I'm still needing to speak out

     Two things today -- this was meant for a mid-week post, which is a rarity....because it takes discipline and time, neither being abundant in my world.  At least I finally was able to get this photo on the blog.  (By chance I moved it more slowly, and then it made its way from desktop to post.  Persistence required, and luck.  It belongs between the two other photos of her in the last post, but I'm not going to stretch my luck at this time by putting it exactly there. A week in between them is fine). 

    Also, I did find out how to receive comments in this revised system, so that's now fixed as well!  What isn't fixed is how to get every single person out to vote in this very important election. I will never know how anyone feels safe with a mentally ill person being in charge of things, like the nuclear button, or who's OK with those 545 kids at the border having been separated from  parents now lost because records weren't kept (because nobody cared, I assume), but the big thing by now is to VOTE within the next 9 days. Everyone.  Stay healthy as well.  That horrible virus doesn't care whom you vote for either.  

     Here's the letter I received yesterday! Yea!!

The mailboxes across the road from me -- again BRAVO RURAL POSTAL CARRIERS!!

my former driveway, showing the rebound still in effect from a horrendous "tornadic" wind storm 25 years ago.  I send condolences to all those affected by current tornadoes, floods, or fire. There are so many wrenching stories. Our earth needs our attention and creative problem solving, by all of us.

 

 the drive in view two days or so later:

 

Trees are tops!

three more photos while sitting at the pond after reading aloud a couple of chapters from The Secret Garden:

        It fascinates me how the leaves quietly move and rearrange themselves, even in a small pond.  Of course this is what we are hoping for in this election --  which could be setting us up for a healthier democracy if we all pay attention!  (Sorry, I can't help myself from including these current events comments.... Sharing here is one of the few things I can do to support the activists and the clear thinkers who are trying to help people to believe that change is not only possible but it is incredibly necessary.  My thanks for anything you are doing as well!!!)

Sideway Gallery

post #348
         Last week's post had words about my visit to Hiroshima almost 50 years ago. I expressed my total conviction that nuclear weapons should never, ever be used again. And the very next day I read about some loose talk and threats by the person elected to be an American president. He seemed to be shooting off his mouth without really knowing what he was talking about. By the weekend he was doing the same thing about a far right rally in Virginia that turned to actual violence. Not at all an encouraging week. I write this for the folks in other countries who regularly read my posts; please know more and more of us will continue to persist in calling these actions out for what they are -- in addition to being obviously dangerous. The dream of democracy includes being determined.

       I do want to share some photos of my gallery -- called Sideway Gallery because I'm located on Sideway Road. I'm away from there at the moment, without the cord to plug in my eight year old laptop, so I'll go directly to photos.  That way at least there's something to show today! I'm fortunate to be able to keep my gallery and still have room to live there as well. At least I am going to give it a try!

the view of my place along Sideway Road, on the left driving in

the mail box for Sideway Gallery

gallery atmospheric, from across Sideway Road

atmospheric, looking down the driveway from the deck

inside the front door, the living room half of the front room, and some of the kitchen

part of the gallery half of the front room

my photos on the "living room" wall

 News on the ridge:

a colt's first day, before the barn is ready, but all seems well

peace on the pond

More details next week, with my sincere thanks to all who work for peace in our world.

a snow story and a spring bouquet

post #273
       Today is almost leap day! It's very warm outside and the daffodils are showing leaves! I had my exhibit reception on Friday, 5-7 pm, but I am not ready yet to revisit any of these events for today's blog post. I still need some processing time. So I have decided -- before winter leaves us all together -- to share the story I recorded in photos of mailing a birthday card on a Tuesday to my step grandson turning 20, whose birthday would be two days later. The card would not have time to arrive by his birthday, so I resorted to taking some photos to document via email how hard I worked to get his card in the mail.  (Note: there had been no mail on the Monday because of the three day weekend.) 

 1. AT THE HOUSE, holding the envelope, with me dressed and ready to start out for the mailbox

2.  GOING OUT the front door (see last week's post) and walking up the steps (ditto)




3. WALKING THE QUARTER MILE to the road and the mailbox, with the driveway not yet plowed

4. SOME SOGGY AREAS ON THE DRIVEWAY, and a culvert needing attention -- later

5. CROSSING THE ROAD TO THE MAILBOX, which requires some liberating

6. LOOKING BACK toward the driveway, on the right, imagination required

 7. PUTTING THE STAMPED CARD into the cleaned up mailbox -- evidence of my trying my hardest to get the card sent on its way (For some reason, the trusty red flag chose this day to fall off. Maybe the passing snowplow dislodged it somehow?)

8. LOOKING BACK, FROM NEAR THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE, to the mailbox (and card within) with just as much fog looking east as there was looking west  

9. I RETURN TO THE HOUSE, with every hope that the mail will run this day (it does) and the card will be received in Massachusetts (it is, eventually), with a thank you to the US Postal Service and to Regina, our mail carrier!

10. LATER THAT DAY, my neighbor Jason comes down on his four wheeler to make sure all is well. It is. I appreciate the visit and enjoy seeing him!
 

 11. I am reminded that I haven't yet posted the two photos of him wearing the t-shirt for this year's Senior Class. I probably love the shirt more than he does, but he let me take photos even so. First from the back:

the front reads: Senior Year / Just kinda do it

12. Three photos remain for today, providing some cheerful color for this time of year. The first two views are of the unexpected bouquet my sweet daughter sent for Friday's reception. I thank you!

 This last photo is an evening winter sky, in the north, from the side door of the house. It really looked just like this. Keeping my eyes open keeps me happy. And this blog does, too.

midway between Halloween and the election....

post #215

"Well, here she comes again, with that black thing in her face!"

    I saw this goat on my way to visit my clever neighbors who always have an amazing Halloween display.  The family hay ride and party had to take place two weeks ago, but LUCKILY two of their creative creatures were still there to greet me the day after Halloween:

   










 The leaves have been changing all through October.  Here below are three photos from last week:

fallen leaves on the driveway, facing the way we "leaf home":

the barn, behind the sycamore

the chicken house/tool shed building, with sign

       My milkweed project lasted a year, but I have been keeping an eye on the plants this year as well, out of habit.  I have seen hardly any of the fluffy, sailing seeds!  This year would have been a bust as far as following the plants month after month.  
      Then, just the other day, I noticed a single milkweed plant in a totally unexpected location, with seeds opening!  At last.  I took this first photo Thursday evening, with its lovely sedate artistic display. 

  
      This second photo was taken after our Friday night storm: wind! rain! first freeze!

       Many thanks to someone for the comment on my blog last week about my letter to the editor!  I'm sorry not to be able to write back, but I don't see the email address the comments are sent from.  
    
       The sun is shining today which is why I decided I would not continue my blog review until next weekend.  I want to get outside!!  But I do have one last democracy directive to throw your way.  The election is soon, on Tuesday, though the political shenanigans continue.  My hope is that if enough people get to the polls to vote, Kentucky might actually elect Secretary of State Alison Grimes to be our US Senator and change the course of history. 
      
      Alison came to nearby Morehead Thursday night, for some speech giving and photo taking.  She could so entirely do a great job as our US Senator.  I will be calmer next week once this whole thing is decided.  

       PLEASE VOTE, where ever you are, and bring a friend with you!!  We need to make a special effort this year to do so to honor the many citizens who are being shut out from voting because of repeated Republican attempts to make it harder to pass muster at the poles, despite hardly any voter fraud anywhere in the nation.  In Kentucky, we also need to honor the convicted felons who have done their time but are still blocked from voting!