The Herbal Woodland

It's been quite awhile since I posted, but I thought I'd share my little Woodland scene created from my garden on 8.17.2023.   This piece was used for our Christmas card.

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Lavender,Sage, Winter Savory, Mint, purple Sage, Artemesia, Borage, Garlic Chives, Willow, Zinn8a petals, and found feathers.   

For Pat

Shadows of blue caught my eye. It wasn't the old oak, but it's shadows that made me stop to admire the beauty cast on the sunlit snow.

That old burr oak at the Arboretum is a gnarly tree.  One that I've pointed to many times while teaching kids how to distinguish a maple during this, the sugaring season.

The tree was different this day though.  While it has stood steadfast all these years,  it wasn't the oak that I paused to revere.  It's twisted branches of old age scattered beauty from its heart outward over the snow.  Just as we should radiate God's gift of this day out to others.

I read something recently that stated it is the space in between the logs of a fire that allow the flames to breathe and grow.  Perhaps the same is true for the shadows of the old oak and for us.

Blue, diffused over a fresh white canvas caused me to still myself,  if just for a few moments,  to breathe in the last of the winter's air and then,  exhale.

An Autumn Mandala

 I've been designing little mandalas from my gardens since the later part of the summer.  Here's one I did a few weeks ago.

Fromthe outside; Borage, Crabapples, Snapdragon. Garden Sage, Sumac & Crabapples. Sumac, Red Oak, & Maple.

Spring Swan

Up in the heavens,  

I saw the swan of spring in silent flight,

Bathed in the magic of moonbeams.

Its mighty wings with feathers outstretched

Reaching to touch our northern stars,

With Orion guarding nearby

And the glittering crown of Cassiopeia in sight.

Undeterred, the swan continued on its journey

Through the dark midnight blue skies,

Chasing the cold breath of winter away.

Certain that with each pump if its  wings

The earth will warm again and 

Turn aglow with shades of green. 

Such it is in the northern March skies. 

We search for signs of winters descent

And the first flight north to spring. 

2019 100 Day Project

This is my fourth 100 Day Project. I again choose writing as my medium.  However, I am anxious to combine it with some visual art.  This journey began on January 21, one month after the Winter Solstice.  It is a journey with writing, not a project.  The two felting pieces I completed in prior 100 Day Projects were projects. But writiing is different.  I didn't post any of my pieces last year because I didn't bear them worthy.  But I am braver now.  My only wish is that you could hear my voice reading these pieces to you.  Below is my first completed piece.

This night,  the moon is full of crystal white
Polished like a pearly marble against a field of black
Her fawn colored velvet mountains enfold her, nestled into her side and soften the lux Nicole.
Her poem,  one of an ancient rhythm and the cadence of immanent nights ahead tugs at the sea and my heart
And so she begins her journey to the dawn and the glowing ice of winter

The Loppet

Thousands of sparkling crystal lights lead us on our way.  No moon or brilliant stars on this February night as we traverse the lake on foot, with two boys tumbling through the snow.

The night is mystical and full of the light of flickering flames,  ice, and fog.  Large shards of ice cluster in magical displays,  lit from within with the blaze of a multitude of candles.   Light refracts into shimmering diamonds through radiant luminaries,  casting a pathway on the snow covered lake.

An isle of spectral light appears before us like an enchanted forest,  hidden perhaps with fairies or gnomes of the snow.
Further on, we encounter a ring of fire.  Dancers throw flaming orbs into the night like comets flying with tails aglow.
Skis, skates,  sleds,  and boots surround the bonfires and cups of hot cocoa warm the hearts and souls of all.

This brief journey was one for my spirit; holding it into the onyx of winter which reflected back to me, the beauty of light.

Birch Fairy

After a few years in hiding,  the birch fairy appeared again and I was inspired to finish her. Ok, well you never know,  there may be a few additional touches that will be added, if they appear to me in a vision.  But for now,  she is now gracing the holiday tree at the MN Landscape Arboretum.