tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82092738597343075002024-02-06T21:14:42.581-08:00fortune-workshopsI created this blog to write about my adventures and discoveries. Welcome to my world!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-50079650887279812222011-06-12T06:17:00.000-07:002011-06-12T06:46:01.225-07:00Good-bye, Fortune Workshops<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwncx_kRn1rWTxLLqDwbke5G0LuYiW4NFmoFxsM-KWsvUqumZxeEe0iZQbCLmW56TijJG9hm5ie2E9CUCnUi8rNtbQl_NdcMfJEb8p14Ils2HcEXC-mUjYfi2hTqd5ocWRO9-RNptxRiIX/s1600/church+004.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwncx_kRn1rWTxLLqDwbke5G0LuYiW4NFmoFxsM-KWsvUqumZxeEe0iZQbCLmW56TijJG9hm5ie2E9CUCnUi8rNtbQl_NdcMfJEb8p14Ils2HcEXC-mUjYfi2hTqd5ocWRO9-RNptxRiIX/s200/church+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617328595740756210" border="0" /></a><br />This is my 85th and last blogging post. It comes to almost 3 years of sharing my activities and thoughts. I always enjoyed it.<br /><br />As a good-bye offering, I would like to present this photo of the former St. David's church just north of St. Eugene, Ontario. Like the other 1,100 little churches in Ontario, no longer supporting itself with service to a community, it has gone on the real estate market. Now it belongs to me.<br /><br />... and I totally love it, ancient carpets, lack of plumbing, peeling paint, bulging, cracked brick walls and all. I can so relate! It is an appropriate project to end my blogging days.<br /><br />Everyone asks: what will you do with it? This church will get a transformed purpose to serve. Right now it is storing my gardening equipment and undergoing a mild facelift to keep the exterior from falling apart. Then, slowly, it will be surrounded by gardens. The inside will be left "as is": open concept. Then, some very gentle activity, worthy of its 110 years of existence.<br /><br />Good-bye dear readers and God bless!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-55895550453181955712011-03-31T03:34:00.000-07:002011-03-31T06:50:08.695-07:004 months in India<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2IT2xOem01W-xC3sSXSDW5EgQiBS7ghSdqgQC8S7khAbQnBLfJoXZtNPlFL77V2oJWAfpIZgOM1GDXmM9twuiqDBHdOiMwDEkyB0wQ4pUUQU_aEq9cg-WrepvnUkC9CME0OffZatpqO0/s1600/Julie.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2IT2xOem01W-xC3sSXSDW5EgQiBS7ghSdqgQC8S7khAbQnBLfJoXZtNPlFL77V2oJWAfpIZgOM1GDXmM9twuiqDBHdOiMwDEkyB0wQ4pUUQU_aEq9cg-WrepvnUkC9CME0OffZatpqO0/s200/Julie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590235657589506514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9byF5jIsZDKiEhrHt-cUyVsh1wUAtA5SR0lrN_Nf4dzPzIza8wUb2Jq4ah61LFp9KFSSIVorR6-5UGR3DOAc7RHx6sSpyeLpjAZq7-lViyZCZvFa4NrKB-p47I_vUEnQ4S6cLbydstYeY/s1600/Angeli.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9byF5jIsZDKiEhrHt-cUyVsh1wUAtA5SR0lrN_Nf4dzPzIza8wUb2Jq4ah61LFp9KFSSIVorR6-5UGR3DOAc7RHx6sSpyeLpjAZq7-lViyZCZvFa4NrKB-p47I_vUEnQ4S6cLbydstYeY/s200/Angeli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590230714669231970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyS5vhAy4swaUPHvJesLZRESNDOPTaAPI2r9LCh56mOVjwvwp2XqT6Lobkc20iEZn_a-Ru1iyeBNfgnCDtPZdxs-SykgBDGJUVUgNEOauUleVZ3eOWsu86Y9V4jfz5_4zAfB4CSelY9YD/s1600/bageshwari.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyS5vhAy4swaUPHvJesLZRESNDOPTaAPI2r9LCh56mOVjwvwp2XqT6Lobkc20iEZn_a-Ru1iyeBNfgnCDtPZdxs-SykgBDGJUVUgNEOauUleVZ3eOWsu86Y9V4jfz5_4zAfB4CSelY9YD/s200/bageshwari.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590229960977643106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdixBgWc1jO6gu2TUvhIWZj7j62EeJGa2CubOBmW5OFlPtR_PSe8xAA9vsLRGXrGMNUsnM7gP-Jv30WJgUgIXP2dYZivSPIHEaO9zwN8HMjrAC_6dleEZ184iPUUhP8_BinqWEDCdw5Ap/s1600/Sunita.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdixBgWc1jO6gu2TUvhIWZj7j62EeJGa2CubOBmW5OFlPtR_PSe8xAA9vsLRGXrGMNUsnM7gP-Jv30WJgUgIXP2dYZivSPIHEaO9zwN8HMjrAC_6dleEZ184iPUUhP8_BinqWEDCdw5Ap/s200/Sunita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590230707317054690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xMTpnX6i_4EwJheF9j4psbySYlwzz-xq1b-JYqCVI1iYLU4YuZOVrdGavkEjUIuXb3cvb160YNLqwf1SalJ2GXV2pPx-IvWzWZBcg9mwiPGxpi7l9UrU4wGc6Oz1L4UgKyWyzOxjqL0C/s1600/Samir.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xMTpnX6i_4EwJheF9j4psbySYlwzz-xq1b-JYqCVI1iYLU4YuZOVrdGavkEjUIuXb3cvb160YNLqwf1SalJ2GXV2pPx-IvWzWZBcg9mwiPGxpi7l9UrU4wGc6Oz1L4UgKyWyzOxjqL0C/s200/Samir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590229984261260034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vfCZcj6rw8Nc5TLRqRHxSy4CV-ol66BXZrPMKH8t0_tb2I0HpLqB9xjoCgzzhADasE0oQPiAgDXPqaADQRxvTY0ctIDSqE5m02GvAQTXuAD-4WU8z2_7AbbVL_3KGdmKPzKmE_kW0ulH/s1600/puja.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vfCZcj6rw8Nc5TLRqRHxSy4CV-ol66BXZrPMKH8t0_tb2I0HpLqB9xjoCgzzhADasE0oQPiAgDXPqaADQRxvTY0ctIDSqE5m02GvAQTXuAD-4WU8z2_7AbbVL_3KGdmKPzKmE_kW0ulH/s200/puja.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590229980273269762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC0ZlcTDM6ZKrNmu9L9Hztv7mkd-wsvMrl2XXhARcMgphdA-yipwPh8VovfrtBHyx5IQm_gBQ2OrcMDLwGtaV4R4o49fnD08coNYqQGQ-lTFI0aW6Ms4ZLLEqiupDHybnxP_etiHc1PAe/s1600/Mohan.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC0ZlcTDM6ZKrNmu9L9Hztv7mkd-wsvMrl2XXhARcMgphdA-yipwPh8VovfrtBHyx5IQm_gBQ2OrcMDLwGtaV4R4o49fnD08coNYqQGQ-lTFI0aW6Ms4ZLLEqiupDHybnxP_etiHc1PAe/s200/Mohan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590229973466618242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just a few days ago, I landed at Montreal airport. It was a long (30 hour) trip from 33 degrees in Pondicherry, India to minus 4 here. Now, I am emerging from the 10 1/2 hour time change and sorting through the pictures taken during my stay.<br /><br />What did I do during my winter-long participation? I never really left the <a href="http://srivast.org/">community</a> surroundings because I was fulfilled with my activities there. Early on in December, I began to teach the children of the workers, who were living in their own village on the property. They all came from the Orissa province in the north and now enjoyed a life of relative security and comfort. Without the school, the children, aged 5 to 15, would be left on their own to roam and wait for their parents to return from work. The community yoga teacher, Raju, who spoke Hindi, was my partner in teaching English, mathematics and crafts. Every morning at 10, the children assembled for a short yoga class given by Raju, then they had a break to drink a glass of milk (from our own 2 cows!). Raju helped me to communicate with the children aged over 7 to begin learning new sounds and a new alphabet. We had so much fun together and I learned at least as much as my students. Their way of life was a mystery to me! We created some School Rules to help our life together function.<br />#1 Keep the schoolroom tidy<br />#2 Pay attention to the lessons<br />#3 Help each other<br />#4 Keep school materials and toys in the school<br />#5 Be happy!<br /><br />During the rest of the day I was busy helping to create ornamental shade gardens in different areas of our property; there was much to learn about the needs of of tropical plants and trees.<br />My favorite tree must be the<ahref="http: org="" wiki="" plumeria_rubra=""> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria">frangipani,</a> because of the shape and the seductive scent of its flowers at night. Here you see the sample, planted in front of my house as a 20cm stump in December!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U0YxLOB6SLjQ8B1IboGSQBazgea-Sv5fzLu9UBH0MUJmTJc43Zv339U1oBBlWtyWqDH1DzjByx4QSAuxqhZB2FgDc4EC7XGXd1Yi-9u3O_2b8FI0Y1CGcptUpN5KRaO9tbVLt6-XHkHl/s1600/frangipani.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U0YxLOB6SLjQ8B1IboGSQBazgea-Sv5fzLu9UBH0MUJmTJc43Zv339U1oBBlWtyWqDH1DzjByx4QSAuxqhZB2FgDc4EC7XGXd1Yi-9u3O_2b8FI0Y1CGcptUpN5KRaO9tbVLt6-XHkHl/s200/frangipani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_55902307826050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I was also baking cakes for our community restaurant and participating in retreats, practicing practically, being a member of a new humanity that loves, cares and shares. So the 4 months flew by without ever a thought to posting in this blog. Now I'm back and plan to report regularly about my gardening adventures and my new home in Hawkesbury, Ontario as of April 28th.</ahref="http:>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-63948499144194861552010-11-21T03:01:00.000-08:002010-11-21T03:11:36.275-08:00Saturday Openair Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_KApLgvBvhsi8PZAK4alPGy5YPUefc2ZTQue6i2nnRqrS7-8NtPXwNhwX5y0EeZPga8ALTeGChIOxBKU7_e59MDlxnK97f10P_2ZE9BTo6_G6FeYkMu6Tbc9clJzc5VhX-01cwMWPBhI/s1600/HPIM1498.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHMrq3X8iFzSBHr47fN4Vp65ikIFSjvabn4v0IvvjTxNAY8ZbM6guYgbMVhXmugHCppWx8DHhqQ43d0EztFE89-P5LGIatuzDMBd0B-ElF_qC0KesWGkS-E_Mqm816NW-g4gKbJ2JIMaZ/s1600/HPIM1496.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHMrq3X8iFzSBHr47fN4Vp65ikIFSjvabn4v0IvvjTxNAY8ZbM6guYgbMVhXmugHCppWx8DHhqQ43d0EztFE89-P5LGIatuzDMBd0B-ElF_qC0KesWGkS-E_Mqm816NW-g4gKbJ2JIMaZ/s400/HPIM1496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541958325367864354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsn2epPbvFyvMs_xIMR9idwthFk5Z3yCjtqAcwn1I8z3jDbmbidCY3S4UO-Pzqe6agElFVmHnBzZ_jwEUZf8qZOt1fDGawtdknA_tLaGc6D4Dbsm9AaHB3qWO7qmz0repTC8vVMSOnU-C/s1600/HPIM1498.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzlsFVha05x88Ss2j4zs8I3htoiYdShFcoknJMnHS2PP8JQvQYme4JZHMz3ln6iLc6fOKZplhK5WL7zynIBNbDps0Y-_Jrbk9TUF_3owa1hdnCJUQf-UhAD8N-bBmO6R3rRCqC31dydmy/s1600/HPIM1503.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzlsFVha05x88Ss2j4zs8I3htoiYdShFcoknJMnHS2PP8JQvQYme4JZHMz3ln6iLc6fOKZplhK5WL7zynIBNbDps0Y-_Jrbk9TUF_3owa1hdnCJUQf-UhAD8N-bBmO6R3rRCqC31dydmy/s400/HPIM1503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541957116762220850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisym-kT72t3fowC1YXLTx3jxePtbLajUVn4-aiCrITHAsrwrxKABT-A35lkBI_fVziTQWPpkKPiUTgdw3HrpwY5grbewu6vZKbJ5rdiathl_6TB_Eto_6m9rUHB80GgYo7PUpteJCdiLgj/s1600/HPIM1510.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisym-kT72t3fowC1YXLTx3jxePtbLajUVn4-aiCrITHAsrwrxKABT-A35lkBI_fVziTQWPpkKPiUTgdw3HrpwY5grbewu6vZKbJ5rdiathl_6TB_Eto_6m9rUHB80GgYo7PUpteJCdiLgj/s400/HPIM1510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541957103646333810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mc5p9jAddIi0GY3phku3IgwEJyYSLAjjbBzjvhcS2Dbn1o6T6hHKmBTb6DzE67QnM3lwMcJyGl5w5vQjOhZoJMagaS8kLVmXJSJ8N2N_-soNX5kVXnQZNsRyjCg1_v_6xijHdiam7rwI/s1600/HPIM1508.