As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, this little library plays an important role in the community. As small as it is, it hosts a number of activities for patrons of all ages. All of these activities are FREE to attend although attendance may be limited due to space.
I brought in a few of my own sunflower paintings for some inspiration.
Recently I volunteered to teach a few children’s painting classes. The first of these classes was to learn about Vincent Van Gogh and to paint a picture in his style.
Although the class was limited, we had a nice turnout this week. I explained to the children a little about Vincent Van Gogh, who he was and why he was important. Also, they learned about his painting methods. Each table had several vases of sunflowers (faux) which the children were encouraged to choose what and how they wanted to paint. The library supplied all the art materials and even had little aprons just their size. They learned about mixing colors and how Van Gogh was known for his bold brush strokes.
Each child composed his or her own painting.Disposable palettes and tablecloths made clean up a snap.
All in all, it was a great group. I hope the kids had as much fun as I did.
Next month, we’re going to learn about Georgia O’Keeffe and her skull paintings. I’m bringing in a collection of real skulls (cow and deer) for them to use as subject matter.
Many thanks to AmyJo, the library branch manager, and other patrons who make programs like this possible. Public libraries are the best bargain around. What’s happening at your library?
Posted onDecember 3, 2023|Comments Off on Pen and ink, sketches and drawings
This week I’ve been fooling around with some pen and ink artwork. If it’s a sketch, then it’s looser. If it’s a drawing, then it’s more formal. That is not an official designation, just my own idea.
Birdseye Branch Library, pen and ink, Kit Miracle This one is plain but I actually colored in the Christmas wreath with a touch of red and green on the samples that I printed for the library.
So about a week ago, I thought I’d do a drawing of the library for the library. This is the little Birdseye Library which was featured in a post a few months back. I thought a pen and ink drawing which they could reproduce and sell as note cards would help them raise some funds. Most people can afford a package of cards for $15 without too much of a stretch. As with a previous painting I did of the library, I gave them the reproduction rights. They would handle all the printing, selling, etc. They can put the image on T-shirts, bags, cards, whatever. I hope it helps.
I’ve enjoyed creating pen and ink sketches for about 40 years. I find them very relaxing and will often just doodle while watching TV or sitting outside. Some of the images of buildings and structures are more formal, but most of the landscapes are pretty loose.
The old bank building and other stores, Birdseye, Indiana, pen and ink. Kit MiracleInman Episcopal Church, first church in Birdseye, Indiana, Pen and ink drawing, Kit Miracle
This week I did five sketches. In addition to the little library, I did a drawing of the first church in Birdseye and an old bank building in the small downtown area. The little church was from a very old photo that someone supplied me. But the downtown buildings were from some of my own photos. I have boxes of old pictures. Many have turned out to be good recordings of places and buildings which no longer exist.
The Crabapple tree. Pen and ink, watercolor. Kit MiracleA Quiet Place to Rest, pen and ink, watercolor, Kit Miracle
Finally, I sketched a couple of trees. An old crabapple which the grandson loves to climb. And a dogwood by the herb bed which shelters a bench, perfect for taking a break from yardwork. I have added a couple of touches of color in the form a cardinal pair. This is done after the image has been printed on heavy card stock in black and white. I’m turning this one into our Christmas card this year. So it’s part print and part original.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that jazz. Take a moment to enjoy some nature and get a breath of fresh air.
This is the time of year when people gather together in homey places. Basements, dens, shops, barns. Places with warm stoves and fireplaces, indoors or outdoors, as weather permits. Shared food and snacks, tall tales, laughter and fun.
Typical buck in velvet captured on the deer cam a few years ago.
I’m not talking about Thanksgiving. I’m talking about the opening of deer season which was yesterday in Indiana. This is with firearms. Bow season has been open for a awhile already.
