When cloudy was the weather...

 Look up "One misty, moisty morning."  The poem has stayed with me since we lived on Saw Mill Road in Newtown Square.  Lili and Marilyn had a print with this poem and a drawing (not as sinister as the one below, i don't think).  I always stopped to stare and read it at it for some reason transfixed by it.  Fascinating to me the way a group of connections arise when searching.  Did I realize it was a song, but have forgotten. Seeming obscure passage...untraceable.  But how could I be so wrong....From Karen's Poetry Spot--someone else who was captivated by it.  At the bottom of post she explains why we like it for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heCWKiII29A&feature=related

One misty, moisty, morning, When cloudy was the weather, I chanced to meet an old man Clad all in leather Clad all in leather, With a cap beneath his chin. How do you do? And how do you do? And how do you do again?

I often think about this nursery rhyme on misty moisty mornings. Of course, we haven't had many of those this year in California -- it's one of the driest on record -- but a couple of years ago when we were having the wettest on record, there were plenty of them. I like the simplicity of this poem, and, of course, the alliteration and rhythm.

Sandra Harner Discusses Shamanism and Creativity from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies Journal, Shamanism

Sandra Harner Discusses Shamanism and Creativity from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies Journal, Shamanism

Finding the Tree Painting Finally

When the urge to purge came over us because we had sooo much "STUFF", we had our yard sales and distributed so much else to the various local thirft shops.  Everyone seemed to be doing the same thing.  Goodwill became very picky about what they would or would not take.  Your stuff had to measure up.

It became a mantra--you have a lot of Stuff (last said derogatorily).  We moved from a five bedroom 2 bath  victorian, arts/crafts, gothic house with large proportions to a 3 bedroom double wide on a lake/river in Millvlle with only a shed for storage.  It was working but you couldn't get to your BELONGINGS/MEMORIES, blah, blah very well in the shed.  Wanted more room to display/store our prized purchases.  We found our current shape-shifting home.  We built stairs to the attic for storage.  Lost a closet or 2 but...It was there.  Vast modest space to fill with our collections.  After renovating the garage into an art studio cottage we had access to the loft for more storage.  The basement is not full but has old built-in closets from when a dentist rented and ran his office in the front room.  Shape-shifting is part of house's nature.  Should just come out an say it, Fithian House no 2.  There is a 2, mind you.  What folly proceeded from our calling the gallery Fithian House Gallery.  Dear, what turmoil.  Agita.  Absurd. Yea, and thanks for the cheerful welcome to a new business.  ( Note: can always edit it later.)

Here we were with our new larger Fithian House no. 2 with a gallery taken over the bottom floor, a few friends hanging out til better times, a yoga space, and so we moved our STUFF to our storage areas -except basement which is where I stored all the artists...work.  Really we were back to the square footage of the double wide for personal living space.  But what a disgrace all that nasty STUFF stored in our ATTIC AND LOFT.  No we didn't have a storage space somewhere.  That should tell you something.  BS

But even stupid things bring you to enlightenment or, at least, are part of the Hide and Seek with the Tree Painting.

This was yet another opportunity to go through my stored canvases.  Claro, you know the answer.  There it was neatly tied up in a bow waiting for me to start.  In plain sight.  

Over the fall and winter I spent time in-painting. Getting to know where it wanted to go.  The trunk's twisting and curving took on the shape of a woman but I wasn't sure it worked in anywhere with whatever it was I was doing.  Above layer is before I connected with the tree and orbs meaning.  The reason the painting hadn't been ready to be found.  

The timing related to Densie & Jon getting pregnant.  I saw I needed to support the orb by connecting it to the trunk. The papyrus painting in the orb is of 3 crows near a husband and wife .  We will have three Crowes down jersey soon

.Of course only the mere trifles of a beginning. to be continued

What I lack in color in my view, I have put in with these windows from Company of Angel's in Millville on High Street.

One of the little darling invaders.  Well at least they took care of that bird problem I had.  The Cardinal Dove Blue Jay Finch Sparrow Hawk "problem."  Who owns this mieux mieux  and his equally charming young friends.  Reincarnations of Sabine, Mo, Precious.  Above, that's the Precious one. 

Adding layer of muslin to soften relationships between the edges.  

YOUR DAILY KARMIC TAROT CARD:
TEMPERANCE - Today you will experience the alchemy of life - being in the flow of synchronicity where meaningful coincidences occur. Although you may not have any esoteric knowledge, you will still experience the harmony of opposites today which is the art of balancing the physical and spiritual to the point of being able to just go with the flow easily and effortlessly. Uranus in Pisces for this card indicates the wise use of spirituality and the artfulness of proper blending as the alchemists practiced long ago. Today you are in correct synchronization with the universe because of your patience, moderation, good judgement and good management. You will have the ability to use your power wisely and put your beliefs into practice. It is a good day for any type of mediation. 


In practice we sending energy in opposite directions which is art of balancing physical and spiritual.

Calm River Yoga Studio also getting a space clearing

Calm River Yoga Studio entrance from inside.

I don't remember if I gave this painting a name.  It's about indifference.  Over the Karma World.  

Oggi surveys the changes

View of studio

Visitor at window

An eager yoga student waits for classes for kitties to begin.

Now with more space with Steve and Janet having moved on, there are places to spread out all the beloved possessions.  Accoutrements of the trade.  Opening up the room for yoga and Buddhist chanting and meditation.  Classes will begin...Stay tuned.

Listen to this playlist: CalmRiverStudio's Playlist

Moondoggie flings open the studio's barn doors!!

Coming out from under her covers, Moondoggie headed for the outback for the studio.  Bit of clean-up organizing the projects piled up in nocks and crannies waiting for incubation to unfurl. HEAT. At last.  Learning, always presented with opportunities for learning patience.   

Though started in 05/06, after perplexing me for a year, I finally took The Tree down and rolled it up tied with a wide pale matte satin ribbon.  Every time I thought to work on it, searching never uncovered it.  (T/B/C...)

Work resumes at Calm River Studio.  

Video of maurading reincarnations: Sabine, Precious/Funny and Mo outside the studio doors while Daisy inspects them from the inside.  She is unimpressed and gives them a hiss or 2.  Precious is only encouraged by this mistreatment.  Oggi views the little performance from the balcony table seats in the yard.  Whose cats are these??

Shadowed White

My view studies in gradients of white.

My other view-the evil ivy-house
for innumerable creatures-must go.

Language of vines.

Inspires me

Add caption

Under belly of painting in progress.

Added a layer today.

Waiting projects

Later in the process of supporting the orb and
creating connection with the
nourishing trunk.

Before understanding direction - 1st photo 

Sabine's turn to figure us out?

Whose baby kitty is this that is left out to sleep in our makeshift home from them under a wheelbarrow?  I feed them because with strays in the past when I feed them they left the birds alone.  These kittens want to hang out in the yard, porch, and be close, but are too afraid to be friendly with us.