From the cottage at Crows Chase

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...

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,...

  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...

A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. With the last week of August now behind us, I would like to reflect on how the last few days have brought such lovely moments of inspiration and creativity. Having written last week of the need to be still, to step back and focus on why I began this journey, I think that realization brought positive changes. Early last week, I made a plan for each day. Errands on Monday, my day at Grinning Possum on Tuesday, Wednesday shopping, with the remaining days for painting and crafts. By mid week, my vibe hadn't bounced back. I felt sluggish and deflated, not necessarily due to lack of creativity, but due to high heat and drought. Strangely enough, long dry spells zap me of energy, almost like it zaps my gardens of life. Our lawns and gardens had large dusty patches and many of the wildflowers were wilted and turning brown. I needed some brightness and color for my home, so I picked up a magnificently yellow bouquet of flowers that had been ex...