Nature's Pruning and Footprints

Every spring I have weeks of major pruning to keep my hemlock and blue spruce shapely and under control. Not unlike my own goals that I have for myself. Tee hee. I really have shovelled enough this winter. However, I was becoming increasingly anxious watching my landscaping bend under the weight of the heavy snow. It just kept piling up on the hemlock, ewes, and other shrubs. I had no choice but to lift the shovel with my weary arms once again to "save the trees." And so yes, the QuirkyArtiste put on her colorful snow suit and spent an afternoon shoveling and knocking the snow and ice off of grateful branches. Unfortunately, I still had lots of broken ones that could not withstand the weight of all that heavy snow and ice. But I figured that it was God's way of helping me out this year with all my heavy pruning. And I am grateful for my many blessings.

Of course, I never stay long in the moment. My thoughts meander and I feel myself start to drift away. I keep saying that I am not so much a "picture-taker" but yet again I was wishing that I had my camera nearby. I watched a squirrel snow diving for its hidden nut caches and then coming back up with a head full of snow. Very cute. I noticed the tiny scampering paw prints that were left in the snow across my patio and went deeper into my trance studying their tiny intricate patterns. Amazing. There were were my neighbor's huge dogs frolicking with one another in the deep snow. They really do like each other and they were having such fun barking, chasing one another, diving and digging in the snow. I think they were looking for that squirrel. Very funny. And then there was that creative soul who planted a broken evergreen branch in a very deep pile of snow. Did she really think it would grow? Quirky. Ahhh, the winter joys of 15 degree weather and 30 inches of snow.

The pendulum has swung for me. I have taken a break from designing my watercolor greeting cards and I am back to painting purses but this time with fabric paint. A very different look than using acrylics on canvas handbags. For those of you who have inquired, the purse is listed on e-bay.


Chinese Proverb:'When someone shares something of value with you, and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others."