Thursday, September 29, 2011

One Year

Patrick

June 6, 1943 ~ September 29, 2010


I am not gone

I remain here beside you

Just in a different form

Look for me in your heart

And there you will find me

in our love which forever lives on


In those moments when you feel alone

Look for me in your thoughts

And there you will find me

in sweet memories that burn strong


Every time a tear

Forms in your beautiful eyes

Look up to the heavens

And there you will see me

Smiling down from God's glorious skies


~Injete Chesoni






HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Carol !!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Morning Visitor


Isn't she beautiful? When I came upon her, she was either too terrified to move, or she just didn't care. Standing only about 20 feet away, she stood there long enough to let me take several photos. The deer usually run fast whenever I approach them. She must have known I've been trying to get a good closeup for a LONG time. Once she heard me say "thank you", she took off into the woods.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Beauty in the Sky















Thursday evening we had a beautiful rain shower ~ it was quite overcast with dark clouds moving swiftly across the sky. As it often does, the sun decided to peek through during the latter part of the shower. It was quite nice - the soft rain coming down, the dark clouds above and the bright sun shining through them. I wondered ... and then suddenly it appeared.

It was GLORIOUS!!! I ran to grab my camera. One can never get the full effect of a rainbow in a photo, but I had to capture a little of it. It was huge, deep in color, and full across the sky from one end to the other. Then ... there was another. It was a DOUBLE rainbow! I had never seen a double before. Unfortunately, those dark clouds were on the outer rim of the first rainbow and pretty much hid the second one. If you look closely, you can see it.


All that beauty overtook my senses and I was pretty much dancing around the yard snapping pictures and yelling about the beauty of the rainbow. I was trying to capture it from all angles before it faded away. And as it always does ~ it did fade away ~ leaving me standing in the rain, in the middle of the yard, camera in hand, with only its memory.


God must do that intentionally ~ give us surprise moments of beauty to remind us of His power. The rainbow was a simple thing, but I thank Him for it. For those few minutes my heart was filled with happiness and my eyes were filled with the color and beauty of nature.

Rainbows don't come often, but I'm thankful when they do.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Paper Stacks

Seth Apter, of The Altered Page, is the host for PAPER STACKS. Those bloggers wishing to post photos of their "paper stacks" are to do that today. We are sending a link to Seth and if you to go to his blog
http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com
you will find the links to the 70+ bloggers who are participating in this collaboration.

Because I have no more room in any of my bookcases, this STACK of Ideals Magazines are stacked in my studio. I use photos from these beautiful old magazines on my blog.

This is my STACK of journals. Can anyone have enough journals? I have spiral journals, boxed journals, leather journals, homemade journals, small journals and large journals. These are just the writing journals ~ my art journals are in another room.

Now this is a mess. This is my "to go through" STACK. I'm surprised it's still standing. It wobbles when I add anything to the top. It is definitely time to start weeding through it because as much as I hate to admit this ~ there are more "to go through" piles elsewhere. I sure hope I'm not the only one who has these.

This is my drawing paper and texture making STACK. I use these papers, napkins, net bags, bubble wrap pieces, etc., when I'm making a mixed media painting.

Not a very tall STACK, but a stack of recently purchased old prints. Not sure what I'll use them for at the moment, but they were the right price and irresistible!

How about STACKED canvas ~ works in progress??

Not paper, but STACKED paint!!

How about STACKS of beads?


Because of this collaboration, I found stacks I didn't know I had. Thanks, Seth. I need to start working my way through these stacks before I can't get in the door to my studio.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A Beautiful Poppy Painting



I purchased another beauty the other day ~ couldn't help myself. This beautiful 5" x 5" poppy, painted in acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, was painted by my friend, Silke Powers, of Metamorphosis.


Silke doesn't usually paint flowers, but one day last week she was inspired to paint this and I'm so glad she did. I love poppies and this single poppy says it all. It was loved by so many, Silke painted another similar poppy. It is available in her etsy shop. You can find Silke's etsy link on her Blog, Metamorphosis. http://silkepowers.blogspot.com


Make a visit to Silke's blog to see other works of art that Silke has made. She has her hand in many aspects of art ~ painting, drawing, sketching, etching, crocheting, knitting, and sewing. She is a beautiful gal who makes beautiful art.

Monday, September 19, 2011


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sweet Amanda !!


Over the years you have become so much more than Casey's girlfriend. You've become the perfect daughter-in-law. All these things rolled into one beautiful girl ~ Wife, friend, hard working BWW employee, gardener, artist, blogger, decorator, runner, Halloween lover, shopping pal, and my occasional personal masseuse.
Have a wonderful Birthday!!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

A Grandpa

A Grandpa

There was a man;
A kind man;
A gentle man.

