Salty Pumpkin Studio

Reflection Monday September 2024

There is, I believe, absolutely no way in 2024 a presidential candidate can appear at the Arlington National Cemetery to be filmed,

release the pictures,

and not be about politics.

Campaign stunt, IMHO.

==============

Honor the fallen.

Please,

Think about Honor

when you vote

5 November 2024

As development takes hold of a community, habitat loss may go unnoticed. A huge area of wild grape vines was chopped down years ago when the area nearby, (where horses use to graze), became apartment buildings. Housing is badly needed. (Update, recent look, not all the vines are gone.)

We are in the time of Find Another Grapevine, as far as birds go. I think about the bears that are showing up, (since the separate compostable trash rule began), and I see the grapes as a big attraction for the bears. Ugh. Balance isn't always as easy as it might seem.

Have a wonderful Week!

Surveying the Summer of 2024

Birthday roses

Open Summer Fields

Lake Champlain

Town Beach

Tiny Deck Garden

Otter Creek Falls

Fields Days

Lunch Time Along Lake Champlain in August

Well, here I am now, in the last full week of August 2024 on a sunny Sunday afternoon, thinking about what this Summer has been. Overall, these months have been more interesting than previous years because I put effort into making sure I did not stay indoors so much or let depression drag my down so far. I cannot claim this year that summer went by too quickly or I didn't experience a real summer.

I had a fairly nice summer. Heat, rain, storms, are all part of the season's Earth wardrobe. I wore it well. I may not have achieved everything I planned, but I did well with what I accomplished.

Being so positive is rather a shocking experience for me. I'm not sure how it fits in with the depression episode I have been struggling to get out of. I think it might be a situation of emotional isostatic rebound going on.

Isostatic rebound is the movement upward, back to the normal shape after being compressed. In glaciology, the weight of a glacier on the Earth compresses the ground. When the glacier melts, the ground is released from that weight and uplifts. (Earthquakes can be a result as the Earth adjusts.) Think memory foam impression returning to smooth.

As my depression weight lifts, I feel lighter in spirit. This summer has been a period of uplift for me.

Now, onward into the fall with the same attitude to embrace the season as well as I can whether I go anywhere or not. There are trees and views to the mountains. No matter where I go, Nature is available.

Flowers in August

At Cape Cod Massachusetts near Marshfield, the pictured type of roses here, were everywhere. We call them Rock Roses. I forget their other names.

They are very hardy, even here in Vermont. The rose hips are large with a lovely dark coral color.

Do you have a favorite summer flower?

The chill in the morning air has convinced me to not resist the end of summer drawing closer. Instead, I daydream about autumn being spectacular. Soup Season is a delightful time of year. I sort of look forward to feeling soft socks on my feet. Even seeing Halloween decorations no longer makes me cringe that they are out so early.

Have a cringeless fantastic week!

Posted using my cell phone

Afterall

An August Sky Over Vermont

Multiple projects are a certain indication one's mind has been active. There is a difference, however, between have (the project) and doing (the project). Creative ideas grouped into one interest like art, writing or poetry can become overwhelming if they are left to build up as new ideas emerge.

Belief is the fuel that keeps the oldest project going.

Inspiration is the fuel that a new idea rides on.

When both run out, then one can end up where I am today.

Deliberately distracted by other things like reading or doing laundry. Any mundane task is good enough for me to be busy not looking at what I want to do.

I began a novel a few years ago, Cornsilk Moon. I posted about here on this blog. Yet, since last winter it (loose-leaf notebook) has followed me around my living room because I'm always feeling that today is the day I begin editing to write the last draft. Writing is a scary process when you get close to the ending. I'm not good with endings.

This week, starting today, I'll be telling myself not to be scared. Afterall, Halloween is 78 days away.

Day 222 of Week 32 August 2024

August 2022 Route 17
Addison, Vermont

At peak summer, the heat creates a haze that places a pale light over everything. A simple tree in hot sunshine for no particular reason reminds me of summer more than a sandy beach or butterfly does. I can almost hear the June bug's buzzing sound piercing the stifling air as the sun stings my skin. I can almost smell the gravel stones cooking as the dark shade calls me in for a moment of cool relief.

This summer of 2024 has been the definition of what summer is, hot, rainy, and muggy with weather as delightful as a country fair. I am grateful that I have been able to sit outdoors under an umbrella to have my lunch; and moments to think about nothing special. My list of summer plans may have few things crossed off, but what has filled my days is much appreciated.

Appreciate Your Weekend!

Tell a pair of flip flops a funny story

Sing to a moth

Read about grasshoppers

Browse summery wallpaper online

Watch a lemon slice float in ice tea

Draw a sailboat

Play catch with a friend

Reflection Monday August 2024

If you feel alone,

then consider reaching out

into your family, friends and/or community

to build positive relationships.

Have compassion for yourself

as well as others.

An Average Day

Ring Necked Plover 2018
Dead Creek, Addison, Vermont

Up, wash, dress and make coffee is how my day begins. I journal, computer, online, and then have a restful prayer or ponder moment before I move to do anything. There are days I make breakfast, and days I don't eat until lunch time. Counting my errands' stops, there are about eleven places with an average of 3 or 4 on one day. There are days when I go nowhere. I live a small life in reality, and a medium global life online.

When I'm home from food shopping, if there isn't something sweet (fruit, soda, chips, baked goods) or crispy greasy to have, then I feel like I didn't buy anything to eat. I rarely buy those things. Thus, I often have a hungry vibe going on for what to eat.

Forage style eating is how I consume food. Whatever is the easiest to access for a nice chomping moment, that is what I will grab first. For that reason, I put a ban on my buying peanut butter (to stop myself from snacking on big spoons of peanut butter).

Here's the kicker. I think my average days are normal, like lots of other folks. I don't engage in anything unusual, except maybe sometimes hours of sitting in a chair depressed and napping.

The depression slump I've posted about is finally lifting. I increased my vitamin intake; and, get more sleep more often.

August at Dead Creek
Addison, Vermont
2018

This morning I went through photograph folders for 2018. The bird pictured here didn't have a name. Searching the area online, I found a page with the bird under a different name, Baird's Sandpiper. It took a few searches from remembering it as a plover, to find the right identification. If I am wrong, then please leave a comment.

Don't Need What?

The vintage 1950-60s decorative metal platter that I told myself I don't need, is now hanging on my wall by the front door. I went back and bought it this week. The $2.50 plus tax, it is worth the smiles.

Day 208 of Week 30 July 2024

Summer On Lake Champlain

As the days near the end of July, holding onto the Summer grows stronger. August may prove to have hot days with a hint of autumn blending into the night hours.

Please, let's not rush into fall foliage fever. Already I'm eyeing my comfy socks like they're the last cannoli on the shelf.

What else has been catching my attention? Cargo pants! The more pockets and zippers the more Me I feel. I've always fancied a rugged outdoors look. Sandals this year are another struggle between fashion favorite and arthritis.

About sandals. The first pair of sandals of un-named brand that I bought on sale lasted forever. I bought another pair in a different color. This 2nd season of wearing the 2nd pair, they are not holding up well. This has also happened in knit garments, and other brands. Quality varies.

About Blogging. The decision is to continue this blog on a weekly basis, one or two posts per week. The thought is that if I slow down posting when I'm in a slump, then I can post more when I've feeling better.

Have a Lovely Summer Weekend!

Read about rowboats

Bake a peach pie

Tell an umbrella a silly story

Draw a seagull

Sing to a houseplant

Write a poem about smiling