Thursday, April 17, 2014

Not in front of . . .


. . . but behind, very behind.

I've had a really hard time keeping up these past few weeks,
so today,  I am surrendering to it.

"The key is not to prioritize what's on the schedule, 
but to schedule your priorities."  - Stephen Covey


SO, instead of the intended post of part 2 in my monarch series, (which will resume next week),
I have a whole lotta random to share.


1. I'm so very sad that Nancy over at A Rural Journal has decided that she has come to the end of the blogging road. I so understand and admire the difficult decision, but she will be missed.

2. I finished my last bible study class yesterday...best bible study EVER, Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. Her bible studies are very powerful and this was NO exception. We conclude each study day with a video from Beth and let's just say this last one brought us to our knees, literally to our knees - it was a sight, and overwhelming heart experience.

3. I have just four more classes left to finish this piece I've been working on . . . there has been a lot of sawing going on. All of the small flowers are actually charms and just being used to help design here. The hardest part of finishing this piece will be choosing and coordinating colors for all the flowers. I see a gardener's color wheel in my future. The flowers will be cold connected with bolts to a back plate, which they are temporarily on now, and the back plate will have an aged patina of some kind. I think I would really like to etch some words into the back as well and I still need to decide what design I'm going to pierce out of the back plate as well. . . . and then there is the decision of what kind of chain to use. If I can't find one that feels right, I may have to make my own. 




4. As I'm sitting here typing I have my black swallowtail chrysalis sitting next to me, I can't decide if it's going to emerge today or tomorrow? So I'm ready just in case!! ;)

5. And speaking of caterpillars . . . .I have very sad news. The almost 100 monarch eggs I started with had equated to just 14 that made it to a chrysalis. I kept checking on them right after they hatched and was finding day and two day old cats dead, hanging by just a thread from the leaves. As days went by, I was seeing less and less cats, but no clue why. When they are small they can play hide and seek like no ones business, so I didn't panic . . . until last week when I came home to a caterpillar apocalypse. Big, beautiful, chunky caterpillars days away from pupating found hanging limp, some from a thread and some inverted in a "v" shape and most dripping green liquid like they were melting. It. Was. Horrible!! There were many tears shed at my house last week. Upon hours of research I think I know why they died. There are so many diseases that these cats can get...but there is a very deadly virus called NPV that can wipe out the entire lot of them on the plants. When one gets it (and it's something found naturally in the wild) it can contaminate the leaves with it's frass (poo) or any of the green liquid that leaves crystals behind. Another caterpillar walks though it or eats a crystal containing the virus and it just keeps on going like the energizer bunny. So not only did I lose most all of those caterpillars, but I also had to throw away all contaminated plants - $100 worth! I also made the very tough decision, although I have drug my feet, to euthanize all remaining chrysalis to be on the safe side. My heart is broken . . . 

6. Our church does a Good Friday experience where they invite artists to submit work with a small blurb about what inspired the piece. This year I did a series from seed to butterfly in photos (8 in all) and all framed together in one frame. But this year of all years they gave us a 120 word maximum, rofl! Can you imagine me, trying to reduce what I wrote (before I realized) down to 120 words. Last night was the artist's reception before they open it to the church members and public on Friday and as I had second guessed myself on what I shared and wrote, I was very pleased that it was well received. Since I have never entered a juried competition before, this might have given me a little confidence to try. 

7. Oh, and one more . . . it's pretty safe to say that I take more photographs than I could probably share here if I posted everyday. The hubby and I went to the beach a few weeks back, after we ate in Galveston, for a sunset walk. Just as it was getting too dark to see anything on the beach, we got in the car to leave. The sky was just starting to turn these beautiful colors, but it wasn't until we got past the houses that I saw this. It was one of those, "honey I have to find a spot to to photograph this." So racing against the clock of time we found this perfect spot to pull over so that I could get out. But word of advice, remember to put your camera back to auto focus after taking (purposeful) blurry shots because even though you keep snapping and they look good on the back of your screen, you will be very disappointed when a bunch of them just weren't in sharp focus.




Well, if I haven't already lost you with the length of this post, I wish you and your family and very blessed Easter. Our girl is coming home today and I can't believe in a matter of weeks we will be going to get her and all her things to bring her back for the summer. Where has this school year gone?

Love, Kim




34 comments:

Kim said...

So much going on! Where to start? I think with congratulations on your art exhibit thingy for Easter. You have such a way with your captures and words that I know will be a blessing! God has gifted you! I'm sure it brings Him much glory! So sad about your monarchs. I know it was a tough decision to euthanize them for the sake of others. I can feel your pain in that. You have such a tender heart. I will miss Nancy as well, but know that sometimes we have to do what's best for us in a given time.

Tamar SB said...

I was so sad to hear Nancy was no longer going to blog. And such a shame about the monarchs! You have such a tender heart for such beautiful creatures!

Dotti said...

Yes, Nancy and R5F will be missed. Maybe it will just be a hiatus. So sad about the cats but I think you did the right thing. And that sky ... no words for the beauty.

A very happy Easter to you and yours!

Snap said...

I'm sad about Nancy, too. I've been following your adventure with your Monarchs on FB and wow! So sorry, but have to say I've learned a lot. Your necklace is amazing. Always love your Galveston images. Kim! You are a busy girl!

Happy Easter!

Ida said...

I know Nancy will truly be missed in the blogging world. I hope someone contacts here & offers to take on Random 5 Friday.
I am so very sorry to hear of your Butterfly/Caterpillar loss. That is really sad.
What a gorgeous Sunset against that barbed wire fence. So glad you were able to pull over and get that shot. Happy Easter.

