Today is Friday, May 28th. I've been chewing on a little question lately - - What is inspiration? What inspires? I know this is because I am between quilts and between books, and we are at the end of the school year. The weather is still nasty; Rose Festival is around the corner, and I haven't nailed down my summer plans. Don and I have come to the conclusion that we might as well stay where we are - - it is a little slice of heaven, after all. Aside from some major weeding, I'll have some time on my hands. I'm almost ready to start writing - at least I'm thinking about fixin' to begin collecting ideas. I don't have an overwhelming urge to tell a particular story. Maybe a little poetry could budge my writer's slump. So here goes.
Confines (n)
Have you ever wondered what's really up there?
Stars, galaxies, droplets of infinity
Neurons all firing faster than light
Creases and courses
A waterfall of wings that ride on some colossal current
Bigger than my brain can conceive
No edge or end, no death
All atoms, particles, spaces between orts of matter
Driven by some urge, some pulse never ending
Cogs and ribbons moving to some rhythm
Many, many rhythms.
But why?
I like my thoughts within a frame
A square or rectangle or even a circle
Crazy swirls of maple burl can be forced into one plank of wood
Infinite color and imagination can be confined to a canvas
All manner of expression and situation can be bound in a book
Within a skull an entire lifetime is stored.
It is when one gets to the rim, that dropping-off point,
Words lose meaning
No logic just fear
What really is up there?
Is it forevers?
Can it fit in my skin?
Dottie, 2010
Maybe now I have some direction as to which way to go.
See ya,
D
Bug on Don
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Rain, Rain, Go Away!!
Last Saturday, Cameron and I planted the entire garden. We LOVED the sunny day, and Cameron climbed nearly to the top of a very tall tree.
Since then it's been raining. My garden is a muddy mud pit, and all work on the Lean To has stopped! I was looking at the seven day forecast, but no relief seems in sight. I need some of that hot desert wind to warm up my bones!
Dottie
Since then it's been raining. My garden is a muddy mud pit, and all work on the Lean To has stopped! I was looking at the seven day forecast, but no relief seems in sight. I need some of that hot desert wind to warm up my bones!
Dottie
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Updates and Observations
Well, Friend, it looks like that piece of property in Central Oregon is a non-starter. The house is so poorly built that we'd have to doze it. The dirt road leading to it sports thirty minutes of washouts and rock slides and rattlesnakes. In addition to all that the owner is in jail on thirty counts of who knows what all. Don and I didn't want anything to do with that kind of stinky mojo. I felt so ambivalent about giving up that dream - - it was perfect! Apparently, not. We are still looking, however.
I planted my whole garden last week!! Cameron helped and did a great job moving rocks and digging holes. We truly enjoyed his company last weekend!! On Wednesday, I went out to look out at the garden because I locked myself outside and was waiting for Don to get out of the bathroom - - Wed. was very cold, rainy, and windy - - and all the lettuce that we had seed saved from last year was up!! Two perfect little green rows proudly stood at parade rest in the brown mud. It made me giggle.
I believe living with Don is starting to rub off on me. He may seem like a big gruff man, but his soul is touched by the sweetest things. He LOVES his kitties!! In the mornings, while he waits for me, he pets Shamu. "Dottie, watch his tail; it twitches twice to the left, twice to the right, then once more. If I hold it here, he really gets fiesty!"
In the evenings Noel climbs in his lap. She used to lick his wrist raw, but now she curls up under his left arm with her head tucked in so deep, I can't understand how she breathes. Don will sit still so as not to disturb her for hours.
All manner of lizards, garden snakes, worms, beetles, and spiders have found safe haven at our house. Only one animal is not allowed to enter Don's sanctuary - - that is the lowly mouse. Luckily, Shamu and Noel and, to some extent Charlie, are all excellent hunters. Shamu brought Cameron and me a rather large field mouse Saturday. It was still warm!!
Summer is on the way!! We have 19 1/2 school days left including finals. The students are getting antsy and, frankly, so am I. We will be traveling a little this summer. I want to take some day trips with grandkids. Briana is going to two camps. We will be flying to TX and LA in late July. Other than that, I am taking a writing class and watching my garden grow!!