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mc5p9jAddIi0GY3phku3IgwEJyYSLAjjbBzjvhcS2Dbn1o6T6hHKmBTb6DzE67QnM3lwMcJyGl5w5vQjOhZoJMagaS8kLVmXJSJ8N2N_-soNX5kVXnQZNsRyjCg1_v_6xijHdiam7rwI/s400/HPIM1508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541957093710261170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DJ97thZ4M90eKzOPHofXHck6FU6ZwXynWCoPbukWsnQuTBi5x5FojcRJYGSJgZLLvwDSipIAS6mYBwJ8-rBQemMbXcJUvta00eIY4tZdKO0n7-Utn-blfeiPmABSMz3WaUpiEA-MwJvp/s1600/HPIM1501.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DJ97thZ4M90eKzOPHofXHck6FU6ZwXynWCoPbukWsnQuTBi5x5FojcRJYGSJgZLLvwDSipIAS6mYBwJ8-rBQemMbXcJUvta00eIY4tZdKO0n7-Utn-blfeiPmABSMz3WaUpiEA-MwJvp/s400/HPIM1501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541957082656959410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35x2xFXf1L0RIIszSTkTFu1SsDw_tzEKrtomCEuDUVqXltur-IQd1tuPdtZgADmbQ-cuG37xVk4LvOKdqJCOM3_MPN-Yf8j9lWSbD-thWsnxn6WiW-e7mIvp2ZCliezTiDzirKYuTAf4C/s1600/HPIM1497.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35x2xFXf1L0RIIszSTkTFu1SsDw_tzEKrtomCEuDUVqXltur-IQd1tuPdtZgADmbQ-cuG37xVk4LvOKdqJCOM3_MPN-Yf8j9lWSbD-thWsnxn6WiW-e7mIvp2ZCliezTiDzirKYuTAf4C/s400/HPIM1497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541957068803113170" border="0" /></a><br />Join me in a stroll through the open market, found every Saturday on the oceanfront promenade in Empuriabrava, Spain. The weather was a nippy 12 degrees and a strong cold wind (Tramontana) made up for the bright sunshine.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-58968477705025422912010-11-07T04:09:00.000-08:002010-11-07T05:32:35.531-08:00Fast Forward to Spain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS8BxziXRf6GoFIE2CarxeuSOeAy0aTeMf-Rj-a2DqcDWSWw-3tnuYoxELBJsTzSPYQ_wrog79YG8k903LJz2oT97WlH507eGRaZsulZAeLE1thJRwxCg5wr7HGxvcF4bWFXGOxl0KA77/s1600/HPIM1463.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS8BxziXRf6GoFIE2CarxeuSOeAy0aTeMf-Rj-a2DqcDWSWw-3tnuYoxELBJsTzSPYQ_wrog79YG8k903LJz2oT97WlH507eGRaZsulZAeLE1thJRwxCg5wr7HGxvcF4bWFXGOxl0KA77/s400/HPIM1463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536799892751603506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYNieLT85Q4-xCjxeRhU8DYsbuhEQt334i9KsvCaHubyC02zqEX2uolApOY8n1bYEqH4KjWtx2keHL3Ma_JhTEgWy-p39xn0qgaq_qPWue4eBXxnQZkl3Q8Xd6H4ucNIYJPPUP77cX63P/s1600/HPIM1454.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYNieLT85Q4-xCjxeRhU8DYsbuhEQt334i9KsvCaHubyC02zqEX2uolApOY8n1bYEqH4KjWtx2keHL3Ma_JhTEgWy-p39xn0qgaq_qPWue4eBXxnQZkl3Q8Xd6H4ucNIYJPPUP77cX63P/s400/HPIM1454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536799886075559714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-LlLmNXfKkD_cb4WBjIkPDRDxj7AyOAXm4d4KBe8_K-qrB2xmQZXfznWrzKQ4zaEVv3SAHMMco_otizV-n6x3YGyKmi2quGTdj4PVSY_bb4lGgr-HFO54b8BJ1bvUb1_BroTOEbFH-vF/s1600/HPIM1460.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-LlLmNXfKkD_cb4WBjIkPDRDxj7AyOAXm4d4KBe8_K-qrB2xmQZXfznWrzKQ4zaEVv3SAHMMco_otizV-n6x3YGyKmi2quGTdj4PVSY_bb4lGgr-HFO54b8BJ1bvUb1_BroTOEbFH-vF/s400/HPIM1460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536799881096759538" border="0" /></a><br />Right now, it is raining in Empuriabrava, Spain. Time to write about the past week spent in the Pyranees mountains in the province of Cerdanya, staying at a lovely<a href="http://sanilles.com/"> accomodation, </a> just south of the border to Andorra. Our host, Hugh, took the time to show us around his huge property and explain the long-term vision for this location: a center for respite and well-being. Much care is given to provide delicious organic meals and a relaxing, casual atmosphere.<br /><br />My son and I took some long hikes into the neighboring valleys, where we first came across the <a href="http://www.horseshowcentral.com/draft_horse/breton_horse/365/1">local breed of horse </a>on the steep pastures, wearing bells around their massive necks!.They wear the bells so they can be located when they break out of their fencing to look for better pastures. These sturdy creatures are bred for their meat, but also serve to pull wagons and occasionally for riding.<br /><br />On our way home yesterday, we stopped at the city of Puigcerda, which hosts a traditional annual horse fair, honoring the best examples of this breed, as well as mules, donkeys and miniature horses.<br /><br />In the afternoon we spent a few hours at the Roman thermal baths in Dorres, France. Then it was just a few more hours via Perpignan to get back "home" to the Costabrava.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-66851884912308148942010-10-15T08:20:00.000-07:002010-10-15T09:02:52.131-07:00Easy Rosehip Jam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkJ8JUu3qYClvPuNv5LOSkm3o5d2_Ec1rosYuAokRaVgfGAe44GOlKpuFIePMkfGTkybOfOPfxeKvbKEA-TcADevsmjXNiP-G5UfIJO19Ozkr6IHewo8bKRyA1_fbDraNv0trOOe45VGf/s1600/rosehips+pick.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkJ8JUu3qYClvPuNv5LOSkm3o5d2_Ec1rosYuAokRaVgfGAe44GOlKpuFIePMkfGTkybOfOPfxeKvbKEA-TcADevsmjXNiP-G5UfIJO19Ozkr6IHewo8bKRyA1_fbDraNv0trOOe45VGf/s400/rosehips+pick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528302753927640130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T8dU254QHPaay5GeSWRZL6GQFW8qxEUOuwCOPCBSSfBXQbWOrr9zkmiRUoqOpzN38s9mVzpcTDt686yd7lTmaCfiXWZ8Yt3yzAqdFhdX2JiXGPWvg3fCh7MWE5Q6e1pSrVWW1TUiBSyZ/s1600/rosehips+fresh.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T8dU254QHPaay5GeSWRZL6GQFW8qxEUOuwCOPCBSSfBXQbWOrr9zkmiRUoqOpzN38s9mVzpcTDt686yd7lTmaCfiXWZ8Yt3yzAqdFhdX2JiXGPWvg3fCh7MWE5Q6e1pSrVWW1TUiBSyZ/s400/rosehips+fresh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528302740300157298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQe-q_yu5bEyD5dubiwC8gYhWeVgYR-QzDpeUphnjiN82oh-goJZEA8_UcGLkCzFjDCrm-zWJeZDy_acmmysRuifGQ4J2MytMq4bgq8pCPGGyiReumh7fE35XPhDAsxSv5koAOvnEM6AK/s1600/rosehips+fresh.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAndXav_G2hsSTSY1RwXf4jG9yZfNaCIWbFhyphenhyphenC2kNuiuz3MyeaNyqU5Dq_DZuzmBdf_vhHhFGd7mlR5cEGCfs7a1uHgrlZWTNVa-kcU5bhA-eSyZhPcfKzLeKWWG7d4QB6CW7PMJe5tAaf/s1600/rosehips+passevite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAndXav_G2hsSTSY1RwXf4jG9yZfNaCIWbFhyphenhyphenC2kNuiuz3MyeaNyqU5Dq_DZuzmBdf_vhHhFGd7mlR5cEGCfs7a1uHgrlZWTNVa-kcU5bhA-eSyZhPcfKzLeKWWG7d4QB6CW7PMJe5tAaf/s400/rosehips+passevite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528302470806343330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PZ9IuI0EShWK9Ch5rmTti8mXgRSE3tbVjLaSDRzYakHTMy5MnfRWEHVmU5jVcFEes3lA5f1v3wmCJxfGJFpNhw5NC_TgiB4LmNv-fe05YTIM_9A5sD3CoKzY4qEaXD99MUvvUOZ5ymqK/s1600/rosehips+puree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PZ9IuI0EShWK9Ch5rmTti8mXgRSE3tbVjLaSDRzYakHTMy5MnfRWEHVmU5jVcFEes3lA5f1v3wmCJxfGJFpNhw5NC_TgiB4LmNv-fe05YTIM_9A5sD3CoKzY4qEaXD99MUvvUOZ5ymqK/s400/rosehips+puree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528302452719532930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrXC7O-Iur-ojwjFSgCegLuJV0psB2qzuBDTLApNz74ah-6XvTW9zFZAYPDKi3MNKGtWpUd4x5KLO89KlvgnW1Ggo2bfeJxIzP-NG6LxKcv6EHO-gA-Jtbf8NZR2ko87hlGPV7y-KMpKL/s1600/rosehips+softball.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrXC7O-Iur-ojwjFSgCegLuJV0psB2qzuBDTLApNz74ah-6XvTW9zFZAYPDKi3MNKGtWpUd4x5KLO89KlvgnW1Ggo2bfeJxIzP-NG6LxKcv6EHO-gA-Jtbf8NZR2ko87hlGPV7y-KMpKL/s400/rosehips+softball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528302449941142578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwc_PaYdpYTwobeV5TV8z1P3nD36Bdk07UGkjIVSPP0s6_XSLYv1oQAMi1y7YQsWVKa1yv9jFPTr8d8D38AvBtSTEGL27il7uzCyC0qdK78lYiZnbBbWZ8Q0syavedP4Y06K1a7udf54X/s1600/rosehips+bottle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwc_PaYdpYTwobeV5TV8z1P3nD36Bdk07UGkjIVSPP0s6_XSLYv1oQAMi1y7YQsWVKa1yv9jFPTr8d8D38AvBtSTEGL27il7uzCyC0qdK78lYiZnbBbWZ8Q0syavedP4Y06K1a7udf54X/s400/rosehips+bottle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528302446170351298" border="0" /></a><br />This is the perfect time of year to use those bright crimson seedpods from your rosebushes for a delicious and very healthy product. When I look at recipes for <a href="http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/herbs/rose-hips.php">rosehip</a> jam, it surprises me that people are willing to do so much painstaking work and add so much sugar. If you have a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_mill">Passevite </a>(get one now!) it will make the job so easy.<br /><br />(Top Photo)First, collect the hips by cutting them off the tip of the branch, which you hold with a good protective glove (those prickly branches could spoil your enthusiasm!).<br /><br />(Photo #2)Here you see a 10" colander filled with 1 kilogram (2 lbs. 4 oz.) washed and picked over rosehips. Cover them with water in a saucepan, place a lid on the pan and cook gently for about 20 minutes. From time to time, stir and mash the fruit.<br /><br />(Photo#3) Now put about 1/6 of the mixture in the Passevite (using the medium-sized sieve) and let this gaget do the hard work of separating the seeds and stems from the fruit. Throw out the debris after each portion has been pressed through the sieve.<br /><br />(Photo#4)You will get at least 2 cups of very thick rosehip puree. If you are not a fan of jams, freeze the puree in portions (for example in an ice cube tray). Use the frozen portions in your smoothies, to add zing to a gravy, or for a wonderful mousse dessert. If you get more puree because you had more cooking water, it is fine: you will just need to cook the fruit a bit longer to get the jam.<br /><br />(Photo #5) Now cook the puree with only 1 and 1/4 cups sugar for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly because it is thick. If your puree is more liquid, then you must cook the jam longer and it will get darker. You will know the jam is ready when you drop some in a glass of cold water and it holds together at the bottom of the glass.<br /><br />Sterilize 2 small re-cycled jam jars (350 gram capacity) by washing them with boiling water and placing them upside down on a clean tea towel to dry. Have them ready before you cook the jam!<br /><br />(Photo#6)Pour the finished jam in the jars and screw the top on tightly. When they are cooled, you will hear a popping sound as the vacuum inside pulls the lid down. Add a label with the date.<br /><br />This jam makes a perfect Christmas or birthday present for those health-conscious friends!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-68492323433163937282010-10-10T05:59:00.000-07:002010-10-10T06:43:34.081-07:00Garden Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr4DbSj8RIAHQxGsEMtvcHTAS6FlfPZzPbwiUZSR8rQ_K-8YGsexyFtviC-WAKtQF1Wk9BR2eyUAE0xnm9Ec5qP2B4Gc8_YFkaF0UadH-MaqqZv9tLNkK_vczVuClZd6FbyRtBf8oj1Rw/s1600/groundbreaking.