Haiku August 14, 2012 Local Farmers

Fresh bright green string beans

Local NC caught swordfish

Capers, salt, pepper.

Art Prescription:  Every Tuesday after yoga there is a LoMo Market ( a farmer’s market on wheels) that makes fresh NC produce, baked goods, and seafood available. I look forward to seeing “what’s for dinner!,” and like supporting local businesses and farmers. Plus it’s a clever idea to bring fresh produce into neighborhoods on a weekly basis. Makes shopping and cooking so much more creative…just go see “what’s for dinner” at your local farmer’s market!

 

Haiku August 13, 2012 Summer Sounds

Long August shadows

Cicadas play the wash-board

Fledglings beg for food.

Art Prescription:  It’s subtle, the light changing a minute a day. Days are getting shorter. Seems the cricket calls are different, hanging out in the late summer grasses. I welcome a change…change is good. I’m really enjoying my online class on watercolor hand-lettering with Val Webb.

Haiku August 11, 2012 French Roast

Morning light pours in

Abundant day ahead, stretch…

French roast coffee brews.

Art Prescription:  What are your first thoughts in the morning? Be the observer…do you start of with “getting out of the wrong side of the bed?” Or do you stretch and think about all the possibilities a day might bring. Sam and I hiked in Umstead Forest today. A sandy, rocky, path along Crabtree Creek. A few wildflowers, but mostly shade plants like ferns. Saw a big beautiful black snake cooling him/her/self on the rocks of the old mill. From there we visited the Raleigh Farmer’s Market where we bought fresh peaches, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, onions, and some lovely organic soap with bergamot and oatmeal.

Haiku August 10, 2012 Thyme

Silver green fresh thyme

Aromatic earthy herb

Grows on my back deck.

Art Prescription:  Cloudy and “cool…” 79 degrees today. In the mood for something in a pot. Rice and beans with freshly cut thyme is a quick wholesome meal. Growing fresh herbs in pots allows for easy pantry meals. The simple addition of home-grown and hand-gathered herbs at the end of the week at least warms the home with something cooking.

Haiku August 9, 2012 Magic Spell

Believe in magic!?!

Set forth an affirmation

Seek your highest dream!

Art Prescription:  We all need a little magic in our lives. No matter what your religious, political, or other life views, focusing on the positive can help us through many situations. Insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, worry…we humans with our ability to think, think, and think some more are often our own worst enemies. What if the next time you wake at 3:00 am you could talk yourself back to sleep with an affirmation…”All is well, all is well, and all that is is well.” Call me and let me know how it’s working – around 3:00 am.

Haiku August 8, 2012 Nature Versus Nuture

Young fledgling flitters

Steady determination

Parents tag team, feed.

Art Prescription:  I so enjoy watching various birds come to feast on sunflower seeds on my deck. Now families of birds return, parents dutifully feeding their feather flapping young. These newly hatched fluffy youngsters hop with excitement behind a parent waiting for food to be delivered beak to beak.  Satisfied for a few moments the toddler sits with a full belly, and the parent gets some seed for themselves. Doesn’t take long before the wiggle of hind feathers starts again and the parents break is over. The drive nature has to protect and launch their offspring is remarkable!

Haiku August 7, 2012 Life Paths

Life is a long path

Times the woods are dark and deep

Times sun lights the way.

Art Prescription:  The long hot summer may be getting to me a bit. I miss being able to spend extended hours outside sketching. Between the heat and the mosquitoes, I feel a little isolated inside. I’d rather be outside in nature than anywhere!! My studio is nice and air-conditioned, but sketching from life gives me a sense of renewal and vigor. I’m looking forward to three upcoming Art Prescription workshops. The first one is August 25 at the UNC Wellness Center where we will play with pen and ink and expressive painting!! Next October 20 at the NC Botanical Gardens – Expressive painting fall trees. Hope you can make one!! Call me or email if you have any questions 919 608-0247 You don’t have to be a member at the Wellness Center to participate.

Haiku August 6, 2012 Cosmo

Dear orange cosmo

I waited for you to bloom.

Is this a weed? WAIT!

Art Prescription:   I planted Cosmo seeds a month or so ago. These were seeds that I gathered and saved from my neighbor’s end of the season garden last fall. Out of a bunch, one tall leafy plant did rise, but up until yesterday I wasn’t sure if it was indeed a Cosmo or a weed. Patience paid off. Now I have multiple orange blossoms blooming next to my purple cone flower. ASAP…I will go out and sketch them.