Bewitching Hour!

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN
~ FROM OUR "SPOOKY" HOUSE TO YOURS! ~


Enchanted Merchantile image

"When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween!" - 19th century Halloween postcard

approx 1993

SALTWATER REFLECTIONS

pic taken from the Music Pier

I recently posted in a forum that I want to start working on a "personal reflection" journal, though I've never made anything like this before. If I could share, for other first-timers, the one thing that has helped me to get started - it would be to do some real soulsearching and come up with a particular subject that brings up E-M-O-T-I-O-N-S! ... and you will see how quickly the excitement and the IDEAS begin to flow.

scott & me - 1958

Yes, there was a lightbulb moment for me because I am currently in the process of assembling a collection of photos on flickr, in a set titled "Ocean City Memories." When complete, it will span FIVE DECADES of happy times with family and friends at this popular south jersey beach resort!

Another great idea, to help get you started, would be to create a "techniques journal" or altered book like my friend Eileen Grobeck (cookala) has been working on over at flickr. Link to her project here.

I will post the progress here along with any special techniques I've used. I also plan to post the books, blogs, posts and people (starting with Eileen) who have inspired this "maiden voyage WITHIN." (could be a title lurking in there somewhere!)

THE BACKSTORY: "Beginning in the late 19th century, my great-grandparents and other relatives, had summer homes in nearby, Margate.

Google "Lucy the Elephant" to see a grand example of their Victorian era memories of that town!

lucy

a vintage beach scene

Two tidbits. (1) Twenty years after the fact, my parents learned that they played in the sand as children on the same beach at 2nd street. And (2) not only did my uncle meet my aunt on the boardwalk as a teenager, my brother met my sister-in-law when they stayed with friends at the same rooming house... 32 years ago (and counting)!

The tradition continues to this day with my (5th generation) nephews who STILL spend a few days each summer with my brother in August!

Something tells me, god willing, they'll be bringing THEIR children here!"

Mount Snow, VT

summer '08

Located less than a mile from one of the TOP ski resorts in New England, it makes perfect sense that we've had a steady increase in showings regardless of the current real estate market. Our "condo alternative" shares the same zip code as this popular year-round resort town which includes a world-renowned Golf School, Tennis School as well as a major Mountain Biking destination. Also nearby: snowmobile trails a few steps from the backdoor, trout fishing and boating on several large, scenic resevoirs, whitewater rafting, the list goes on! This home has had only ONE OWNER, has NEVER BEEN RENTED and is PRICED TO MOVE! It will not be available for long. A perfect weekend retreat or investment property, a short 4 hour drive from Manhattan / 3 hours from Boston!

Take a look at all 5 downloadable .pdf trail maps, details on the $8.5 million snowmaking expansion, or go to the resort website for daily photos, 3 live cams, snow report, trail & lift report + more!

If you or anyone you KNOW may be interested - please email me. See sidebar for my address just to the right of the photos, below.

♦ SOUTHERN VERMONT ♦ WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER RENTED, YEAR-ROUND HOME ♦ 4 BR/3.5 BA, COMMUNITY TENNIS COURT, & MORE ♦ ONLY 1 MILE FROM MT. SNOW & ½ BLOCK TO SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ♦ LOW ASSOC. FEE: ONLY $1500/YEAR! ♦ ONLY ONE OWNER!

Immaculate, much-loved family home on quiet cul-de-sac. Room to spread out in the sun-filled open living space which includes A/C, large eat-in-kitchen, beautiful raised-hearth fieldstone fireplace, screened-in porch and wrap-around deck with mountain views! Price includes several brand new appliances plus new roof and furnace.

ENJOY ALL THIS REGION HAS TO OFFER!

freehand freedom - my journey

It was Feb '08 that I went out and purchased a sketchbook and this is one of my first attempts! I just created a new Flickr set of the same name tonight because I started to sketch again, slowly but surely, and I'm very excited about it and anxious to continue!

