Month: November 2013

Still

I took wedding photos today. Happy, happy! You will see the outcome tomorrow. Bob is halfway done. Now before you get on my back about him, think about this: it took me about a week to knit a sock. Bob is bigger than a sock. Bob will take longer than a sock. He will be done at some point before December…(I hope…).

Today was a beautiful day. It was a cloudy, cold, November day, but it was beautiful. I love days like today, when Nature is still and I can let her infuse me with her stillness. Our world moves so quickly, and so often we forget to be still. I was reading Shakespeare out in the woods by a lake and came upon an old, unexpected friend.

That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the deathbed whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
   This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
   To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

~Sonnet 73

Dear Reader,

When writing a story it is necessary for there to be at least one protagonist and at least one antagonist. Otherwise the action comes to a screeching halt. I have shown you numerous pictures of our two protagonists. Vodnik and Goldilox have appeared in their natural habitats doing the things they loved most. Their love story will be painstakingly orchestrated and captured for your viewing pleasure. But until our villain *ahem* arrives, not much will happen in the way of story line.

One leg down, the rest to follow. Please be patient with me….

Meet Goldilox!

I have a confession to make. I planned to have all 3 of my monsters finished by November 1. I failed. Goldilox was not finished until late Saturday night (or early Sunday morning, depending on how you look at it). Which is why you have not yet met her. Or maybe I was just waiting to build up dramatic tension. 😉

Anyway, here she is, the lovely Goldilox!

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When the Veil is Removed

In most cities in the U.S. “downtown” refers to the bad part of town, the part you don’t venture into after dark if you can at all help it. I am blessed to live in a city where downtown is a cultural center. The River waterfalls gently, and a park has been carved out around it. Small shops and restaurants abound. I love downtown. I go whenever I can. Yesterday I found myself walking downtown, only to be pleasantly surprised to see that this month local artists are opening their studios to the public. I love art of all sorts, whether it be a well-written book, an exquisitely performed sonata, or a marvelous painting. I could not pass this opportunity by not only to view art, but to talk with its creators! May I just remark as an aside that artists are often tagged as a bit bizarre, and while some may warrant this, most are simply lovely people.

The first studio I entered showcased the works of two artists – a husband/wife team. Only here disaster had struck. The husband had died earlier this year. The art was beautiful, and I really enjoyed talking with the Widow. She told me the stories of the paintings. I continued on to her studio-mate’s area. The three of us started talking about art, and somehow I ended up telling them my dreams of being an opera singer. Well, of course, they asked me to sing, and I obliged. Compliments ensued, but then something transpired that doesn’t usually happen for me: the Widow ducked into her studio and came back with a gift. She gave me a print of a painting of a girl. She is standing in a room, hiding behind a checkered blanket. “She reminds me of you,” the Widow said, “when she comes out from behind the blanket.”

I am honoured by the Widow’s gift. I, too, have experienced loss. I hope that I brought her some joy in her world that has turned upside-down. I pray for her to be comforted.

Meet Vodnik!

Today was the first photo-shoot of the month. What beautiful weather we have here! The trees are just turning colour, the sky is blue, and there is just a hint of breeze. Are you jealous yet? And the best thing about this gorgeous fall weather is the beautiful pictures it allows me to take! I am so lucky to live where I do!

So without further ado, meet the first character in this November’s story. Named after the the Water Goblin in Dvorak’s Rusalka, Vodnik is at home in the woods (not in the water…sorry).

Vodnik AloneVodnik at the RiverMeet Vodnik Vodnik Scaling Mountains