Still sitting here, but now I have a little friend, or two

'Waiting for Jack'

The septic tank is broken...
I won't say more.
Let's just talk about Pumpkins...and Faeries...(and mice).
I found this little lady sitting all alone on a pumpkin one evening.
She seemed as though she was waiting for someone.
I hope they turned up, the weather can be a little harsh this time of year.
I do love seeing the leaves change to rust though, and to smell the lovely fresh morning air.
I say this because I just let a field mouse out of a humane trap, down the lane, and it was rather pleasant (the air, not the mouse, although it was a pretty little thing), just seeing the dawn rise.
Everywhere is starting to feel all crispy.
I suppose a pumpkin, a fairy and a mouse would make a sweet fairy tale, unless someone has already done it? he he he

Speaking of freeing little critters, it is a natural part of living in the countryside, that others will want to come and move in too.
And, I can say that Beatrix Potter was telling the truth in her story 'The Tale of Two Bad Mice', we have had mice and voles move into dolls houses and rearrange the furniture!
I don't mind them finding the residence desirable, it just gets annoying when they chew the tables!

Ah well, if you can't handle a little wildlife, then the countryside is not the place for you :o)
I'm off to add some peanut butter to the traps...
(Forget cheese, peanut butter is by far, the best)

This painting is done in oils on canvas :o)

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

'Pumpkin and Little Spode Jug'

So, 'tis now the Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...mmm
I think Keats lived in a gentler age.

But, as I promised/bored you all with my Autumn rant, here is another pumpkin.
This one took backstage to a little Spode jug who thought she was a prima ballerina.
The apple took offense to being in the sidelines and sulked.
None of them truly shone but they were all treated with care and affection.
Little delicate things are rather prone to accidents, after all. :o)

Now, I'm off to jump in the fallen leaves...maybe not...! :o)
This one is painted in acrylics on canvas.

Just Sitting Here, Waiting for Autumn...

'Pumpkin in Blue Chiffon'

 Summer...
Lots of folks just love it.
I dread the beginning and long for the end of it.
That may sound a tad melodramatic but that's me.
Excuse me while I hold the back of my hand to my head and look ethereal :o)
This summer has been such a strange one, all over the world ; too much dry, too much heat, too much rain in some parts.
The mountains we can see over yonder, are always green, endless green.
This month they looked like Arizona in a heat wave (I must say, I have no idea what that would really look like, I'm just guessing), everywhere was yellow, dry, wispy parched.
It no longer looked or felt like North Wales.
It was weird.
And so very wrong.

Our water comes from a natural spring, way up in the mountains and feeds down to a gravity-fed tank, then to our taps.
Each day we searched the sky for rain, weeks go by and you see it not coming.
We were waiting for the day when our beautiful water maiden dried up.
We have no other water supply.
Droughts are a scary thing up here.
So far, she has been doing a great job, slower, but still there.
We have left roses for her at the source, she deserves so much more.

So, you see what I mean about Summer...
And so, the pumpkins come out.
Not really real pumpkins, just the ones I have painted or made over the years.
It comforts me to know that Autumn is crawling ever nearer and they can come and play.
So, for a while I will be getting everyone (who cares) into the spirit of the next season by showing you my pumpkins :o)
Here is the first, this pumpkin fell in love with a blue chiffon scarf and wrapped itself up in it.
They did not want to be parted and so I painted them enveloped in their friendship.
Even though the pumpkin was well past its prime, and had lumps and age spots, it still danced beautifully.
This one is painted in acrylics on canvas.

One Upon a Time

One Upon a Time ...

At least that pumpkin is large enough for us to travel in.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into The Land of Blog, who should there be tap tap tapping at the keyboard...but your little Old Faerie Godmother (aka Me)!
I have my wand at the ready to turn your autumn pumpkins into beautiful coaches...
Any little mice shall become horses...
You my dear, shall go to the ball!
Now, what do they wear for formal occasions these days?
Are poufy dresses still worn to the Royal Balls?
Ahhh never mind, in my head you are all dressed in the poufiest frocks I can imagine.
(And I can imagine really real poufiness!)

As you can see I have been swept away into my own world once again.
I think it started many years ago Doctor...when I first learnt how to fly.
Since then there has been no stopping me...

It doesn't help that the Fae are constantly begging portraits from me...and you know how much they like to flounce around!
So, here I sit, wand in hand, wondering if anyone out there is in need of a Faerie Godmother.
Do you feel in need of a little wand-waving?
Are your clothes all tatty and ragged?
Are you still looking for Prince Charming?
Fear not!
I shall endeavour to right this injustice!
Just say the word...
All you have to do is believe.
The rest is magic...:o)

Now, I really must finish these paintings...maybe I should take this poufy dress off first...

Old Jack...The Caretaker

Well my pretties...are you all enjoying the lovely Spring weather...yes?
Well why on earth are you sitting in front of your 'puters...reading this rubbish?
Go on...go outside and breathe in the lovely fresh air...instead of this stale stuff hanging around your rooms in which you keep these beasts that sap our lives...;o)

Before you do though...as I haven't been blogging for a while...I thought I'd show you Old Jack...he's not my usual scale but he was fun to do.

I've been painting loads too...when I photo them...I promise to show you...as you actually take the trouble to come and read this...(when you should be outside getting some fresh air!)...I must remember to put something pretty up for you when you visit...a bit like putting a doily out on your cake plate I know...but hey...call me old fashioned!
(I don't really use doilies...cake doesn't last that long around here!)

Well then my lovelies...time to venture outside...into the light...and leave this gloomy...sap-sucking machine...have a lovely day...

Well...go on...off you go...see you when it starts raining...again!

Happy Halloween!