Let Me Out Of Here ...

Leo wants to be outside ... I can relate.

Habla Mexico ?

Right about now ...

Although it is a beautiful day today, nearly 50 degrees, it is supposed to snow tonight. I'm over it ... alright already ?

Not for Sissies Sky Watch Friday ...

I braved a blast of chilling winds to get this shot. If you enlarge it you can see the Geese crowded together on the last big strip of totally frozen water. I was much warmer when I thought of them.

Fly other friendly skies around the world at http://skyley.blogspot.com

Reality Fantasy ...

Ok ... so it doesn't exactly look like this in my front yard right now. I'm hosting a pleasant little spring snow storm. But when I came across this I decided it will be worth the wait.

Tattoo You ...

Last week I had the opportunity to see my Cousin, Karmalee, get her second tattoo. After having recently read the latest John Irving novel, Until I Find You, about a Tattoo Artist looking for the father of her child, I was psyched up. This art form has always been very intriguing to me. I wanted to see it for myself.

Karmalee designed the tattoo ... her daughter's name above an Ankh, the Egyptian Cross. The artist put her design on his computer. When she was happy with the size, he printed it out on transfer paper ... similar to what is used to put embroidery patterns on dish towels. Our Grandma Van Sickle may have turned over in her grave. We weren't talking Kittens doing household chores on each day of the week.

The guy did an impressive job. I haven't made plans to get one myself, but I might consider a tiny something or other some day. And I like the way the parlor, Outlaw Tattoos/Sioux Falls, puts it on their bumper sticker. They are "Not Just For Sailors and Whores Anymore".

Hold That Pose ... Thank You ...

There is a face in here somewhere ... and a beautiful smile. But I'm not even certain where my dancer's head is. I took the photograph last night at a Brule' concert. And while it consists, primarily, of color, and it doesn't give you an exact idea of what Brule' looks like on stage, I think it's my favorite photograph of the night ... and that it portrays their energy precisely.

Brule' is a contemporary Native American rock group. They are a Lakota Indian family and include authentic dancing and rituals in their concerts. But most important, other than the fact that their music is collection worthy, they promote Reconciliation between our two cultures.

They brought the TeePee down.

Dear Sky Watch: Sometimes ...

... every single thing in my World is perfect. Just like this Photo. Enlarge it. Believe it ... I'm just here to pass it on.

But days do exist occasionally, when everything is totally F'd up. Not today. I am in a feisty Frame of Mind.

I've been handed a kick out of Spring 2009. Summer 2008 sucked the absolute life right out of me. I totally missed pieces of it. And some of what I did have to be present for, I'm blocking out. So ... Word Up ...

If there is a Being, an Element, an Organism, an Event, or a Butt Hole Surfer out there, who is even thinking about screwing with Me and My Family and My World right now ... Then Please "STOP, I beg you, In the name of Love".

I might have to slap you.

Emotion And Motion in Skies Around The World at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com

Mesmerized ...

Please note my Weather Pixie's outfit over here on your right >>>> If she happens to not have her abs exposed, check back this afternoon.

Now I'm all for the Platform Sandals. And yes, those Bell Bottom Jeans are cute with that biggie cuff. But Hey ... I'm going to have to draw the line at the Swarovsky Crystal in the navel. And I can deal with the little Hair Clippie thing on the one side of the head. But that teenie Crop Top? I don't think so.

Here on The Prairie we are witnessing a rapid and fascinating transition from Winter to Spring. And I'm on Mother Nature Visual Overload. There is just way too much going on for me to have to police my Weather Pixie's wardrobe at this time.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day ... Ron and I Met 30 Years Ago ...

Heavenly Hesperides ...

When I was in Houston last month I bought a new perfume at Anthropologie called "Hesperides". It's a sensuous and unusual scent. I just Googled the word and I now know why.

These are the Hesperides, and they are the beautiful guardians of the tree that produced golden apples. That tree, according to Greek mythology, was a present the Earth gave to Hera when she married Zeus. Hera and Zues lived at the end of the World in a remote idyllic garden with Ladon, the snake. The Hesperides are singing him a lullaby in this beautiful painting by Frederic Lord Leighton, the leading artist of the classical revival, here represented in its late, very formal, stage.

