#naphopomo Day 12 Things that make me go mmmmm

Got batteries today, which are
the same useless ones that
only last a couple of days and to be honest, having got
over the initial,"Oh no,how am I going to continue with
#naphopomo?" without them, I have really enjoyed what
the webcam took, although it felt a little like cheating.
No doubt the webcam pics will return before the month
is done.
However, this particular image I wanted in full focus,
well, at least for the first glass. It is my monthly ritual,
once bills are paid and debts settled and I can go......
'mmmmm'.
Time for some music me thinks. :) cheers E and Zozo
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
love you.x

Happy New Year!

I just want to wish each and everyone of you who finds your
way to our little blog dot on the globe a very Happy New Year
for 2013! It is always a pleasure to find you were here with us.
I felt that I had had a difficult time during 2012, as I am sure
many of you did also, but yesterday Chookooloonks gave me
a gift of perspective which completely altered my view and
made me realise just how wonderful 2012 really was!
If you took any photographs during 2012 then you too can
experience this by visiting her blog. It may bring a tear or two,
but I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
The very wonderful T also surprised me with a gift today,
a hand carved fish he made to bring a smile to the face of a
Piscean who sometimes swims too deep.
I leave you in the safe hands of Mr Paul Weller xxx            

Seasons Greetings to Everyone

El Diablito and the Book of Possibilities

I started working on some ideas for a still life painting this morning.  I like planning things out in a sketchbook. Using watercolour and with no particular discipline or end result in mind at this stage, I usually stick on some music, (it was The Incredible String Band today) and dive in to see what happens. It's a lovely feeling, there is no pressure or expectation as the water and paint mingle freely. I am besotted with the combination of Paynes Grey and Burnt Sienna, oranges with crimson, deep blues and emerald green. El Diablito, who believes that my work table is his, came to see what was going on and lend a paw. I imagine he'll work his way into the painting too.

Happy Monday

We started the day in Corn Buck. It has been a long time since we went up together with lunch and a purpose. The weather was kind, no rain, and a cloud filtered sun . T had begun work up there already and invited me to join him 'just to see'.

I saw

and set to, freeing stones. There is something delightful about cutting this bush, there are no monetary rewards, no fanfares or applause but once free of vine and vegetation, the stones stand for something that I cannot explain other than to say it matters.

T took the opportunity to wash the dogs' bedding in the river, spreading them out to dry on warm river stones, which have totally different personalities from the ones in the bush.

Once home I did my share and washed the white things, a task
divided into manageable bites by frequent internet visits and refreshments  between rinses, combined with some lively music to maintain the momentum.

Carnival

Still a bit fuggish but it seems to be clearing. I was going to write a post about carnival but BBB has done an excellent job already.

My Music

I love music. I love how it revives me, moves me, uplifts and surprises me. Life without music is no life at all. I love soca and reggae, I can live without Celine Dion and most of the Top 40 but there are times that I long to hear something other. Not being in possession of a credit card or a budget sufficiently large enough to purchase C.D's, or any idea of what I wanted, I had, until recently, a bit of a dilemma. How was I to give my consciousness a little shift, for those times in the studio, when ideas are brewing, or when I want to drown out the sound of the cartoons from someone else's T.V., or when the heated, rum enhanced, discussion,

"Watch, le' me tell ya sumthin'"

flies in from the road, at the very moment when the artwork was balancing on a tightrope of completion, or what about when I just feel to sit and sip on a glass of wine and gaze across the valley?

Little did I know that help was at hand.

Free Albums Galore is an excellent blog that brings you succinct, interesting album reviews, drawing from a truly eclectic mix. I really like the format and the download is free, simple and safe, and doesn't require me to know one end of an ipod or an MP3 player, from the other.

Today, I chose;

which you can read about and download here.

At the Lisztonian website, you can enjoy

"free classical piano music from popular composers and works".

Once again, this is a secure site, safe and easy to use but the interesting thing about this site is the pianist. Jeremiah Jones is hoping to buy his own Steinway. I hope this mention will excuse my lack of financial contribution, but for anyone else who feels the need for a personal pianist, in their own home, I can truly recommend Jeremiah's recordings.