Friday, March 31, 2017

Dark clouds, rain & prickly pear

 

So here's the thing. By the end of March, I'm pretty much done with winter. I like the saying 'April showers bring May flowers' and around here we might get some really great storms. Good storms. Noisy clappers. Then on the same day the sun will come out and force all the little sprigs and daffodils to rise to the occasion. That's what I like. A little sunshine after the rain.

On my two days off it was dark. All day long the clouds just hung there, like a ceiling of charcoal gray sadness. It spit water from the sky enough to make everything wet, but it couldn't quite make up its mind whether to actually produce a real rainstorm or just look like it should. Who doesn't love an honest to goodness rainstorm? 

I think about the SW deserts probably more than the average person. I have fond memories of being in the Sonoran desert during a downpour. Standing in the dirt next to giant saguaros, face to the sky, rejoicing in the rain and the warmth and that unforgettable scent. You know what I'm talking about.

It's these kinds of days when I miss living in the Old Pueblo. I wanted to be in the desert. I needed bright colors and Greens. Lime greens. Jade succulent cactus paddles. So, I got out my stack of Arizona Highways magazines that the Library gives to me after they have done their time on the shelves. Page after page that magical land came alive and I was there! 

The urge was strong to put color on paper. Those fushia and violet prickly pear saved me from another day of moping and longing.    I did it. Even with the blasted cast still on my hand, I found solace and relief and I went to the desert for awhile that day.

 

15 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean! As much as I love WY in the fall, I know the winters would do me in. Can't take long winters and freezing cold. Winters in the Mojave are perfect! Hang in there sister! Your sunshine and warmth are around the corner:-)
    xx

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  2. well, THAT sucks. dark grey skies on your days off work. bummer.
    but you did the best thing one can do to chase away the mopes, and that's COLOUR COLOUR COLOUR. and bring a bright and beautiful desert into your own house!! i'm surprised a brightly hued horse didn't spring to mind!!
    xO

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    1. Hmm. The next rainy day I will paint a hot pink pony!
      xO

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  3. We've had the same weather here and we haven't been able to burn. I busied myself too, but not with such a beautiful end product as yours. I was working as admin on our Prairie Enthusiast chapter Facebook page. What a learning curve- Facebook and I always seemed to find two ways of doing something and of course their way was the only right way. I think I might finally have it under control and I appointed another person as editor to help out.

    I was amused at your free magazines- just yesterday I brought home 21 Popular Photography mags from our library.

    Still in a cast? Must be comin' off soon though, huh?

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    1. Howdy! I can get you all kinds of photography mags from the Friends of the Library stash. Want me to save you some?
      My cast came off a week ago and I'm in a Velcro brace. I soak my hand/arm in epsoms and slather the scar with oils. Slowly it's healing. Thanks for asking.
      You sound busy.
      Happy spring, Jerry.

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  4. Close your eyes.....I'm sending some southwest sun your way!
    xx

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    1. More please!
      You were "with me" while I made that picture.
      Thanks very much, Sagey.
      x

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  5. We are also getting rainstorms here! Yay! Finally the landscape is turning green and the wildflowers are peeking out!
    I love your delicious colors of cactus. :) I am all for 'coloring' during gray days!
    x!

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    1. Is that what I was doing? Coloring?
      As my mom would say, "whatever."
      Those colors were tasty and delicious, I agree! :)

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  6. Replies
    1. Wow. Thank you Alyssa. I know you can appreciate the need to create. Something. Anything! Lay it down, right?
      Keep painting. :)

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  7. gorgeous cactus & fabulous wooden box filled with such fabulous colours

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