Oh, those poor Bambis!, you say. I probably thought that over 35 years ago when I lived in the city. Now that I’ve lived in the county for most of my life, I have an entirely different perspective. Long gone are the days when my Uncle Elmer Ray would go hunting in the UP in Michigan, bring back the deer he bagged, then drive around with the poor victim strapped across the hood of his car. It always tasted a little wonky to me. Wonder why?
Not only did I feel sorry for the poor deer, when I moved to my90acres, I didn’t worry about the deer roaming around the property. Hummmm…. After they’ve eaten rows of green beans, new pea sprouts, or my flowers, I’ve got a different viewpoint. They don’t have much respect for what is my territory and what is their space.
But what really changed my opinion over the years have been the ELEVEN deer / car run accidents my family has had over the years. Plenty of expense and at least one car totaled. No injuries, fortunately.
The white tail deer population was mostly wiped out in Indiana by the early 1900s. It was reintroduced in the 1940s. Now, there are an estimated 680,000 deer here. Unfortuntely, having large wild animals roaming freely means that Indiana also saw more than 14,000 deer / vehicle accidents last year. That translates to 1.5 M across the US. This translates further to 1 B damages and around 200 fatalities.
Look carefully at the bottom of the photo to spot numerous deer tracks in the mud.
I’m not going to discuss the pros and cons of hunting season, but here are some things to keep in mind from becoming a statistic if you have to travel through rural areas. And by the way, the deer population is pretty strong in urban areas, too. This information is not scientific so draw your own conclusions. But I used to drive to work on country roads for a minimum of 250 miles per week for many years. These are some of my conclusions.
If you see dead deer along a certain stretch of the road consistently, consider that an unofficial deer crossing. They will often use the same paths over many years. Be aware. I saw one trying to cross the road in such a place just this past Friday evening. I was driving rather slowly (50 mph, probably to the annoyance of the car behind me) when a young buck appeared on the side of the road. I laid on the horn and the brakes; fortunately he turned around and went back but he looked as if he was going to run out in front of me.
They like to move at dawn and dusk but don’t let your guard down. I’ve seen them roaming at all times of day and night.
I’ve noticed that where a tip of woods touches the road with another tip on the other side, you’ll often see deer crossing. They’re using the cover of the trees.
Same goes for drainage ditches. They’ll take cover running along in the ditch, then pop up where the road crosses. Surprise!
They often run in groups. I’ve braked for a deer running across the road, then drove on, only to see in my reaview mirror the car behind me hit another animal in the herd.
Those are just a few hints to help you avoid becoming a statistic. Just use caution this time of year. Avoid feeding times, use your high beams, if possible. Slow down a bit. It just might save you a lot of aggravation down the road.
Just a note. The hunters around here are not just seeking trophies (although there is some bragging for that nine-pointer), but they actually use the meat for the table. Many hunters even share with local food banks and other organizations of need.
Afternoon visitors. They’re eating fallen fruit from the orchard.
Libraries have been a big part of my life since our family made weekly visits when I was little. A local library has always been a criteria for every place I’ve ever moved. I even worked in my college library. Today’s libraries provide services far beyond just lending printed materials and have become hubs of their communities.
In the past few years when we were dealing with COVID, and while the main library was being rebuilt, the little Birdseye Library played an even more important role in its community. The town population is only about 445, but the library provides services to patrons from two adjoining counties (Perry and Crawford) due to its location on the border.
Although I’m not sure if it qualifies as the smallest library in the state, at only about 500 sq ft, it has to be close. As a branch library, it probably doesn’t meet the criteria for smallest, but physically it’s pretty little.
Opening in 2012, the Birdseye Public Library is in the former town hall building, adjacent to the railroad tracks on 145. The vibrant flowers planted by the library staff add to the beauty of the town.
The library is only open for two and a half days per week but it has a dedicated staff. AmyJo is the Branch Manager, Pat, Mary, and Craig are part-timers. Craig is very helpful, especially with technical issues. Most of the staff split their time at the other branch libraries, too.
A multitude of services and programs are provided for patrons. Large print books and videos are two of the most popular items borrowed. There is a good selection of children’s books, magazines, electronic launch pads, and current best sellers. Books from other branch libraries are available and can be delivered to the Birdseye branch within a couple of days. Computers, printers, games, puzzles are also available.
Dinosaur Mountain meets the electric train in this photo. The librarians frequently change out special displays and activities for all ages.
Sitting only a few yards from the tracks, trains pass by frequently throughout the day. AmyJo, daughter of a train man, says she doesn’t even notice the sound but it can be unnerving for newcomers.
A Blessing Box sits behind the library. This is another free service to the local community. Food and goods donated by local businesses are made available to all. Free Wi-Fi is also available so the parking lot is often filled, especially during the school year when families bring their kids to do homework in their cars. Most households in this area do not have internet services.
The Summer Reading Program with crafts and activities for all ages began on May 30th and runs through July. From a ventriloquist to a juggler, Professor Steve (science programs) to a balloon creator, and animal handlers of all kinds, entertainment is provided at the shelter house at Birdseye Town Park. These free programs count towards the reading program’s log of activities. Patrons submit the list of activities that they’ve participated in at the end of the season, where they are eligible to win prizes of all types from an inflatable kayak to camping equipment, bicycles to games, train rides and tickets to amusement parks, and so much more. Prizes are made possible by donations from local businesses.
Meet a real desert fox brought by Silly SafarisAnd a great horned owlPet a miniature pony.Feed a goatMake a craftHear silly jokes from the ventriloquist.Volunteer Fireman Clint Cummings explains all the workings of the firetruck.And who doesn’t want to operate a fire hose, with the help of Volunteer Firewoman Kelly Zehr?
The smallest library in Indiana has a pretty big impact on its community. What is happening at your local library?
Leo napping, original painting, acrylic on canvas 16 x 16 with gold leaf on sides.
As an artist, I’ve often been asked over the years, where do you get your ideas? This is a tough question because you can’t just go to the store and pick some ideas up. Well, maybe depending upon which direction you feel like moving.
For me, ideas can come from a variety of sources. Something I see, read about, even from dreams. Sometimes I think I want to explore a certain idea but end up going in an entirely new direction. That is what happened to me recently.
I was contemplating a series of local scenes. Landscapes, cityscapes. Just a variety of ideas have been strolling through my brain. Then I found myself noodling around with some sketches of my cat, in fact, various cats that I’ve owned throughout the years. (Not forgetting all the dogs, birds, lizards, and a variety of other pets we’ve had over the years.) No, I am not a crazy cat lady. I like cats and it seems as if I’ve had one around nearly all my life.
Tom. Original painting on canvas with gold leaf on front and sides. 8 x 8 x 2.5Princess, original painting on canvas with gold leaf on sides and front. 8 x 8 x 2.5
So I started with some sketches of my little buddy Leo the cat. He seems to manage to find so many different ways to sleep that he’s almost acrobatic. One particular pose leads to another. Then I removed his ratty old blanket and put him on an Oriental carpet. And this lead me to think, Why not really jazz it up with some gold?!
Anyway, Leo was the first victim, er uh, volunteer. Then came Tom, my dad’s cat. Then Princess who is just too too glam. Adding backgrounds of oriental carpets and some real 23K gold or silver leaf. I have never done anything with gold leaf before but, hey, it’s always good to try new things.
Ki, original painting on canvas, 8 x 8 x 2.5. Unfinished.
Then I realized that I was running out of cat subjects. Even photos of my old cats.
So with the help of a friend who volunteers, I went to the local humane society. BINGO! Back in business. They have lots of cats. Every time the volunteer was telling me that this cat was shy or standoffish, it would come and climb all over me, waiting for its ears to be scratched or belly rubbed. Such a beautiful variety. These people do such good work, especially with the help of many volunteers.
Who doesn’t love cute kittens?!
But what really broke my heart was seeing the older cats who appeared in good shape but had been turned into the humane society because their owners died or who were no longer able to take care of them. How confused they must be. They looked so sweet and loving.
Anyway, I’ll be making more trips back there in the coming months. If you have a humane society near you, check it out next time you need a new pet, or just another pet. They definitely get high marks on my list.
Meanwhile, check out my Etsy shop KitMiracleArt to keep track of the new golden cats.
Posted onApril 9, 2023|Comments Off on New beginnings
Raised Bed – Electricity – Baby Chainsaw
Our spring weather has been all over the place. Several weeks ago, we had exceedingly warm weather. Then some cold, frost, rain and storms. Finally, the beautiful weather rolled in and I could tackle some tasks that were waiting.
One thing was to assemble a raised bed kit. I received two for Christmas but haven’t had time to put them together. We decided to cut back on our huge garden this year so we’ll see how this goes. I’m usually pretty good at following directions so it wasn’t really difficult to assemble. The hardest part was bending, stooping and squatting to put all the nuts and bolts in. My knees paid for it the next day. And I have one more to assemble. I’ll file progress reports on how it works.
First raised bed assembled. Steel, 8′ x 4′ x 1′. Of course, it will need to be set in place and filled with mulch and dirt.
Then, I had a lamp switch go out a couple of weeks ago. This is my main reading lamp. Frankly, I’m a little skeptical about working on electricity but thought I’d give it a go. After watching four videos online, I thought, How hard can it be? It actually wasn’t. I decided to repair another lamp while I was at it and had both done in about twenty minutes. And they work!
Two lamps that I rewired.
Finally, I took the plunge with another Christmas gift. This is a mini-chainsaw! Yes, really! If you’ve followed this blog for awhile, then you know that we process a good bit of firewood here on the homestead so we’re not strangers to some big, noisy equipment. But I have never operated a chainsaw and didn’t want to learn. (They’re big, noisy, and pretty dangerous.) Anyway, I got tired of asking for someone to cut some brush and small branches for me. So I requested my own mini-chainsaw.
Of course, I read every word of the instruction book. Purchased some safety equipment. And gave it a try yesterday. My husband glanced at it (without laughing) and said, you do this and this and this and you’re good to go. Please repeat that, thank you very much.
Safety equipment and baby chainsaw
But I had my first foray into trimming some brush and fruit trees. It worked great but my muscles were sure sore today. However, this ought to help when I trim the drive later this spring.
So, these were my adventures in new beginnings this week. There is so much to do around here in the spring that I’m sure I’ll have plenty more challenges. Don’t forget those helpful videos online if you want to try something new.
I don’t know how the weather is where you are but this past week here in Southern Indiana, it’s been all over the place. A week ago the temperature was up to 82 per the weather app on my phone. In February! Yesterday, Saturday, it was a chilly 30 degrees with frost on the car windows. Friday we had four inches of rain resulting in the creek bursting out of its banks and over the driveway, storms, winds up to 60 mph, and a tornado warning sending us to the basement for a bit.
The creek flooding out of its banks and over the drive.
The reason we moved here 35 years ago (after ten years in Michigan) was that the winters here were relatively mild (jacket weather) and the summers were endurable. But the past couple of years have been hotter or wetter or just plain off schedule. I’ve counted the tree rings in old trees and could see the drought of the 30s (thinner rings). Maybe it’s climate change; maybe this is a normal cycle.
The tallest cedar. Son and grandson for scale.Mystery bumps on a sycamoreTiny bright orange fungi in last year’s leaf litter.
Spring still seems to arrive on her own schedule. Last week we went for a walk in the woods to find the tallest cedar. We did. I also spotted this tiny orange fungi. And some odd-looking bumps on a sycamore tree. I have no idea what that is.
The purple crocuses seem to be the most hardy.White and purple crocus.
The crocuses are still pushing up, often in odd places where I know I didn’t plant them. Can they travel? The tulips are still emerging but seem to be on the wane, most likely due to deer and rabbits. Several types of daffodils are blooming despite what Mother Nature is throwing at them. The frost doesn’t seem to affect them at all. Even the pulmonaria is pushing up. The buds are swelling on bushes and trees. We seem to be about three weeks ahead of normal…and I’m not ready for spring yet.
Hardy daffodils. Also in a few types of lilies coming up. Limbs down from recent storm.More hardy daffodils. Pounded by the storm and frost but they’ll revive. Notice the pulmonaria poking up.Bi-color daffodil.
I was outside early yesterday morning to take photos of the golden frosty sunrise. In my robe and boots again. Thankfully we have no near neighbors as I’m sure I was an eyeful.
But I always look forward to spring’s promise no matter how fickle she is. Just no more tornado warnings, please.
Wisteria vine. Fallen wild cherry in back waiting to be turned into campfire wood. Always some benefit in the storm.Another golden sunrise shot.
What do you think of when you hear the word country?
For some, it might refer to a nation but I’m thinking of a place a little closer. For many it means a state of mind, an attitude not a specific place.
For me the term refers to a rural place, a landscape. An escape from or to. Getting back to nature. A walk in the woods. A bench in the park, or even a geranium on the window sill.
Country is a feeling, an attitude, a breath of air. The first daffodil or garden tomato. Watching a tiny spider try to climb a blade of grass. Or the cute tree frog plastered to the window at night, staring back at me with his big eyes.
Geese overhead. Early morning visitors.
I live in the country, or what many people think of when they hear that term. With fields and woods, streams and private places. In a very very old house which still echoes with the laughter of children from long ago and more recently.
The walls are a foot thick and not one of them is exactly perpendicular. And that’s OK; neither am I these days.
The best compliment I’ve ever received was from my great Aunt Catherine who was visiting many years ago. She was sitting in an old wingback chair with some music playing softly in the background. The windows were flung open to catch the breeze and she remarked, This house is just so comfortable. And isn’t that what anybody wants their guests to feel? Comfortable?
Logs used in the front half of the house. Notice the adz marks on these hand-cut beauties.Hobbit door leading to the little attic.Hand-carved back door.
No matter where we live now, most of us are only a generation or two from the country life. Fortunately we can still experience a taste of country with that pot of tomatoes on the deck or the geranium in the window. Take a walk in the park. Feed the birds. Just sit in the shade and tune into nature’s sounds.
Frequent visits to my grandparents as a child planted the seeds of my love for the country life. Collecting still-warm eggs from the chickens. Playing with cousins in the hayloft. Giving that mean old sow a wide berth. Living on that little farm in the county was always a dream of mine.
My husband and I realized this dream thirty-five years ago when we actually bought the farm at auction. That resulted in a lot of work to bring the old place up to date. We were much younger then and had watched way too much of This Old House. Ha ha. Not quite so easy. Add a twenty-five mile commute to work (and the grocery). But it’s been fun through the years with lots of rewards (and some trials).
I love the version of country that I’ve been living for the past couple of decades but I also realize that you may have a different version. Do you decorate with simple hand-made furniture and quilts? Or put your green thumb to work on those patio plants? Maybe you can walk down to the ocean shore or river to check out the wildlife? Or are you a birder, waiting in a swamp for the first rays of dawn in order to photograph those cranes that are passing through?
What does your country look like? Is it comfortable?
Beams in the kitchen. Each plate is a family memory.
The east field. Frequently we see deer crossing here.
I am glad that I live in a climate that exhibits mercurial moods. The past month has been some wild ride. Record-setting heat for winter, up to the 70s. And a blizzard which scrubbed the land with high winds, followed by bone-chilling freezes. No two days were the same, it seemed. I think I would get bored if every day was sunny and warm, say like Florida or Arizona. But ask me about that next month towards the end of February.
Out front looking back at the house.
One thing that I’ve noticed is that my own mood perks up on sunny days. Thus, I seem to prefer painting outdoor scenes depicting sunshine. So when I woke to a heavy fog a couple of weeks ago, I marched outside (yes, in my robe and rubber boots) to take some photos of the fog. The air was soft and the neighborhood was very quiet. It seemed shrouded in mystery if that isn’t too much of a cliché. One could almost imagine some settlers emerging from the heavy air or some knights on horseback in days of old. Yeah, too much reading with my granddaughter.
The front yard. I saw some deer go across the end earlier.
But as I was reviewing my photos, I got inspired to try some new subjects. The misty landscapes will probably appear sometime in the next few months. Just imagine the peace and soft footfalls.
The north field. The fog is beginning to lift but it’s just above the tree tops.
Oh, by the way, happy new year. Or at least a better one if the past has been difficult for you. Find a still place to reflect, maybe enjoy the peace of some foggy weather.
A big maple in the side yard. The fog is already beginning to lift.
Posted onDecember 25, 2022|Comments Off on The Big Chill – Christmas
Blue sky and blue shadows. Beautiful but chilly.
Unless you were vacationing in some tropical paradise this past week, you probably are aware of the big arctic event that blasted through the center of the country this past week. After a relatively balmy fall season leading up to the holidays, this is what my little corner of the Midwest experienced this week.
A country welcome. Nothing fancy but a little festive.Only one set of tracks. Everyone is hiding out indoors.
The weather forecasters were urgently warning much of the nation to pay attention and take appropriate action. Which we did. The cellar was loaded with firewood in anticipation of the deep freeze. The fridge was full of the usual supplies. Our son and his girlfriend were rushed to Louisville on Thursday in anticipation of their very early flight back to the west coast on Friday. (Fortunately, they experienced only a small delay.) We made it home by early afternoon before the big blast and battened down the hatches in preparation.
My father carved a series of holiday figures and gifted them to us children over the years. I cherish every one.This poinsettia looks festive decorating a vintage birdcage outside my studio.My favorite jingle bell.
By early evening, the temperatures began to drop, the misty rain turned to driving snow, and the wind cranked up the volume. It didn’t stop until today. The high here yesterday was zero. I didn’t even step foot outside the house until today when I went for a walk and to catch up on outdoor chores.
Burrrrr. A beautiful but chilly sunrise.What ho?! Lots of visitors at the mulch pile. Not too many takers for the orange rinds but many others have been picking through.Mr. Blue Jay is all fluffed out and looks enormous. He’s at the kitchen window, waiting for me to fill the feeder. Greedy feather dusters.
The sun was out and everything was sparkly. The bird feeder has been popular. We’ve gone through forty pounds of sunflower seeds in the past two weeks. I saw plenty of tracks here and there, especially around the mulch pile. I was looking for another visitor, too. I spotted a mink skulking about last week which was the first that I’ve seen around here. Haven’t seen any deer or turkeys but I’m sure they’re holed up somewhere. Leo the cat has been taking marathon naps and very quick trips to check the weather. The dog doesn’t care and is always ready to play with anyone who ventures outdoors.
Anti-chill. No farmhouse backdoor would be complete without an assortment of hats and coats during a winter storm.A big pot of chili for the big chill. Yum, just what you need to warm up.
We haven’t had a big freeze like this for many years so it’s been an adventure.
Anyway, I hope that wherever you are spending Christmas day that you’re warm and cozy and safe. Enjoy your families if you’re near, or your friends if you’re not. Or better yet, make your friends into a new family.
Let the warmth of your hearts extend to those in need. Stay safe.
I'm a professional artist, retired director of a performing arts center, bona fide book addict, and enjoy the quiet life...most of the time. I'd love to hear from you or get your ideas for future posts. Come back soon!
I'm a professional artist, retired director of a performing arts center, bona fide book addict, and enjoy the quiet life...most of the time. I'd love to hear from you or get your ideas for future posts. Come back soon!
my90acres 