I come from an artistic family ~

- my father snapped and developed several BOXES of photos as a youth, beginning in 1936 at 16 years old and continued throughout his entire life! Well into his eighties he submitted a brand new series of photos called "From the Forest Floor" for juried review at Mount Snow, VT's "Art On The Mountain." Even though he was turned down, dad never stopped believing in his abilities and continued adding to this collection!
- he also took oil painting classes from my mom's step father. One of my favorite winter landscapes hangs in my living room!
- my father's father drew several, professionally framed, pen & ink drawings at the turn of the LAST century. Four of them grace my walls.
- my father's sister, now 92, is an accomplished (hobby) painter & pastel artist.
- my mother's mother's father was a "decorative painter" of furniture. Just this year I located a copy of the 1880 census which lists that as his profession at 17! Many years later, he started a successful furniture finishing business (stains, lacquers, varnishes, etc) that is still in business today, 133 years later. QUITE an accomplishment! After a quick search, I found the company website tonight! ...where you can read about the history (Est 1875).

I have always had an artistic soul yet, of all the many things my parents exposed me to, photography is the only form of art that I pursued into adulthood. In my tweens & teens I had a solid feeling for lettering and perspective and I am grateful for my father's influence. It came to me quite naturally and, although I dabbled briefly in ballet, poetry, acting and drawing, nothing ever really took hold of my attention and HELD IT. I've had the opportunity to develop an eye for composition, detail, negative space, line, texture, color and observation as a result of my 25 year love affair with photography. The next brick in the foundation was when I learned about rubberstamping and cardmaking 10 years ago. I've been enamored with Paper Art ever since!You can only imagine the THRILL I felt when I discovered mixed media collage in April 2006. Thanks to the internet, my eyes were opened to a whole new world of artistic expression, and since then I have grown both artistically and personally in SO MANY WAYS. After 2.5 years, I feel as if I am still at the beginning of a very precious journey!

Thank you for sharing it with me! - xo

Giving Back - Our Future Depends On It!

I have been a part of this amazing organization for more than 10 years and am anxious to tell you a little bit about it. I am THRILLED to see the many ways in which Animal Therapy plays such an important role on this NY campus, for young students and residents alike. It includes such wonderful programs as: "ECAD" (link below & photo above) where some of the students get the opportunity to train Assistance Dogs, "Farm on the Moo-ve" where there's an opportunity to bring animals and their student care-givers to local schools, both wildlife & farm animal rescue where children can learn "if they can heal, so can I!," as well as participating and winning awards for 4H and Equine Therapy for the handicapped. The list GOES ON!

(Please note--> Because there is such a WIDE scope of campus & community outreach programs, portions of this post are excerpted from their official website. Please follow any of the links I've included to learn more - I promise that you will be amazed!)

"Green Chimneys is a nationally renowned, non-profit organization with a mission of restoring possibilities and creating futures for children with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges through educational, therapeutic and outreach services, while providing care for animals and nature, thereby promoting a philosophy of dignity and worth for all living things.

Each year, Green Chimneys' restoration system gives children and their families the tools that enable them to positively experience their youth, regain a sense of self-worth and create hope for the future as independent, positive and productive adults.

Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Patterson, NY it is recognized as the worldwide leader in animal-assisted therapy and activities. Green Chimneys operates

• a residential treatment center for children,
• a farm and wildlife rehabilitation center,
• a certified organic farm and horticulture therapy,
• a therapeutic riding program,
• community based services in NY and CT including
• a runaway shelter and community outreach center,
• Clearpool Education Center,
• Nature’s Nursery and Hillside Summer Camp,
• the Good Friend youth mentoring program (learn more), <--- where it all started
• group homes,
• LGBTQ programs in New York City (learn more),
• ECAD or East Coast Assistance Dogs (learn more),
• programs and special events for the public and
• adult services programs in Connecticut.
  
  

  Green Chimneys Farm now encompasses 160 acres, almost 400 animals, and over 40 varieties of rare birds. The school has both residential programs and day treatment programs attended mostly by boys, half of them from New York City. The others come from the surrounding area including Connecticut as well as from other states. Doctors, veterinarians, and social workers from around the globe have visited Green Chimneys to learn about its amazing work!
  
  

  View a list of over 15 Upcoming Events.
  
  

  Each year, Green Chimneys serves more than 3,500 children and their families. There's a permanent link if you scroll down on my sidebar under "Please Visit," or click HERE!
  

  
  

  

  I'll be posting (soon) about my personal involvement!

Heaven & Earth Through An Artist's Eyes

Paintings by Roderick MacIver,

artist & founder of Heron Dance - a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

After a short visit to Heron Dance tonight, I learned a little bit about Rod's amazing and well documented artistic journey, his spiritual journey and was completely drawn in! I admire his life-long connection with the natural world as I, too, gain sustenance from it and have also been deeply touched by his generosity and faith! His company is unique, in that it serves through its donation to other nonprofits and direct support of wilderness protection!!

On his fascinating website, I learned that he's just published his 55th (or 56th) newsletter using a format which combines ::JOURNALING & MEDITATION:: Rod says that he has used the same technique to develop resourcefulness and survive cancer!! A must read!

He also developed The Heron Dance Journaling Project proposing that the reader write out the core beliefs by which he or she has tried to live life, and then suggested forty four questions or issues that could be considered in thinking carefully through the future course of one’s life.

You can also visit Heron Dance to sign up for a FREE weekly e-newsletter, called A Pause For Beauty, sent to 25,000 people "containing a new painting and either a short essay or a poem on the beauty and mystery of the natural world and of life itself. It is intended to be a reminder of things are often overlooked but that have the potential to add satisfaction and peace to a human life."

Lastly, I was stunned & thrilled to see this extensive list of ART DONATIONS to non-profits and wilderness protection efforts! Please take a few moments and follow the main link, above. RE-LAX & ENJOY the many talents of Rod MacIver!

~ Mr. MacIver, I salute you for not only sharing your journey but for being an example of how to live your BEST LIFE. And my most sincere wish for you is that you continue to find S.E.R.E.N.I.T.Y and I.N.N.E.R. P.E.A.C.E. along your journey "to the center!" ~

Pure Poetry

The following Artist Statement was taken from Maralena Howard's website.

"Painting so deeply the secret selves.
If found by another who claims one as their own - I am at peace.

Generally sexless, neither male nor female.
I strive for the pure connection.

That IS the ultimate goal.

I sit with empty space (canvas and non-intention).
Silence and emptiness takes its own direction.
Color finds its way in, out, over, under, through and through.
Sometimes staying until the end and other times a short visit before it leaves
or morphs into a new existence.

The works hold many layers.
Some perfect, others scratched and marred.
Harmony and discord build upon the other much like life itself.

Nothing is so simple that it loses its pure voice.
Truth presents itself without permission.
In the end, empty decides what fills it.

Now - is where this art will take us."

~Maralena Howard

... please take a moment to drop by this talented friend and artist's
website
blog
flickr

Faith, Family & Friends

Early this summer my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. We have had some good days, when we've been closer than ever and some really ROUGH ones, when we questioned everything! And, like anyone who has received a similar diagnosis for someone you love, it's been a roller-coaster ride ---- like nothing I've ever experienced!

It gets pretty frightening when someone you love, wakes you up one morning with a kiss before leaving for work, and says "Hun, I'm scared!"

Dan is my hero in many ways. Last month I learned that he (Mr. Private - Mr. I Leave My Personal Life At Home) decided to CALL A MEETING at work to tell his employees and his manager that he has cancer. He explained that he'd been given a great prognosis then asked that "no one leave the room with their head down because I need your positive thoughts and prayers." Afterwords, several people told him that by being so open, he would touch many lives. Already we know that one person, in particular, was delaying a blood test and scheduled one immediately! This was wonderful news & music to our ears. Dan's action demonstrated how quickly a support network grows when you're not afraid to speak what is in your heart!