Don and I will be celebrating of twentieth wedding anniversary in June! We really won't be doing anything extraordinary; I think we are going to buy a new bed and maybe a TV.
Everything else is going well!!
Dottie
I planted my whole garden last week!! Cameron helped and did a great job moving rocks and digging holes. We truly enjoyed his company last weekend!! On Wednesday, I went out to look out at the garden because I locked myself outside and was waiting for Don to get out of the bathroom - - Wed. was very cold, rainy, and windy - - and all the lettuce that we had seed saved from last year was up!! Two perfect little green rows proudly stood at parade rest in the brown mud. It made me giggle.
I believe living with Don is starting to rub off on me. He may seem like a big gruff man, but his soul is touched by the sweetest things. He LOVES his kitties!! In the mornings, while he waits for me, he pets Shamu. "Dottie, watch his tail; it twitches twice to the left, twice to the right, then once more. If I hold it here, he really gets fiesty!"
In the evenings Noel climbs in his lap. She used to lick his wrist raw, but now she curls up under his left arm with her head tucked in so deep, I can't understand how she breathes. Don will sit still so as not to disturb her for hours.
All manner of lizards, garden snakes, worms, beetles, and spiders have found safe haven at our house. Only one animal is not allowed to enter Don's sanctuary - - that is the lowly mouse. Luckily, Shamu and Noel and, to some extent Charlie, are all excellent hunters. Shamu brought Cameron and me a rather large field mouse Saturday. It was still warm!!
Summer is on the way!! We have 19 1/2 school days left including finals. The students are getting antsy and, frankly, so am I. We will be traveling a little this summer. I want to take some day trips with grandkids. Briana is going to two camps. We will be flying to TX and LA in late July. Other than that, I am taking a writing class and watching my garden grow!!
Don and I will be celebrating of twentieth wedding anniversary in June! We really won't be doing anything extraordinary; I think we are going to buy a new bed and maybe a TV.
Everything else is going well!!
Dottie
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Fat Cat and a Quilt
Shambo is FAT. Really FAT and hairy!
I tried something a little different on this quilt. I designed the pattern and used some embellishments like little yoyos and wool leaves. It's cute especially for an experiment!!
In any case, this is for Granny. I think she will like it even if she doesn't get it by Mother's Day!!
I tried something a little different on this quilt. I designed the pattern and used some embellishments like little yoyos and wool leaves. It's cute especially for an experiment!!
In any case, this is for Granny. I think she will like it even if she doesn't get it by Mother's Day!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sunday morning reflections
Well, friend, I have not posted for two months. Mostly my nose has been pressed onto the grindstone so hard, there is a permanent grease mark. Times are easing a bit, finally!!
Developments in the Miller household:
Uno.) Here we go again. Don and I are investigating a piece of property in Central Oregon. It is twenty-three miles from Post on a tract of land called Riverside Ranch. Before we get too excited - - this is no fancy community or anything like that; it is just the name for a large swath of no man's land. The property is actually three parcels equalling 24 acres minus a smidgen. On it there is well, an unfinished house, a septic system, an old truck, and views of Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters and the Prineville reservoir.
Notice I didn't say electricity. Yea - - that's a problem. However, the price is right and the dreams that Don and I have fancied all our married life together about moving seriously out and living "off the grid" are closer than ever. Plus, the Prineville reservoir is loaded with Bass. That should be enough for Don!!
Dois.) Briana is seventeen years old and looking into what colleges she'd like to attend when she graduates next year. We, like all families with a junior, are getting overwhelmed with all the college mail. I know that Briana wants to go into some sort of Environmental Sciences with emphasis on renewable energy; plus she wants to minor in German. This may sound like an odd combo, but she will have four years of German when she graduates, and Germany is the leading force in green energy in the world. Secret match, eh? So far there is a college in Maine that she likes - - to the tune of 80 k a year - - - and the University of Portland.
http://www.up.edu/
UP is where I got my masters degree; it is a lovely Catholic university with a student body of only about 2000. Amazingly, it has a kickin' Environmental Sciences college AND a German studies program. It's only an hour away, too! In addition to this, Briana is very involved in St. Henry's Catholic Church - - she's even going on a mission trip this summer - - and the idea of going to a Catholic university and still being able to come home to our parish is very appealing to her. Our only real obstacle is GRADES!!!!!
