. The site is located on the unpaved Apache Pass. Access to the ruins of Fort Bowie and the visitor center is via a 1.5 mile foot trail which begins at a parking area along Apache Pass. The hike in to the fort is part of the Fort Bowie experience, where visitors can get a sense of the lonely isolation that the people experienced while stationed there. The trail also winds past remains of a Butterfield Stage Coach Station, the post cemetery, the original fort and finally, the more elaborate Fort Bowie and the visitor center.

Saguaro National Park, AZ

2011-04-06T15:25:00.013-04:00

Saguaro National Park has two districts. The Rincon Mountain District is located to the East of Tucson, AZ and the Tucson Mountain District is located to the West of Tucson AZ. In 1933 Saguaro National Monument was created. The Saguaro Wilderness Area of 71,400 acres was added in 1975. Saguaro National Park was created from these areas in 1994 and currently encompasses 91,327 acres in its two districts. The Eastern Rincon Mountain District rises to over 8,000 feet and includes over 128 miles of trails. The Western Tucson Mountain District is generally lower in elevation with a denser saguaro forest. thanks to www.saguaronationalpark.com for the information.

The awesome Saguaro Cactus, the state flower of Arizona, is composed of a tall, thick, fluted, columnar stem, often with several large branches curving upward. The skin is smooth and waxy, the trunk and stems have spines clustered on their ribs. When water is absorbed, the outer pulp of the Saguaro can expand like an accordion, increasing the diameter of the stem and, in this way, can increase its weight by up to a ton. The Saguaro often begins life in the shelter of a "nurse" tree or shrub which can provide a shaded, moister habitat for the germination of life. The Saguaro grows very slowly, perhaps an inch a year, but to a great height, 15 to 50 feet. The largest plants, with more than 5 arms, are estimated to be 200 years old. An average old Saguaro would have 5 arms and be about 30 feet tall. They are the giants of the cactus world. thanks to desertusa.com for the information.

Casa Grande, AZ

2011-04-06T07:51:00.009-04:00

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument contains an imposing 14th century Hohokam building. It is situated in the flat plain of central Arizona in between the Gila and Santa Cruz rivers. The structure was once part of a collection of settlements scattered along the Gila River and linked by a network of irrigation canals. The 'Great House' can be seen from some distance away owing to the flatness of the terrain. The present cover replaced an earlier wooden construction in 1932. The scale of the ruin is best appreciated from close up - it is 60 feet by 40 feet wide at the base and has caliche walls over a meter thick. Although visitors are not allowed into the building owing to its delicate state, much can be seen from outside including details of the construction with wooden beams supporting the clay walls, and various internal features such as stairways and windows. It is believed that the Casa Grande functioned as an astronomical observatory since the four walls face the points of the compass, and some of the windows are aligned to the positions of the sun and moon at specific times. There are various smaller ruins in the complex, remains of a Hohokam farming village, and some are yet to be excavated. In 1892, the Casa Grande became the first archaeological site in the USA to be protected as a national monument. thanks to www.americansouthwest.net for the information.

Tonto National Forest, AZ

2011-04-04T09:11:00.014-04:00

Tonto is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona, and has the most diverse scenery, with terrain and elevation ranging from the Sonoran Desert (1,400 feet) to the Mogollon Rim (7,400 feet). Much of the area is covered by cacti, in particular the wonderful and awesome giant saguaro, but there are also dozens of smaller species. The cactus colonies merge with bushes, chaparral and grasslands above 4,000 feet. Tonto National Forest contains eight separate wilderness areas, all of which have limited access as the land is generally steep and rough, without many trails. Few paved roads cross this area; just AZ 260 across the north, US 60 across the south, AZ 87 from Phoenix to Payson and AZ 188 from Globe to AZ 87. There are a selection of dirt roads, most well known being the Apache Trail between Mesa and Theodore Roosevelt Lake, through the Superstition Mountains. They are rough, but highly recommended as a great trip, just don't take your new car! Roosevelt is the largest of the man made lakes; others are the Saguaro, Canyon and Apache Lakes, Bartlett and Horseshoe Reservoirs. thanks to www.americansouthwest.net for the information.

