Simple Texture Tuesday

Just getting back into town after our trip...but wanted to link up quickly with Kim's Texture Tuesday...

I made this still with the eggs the farm owners gave us from their free-range chickens as a complimentary gift.  How special was this?  But it is good to be home.  Texture used is Kim's texture petra.

Rainy Day at the Horse Camp

A rainy day on the farm...

...only one horse out...

and how Arthur pleaded with Ed to go outside.  So we made the best of it inside.

Good day to get feet ready for flip flops...

Enjoyed some coffee...some reading...some journaling (notice Arthur's ball that also could not go outside).

And I worked on some stills...these flowers were here when we arrived.

Now...before you start to feel sorry for Arthur being housebound...

We took him out cruisin'...him in the driver's seat, no less.

But at the end of the day...the storms gave way to a beautiful evening.

Horse Campin'

Spring in West Virginia...and yes...it is late here, too!  But it is still Spring!

Edster, me and the four-footed boys are staying at a Horse Camp near Harman...

A two bedroom apartment with two porches (one outside french doors from the Master bedroom) with a hot tub...

overlooking the countryside...

 ...and it's attached to the horse barn.

And in the fridge...fresh farm eggs...two dozen!!!

Now Arthur is sooooooooooooo home here...made for the farm...herding the guinea hens.

And they don't like it...then he found the horses!

"Let me at 'em...let me at 'em!"

"Ruh-roh...now what?"

Sorry, Arthur...these two couldn't care less...

Actually they are very sweet...and the fun begins!

Silence, Serenity, and Solitude - My Friday Find

Vacation is to be stress free...but (at least for me)...in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia where the leaves are on fire...there is a tension.  It is wanting to explore and travel to see and capture everything...but also realizing that part of my renewal comes from taking time to be silent and reflective and still.  I found that today...

There are two Adirondack chairs sitting outside on the property of our two-week home...calling my name.

They sit along a small creek that sings as it flows by.  I turned off the news...filled my tote with my Bible, journal, and a book...along with my camera.  I would not wander today.  I would take advantage of the down time and seek that which my heart and being craves...and seems so elusive in my work-a-day world.

My devotional today was amazing...

When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me.  When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me.  These are supernatural responses, and they can life you above your circumstances.  If you do what comes naturally in the face of difficulties, you may fall prey to negativism.  Even a few complaints can set you on a path that is a downward spiral, by darkening your perspective and mind-set.  With this attitude controlling you, complaints flow more and more readily from your mouth (and mind).  Each one moves you steadily down the slippery spiral.  The lower you go, the faster you slide; but it is still possible to apply the brakes.  Cry out to Me in My Name!  Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel.  Thank Me for everything, though this seems unnatural--even irrational.  Gradually you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground.  When you are back on ground level, you can face your circumstances from a humble perspective.  If you choose supernatural responses this time--trusting and thanking Me--you will experience My unfathomable Peace.

                                                                            from  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

So I read some Bible verses and wrote some reflections in my journal.  Sometimes I forget how cathartic the physical act of writing is for me.  And I found silence and serenity in my solitude.  Then I noticed...

These leaves...one by one...occasionally...would drop on me from the tree above.  And I took photos of where they would land.

And it continued...even when I took out my book by Senator Jim Webb, Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Formed America.

One...like a butterfly...even landed on my hand.

And other things fell...

And some did not land on me or a book...

Treasures from heaven...both the leaves and the words I read...on one of the most calming, peaceful days I've had in some time.

Sometimes the FIND is worth the time it takes and the sacrifice of leaving other things behind.

A Groovy Baby Boomer Flashback

Edster, Bruno, Arthur, and I are on vacation...and I tend to keep my online presence to a minimum.  You know...kind of unplug.  Not on Facebook much...not answering much email...and definitely not poking my head into anything work related...for real!

Our tires crossed the West Virginia border on Friday.  You don't have to see the Welcome Sign...because everywhere are "signs" telling you where you are.

After a slow, lazy Saturday morning (coffee first, schemes later)...we boarded the Fabian Fun Van off to a local, annual event...The Leaf Peepers Festival...in Davis, West Virginia (population 660)...the closest town to the Canaan Valley.  Now...Canaan is not pronounced as in the promised land of the Bible...but is pronouced Ka-NANE Valley (in case you visit...you'll stick out big time if you say it wrong).

A people watcher by nature...I started clickin away with my paparazzi zoom lens.  I kept seeing these variations on a theme...

Did I step into a hippie convention by accident?

Hair...everywhere!!!

And this guy...

I found myself singing to myself ...back from the late 60s...envisioning a lava lamp and Peter Max poster.,,


I know...a pretty bizarre post...but, hey...I'm on vacation!!!

A Sense of Sutton - A Photowalk

Edster, Bruno, Arthur, and I were blessed to be able to take a vacation to my second home...West Virginia.

In the heart of this state is a quaint small town of 992 people called Sutton.  Sitting on the Elk River, Sutton is a slice of Americana...  It is also a town that cherishes the creative endeavors of local, Appalachian artists.

This colorful building truly drums up the curiosity...

And this old church converted to Landmark Studio for the Arts...particularly emphasizes drama and dance.

While the Cafe Cimino is an elegant restaurant and a Bed and Breakfast, it also has a gallery that is an extension of Mountain Made, arts and crafts of West Virginian artisans including pottery, jewelry, painting, textiles, and photography.

But walking down the brick streets...there are other treasures and components that give you a sense of Sutton...

This town is big on swings...(so love this wicker swing!)...

And porches...

and places to sit...

whether alone...

or joined by a friend or a friend you haven't met yet on a bench...

And plants and flowers are sprinkled as you walk along the way...

Tulips in white, wooden flower boxes...

Lilacs outside curtained windows...

Potted posey outside a cafe...

And these breath-taking bleeding hearts in a neighbor's front yard...

But I loved looking at buildings, signs of wear, and structures...

Like these blue arches...

Or a door and stairwell heading who knows where...

And old, ornate wrought iron fence that has seen better days...

A sign that hints of the culture of this town...

Locking in or locking out?...

And this delightful positive graffiti at the Girl Scout center...

And signs of children...

And no matter how short or long your stay...you cannot help but know this is a true American home town.