4th of July

The latest post on The Wild Hunt inspired me.  Today I did a formal ritual to honor, well, the spirit of America*.  Most people who know me realize I'm not the most patriotic person in the world.  I'm proud of my country, but not blind to its offenses.  I also don't fly a million little flags around my yard like some of my neighbors **.  That said, I'm not afraid to say that I feel lucky to live where I live.  I read a lot of environmental and human rights news and, frankly, so many people have it way worse than us.  We have our faults, that's for sure, but at least most of us are relatively comfortable and, well, safe!  It's a shame that we have corporations who exploit developing nations and our own environment, and it's a shame that some of our ancestors did unspeakable things to the indigenous people who lived here first, but there's also a lot of good in America and I can think of that and celebrate it today.

Just as in my ritual, let me post it to my blog:

Hail to the spirits of America!
Hail to its Nature Spirits!  Hail to the high-flying, majestic bald eagle!  Hail to the forest turkey!  Hail to the river otters, moose, white tailed deer, squirrels, chipmunks, black bears, mountain lions, wolves, and bobcats!  Hail to the kangaroo rats, the coyotes, the scorpions, and roadrunners.  Hail to the great blue herons, the salmon, the monarch butterflies, the black widow spiders, and the alligators.  Hail to the sea turtles, the dolphins, the tuna, and the pelicans.  Hail to the ants, the bees, and the bats!  Hail to the unseen spirits who were here first and who came over with our ancestors!  Hail to you all and may we live in better harmony with you!

Hail to America's ancestors!  Hail to the Native American ancestors!  May we grow in friendship.  Hail to our immigrant ancestors!  May we remember where we came from.  Hail to the friends and family we knew in America, and hail to those who fought for our country - especially those whose intentions  and actions were honorable.  May we learn from your triumphs and mistakes.

Hail to the Gods of America!  Hail to the Gods of the Native Americans, and hail to the Gods of our ancestors!  Hail to Lady Liberty!  May we bring honor to you in all we say and do.

May we admit to our faults and work to improve them.  May we help the less fortunate, and welcome them to our country.  May we celebrate our diversity and learn to live together in peace.  May we develop better technologies so that we can live in harmony with nature.

So be it!


* As you may recall, I've been doing one formal ADF ritual a week.  I was cutting it close by leaving it until today, but I made it!

** Ahh...military towns...


( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )

Most Recent Arts and Crafts

So here's what I did all week:

I did not make these from scratch.  These are altered.  Both were dresses.  The top was a dress that was a liiiiittle too short for my taste/comfort.  I shortened it and now have a dressy short-sleeved top.  I may shorten it some more...  I'm not sure how I feel about the length...  The skirt is also a former dress.  Of sorts.  I say that because it was a really wonky ... part dress and part apron ... thing.  I couldn't have worn it without a top under it unless I wanted my breasts peeking out every three seconds.  I didn't like how it looked with a top under it.  Too... Mennonite for me.  Snip snip snip, and voila!  A cute skirt. 

This is a needle book I made.  Inside are a wide assortment of implements that could be used to sew a hem or an open wound.  You can't see it well, but this project finally allowed me to use the cute sewing machine and scissor buttons my husband gave me for Yule.  This project was great for using up some small scraps, is very practical (my needles are much safer in there than in a pin cushion), and was easy to make.  I like easy projects; they give me something brainless to do while I watch things on the internet.  

Behold the beautiful purple nude doll!  I'm so proud of the torso!  This is the best female form I've ever made!  So I'm no Lisa Lichtenfels - but I'm still pretty darn proud and am so grateful to Brighid for inspiring me to continually experiment and improve.  My plan is for this doll to become a grape fairy.  I've done a sketch for the outfit and now need to make it a reality. 

Finally, here is my very first skein of hand-spun yarn!  It's a natural grey and has some lumpy areas - but I'm super proud of it!  

