Black Feather Farm

As the sun sets on 2011, I will wish you all a wonderful, new year - filled with love and laughter.

"I knew going in that this was a Black Beauty set in wartime. This is not a pretty little movie, it is a war movie and depicts the horrors of it, though thankfully not overly graphic. Expect some movie moments that are not altogether realistic, but heartfelt, and I like that kind of thing so it worked for me . Mostly I loved the movie because of the relationship between Joey and Albert. I love Albert's bravery to fight in the war to find his horse. Joey, to me is the heart of all the horses that served and worked along side the fighting men in World War I. Many people don't realize how the horses were viewed and treated, this movie will hopefully open some eyes to that. When it was over the audience applauded ... I was still crying. I do feel they were remiss in not putting on the screen at the end that over 8 million horses died in that war and the ones who who did survive were indeed sold, many ended up on a dinner plate ... the ultimate betrayal ... they were soldiers...

Christmas is barreling down on us, who has time to read a blog post ? Unless you are one of those ultra organized,ahead of the game people who has everything under control. Me, I'm doing way less this year, and I don't even feel guilty about it...... guess I must have my big girl britches on right about now, and they fit pretty swell. Christmas should be what you want to make it. Not a guilt ridden obligation to channel Martha Stewart and make everything look like a magazine spectacular all fussed up in red velvet and gold, with piles of fancy gifts. Sometimes less is more, and there is so much more to Christmas than buying things that no one truly needs. But it is up to you to figure out how to hold Christmas dear, maybe you dream of red velvet and gold. As for me, I'll be having a Merry little Christmas....

As a new year approaches I remember that I started this year with six beloved dogs, I now have three. Two are gone from this earthly plane and I had to let one live with my ex. Its been a year of letting go for me. I had to let someone go that I cared about, I had to let a friend go too... and no they are not together, Lol. I have let go of the hope that I will find someone to share my life with, and also let go of the idea that I can make a living making jewelry. I suppose I have to let go of the chance I'm going to win the lottery too, that's only because I never play it. But with all the things lost to me, I have found some things too. I have found that my dogs will live on in my heart, that you don't need friends who cause you unhappiness. I have found a new plan to attempt to make a living from my art, and I find my life is pretty full and happy like it is. I have found myself looking forward to the new year and all the surprises it will hold. I think its time to go b...

I knew I was in trouble yesterday, the moment I went and peeked at them. Really, I knew better, I need a new pet like I need to start a new blog. Okay, well, yes I did that too. Darn feed store anyway. I did walk away but could not get that one little buns out of my mind. I went back today and brought Cookie home. She {or he} reminds me of the black and white French Lop I had some years ago, I loved him so. Cookie is a mix and a mini so she won't get very big, she is about the size of a softball right now. She will live in and have the run of my art studio when I am in there working, and sometimes the house, when the dogs are outside of course. They have not been raised with bunnies and will see her as a glorified, too much hair, not enough filling hors d'oeuvre. But I ask you, who can resist a Cookie ? "Happy Thanksgiving" everyone !!!

This is an interesting website dedicated to the Nokota horse. You never heard of them ? Exactly why I posted this, so now you have. Be sure to click on and read their history. The Nokota Horse Conservancy

I found this site rather interesting, looks like a curious and fun thing to play at. Lots of rather intriguing destinations..... of course I'm interested in the animal memorials. Do you know who the horse is without peeking ? Waymarking

Lets try this again.... my new blog 3 of Hearts is up and running. If you love animals, please take a moment to visit and join in. It takes a lot of us to make real change and I will need you on the team. Now back to your regularly scheduled blog......

I wish she was what is making the ground shake around here lately. We have had 28 earthquakes here in Oklahoma the last three days. The biggest being a 5.6. That one knocked my Arabian, Huckleberry Bey off of the shelf onto my black Andalusian and chipped his ear, darn it. No "real" horses were injured in this post, but it did cause wrinkles in my forehead......

Looks like Trigger and Bullet, who were bought by the same person from the Roy Rogers Museum auction, will be on a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. I understand they makes tours around the country these days. I'm glad that they won't be forgotten. This will surprise no one in my family, as they know I'm a little strange.... I wish I could have bought Trigger.....

We all know how quickly life changes...I lost a little partner today....and I will miss his sweet, sweet face. Rascal was found living in a house that was in the process of being built but had been left unattended for some time. He came to live here and found his forever home. He was a loyal, gentle, loving boy. The best place to bury a good dog is in his owners heart....that's where he will be.

My next movie going experience......with many tissues in hand.

I've been wanting a vintage horse lamp for quite awhile... I knew I would know it when I saw it... and it was love at first sight. Now its part of my bedroom makeover, yep its not very girly ....but its plenty horsey !

