“I thought of the wilderness we had left behind us, open to sea and sky, joyous in its plenitude and simplicity, perfect yet vulnerable, unaware of what is coming, defended by nothing, guarded by no one.”
― Edward Abbey, Beyond the Wall: Essays from the Outside
This is an oil pastel on canvas paper blended with a turpentine wash.
Snags have a special place in my heart. I love trees in winter too, but dead trees standing have simplified branches that are so lovely. Junipers are probably my favorite because of the way the trunk turns and twists.
Turn, turn, my wheel! All things must change
To something new, to something strange;
Nothing that is can pause or stay;
The moon will wax, the moon will wane,
The mist and cloud will turn to rain,
The rain to mist and cloud again,
To-morrow be to-day.
The light was magnificent behind chimney rock, the sky a shocking blue. It only lasted a moment, so I caught it fast and loose in a little study. The clouds and light change quickly here, I am constantly trying to pause and notice before the moment slips away. A piece of the chimney fell off between the time I hiked the trail to the top last night and when I looked agin today. The changing made me think of HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW’s poem “Kéramos” written in 1878. The shape of Chimney Rock, and those 4 kids of mine…all things must change. Look quick before the moment slips away, indeed to-morrow be to-day.
I found a shady spot, with the Ghost Ranch coral practicing behind me. It wasn’t too hot, and the music the wind carried to me was lovely. What a great way to pass a Thursday morning.
THE DESERT IMPRESSIONIST
The Desert Impressionist
paints with light and color,
paints with shape and time,
paints with rock and cloud
upon the canvas of our eyes
-Max Reif
“A Desert Rain”
The cool rain poured in sudden haste
Upon the thirsty sod,
And life throughout an arid waste
Rejoices, thanking God.
Each wild and lonely desert flower
Is royally arrayed,
As if in one brief, stormy hour
The world were newly made.
Where vagrant breezes stray and waft
The mesquite’s sweet perfume,
The green saguaro’s fluted shaft
Lifts high a richer bloom.
The palo verde blossoms glow
Like jets of yellow fire,
And every bird we love and know
Pipes in the tuneful choir.
The fair Altruria of the bees,
Beneath the orange boughs,
Hears whispered friendships of the trees
As sweet as lovers’ vows.
Wee desert folk from strife forbear–
Their deadly conflicts cease,
As if responsive to the prayer
For Universal Peace.
No more on thorns the linnet hangs–
Slain by the cruel shrike;
The coiled crotalus sheathes his fangs,
And does not care to strike.
Here blooms the world like Aaron’s rod,
New verdure clothes the plain–
The wondrous miracle of God
That follows a desert rain!
-Andrew Downing
After a delightful morning splashing in the muddy arroyo, these princesses washed their feet, shoes, and tutus in the laundry sink.
“Rappel”
Thirty-plus feet
Is
a
long
way
up.
Adrenaline surges:
fingers fumble,
palms sweat,
knees shake.
Breath quickens
and heart races.
The air is hot and dusty,
and the tang of old sweat and metal
is heavy in your nose. Your helmet slips
against your brow.
But there’s a reassuring tug
against your climbing harness,
the belayer yelling encouragement,
and you smile across the platforms
to your friend the next one over.
Then you grip the gritty rope,
breathe in deep,
inch towards the edge
and
leap.
-AMMCJ
“A something in a summer’s Day”
by Emily Dickinson
A something in a summer’s Day
As slow her flambeaux burn away
Which solemnizes me.
A something in a summer’s noon —
A depth — an Azure — a perfume —
Transcending ecstasy.
And still within a summer’s night
A something so transporting bright
I clap my hands to see —
Then veil my too inspecting face
Lets such a subtle — shimmering grace
Flutter too far for me —
The wizard fingers never rest —
The purple brook within the breast
Still chafes it narrow bed —
Still rears the East her amber Flag —
Guides still the sun along the Crag
His Caravan of Red —
So looking on — the night — the morn
Conclude the wonder gay —
And I meet, coming thro’ the dews
Another summer’s Day!
paintandsimple 