Tag Archives: Lake Patoka

Spring into Summer 2024

Posted on July 28, 2024 | 6 comments

After I returned from vacation last spring, I immediately jumped into the many spring tasks requiring attention. The usual trimming and weeding. Building and adding a third raised bed. I really enjoyed gardening with those last year. Planting and spring cleaning.

I dealt with a very stubborn cardinal who kept fighting his reflection in the window. All day long for weeks, beginning at dawn and going until dusk. I drew scary faces of owls which helped for a minute. Finally, I hung some netting which covered the window reflections. Until I caught mama cardinal trying to steal the netting for her nest, I presume.

My son announced a visit in late June. Oh, and he’d be bringing a bunch of his California friends so they could see where he grew up. Whaaaa???? He and his girlfriend planned their trip to begin in Louisville where they showed them the sights with visits to distilleries and the famous Churchill Downs. Then they planned a day out here in the country. This led to weeks of preparation on our part, catching up on all those jobs which have been put off the past couple of years. Plus planning dinner for 12 or 14 people. Yikes!

The friends and family group dinner. Italian, of course!

We all had a wonderful day. My son arranged for his friends to do things that they can’t or don’t normally do in California. Go fishing. A hike in the woods. Shooting off fireworks. And trying out some firearms. They were a wonderful group of people. So glad I got to meet them.

Afterwards, my son and his girlfriend spent the rest of the week. One day boating on the lake. Anchoring in a quiet cove for lunch and swimming, then cruising to another cove. Uncle teaching my grandson how to swim and skip rocks. Just what uncles are supposed to do. (Not the “pull my finger stunt, either.”)

Cruising on Lake Patoka. What a lovely day.

Now it’s time to pick tomatoes and peppers, make some salsa. Revisit the weeding. Welcome more visitors. Take the grandkids to library programs and classes. And actually do some painting for upcoming shows and exhibits.

Summer seems to speed up and fall is getting closer.

And, finally, on a sad note. My precious cat Leo who had been experiencing some serious health issues had to be put down last spring. I am heartbroken and can admit that I cried buckets. I’ll get another cat eventually but I’m not ready yet. Someday.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer and can get outside to enjoy nature.

6 Comments

Posted in country living, garden

Tagged california, cardinal, country living, friend group, indiana, kit miracle, Lake Patoka, raised beds

Hunter’s moon

Posted on October 9, 2022 | 2 comments

Last night I sat outside with the chill falling, enjoying the flames in the firepit. I think we had a frost but it doesn’t seem to have made much of a difference.

Tonight I stood outside for awhile to wait for the rise of the Hunter’s moon over the ridge. As dusk was falling and the dog and I were waiting, a soft shadow drifted into the bean field. A deer. One of many nearby. The dog, of course, took off. Just the love of the chase, I expect. I don’t know what he would do if he caught one but there’s really no danger of that. The deer glided across the field in leaping arcs. He’ll be back.

Plein air painting with a friend down by the river earlier this week. It was so peaceful.

I’ve painted this scene several times, in many seasons. The tall maples and reddish dogwood set off the white house and the clear blue sky. So brilliant.

The dogwood backlit by the afternoon sun. My granddaughter says it looks like stained glass.

I try to get outdoors as much as I can this time of year. Took the grandkids to paint pumpkins at the local art fair yesterday. Went plein air painting down at the river with a friend earlier this week. But even a walk through the woods with the dog are pure pleasure. The squirrels sure aren’t leaving many hickory nuts and the walnut harvest is paltry compared to last year. Never mind. Plenty for all.

Purple ironweed looks brilliant and healthy this late in the season. It contrasts nicely with the beanfield in the background. It was actually covered with straggler butterflies a week ago.

Surrounded by fall colors which seem to have changed overnight, at least the past two weeks.

We had a bit of a drought earlier this summer but with some rain. Crops around here are abundant. The farmers are scurrying to get it all in before the next big rain but I think they’ll be alright. None predicted for awhile.

Anyway, I hope you can get outdoors to enjoy the crispy fall air. I’ve painted nearly everything in the area throughout the seasons, particularly autumn. But I guess that you’ll see more seasonal work as the months go by. It never bores me. I find the rhythms of the seasons comforting. I hope that you are able to enjoy some natural beauty in your area, too.

A beautiful sunrise over Lake Patoka. Photo courtesy of my friend Joan M. who lives nearby.

2 Comments

Posted in country living, garden, plein air painting, Uncategorized

Tagged autumn, country living, fall moon, hunter moon, indiana, ironweed, kit miracle, Lake Patoka

Plein Air Painting at Patoka Lake

Posted on August 22, 2016 | 5 comments

First day of vacation for me…finally. So does a plein air painter sleep in? Heck, no! Up at the crack of dawn to paint at the beautiful Lake Patoka which is just right down the road from me. Fortunately the oppressive heat wave is over for a while so the morning could not have been more pleasant.

Lake Patoka has 8,800 surface acres set in a 29,000 acre state recreation area. So peaceful and not crowded. I have been scouting places to paint and selected this site on the eastern side of the lake. No one was there except me and the cormorants fishing for their breakfasts.