After major open surgery for a Radical Prostatectomy on July 29th, 5 days in the hospital and 3 pretty hairy days at home this past week, we received the news that his patholgy report came back "organ confined." It was and is the best news we could've hoped for! Lots of (careful) celebrating here.... OUCH! in between naps (lol), delicious home-cooked meals,

BUNCHES of Tender Loving Care

and so many cards, phone calls, deliveries, good wishes, meals dropped off and several visits! We are ever-so-grateful for this AMAZING CIRCLE OF LOVE! We have no doubt that what got us to this point is all of the above plus our faith in god and our deep, abiding love for each other!
~
UPDATE: Being a lover of words, I purchased a set of Healing Word Magnets (or you can shop here). This is what I found spelled out this morning by my dear husband:

pure gratitude
disease free
feel relief
grow new love
rest and mend

I really, really love you Dan. With all of my heart!

P.S. No more hospital food.

Birth Day Miracle!

A little backstory first. DH & I have been avid birdwatchers forever! Using our dog-eared copy of Peterson's as a sort of unofficial diary, we've noted TONS of backyard sightings over the years: Woodthrush, (resident) red-tailed hawk, flicker, scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, baltimore oriole, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-bellied woodpecker, (regularly nesting) phoebe flycatcher, rose-breasted grosbeak as well as our more common but much-loved little friends!

We appreciate every single morning that we wake up to this backyard habitat PARADISE that borders a 250 acre nature preserve! So when a neighbor gifted us with a homemade bluebird nest box (BB1) we mounted it... SHHH!... and never monitored it. It was mounted too high, over our heads and is nailed shut.

**** THE BAD NEWS **** We know our neighbor meant well, but after reading and learning much THIS WEEK I am horrified to realize how he could be creating more problems since allowing house sparrows to nest in HIS BOX for years thereby unknowingly expanding this invasive population. I'll be speaking with him to rectify this immedately!

**** VERY GOOD NEWS **** As luck would have it, our box has supported bluebirds 2-3 times a season for almost 10 YEARS! Nevertheless, we will be buying proper boxes and following mounting instructions to the LETTER beginning this fall!

And now for the Birth Day Miracle & the reason for this long post: (shame on us again) We have had a deck-mounted nest box (BB2) for 5 years with no interest. Due to a resident black bear, I had to remove the nearby birdfeeders for the very first time in June and VOILA a pair of Bluebirds began nestbuilding. Since nesting birds don't want to be near a busy birdfeeder, I'm quite sure this is why they decided to, very unexpectedly, move in to this improperly mounted box! YIKES! We are hoping for a happy ending although I have learned that there are many failures along the way to success. So we will happily take this one-day-at-a-time!

June 30 ~ 2 eggs.
























July 2 ~ 4 eggs & incubation period begins.
















July 15 ~ Note white marks on 1 egg HOURS before hatching.
























July 17/Day 1 ~ BIRTH DAY!

It's All Good!

I have been MIA for weeks... but it's all good! Seemed like it was about time I checked in here to get you up-to-date because I've really missed visiting my friends, my favorite websites, groups and creating ART! Hope all of my internet friends are doing well & haven't written me off! LOL

Nothing more than living my life, yet I must admit that my art has suffered for it! I am longing for that cherished time that all of us need, where we simply get lost amongst our paints and pots and forget about life for awhile! Over the next few weeks, as things begin to slow down for me, I will be making a concerted effort to find some creative time because I am way overdue!

I've been busy doing things like:

HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS

TAKING A FEW ROAD TRIPS

FINDING A LITTLE TIME TO RELAX ON THE PORCH

DE-CLUTTERING MY MOM"S HOUSE IN VERMONT ~ IT'S FOR SALE!

