Do you remember this artist? Her career really took off in the 1970’s. She did illustrations for Hallmark, Current, The Leanin’ Tree, Ranger Rick, and many others. I remember her paintings mostly from the greeting cards – which I loved. Many of her more popular drawings anthropomorphized woodland creatures in everyday activities. Like the one I’ve included here from her authorized information site. Caylor will have to confirm this for me, but I believe she has a couple of Linda K. Powell’s original water colors that were used as camera ready art for the Ranger Rick Magazine. I had the distinct pleasure of doing an archival matting and framing of those prints, when I did that sort of thing.   Sometimes, when I’m outside among all our little creatures – wild and otherwise – I can place them in similar situations as her paintings. That makes me smile. Continue reading →

… is a magic number. At least that’s what I’m hoping, hoping, hoping. They say that things come in threes and, again – I’m hoping that is true.  Can anyone guess what we might have had come again to make three? Let’s see… Continue reading →

You know, there is a day for everything! I did not know there was a “World Snake Day”. It happens to fall on July 16th.  How do I know this? As I usually do, I was googling images to go with today’s title (which we’ll get to in a mo) and found many images for “snake day”.  I wonder when World Hippopotamus Day is – wait, I’ll google that – February 15th is World Hippo Day. Put that in your calendar right now so you won’t overlook it next year. Why are we calling today “snake day” even though we’re a week early? Keep reading to find out. Continue reading →

Beauty is everywhere – yes, even in the desert – or maybe, especially in the desert. We can become immune to it, if we see it every day. I find that happens to me when I stay too focused on the work-a-day world. I try to remind myself to seek out the beauty and the humor. This time of year, after spring rains and before Monsoon, can definitely seem bleak; it becomes quite warm and dry, we’re at a dull brown/green right now, but if you go up into the Huachucas – the Sky Islands – you see a different world. This is a photo of an Elegant Trogon – they come up to southeast Arizona to nest in wooded canyons this time of year. They – and other birds – are beautiful additions to our bleak season. Continue reading →

Chicken butt! Originally, I simply entitled this post “Tuesday” but – after writing everything and looking at the photos, I thought the “guess what” was a bit more funny. Pardon my playground humor. Anyway… Here we are, beginning the new schedule. I’m hoping this works out ok. On Tuesday, we really just have Monday to talk about, as Sunday is our Sabbath. So let’s see what we’ve got to share with you about yesterday and today. Continue reading →

I’m speaking of Summer. It is true that we haven’t yet reached the first day of summer, but we have begun the summer season. It’s after Memorial Day now – we can wear white, we can garden in our swim suit (I don’t do that), and enjoy all sorts of frivolities. However, what I’m really talking about is mowing season. It has officially started, as of today. You know how I know this??? The mower deck was ceremoniously placed onto the tractor this morning. Adorned with bowers and flowers. OK, maybe not with the decorations, but definitely with pomp! Continue reading →

Our sign posts have been interesting lately, haven’t they? I suppose the status quo report is: basic. We’re basically doing well. Basically progressing. Basically making small progress steps every day. Sometimes people want to shake up the status quo, but I maintain that a lack of excitement is occasionally welcome. I’m not sure about Sue, but I’ve had enough excitement for a while now. Continue reading →