life – Sticks, Stones, and Paper Stew Blog

Collecting

I’ve finally cleared the desk in order to start working on Cathe’s book. The subject is “Collections” and I certainly have quite a few. Last week was spent sorting and tossing (donating) some of those collections in an attempt to clear out the garage. In the animal world, there is a rodent called a Wood RatContinue reading “Collecting”

Rainy day

It continues to surprise me the energy level required for assisting my brother. For those who don’t know the back story, he suffered an anoxic brain injury last fall and spent basically 3 months in the hospital and is now relearning how to speak, walk and the works. Yesterday, he had his first outpatient rehabilitationContinue reading “Rainy day “

Milestones

Displaying our catch back in 1975: big sister and I holding up trout probably caught along the Donner or Blitzen river by the Steens Mountains in south-eastern Oregon. Our dad filleted and cooked them for dinner. It was a big milestone for me, my first successful fishing trip. The sport didn’t “catch” on. IContinue reading “Milestones”

Watering Can

I spend a fair amount of time sitting with ice packs on my feet and ankles, 2-3 times a day. Most days I grab the computer and a cup of coffee in the morning before settling in for 30 min of cold. At night I watch something on TV. Why not sketch something instead?! Anything!Continue reading “Watering Can”

5 years

Wow! I have to admit that I’m pretty amazed to still be blogging after 5 years. If someone had asked me back on 20 Feb, 2009 if I had a prediction for what the future held, what would I have said? Probably something about creating art and loving my critters. I never would have guessedContinue reading “5 years”

Four years ago

It was a beautiful sunny day, just like today, that I sat in my mothers hospital room sharing the couch with my father. I watched him say his goodbye to her, knowing it was the final farewell. 50 years of marriage that would end during the early hours of the 6th. When he left theContinue reading “Four years ago”

Cacophony of Chainsaws

This morning I woke to chainsaws at 6:45 am. Our property backs up to BPA land (Bonneville Power Admin) with large electrical towers. About 8 years ago, and we’ve been here for the past 17, they started coming through clearing the land every fall & spring. All trees and brush are whacked down. Initially itContinue reading “Cacophony of Chainsaws”

It’s up…. and going

Yesterday I sat myself down during the afternoon & evening to get the account up and selling on Etsy. It was quite an experience involving a steep learning curve. I must admit that I’ve not started my own business before and I’m feeling overwhelmed & kind of confused at how to approach everything. PayPal isContinue reading “It’s up…. and going”