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr4DbSj8RIAHQxGsEMtvcHTAS6FlfPZzPbwiUZSR8rQ_K-8YGsexyFtviC-WAKtQF1Wk9BR2eyUAE0xnm9Ec5qP2B4Gc8_YFkaF0UadH-MaqqZv9tLNkK_vczVuClZd6FbyRtBf8oj1Rw/s400/groundbreaking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526410263441347570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxO090rOLdUlBp-7iBdz8MGAZTiWOT3prnbEJppBOjcg1ONL6M4oLH6cxeM21fZ3GsXN8XChCBxjV1GeGTEY6yrk25qlnhwXrFgsyiij2j7SL-2dIljOEgkRahA3eXynZfBzdDhk__dsG/s1600/018+sedum%231.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxO090rOLdUlBp-7iBdz8MGAZTiWOT3prnbEJppBOjcg1ONL6M4oLH6cxeM21fZ3GsXN8XChCBxjV1GeGTEY6yrk25qlnhwXrFgsyiij2j7SL-2dIljOEgkRahA3eXynZfBzdDhk__dsG/s400/018+sedum%231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526410253380016274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S930N0Qa8_UMeyyg8oxmQv2A0kRrDl-3CEogvnUmDW9zs5l3BcxyX-Ql3bx9TRwtcvywYcBVReheWHuMRacqHqMa8lzUWmSdHC9sV-5XmSHQblD6lzjsU8W6nr-VSTTAeqYnPvJzjQOd/s1600/sedum+in+July.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S930N0Qa8_UMeyyg8oxmQv2A0kRrDl-3CEogvnUmDW9zs5l3BcxyX-Ql3bx9TRwtcvywYcBVReheWHuMRacqHqMa8lzUWmSdHC9sV-5XmSHQblD6lzjsU8W6nr-VSTTAeqYnPvJzjQOd/s400/sedum+in+July.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526410251459197010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPvbbKqSrnrL72WhPUSldJ_S4qUCV7tDOgm_UJEsPoIcX5eYiiTjtIcab-D4rkTasy63a4fVov0kkdX0n7Q97o571umZ0IjTc4QUzphArtkBO2CVBwZKAvt5iJQ2S2cP9EMw5-TsGZ4GI/s1600/Hawksbury+gardens+010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPvbbKqSrnrL72WhPUSldJ_S4qUCV7tDOgm_UJEsPoIcX5eYiiTjtIcab-D4rkTasy63a4fVov0kkdX0n7Q97o571umZ0IjTc4QUzphArtkBO2CVBwZKAvt5iJQ2S2cP9EMw5-TsGZ4GI/s400/Hawksbury+gardens+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526410244959900178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry22YF31wOC8kj0_CoINiMu6IUuZumhklng8gYPLPQxkc9y69WXaR0vEOl2hjbi7834QDjZ30FDbbrMwGNVjmV5Y9HHayspPiwk4245ygaWLKCFxhB79gn4gvD7qdABJ1wPi2kvO8SUP6/s1600/groundbreaking.jpg"><br /></a><br />There is a row of apartment buildings in Hawkesbury that have only a strip of lawn and a row of honey locust trees in front of them. I asked the property manager whether he would object to my creating some perennial gardens.<br /><br />He gave permission and I started in May by stripping a 12' by 9' area of the lawn and putting a 5" rubber edging around it to keep the grass out.<br /><br />In June, I got some help to ram in 2 t-bars to hold up my trellis for the honeysuckle ("Lonicera"). In front of that, I planted a dappled willow ("Salix integra") and, in front of it, three Sedum. Behind the trellis, to one side, I sunk a perforated tin pan with two wild summac saplings. They have to stay in the pan to keep their pesky runners from invading the whole flowerbed. I love their foliage and brilliant crimson leaves in the fall. In the empty spaces, I added some campanula for next spring.<br /><br />Later, in July, I put in lots of Cana lilies and snapdragons (the garden supply stores were throwing them away!). This project was so much fun that I went ahead and made two more flowerbeds.<br /><br /> Now it is time to say good-bye to my gardens for the season. The Canas have to be dug out and stored in peat moss, the salix cut back and the snapdragons composted. I will leave the sedum: they stay gorgeously maroon in the winter snow.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-57755126492989026722010-09-28T11:59:00.000-07:002010-09-28T12:14:25.068-07:00September ATC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViz1ajK9wB3zBZWbH2a2P9i9JhTDUM2Ixg1pNxBO1edQmjfzhI95pAHVXw09MsnE1rItpAtUiKIJtGISWpdh7MR6LhGcPtdTttWDvGksDhFzoYAN-RP2SQRsiTa8xEU1_bXr1komrIOb_/s1600/atc+a+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViz1ajK9wB3zBZWbH2a2P9i9JhTDUM2Ixg1pNxBO1edQmjfzhI95pAHVXw09MsnE1rItpAtUiKIJtGISWpdh7MR6LhGcPtdTttWDvGksDhFzoYAN-RP2SQRsiTa8xEU1_bXr1komrIOb_/s320/atc+a+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522044743164584242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-zx9GA1anzAeojug1vMZ_rYd6Vxd0FoqtVCnZFFee5nBR_XGf9ge2zM_ItA5hzIa4ssuyFAviWZlKNxza3i0XB5-V7Kw0hsnGKHoeiQ8RsKWv2QXECCue50WBnfvemqLL6-8WiHWx1kZ/s1600/atc+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-zx9GA1anzAeojug1vMZ_rYd6Vxd0FoqtVCnZFFee5nBR_XGf9ge2zM_ItA5hzIa4ssuyFAviWZlKNxza3i0XB5-V7Kw0hsnGKHoeiQ8RsKWv2QXECCue50WBnfvemqLL6-8WiHWx1kZ/s320/atc+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522044738959400450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRwJz6IUAZ6Op0MJx9BeVb-otlICnyqnigmSoZO_m3ExR_ozgYhgGzX0TiNMkDYrpzFAmDvd0XQH2IkVM6gwlRbHq0ZUR3sHhQ4tt-0AOl1_dwuaucyNBwh4rLFvhvXt9OhkCCTiW3OAR/s1600/atc+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRwJz6IUAZ6Op0MJx9BeVb-otlICnyqnigmSoZO_m3ExR_ozgYhgGzX0TiNMkDYrpzFAmDvd0XQH2IkVM6gwlRbHq0ZUR3sHhQ4tt-0AOl1_dwuaucyNBwh4rLFvhvXt9OhkCCTiW3OAR/s320/atc+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522044727024628722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrWZODImy-HMyTWPHNiSFuge4l2gNqSk1dEFsFCdkmWZ9FtDM681JEK1iU161UMkWCGwOP6WCRFgdZeNTQS2tnsNvkrJFYIc5jS-iLmoOJRG4ix_otzMfmMlsqZd4cSyrRAcb_SWxbOCT/s1600/atc+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrWZODImy-HMyTWPHNiSFuge4l2gNqSk1dEFsFCdkmWZ9FtDM681JEK1iU161UMkWCGwOP6WCRFgdZeNTQS2tnsNvkrJFYIc5jS-iLmoOJRG4ix_otzMfmMlsqZd4cSyrRAcb_SWxbOCT/s320/atc+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522044722935559234" border="0" /></a><br />The title I gave this month's ATCs is "Starry Nights".<br /><br />As I was cutting down the poppies in my garden and collecting the seeds from the pods, I noticed how the "lid" on each pod was star-shaped, Interestingly, the number of "rays" on each lid was not the same, even though they all came from the same type of Oriental Poppy. The lids from the Icelandic Poppy are altogether different: much smaller and many more rays.<br /><br />After all the pods were collected and emptied, I removed the lids and painted them silvery gold. Then I glued them to a piece of ATC-sized black paper and drew a line with a gold jellyroll pen to indicate the horizon and to add some more faraway stars. Finally, the black cards were glued back-to-back with a recycled watercolor painting that I had cut into ATC size pieces. My name, the date and the title were hand-written on the back of the finished ATC.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-89716304241097774312010-09-15T05:30:00.000-07:002010-09-15T05:40:37.429-07:00Rainbow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jT6DrJ4ZA5hyphenhyphendY9T8rsssNKJigzE-EQF7BNFSRujPSDvEDSVe4tY8TyHZjfJ8ZY-7s4_YeFA6ybPzqrYZqn35aSEMW_MKrgQGuZ0ylJ8HRvkZVPEyO-NDI9_YJ1aROCglZEAFkmkxlOO/s1600/rain+rt.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jT6DrJ4ZA5hyphenhyphendY9T8rsssNKJigzE-EQF7BNFSRujPSDvEDSVe4tY8TyHZjfJ8ZY-7s4_YeFA6ybPzqrYZqn35aSEMW_MKrgQGuZ0ylJ8HRvkZVPEyO-NDI9_YJ1aROCglZEAFkmkxlOO/s200/rain+rt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517118325736062962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZVfT-tHLl69AgVelol4ca8EvfYyLujccuBcXrwD619rtEsJku8ApZYPBS242RRjTPVpu_kAJh_i0Rw3xUuFiZ9DsSm_8PP3DtUoDiLys6mRX_r42cJzPLOoBEwZsl3qPSpA4XKiOGjQ9/s1600/rain+mid.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZVfT-tHLl69AgVelol4ca8EvfYyLujccuBcXrwD619rtEsJku8ApZYPBS242RRjTPVpu_kAJh_i0Rw3xUuFiZ9DsSm_8PP3DtUoDiLys6mRX_r42cJzPLOoBEwZsl3qPSpA4XKiOGjQ9/s200/rain+mid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517118319473893586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkm-CtD3JTVZEwdMfrl7lEdZnGE184dLYrb7N4HE2wy5YnlvQFU72KlwpGoRYERT-y5kNbkut75y3i7_Rb_QpOeyGk8DjtuQHzKdvQ71kRWCWTIClx1UcdddLxHbW9ALyNs_4nDKRxOgZ/s1600/rrain+lft.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkm-CtD3JTVZEwdMfrl7lEdZnGE184dLYrb7N4HE2wy5YnlvQFU72KlwpGoRYERT-y5kNbkut75y3i7_Rb_QpOeyGk8DjtuQHzKdvQ71kRWCWTIClx1UcdddLxHbW9ALyNs_4nDKRxOgZ/s200/rrain+lft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517118317131291442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It has rained every day all week. Yesterday, the sunny afternoon was followed by a shower. As I sat here upstairs at my computer, I looked east at about 7 p.m. and saw a double rainbow. By the time I had run outside, only one was visible. The "pot of gold" had also disappeared!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-24881012389089724032010-08-31T16:24:00.001-07:002010-08-31T16:45:33.151-07:00August ATC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1GslpITENJ448LsuqjOdl4xLMWH2aEEEwy_Ldrd6soTYhcQHR4qKYVNJLK1BPw3v6OpwJqIK7Vv_P10kx-lwZFMC4_mqooBFrSNxZFDnibXjedwJDSm54c6Du_UWP6PFbIJFi9L2PbiM/s1600/country+roads+005.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1GslpITENJ448LsuqjOdl4xLMWH2aEEEwy_Ldrd6soTYhcQHR4qKYVNJLK1BPw3v6OpwJqIK7Vv_P10kx-lwZFMC4_mqooBFrSNxZFDnibXjedwJDSm54c6Du_UWP6PFbIJFi9L2PbiM/s320/country+roads+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511721886539556178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This months Artist Trading Cards were inspired by photographs I took of the country roads in my area. I found the perspectives fascinating. Here is one example of a crossroad near Dalkeith:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmFrnkLMnR0WACfWe8fg_gEtPiZ-XV1UoC6FspgJmCAZti1aWIJI1NB9FtbhmOito8UjO6gAPiIoY3B4CHHQgWcQ14aUaSQB2t8ZDteu94xdmMtv4iUG80Qm8RnTPOVnAuJFEAEZrq6na/s1600/August+atc+002.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmFrnkLMnR0WACfWe8fg_gEtPiZ-XV1UoC6FspgJmCAZti1aWIJI1NB9FtbhmOito8UjO6gAPiIoY3B4CHHQgWcQ14aUaSQB2t8ZDteu94xdmMtv4iUG80Qm8RnTPOVnAuJFEAEZrq6na/s320/August+atc+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511722213572984162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My cards were all made in the vertical format using collage technique.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGOosnm9WMZ7-kaZpRf7HSpGrYOxR73PMpMlRhkHzCSt4nwWTGTIwVKpflwQoYmBldMiHraJFD61fIM184iHVoQc_nuaihluqkeGK9j8FezvKHpRMF6MpPvO1dN0QzOhNMeHb77i0sp5I/s1600/August+atc+005.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGOosnm9WMZ7-kaZpRf7HSpGrYOxR73PMpMlRhkHzCSt4nwWTGTIwVKpflwQoYmBldMiHraJFD61fIM184iHVoQc_nuaihluqkeGK9j8FezvKHpRMF6MpPvO1dN0QzOhNMeHb77i0sp5I/s320/August+atc+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511723261231829346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINqlE5qNzGXNqETbBvDK1WWUre4NVIQ1XtiPZL8wPA_x6IlZ5Q8lAQTpC2QCDllysi61J5KjZDJ_X6fR4-Tckgy8jxa7YxCylgjHHQOygpMS8xOEtxSiHLRvM-bWa7uW-ZSnezP0Xo8Ax/s1600/August+atc+003.