Montezuma Well and Castle National Monument

2011-04-01T07:58:00.010-04:00

Montezuma Well: Montezuma Well, seven miles from the castle, is a flooded limestone sink hole 55 feet deep formed by the collapse of a large underground cavern. The water level in the well is maintained year-round by underground springs and so the lake was an obvious place for the local Indians to live near, as evident from various ruins scattered around the area, and remnants of an ancient irrigation system. Under the cliff edge the Sinagua built several stone cliff dwellings, some quite well preserved.

Montezuma Castle is one of a number of well-preserved ancient dwellings in Arizona, including the Wupatki, Tonto, Walnut Canyon, and Tuzigoot national monuments. It is an imposing 20 room, 5-story structure built into a recess in a white limestone cliff 70 feet above the ground. When first discovered the ruins were thought to be Aztec, hence the name bestowed on them by early explorers, but they are now known to belong to the Sinagua Indian peoples who farmed the surrounding land between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, before abandoning the area. The good state of preservation of the ruins is due in part to their protected location, shielded from rain and sun, and also the relatively early designation of the site as a national monument in 1906. thanks to www.americansouthwest.net for the information.

Tumacacori National Historical Park, AZ

2011-03-31T09:32:00.012-04:00

Missions like this functioned as agricultural production centers and way stations for caravan routes. The missions introduced European grains, fruits, vegetables and livestock such as horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats so the locals could produce valuable products for shipment to Spanish colonial centers and Spain.

Between 1687 and 1711, the famous Jesuit missionary-explorer Father Eusebio Francisco Kino (1644-1711) established more than 20 missions among the O'odham Indians. Other Jesuits established missions in the area until they were expelled in 1767. Franciscan missionaries then took over until Mexican independence in 1821.

Tumacácori National Historical Park protects three of the mission sites in Arizona. The park preserves the ruins of the San José de Tumacácori, Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi, and San Cayetano de Calabazas Missions. Padre Kino established Tumacácori and Guevavi, while another Jesuit established Calabazas. Tumacácori, one of the northern outposts of Spanish settlement, has the distinction of being the oldest mission site in Arizona. It dates to January 1691. The present site of the Tumacácori mission is not the original site. For more than eight decades, the mission was located on the east side of the Santa Cruz River and functioned as a visita (country chapel). At that time it was called San Cayetano de Tumacácori, and it didn’t have a church.

After the Pima Rebellion of 1751, the mission was moved to the west side of the river and renamed San José de Tumacácori. The mission’s first actual church was built at this new site. The church became federally protected property in 1908 with the creation of the Tumacácori National Monument. thanks to www.americansouthwest.net for the information.

Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ

2011-03-30T09:47:00.009-04:00

High above Arizona's Verde River lies Tuzigoot, the remnants of one of the largest pueblos built by the Sinagua. Tuzigoot, an Apache word meaning "crooked water," was built between 1100 and 1450 AD and consisted of two stories and 110 rooms. This structure, along with others whose ruins have been found in the surrounding area, provided shelter for hundreds of Sinagua occupants. thanks to www.americansouthwest.net for the information.

Arizona Flora

2011-03-29T10:25:00.006-04:00

Arizona Road Art

2011-03-28T08:09:00.006-04:00

2011-02-16T15:06:00.000-05:00

Turkeys

2011-02-08T11:29:00.006-05:00

One mile from home, in the plaza up the road, these hens were just hanging around; looking for a good time.

Disney's China Pavilion

2011-02-04T13:24:00.003-05:00

Teapots

2011-02-03T08:53:00.001-05:00

Umbrellas

2011-02-01T08:18:00.007-05:00

Disney Dreaming

2011-01-27T11:07:00.006-05:00

Vacation Photos

2011-01-27T08:25:00.005-05:00

Lanterns

2011-01-26T09:47:00.003-05:00

Winter

2011-01-13T12:35:00.002-05:00

Blue Jay

2011-01-13T12:34:00.002-05:00

The Drive in to Work

2011-01-11T09:33:00.002-05:00

Piano Bench

2011-01-11T09:32:00.002-05:00

African Violet

2011-01-07T11:56:00.002-05:00

Portrait of Raymond

2011-01-05T07:58:00.002-05:00

Bird Nest

2011-01-04T07:41:00.002-05:00

Abdominal Aortic Stent Graft

2011-01-03T11:04:00.001-05:00

Honey Pot

2011-01-03T09:31:00.001-05:00