Hitch Hiking Lady Bug

What have we here - upon a kite - waiting for a strong wind?

Perhaps these little bugs became hitch hikers in order to save their strength.

Perhaps they will land in a brilliant green garden where they can munch their way through these lovely spring afternoons.

"The Ladybug wears no disguises.

She is just what she advertises.

A speckled spectacle of spring,

A miniature fashion on the wing...

A miniature orange kite".
- J. Patrick Lewis

"Soaring"

This is a quiet time in the woods for our bird population.  All nested up or having flown to warmer climates it is rare to see many birds around. 

But some flit by once in awhile.  Because they are rarely seen they become even more precious to me.

A bird outlined in a deep blue winter sky, or sitting huddled on the branch of a tree. Definitely winter treasures to be sought.

"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that, so it goes on flying anyway". - Mary Kay Ash

Flying Through The Holidays

Okay, not what you thought huh??  I guess you could call these two part of our family.  Both of them have been sitting in the dining area over the holidays.  "Striped Rabbit" is very well dressed, at least compared to his predecessors. Perhaps that's why he got chosen for the ride.

This metal bird is one of my very, very favorite companions.  A friend and I once asked each other 'if you could only take one thing from your house, what would it be?'  I immediately, without even thinking, said 'my metal bird'.  I know that must seem strange but looking at him calms me and he has attitude.   One needs a little bit of attitude to get by in this world.

I have heard rumors that there are some very jealous rabbits out there.  This one may have to relinquish his seat once in awhile so others might 'fly'!

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were.  But without it we go nowhere." - Carl Sagan

Finding My Wings?

Prior to our trip out west I made up three 'Quietude' dolls.  I needed to create calm and peace as we made all of our reservations and went through the whole thing of getting ready to be out of town for two weeks.  I definitely needed a bit of serenity in my life.
  

My idea after getting home was to complete at least two more and then perhaps something else would pop into my head.  That completion project died a quick death as I fumbled around trying to find embellishments that would work and getting less and less interested each day.

While out on the desert we saw birds that we don't see here -- lots of them.  Magpies, which have a bad reputation but I love seeing them soar.  Quail are all over and always busily walking their grounds.  Just as perky and cute as can be.  

Then I came home to all the birds we have here.  And the thought came over me that perhaps I might make up some cloth birds.  Uh-oh -- the moment that thought came to me, my mind started churning with ideas: shabby chic? muted and mild? embellishments? shape? printed fabric or plain or both? eyes? standing or hanging or sitting - or all three????

And so I'll lift my wings and see what fun I can have.  Perhaps my summer will be completely devoted to bird watching.

"It's impossible to explain creativity.  It's like asking a bird, 'How do you fly?'" - Eric Jerome Dickey

"Most" Unlikely

"Where did you come from and what are you doing here?"  That's what I asked the Most Unlikely visitor to our dining room.  There she sat, big as life, atop the resident metal bird.

"I am going to fly on this big bird and he's going to take me way up in the air."  She sounded awfully confident.  Unfortunately I had to 'burst her bubble' telling her that her dream was 'most' unlikely considering this bird can't fly -- it is metal and really and truly has no wings except these etched in metal.

She seemed to take it pretty well.  I believe these "unlikely's" are used to hearing why they can't do something.  Soon enough she perked up and asked me "do you have a canary or a parakeet handy?"

"The moment when you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever being able to do it." - Peter Pan

Flying Away

This is me (well an imaginary form) flying off once again to the desert - family - much joy - laughter - fun.

I'll be back soon, until then please feel free to carry on without me... *smile*.

"Flying dreams mean that you're doing the right thing with your life." - Douglas Coupland

Flitting Away

Thanks to Google Images

 

Tomorrow we'll be flying out west.  Hopefully our transportation will turn out to be more substantial than this one appears to be.

As it happens we'll be visiting Taos, New Mexico where Kit Carson once had a home and then move on to Nevada where we'll again encounter Kit Carson, this time in statue form dedicated to his presence in that area.  That guy really got around!

See you in a little while...

"I have seized the light.  I have arrested its flight." - Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre

Flying Machine

                                                        "Design for Flying Machine" - Leonardo da Vinci

Going back to the desert - flying high in the sky.

I'll try to post along the way - just to let you know that I'm thinking about you as I breathe in the clear desert air, spread my arms in the openess and feel the sunshine warm my skin (even though it is supposed to be rather cool).  And of course loving our family!

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci
 

Flying Away

I'm flying away tomorrow.  Off to Nevada to spend 10 days with my three youngest grandchildren - while their parents are off on vacation. 

I've been working on a few posts here at home to send off to you from Nevada -- and perhaps I'll actually be able to write some while there.

I shall do my very best to stay in touch while I'm gone -- but if you don't hear from me know that I am probably being held hostage by three children and four dogs!

"Come dress yourself in love and let the journey begin." - Francesca da Rimini

Heading to the desert

This week takes us back to the Nevada desert to our family and friends - to the wide open spaces and high Sierra mountains.  I'll be back next week - hopefully bringing back pictures and tales of a week in the west.

"Wilderness is not  a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit." - Edward Abbey

"Earthbound"

I admit that my feet are firmly planted on the ground -- carefully taking life one small step at a time.  Sometimes I'm running, sometimes I'm walking and sometimes it feels like I'm crawling.  But this coming year I have determined to take flight -- even it only means starting out by hopping or skipping.  Perhaps I'll actually graduate to soaring before the year is over.

This wall hanging is my first attempt with no boundaries.  The name "Earthbound" came to me as I was working on it because I can see that I myself am still earthbound. But it seems a good first start on my quest.

I take a moment to thank  Barbara at PinelandsTreasures for gifting me with this lovely charm.  The brushed metal seems to go quite beautifully with the colors on this piece.

Okay, I'm off to polish up my wings and see what happens next.

 "Only from the heart can you touch the sky." - Rumi