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINqlE5qNzGXNqETbBvDK1WWUre4NVIQ1XtiPZL8wPA_x6IlZ5Q8lAQTpC2QCDllysi61J5KjZDJ_X6fR4-Tckgy8jxa7YxCylgjHHQOygpMS8xOEtxSiHLRvM-bWa7uW-ZSnezP0Xo8Ax/s320/August+atc+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511723258746715378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7wc1rK3Yt3WQg6pInwHyNKcE2bXmBhMrjRj4LPlsPLWhRNLswWQ07sbXOtVmOPdku_KIH0xIZdBkghJ-mgJyvcNJH4-X88VFT5BiPk2MJIJZvugpuVZmjjLNT18gAkujuJeLXrksvahS/s1600/August+atc+006.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7wc1rK3Yt3WQg6pInwHyNKcE2bXmBhMrjRj4LPlsPLWhRNLswWQ07sbXOtVmOPdku_KIH0xIZdBkghJ-mgJyvcNJH4-X88VFT5BiPk2MJIJZvugpuVZmjjLNT18gAkujuJeLXrksvahS/s320/August+atc+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511723250154111426" /></a>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-31932243891675444042010-08-15T08:46:00.000-07:002010-08-15T09:36:16.877-07:00Vacation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY6JMEp_aqp42Lba3b5k1xB0zHAVaZidhApicXwxp_FQgBIXDVbfoPny3InH6GZPrzu_ndZlQ8bF6E2cibX9gFAXm4XWd6mPksq3XN729dGkwOZwseXe_QpY3iW8ke4IOryqfxHfGgfuG/s1600/Monarch.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY6JMEp_aqp42Lba3b5k1xB0zHAVaZidhApicXwxp_FQgBIXDVbfoPny3InH6GZPrzu_ndZlQ8bF6E2cibX9gFAXm4XWd6mPksq3XN729dGkwOZwseXe_QpY3iW8ke4IOryqfxHfGgfuG/s320/Monarch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505670704273318450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7D2YFAZ1Nn3fSP72N2QEw-2cxOFoh4xEoBretQ28ehlwjGSSglGfobcwIPuJSm4rKANZeACUZJT87mqs8_nwdJuk6gfeCx8paTHz2FxbxJf-NvLE5dG4guu6YXbk7LFmeWM__Oczt8-G/s1600/Botanical+Garden+Alder+Buckthorn.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7D2YFAZ1Nn3fSP72N2QEw-2cxOFoh4xEoBretQ28ehlwjGSSglGfobcwIPuJSm4rKANZeACUZJT87mqs8_nwdJuk6gfeCx8paTHz2FxbxJf-NvLE5dG4guu6YXbk7LFmeWM__Oczt8-G/s320/Botanical+Garden+Alder+Buckthorn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505670695338097698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvtopJ1weqFv1Xz_rLHI9vCAeieOaMcmtDuxls81U5gUjVlVuGYuYuxtyrSmtgHBkivlaWwiW16J0PWg0b6Lf5UPWNG5n6LSyqmQiMYTt3YplAMV6pnPnCNIYpSm_up0HPinl0BAnGN86/s1600/Saguenay.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvtopJ1weqFv1Xz_rLHI9vCAeieOaMcmtDuxls81U5gUjVlVuGYuYuxtyrSmtgHBkivlaWwiW16J0PWg0b6Lf5UPWNG5n6LSyqmQiMYTt3YplAMV6pnPnCNIYpSm_up0HPinl0BAnGN86/s320/Saguenay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505670680496866290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is what we decided to do with our "time off" this summer:<br />1) Drive along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River to Metis-sur-Mer to visit the <a href="http://www.jardinsdemetis.com/english/">Redford Gardens.</a><br />2) Cross the river on a<a href="http://www.traversiercnb.ca/cnben/homai.html"> ferry</a> from Trois Pistoles to Les Escoumins on the north shore.<br />3) Visit the <a href="http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Fjord/english/f_characteristics_e.html">Saguenay fjord</a> on the east and west coasts of the river<br />4) Bike around <a href="http://www.tourismeisleauxcoudres.com/?page=accueil&l=en">L`Ile aux Coudres</a>, an island in the St. Lawrence river, just out from Baie St. Paul.<br />5) Last but not least...spend an afternoon at the <a href="http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en/propos/propos.htm">Montreal Botanical Gardens.</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> It was an inspiring 1800 km, 6-day trip. Reto took the 2 pictures of me at the right: one where I am behind of a pair of Alder Buckthorn trees and the other where I am reflected in the window of the Insectarium, just behind his shot of a Monarch butterly!. The other photo was taken at Baie d`Èternite on the Saguenay: we took the 3.5 km hike up to the statue of Notre-Dame-du Saguenay, where we got this view to the north.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-80860652149053331512010-08-01T12:17:00.000-07:002010-08-01T12:24:00.687-07:00FireworksDid you miss last night's fireworks at La Ronde? It was <a href="http:///www.montreal-fireworks.com/reports.html">Sweden</a>'s turn to show their best for the International Competition here in Montreal. I was standing on the Jacques Cartier bridge at 10 pm: it was worth the trip! See for yourself!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxadTAmGvkVkd7wuI6s8KQiQ3YdSz_TvZk-_bVbsqH3nL2TxrgM02HlRIW5BQNjOfhDE8wG_R4vR4-ClVbVSQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-81284853130606310632010-07-31T07:26:00.000-07:002010-07-31T08:05:55.541-07:00July ATCs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaszXwjB0KjhC0AmhhmEb0wDQ1KgGGvgi6VMKgKrH95W1oLGlDb9qi2UPr-fPJBVxqWnlB9sAR_Clk1KniDqE4qyqgLyx_qmeytVV0Ed96SfoH-UkQRihYN_invgl1NVC9EKkIugaoZyf/s1600/July+ATC+004.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaszXwjB0KjhC0AmhhmEb0wDQ1KgGGvgi6VMKgKrH95W1oLGlDb9qi2UPr-fPJBVxqWnlB9sAR_Clk1KniDqE4qyqgLyx_qmeytVV0Ed96SfoH-UkQRihYN_invgl1NVC9EKkIugaoZyf/s320/July+ATC+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500079992325249810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO54x3f3zf3yyf83Jl-1myD8xi1JE_t3dccgz4cknrwYYApnHQG1OTp0hSDUcaKSr1m12RXVw0hzUHz5SxfuGaps-nkWmMg0kV1J8sjvArqAsqSDvtpin14rEI-4gA2YfO_amYcwFWwOS_/s1600/July+ATC+003.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO54x3f3zf3yyf83Jl-1myD8xi1JE_t3dccgz4cknrwYYApnHQG1OTp0hSDUcaKSr1m12RXVw0hzUHz5SxfuGaps-nkWmMg0kV1J8sjvArqAsqSDvtpin14rEI-4gA2YfO_amYcwFWwOS_/s320/July+ATC+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500079984704421746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HA5wzsmjwy0_YM2ke01Z9qbA5B_otCx2H6AIXpcNx2n8IZWH4v1AcTVLmJdfmMINqqWFJmVDqEa7wTjbA_vYHtAK7I2rxcSs8fqAXSkEqz7ZE8LHoiRG-LEqUtu3TagOd4eAwmjN31V0/s1600/July+ATC+002.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HA5wzsmjwy0_YM2ke01Z9qbA5B_otCx2H6AIXpcNx2n8IZWH4v1AcTVLmJdfmMINqqWFJmVDqEa7wTjbA_vYHtAK7I2rxcSs8fqAXSkEqz7ZE8LHoiRG-LEqUtu3TagOd4eAwmjN31V0/s320/July+ATC+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500079978075641314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3FtXCgUYWIXAGoiZULrzYH1Mr0YSABqdKD8ft_ggTI4ijVEOlriWeQhhqFVJLzrBR-B-pvrsbzx1wGEfEKYZJSmRuFPVR5sHfk6ETg20VCNf_Ug3wIhXkbnKsu8lnYJaQYYcteUfP7Aj/s1600/July+ATC+001.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3FtXCgUYWIXAGoiZULrzYH1Mr0YSABqdKD8ft_ggTI4ijVEOlriWeQhhqFVJLzrBR-B-pvrsbzx1wGEfEKYZJSmRuFPVR5sHfk6ETg20VCNf_Ug3wIhXkbnKsu8lnYJaQYYcteUfP7Aj/s320/July+ATC+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500079637473332674" border="0" /></a><br />This month I was inspired to use the "rubbing" technique to create my miniature artworks.<br /><br />We all know this method from our school art classes: place a piece of parchment paper over a textured surface and lightly pass your pencil over the paper in a windshield wiper motion. The texture is captured on the surface of the paper. This is a handy method to copy engravings that cannot be moved or are not suitable for photography (gravestones, wall carvings, embossed texts).<br /><br />The design was borrowed from classical still life paintings. I made a sketch of the shapes on my ATC sized parchment paper, then went around the house looking for different textures to use for each shape: a cardboard book cover, a brass plate from Morocco, a tablecloth, etc.. Using different colored pencils, I filled out each shape.<br /><br />From the top:<br />Martha Alf: <a href="http://www.askart.com/askart/a/martha_joanne_alf/martha_joanne_alf.aspx">Pears Series 11 #7,</a> 1978<br />Paul Cezanne: <a href="http://www.artofeurope.com/cezanne/cez3.htm">Still Life with a Basket,</a> 1888 (used only the top right corner).<br />Georges Braque:<a href="http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/tbnails/rc6.php"> Still Life with Fruit and Stringed Instrument,</a> 1938<br />Frida Kahlo:<a href="http:///arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibitions/ig/frida_kahlo/fk200708_20.htm"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Still Life with Parrot</span></a> 1951 (without the parrot)marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-416917435038985962010-07-26T16:15:00.000-07:002010-07-26T17:16:19.241-07:00Wildflowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3yNwBClivZglQb5KXXaNEGix8xOJQ_fhGIenngDsViYmxe8A3hvKirMHs94lVGaUGU6kTqDbn67T8S8M2K9ZQfmjfcjQ4y7XJk0Toeozny3UlvBfdJ3SGth5ei3SZcU3w5n0M1FgeJty/s1600/wildflowers+003.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3yNwBClivZglQb5KXXaNEGix8xOJQ_fhGIenngDsViYmxe8A3hvKirMHs94lVGaUGU6kTqDbn67T8S8M2K9ZQfmjfcjQ4y7XJk0Toeozny3UlvBfdJ3SGth5ei3SZcU3w5n0M1FgeJty/s320/wildflowers+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498368829303978130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFhxtcVsGvxEW0b71juGytatBihwT_v2ZuzsUaGg0SqbhvBwtPeIIx433PdQkn63xex53_A_Wc557CNkDTBxvd1J2ylOuChOo0TXAf2mJ_WqYG2eB7FhqNt4lt5z4T1gKtKBPQScow4Q4/s1600/wildflowers+002.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFhxtcVsGvxEW0b71juGytatBihwT_v2ZuzsUaGg0SqbhvBwtPeIIx433PdQkn63xex53_A_Wc557CNkDTBxvd1J2ylOuChOo0TXAf2mJ_WqYG2eB7FhqNt4lt5z4T1gKtKBPQScow4Q4/s320/wildflowers+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498368825234519810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the best time of year to take a walk in the vacant wastelands to pick a bouquet of wonderful "weeds". As a gardener, I would not welcome any of these plants in my garden: they would take advantage of the fertile soil and regular moisture to overwhelm my cultivated plants. No, these beauties thrive on poor soil, intense sun and drought.<br /><br />Here is a list of some of the flowers I was able to identify:<br /><br />bulrush<br /> yarrow <br />clover<br /> purple loosestrife<br />wild rose<br />vetch <br />goldenrod <br />mayweed (daisy)<br />cinquefoil<br />toadflax<br />chicory <br />viper's bugloss<br />bird's foot trefoil <br />bladder campion <br />Queen Anne's Lace <br />August flower (or lionstooth) <br />everlasting pea <br />common tansy <br />goat's beard <br />creeping bellflower<br /><br />To identify your own collection of weeds, check out this great <a href="http://wildflowersofontario.ca/">website.</a>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-89360177080552257632010-07-13T16:07:00.000-07:002010-07-13T16:49:18.084-07:00Exotic Flowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4w2xOCAG7VSSTdG23SNUftI0PGvI7SowB58Vju_ELmDyPKyrWNV5KZp2Hc5Yzd5sq0BG7PYgVhIbcoxQqgUYvXPfCQJj-19mzpGzQ8HyauO0i76EDhaOykbjUwT9dqftlPVqVkBmfX1h/s1600/exotic.