the game stopper

the spidery-limbed tree

Did you ever have one of those days - a game stopper?

A real one came for me when I took a fiction writing class.

In college. 

Taught by a published author.

But she became my game stopper,

my permanent editor, 

my sisyphus mountain.

'The spidery-limbed tree.

A phrased from my short story

Being critiqued in class.

The author started.

Spidery-limbed?

No such thing?

Doesn't make sense.

And continued in that vein.

I've had a difficulty time allowing me, myself

to write fiction and poetry since then.

The game stopper.

Not optimistic about this one.

me & my shadow

always with me

It was a blustery day, the wind pushing at me, telling me

not to take to the run today. Then I noticed - my shadow 

running along side me, strong, moving forward despite

the buffeting. Strong. Not such a bad day after all.

Winter comes a callin'

Winter has arrived. Yes. In February. After two weeks of record highs - that would be high 50s to 60s. We need the water - that's perspective of living in a rain shadow/desert. Soooo … enjoy the beauty, take photos and plan not to work in the garden this weekend.

birds won't be feasting here & little yellow truck is lonely

old rusty trike taking on more character

Happiness is gardening … & sweet valentines……

The girls & I got home from our run and it was so

And Happy Valentines Day!

unseasonably warm that I decided I needed to
water. So I got the ice out of the hoses and 
started - and then the leaves caught my eye -
oh yes, needed to clean those up. Ended up 
spending the entire morning out there - of course,
after feeding the Corgis. And they loved it, 
making themselves mud Corgis when they
waded in the tree basins. Didn't get the
watering done - it takes several days to
complete winter watering with hoses. But
I did remember why I named my blog Garden of
Rambles. I write, I sew, I knit, I make books, I
play with paper, make cards - and I garden.
The thrill that ran through me today reminded
me why this is the name - gardening is the one
thing that I have confidence that I can do. I just 
go for it. Wish I could do the same with the
crafting and writing.

Winter showing off

Winter dresses herself in jewels of ice.

It was a warm day and we were snowshoeing

but each turn along the stream brought new beauty.

It's at these times that it's hard to dread winter.

We are having an unusually warm winter,

and I don't mind. It's a relief from last year.

But it's good that I get a peak of 

why I live in a place that has four seasons.

Each brings it's own inspiration,

it's own unique guideposts.

Can we learn from nature's change of heart through the year?

winter art