below zero again

the view on that really cold saturday.
see the solar panels? they cranked away, 
so the woodstove's morning fire plus the solar gain from windows
kept the house warm all day and through the night.
snow is about a foot deep.
stuff on the work table
 more experimenting

portable mess-making.
it seems to be what i do even though i think i'm organized,
see my old stump?
and the empty nalgene bottle, 
hydrate, hydrate.
 trails in the snow? 
 stitching holey indigo flax before burnishing.
indigo smudge
i probably had a bit too much pigment in the pulp, 
though the water seemed clear,
or almost.
upon reflection, that almost is the problem.
 crazy icicle growth
they are really curly
 on the 
 woodshed.
weekend photos for you
and for dear wendy, who continues to move
back to good health.
hugs.

humans at it again

last day of high school classes
was monday.
afterwards, i got in the subaru
to drive to vermont to stay here
and go to long ridge farm.
 good eating and shopping here
 community art
 ~a community
at work~
 a wall in front of the coop
 and some humans came along
to longridge farm
where i return this year
as a student
 of dorothy caldwell
we made marks in many ways on the first day
 looks like starling flight
 roxanne is my amazing table partner
she (of the white coat 
which i did not touch
because i had india ink on my hands) pictured below
 some odd brushes were made
 which made interesting marks
ink on paper
(i remember the brushes i made 
out of turkey beards and sticks
in oz in february)
 i was compelled to pour water over my marks
 others were more reserved 
(but not really, look closely!)
here's roxanne's amazing coat
today we looked at yesterday's work
pages
 kantha
 today we made marks with thread 
after looking at kanthas
i like these fish
 one woman's marks
 this composition was
on betsy and nancy's table.
the contrast between working in black and white
and the riot of green and 
flowers
in the great northern woods
is huge!
it is very good to be away and here, 
working and learning.