She's Off Her Rocker

Moons on a stick!
Here I have finaly wrapped up a few Halloween commissions and am ready to move on to some fun things to list on ebay! At the same time I have to start on some large paintings that were recently commissioned. Old world looking pastoral landscapes that will be hung as a pair. I also have decided to paint a special Halloween painting on the arched board that has my sister's skull carving. I want to juxtapose an old world romantic landscape autumn backdrop but with creepy Halloween figures walking through... I know one will be a witch, possibly a moon man and a devil. I can't wait, and now that school is starting next week I may can really get some things done!

Speaking of getting things done, I needed to go for a run/walk tonight with the only 2 youngest kids that are home...I really wish I had my camera to depict this disaster. My rugged double jogging stroller has seen who knows how many miles.... I have used it with all three kids, since babyhood.. logged an unknown amount of miles on it, have had to replace tires atleast once, innertubes even more. Truth be known, I am HARD on some equipment. So, tonight I find one of the tires is flat, won't hold air, and has a hole in the innertube. I know the bike store is closed so I run to buy a can of fix a flat...things going well...tire filling up...I'm feeling victorious...untill I try and disengage the can..break off the valve stem and spray a noxious fuming blast of chemical crap all over the stoller and everyone nearby! I can still smell it now! No run for me! My poor ignored body will have to wait till tomorrow. The dog is way hyped up too. Maybe I can get the kids to bed and stay up late and paint! I'll throw in some pics of last night's trek to the creek, (and you'll see why I hate to miss it!) instead, when aforementioned stroller was still in use. It serves many a function, mostly to carry water, nets, discarded shoes which may or may not be needed, camera, bucket, rocks, clothing, various,... and dog leash, discarded... and Danny's scooter, since he alternates between riding scooter and riding in stroller, we basically galavant through fields and trails, then woods, like a motley troupe of gypsies! Oh and we had fun climbing Lord Of The Ring-ish looking Tree roots that grow up the creek banks... it was almost dark!!!

Lichen growing in soldier-like formation...



Gorgeous glowing rimmed clouds, like I'll have to paint soon...

More lichen...I love the pattern and texture...

a blurry but still serene shot of the trail and angus...I like the brightness of the puddles...another one I want to paint...

My favorite trail....

I love when the sunset lights up the trees limbs at the edge of the woods!

the sky is a feast for the eyes....

Going down to a nearby favorite creek spot....

Earlier, on the way, sun still up... Ellie and cassie..

Incredible tree roots...cave like area behind them...where you can hide like a hobbit!

Yours truly, in the almost dark, trying to climb up and over... photo courtesy Ellie... I had already given Danny a boost up...

And this one is just too dark to see it...oops...I think its Cassie climbing?? Or maybe us both?...

Its never too late for a fun nature adventure, and I'll never be too grown up to play in the woods in the dark!