tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530864526440284532024-03-12T23:32:22.450-07:00Monica Richards: Musings"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." ~ John Muir, 1913Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-89714659644224534542012-08-11T11:06:00.002-07:002012-08-11T11:15:07.631-07:00August HeatWhile we're in a heatwave, no planting is to be done! So tending as the temperature climbs to 108, and of course, some harvesting!<br />
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But first, I need to step back and really look at what we've accomplished in such a short time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Pathway</td></tr>
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It's so hard to believe that this was all dirt when we first came here, the pathway above is the very state of the original soil here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6igWnqjJCP9i_mPG91dOXfabBi7Jh86mMZ_Cb-KyRk6afw4h7ol5-C5zAFa31KXgqyvKPCGtsFkdt2EqPWbBo2zGU24smUdR2PZVo0KbA5QxRgq8M13DKROc2z-22Y-LCAdL3xPeJP7M/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6igWnqjJCP9i_mPG91dOXfabBi7Jh86mMZ_Cb-KyRk6afw4h7ol5-C5zAFa31KXgqyvKPCGtsFkdt2EqPWbBo2zGU24smUdR2PZVo0KbA5QxRgq8M13DKROc2z-22Y-LCAdL3xPeJP7M/s320/garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the garden beds. I love a wild, diverse garden!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrQiTKdGGJG9anj9_rqKEw1jUaGqO-4znqCjJozAmQY7_G_YGY7YjnSVI_WxfAjOf6bpYF-ha6fpyNO7yfa-hpP3OHJTVWsFVYQ-Igbtn84evMrSSxv7C0odH-ATAe0ioH5iJhQF6HL0/s1600/corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrQiTKdGGJG9anj9_rqKEw1jUaGqO-4znqCjJozAmQY7_G_YGY7YjnSVI_WxfAjOf6bpYF-ha6fpyNO7yfa-hpP3OHJTVWsFVYQ-Igbtn84evMrSSxv7C0odH-ATAe0ioH5iJhQF6HL0/s320/corn.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn is getting big!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8plqwmLpUazOvIUejdr8P2bASuixiHrMc2yPuq2QSX3Y69Qq6QVGafRDbqO-gLfnAyia-DhOGDz4hYPC1vHfReD29YveVNA1pHu86TWKyQgPPkN-mrQzTZm3AnSMmyEuXNdqRHT3ANR4/s1600/lilpond3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8plqwmLpUazOvIUejdr8P2bASuixiHrMc2yPuq2QSX3Y69Qq6QVGafRDbqO-gLfnAyia-DhOGDz4hYPC1vHfReD29YveVNA1pHu86TWKyQgPPkN-mrQzTZm3AnSMmyEuXNdqRHT3ANR4/s320/lilpond3.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a pond in here somewhere!</td></tr>
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Here's the small pond if you can see it, original photos of it being built in <a href="http://monicarichards.blogspot.com/2012/06/garden-progresses.html" target="_blank">my blog</a> from June! It's gone crazy with some magic seeds my friend Patty sent to me! It attracts dragonflies now, and has goldfish and mosquito fish as well!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Pond</td></tr>
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And below, our grand latest creation, the large pond! Steve and I collected rocks in the canyons around us and built this fortress. Also has goldfish and mosquito fish. I believe next Spring, there will be tadpoles. If you built it, they will come!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL1g_zq1_OvOf-R_Us5nIM8NAbmMnFh3zuwEgMs2v3aYny9l_3jWrPXHdX5wm7ET679ir1K6M0Q3Uo_-AkuvODn6ihkL8s8MOavYE6Y3jHXYyV3A84KDuFu6gktxfx32duOkZ3kwUQoM/s1600/bigpond2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL1g_zq1_OvOf-R_Us5nIM8NAbmMnFh3zuwEgMs2v3aYny9l_3jWrPXHdX5wm7ET679ir1K6M0Q3Uo_-AkuvODn6ihkL8s8MOavYE6Y3jHXYyV3A84KDuFu6gktxfx32duOkZ3kwUQoM/s320/bigpond2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Pond - side view</td></tr>
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The cactus garden has grown very large and long, and Steve has started some rock towers, which are attracting baby lizards!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ix3ZNlOHVrDd_AaJU96OKLxcgTEraZfm6sedV-wt-oZUou_WXLrYSo_KxyzTL8lbZMrCqIUO0STMy6xnOsijL27msl-cmGXhEjk8Jru11FYcTZqUXmLYnmoWdbHtb88eoA0aqdvABzU/s1600/cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ix3ZNlOHVrDd_AaJU96OKLxcgTEraZfm6sedV-wt-oZUou_WXLrYSo_KxyzTL8lbZMrCqIUO0STMy6xnOsijL27msl-cmGXhEjk8Jru11FYcTZqUXmLYnmoWdbHtb88eoA0aqdvABzU/s320/cactus.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve's Cactus Garden. Can you spot Gorn?</td></tr>