WENT TO "CAMDEN YARDS" - SAW THE RED SOX BEAT THE ORIOLES! (ATE LOTS OF MARYLAND CRAB!)

... AND LOTS OF GARDENING!

"best walk-up...

"best walk-up...
Originally uploaded by cookievf

in all of baseball" describes one ESPN announcer... and don't we know it!

This blog WOULD NOT be an accurate portrayal of what makes me tick, without a post about my love affaif with this team of WORLD CHAAMPIONS!!

All I am I owe to my mother

Cradling her babies in a soft embrace

Rocking them to sleep

The epitome of serenity and grace

She is my mother

Fairytales & princesses

Elves and toads and gnomes

Lullabys and kisses

That was my childhood

A loving wife for 60 years

Positive, loving and strong

Raised her children to have no fears

She is my hero

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

I'm sure you must be familiar with the expression, "you're never too old to learn." Funny thing, one of my personal "Aha! moments" was... you're never too old! Let me explain.

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to work with TEENS. Truthfully, my desire to get involved began when ->I<- was a teenager myself and it took

20+ years to bear fruit!

I began my current involvement with mentoring in 1997 at the "ripe old age" of 42!

I've worn many hats within a local Big Brother/Big Sister-type organization, in addition to the 5 years spent in one-on-one relationships with children. Fund raising, chaperone, planning activities, recruiting, speaking and the best part? Two of the three children are actively in my life, today!

This post and the 2 pics above (2002 & 2008) are in celebration of a very special relationship between two friends and a reunion that just took place two weeks ago. I can already sense the reforming of this precious bond on a foundation that was so carefully formed 6 years ago.

I AM BLESSED!

Jolene L. Roehlkepartain, wrote "“Everyone in a community can make a difference in the lives of children and youth. Even if you don't think you can tackle tough problems such as a violence, alcohol and other drug use, or school problems, you can make a difference by being a caring, responsible friend for young people.” Need some ideas for what you can do today? Here are 150 of them.