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4w2xOCAG7VSSTdG23SNUftI0PGvI7SowB58Vju_ELmDyPKyrWNV5KZp2Hc5Yzd5sq0BG7PYgVhIbcoxQqgUYvXPfCQJj-19mzpGzQ8HyauO0i76EDhaOykbjUwT9dqftlPVqVkBmfX1h/s320/exotic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493541588465937746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSMPTHU9Wx_wPNe4U8VP-zQxjAq6j_P-aVdzls4eBWhhSH4uOOOPmCAgCNJirsmlOrWZZypQBT1PthiMZqoJcLXu5Zx5bLcoybJodigbb8pY_wXb7XsMc16WdbmVicLsnIX0Mer4CskNP/s1600/exotic+flowers.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSMPTHU9Wx_wPNe4U8VP-zQxjAq6j_P-aVdzls4eBWhhSH4uOOOPmCAgCNJirsmlOrWZZypQBT1PthiMZqoJcLXu5Zx5bLcoybJodigbb8pY_wXb7XsMc16WdbmVicLsnIX0Mer4CskNP/s320/exotic+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493539770874062146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Last month, I attended a special exhibition at the <a href="http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en/menu.htm">Montreal Botanical Gardens</a>. Horticulturalists from far and wide presented their special products: garden tools, floral arrangements, unusual perrennials or rare cultivars. I bought a small plant for $4.- that had no tag. Here you see the beauty it became. Sorry, no idea what the name of the plant is.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzwysYPzytgOiXHlav7KuIhlXsGHa1YhTWi9uFyHeQwsjdPyz3gcLcAr5Fo6af4dzuGinwZb7j5o85w1arzzh6pWXq1CMdKQuLcM1m857h_d6EhipzGHpcPhHxsUxw1LLU4wEsdxSjwCF/s1600/aristolochia.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzwysYPzytgOiXHlav7KuIhlXsGHa1YhTWi9uFyHeQwsjdPyz3gcLcAr5Fo6af4dzuGinwZb7j5o85w1arzzh6pWXq1CMdKQuLcM1m857h_d6EhipzGHpcPhHxsUxw1LLU4wEsdxSjwCF/s320/aristolochia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493539778824284498" border="0" /></a><br />Another flowering plant (actually a vine) originating from tropical climates is the <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.google.ca/images?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&hs=yH&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&q=aristolochia+gigantea&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=evc8TOSqF4P98AbqwPCmBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDUQsAQwAw">Aristolochia gigantea</a>.</span> They are grown by a nursery in St.-Remi, Quebec. The flowers are a feat of Nature's creative powers: purple brocade velvet bags about 12" across with a disturbing scent. Here is a picture of the one I saw in Montreal. Now I have the plant too. It can be kept outdoors in the summer and I am waiting for the first bloom.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-22905993273473189992010-06-26T07:07:00.000-07:002010-06-26T08:02:23.698-07:00Inkblot Landscapes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6eWIJ55UP8N6Mjpw-53JnmijGQxjbTshRjfOSdL7mu4qKAdsyy6txp4W5KL8K9ldX-PbxE_8l2bQtdVZRq3uhDGDqi_hYGCeWbONSZH77CuMYDvn5J6GS4SNPn925EwJfHeItR3-YY7q/s1600/ATC5.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6eWIJ55UP8N6Mjpw-53JnmijGQxjbTshRjfOSdL7mu4qKAdsyy6txp4W5KL8K9ldX-PbxE_8l2bQtdVZRq3uhDGDqi_hYGCeWbONSZH77CuMYDvn5J6GS4SNPn925EwJfHeItR3-YY7q/s320/ATC5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487092919377713762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvtOkygY9sGakOfOK4simhe8Hj80q8-y7ZIJP40OjLWDYewqyDqpcnKz4bJWlRZj-lwp2LuV-Vqu7iP88LGJ3yVmOG7iOgiY4-bQLjaAdruqm7lbAP9xdAYRz79kuCeHGWEeBdUDsZ5vC/s1600/ATC4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvtOkygY9sGakOfOK4simhe8Hj80q8-y7ZIJP40OjLWDYewqyDqpcnKz4bJWlRZj-lwp2LuV-Vqu7iP88LGJ3yVmOG7iOgiY4-bQLjaAdruqm7lbAP9xdAYRz79kuCeHGWEeBdUDsZ5vC/s320/ATC4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487092917624436162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIclx2m69Lp3YH92f2qVDBlv6cEfu4pLUzeqJqai0KAe0qDWtKJgaOyVNV9T0aUECLS5VoIJ8jZvAbdk625hk85ioa2Fq09cdY6bneOg3YIsMZ6snOpj-Cx4yNz2CjKApR5_ODu1Sjz4D5/s1600/ATC3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIclx2m69Lp3YH92f2qVDBlv6cEfu4pLUzeqJqai0KAe0qDWtKJgaOyVNV9T0aUECLS5VoIJ8jZvAbdk625hk85ioa2Fq09cdY6bneOg3YIsMZ6snOpj-Cx4yNz2CjKApR5_ODu1Sjz4D5/s320/ATC3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487092907526554034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqcpuvAMv-uoeJVvnrTPSRnaauGbCVYdM8CFwMZhqZKXylbYbO1qfgcD833r95lqYJ3XV4GZZdEHHGhbvKEQ1K1HQS52-dcnywLp-PUgRjwhWLqc_r3jtWFQ5qy40QvyWRCiAX6axT0VC/s1600/ATC2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqcpuvAMv-uoeJVvnrTPSRnaauGbCVYdM8CFwMZhqZKXylbYbO1qfgcD833r95lqYJ3XV4GZZdEHHGhbvKEQ1K1HQS52-dcnywLp-PUgRjwhWLqc_r3jtWFQ5qy40QvyWRCiAX6axT0VC/s320/ATC2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487092901874892066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglggK2PyfHsULgvh8ysz_x8co-JOUcmKCFxsCNhi81LtgXptcOvml1cfplces5PhUr71nNgE4eQ1WC0ALByfTrkdlEewmepcJlZBpLzgREtwV-tPUH5ExFh5f09HX2Ca1GGt8kITXRAjQl/s1600/ATC1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglggK2PyfHsULgvh8ysz_x8co-JOUcmKCFxsCNhi81LtgXptcOvml1cfplces5PhUr71nNgE4eQ1WC0ALByfTrkdlEewmepcJlZBpLzgREtwV-tPUH5ExFh5f09HX2Ca1GGt8kITXRAjQl/s320/ATC1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487092898889526066" border="0" /></a><br />Here are my ATC cards for this month. We trade today at 2:15 p.m. in Dunvegan, Ontario......so they are fresh from the artist's oven. Which card would you pick?<br /><br />Method: I dropped some orange, blue and black ink onto one long side of an ATC-sized piece of 140 lb. watercolor paper. Then, I folded the paper in half, lengthwise. Presto! When I turned the card so that the fold was horizontal, there was my inspiration for a landscape reflected in the water. With a few dashes of colored pencil, markers and my favorite reflecting acrylic paint, my landscapes were complete. I glued the mini-artworks onto ATC-sized pieces of sketching paper, cut from a drawing I wanted to recycle.<br /><br />My inspiration for these ATCs came from the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorschach_test">Rorschach Test</a> inkblot. Psychoanalysts used certain inkblots in determining unconscious associations. I only saw landscapes this time..............marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-48089129205348851942010-06-08T16:35:00.000-07:002010-06-08T17:06:43.459-07:00Sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidytcNXOD3x_BAhjT99FwEDGY8PLe9hNu9t3GgMb6wBnw_db1PCM4jtWBfNLZVqjzHiorZhm3mZXyg8e0mOjwBQbmAqeUIxTBkekmqo9ODllvNAHuda91xKaqSXVnJTGz0mwCVR50R8s0l/s1600/new+sunset.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidytcNXOD3x_BAhjT99FwEDGY8PLe9hNu9t3GgMb6wBnw_db1PCM4jtWBfNLZVqjzHiorZhm3mZXyg8e0mOjwBQbmAqeUIxTBkekmqo9ODllvNAHuda91xKaqSXVnJTGz0mwCVR50R8s0l/s320/new+sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480558279602045634" border="0" /></a><br />Tomorrow I will bring in my submission for this year's Art Fayre in Dunvegan, Ontario.<br /><br />My painting is titled "Sunset". It is 48" wide and 24" high, acrylic on canvas.<br /><br />The inspiration for this painting came partly from my regular trips to the Carillon dam to see the sun setting over the water. Another element of inspiration is my regular drives though the Eastern Ontario landscape, cruising over hills to discover new views. Finally, my imagination played a large role in designing my artwork.<br /><br />"Sunset" is about the time of transition.....from the activity and structure of daylight time to the mysterious and restful darkness of night. Also in life we have these transitions: the glow and extroversion of public life gives way to our private and inexplicable nightlife. It is a force of Nature that we need rest, that we must dream, that we return to where we came from, over and over again. So it is in my painting that the sun sets between the sky and earth and between the wild and secretive interim periods.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-42153004814349130932010-05-30T07:21:00.000-07:002010-05-30T15:45:33.788-07:00house for sale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkfhVXhO8p90LT9RytFGyZ-JduB5BmHZIw2gKQIWIk0hOKQkMq_afkal644w2qaTg5Arfpf5pceZCcplafBaHJujPxqBb0AGdDPqR_JqAjTgG-anD-vnvDJfOf501_LCrYazmMktOYZUx/s1600/house+and+garden+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkfhVXhO8p90LT9RytFGyZ-JduB5BmHZIw2gKQIWIk0hOKQkMq_afkal644w2qaTg5Arfpf5pceZCcplafBaHJujPxqBb0AGdDPqR_JqAjTgG-anD-vnvDJfOf501_LCrYazmMktOYZUx/s320/house+and+garden+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477197855901230050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVmzoo5zwFbwQkpRL4JTFAbUuQg-m_CK4KhDBq3MiJBobpZabBNobe_OgIfR98J1dRhYhPg6bh5JD8Ftw8QOPvcFiptDrnkwRhQM0lKH3Sth8Jgw6G22-IBK8shPTVy_a_vlxaJkXa0d1/s1600/house+and+garden+002.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3NnfW_tudU_cT0EMfs_YAb6BGuI-kEHZAOWX0e86nsh9sKOaAGhSMPqoduo8jvvKGT-g0sWwXmW0Q23s-Bfyzu9beRg6FhZPBQRqDNUm0utnkF7Apl5aQ7gb6WkSdd7qDifv5oZbVDN1/s1600/gardens.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3NnfW_tudU_cT0EMfs_YAb6BGuI-kEHZAOWX0e86nsh9sKOaAGhSMPqoduo8jvvKGT-g0sWwXmW0Q23s-Bfyzu9beRg6FhZPBQRqDNUm0utnkF7Apl5aQ7gb6WkSdd7qDifv5oZbVDN1/s320/gardens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477197102761391042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7GzJD4nsEVjvGvwHCyMBHJr4VDQi8lvGXUfjrKUhI2hv8g7R2LC9Dz6RWJlahIS9lHoiTJnLAxyCUY7oterAyI5dgMrfBPoEPCHGQF7F6bzO8tRShfMhamV2-1oZuaGmFss2DAZ80Iai/s1600/barn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7GzJD4nsEVjvGvwHCyMBHJr4VDQi8lvGXUfjrKUhI2hv8g7R2LC9Dz6RWJlahIS9lHoiTJnLAxyCUY7oterAyI5dgMrfBPoEPCHGQF7F6bzO8tRShfMhamV2-1oZuaGmFss2DAZ80Iai/s320/barn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477197098762301842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ6asLHhMvkrYsjRu5gVkQcOdTFjD3NA3PctHYWNFnBjuRCk-w6QgITPB0JqyDPYX5YyOttyfdD3Eev1nT0M92Y6ZUGRCTdMILhHw4TLXdS4yEY_KPcyY3NmtpVIyX0WulKEbY0wGoQ3z/s1600/living+room.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ6asLHhMvkrYsjRu5gVkQcOdTFjD3NA3PctHYWNFnBjuRCk-w6QgITPB0JqyDPYX5YyOttyfdD3Eev1nT0M92Y6ZUGRCTdMILhHw4TLXdS4yEY_KPcyY3NmtpVIyX0WulKEbY0wGoQ3z/s320/living+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477078949469800498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9g4ep_-_HXF8qVm5NjfymSVhQr9Hcjkn8tBMeI2JasyXoTz4LMUle2MdTNMK73ssHCAZZadh2fJzLkhQWktoykm7DgG16vPd4vsfD5kHxXT2kfHbGxh6X4RjGmc4vo6DFBn2VXPE0_XH/s1600/dining+room1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9g4ep_-_HXF8qVm5NjfymSVhQr9Hcjkn8tBMeI2JasyXoTz4LMUle2MdTNMK73ssHCAZZadh2fJzLkhQWktoykm7DgG16vPd4vsfD5kHxXT2kfHbGxh6X4RjGmc4vo6DFBn2VXPE0_XH/s320/dining+room1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477078932545805906" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, it's true. My house is for sale! It is 6 years ago that I first saw it and fell instantly in love with the brick exterior and white verandas and the huge green barn (now weathered down). What a history this house has! It tickles me to know that my parents, who immigrated to this village from Holland in 1949 and only stayed a few months, must have walked past my house on their way to the store and waterfront.