The Magic of Fall

Like a curtain that has dropped is Fall. We were down in the valley for a week and when we came home fall beat us to it. The back porch was inches deep with leaves from the 60 year old pear tree. The days are shorter and the temperatures much cooler. The colors are just starting to change. The air feels different, fresher..........After a summer full of smoke from the forest fires it would.

My Dad had his 90th. surprise birthday. It was fun to see my whole family together, three new baby's and one more on the way and two new boyfriends. Families grow and change. Love is the glue that holds us all together through the laughter and the tears. Today my brother is having a huge party to celebrate BEING ALIVE. He is cancer free for one year. He is the bravest person I know, a strong and quiet man. Celebrate LIFE today....it is precious. Love, Diane

Lily in my Yard

Fall is in the air.......Some how you just know. By the feel in the air and the slight drop in the evening temperatures. School starting. The days are getting a little shorter. I love the four seasons, some a little more than others. We had a very short summer because of the smoke filled sky's. No sunshine. Our little valley just held that smoke in, like valleys do. It is so nice now, to see the mountains and the blue sky. Yesterday the fluffy clouds filled the sky. Things are getting back to normal around here. Seek Joy.........Diane

Beautiful Monday

As I go off to work I just wanted to wish everyone a beautiful MONDAY!! The forest fire is 100% contained...The smoke is still here from the fire over the hill that is still going. A very small storm passed by yesterday and dropped a little rain with it so that helped. I never thought rain would sound so good...Diane

4 x 4 Chunky Book Page & Lime Fire

Helicopter Base

It is still very smokey here and looks like most of these fires won't be out until the rains come. I took a few photos yesterday of the fire camp. They are all on my flickr site. So far no sign of the Marines.

http://flickr.com/ more photos.

I had fun making 4 x 4's yesterday. Her hat says enjoy the journey on metal tag. Happy Monday! Art On! Also played with my lighting again..I think I am getting something setup however I may have to invest in some more equipment...ugg

GOTHIC ARCH Buttercup

OMg these are so fun.....Little BUTTERCUP is her name. Simple collage. Background paper was sent to me with a trade and I couldn't wait to use it. I have done a few more and will upload them over the next few days.

They are sending in the Marines Sunday about 550 should arrive and set up at our county fair grounds. The fires are still going but they are making great progress and no structures lost at this time, even in the Wildwood area that they evacuated a few days ago. We actually had a little blue sky yesterday and this morning..after almost two weeks without sunshine or blue sky.

Forest Fire 2001

We are still smoked in here but thankful that the fire is still pretty much all around us. There are so many fires. The town is full of Firefighters and equipment. They have made base camp at our Fair Grounds.

I found some old pictures of the Hyampom Fire back in 2001. That was the year I got my little dog. My husband and I had pretty much decided we wouldn't have a dog. Our experience with our first dog didn't work out that good. With both of us working, we had to find a home for her....we just didn't fit into HER lifestyle. Wrong breed for us....learned alot that time. Never get a cute little black puppy from a box in front of the market. Anyway.... come to find out it was a cattle dog. She would nip at my heels in the house. Thought it was cute at first....... Also thought it was cute that it would jump up to my face when I got home....at first.

Husband was gone on the fire for several days and I, in a weak moment, said yes to this little puppy. He wasn't even surprised, probably more surprised that we lasted dog-less for as long as we did. Now I don't know what we would do without her.

FOREST FIRE

Well with the many fires in our area and the very smokey sky I thought I would share what the morning sky looks like here. Not as bad as a few years ago when you couldn't see across the street.

I mailed several things yesterday. Two Etsy sales.....and a few solo swaps and two group swaps.. Ended up costing me about 20 bucks pretty cheap entertainment.