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And finally, we fenced a little patch for white clover for a few weeks until it grew tall enough to feed Gill the Tortoise. He loves it so much, we've fenced a new section!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yXrdPfHgbw7YxPRsxMTDUxQ6Vpm84R6lG9mmNcYPXnZLrC__yjxcEbTTorg96GkVihxFDOStZ8854FPHpDymRBpFOgH8kLE1kYGzm6IUXe1BYCcIXU7V2eMIE5E2DAAEVAMit9JNbZQ/s1600/cloverpatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yXrdPfHgbw7YxPRsxMTDUxQ6Vpm84R6lG9mmNcYPXnZLrC__yjxcEbTTorg96GkVihxFDOStZ8854FPHpDymRBpFOgH8kLE1kYGzm6IUXe1BYCcIXU7V2eMIE5E2DAAEVAMit9JNbZQ/s320/cloverpatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More to come!</div>
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</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-50750708562814309732012-07-09T09:08:00.000-07:002012-08-11T10:28:13.078-07:00The 3 Month Mark<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRpQUV0eHNSmgeFC_91FrHVkRorxB1TFz6iLPQVf_R9-IOt61LRKmWQg3LkUrEay50gK4k7mS1jC4njz1OykcKTvlQEl7CIT6ZV-YMcOz4mNO_mHekMewqck-kQbHJ2OLW7R2AFBS5B8/s1600/3months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRpQUV0eHNSmgeFC_91FrHVkRorxB1TFz6iLPQVf_R9-IOt61LRKmWQg3LkUrEay50gK4k7mS1jC4njz1OykcKTvlQEl7CIT6ZV-YMcOz4mNO_mHekMewqck-kQbHJ2OLW7R2AFBS5B8/s320/3months.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of March to End of June, 2012.</td></tr>
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It's been an amazing transformation! From the end of March to the end of June, solving windbreak and shade needs, laying out garden beds and ponds - building soil - watching things grow, I can't believe the results. This morning, there were bees around the little pond. Bees coming to a place that was originally a dust bowl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_xXwiAMuNhL0lnAkHLyTdI965ms4nbXRzJZuSpWB6oXnM4K6q776MBVAC4UVI5xdthZ9N4YJ72J1_H_Zw9IptQE1qfIa9xm8vcz_3XG1Of6S9qKUpvhB-bS7TRlFCXXkzAuYuUbrQhs/s1600/pond3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_xXwiAMuNhL0lnAkHLyTdI965ms4nbXRzJZuSpWB6oXnM4K6q776MBVAC4UVI5xdthZ9N4YJ72J1_H_Zw9IptQE1qfIa9xm8vcz_3XG1Of6S9qKUpvhB-bS7TRlFCXXkzAuYuUbrQhs/s320/pond3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small pond in bloom!</td></tr>
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Every day Steve and I go outside and work, and it's very hard to sit back and really see what we've created, as there's so much more to do! Here are a few things in progress. </div>
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I found an old pallet on the property, so we dragged it in and set it into the garden area. I dug a trench around it to keep the water in, as the sides are quite hollow. I'm hoping the pallet will keep the corn stable in the wind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xv5viXmyRvaU9pRQYRVnYZljD6WN0kZZiccOrLfrXAw4LDwX390hrPXzfbOJelrEiBUXgp0iSnIweK2sQw6RrQ5JpH_FKOwnKehYb92HD0pnLjrzvmg7-aVEZDh6U_YodhGivNkLDjo/s1600/corn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xv5viXmyRvaU9pRQYRVnYZljD6WN0kZZiccOrLfrXAw4LDwX390hrPXzfbOJelrEiBUXgp0iSnIweK2sQw6RrQ5JpH_FKOwnKehYb92HD0pnLjrzvmg7-aVEZDh6U_YodhGivNkLDjo/s320/corn2.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn growing in old pallet.</td></tr>
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We've started a cactus garden, working on shade and wind dynamic with a bit of earthworks: building up areas with soil and rocks. This gives the fence further fortification as well...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeD0YJsJ3WrwGNoOxTVWSr04OEDeByFE59U4B0Fe26FejLnYML3KAlS6Is30wbfDTDwhfP6xE7COWUXpet2Orc7Lcwy9VeGtl9xuy-BAhRBLrcPXlzmtY95UvCYt6zVxC5mOZZdf3vm8/s1600/cactus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeD0YJsJ3WrwGNoOxTVWSr04OEDeByFE59U4B0Fe26FejLnYML3KAlS6Is30wbfDTDwhfP6xE7COWUXpet2Orc7Lcwy9VeGtl9xuy-BAhRBLrcPXlzmtY95UvCYt6zVxC5mOZZdf3vm8/s320/cactus2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus Garden.</td></tr>
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We are starting a large pond/herb garden. This area is going downhill, so we've got it level and built it up. This is in Gil's territory, so he can walk around it without worry!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9_V22IjzX4YYBOHc922aPOfBGP8t4_Wh6Kvy8LDZY0btAQB8ExkuDzIAjPHhELNWHZryrhwBCNncZljq4frz7QIr2M9iYiLbfIskExap_Rblz5hVegK2DL8VcLNuB_pqd5sUH3pvCww/s1600/bigpond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9_V22IjzX4YYBOHc922aPOfBGP8t4_Wh6Kvy8LDZY0btAQB8ExkuDzIAjPHhELNWHZryrhwBCNncZljq4frz7QIr2M9iYiLbfIskExap_Rblz5hVegK2DL8VcLNuB_pqd5sUH3pvCww/s320/bigpond.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large pond/herb garden.</td></tr>
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</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-18703389237883294162012-06-04T20:15:00.002-07:002012-08-11T10:47:51.185-07:00The Garden Progresses...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our wonderful friends Statik and kaRIN from Collide gave us empty pond shells, so the next garden bed I decided on would have a water feature. I dug out a bit of an area, not too deep for the shell as I need to have the ponds above ground a bit, due to Gil the Tortoise not being a swimmer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOaE_FT-mpB53pR-WdTgM_uvI5IzCItGDBmzyGCTMgUYnAlAxKFQL836HXZan0uc8Ohlh7spDCtkPe7F93vfdDs3OWF_WI9xIFHOqQrxqdBD6by9iD86BaVCk-tyrPbduSWEKzSf6psA/s1600/pondbed_mapping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOaE_FT-mpB53pR-WdTgM_uvI5IzCItGDBmzyGCTMgUYnAlAxKFQL836HXZan0uc8Ohlh7spDCtkPe7F93vfdDs3OWF_WI9xIFHOqQrxqdBD6by9iD86BaVCk-tyrPbduSWEKzSf6psA/s320/pondbed_mapping.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mapping out the Pond Garden bed.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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This is the smaller pond shell, which I decided to center within a bed of moisture loving plants, like mint, yarrow and water cress. My last pond was crazy with mint, but we use it a great deal in green juicing, and the rabbits aren't fans...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FVNYeJJzc8LDYPEDkgC8yYvNoZxczGfkgl2kB62X4OaSD4uQEHED7arJ5NjUTu04E_r05mxzE_7agfaGzHqniv_PAA4wBVZQzzK_086x9atemJ0YwfymwaSz6aHZUl2_vMb9WVrS0Is/s1600/pondbed_almost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FVNYeJJzc8LDYPEDkgC8yYvNoZxczGfkgl2kB62X4OaSD4uQEHED7arJ5NjUTu04E_r05mxzE_7agfaGzHqniv_PAA4wBVZQzzK_086x9atemJ0YwfymwaSz6aHZUl2_vMb9WVrS0Is/s320/pondbed_almost.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond Garden taking shape.</td></tr>
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Once I was able to actually shape out the bed, we stabilized the shell with pebbles I had to clear out from the floor of our outdoor Cat Room. This bed is nice and deep for some planting! Steve went large rock excavating around our property to finish the walls...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond Garden planted and seeded!</td></tr>
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Steve also found an old water pump spout on our lot, so we added it for fun! Still letting the biology to percolate before adding some fish!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfo152aZ0MJbcMYwIrFuwJoYxtH8VkKDUWjlGi8e7vCvXJddhf3UZb_G7PCMCOyADtPcj3Mc3lpn063SWj3Pr-3CjF1yVU8DNs9DlqRKPDCNF3PHH0MSnm-ebiJkBxxqBuYko1hJoXBE/s1600/progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfo152aZ0MJbcMYwIrFuwJoYxtH8VkKDUWjlGi8e7vCvXJddhf3UZb_G7PCMCOyADtPcj3Mc3lpn063SWj3Pr-3CjF1yVU8DNs9DlqRKPDCNF3PHH0MSnm-ebiJkBxxqBuYko1hJoXBE/s320/progress.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden now!</td></tr>
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We have a great deal of space left for new beds, but we're really amazed at the progress so far! Photos below as things begin to grow...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV83Xl9SVAV8PW3_AKmaUk6iYw3lO09PUG8-NJOV938zn4ebzRV0H6WxPLA-P91STSO2ytyOuojxwGBhSNaPaDkz4xG_ZR2suqQn4vWvq5gt_xgEgW-zuROH7mdTgvots3Y5l_MT3aglc/s1600/progress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV83Xl9SVAV8PW3_AKmaUk6iYw3lO09PUG8-NJOV938zn4ebzRV0H6WxPLA-P91STSO2ytyOuojxwGBhSNaPaDkz4xG_ZR2suqQn4vWvq5gt_xgEgW-zuROH7mdTgvots3Y5l_MT3aglc/s320/progress2.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zendra watches out for bunnies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJZAS-68uW9tzAf5i8D8lxhIHqJeqs-Em8ZM7HVStsnENmI9v94wkFuGO6Sie4CnJ1Cx92qvLqbTkckIDmxxFevdVW4irjPT25-YFpT3HSkGY_dq6iDpOLIN7jcEL5OM8uydwl_6J-Pk/s1600/progress3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJZAS-68uW9tzAf5i8D8lxhIHqJeqs-Em8ZM7HVStsnENmI9v94wkFuGO6Sie4CnJ1Cx92qvLqbTkckIDmxxFevdVW4irjPT25-YFpT3HSkGY_dq6iDpOLIN7jcEL5OM8uydwl_6J-Pk/s320/progress3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first garden bed in foreground with a shade cloth added.</td></tr>
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</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-10810605897677763642012-05-14T20:09:00.004-07:002012-05-14T20:11:06.811-07:00Building A Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3Vu615KLNcZ-83u8qSNXDRjHIO2fgpI850SaZcw7lFA2RgekU_XBoF3Tlrwsthyphenhyphen4LJcE8GWfzJ6biJQhpzwg2AyfVf7BDA8WGhtFOYbCfDpt_B30NFW3jT3ya61zLiaFla5EiyizGRI/s1600/originalside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3Vu615KLNcZ-83u8qSNXDRjHIO2fgpI850SaZcw7lFA2RgekU_XBoF3Tlrwsthyphenhyphen4LJcE8GWfzJ6biJQhpzwg2AyfVf7BDA8WGhtFOYbCfDpt_B30NFW3jT3ya61zLiaFla5EiyizGRI/s200/originalside.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original side yard.</td></tr>
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Here is the side of the house when we moved in, with Sonny hanging out while I work. It's been calculated that nothing has been cared for on this property for the last 8 years, and I certainly believe it!<br />
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The soil is utterly void of organisms, which is okay, really. I am going to be building on top of the dirt to create raised garden beds. Eventually, the dirt will be fed with all the nutrients added on top, the soil creatures - worms, beetles, organisms - will begin to populate the area.<br />
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Luckily, we had a ton of boxes from moving, so this was where I began to place them after a good solid rain to keep the moisture in. I began to place them in possible garden areas, with walkways...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtqwCGtn0IN7HwnQnevs7Up8AWJIK7aSA0059CYD2HdMCTw_k3sKoW6S_-UTT_taeyC2PWdFwFiE8KRvkedObuZ8DNwRQJPH74sL-68_dpjAV7KP9NoOj92-kQP0hArKaLrukZ_KX_Y8/s1600/cardboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtqwCGtn0IN7HwnQnevs7Up8AWJIK7aSA0059CYD2HdMCTw_k3sKoW6S_-UTT_taeyC2PWdFwFiE8KRvkedObuZ8DNwRQJPH74sL-68_dpjAV7KP9NoOj92-kQP0hArKaLrukZ_KX_Y8/s200/cardboard2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future garden beds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq59Aa0bU4POVAaKwR-XBcymU_X17MuHjsA7Z0zB66d6kj0ZPEyaKmTtzQwy5CMPxK-QSj2fat9CsAa7B-BX2iuXDrJw_Ty8PNNCxkf1PK5Y5pYL-lvuySJapDbYE4UmQ3qjQG08aVqQ/s1600/cardboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq59Aa0bU4POVAaKwR-XBcymU_X17MuHjsA7Z0zB66d6kj0ZPEyaKmTtzQwy5CMPxK-QSj2fat9CsAa7B-BX2iuXDrJw_Ty8PNNCxkf1PK5Y5pYL-lvuySJapDbYE4UmQ3qjQG08aVqQ/s200/cardboard.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardboard placed over the dirt.</td></tr>