<br /><br />We have renovated the house completely, leaving all the original historical (1905) elements, such as hardwood floors, 12" baseboards, plaster columns and ceiling moldings. The doors were stripped of 4 layers of paint to the original solid British Columbia fir. It is not a big house by modern standards. At one time though, in the 1960s when the Carillon dam was being built, 4 families from the Canary Islands lived here.<br /><br />Why we are leaving? Our mission here is fulfilled: to polish this gem till it shines. Now we are ready for a life of zen simplicity and mobility. Our lives have followed an 11-year cycle and 2011 is the beginning of a new phase.<br /><br />Welcome to a virtual tour of our "home for now".marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-25512575856308526942010-05-01T09:38:00.000-07:002010-05-01T10:18:28.101-07:00April ATCs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGR8Pgom1VkMJuoSotRvwON40CuZeYYZlMHnCUTmMOyYJs20SDrYQ9koM57HKoWTROm0B_ga0xy7pMt_kTlClQJsSfnrGtSsGWp6VMgBvPmYbKfBdQql2Acs1rUafBW2ZxN-n3Lc87mhC/s1600/Indra's+Net.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGR8Pgom1VkMJuoSotRvwON40CuZeYYZlMHnCUTmMOyYJs20SDrYQ9koM57HKoWTROm0B_ga0xy7pMt_kTlClQJsSfnrGtSsGWp6VMgBvPmYbKfBdQql2Acs1rUafBW2ZxN-n3Lc87mhC/s320/Indra's+Net.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466347162226193938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAJyOvlnFbejzvwpQQ-WgYul4Py8mgiuXdHVyovhopquWygSmz7tQTk0oP0cqlUvOOazBEBnvETkwdwH5cEk7ph2EyZphgF7fVrddkHn3xMvvMOio3Q2k4OmKIlmTClc4p3amjCtM9ohy/s1600/6+cards+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAJyOvlnFbejzvwpQQ-WgYul4Py8mgiuXdHVyovhopquWygSmz7tQTk0oP0cqlUvOOazBEBnvETkwdwH5cEk7ph2EyZphgF7fVrddkHn3xMvvMOio3Q2k4OmKIlmTClc4p3amjCtM9ohy/s320/6+cards+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466347158574295842" /></a><br />My Artist Trading Cards for this month were inspired by a tutorial on the site of <a href="http:///lynnehoppe.blogspot.com/2009/08/muslin-journal-pages.html">lynne hoppe</a>. I read the instructions and then, in my own way, adapted the technique.<br /><br />I started with a square piece of regular cheesecloth <br />and applied lots of different colors of water-soluble acrylic paint. <br /><br />This I let dry and then cut it into slightly larger than ATC size pieces.<br /><br />I gave each piece a light spray of water to soften it and then <br />spread it onto a blank ATC card<br />already prepared with a layer of liquid matt medium,<br />allowing the cheesecloth to make irregular patterns by bunching and stretching it.<br /><br />When the cards are dry, I apply a layer of cream colored acrylic paint.<br />Depending on your choice of paint, a second layer might be good: dab away at the paint where it seems too opaque.<br /><br />The acrylic paint colors will seep through the cream-colored layers for that dreamy effect.<br /><br />When the cards are dry again, I trim away the stray threads.<br /><br />For this series I felt like "framing" each card with a line of India ink.<br /><br />These cards were titled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra's_net">"Indra's Net"</a>. They remind me that all beauty is in the eye of the beholder.<br /><br />Beginning Monday, May 3rd, my ATC collection will be on exhibit all month at the Pointe Fortune, Quebec post office! There will be one binder of originals kept from every collection I made since November 2002. Also, one binder of scans of whole collections made since June 2007 and a binder of cards that I collected through trades. Of course, there will also be a poster explaining the Artist Trading Card phenomena in English and French!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-41154276401919422102010-04-23T16:59:00.000-07:002010-04-23T18:20:33.377-07:00Painted Flower Box<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EufOXlxeu6sqKYPOoktKVFYBY0g4Nz7W9okzRB45FMNboQd835f6txFBHB8Nczb5OVLcIgNgSSAfHas9qwX8C93EKx-8piKQlhSZmlrjYEd5ntE6eSuZalwXN40TkuwzVXW2XoWNUTvA/s1600/second+coat.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkhiXTka3ymc-BKehCM-O-KAkPQvC3cWJhEeFbiX-NFc4tj2DSicwCbl56JFkiwLuo4WOkfbKtOkBh_d3wz_A5uUJGvgTTefRxQFUWAE9tjJbwfUPDHcRznNpYtMAxCkuNmN0KkH_zav7/s1600/flowerbox.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkhiXTka3ymc-BKehCM-O-KAkPQvC3cWJhEeFbiX-NFc4tj2DSicwCbl56JFkiwLuo4WOkfbKtOkBh_d3wz_A5uUJGvgTTefRxQFUWAE9tjJbwfUPDHcRznNpYtMAxCkuNmN0KkH_zav7/s320/flowerbox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463501717027613106" border="0" /></a><br />I have a solid pine flower box that I bought a few years ago. It is made to hang over a balcony. My plan was to carve geometric patterns into the front. After one attempt I realized that the wood was not suitable and put the project aside.<br /><br />Recently I stumbled upon a box of thick acrylic paints from my art classes at university. Since those days, I discovered liquid acrylics and never got back to the old medium. Suddenly, I had a brainwave: paint my pine flower box, using these relegated acrylic paints.<br /><br />First, I sandpapered away my efforts at carving and filled the dents made by the screws with plastic wood putty. The next day the sandpaper was used to soften the sharp edges and rough spots and smooth out the dried putty. The box was wiped clean with a moist cloth and an hour later I applied my first coat of crimson paint to the front, back and sides only. Both sides of the bottom and the inside of the back were left unpainted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNymdY_UxLRWct9Qt6Pa2SLIPnnohSBzSxX22mdZeyu57_2vXXwp4YlQbGEDOmaYHNujH69N8FhFE8ljN32pdar-OKizHMA_zgGub-RdhgFwBtChhKhEYmApBKaoh0RBXxqUqavKd7WSW/s1600/first+coat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNymdY_UxLRWct9Qt6Pa2SLIPnnohSBzSxX22mdZeyu57_2vXXwp4YlQbGEDOmaYHNujH69N8FhFE8ljN32pdar-OKizHMA_zgGub-RdhgFwBtChhKhEYmApBKaoh0RBXxqUqavKd7WSW/s320/first+coat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463501720402733778" border="0" /></a><br />After the paint was perfectly dry, I went to the next step: add some marble texture. Lightly and quickly, I covered the front of the box with a layer of Red Oxide acrylic paint and sprayed some rubbing alcohol over it to keep it moist. Then I scrunched up a rag and pressed it onto the paint, pulling it away after 5 seconds. This removed some of the Red Oxide and left a pattern. I repeated this process all over the painted part of the box.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pjSWFEbZ4eLsuDNpm-OsNa7qclg1AVoIe3_gIoLTTH0VzP61YXvUQoCxcGsGnbfI-MYIbztlQilEk_wr5CA6RUTO-v81qQDMXibSo7F5unUBmV5Izsu_fU_DPobvloEUz9DEfItkXdcy/s1600/detail+second+coat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pjSWFEbZ4eLsuDNpm-OsNa7qclg1AVoIe3_gIoLTTH0VzP61YXvUQoCxcGsGnbfI-MYIbztlQilEk_wr5CA6RUTO-v81qQDMXibSo7F5unUBmV5Izsu_fU_DPobvloEUz9DEfItkXdcy/s320/detail+second+coat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463501728808290530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EufOXlxeu6sqKYPOoktKVFYBY0g4Nz7W9okzRB45FMNboQd835f6txFBHB8Nczb5OVLcIgNgSSAfHas9qwX8C93EKx-8piKQlhSZmlrjYEd5ntE6eSuZalwXN40TkuwzVXW2XoWNUTvA/s1600/second+coat.jpg"><br /></a><br />Once this was dry, I proceeded to the third layer, using the color Portrait Tone and just a few brushstrokes of paint with another spraying of rubbing alcohol. I took the same crumpled rag and made swirls by twisting my wrist back and forth as I moved over the surface.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoJ2zVUwl3En7HnpHh2U7iQ7rL8m6kYf56XVLAOfYXVIbGAi0bWGvltDyIn3eJ0-py6OdEXzUklGUDVL_l5pkpn0bArCbh-2fuTFJWdbB_Mr8YwNepU_dgz9WCVowqRZ2vYN7DPleNAtR/s1600/finished+second+coat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoJ2zVUwl3En7HnpHh2U7iQ7rL8m6kYf56XVLAOfYXVIbGAi0bWGvltDyIn3eJ0-py6OdEXzUklGUDVL_l5pkpn0bArCbh-2fuTFJWdbB_Mr8YwNepU_dgz9WCVowqRZ2vYN7DPleNAtR/s320/finished+second+coat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463501738621849682" border="0" /></a><br />The next day I made a stencil for half the width of the box, turning it over to do the other half for a mirror effect. The design was created to imitate fretwork. After this was dry, I used the same green (Christmas green, from the $ store) mixed with a drop of black to create shadows around the patterns for a `trompe lòeil`effect. A tiny line of white on the edges of the green and of black between the fretwork pattern and the background, added more depth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocnfDu1Nncw3E6R1UeW_Tjqu5ZOnn4kkgU69YPWN65fk27MlDaES-_tngU5T1LMnPb90A9pxMNGSnaLSalYCsDXl_B-WDvLYwlgRC15sUaT2iB_o2rjAAoRkejPHSSDRAdztw5JbHziMa/s1600/stencil.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocnfDu1Nncw3E6R1UeW_Tjqu5ZOnn4kkgU69YPWN65fk27MlDaES-_tngU5T1LMnPb90A9pxMNGSnaLSalYCsDXl_B-WDvLYwlgRC15sUaT2iB_o2rjAAoRkejPHSSDRAdztw5JbHziMa/s320/stencil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463502361906112690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT-Oadd79O-gM6SoLRq3y4RBigKMsxjUMqVccIxINBz7K6yFXjt-Y8eDXJ3ay_5skDIJwo0EVnhdroCCucFb8yY8nhlKjCan5jz2ZLbt3bsTThAgrbejz6F-qjRPfHpemMyhO_M93k9R_/s1600/trompe+l%27oeil.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT-Oadd79O-gM6SoLRq3y4RBigKMsxjUMqVccIxINBz7K6yFXjt-Y8eDXJ3ay_5skDIJwo0EVnhdroCCucFb8yY8nhlKjCan5jz2ZLbt3bsTThAgrbejz6F-qjRPfHpemMyhO_M93k9R_/s320/trompe+l%27oeil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463502363387760658" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, I used the Portrait Tone paint to cover all the unpainted surfaces. I was having so much fun with this project that I added a butterfly to the top of the bracket. The finishing touch was 2 coats of clear exterior satin varnish.<br /><br />My flower box is ready for some pansies.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-33586043782376720412010-04-07T10:48:00.000-07:002010-04-07T12:02:18.124-07:00Oh, Canada!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c4sLSPKIuQUjeCO3FNJsRmPAp9S1RatKmLBIvT4-sLrKBQqjSbhB0wi61jhvJs7mAlOIyyQwgz-NaDBO0ZrDSHCogy5aTKRKBHR1ar9BrCA1fbx-jirXZm5xdl_X6mCJsMwNRXi-O4qc/s1600/sunrise.