Next on the crafting agenda: 

• An outfit for the grape fairy
• A Tailtu doll
• Bring in another altered dress
• Finish another pair of socks
• Begin Yule presents 
• Renaissance Fair accessories

( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )

I visited a local greenhouse and procured some new additions for my garden.  I bought some spinach seeds as well as a habanero pepper plant, some kale, and salvia.  The later adds some lovely purple to my garden and should be welcomed by the many butterflies that flit around.  (I saw a yellow swallowtail an hour or so ago...) I also bought some more bird seed.  The cats and I love watching our winged neighbors as they visit the patio.  There's a pair of gold finches who are my favorites.

The garden looks amazing right now.  I would't mind getting/planning some more.  I may try more beans since the first batch seem to be getting tired.  I can't wait until we have our own land and we can have a larger garden of raised beds and fruit trees.  *sigh*  Someday...

It is such a lovely day.   I hope the rest of you are out enjoying it as much as I've been!




( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )

A Day in the Adirondacks

My husband and I, rather spontaneously, decided to visit The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY.  It was the second time we've been and was just as fun as the last time!  There were a few new additions, such as an impressive, stuffed moose in the great hall, a farmers market (open only on Thursdays), and a dry area for the otters to play in.  Ah, the otters.  They really are one of the best parts!  I also enjoyed rummaging around the naturalist cabinets.  As you can see in the photo at left, I'm holding a raven skull.  Not pictured is the crow skull.  It's amazing to see the difference in size!

We took a walk around the pond but decided not to visit the other, longer nature trails.  Unfortunately we dressed for warm weather and it was a bit chilly at times.  We went to the farmers market on sight, though, and that was nicely sheltered from the wind.  There were a lot of artisans there and I received a lesson in spinning yarn with a drop spindle which I bought, along with half a pound of roving.  I've already spun my first small skein!  It was a tad frustrating at first, but I think I'm getting the hang of it!  I cannot wait to order more roving!  In the meantime, my first skein is setting in the craft room.  What should I do with it?

After our adventures in Tupper Lake, we made the short drive to Saranac Lake.  I hadn't been there in a couple years and I really missed it.  There was a time when I really wanted to live there.  I won't lie and say I wouldn't consider the opportunity, but the winters must be horrific with all the steep, hilly streets, and we would be even further away from my tribe in the Mohawk Valley.  It's still a favorite place to visit.  I would have liked to stay longer and swim or kayak in one of the lakes, but it was late so we made do with browsing the boutiques and eating dinner.  We found an amazing shop specializing in eco couture.  I only ever see fashionable eco clothing online.  Everything sold in health food stores is always really, really casual and not work appropriate.  I can't wait to visit again with a good paycheck in my pocket!  We ate at Nori's Village Market which is Saranac Lake's health food store and cafe.  We had vegan borritos, soup, and ice cream sandwiches.  Mmmm...  

Following that, we decided to drive to Lake Placid, NY.  It's a very busy, very popular Adirondack destination.  We just drove through.  There are some new shops and restaurants since the last time I was there.  Sadly, the old used bookstore is now gone...  The trip was worth it to see some of the high peaks in the distance.  Weretoad and I have this fantasy of climbing them all one day.  Considering how much mountain climbing and camping we've done, we're not well on our way to meeting that goal...  

The day was wonderful.  It felt great to be back in the Adirondacks, even if we weren't as "outdoorsy" as either of us would have liked.  We're already conspiring to go back for swimming, kayaking, and hiking.  Another perk to living in Northern NY - we are SO much closer to the heart and the majesty of the Adirondacks!  

( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )

Sexy Nymphs

This painting was totally hanging over my honeymoon bed!  I would love a copy of it...  It looks like a Waterhouse...  

( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )

Divination LOL

( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )

ADF Veggies

Huzzah!  ADF Veggies, a group just for the vegetarians and vegans of ADF, has a few new members!  Things are starting off slow, but at least there is *some* interest! :)  If you're a veggie, please join!




( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )