The photos above are my own – the first one is the vista taken from Mt. Lindo (the mountain with the enormous lighted cross) looking east toward the distant Denver skyline, with highway #285 winding its way west toward Conifer – a weekend journey for me, up that canyon to the place in the pines that I love best. (referenced in my new novel, A CANARY FLIES THE CANYON – AMAZON & KINDLE).
The second view is Evergreen lake, the third is the meadow across from Meyers Ranch in Conifer near where we hike, and the last is our little doe making herself at home in the sheltered spot surrounded by rocks just outside the studio window.
Summer 2016, from the ridiculously funny to the sublime and everything in between, is about half over and has already been logged as one of my personal best. I find my peace in the mountains. And yes, my blogs have been few this summer, but that does not mean I am uncommunicative. I am incubating new ideas. I am on fire to write another book (I have no control over this urge to write – it is an animal that needs constant feeding) but so far I am just making notes. I am also painting, which is quite similar to writing…requiring color, pattern and texture in the composition…focal point, sub-plots and sub-areas, interesting detail and dialogue. The process for each creative endeavor uses much the same principles, and of course you must also open yourself up and bleed it all out. You have to be unselfconscious in your desire to share.
We are attending summer concerts, art festivals and galleries, having friends visit us, painting both in the studio and plein air, checking out the Little Bear Saloon to make sure it still rocks (it does), the Lavender Festival and exploring back roads on the Harley. We have had a Colorado, stay-at-home kind of summer, but we have big plans for Fall. Every breath I take I am reminded that these are my Halcyon years, now in the final chapter of my life. I cannot ask for more than this, nor would I want to. My extended world is not perfect – people I love dearly are battling cancer, friends have painful family issues to deal with and the world here and abroad seems to have lost its fucking mind. Chaos and unpredictability rule the day. But somehow I have found a degree of peace, relieved of most of the stress…and removed…to a place both mental and geographic…that I love. I recommend that you do the same. Cheer Up! Do what you can with what you have got, and make yourself some happy.
Beautiful Images!!! So inspiring to read your posts- I agree that the mountains hold some magical peace to my soul as well. nestled in the mountains I find this calm within me and at night I go out to my pvt deck and sit to watch the most amazing sigh better than being in a planetarium! I also do my talking with the God and the Universe and together we brain storm my problems, my triumphs and my next idea!- Hugs…Laz
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Laz we are of the same mind about mountains – thanks for your lovely comment!
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You have so put things in perspective here. Making the most of our final chapters….and making some happy, because we can choose that.
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yes yes yes
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Ahhhhh, it sounds like a wonderful time in your life Jo Ann. I’m making some happy as best I can. I try to pay as little attention as possible to the madness, and give thanks to have the life I have.
Alison
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Your life is pretty special as well!
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I so get it. We are blessed.
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Missing you!
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And playing with food……what a great face! Glad you are doing so well…me too. Jane
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Totally agree with the philosophy of focusing on the positive. As a painter, I really appreciate and enjoy your comparison of the process of writing and painting. The same, yet different. As they say in Thailand ” same same but different.”
Peta
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Thanks so much for the lovely comment!
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