"Party Mouse"

Okay, what's going on here?  You seem to be getting ready for a party.  "Oh yes, I love parties".

Those cupcakes look mighty tasty -- I hope your guests will enjoy them.

Wait a minute, the last time I looked they were perfect and now it looks like someone has taken a bite.  "Well, one has to make sure that its tastes good before serving it to guests."

"Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated." - Osho

The Discovery of Rocks

This hill that we live on was once covered by large rocks.  Some even had to be demolished in order to build houses.  There is one section of our yard where the rocks have pretty much been left undisturbed.

We decided to reveal them as they had become hidden within the rampant wild green growth of this area.

Some are still somewhat disguised and I love that.  I love the 'foundation' that rocks and stones provide to me.  I love the fact that they sit there both solid and stolid as sun, snow, rain, wind tries to disturb them.

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man." - Unknown

Census Taker Mouse

"Why are you just sitting there -- help me figure out who is new in this crowd and who I have to add to the census list."  Where does a person begin when you're dealing with a mouse population.  My heart went out to this guy who will never be without a job since no one else wants to do it.

Yes, this fellow is a little irritable but I can see his frustration. After all he is dealing with mice and we all know their propensity for large families.  

I think I shall leave him to it since he seems to be quite organized (and I don't want to get roped into helping him count)!!   

"The thing that motivates me is a very common form of motivation.  And that is, with other folks counting on me its so easy to be motivated." - Jeff Bezos

Another Life -- Another Time

"Magic Words"

In the very earliest time,

When both people and animals lived on earth,

A person could become an animal if he wanted to

And an animal could become a human being.

Sometimes they were people

And sometimes animals

And there was no difference.

All spoke the same language.

That was the time when words were like magic.

The human mind had mysterious powers.

A word spoken by chance

Might have strange consequences.

It would suddenly come alive

And what people wanted to happen could happen.

Nobody could explain this:

That’s the way it was.

-      An Inuit poem, translated by Edward Field

I cannot help but think of what our world would be like now if we could go back to the time when there were such a strong connections between our natural world and each other.

Book Mouse

Oh how I could relate to this little creature.  Snuggled up on the shelf, reading his 'mouse' books - what more could anyone want?   Well he did ask for a cup of tea but I told him that my tea cups were too big for him and he might drown.

"Oh well" he said. "I might just have to figure out how to get it myself.  After all Stuart Little and Johnny Town Mouse seem to do quite well for themselves.  Yes, I know they get into mischief, but what would life be like without a scare or two to push us ahead?".

Hmmm, a learned little critter isn't he?!

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest counselors, and the most patient of teachers." - Charles William Eliot

"Stuart Little" and others

Into my life from long ago and far away came "Stuart Little" by E.B. White.  This brings back memories of my son's childhood when we read "Stuart Little" and became completely enchanted by the story.

Of course a mouse creator must have some kind of inspiration.  Recently I ordered three 'mouse' books with "Stuart Little" at the top of the list.  The other two are "Great Mouse Detective - Basil of Baker Street" by Eve Titus and "The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse by Beatrix Potter.  

It is delicious to curl up in the chair on a hot summer afternoon and lose yourself in the 'secret world of mice' and  to let these wonderful stories turn your imagination backward into the one you had as a child.  

"A shaft of sunlight at the end of a dark afternoon, a note of music, and the way the back of a baby's neck smells if it's mother keeps it tidy," answered Henry. "Correct", said Stuart.  "Those are the important things.  You forgot one thing, though.  Mary Bendix, what did Henry Rackmeyer forget?" "He forgot ice cream with chocolate sauce on it," said Mary quickly" - E. B. White, Stuart Little

Ms. Sew Mouse

Oh, this was bound to show up in my studio.  After all -- one goes where the supplies are and Ms. Sew Mouse is a genius at raiding supplies.  

She only had one request, and that was to ask me to remove the pins and needles from the pin cushion so she could have a more comfortable seat.

At least now I'll know where to look when this and that disappears from my sewing area.

"Sewing: a creative mess is better than tidy idleness." - Author Unknown

Another Walk In The Garden

Taking a stroll through our yard I found a few new treasures.  This is the Turk's Cap Lily which, according to my in-house horticulturist, is relatively rare.  We are so fortunate to have this beauty right outside the bedroom window.

What would summer be without a few daisies?  This is a flower that likes the sun, although I see one trying to stay cool in the background shade.

And then there are these small mushrooms which are definitely hiding from the sun's glare.  It looks like something has taken a few nibbles here and there.  For all the discomfort that summer brings there is always the garden and the beauties found there.

"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help.  Gardening is an instrument of grace." - May Sarton

The Mayor of Mousedom

While out in the garden I came upon this very frustrated fellow.  It appears that he is the Mayor of Mousedom and has made up a "Mouse Rule Book" but he can't find his constituents.

"Wherever did they go?" he cried.  Whereupon I broke the news to him that they all seemed to have moved inside.  He was quite upset as the very first rule says: Do not move inside.

Looking at the "Mouse Rule Book" I couldn't make out one word. "What language is this?" I asked.  "Well, certainly not yours.  Now send my people back outside right now".  Boy was he officious!  I can see why they didn't come to his meeting!

"Rule A: Don't. Rule A1: Rule A doesn't exist. Rule A2: Do not discuss the existence or non-existence of Rules A, A1 or A2." - R. D. Laing