Back Yard Events

This mocking bird was pecking on the window calling me out to the back yard it seemed. I decided to oblige him. It's amazing what type of back yard events I find happening in such a short amount of time.

On the front driveway I discovered this caterpillar slowly ambling along looking for greenery. I had him crawl up on a piece of paper and carried him off to the woods. I have no idea what type he'll be, do you? Now that I've rescued him I think he might be a cutworm, it was kind of gross looking.

I heard a noise above me and looked up to see a pair of bald eagles flying overhead. Before I could get my camera up to take a photo they were already a long way off.

The pineapple sage is blooming and I hadn't even noticed till today.

The lemon balm is thriving too.

I almost walked headlong into this two feet wide suspended spider web.

There was also another spider creating a zigzag pattern in it's web. I think Meredith of Whynot Pottery had a spider web like this one too. She and Mark are having their 30 year pottery anniversary event next weekend and are busy preparing for that. Check their blog for details if you can make it to Seagrove, North Carolina area.

I still have no idea what this tubular flower is, anyone have any suggestions? I'm converting my blog lists to a snippet instead of a list. If you don't see your blog listed please let me know in the comments and I'll add your blog and please add my blog to your list too. Or just make a comment and let me know you're reading. The blogs are listed in order of posting with only the ten most recent posts showing. But you can click show all to see if  your blog is listed. Hope you have a good weekend. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

May the Peace of the Sea be with You

The past three days I was laid up writhing in pain and couldn't get out of bed due to several medical problems. I finally went to the emergency room yesterday. Since I couldn't walk or sit I had to go by ambulance. I tried to hold out so I didn't have to pay the fee of an ambulance ride since my insurance has a $10,000 deductible, but I just couldn't do it. After tests and a few pain shots, I'm back home and I'm feeling a bit better today.

I know most people don't talk about the negative things in blogs, but don't we all have highs and lows? While I was lying in bed, all I could think of was the mounting bills which are sure to come, Gary having to take up the slack, my inability to work on my art, missing my painting class, missing my women's group meeting, missing the homeowners association meeting, and not being able to go the market to sell the item's we already had loaded in my car and his truck.

As I was being hauled away in the ambulance our neighbor happened to come over and gave Gary this piece of art he got at a garage sale because he was thinking of me at the time. He was the person who named my two paintings Pinball Machine at our wine tasting party. This same neighbor has had more than seven heart surgeries and I am sure he has more problems than I do and yet he was thinking of me. I am humbled and so appreciative of his generosity.

While I was in the ER a woman in her late 80s was in the room next to me and she found out she had a cyst on her liver. She was thankful she didn't have something seriously wrong with her. After she was discharged she came into my room and told me she had had several back and neck operations in the past, had lost her husband in September and was thankful she got to take care of him for six months. Then she said, "Never give up honey, things will get better". A perfect stranger took the time to come and cheer me up. I was so grateful.

Today was the first day I was able to get to the computer and I read Meredith lost her sister Lee and I was stunned. Meredith also recently lost her brother. Here I was feeling sorry for myself and the hand I've been dealt. I'm reminded there are so many others who have greater problems than my own. My heart goes out to Meredith and Mark and their family. I was glad I had a chance to meet Lee when I was in North Carolina in October and see some of her beautiful tile work. You can read Meredith's post about Lee here. Dear Meredith and Mark and family, May the Peace of the Sea Be with You and also to Lee on her new journey.

Butter Dishes & Etsy ?s

Here are a couple of stick butter dishes from the other day. I was inspired to make stick butter dishes from a visit to Whynot Pottery shop earlier this year. Meredith has some really wonderful ones in her shop. If you're in Seagrove stop in and ask her about them.

When I got home I saw my stick of butter on a round plate in the refrigerator. Thought about it all fall and finally got around to making a couple of stick butter dishes. I've heard the ones without covers for households without cats.
Could be for households where the butter has to be kept in the frig due to hot weather too, like ours. I have a glass dish, but in the summer the butter can melt so quickly. Ceramic holds the cold of the frig much longer than glass. I think the handle for the bottom one is a bit long, but it's already attached, so I'll see how it is. I thought a longer handle would be nice when passing it across a table.

Farmer's Market was a rainout today, but we need the rain. I now have my Etsy banner up. Spent more than a day trying to photoshop a banner, then learned in an Etsy tutorial I could make one in Powerpoint much easier. Working on my descriptions and multiple photos now. Wondering if you have paypal for Etsy, did you sign up for a business paypal account? Do you have it linked to your checking account, savings, or a separate account? The wheels of my progress seem to move slowly. Have a safe and relaxing weekend.