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c4sLSPKIuQUjeCO3FNJsRmPAp9S1RatKmLBIvT4-sLrKBQqjSbhB0wi61jhvJs7mAlOIyyQwgz-NaDBO0ZrDSHCogy5aTKRKBHR1ar9BrCA1fbx-jirXZm5xdl_X6mCJsMwNRXi-O4qc/s320/sunrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457472891571731522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetyXjbBvQhevVtyQafa3ybY8A7kokAdC3MwSHa-0fnq295-x0SyukzYhGjGxnEZBxCH1BSbzVOnil8iHIRVeMp291VRb93-QkkESSqJEDQuWUg8JppLq84S1VFsc7Gjps821mr_i-v_7C/s1600/O+Canada.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetyXjbBvQhevVtyQafa3ybY8A7kokAdC3MwSHa-0fnq295-x0SyukzYhGjGxnEZBxCH1BSbzVOnil8iHIRVeMp291VRb93-QkkESSqJEDQuWUg8JppLq84S1VFsc7Gjps821mr_i-v_7C/s320/O+Canada.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457459335622097730" border="0" /></a><br />My last 6 weeks in India were so wonderfully quiet and fulfilling that I did not think of reaching out to write a post. Especially the last 3 weeks, when the temperatures rose to 35 degrees C., my life had a pleasant routine: wake at 5, drink tea as the sun rises, walk around the gardens till breakfast and then organize the workers for planting and maintenance projects. After lunch and at 5 p.m. I gave English classes to the Indian staff. Evenings were spent together singing, watching a movie or playing UNO, my favorite card game. The jackfruit were ripening...what a joy to experience. Now the mango, papaya and banana trees are bearing their fruit as well. India, I miss you!<br /><br />Now I am back since one week....it is quite an adjustment. So much space, so few people, so many clothes to wear! I'm shocked at how much "stuff" I have. Slowly everything will get a new home or go the way of all material things. I began with a huge fire on Easter Monday, where I burnt 30 years worth of personal diaries. Who cares anyway? Life is happening now.<br /><br />I was tempted to go back to horse-back riding when I saw all my equipment stored away in the barn. Then I thought about it: 1 hour of riding lessons costs as much as one friend in India earns <span style="font-weight: bold;">per month</span>, in 200 hours of work building walls or painting window frames. No, I am beginning a new life of simplicity, needlessness and sharing.<br /><br />This picture shows one of my favorite spring-time sights: a flock of Canada Geese taking off from a cornfield early in the morning. The sound and sight of them reaches back to my first days of life on this planet. The sun is rising over the Ottawa river beside my house. Thank you Nature, for this experience!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-70392074865894355912010-02-20T01:10:00.000-08:002010-02-20T01:49:50.080-08:00More Houses........ and Ashram Dogs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9gBdgxeeTN-oeKt-3Ya85_ZqeO8tmvF_zgkgJ9zR5Puvof9QVl3lJAnIXJwlVv8tj6w-PpG_vzv6YAow-9nbKNwUI0A70BQN9YIOnuHUkwRxZtEw3C-YibRxepTXLTVODXh8FGoHTSXt/s1600-h/India+010.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImO3En23KViZHkK_xCBYlzKZ-M2mlpN_e6dCXH_UJcQTKmrQqH1RFf9uSnI0o4zHGCFnwbcpOtyA6X8-kLlmNg2_4MjwQuaHf9373zL3R0IXkj8aPbnFxAM0oYj2yJK-7eqDFPA3OGIfo/s1600-h/India+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440255719661945890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImO3En23KViZHkK_xCBYlzKZ-M2mlpN_e6dCXH_UJcQTKmrQqH1RFf9uSnI0o4zHGCFnwbcpOtyA6X8-kLlmNg2_4MjwQuaHf9373zL3R0IXkj8aPbnFxAM0oYj2yJK-7eqDFPA3OGIfo/s320/India+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WkNJ132yHcdYb0egodaFqRCtoPYZIuo81i9aiqkhEmOC8SpXgLVALeCAccxPRMJagMMv-eLFe9peHN4M7czVOvfoVpatDdWNwl096lycjLtvFG91-wA-wIvSGt7EMfCm0OO7tYsuAFdK/s1600-h/India+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440255503054370050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WkNJ132yHcdYb0egodaFqRCtoPYZIuo81i9aiqkhEmOC8SpXgLVALeCAccxPRMJagMMv-eLFe9peHN4M7czVOvfoVpatDdWNwl096lycjLtvFG91-wA-wIvSGt7EMfCm0OO7tYsuAFdK/s320/India+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0Ntyu80P_ogpI0PrJZBcC5usLVTjSRA2vv5qc30DWdt7sFHjANhDG3SDQwMbSOa4OK0lxIgUThyKCTr06cUriAnzyQX9_9AXUPqfgTPiRvWQDbygz4r-q1hCGZP84l9tnxM8Z7mc1Y__/s1600-h/India+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440255388938682658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0Ntyu80P_ogpI0PrJZBcC5usLVTjSRA2vv5qc30DWdt7sFHjANhDG3SDQwMbSOa4OK0lxIgUThyKCTr06cUriAnzyQX9_9AXUPqfgTPiRvWQDbygz4r-q1hCGZP84l9tnxM8Z7mc1Y__/s320/India+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFGqoSCdqCMHUd4e5r_83ALvmNmD423mMJb93ACLCCpYFNOPO-thE3fJ8UXDPBfJPpHnxtwkE55Zot1hc5kYasyXdugtgHIZg2jr6nQDXlq6G1MsFzmTqmxZzJNJJl1J-bvRzkbljqYDP/s1600-h/India+014.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeqCHEPn2ehXTblvFnyoB1yXZgfpFLE7T45kA4PqHfU6hk50K_ABjQFfwUbEukqZqARSXfSZXzy4B9p1TEYUOtFkPxadQtfHXuCLi1ecYLgwloOJ5Pc0_zrCjMCFP1lOZp6kjrIw2E50F/s1600-h/India+015.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9t59C3Da_3R43yHF6whyphenhyphenjE4s4_xTbI5rfwNR7q1oSczESkKdRpcVoeZP7wqTKVQAYecS9A9ubXNiidXtfMPgMFr2VpK5cGYqWRd3uHoryRO_Mqo1uCkmgnBEsWMt0MNUEo1MlJ9sZAlM/s1600-h/India+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440254800031959042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9t59C3Da_3R43yHF6whyphenhyphenjE4s4_xTbI5rfwNR7q1oSczESkKdRpcVoeZP7wqTKVQAYecS9A9ubXNiidXtfMPgMFr2VpK5cGYqWRd3uHoryRO_Mqo1uCkmgnBEsWMt0MNUEo1MlJ9sZAlM/s320/India+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4EfcmjbcKnmc6-sFXTPJtCsnlWWUsBHGB_zqWqKAetL_gyEyIcWPStkR-tCd4MlZnvSaGr6pArOp2B5uc1OvIVyhqy-H8sKHrUIRc9mSYWjrISsRPk8v0c8Afj8doODii1mErSkc1brv/s1600-h/India+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440254633475977266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4EfcmjbcKnmc6-sFXTPJtCsnlWWUsBHGB_zqWqKAetL_gyEyIcWPStkR-tCd4MlZnvSaGr6pArOp2B5uc1OvIVyhqy-H8sKHrUIRc9mSYWjrISsRPk8v0c8Afj8doODii1mErSkc1brv/s320/India+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJjtmllJ70TLF0Cwhk5WoN4Xub20pPrbhv9kzebkoGUvn_NUDASrKDFd29Fgdl7n0w4eaW5sR1nsDYS8mxOq9l9HB6xOdkVMcqsHG90th-1o-qiTlmZynwL5buCfqK9PLAeZ19Pvu4xlI/s1600-h/India+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440254480189514114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJjtmllJ70TLF0Cwhk5WoN4Xub20pPrbhv9kzebkoGUvn_NUDASrKDFd29Fgdl7n0w4eaW5sR1nsDYS8mxOq9l9HB6xOdkVMcqsHG90th-1o-qiTlmZynwL5buCfqK9PLAeZ19Pvu4xlI/s320/India+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yZH5lX-ZsiZxuSfYNvhXgQkEVbPNFhLI7qoqOUh4VA58ZoVSyPGP9_5XY7MMnL2h1PS20UZvha4zFGrKTw5BBUX2meZ-__Eg0zIMb1qo7u3pnJD_IBE1zUuPO3fMqGO3jGsj0axWwpxY/s1600-h/India+005.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTInfo2QZmhrYJuQ1mjjFkDHVm9x4GEUtDY0CRXmjVWu8ujfjWBjM-FfkdLmLFSKcSl8hHM7ZLLyHRGhVeNfvZMaNr9P4jszNX_AXezlMIrGgJHl3kBkgq3aLzRB7eE_Xl8_msQ-EOPng/s1600-h/India+006.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAeuu_pI6jZKVLlQdRilGvWZgnEnLK2PQC-oFszLzs6cyOOkhRL3okHHALTHTYx72HuzKjH_htvBBuTWevK1OOpn3EsJKMbbf-EHskyK2LNN1-zAjYrSfvRi9ZQawL9ggySvLQ-5fYhZe/s1600-h/India+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440252459029937074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAeuu_pI6jZKVLlQdRilGvWZgnEnLK2PQC-oFszLzs6cyOOkhRL3okHHALTHTYx72HuzKjH_htvBBuTWevK1OOpn3EsJKMbbf-EHskyK2LNN1-zAjYrSfvRi9ZQawL9ggySvLQ-5fYhZe/s320/India+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QKmh1nXhVMKH583ZnIZvvw6vszVSzScUC5MICnDmM9Q9IP3PT7U0sB1aP40Y8tIT_VfGNpapyHAEEOmJ8p2xhGY6w1zgyPOsdGKpexLW00Yo8xAqIPhs6fiuJsSe0VKOyTqhhxn9TyWF/s1600-h/India+008.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfH5OThmJik5Rl4fvgzkVtNhx-TJQv_2k9Lg4NiL1uqOLAOvk9p-F-luByvdFtf9IsqXpwQdwZ5VhMaEDi9Is0hIlyclXCmkN614uDdT9Cw95BD4Ag3cLGM1eZVlRVhDke3FKVZW4p1Us/s1600-h/India+010.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL25DFpEHJfAdhUT6PKA6y-7fllYba_7t9Nn8anZu_YJockcZn-I8kKcEkednXLHe2SDwdoVvnmATj4PZ_IvT9HXHjAyNmKJkwz6ORL3Hiz7mIj3bByfTnEK_kpSZOJ-5ZJMAFzvep0Zs/s1600-h/India+003.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFTIay-WaIRQeJcpARb9HSvjZ5lgsTWpyykkHDUQiXJu5204_AinQgqcKyTtzhQ15JXCPCscrjm0PWA_HkoATQUXBCam6vgRovU_ZUjHH5RUgZjeptSUgYGIavUyOfj2v0IeLFpkQMLjW/s1600-h/India+002.jpg"></a><br />Here is a selection of some more cheerful houses in this area.<br /><br />On December tenth last year. one of the ashram dogs, Brownie, gave birth to two puppies under a bush in the rain. I covered her hiding place with some plastified cardboard but when that finally wilted, she was taken to a place under the staircase. There she brought up her two girls, named Candy and Chocolate. They have become regular guests at my house, sleeping on the old coach on my terrasse and enjoying some treats I keep for them. Unfotunately Chocolate had an accident on the construction site 3 weeks ago. Yesterday she was finally euthanisd after all our care was not able to help her. Candy is well and joining her cousins, two boys and a girl, born on Christmas day, as they discover the ashram world. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-53663060456195671182010-02-01T03:03:00.000-08:002010-02-01T03:14:20.846-08:00Do you like it colorful?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l2GW1qYm8vfPRpYvG6NQR0nD7Zd413o8_IiRotuKwGlHJipWQ4O4NjV6auKPs9iv4lZPGb-_efb8uc3wKf3CV9tkAfzHCb-VXVmp6BI35xmsT5-1QasPR5LQ5Gk9W9ZWWePcpyQjk1Bt/s1600-h/india+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433231038118657298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l2GW1qYm8vfPRpYvG6NQR0nD7Zd413o8_IiRotuKwGlHJipWQ4O4NjV6auKPs9iv4lZPGb-_efb8uc3wKf3CV9tkAfzHCb-VXVmp6BI35xmsT5-1QasPR5LQ5Gk9W9ZWWePcpyQjk1Bt/s320/india+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLwOpYkSH-2tyuLIw9W1LkoHFztdrp8x1UqoLpKhLPtI8oFTW4WaAvbO1fi8mAhuIK1rP72c-VtPOXkIB26WFCDq91IIVfs34Xt_HEHHIp7ud6RuMF9HtG0T8-79KUFz9OSAUIf6YGJHH/s1600-h/india+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433231032930587762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLwOpYkSH-2tyuLIw9W1LkoHFztdrp8x1UqoLpKhLPtI8oFTW4WaAvbO1fi8mAhuIK1rP72c-VtPOXkIB26WFCDq91IIVfs34Xt_HEHHIp7ud6RuMF9HtG0T8-79KUFz9OSAUIf6YGJHH/s320/india+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLv8sIpMXYiHjRrgz321mPAQit5WbJ7-NMYSz78EYbo1mLLMOyIoYqyOndGKDm-yHDmaBi9QURtoGZh7NfVemEIBDZn1bwQ509Fgr6_qX3Eg82JGvqEwqBckCGUFwmahDR05oU4WV8baB/s1600-h/india+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433231026757052178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLv8sIpMXYiHjRrgz321mPAQit5WbJ7-NMYSz78EYbo1mLLMOyIoYqyOndGKDm-yHDmaBi9QURtoGZh7NfVemEIBDZn1bwQ509Fgr6_qX3Eg82JGvqEwqBckCGUFwmahDR05oU4WV8baB/s320/india+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U1lB00vWAttnqBVj1NcEyuaMLLajzrT9CR79ua4lZI6_qgjrKBooGSU5WW_-o4u9uBBASghf6vH3uy4gA2B3af4PCraBoRU0hHhvdtqy-Aq9SkDvRlsQgsq-RQ8PYN_8qiA8jdZHkHLv/s1600-h/india+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433231023336213474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U1lB00vWAttnqBVj1NcEyuaMLLajzrT9CR79ua4lZI6_qgjrKBooGSU5WW_-o4u9uBBASghf6vH3uy4gA2B3af4PCraBoRU0hHhvdtqy-Aq9SkDvRlsQgsq-RQ8PYN_8qiA8jdZHkHLv/s320/india+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuLf56GrS3vmpYKQbUlPAb6PZYcTi6J4YYUsGMNil_8fz7LNtgZ1pwMbOrLadpl8-QM_J4txdAzfXDPjg0DkQpNzmo4Cp95iAQ06oXo-cyBwNeuOniBZuM5dkaItuV98M_Wh4fqOT_FUA/s1600-h/india+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433230687468302674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuLf56GrS3vmpYKQbUlPAb6PZYcTi6J4YYUsGMNil_8fz7LNtgZ1pwMbOrLadpl8-QM_J4txdAzfXDPjg0DkQpNzmo4Cp95iAQ06oXo-cyBwNeuOniBZuM5dkaItuV98M_Wh4fqOT_FUA/s320/india+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I