Notice the long sinuous curves of the snake, the swan’s neck and the girls’ arms. They all follow the round shape of the painting. The image represents classical perfection and balance, which makes it all the more precious, because very soon Hercules is going to steal the apples from the tree and bring strife to the world. And it gets ugly between him and the snake.

I found this to be quite a story to go with such a captivating painting. I would bet that you do too. And the next time you are in Anthropologie, find the Hesperides ... it all fits.

I Will Huff and I Will Puff Sky Watch ...

And I will get down on the ground to take a photo for you. More beautiful skies around this world at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com

Tell Me How You Really Feel ...

It Officially Official ...

St. Francis, Line One ...

We have a few days of snow and cold temps coming this way again. What about all the Birds that just came home ? I'm putting in a call to St. Francis.

Once upon a time, St. Francis was traveling with some companions and they came upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side. They surrounded him as they were drawn by the power of his voice. He said, "My sister Birds, you owe much to God, and you must always and in everyplace give praise to Him. He has given you freedom to wing through the sky and He has clothed you. You neither sow nor reap, and God feeds you and gives you rivers and fountains for your thirst, and mountains and valleys for shelter, and tall trees for your nests. And although you neither know how to spin or weave, God dresses you and your children, for the Creator loves you greatly and He blesses you abundantly. Therefore... always seek to praise God".

Once upon another time there was a big bad Wolf in Gubbio, where St. Francis lived. It was "terrifying and ferocious, and devoured men as well as animals". Francis had compassion upon the townsfolk and went up into the hills to find the Wolf. When he did, he made the sign of the cross and commanded the Wolf to come to him. The Wolf closed his jaws and lay down at the feet of St. Francis. "Brother Wolf, you do much harm in these parts and you have done great evil", said Francis. "These people accuse you and curse you ... But brother Wolf, I would like to make peace between you and the people". Then Francis led the wolf into the town, and surrounded by startled citizens, they a made a pact.

Because the wolf had done done evil "out of hunger”, the townsfolk were to feed the Wolf regularly, and in return, the Wolf would no longer prey upon them or their flocks. St. Francis, ever the lover of animals, and to show the townspeople that they would not be harmed, baptized the Wolf.

I feel these Birds are going to be just fine ... and so will the Pheasants and the Jack Rabbit. St. Francis just called back. He said they have all been baptized.

Sky Oh My For Friday's Watch ...

Obviously, I have screwed around with the photo of this evening's Sunset. I'm not so sure I can explain how I even got to this point with it. Well, in a pinch I could. I think I love it. I love it alot.

I think you'll love visiting http://www.skyley.blogspot.com. Sky Watch Friday's photographs can be raw. They can be edited. They can be color. They can be Black and White. They can be sharp. They can be steamy. They can be Turquoise. They can be White, Yellow, Green, Ten Shades of Green, and Black.

Feeding, Hearing, Seeing ... Birds ...

My Finches came home to The Prairie this week. They got right back in the groove ... Cricket like ... heavy on the chirping as the Sun came up this morning.

Other Signs ...

It was 48 gorgeous degrees here yesterday ... 40 today/Instant Replay. Sunny.
It's now officially Slushy around here and in town.
I have photos of melting snow and water running downstream.
I have my windows open.
I have a Coffee Table full of Seed Catalaogs and Gardening Magazines.
I organized my Flip Flops.

Supposedly, there is a winter storm coming right for us. I don't believe it ... but I may need a Prayer Chain.

Barbie Turning 50 ...

Spring, Get Here Fast ...

"I broke her heart. I know that. I was there".

I'm Crazy About This ...

Water Effect, and the Man ... anything but snow.

Rural Route Mail Box In Summer ...

I'm looking for green photos. Photos that I have taken over the two summers we have been here. Mostly to remind myself that Summer does exist and that when it's here I'm going to kick myself for not making better use of my time indoors. But I digress ...

I came across this Rural Route Mail Box from early August last year. I remember trying to figure out how old this Mail Box actually was. I decided it was put up new in the 1950's.

Imagine the volume of mail that has both landed in and left this Mail Box over the years. Surely there has been lots of good news, and hopefully, not too much that was bad. I wonder how many people have had the job of going to this Mail Box every day. How many Mail Men has it outlived?

This Mail Box belongs to a House and Farm Buildings that all have the same look of consistency "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I like that.