The Christmas Waltz - Amy Grant and Marc Martel

Carolina Beach

So pretty this afternoon. Lucky me to live nearby.

Little daisies growing in the river

 

squirrel in tree

 

Pumpkin Season Approaches

So many pretty colors at the produce stand this afternoon! Took me by surprise, but it is the first day of fall. Pumpkins were traditional orange, multicolored, speckled, gray, and some were very large. Pretty squash, too. (I wonder if people eat them.) The weather has been perfect. Fall is a great season.

Geese and Ducks

There are retention ponds all over Wilmington, and they are home or vacation spots for many geese. The one near my bank usually has a large flock, but yesterday I saw none until my car slowed down. Then they arose from their rest and came to greet me. I guess people come by to feed them, and that was their expectation. I took a few pix, and they walked beside my car as I pulled off. Bottom one is a female mallard, I think.

Selling Art

 The gallery has been open a few months now, and so far five paintings have sold. Only five. The little things have been my bread and butter, and that's ok, but I have a joyful feeling when a larger painting that will hang in someone's home sells. It is really fun when I know the art and the artist, and a buyer really connects with a piece. And besides, I get a financial reward for being the go-between. 

Yesterday a couple came in for the third time. The first time was about two months ago when they brought in swatches of fabric and pictures of the space that needed art on the wall. They talked about their decorator and desired colors, and their travels. Nothing was the perfect fit. Today they returned. "Remember us?" the man asked. Honestly, I don't remember people as well as I did when I could see their whole face, but after a sentence or two, I did recall them and the care they took into making their decision not to purchase. Today they made a quick decision to purchase, and it was one they had not even considered before. The man was especially pleased, and like a hunter-gatherer, he quickly took ownership of the painting. After they got home, they texted me with the pic of it in that familiar space. Just perfect. They were thrilled, and the artist and I were thrilled also. 

dragonflies 2020

 I didn't know which I liked better.

vanilla

Just for fun, I've been making my own vanilla for the past 3-4 years, and now it is about used up. So I ordered a pack of ten beans recently for new batches. The easy thing would be do it all at once, but like the song says, I've never done anything (nice and) easy. You just slit some of the long beans to expose the seeds and put them in a bottle or smallish glass container with your drinking alcohol of choice. Six weeks ago I started some with rum. Today I started another with vodka. It will take months for the vanilla beans and their tiny seeds to permeate the alcohol with enough flavor to use in baking. During that time, the bottle needs to stay in a dark place and be shaken daily. I wonder which base will make the better vanilla. I will take another pic in a few months when it becomes brown.

pretty lizard

Pretty with that blue tail, but I do not want it in my gallery. It is a five lined skink

 

Enjoying some time at the beach

It was a blue sky, sunshiny day, I didn't have to work, and I really wanted to go to the beach. Any beach. The Carolina Beach strip is easier in many ways so that is where I headed. I left my camera at home so I wouldn't be distracted, but I did put my cell phone in my pocket. I choose the cool place at FF where the tide pool is. The pelicans are awesome there and so entertaining. This is a pic of part of the public walkway that leads to the water. So glad I went. 

working

 This crazy year has had crazy weather, too. The gallery where I spend about thirty afternoon hours a week has big windows across the front and part of the side, so I can see what's happening from the sky on down to the occasional mushroom. Today as with many other days, I drove in under sunny skies, parked and with the assumption that the day would remain dry and beautiful, I put my windows down a bit to let the summer heat out. You know what they say about assumptions. Last Saturday was the craziest. I think only about five minutes passed between the sunny sky and the grim grey one. The thunder and heavy rains hovered over my place, and I decided to close and leave early. First time for that as I am blessed/cursed with this strong sense of duty.

Sometimes I enjoy the gallery and other times not so much. Just like my other jobs, sometimes I have to psych myself up to start the workday. Like yesterday. But it turned out great with an actual sale of a painting. And then a couple of other small items. Yay! 

I get followers on my instagram site, and one of them, a potter, contacted me about selling her things. I do love pottery. We made arrangements, and she brought in some pieces right as I opened. She and her husband create some cute hand built things. The husband also works with wood and iron and makes furniture. I had a question about the live edge table I have; it was looking lighter and drier. He made recommendations about oiling and waxing, and I am thankful. I love it when something works out. Now I need a bookkeeper to appear. They are harder to find than artists. 

This week I got some small painted pieces from a younger woman who originates from Costa Rica. She works with a palette of pretty bright colors we do not usually see here. Most art in my place is full of the blues and greens of the sea, the sky, and the river. 

Now that I have practiced writing, maybe I will send out a newsletter.

ginger lily

Interesting and wanted to save

According to political theory, a republic requires its citizens to cultivate virtuous behavior; if the people are virtuous, the republic will survive. If the people become corrupt, the republic will fall. Whether republicanism succeeded or failed in the United States would depend on civic virtue and an educated citizenry. Revolutionary leaders agreed that the ownership of property provided one way to measure an individual’s virtue, arguing that property holders had the greatest stake in society and therefore could be trusted to make decisions for it. By the same token, non-property holders, they believed, should have very little to do with government. In other words, unlike a democracy, in which the mass of non-property holders could exercise the political right to vote, a republic would limit political rights to property holders. In this way, republicanism exhibited a bias toward the elite, a preference that is understandable given the colonial legacy. During colonial times, wealthy planters and merchants in the American colonies had looked to the British ruling class, whose social order demanded deference from those of lower rank, as a model of behavior. 

Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues for Character Development:

In the 1780s, Benjamin Franklin carefully defined thirteen virtues to help guide his countrymen in maintaining a virtuous republic. His choice of thirteen is telling since he wrote for the citizens of the thirteen new American republics. These virtues were:

1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

mushroom frill

hello world

There is so much craziness, unrighteousness, right now. My heart has been heavy.

I am glad to be a follower of Jesus who is my Lord and my Savior and to be a lover of God's Holy Word. What a difference it makes. My rock and my fortress. 

The Gallery is my new duty. People seem to find it a bit of an oasis in this seemingly dysfunctional world. It has been three months since I opened that weekend in March when the virus hogged the news. But now, time for updates already! Lighting and a hanging system will be installed next week. That means I have to take everything off the walls, repair whatever needs repairing, stash the art, also I am changing art and adding artists, then I will redo, redecorate, rehang. It will be new and fresh once more!

Last week I was thinking about all the art events I used to go to, receptions, openings, shows, meetings, lunches, classes, and just having good conversations. It was a shame that everything suddenly stopped. Somebody ought to do something, I thought. Then I realized that somebody was me, and the best place for a get together was the gallery. So two days later, after letting people know, about twenty people came out in terrible weather to socialize. I was encouraged. It was absolutely no trouble for me, and I will be doing it on a regular basis until there is a reason not to. We are responsible adults and have been inundated with info, so I think we can decide for themselves if we want to come, if we want to wear masks or not, and how far we want to stand from others. If the weather is good, people can go outside.

Sales are very sluggish, but occasionally there is a purchase. I’m thankful for any good thing. 

young common loon

sea oxeye

My three baby plants

Now I like plants again!

Yellow Hats

sky, tree, water

Life

The longer I live, the more I find everything fascinating. Sometimes I am struck by the amount of evil in the world and how good God is. Sometimes I like to study how each day is different from all the others. And then there is always something in nature to marvel at.
Since I haven't ventured  more than a few miles away lately, and with the gallery right on the river, river life has become a favorite subject of mine.
This afternoon I took a few pix from the "pier" looking down at the marsh and sandy edge of the river below. Zooming in, my camera was able to spot several types of tiny crabs. They look prehistoric and probably are. I will have to read about them. The quality of the pictures is bad, but I enjoyed taking them.

POTD

Need more arty photos.

Lantana

feeling blessed

I enjoy the gallery that I have been given to do, and I love that I can go outside anytime while I am "at work" and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Today there is a lovely breeze and a sunny sky. People are fishing and playing along the river, sunning on the dock, walking hand in hand along the wooden walkway above the marsh, cardinals and pelicans are frolicking in their respective habitats. aaah.
Here is the building I am in, a (purely untouched) shot as I was on the way back.

back to photos

Some of the river has small islands where mud and sand have been dumped after dredging. In my view, there seemed to be a sandbar. I saw some black dots and zoomed in with my camera to see what they were. This is what I found. "They say" there are more pelicans right now because of the abundance of a certain fish.

expressing myself

We have surpassed the point of ridiculousness in the US.

I am pretty careful about forming opinions. I am a researcher and studier by nature, and though I hate to say what a dork I am, I spend many hours a day in pursuit of understanding. I like to connect the dots, study cause and effect, put two and two together. I look at spirit, soul, and body, sociological and cultural influences, health and medicine, science, history, and just about anything within my grasp - or beyond! Not saying I know so much. I am just interested in many things, especially the human experience. And like any human, all my understanding and knowledge is extremely limited.  "The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God." (1 Cor 3:19)

That being said, it is still hard for me to understand how so many people can fall under the spell of deception. My eyes were really opened when Obama walked on the political stage in 2004. He had an evil vibe, and I knew something was very wrong. Then he continued the spell, convincing enough American citizens that wrong was right. Eventually he was exposed for what he was, a Manchurian president - and more. Now he and his handlers/cronies have been exposed as criminals. But how many Americans know? Or are interested in knowing? Or prefer to wallow in deception?  Everyone should know the truth, but the complicit propaganda that many rely on for "news" tightly controls information. There are plenty of other places to learn about current events.

Over the past three years the leftists have dragged the American citizens through an array of distorted, blatantly noxious causes promoted by leftist nut jobs. (I know a nut job when I see one.) These pathetic, ignorant politicians want to make decisions over our lives.  What do they base their leanings on? Perish the thought.

The latest is, we have been tricked into fear and submission by the possibilities of a virus. We have now collected enough data to know the story and see it for what it is, but the sicko leftists with power are trying to use it to control the masses and bring further damage to our country. They are hell bent on its destruction. (It is so ridiculous to see someone wearing a mask outside.)

So many things are at play. Oh for the veil of deceit to be lifted and for the eyes of the blind to be opened! And for people to think and put two and two together. And for common sense to prosper.