spent two days in the holy city of Tiruvannemalei in Tamilnadu state. Every month on the full moon night, millions of Indians go to this city for a pilgrim's walk around the mountain Arunchala, which was the home of the saint Ramana Maharshi. It was the full moon during our stay and we walked around the mountain the day before the crowds arrived, begining at 6 a.m. to avoid the heat. At the end, we landed in a small village on the outskirts of the city. It was the most beautiful example of people living simply in harmony with each other. The clay streets were swept clean. Everyone was out in the street plying their trade or milking the cow or bringing the childen in their perfect uniforms to school. Another delightful aspect was the colorfully painted houses. It was as if children had used pots of leftover paints to decorate the surfaces of the house...with plenty of fantasy and freedom.marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-65587856113527276102010-01-14T20:39:00.000-08:002010-01-14T20:45:38.798-08:00Happy Pongal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39ejHA2ocwPgN85UEnf0BkpWfwqmXrEaL-jfKbDOueztMSvLxvlTXcp9iSZjZ-XJmy_uT1GbA9ZWB2cbLxNw6iDoNC_LEZTBxDs4otkSBcrGlFUC5I_i3owRN3W3GMvAF6kbLgU4qFihB/s1600-h/Pongal+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39ejHA2ocwPgN85UEnf0BkpWfwqmXrEaL-jfKbDOueztMSvLxvlTXcp9iSZjZ-XJmy_uT1GbA9ZWB2cbLxNw6iDoNC_LEZTBxDs4otkSBcrGlFUC5I_i3owRN3W3GMvAF6kbLgU4qFihB/s320/Pongal+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426823165738500818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD1mLg0GhZntFm_8_xMmnobRgXghPxZRxirwiGLx4ec_N7SsmjxaiCJ4pB5uGK4N_Jbbh3JHmHwMXIHoh5onxh3Q3M72zfxpsYATDFD8yH6g1km54FhrUaEJR8Bo-BVo7kQsjaSEI2vYM/s1600-h/Pongal+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD1mLg0GhZntFm_8_xMmnobRgXghPxZRxirwiGLx4ec_N7SsmjxaiCJ4pB5uGK4N_Jbbh3JHmHwMXIHoh5onxh3Q3M72zfxpsYATDFD8yH6g1km54FhrUaEJR8Bo-BVo7kQsjaSEI2vYM/s320/Pongal+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426823042241090562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ecpI3vYpsWD5dM6FGcMHJW5LLjMNH0zZt1h0bjjr_Y50Cv7V7RpCnajOPLrusKjIhkESZ33TeMcP-OZlEyuVR32DTB6qt44wf7e2cUillkXqZtO7KHXEZJyPs1bXXUe25CzehY7gbukm/s1600-h/Pongal+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ecpI3vYpsWD5dM6FGcMHJW5LLjMNH0zZt1h0bjjr_Y50Cv7V7RpCnajOPLrusKjIhkESZ33TeMcP-OZlEyuVR32DTB6qt44wf7e2cUillkXqZtO7KHXEZJyPs1bXXUe25CzehY7gbukm/s320/Pongal+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426822905052899858" /></a><br />Today is the second day of the 3-day Pongal festivities celebrated in the Tamil Nadu state. We are also experiencing a full eclipse of the sun today between 9 am and 4 pm. Most natives stay inside and fast during this time.<br /><br />Here you see me helping to prepare the special sweet pastries for the first day of this Thanksgiving holiday. Today our cow is being decorated because it is the day to honour the sacred cows. Tomorrow is the day to visit the family guru. It is also our guru's birthday!marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-30537400753916646282010-01-03T21:34:00.000-08:002010-01-03T22:11:46.877-08:00Welcome Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vskq5TVpgploe1nfhdAJhWJCnlgLeneXutSm36Y_JheoVBA0-hePhG1tm7oLkjniRPlB3ksKPokx3nItGmIbxbHv-IbEOg3dVmx-FZz3FeQB2NiET2nFvctkjKJjJFB7PUZcFK2avf1o/s1600-h/Picture+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vskq5TVpgploe1nfhdAJhWJCnlgLeneXutSm36Y_JheoVBA0-hePhG1tm7oLkjniRPlB3ksKPokx3nItGmIbxbHv-IbEOg3dVmx-FZz3FeQB2NiET2nFvctkjKJjJFB7PUZcFK2avf1o/s320/Picture+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422760272720379778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqdkoDuWguuUoloQtlxt_tJ7uVuPYH_NB-RbyiIxxFFK6BE4fdIXBScSjiJ0-Kdx9fG55rVM1FHm8Mdv98eyDTMNZn7LsywRtsiP4gTumwVapYHOcg2WDqJsSUYPX0AtXnj4Vkk92wVBD/s1600-h/Picture+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqdkoDuWguuUoloQtlxt_tJ7uVuPYH_NB-RbyiIxxFFK6BE4fdIXBScSjiJ0-Kdx9fG55rVM1FHm8Mdv98eyDTMNZn7LsywRtsiP4gTumwVapYHOcg2WDqJsSUYPX0AtXnj4Vkk92wVBD/s320/Picture+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422760112187142482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The top photo shows the entrance to our community site as it looked a week ago. Everything is in flux as we continue renovating and planting.<br /><br />Finally! Outside my apartment, it is still a construction site, but I moved in on Christmas Day. There is a bed (borrowed) and a mattress (coconut fiber filling, new). I sewed together a few strips of leftover material at the tailor shop to make do as sheets until I find the time to go to Pondicherry and get some conventional ones. I am recycling a few cardboard boxes as tables. One long narrow box, that was used to deliver the solar heating system is now upright and serving as my "armoire". It is fun to live so simply. The shower and toilet are working and today they started to put in he windows.....wonderful!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7ADoYkeWdJTw8GF0WzNav6leT8N57fALiPVr_jRErFcq52BWFW5YPhyEQKLudFMA8NU3QnXkc_xNEsYozrJzCkZK0JTyQQGEbaMlC5hWKQYFzBSfrfvSfHgtEA0wKLkYvUUJGjIRf_Ey/s1600-h/Picture+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7ADoYkeWdJTw8GF0WzNav6leT8N57fALiPVr_jRErFcq52BWFW5YPhyEQKLudFMA8NU3QnXkc_xNEsYozrJzCkZK0JTyQQGEbaMlC5hWKQYFzBSfrfvSfHgtEA0wKLkYvUUJGjIRf_Ey/s320/Picture+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422760690898299666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TmIvBzZAut486Xs03VgxXoRwEXScDDHslu2UOWveqzV_cZfDMb2sXD1OYCTePAc8tJQkadjuPyTyQ0a9XKbecU0gc6yLg5Qfsxb8gdg0OIZWWEQzWdQWodDM1xpJHWcSpMzxEAxP40Pg/s1600-h/Picture+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TmIvBzZAut486Xs03VgxXoRwEXScDDHslu2UOWveqzV_cZfDMb2sXD1OYCTePAc8tJQkadjuPyTyQ0a9XKbecU0gc6yLg5Qfsxb8gdg0OIZWWEQzWdQWodDM1xpJHWcSpMzxEAxP40Pg/s320/Picture+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422757759445034882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />During my first week here, I helped to make this little Zen garden. We made it with bits and pieces that were left over from the stonemasons and bricklayers. I go by everyday to pull some weeds and sweep away the leaves. The second photo shows a flowering plant growing through a former wall decoration.<br /><br /> No matter how chaotic things may seem sometimes, visiting this garden keeps me stay grounded.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209273859734307500.post-40028077548622620382009-12-22T05:55:00.000-08:002009-12-22T06:00:51.821-08:00Christmas Retreat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAcnzqo9M8sVmf0J67ZiiVPNPP7Vo1gEmY47YF-utWUy1ZrUf2qISdpTRALfnkVrAzfOrpGbahZfk-7KEeWooFXnMylEtmxpBaZms-Gs06pum5TaJFaZUH1FHewSfkpWCI4ZrsUXXSxAT/s1600-h/HPIM0736.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAcnzqo9M8sVmf0J67ZiiVPNPP7Vo1gEmY47YF-utWUy1ZrUf2qISdpTRALfnkVrAzfOrpGbahZfk-7KEeWooFXnMylEtmxpBaZms-Gs06pum5TaJFaZUH1FHewSfkpWCI4ZrsUXXSxAT/s320/HPIM0736.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmCFplgLfjocMk_F3oL-5jW_Cmb0KqIFYdx7AHwhPS22_4ggqwf71FXzGCLbmc0vjvGBaVaqRPphQaErI1dwKTn_5_IlQ1jOYUi1oWTBzJrDBbWQhScPVQ0sVVR7sW_-kK34JyB4rWrVD/s1600-h/HPIM0737.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmCFplgLfjocMk_F3oL-5jW_Cmb0KqIFYdx7AHwhPS22_4ggqwf71FXzGCLbmc0vjvGBaVaqRPphQaErI1dwKTn_5_IlQ1jOYUi1oWTBzJrDBbWQhScPVQ0sVVR7sW_-kK34JyB4rWrVD/s320/HPIM0737.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAGri1CbM-uEzzbnei7V5PfIf8RDKvRF8LXBm6hvFsHh_Tuus1NSWJoxCIRMYXn5OL2MIxucZsHH6zbTSN0nXVUk-7WPYPD0Ry2FcC5GP82huN4f4DCqs8EeRHr-jYW104UNRt0rVybDB/s1600-h/HPIM0738.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAGri1CbM-uEzzbnei7V5PfIf8RDKvRF8LXBm6hvFsHh_Tuus1NSWJoxCIRMYXn5OL2MIxucZsHH6zbTSN0nXVUk-7WPYPD0Ry2FcC5GP82huN4f4DCqs8EeRHr-jYW104UNRt0rVybDB/s320/HPIM0738.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCNZcAw8TOy_AoFrqe6vxMliYeoqopVX27_sJeAzz8LyjAb0jbTzOOgmAC89VRVcWhPi62Lgh3GcsVd-tvqSe12BpzTJ05RuBHxvE0o9GAaIwz1eAYH2-qSzSgfVcx1UsEEGg3E_0dVxB/s1600-h/HPIM0744.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCNZcAw8TOy_AoFrqe6vxMliYeoqopVX27_sJeAzz8LyjAb0jbTzOOgmAC89VRVcWhPi62Lgh3GcsVd-tvqSe12BpzTJ05RuBHxvE0o9GAaIwz1eAYH2-qSzSgfVcx1UsEEGg3E_0dVxB/s320/HPIM0744.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><span style="color:#000000;">Today is the first day of our Christmas Retreat at the </span></a><a href="http://www.srivast.org/"><span style="color:#000000;">Sri Vast Ashram.</span></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><span style="color:#000000;"> It has been very (unseasonally) rainy. The vegetation is lush and growing by the minute. Here are some samples of plants decorating our gardens.This is my daily schedule:The chimes are heard at 5 a.m. , inviting the community to the tea ceremony, in which we celebrate our existence by sitting quietly, listening to the day awakening around us and sipping ginger lemon tea.At 6:oo yoga classes begin. Some days, we go to the ocean, about 10 minutes away.At 7:30 is breakfast, eaten in the open air dining room. For the next few hours, we choose the way we would like to contribute to the maintenance of the community. I go straight to the tailor shop, where I am busy with Shiva and Ayepa, sewing clothes and interior decorating items. Soon we will be making, bags, hats and slippers to sell in the boutique.After lunch at 12:30, we take a little rest. I go back to the tailor shop around 2:30; others my go for a walk or atend to some personal interests. At 5 p.m. e meet in the Satsang Hall to sit quietly. This sitting is not considered a meditation since the whole day is a meditation!After supper at 6 p.m. we meet again for Satsang (Being in the Presence of Truth). This is an inspiring occasion to ask questions of our teacher Guruji Sri Vast and share in his wisdom. There is a lot of laughing and singing. I am filled with gratitude and joy to be here.<img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></span></a></div>marlanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10216708638394424506noreply@blogger.com2