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You can inspire others

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A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. Autumn is now in full swing, with numerous fall festivals and craft fairs on the horizon. The season has also afforded me the opportunity to teach several journal based and mixed media art classes. These classes have been a joy to teach. The participants are extremely creative and excited to learn new techniques in crafting. I can definitely say our classes have been merry groups, exuberant actually. Even though many of us have never met, our love of art and creating made the atmosphere one of friendship.    I was beyond giddy at the excitement each person emanated during the learning process. To be honest, even though it is a completely different atmosphere than the history lecture hall, being able to teach again was rewarding. Being able to teach something which you yourself are so passionate about, is inspirational. When the participants are so pleased with their creations that they want to continue that artistic journey, you ...

Autumn inspiration

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A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. I would like to wish everyone a happy Autumnal Equinox! The first day of Autumn has brought warm weather with a partly cloudy sky. We are now moving into an extreme drought condition but thankfully there are a few scattered showers forming across the area. Sadly, none here. We have been keeping the wildlife water containers filled daily and our small garden pond is a sanctuary for both birds and squirrels.  With such dry conditions the leaves have begun falling in larger numbers. Our garden and extended property has become carpeted by dry dull yellow-brown leaves. However, there is hope that some patches of brighter color might arrive soon. I have noticed a few trees beginning to show rich deep red leaves. Also, the walnut trees seem to be holding their own against such dry conditions.....their leaves are beginning to morph into a lovely golden yellow. Unfortunately for the squirrels, not many walnuts, acorns, or hickory nuts formed o...

All the beautiful blues

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A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. Mid September has arrived, and the lack of rainfall has taken its toll on the landscape. Small creeks and ponds have dwindled down, with only muddy patches remaining. Leaves are wilted, turning yellow and falling to the brown grass below....but the leaves are not that lovely autumn yellow one might expect this time of year. They are a dry, tired yellow, edged with crinkled brown. But despite the ongoing drought and dull thirsty colors that envelope our neighborhood, I have been inspired by the loveliest colors of blue.  For whatever reason, blues have been resonating with me this past week. Icy blue, moody dark bluish green, light blue.....the varying degree of shades seem endless to me. Having been in an artistic slump before, I owe this color, this vibe, a great thanks! For whatever reason, it reached down and caught the attention of my dreary spirit, wrapped around my mind, and released that burdening block.  Before I knew it,...

Self care and healing

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  A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. After debating whether to write today, I decided to put fingers to keyboard and attempt a few paragraphs. Today finds me fighting illness, having felt quite unwell over the last few days. I have been gradually getting worse and think today might be the pinnacle. Hopefully, with rest, some medication, and many cups of hot tea I will soon feel well enough for my normal routine.  My spouse found it amusing that one of my descriptions of how I felt included 'a head full of painful, pressurized, fuzzy soup with a fever on top'. I must admit that even in my poorly state, that amuses me as well.  It has been difficult mentally and emotionally though. With so many projects waiting to be completed, my initial reaction was to get up and do. But that was reconsidered rather quickly once I began to gather basic supplies. My body and my brain both yelled at me, 'not going to happen right now'! 😴 As a creator it is so difficult to fi...