150 Ways To Show Kids You Care

Notice them.
Smile a lot.
Acknowledge them.
Learn their names.
Seek them out.
Remember their birthday.
Ask them about themselves
Look in their eyes when you talk to them.
Listen to them.
Play with them.
Read aloud together.
Giggle together.
Be nice.
Say yes a lot.
Tell them their feelings are okay.
Set boundaries that keep them safe.
Be honest.
Be yourself.
Listen to their stories.
Hug them.
Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate only on them.
Notice when they're acting differently.
Present options when they seek your counsel.
Play outside together.
Surprise them.
Stay with them when they're afraid.
Invite them over for juice.
Suggest better behaviors when they act out.
Feed them when they're hungry.
Delight in their discoveries.
Share their excitement.
Send them a letter or postcard.
Follow them when they lead.
Notice when they're absent.
Call them to say hello.
Hide surprises for them to find.
Give them space when they need it.
Contribute to their collections.
Discuss their dreams and nightmares.
Laugh at their jokes.
Be relaxed.
Kneel, squat, or sit so you're at their eye level.
Answer their questions.
Tell them how terrific they are.
Create a tradition with them and keep it.
Learn what they have to teach.
Use your ears more than your mouth.
Make yourself available.
Show up at their concerts, games, and events.
Find a common interest.
Hold hands during a walk.
Apologize when you've done something wrong.
Listen to their favorite music with them.
Keep the promises you make.
Wave and smile when you part.
Display their artwork in your home.
Thank them.
Point out what you like about them.
Clip magazine pictures or articles that interest them.
Give them lots of compliments.
Catch them doing something right.
Encourage win-win solutions.
Give them your undivided attention.
Ask for their opinion.
Have fun together.
Be curious with them.
Introduce them to your friends and family.
Tell them how much you like being with them.
Let them solve most of their own problems.
Meet their friends.
Meet their parents.
Let them tell you how they feel.
Help them become an expert at something.
Be excited when you see them.
Tell them about yourself.
Let them act their age.
Praise more; criticize less.
Be consistent.
Admit when you make a mistake.
Enjoy your time together.
Give them a special nickname.
Marvel at what they can do.
Tell them how proud you are of them.
Pamper them.
Unwind together.
Be happy.
Ask them to help you.
Support them.
Applaud their successes.
Deal with problems and conflicts while they're still small.
Chaperone a dance.
Tell them stories in which they are the hero.
Believe in them.
Nurture them with good food.
Be flexible.
Delight in their uniqueness.
Let them make mistakes.
Notice when they grow.
Wave and honk when you drive by them.
Give them immediate feedback.
Include them in conversations.
Respect them.
Join in their adventures.
Visit their schools.
Help them learn something new.
Be understanding when they have a difficult day.
Give them good choices.
Respect the choices they make.
Be silly together.
Hang out together.
Make time.
Inspire their creativity.
Accept them as they are.
Become their advocate.
Appreciate their personality.
Talk openly with them.
Tolerate their interruptions.
Trust them.
Share a secret.
Write a chalk message on their sidewalk.
Create a safe, open environment.
Be available.
Cheer their accomplishments.
Encourage them to help others.
Tackle new tasks together.
Believe what they say.
Help them take a stand and stand with them.
Daydream with them.
Do what they like to do.
Make decisions together.
Magnify their magnificence.
Build something together.
Encourage them to think big.
Celebrate their firsts and lasts, such as the first day of school.
Go places together.
Welcome their suggestions.
Visit them when they're sick.
Tape record a message for them.
Help them learn from mistakes.
Be sincere.
Introduce them to people of excellence.
Tell them what you expect of them.
Give them your phone number.
Introduce them to new experiences.
Share a meal together.
Talk directly together.
Be spontaneous.
Expect their best; don't expect perfection.
Empower them to help and be themselves.
Love them, no matter what.

Celebrate Earth Day! Do Your Part!

In 1962 Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" was published. She said "Who has decided - who has the right to decide - for the countless regions of people who were not consulted that the supreme value is a world without insects, even though it be also a world ungraced by the curving wing of a bird in flight?" "Over increasingly large areas of the United States, spring now comes unheralded by the return of the birds, and the early mornings are strangely silent where once they were filled with the beauty of bird song." The book stimulated the environmental movement.

Earth Day is a time to celebrate the gains we've made toward environmental progress. It's also a chance to re-focus on OUR part of the equation both at the local level and in our own backyard. Make a commitment today to volunteer and support your community wherever there is a need.

Another great idea is to have your backyard certified as a wildlife habitat! Part of which, is the importance of including native plants in your yard.

(and on a personal note) I have such happy news ~ and just in time for the nesting season!! On top of my honey-do list (actually this was the ONLY thing on the list) DH finally took the bluebird box down a few weeks ago expecting to see 14 nests CRAMMED inside. To our amazement, after many, many successful nestings, there was only ONE. I can't tell you what a relief it was for both of us.





And the best news? Yesterday morning I saw a female Eastern Bluebird sitting on top of the box with a twig in her beak! This is how I spell S.U.C.C.E.S.S!! Truly, there are no words to describe how it feels to know you are part of the continuation of a species!

"I wish you bluebirds in the spring,

To give your heart a song to sing,

And then a kiss,

But more than this, I wish you love!"

excerpt from "I Wish You Love"

sung by Frank Sinatra, written by A. A. Beach & C. Trenet.

American Gothic

Here is a small sampling from my road trip on Sunday. About 20 miles from home, this trip really begins just beyond the Ten Mile River Amtrack RR station (near Kent, CT), heading north on Route 22 along the CT/NY state border to extreme southwestern VT.

ONE OF THE BEST TRIPS FOR PHOTO OPS!!!