A New Ship in Town

Big news in town. The Hyundai Hope, a huge Korean container ship, arrived in Wilmington about six pm. I must admit it was pretty awesome when it came into view, a couple of miles from the shipyard.  It made the one day trip from New York in about nine hours. Tomorrow it will head back. Here are some stats. It is 157 feet wide and 1200 feet long. At that length, it exceeds the Titanic by a little over 300 feet. It can carry about 14,000 containers. hmmm. I wonder what is in all those containers. It was a gray day, and the light rain turned heavy as it slid out of sight. Pix.

critters

As I was leaving the gallery today, a bug on the sidewalk caught my eye. I took a pic and used my seek naturalist app to identify it. It's a Buck Moth caterpillar, and the spikes on their sides, while not poisonous to humans, really sting and hurt. So beware! Oak forests are mostly where they live. Apparently it was lost. Another unwanted animal lost its way on Saturday. I am going to have to stop keeping my gallery front door open on pretty days, because a skink slithered in making its way to my desk. They are not cute like the little green anoles. Oh no... But it ended well. I trapped him under a wire trash can, and when he was at the top, which was the bottom, I slipped a piece of poster board underneath. Very easy then to take him outdoors where he belonged.

Back to shopping

TJ Maxx opened last week, and woohoo! It could take only 140 shoppers at one time.  A masked person was tracking the numbers, and lucky, it had not met the limit. When I left, people were waiting to go in. A few shelves were empty, arrows on the floor indicated the directions for walking, and the check out line was spaced out and long. My few fun purchases were worth it!

Get Out and Live

This saying on the back of Ned's T shirt speaks to the time we are in.

potd

As I look around my gallery, I see artwork that I learn to like more or less. This is one I like more. I know the artist and saw her as she worked on it. I think it is really good. It is the clock in Grand Central station.

Poison Ivy

Or poison oak. Either way, this huge bush grew up quickly in my side yard. I had no idea it could be a bush or so big! Now I have to figure out what to do to kill it. I am very allergic.

Thank you, Trip!

I don't know how I would have pulled the Gallery together without Trip. He did big things like making the pedestals, and putting heavy things together, but he also contributed in small ways. He likes to build stuff with wood, and on his visits he brought me a few things that I didn't need at the time, but he said someday I might. Like this business card holder. And the little wooden stand that I painted today that a plant will sit on. Vision. How did he know.

FERNS

Stella D'oro Lilies

It was in another house and time that a photograph of these lilies accidentally turned out so good, it took my breath away. So glad to have them in this house and time.

my grandchildren love to take pictures of each other

Nurses Day

Nurses Day was yesterday, and there was lots on social media about it, where I got this.
I loved being a nurse, and I loved these words someone wrote. They are so true.

Being a nurse means: 
You will never be bored.
You will always be frustrated.
You will be surrounded by challenges, so much to do, so little time.
You will carry immense responsibility and very little authority.
You will step into people's lives and make a difference. Some will bless you; some will curse you. You will see people at their worst and at their best.
You will never cease to be amazed at people's capacity for love, courage, and endurance.
You will see life begin and end.
You will see resounding triumphs and devastating failures.
You will cry a lot. You will laugh a lot.
You will know what it means to be human and humane.

pic du jour 5-6

a blackbird this day

May the fourth be with you.

Today's pic is of a decal that Wyatt made for me that he put on the back window of my car. water + color gallery. I am proud of it!

wearing his mother's scarf for the corona mask

most awful things ever invented: blowers

starting a day in May pics

Look! A squirrel.

End of April

It has been a lonely three and a half hours in the gallery.

I am the only place open around here, and the weather has been awful with rain and winds. I have just about run out of things to do. I could always go home, but I said I will be here until 5 pm, so I will.

The best and the worst is the music. Stuart set me up with a nice speaker that I operate from my iPhone. For a month I could blast it. What joy that brought! Then apartment dwellers moved in above me. Though less loud, I can still listen to French music, Marilyn McCoo, Madeleine Peyroux, and all my other favorites. Today it seemed that all the stations I listened to were too nostalgic, with a lot of music that reminded me of my mommy and daddy and my babies. I took it as long as I could. Finally I landed on London Music Works that spoke nothing to my earlier years.

One thing I wanted to do here is make pizza. Today was a good day to try it. I had bought a big convection toaster oven for the place, and yesterday I made pizza in it for the first time. The second time was today. Thank goodness I can eat all the gluten I want. Now I am comfortable with bringing in the quickly mixed dough from home, keeping toppings in the gallery fridge, and baking in the oven. Maybe someone other than me will enjoy it sometime.

Some lookers just came in. New Yorkers with a three month old black lab on a leash.

What else did I do here today? I blogged on my gallery website. I liked how it turned out. The website expects me (i.e. I expect myself) to blog occasionally, so I did. Doing it without interruptions helped.

About 3 pm, I walked down to the river. It was not raining, but wind was whipping around, and it sounded like there was conflict among the feathered wildlife. When they took note that a human was coming near, the squawking stopped.

Now it is about time to call it a day.

Portraits of the farm animals

An Oakdale Angel