Have You Noticed?

Have you noticed how we gather at the setting of the sun? There is something almost primal about the pull to observe days end. Though more noticeable at waters edge, perched in high spots or other locations more accessible, even the most jaded of us seem to find a calm humbled center in the observance of those final bits of light. We make efforts to see special skies filled with spectacular color, yes; but time and time again through the years, with less dramatic skies, I have marveled as strangers gather to watch that orb slipping out of sight. Like a visual lullaby, it leaves a quiet slowed pace in its departure. And smiles, many smiles.

This photo was taken at Carmel River beach in CA a few years ago.

Do You See Dancing?

I hope time isn't real in the land of blog because I seem to be hopping all over the place in my posts. Jumping forward and back, forward and back. Case in point; two or three weeks ago, at the same time I was recording fall at Wright Park in Tacoma, all the flowers below were making a final curtain call in the little greenhouse up on Wright Park hill. Well, to call it a simple green house isn't fair to its history or the folks who have loved and tended it for 100 years. Yes, 100. The thriving hot house is actually the W W Seymour Botanical Conservatory. And the "park" is Wright Park Arboretum which encompasses 26 acres and 10 city blocks. It was at its beginning and is a most generous gift to the public, with the first 20 acres donated by Mr. Wright in 1886. If you will click on the Parks link, there is a good breakdown of her history and tenders.

The conservatory, though not very big, has an amazing collection of wonderful old plants with rotating skirts of beautiful flowers. So, while shuffling through the fall leaves that day, I stopped in to see what was happening in the glass flower house on the hill. From the moment I walked in I had, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy playing in my head. I apologize in advance since you won't find the individual names of the Chrysanthemums I saw dance the Nutcracker that day, but I swear they did. That or I walked too far without a water break. Take a look and let me know if you hear and see the same thing? What I do know is this; there are Chrysanthemums and then there are CHRYSANTHEMUMS!

If you enjoyed this trip to the Conservatory, be sure and check back in a few weeks. In celebration of their 100th Anniversary, the Conservatories color, mid Nov 08 thru Feb 09, will come from the imagination of Dale Chilhuly and his hot shop glass team. Closed on Mondays, I only got a peek at lunch today, but it was enough to get me back there soon.

ArtFiberFest - A Wonderful Oct Gathering

I am so grateful to have attended ArtFiberFest (AFF) in Port Townsend, WA a few times. It is the most fun gathering of kind, fun, fiber loving folks you can imagine. It is an annual gathering created by Teesha Moore and hosted by she and her family, at Fort Worden most recently. That location and time of year are likely to change for 2009. Teesha also creates magic with another annual gathering called Artfest. Both are wonderful, but the smaller fabric related event has become my favorite. The smaller crowd, fiber focus and calm group are a better fit as I step away from my day job for those three days of creative immersion. The biggest challenge each year comes with signing up. Choosing which workshops to register for from the collection of good instructors is hard! 

But the best thing about ArtFiberFest and Teesha's other achievements is the good intention that serves as her creative starting point. She provides the opportunity for growth in others and it all comes straight from her heart. And while attending any of her gatherings, that intention is palpable and contagious. Good begets good and from there the fun begins. So, to Teesha and her family of artists, I thank you again and again for these many years of exploration and expansion. It's a priceless gift you have given to each of us.

Below is a small collection of photos from AFF. I hope (newer to blogging so still working out the details) if you click on this image the version you see will be considerably bigger. I hesitate to use peoples entire names in print so for now I'll try to identify what you see using first names when known. Some of the photos were taken on the last night, which is a show of projects created during the workshops. 

L to R from the top, 1st row... nuno scarf by Sheri, painted fabric by Syd, felted vulture by Mary, felted jewelry by Sarah. 2nd row... 204 building, campus leaves, graffiti cloth by Heather, hard at work in Mary's class are Anita and ? with Mary's work on the wall in the background. 3rd row... Fort Worden lighthouse, Chris and Wanda's nuno scarves in the making, the commons on show and tell night, the road to Port Townsend. 4th row... more from the road to PT, Mary in sunlit concentration (altered), graffiti cloth by Sharon, nuno scarves by Rachael, 204 building and at the base, nuno scarf by Anita. If I have misnamed anybody please let me know.

Hope to see you all again next year!

Fall Whispers

What's not to love about fall and the surprises it offers. 

Those moments when it sneaks up and whispers, 

" Don't forget me, 

I am the fleeting costless beauty surrounding you".

"Look down"...

"Feel my gentle breeze"...

"Search me out"...

"Enjoy my fading moments"...

"And feel my moist embrace"

Autumnal Face, I Love That

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace

as I have seen in one autumnal face.

~ John Donne

Hurry Outside, Fall is Falling

Falling in Love

Yes it's true, I am falling in love with FALL all over again. And lest you think I am simply a fool for yellow, orange, red and the lot, know that this fall season the colors are like none I remember. They have been deeper and brighter and continue to grace us with their color through heavy rains and wind. Tough stuff. Admittedly they can now also be found on the ground, in wonderful yellow and red heaps. 

Rather than explore here all the conditions necessary to bring on this rush of visual goodness, I'm just going to share a few of the sights I've seen lately. Some of the maple images will be from trees here at home, however know in advance I no longer remember their proper names as I once did. Other photos were taken on Mt Rainier, near Port Townsend, at Wrights Park in Tacoma, along with numerous other locations. I'll try to add more photos over the next few days.

"Climb the

mountains 

and get 

their 

tidings.

Natures 

peace will 

flow into you

as sunshine

flows 

into trees.

  

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, 

and the storms their energy, 

while care will drop off like autumn leaves."

~ John Muir