He came from another time and place.
Sweeping his hardships to the side of his new life,

He gave more than he took.


Sweet Face, Welcoming Smile, Genteel Manner.

This man will never come again.

We will never see the likes of this man.


Where does a man like this go? Where does he fit when his work is done?

He lives in hearts and memories and words.

Hearts are bigger, Memories are vivid, Words are spoken with love,


Just because he was here.



~Susie Spear Bruhn


A dear friend of mine wrote this poem. She said the photograph of my Grandpa inspired her to write it. She is the sweetest person and writes about many things. The things she has written that I've had the good fortune to read have all been written with love and her good heart shines through all the words. I have a few writings of hers that I've intended to post and will do so one day. I've known her for many years ~ since I was a young child living at my Grandpa's house ~ but I haven't seen her since high school. Through email, she contacted me about 4 years ago. I'm so glad she did. We've been corresponding ever since and getting to know her again has been a blessing to me. We live in different areas of the country, but plan to meet one day.
Thank you, my friend, for sharing this poem. It is beautiful and speaks lovingly about all the Grandfathers who worked hard to make a good life for their families. I hope you won't mind that I've shared it. I believe anything that stirs emotions of love should be shared.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Happy Birthday, Grandpa

Andrew J. Kopka and Audrey


Thinking of you today, Grandpa, on your birthday. Although you left this earth many years ago, I have such fond memories of being your granddaughter. I remember your laugh and I will always remember that you were the one who introduced me to the world of art when you took me on that long walk to the Art Museum. Thank you for that. Art is, and always has been, a very important part of my life.

You were a good man who took good care of his children. You brought my mother up with a strong faith in God and she passed that on to her children. I like to believe that you were there to welcome Patrick when he left this earth. He thought so much of you, too, Grandpa, and I know how happy he must have been to see you again. We lost Uncle Steve shortly after losing Patrick. I keep that picture in my mind ~ you, together with your son and grandson ~ it makes the loss a little less painful.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa. Thank you for being the man you were.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Suzun Hughes




This is my latest purchase. It is an 18" x 18" painting done by Suzun Hughes. Suzun, a Philadelphia born painter and photographer, having been based in San Francisco since 1975, moved to Virginia in 2007. Suzun and her husband ~ sculptor John Wilson ~ own and operate WILSON HUGHES, a contemporary art gallery located in the historic downtown ARTS District of Roanoke.

I've been to their gallery on several occasions and found it to be a fun and interesting gallery where they not only show their own works of art, but have their studios and residence there as well. They also have showings of other artists work from time to time.

This particular piece is an abstract from Suzun's CONTEMPLATION SERIES. I love the smooth surface, the many layers of paint, and the colors she used. I was drawn to it immediately and it looks like it was made for the wall I've hung it on.

Monday, September 12, 2011









HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sue !!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

We Will Never Forget

On the 11th day of September, 2001, the world stood still as our country was attacked. Ten years have passed since that awful day in New York City when the Twin Towers fell. "We Will Never Forget" are the words that ring in our ears ever since. Ten years later, the horror is still fresh in our minds as we remember the events of that day. Ten years later, and we still fight the war on terror.
I have chosen to post a photo of the Twin Towers as they were before September 11th ~ tall, proud, and beautiful buildings that will be remembered for all time.
I send out a prayer today to all those lost on 9-11-01 and to their families and friends who will mourn their loss until the day they are united with their loved ones again.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Saturday, September 10, 2011





HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dan !!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Hi Friends.
I have been having computer problems for over a week. I had several days of internet service on and off literally every few minutes, and then it went to NONE!! I had Comcast here yesterday, as well as a computer tech. Things were looking good for a short while, and then NO SERVICE again last night! After the help of a friend tech a while ago, I have internet service right now. I am holding my breath that it lasts. I may have to look into this further as things just don't seem to be running properly.
I just wanted to let you know why I haven't been posting anything. I have photos from last week's nasty storm, and hopefully I can get them posted this weekend. I hope to visit your blogs in the next few days, as well.
Unfortunately, my "Grrrrr Face" arrived when the internet service went out ~ It's time for smiles to return! I hope everyone is well.
♥ Audrey

Thursday, September 8, 2011







HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Georgia !!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

"WHEN THE POWER OF LOVE OVERCOMES THE LOVE OF POWER,
THE WORLD WILL KNOW PEACE."
~Jimi Hendrix
~photo by Audrey