Fresh Start

It has been a long time since my last Blog Post.

The pictures below are from my sons' and my second annual

trout fishing weekend up at our cabin in Potter County.

The first annual in 2022, found us with temperatures in the 20's.

This year, it was in the 50's and rainy.  No problem!

We always have a great time catching up in front of a 

warm fire with current stories and reminiscing about fun times

at the cabin when they were young.  The walking and 

breathing mountain air was fabulous!

Colors of Spring

Matt Fishing in the Shallows

Creek Along Logging Road

 

Simple is Best!

 Water Colored Sky

   

Valentine, 2021

Blue City Scape

Quite a few years ago, while assisting with homework assignments and such, I borrowed (?) the phrase Simple is Best! from somewhere and have used it ever since.  As a personal philosophy, it has been especially helpful during this time of my watercolor exploration.

The photograph at the beginning of this post is how I wish I could paint and draw.  I can neither paint nor draw.  Stampers and tracing tools have been my "go to" starting points for the above watercolors and several more which I have made into cards.  I do love hand drawing, but they are very simple, as you can see below.

Sunset with Poles

Our dining room table is my work spot right now.  Four o'clock pm is my favorite time to sit/stand and experiment.  Usually there is a liquid and musical inspiration to push me onward!

New Year's Greeting

New Year's Day, 2021

Although 2020 is now behind us with its political scene and pandemic, I have a bit of a review of the 2020 Holiday Season. During the days leading up to Christmas, I finished the last phase of my breast cancer treatment which began in mid July. Having spent the majority of the year in quarantine due to the pandemic, it was not a big change to be really careful during my treatments. 

I could not be more grateful for the wonderful care I received from each caregiver I encountered!

Christmas decorating was minimal at our house this year.  I worked to make festive areas in all the rooms that we spend time in.  Since physical visiting was out for all of us, what mattered was communicating by phone, Email and USPS to our boys and other loved ones over the season.  On the home front, Jim did his wonderful cooking and I kept the home fires burning.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

Quarantine Photography April, 2020

Tree Reflection

Trout Lily

Beech Leaves

Storm Clouds

Morning Fog

       One of our DIL's spent several weeks during April at the cabin  in Potter County while "working from home" for her employer. I was fortunate to travel to visit her for two weekends.  During all my years of visits, I had never spent that much time at the cabin in April before.  The weather was mixed and quite cold.   Being outside by myself or with her was fabulous!!  

Quarantine Photography March, 2020 No. 3

Bloodroot

Moss

Virginia Bluebells and Spring Beauty

Squaw Run Downstream

Squaw Run Upstream

 

Early Trillium

       My last March quarantine photography post.  My first trip outside during quarantine was to the Trillium Trail late in the month.  My first encounter was with a first time visitor to the Trail.  She was a city dweller and had been running around to many outside habitats on this sunny Sunday!  I introduced her to the history of the area and to several wildflowers.  The other visitors I encountered there and I respected social distancing with smiles and muddy shoes ..... :)

       Other positive things I've done since quarantine:

I've burned favorite candles.

I have left out all of the Valentines, birthday and other loving cards

 we've received recently in commonly occupied rooms. 

I've kept Jim's cork board full of pictures of those two cute boys who used to fill our home with lots of whoops and hilarity!

Memories are fun .....

Quarantine Photography March, 2020 No. 2

Drawing with Suzanne Werder

Evening Sky

Study Window View

TP Roll - Thinking as a Meme?

Foggy Ravine

       This is my second installment of some of the photographs I took in March, 2020.  Other thoughts that popped up during this time which I may or may not have shared on Facebook:

                           

I made a list of things to do every day.  I felt lucky if I was able to cross one off!

Made beds, put on lipstick, perfume and earrings every morning.

Did my PT exercises with a bit of yoga, too.

Kept up with FB friends who offered information, love and/or frivolity.  Thank you ALL!!

Worried, fussed and got calmed down by Jim.

(Remember that list up there?  If I didn't accomplish enough, I just crossed off the lapsed day, wrote in the next day and added more things to do.  Kind of still doing that.)

As always, hope you are all well.

Quarantine Photography March, 2020

Birdbath

Crossed Trails

Forsythia

Daffodils

Drop

Tree Tops

Full Moon

 

Ravine Selfie

  

Puddle Reflections

       Jim and I started our quarantine for the Covid-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020.  One room in our house was given a new purpose as Jim's office.  Otherwise, it was life "somewhat" normal with us together 24-7.  I immediately understood how lucky and grateful we are to have our home and no lack of electricity, food, heat, water, etc. during this time.  Concern for our health and those we love and treasure, was, and continues to be, a constant.      

       Daily routines for this new period in our lives quickly formed.  Jim was at his desk with laptop open before 9 am.  I joined him for lunch hour and we usually watched the news and Cuomo reports.  I worked out a new routine around our house after working part-time for almost six years.  No magnifying glass needed - there was lots to be done!  There still is :)  Yard work, too, announced itself as spring began.  Jim enjoys making dinner most nights and does the shopping.  Our boys keep in touch many times during the week.

      During our first few weeks of quarantine in March, the weather was mixed.  We had a lot of rain, but also some stunning clear days and nights.  I was pleased to capture the images above while wandering around the yard for some fresh air or having brought in early spring flowers to enjoy.

       Please comment or send your thoughts about your quarantine experience to me at rafzta@aol.com.  I would love to communicate with you privately or include your thoughts in my next Blog post soon.