Sunday, January 3, 2010

Of Birds, Moonflowers, and Interrupted Nights.....

(copyright Charlene Crowder 2008, all rights reserved)

I had not planned to be writing a blog post at 4:38 a.m. Once again, this was one of those nights that life threw me a curveball and it was either swing with it or get hit. I had awakened to get a drink--after good sleep--thought I would get up for a moment, as I have done every night since coming home from hospital, was in the kitchen and suddenly my blue budgie went berserk in his covered cage. Which lead to the green budgie going berserk also......and *Mama Budgie* uncovering the boys, with their light on, talking them back to their senses for 20 minutes. Oy. I love those birds, but...........!!! There I am, up and trying to get life calm.
Up long enough to now be wide awake and craving coffee.
Thus, here I sit, enjoying the quiet after the *children*got over their little nightmare, having some warm java and thinking of New Orleans and warmer weather and my cousin, Charlene (who took the beautiful photos posted; click on her name to be transported to her website....you'll love it!) who may be planning a vacation there. Charlene is an OR Nurse, but is a stellar photographer also and is always sending me pics she has taken. She does art fairs, custom shoots, makes prints and cards.....the woman amazes me. Four cats and the most hilarious stories about them. She could write a book.....if she had time!
I can't recall when she sent me the moonflower photo I have at the top, but she knew I loved them.
She is the *other extreme* of family--the GOOD side. The fun side that you wished you lived closer to, so that you could have coffee together and shoot pics together and laugh and have a glass of wine and tell bad stories till you couldn't see straight. LOL!!! (she shares my sense of humor and also the need to speak her mind, not unlike your blog-mistress!)
Charlene is so talented as a photographer and I would love to post every pic she has sent me but don't want the chance of them being snagged since she makes good money off them.
She inspires me........I hope in some way I have inspired her.
Yesterday I made it to the wet studio long enough to do two things:

1)  I covered two 4"x4" canvas panels with a neat B&W print paper
--and--
2)  Discover that the chair I usually sit on is too low, so I am going to have to get DH to switch it out for me.

Yes....I have a few ideas for heart-related items and HAD to smear some medium and get my fingers all messy. I truly AM alive!!! :-)  Hopefully I can continue with said panels today and maybe, in the next few days, have a real piece of art again to post! Oh! How wonderful that would be!!!
Sewing is still the big conundrum, and I am going to have to wait until after the surgeon visit to discuss that one with him. I am not taking chances of doing something incredibly stupid! I also don't want an Ortho Surgeon yelling at me, as he is very very nice, but I think if provoked...well.....still waters and all that...... <:-)

(copyright Charlene Crowder 2008, all rights reserved)

So here's looking at you, gentle readers! Maybe life at Chateau Lockard is beginning to get back to normal, maybe I am close to making art again and ready to feel completely alive as opposed to half way---of which I am not complaining! (actually, all things considered, I feel pretty good)
Now if I could just get the birds to sleep through the night.......oooooohhhhh.......children!
To you all, wishes for a lovely day, good creative time and of course....

Pax.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning!!
My fur-baby decided he wanted me to wake up early this a.m. too. Then when we finally got downstairs he was still into everything & wanting my total attention... Now he is sound asleep on my lap. Must have exhausted himself... Thank Goodness!!
Frigid cold here...wc way below zero! Good day to stay inside!!
Stay Warm!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

My Vagabond Heart said...

My furry daughter is at "camp" aka kennel, while we are taking a winter break.

Great photo...I'll visit Charlene when I have a better connection.

Take care and behave. I can assure you still water do run deep...don't anger the surgeon!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marilyn,

Temps about the same here, and we're going grocery shopping!!! I am definitely getting my Doc Martens on before venturing out....
Wonder if it was something in the moon/weather last night with the pets? I really would have preferred warm, cozy SLEEP....LOL!!!
Have a good one!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Vicki---LOL!!!! on the surgeon part! I sort of figured that much out.....I would very much like to keep him happy and smiling and telling me I am doing well!
You'll love Charlene's work....she is a natural, like you.
Stay warm!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

yoborobo said...

Yes, Anne! Hearts! It's that time of year, I think. :) Maybe a heart with an homage to your little mischievous tweet-kids. LOL! Last night we had COLD winds that sounded like they were going to lift the roof right off the house. Shades of OZ. I intend to stay indoors and out of the cold, which luckily means art, and unluckily laundry, too. Be good!!!! xoxo Pam

yoborobo said...

PS Beautiful photos! Is it a gene? :)

Tristan Robin said...

everytime Dusty wakes me up at 4am, I threaten to trade him in for birds ... obviously, that won't do the trick.

you sound so ready to get back in the creativity chair - hope it's soon - and I look forward to what you're envisioning!

stay warm - it's freakin' freezing here today - AND it's going to snow AGAIN.

argh. We dont' usually have this weather here on the ocean. It's hard to live through this and then worry about global warming!

Anonymous said...

Wow!..an early morning for sure!...guess you upset their beauty sleep! lol!...not to mention what they did to yours!

So neat to know about your cousin Charlene...I took a look at her images...wonderful photos there!..too bad, as you said...that you can't just spend days together..lots in common there!

Its 12 degrees F here and very windy..so, another at home day!
maybe i can get into something!
hmmm, i wonder!...
XOXO, gypsy

Bunny said...

Oh My I thought as I started to read your post that you were going to read that you slipped, thank goodness it was only the birds LOL.
I can't wait to you start with your hearts I am sure by Feb.14 you will have something spectacular to show us.
Your cousin Charlene Oh I love that name it is my sister's middle name and we gave our youngest daughter Charlene for her middle name. She has a blog too the link in on my blog Veronica.
Charlene's work is amazing I will have to show my Veronica her site as she is just getting into photography too. Hugs and keep well.

