Control becomes a really big psychological and emotional issue when cancer visits a household. Lesson? Take back every ounce of control you can get your hands on… especially your time. Time changes mess with the body’s natural patterns of give and take and flow, and circadian rhythms are nothing to screw around with – that’s [Continue]
According to the Paperwhite Narcissus in the front flower bed, spring has already arrived instead of just New Year’s day. Not a bad way to start a new year. Lesson? Blossom when you darn well feel like it. [Continue]
Last tree standing, out of 197 specimens – traditionally our Christmas trees get put away on the day after Christmas because by the time the big day is over I’m tired of looking at all 197 of them… and dusting them. This photo was really just an opportunity to bask in the sunset’s afterglow on [Continue]
Officially now there are 197 Christmas trees installed in our house and patio. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Yep, I’m still a pretty lousy photographer and 2010 resolution is to become better at that. [Continue]
Most of these Christmas trees arrived this year from Mother’s collection… all soft textile, calico trees she used to place on her entry patio – thrift shop acquired over many years. The iron plant-spiral needed a new job for the winter anyway… it normally holds flowers or rocks or candles on our patio during the [Continue]
Today the patio received a 24-inch barbed-wire tree, resplendent with brass stars, along with a four-foot faux fir anchored inside the wheelbarrow. The birds are not amused. [Continue]
The first Saturday of December is when we begin unpacking my collection of Christmas trees for display in the house and patio. A few years ago there were over 200 trees but like most serious collectors of anything, I’ve gleaned the collection down to just the best examples and began by dumping the largest tree [Continue]
Wabi sabi, the Japanese ideal of beauty, incorporates simple truths about life and living: life is in a state of ongoing imperfection. So relax and enjoy everything as it is; cancer and all… and be grateful. The first time I saw a Japanese garment created from old textile fragments, boro noragi, I was in awe [Continue]
We use a lot of iodine around here since Chuck became ill and it stains my hands and clothing. The best solution I came up with was a robe created from fabric that would camouflage the stain until my body could absorb the iodine to my benefit. Created from simple blocks and rectangles of fabric, [Continue]