Anonymous said...

Happy Easter Kim!

Naquillity said...

yes, very sad about Nancy... i only just found her a few weeks or so ago. equally sad is the news about your butterflies. i hate you had to make that difficult decision. but, i believe you made the right one under the circumstances.

very happy to read about your art being accepted. and that sunset photo is breathtaking. Happy Easter~

Adrienne said...

Oh that big, beautiful texas sky! So wonderful. I'm so inspired by your craftiness and creativity!

Cathy said...

Oh wow, that metal work is just amazing Kim!It is going to be so beautiful. Sorry about your butterflies. Happy Easter! Enjoy your girl.

Nicki said...

I am heart broken over your loss - I would be just sick with sorrow. I'm going to miss Nancy dearly, but like you, I understand and appreciate her departure. Your art is stunning, I can't wait to see your final product - absolutely gorgeous (as is that last image). I could post twice daily and still have left over pictures for the rest of the year - and that is just counting all I took while in California at the beginning of the year. Yikes!

Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

Wow, a lot of good you need to let go of - just take your time, and enjoy the little things in life:)

Evelyn S. said...

The "apocalypse" of the caterpillars is horrible! I can only imagine your sense of loss. It's not disastrous, but I'm feeling a sense of loss over Nancy's decision to leave blogging, too. I explained to her that I consider blogland my friendship circle. I guess I don't get out much! As for your daughter...oh, it will go so quickly!

Unknown said...

Your project and the sunset photo are both gorgeous!

That makes me want to cry about the Monarchs. We raise Monarchs also and have had our share of troubles. But we've never even raised that many during a season, let alone have lost that many. I would be in tears. Two summers ago we lost a bunch to a parasite. Some pesky little fly that laid its eggs on the cats. Last summer we didn't get to raise any because the weather was too cold and wet here. Hoping for much better success this summer.

Congratulations on your Good Friday display!

Have a blessed Easter! He is risen!

Inspired By June said...

You're so very talented,Kim! I can't wait to see the finished piece! I'm sorry about your cats. Have a blessed Easter - He is Risen!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have had a very busy schedule! I love Beth Moore, very good speaker and writer…I have some of her books! Cant wait to see your finished necklace! Have a wonder Easter!

Kathryn Dyche said...

So sorry to hear about the cats, that must have been heartbreaking. Looks like you've been busy.

tiarastantrums said...

oh so sad about your caterpillars! But you are one busy - CREATIVE - gal!!

Michelle B said...

Beautiful sunset. I am going to visit again with my daughter, she loves making jewelry and will love seeing your necklace. So Creative! Happy Easter!

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Have a happy Easter Kim, rest up and enjoy your time together family is so important

Unknown said...

So shocked by the news of the monarch eggs! I didn't know about the NPV! So sorry you had to go through such a traumatizing time. I have the same thing happen to me with our of focused shots. Leaned the hard way to take way more than I needed to ensure i will have at least one.

Brandi said...

My goodness, you are talented! Beautiful photographs and projects. I am so sorry to hear about your loss with the caterpillars. I hope you have a wonderful Easter!

Melinda said...

Happy Easter! You are one talented lady- beautiful photos and art!

Sylvia said...

Kim, so sorry to hear about the caterpillars ...
What a gorgeous sunset !
Happy Easter,
Sylvia

The Artful Diva said...

I hope you enjoy a Blessed Easter.

Brenda said...

Wow! That sky was well worth a stop to capture - amazing! Love the silhouetted fence.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

i a heartbroken about Nancy as well. She will surely be missed. Have a happy Easter.

Kim Klassen said...

happy easter dear kim.... your metal work is beautiful.....
and that sky.... Oh my word....

xo, Kim

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about the caterpillars, how heart breaking. Love your sunset and the first picture is amazing, you do truly amazing work :)

Happy Easter.

Cathy H. said...

I know your heart was broken with the loss of so many cats! I'm glad you had the joy of seeing the beautiful sunset!

Sarah Huizenga said...

Great list of random things. I too miss Nancy, but we must carry on. So sorry about your cats, I can see where that is heartbreaking. Your necklace is going to be a beautiful creation. Yes, this school year has gone much too fast. I think next year will go even faster since Mallory will be a Senior. Yikes!

Anita Johnson said...

Where to start...I love Beth Moore too! And I am so sorry to hear about your caterpillars...Last year I didn't see one. Not one. We have so much milkweed, I just hope this year is better!
Happy Easter to you and your family.

Donna Hopkins said...

Kim, I love your heartfelt post. You inspire me in so many ways. I will certainly check out the Beth Moore study you reference. And your jewelry creation is amazing - I love the handmade nature of your jewelry - so beautifully crafted. Sounds like there is much going in your life - from butterflies to friendship to faith and all in between. Such a joy to read about a life well-lived. Happy Easter!

Liz said...

That's really sad to hear about Nancy! I will miss her blog. I have been having trouble accessing it lately... perhaps that's the problem.
I also miss Tricia from Bluff Area Daily who used to run Barn Charm.

I'm so sorry to hear about your caterpillars. It must have been devastating! I know how much love goes in to looking after them.

So glad my sunrise could provide some comfort this morning.
Have a blessed Easter, Kim!

Unknown said...

I understand Nancy's decision...but still makes me SO sad. Your piece is gorgeous and so creative. My heart was breaking for you with all your cats. You were thought of and being hugged through the universe...just so you know. Hope you had a great Easter Kim.

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