Rainbow

 After another bout of rain just now, a rainbow.  Not the brightest, but a gift nevertheless.

Living the Creative Life

Wally, Audrey, Tricia, and Therry ~ at Mac & Bob's

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Our Living the Creative Life group met at Mac & Bob's this evening.  We had great meals and shared our Circus/Carnival theme art.  It was an interesting theme that caused us to have a lot of fun conversation.  Descriptions are under the photos below.

We will meet next on July 11th at Montano's.  The theme is "Home".

 A memory of Riverview Amusement Park in 1957, by Wally Neilsen, done on black paper.

 A memory of Riverview Amusement Park in 1957, by Wally Neilsen, done on white paper.

 Another work in progress, by Wally.

 Ringleader with Lion Face, by Tricia Scott.

 Vintage photo cards ~ works in progress, by Tricia Scott.

 Elephant with circus figures, mixed media, by Therry Neilsen-Steinhardt.

 Reverse of mixed media by Therry.

 Tattooed circus figure created by Therry.

 More tattoos by Therry.

 Rose tattoo by Therry.

"Circus Memories", painting, by Audrey.

Simple Beauty

 Some of nature's simple beauty ~ lichen and bark.

8

Happy 8th Anniversary, Casey and Amanda! Sending much love to you on this memorable day and wishing you many more years of happiness. 

♥♥

Roanoke River

 Down by the river this afternoon.  The river is high, muddy, and moving along at a pretty good clip.  I was surprised it wasn't higher with all the flooding we had in the area yesterday.  The many geese were keeping their distance from the water.  Only a few ducks in sight and they were also hesitant to get in the water.

One Perfect Purslane!

Gem and Mineral Show

 In spite of 3 storms with heavy rain throughout the afternoon, I managed to drive to the Spring Gem and Mineral Show that has been going on all weekend.

My purchased treasures:  a fossilized sand dollar, a barite & vanadinite stone from Morroco, a small 

bumble bee jasper stone, a small sterling and opal dragonfly pin/pendant, and a sterling super 7 ring (quartz with 7 minerals in it).  I forget what the blue stone is.  I always write them down and I forgot to.

May

May is Mary's month.  She has been showered with flowers throughout this month at our little church in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I took this photo last evening after Mass.

Strange Occurrence

How strange!  Earlier today, I posted a photo with the steps going off into the woods and wondered about it.  Tonight, when I went to church, we received our new services booklet for May 26 - July 29.  The cover is a photo very similar to my photo and the words really hit home with me.  I imagine if I walked up the steps and into the woods (my photo), I would find it to be deserted and quiet - a place to rest a while and contemplate.

Steps

Saw this today ~ now imagining what these steps led to at one time.  What real or fictional scenario do you envision once you reach the top and enter the woods?

******

I envision a small intimate clearing where there are deer, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and other sweet little animals ~ all together, enjoying the quiet space.  There are fairies dancing around the many types of beautiful flowers.  Butterflies and dragonflies are floating from one flower to another.  Bees are buzzing and the sound of the water flowing down a small stream is musical. How I would love to experience this ~ a beautiful moment in time.

At Our Sweet Little City Lake

Morning Happiness

First thing I saw when I opened my eyes this morning. Love!

Mediterranean Bells

Mediterranean Bells!  A gift from my sister.  I planted the bulbs in the Fall with hopes they would sprout.  They did, and they are SO pretty!

Thank you, Patty.

♥

One Straw Flower!

Jake

Here's my baby last evening.  When I got out of the car, he ran to me and smothered me with love and kisses.  Today, he has not left my side.  I think he's afraid I'm going to leave again.

Mr. Magic got his first full night of sleep.  Jake didn't get up barking and looking for me in the middle of the night, as he had every night since I left.

I can't stop holding him and giving him kisses.  He is such a dear little dog.

Mail

There was a lot of mail and packages waiting for me when I got home.  I opened a few this morning.  This one came all the way from Greece.  Painted by Lucy Jordan, I won the bid for it during an online auction.  It is SO sweet and summery ~ I have always liked cone flowers. 

Lucy, the package arrived in great condition, and I thank you for the little gift.  You live in a beautiful area.  The Paypal situation all worked out, thank goodness, and I love this little piece of art.

Home

I arrived home at 6:00.  Glad to be here.

As Mom always said:  Home Again!  Home Again!  Jiggety Jig!!!

Long Journey Home

Well, I am headed out the door for my long drive back home.  Sad to leave Casey and Amanda ~ I love being here with them.  But, I am eager to see Mr. Magic and Jake.  

It has been a cloudy rainy week that nixed many of our flying plans, but there is always next time.  I hope to have a safe journey back to Virginia, with expectations that the traffic will be better since it is Sunday.

Rain

The view from my bedroom window.  On this rainy gloomy day, there goes Casey off to run his daily 3-5 miles.

TACO BOY

We finally made it to Taco Boy!! This is one of my favorite places to go when I am down here.  I love the decor, the atmosphere, the food, and the mango margaritas!  It's a fun place!