Tres.) As for around our house, two big projects are under way. Don is building a Lean To on the north side of the barn to put all the fire wood in so we can get it out of the barn so we can pave the floor of the barn so we can move the boat up there so we can use our garage. Got it? The other project is building a retaining was above our garden. Yesterday I rented two wrestlers to come out and move rocks. They moved tons, but you can barely tell it. This is going to be a long, long labor of love!
Quattro.) In June I will have completed 21 years of teaching. Moving on, I have finished three quilts, but I only have a picture of one of them. This little purple toned sweety is completely made of scraps.
I am currently working on an experimental quilt; Don thinks it's ugly, but I think is is interesting. In any case, I'll give it to Granny. Hopefully it will be done this week and I can post a picture of it. I am ready for summer - - nuff said.
Cinco.) As far as extended family, everyone is well and thriving. Vicki and crew are so involved in spring soccer that we don't hear from them often.
Briana and the boys
Miss Kendall
Kristi and Kevin are cruising along - - no baby yet. Staci works with Don now but is looking for a spot somewhere to start her career as an interior designer. She's applying everywhere, but the market is flat and jobs are few. No worries, Staci is as persistent as Don!
Hopefully, I'll be more consistent with the blog. Any who, you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Keep marching,
Dottie
Developments in the Miller household:
Uno.) Here we go again. Don and I are investigating a piece of property in Central Oregon. It is twenty-three miles from Post on a tract of land called Riverside Ranch. Before we get too excited - - this is no fancy community or anything like that; it is just the name for a large swath of no man's land. The property is actually three parcels equalling 24 acres minus a smidgen. On it there is well, an unfinished house, a septic system, an old truck, and views of Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters and the Prineville reservoir.
Notice I didn't say electricity. Yea - - that's a problem. However, the price is right and the dreams that Don and I have fancied all our married life together about moving seriously out and living "off the grid" are closer than ever. Plus, the Prineville reservoir is loaded with Bass. That should be enough for Don!!
Dois.) Briana is seventeen years old and looking into what colleges she'd like to attend when she graduates next year. We, like all families with a junior, are getting overwhelmed with all the college mail. I know that Briana wants to go into some sort of Environmental Sciences with emphasis on renewable energy; plus she wants to minor in German. This may sound like an odd combo, but she will have four years of German when she graduates, and Germany is the leading force in green energy in the world. Secret match, eh? So far there is a college in Maine that she likes - - to the tune of 80 k a year - - - and the University of Portland.
http://www.up.edu/
UP is where I got my masters degree; it is a lovely Catholic university with a student body of only about 2000. Amazingly, it has a kickin' Environmental Sciences college AND a German studies program. It's only an hour away, too! In addition to this, Briana is very involved in St. Henry's Catholic Church - - she's even going on a mission trip this summer - - and the idea of going to a Catholic university and still being able to come home to our parish is very appealing to her. Our only real obstacle is GRADES!!!!!
Tres.) As for around our house, two big projects are under way. Don is building a Lean To on the north side of the barn to put all the fire wood in so we can get it out of the barn so we can pave the floor of the barn so we can move the boat up there so we can use our garage. Got it? The other project is building a retaining was above our garden. Yesterday I rented two wrestlers to come out and move rocks. They moved tons, but you can barely tell it. This is going to be a long, long labor of love!
Quattro.) In June I will have completed 21 years of teaching. Moving on, I have finished three quilts, but I only have a picture of one of them. This little purple toned sweety is completely made of scraps.
I am currently working on an experimental quilt; Don thinks it's ugly, but I think is is interesting. In any case, I'll give it to Granny. Hopefully it will be done this week and I can post a picture of it. I am ready for summer - - nuff said.
Cinco.) As far as extended family, everyone is well and thriving. Vicki and crew are so involved in spring soccer that we don't hear from them often.
Briana and the boys
Miss Kendall
Kristi and Kevin are cruising along - - no baby yet. Staci works with Don now but is looking for a spot somewhere to start her career as an interior designer. She's applying everywhere, but the market is flat and jobs are few. No worries, Staci is as persistent as Don!
Hopefully, I'll be more consistent with the blog. Any who, you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Keep marching,
Dottie
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