from the dark of winter, beauty in the ordinary

post #410
       I want to start out with a photo of where the owl sat on this branch (in the middle of the photo) when we had the "visit" I wrote about last week. I remain hopeful that I might  experience another such visit another time.

This is the hill I had walked down on the way to the owl.  The curve at the top is always a bit tricky -- no way to see what is coming from the opposite direction!

       I seem to be unable to resist taking photos even of the ordinary work of home repair!  Despite the cold, wet weather, some faulty cement outside has now been replaced, and a cement mixer even came to the house!  I was somehow thrilled by the experience of looking over the balcony around the second floor (this is not a big house) directly into the mixed cement! 

All is ready.  (Photo by T.)

This is probably pretty ordinary, but I was fascinated even so. I have always been intrigued by the pouring of cement from trucks that carry on circulating while they drive along.

          Well, it is close to Christmas and a good time to share some treasures.  I so enjoyed the beautiful dolls my friend Melva and a friend of hers make. She incorporated several of them into her family tree this year!  I loved seeing them yesterday.  Maybe she will even be able to use a photo of mine for a note card at some later date! But in any case, once again, I can't help taking a photo. For me it's simply a way -- or a habit --  of seeing more closely. 

         I need to finish this post now, but if I find the one photo I am missing tonight, I will add it soon. I wish everyone a safe holiday season, and beauty when you see it or make it.

Time for Christmas trees and arts and crafts shows!

post #407
        It's a bit busy these days around here.  My car died and I had to buy a new one just to get home from where I was. There was an unexpected vacancy in the Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center's Arts and Crafts Fair, yesterday, and I had to make some hasty preparation to be ready for it. The Morehead State University Arts and Crafts Festival, held every year on the first Saturday of December, with over 100 vendors, will be going on next Saturday, Dec. 1. This means more preparation, both in the items needed to set up my 10 x 10 space, and then to have the right things ready to sell. I do enjoy seeing people I know in this area.  There was Thanksgiving, of course, but since my son-in-law loves, loves, loves to cook, he did most of that, and the two families joining them brought food as well. Quite the feast! The four young kids/friends had a great time, too.  
       They also were all together yesterday, at another friend's Christmas tree farm, and so, guess what, today the tree was put in place and decorated! I will start with a few photos of that event, from this afternoon:

sweet symmetry not done on purpose

       I did take a few photos at Laurel Gorge. The Center provides a history of the area in addition to wildlife information and nature trails, which are lovely to use. We were kind of packed in the two museum areas, but it all worked out.

These dulcimers are made from a variety of woods, and are works of art. I can't believe that I didn't know before that the age of the wood contributes to the quality of the sound -- old is better! Some of the wood Matt Maggard uses is over 100 years old, and comes with a story that goes back that far. Gayle Maggard plays them, and, I believe, has a group that plays together.  I didn't have time to find out everything I wanted to know -- or to take the best possible photos.  I hope these few photos at least give a flavor of their work and enthusiasm.

the underneath of one of the dulcimers

Here, in my gallery/workspace, is some of the work in progress for Saturday's Fair. If I ever end up with no more envelopes, no more paper to cut and fold, no more copies of the photos I use, no more sleeves for the photos, all at the same time, I would be tempted to quit and call it even. But somehow I don't see ever coming out even like that..... In any case, if anyone reading this is near Morehead, come by and see me on Saturday at MSU's Laughlin Health Building between nine and four.  Then stay around for the Hometown Christmas and then the annual performance by the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m.  This year there is a choral number, with a large choral singing section.  Friend Molly Carew is singing in it, and says the music they're doing is truly beautiful. She never imagined being able to perform with a full orchestra!

       Next week I will share some snow photos that I never used last year. As I write this, there is a big storm in the midwest -- I hope everyone is safe and warm.  Somehow, those first storms of the season are often not taken seriously enough. 
      Talking about taking seriously enough, of course I continue to hope that sanity will prevail on the subject of climate change. We should be having a global imperative to get a grip on what work is required. When will enough leaders realize that we need to do a lot to protect our future? Right. Now. 
       Well, we don't need just to protect our future. We need to guarantee a livable future.