Deborah said...

I had to google Budgies to see what you have...cute cute. Glad to hear you are feeling so well so quickly. I think you have earned a gold star! **blows 2010 kisses** Deb

audrey said...

Perfect photos to take the chill out of the day! Love the cat eyes!!
I will make a visit to Charlene's site today.
Sorry your lovies got you up so early this morning. No birds here, but the wind woke me several times throughout the night. Vicious!
Oh no! Not the dreaded grocery store! I should, but I'm not.
Whatever you do, be careful and stay warm.
♥ audrey

Unknown said...

I was up that early too. Must be that full moon.

Heading right over to Char's to pay a visit.

Hope there is a nap in order this afternoon.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam,

I was OUT in the cold today grocery shopping; came home to lay down a bit for a nap.....HAHAHAHAHA!!!! The birds tuned up full bore!
I GIVE ALREADY!!!! they are my masters. Enough!
Now for a cup of hot tea.......and earplugs.... ;)
So much for the idea of studio work, tho I did cut TWO paper hearts..whooo-hoooo! LOL!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Tristan,

As I was *attempting* the nap, it was snowing lightly here. It was beautiful---too cold to snow any amount (she says...).
Aw geez....the ice just went rolling off my metal roof! I'm awake now!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Gypsy,

I figured you wuld appreciate the work she does---I'm a little biased but think she's wonderful!
It is so cold, I have long underwear and two sweaters on...of course, I was eating ice cream too! LOL!
Stay in and stay warm!

XXOO!!
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

Good morning! YES! Wake up early. My favorite time of the day. Don't you just love starting the day with a bang?

A beautiful flower indeed! Nature's beauty is unsurpassed. All we need are eyes to see!

...and you can always blog anytime and I may be awake! Hahaha!

Take it easy dearest Anne.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Bunny,

I'll have to pass on to *my* Charlene that I am bulding her fan base! ;) Tell her she needs company to go to New Orleans...ME.
Glad you enjoyed the link; will have to check the links on your blog.

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Deb, did the happen to mention they are LOUD???? Before I bought them I read a book and it said *Parakeets have SMALL VOICES*.
Someone was drunk or on drugs when they wrote that. Mine have more volume and PEEP per fraction of an ounce than any bird out there! Geez!
I love 'em...... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Audrey--I survived the dreaded grocery store. I need a nap...BAD. And a cur of hot tea. And a little *something* medicinal to put in it...LOL!!!!
It is freezing cold.....

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

KAte,

I was kind of wondering if the full moon had anything to do with it.
I'm thinking *nap* is perfect for an afternoon pastime. I need all the beauty sleep I can get...LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ces, I like early because I can get things done, but not THAT early thinking world war three has broken out in the bird cages!!! (which DH didn't hear...)
I think I would like a little later in the day.
But at least I could think enough to blog, which may not be the case tomorrow...... ;) ...I might actually SLEEP......
Doing well, behaving;

XXOO!!
Anne

Georgina said...

Birds...*sniff-harrumph!!!

Jan said...

I took a peek at Charlene's site. What stunning photos! the kind I especially enjoy. Thanks for sharing her with us, I'm glad you have relatives like her to balance out the bad ones.

My Vagabond Heart said...

Anne...Are the budgies still in your studio? If so, maybe they are lonely! :)

Leslie said...

A fur baby ate my new and favorite vest after sticking his cold nose in the middle of my back in order to get me up to serve him his brekkies. The wretched creatures that they are, gotta love em.

Sounds like your getting more back to normal. Prayers going your way.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ha! Georgina, the boys need to come visit you....LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan,

Yep, she's a keeper!!! Too bad she's in Richmond VA. Too long for weekend shoots and shopping....pooey!!! ;)
She really does lovely work.

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Vicki,

No, when I broke my hip last March, we brought them in the dining room, where they have taken over and stayed since. They *LOVE* the fact I have to sleep downstairs right now! And forget naps----they tune up loud.
Last night was the first time that had happened in the middle of the night....I think Johnny has to much birdie-testosterone.....

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Leslie, it's love 'em or throw 'em out, and we can't do that!
I'm slowly getting back to abnormal, but with restrictions.
That's what is sending me off my nut.....but I don't want to go through any more cutting for a LONG TIME!!!! :)

XXOO!!
Anne

marianne said...

yay! for the wet studio & getting medium on your hands- can't wait to see what you're up to!

Alexandra MacVean said...

Good evening, Miss Anne. Sitting here trying to catch up on blogs (once again), but still yet to feel like I am getting my fulls strength and energy back. Ugh!

Sorry to hear you have had yet another night of waking up in the wee hours of the morning. Hang in there. It will get better as you continue to heal.

Know that I am always thinking of you each and every day and am grateful for all of the love and support you extend my way as well.

Much love! xo

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marianne,

Isn't that just the BEST feeling in the world? It's not fine art, it's just fun art!
I think it will take a bit to get back to the heavy duty art, and I will probably wait until the two large commissions are out of the way....when I can figure out how to sew!
But I'm most happy! :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Sophia,

I figure at some point my body will readjust back to normal human time and be off hospital and *Screaming Budgie* time.....ay-yi-yi......
Hope you're getting back a bit more strength; I have learned through tis that each tiny bit, every day, is something to celebrate.
And it is a tiny bit, every day.
Take care my friend....you're in my thoughts and prayers.

XXOO!!
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

ooooh....I really like that cat eye photo! I'm heading over to visit & see some more of her work.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MA,

I am SURE you will love it! I'd like a print of almost all her work..... :)

XXOO!!
Anne

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