Decides what she wants to do and does it. I need to live by this cowgirl motto a little more.... My blog posts have been few and far between as of late... I've been away... not anywhere away, I just haven't been writing or doing much artwork. That is until now, the pendulum has swung the other way finally....Life gets busy in a hurry, and gets in the way, but the creative side of me has to be left in the balance of things or I start to feel a bit lost, as I have lately. So I'm hitting the ground running here, and in my studio... I'm ready to get to work on the new things I've been keeping in my thoughts.... ready to resume my creative writing and almost ready to launch my new "cause" blog. I love it when motivation comes in to roost and the creative energy flows... it is so strange that I feel like I have been away..... The photo for this post is another of the same cowgirl and horse as my new background, from my collection.

Still learning to use my Nikon camera. These photos were taken at the Jenks Oklahoma Aquarium this week. The automatic settings are a big help to me right now, but I will have to wean myself off of them if I am to advance and really see what this camera can do.....

Sometimes birds build their nests in wonderfully safe sheltered places...but when those places, like the attic of a house under construction, is going to be closed up to finish it, the nest has to be moved simply to save them. We could not get the mama bird to go to the relocated nest, so they came home with me. I cared for them for 24hrs. Because I work full time, they had to be taken to a wildlife care facility we are lucky enough to have in our area. So the darling starlings, will be raised and returned to the wild when they are ready.

I seem to be switching horses midstream a lot lately.... but it was after careful consideration, it had to be, because I loved my job at the police dept. I decided to apply for a job at the Fred Jones Jr Art Museum as a security guard. I was offered a position and there I am. I now spend my days watching over the likes of Fury {the black marble horse sculpture}, Renoir{ blurry because no flash is allowed}, Gauguin, Monet and Van Gogh. One of my favorite people at the museum is the sweet, easy to like gal who works the front desk. In the course of one of our conversations we started talking about one of the art centers in town. She teaches there part time for extra income and I mentioned I would love to do that. She said they were desperate for teachers.... thus the domino effect. Change "one" thing in your life and that leads you down a new path... and another thing is presented to you, and so on, and so on. I will find out about the teaching this week, but it occurred to m...

The death of Elizabeth Taylor brings about the end of an era of true Hollywood icons. National Velvet is, and always will be one of my most favorite movies. Just a girl when it was filmed, before she became a motion picture siren, when Hollywood had true glamor and mystique. All of those things are gone and now, and she is too...but she will never be forgotten. I'd sooner have that horse happy than go to heaven." -- Velvet Brown in NATIONAL VELVET.

I'm working on some sketches as of late because I am finding it is where I find the most comfort in my work. What little painting I'm doing is becoming more impressionistic and looser, which actually makes me more pleased with them. It is so calming to be at peace with my work, instead of at war with it. Graphite works are where I started and it seems its where I belong. If I had just stayed with them instead of thinking I could paint, I would have saved myself a lot of misery. Its what we do in life sometimes, stray from who we really are, thinking that being someone we are not is better. Only to find ourselves much happier when we come back to who we really are.

Some time ago I was in the copy shop I used to frequent before I purchased my printer. I happen to notice a large copy of an old letter in the discard bin beside the copier I was using. I pulled it out and as I use vintage writing samples in my work, I threw it in with my papers. After I got home I looked closer at what was written. It was a love letter and marriage proposal from the 1800's. Following is an excerpt from the letter as written. " Mif ever since I left your house My mind has been continually ruminating on your many amiable accomplishments. I am not precipitate Mif. Nor would I desire your hand if your heart did not accompany it. In short Mif I am once in love, yet I assure you that I am in real earnest and your own dear self is the object but perhaps you will ask how happens all this. I answer that I cannot tell how it happens." He goes on to mention the proposal and she must decide if it is to her advantage or not. I wonder if she accepted ? Happy Valentin...

Not too long ago I was visiting a favorite blog. The writer was asking her readers what one word best defined what they would search for in their lives this year,and why. She was having a giveaway for the best word and reason for the choice. I chose the word "Bliss." That word best describes what I am looking for this year, and here after. I want to find bliss in my work... to finally be at peace with what I create and why I create it. For some reason I never feel like my artwork is good enough. Instead I want to look at my pieces and feel that they are a completed vision, and will in some way touch those who see them. I also want to find it in my life as a whole. To clear away mental clutter and live each moment as it passes by with clarity. Sometimes we are so busy living we fail to be present in our own lives. I want to take in the everyday magic that surrounds me, to hold it for a moment and always be grateful for it. It is a fulfilling journey working towards this goal....

My blog and I are going through a bit of an evolution... which should be interesting because I am always dragging my feet at change, pleading no, no change for me thank you. I whine and moan and complain about it endlessly until I finally open my eyes and see that some things change for the better. I knew it was time to shake things up a bit in several areas of my life, so I just jumped in... embracing change.... I really am going through a transition.....maybe you should check on me in a few days..... Photo : Indi and I, taken by : Scout Brinlee

" Is that other dog watching me ?"