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As we have ground squirrels and moles, once I was ready to create a bed, I started with some metal mesh or hardware cloth. The root systems can get their feeders through, but the moles will not be able to burrow up, pull down and gobble!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_3tm6N5cdDxAwf4qqK1-dhwKZSrnrGQCbpS5L_7FXu9ou7GzAZu3dHERyiaV3_7jl_eb97eBAovDPuaGvdeBBhx_OHL8rEiNp-GLQvulC-548U0WqPb1eglSlByF4O7WAWPpXvPgHDs/s1600/mesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_3tm6N5cdDxAwf4qqK1-dhwKZSrnrGQCbpS5L_7FXu9ou7GzAZu3dHERyiaV3_7jl_eb97eBAovDPuaGvdeBBhx_OHL8rEiNp-GLQvulC-548U0WqPb1eglSlByF4O7WAWPpXvPgHDs/s200/mesh.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Running the mesh across the main floor of the bed.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbIguXZXnjt2VyczdDonYBinBsNO2-NZ23_JZBzFaGThUWxdDhcelD5adFbZ5zCFrd_JImrkFuZaNC_RwI3pDnofyVVsCu266B5TsXS5v1TlloiLZbQSB_5sNFCmmUDaTAWX9get7V4U/s1600/cardboard-bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>After getting the mesh in place, I covered it with cardboard and soaked it all. Cardboard is a great way to keep moisture in, shade out the soil, and should you have plants that you'd rather not allow to grow, you can easy chop them down and let them break down under the cardboard. This helps feed the soil as well. The cardboard breaks down over time.<br />
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After outlining the bed with bricks and rocks, I fill it with a layer of dirt from the property, then compost. We have an area where former tenants had kept chickens, and the soil there was quite good, so I pulled a bucket of that out and poured that in the bed!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed outlined and filled.</td></tr>
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Once I finished, I added wind and shade breaks - which can be done with rocks, branches, broken pots. Anything to make little cubbies of safety from the wind and Sun. Then I seeded with an assortment of clover, legumes, wildflowers and herbs. I need to start a large assortment of growth in order to get the garden bed started!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding shade and windbreak elements.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Finished bed. One side is taller due to wind.</span></td></tr>
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Other beds created with metal mesh, cardboard, rocks and compost! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulched and seeded garden beds.</td></tr>
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Stay tuned!</div>
</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-76257384847585683792012-05-01T15:48:00.003-07:002012-05-02T08:48:08.928-07:00Planting among the Invasives...In my earlier post, I mentioned that our back lot is filled with a "Bastard Cabbage" and we threw seedballs in there. Here are some photos... but first, the soil differences between bare dirt and the areas where the invasives are growing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_Ho75hd04ukMwWEaTujPlieidciR30NTA3P_jusoSwQgQSh7_Wn2aZFQFDbNyz5sfSw54cVx9H5l1XUZ-7HIPSjKhI7cvo5k9kc3OM8n30fa8Fmz-tZ5q_ZOfeeZGC3qDiNzh1bVANI/s1600/soils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_Ho75hd04ukMwWEaTujPlieidciR30NTA3P_jusoSwQgQSh7_Wn2aZFQFDbNyz5sfSw54cVx9H5l1XUZ-7HIPSjKhI7cvo5k9kc3OM8n30fa8Fmz-tZ5q_ZOfeeZGC3qDiNzh1bVANI/s400/soils.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Species like this are usually annuals, (they grow, drop seed and die, and the following year it happens again but usually in larger numbers), and they are happiest in eroded, abused soils. They are the frontrunners to getting things growing where nothing grows, and when left to Nature, they will usually die off as other species begin to take to the soil they have fed. This is important stuff to know, using weed killers is the worst thing one can do. Invasives don't last forever, Nature knows how to handle them. What I'm doing is using Her plan to move the succession forward a bit more quickly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWClHcX3DwHomZ2p0FZ4iosybrhFQT9X1nXXwUUuQQL3xDxT0IW0T9OgS_VGSrmSDeJruCjAlISJO3AxvmQiPav9rjaxTlOkrmfPGv7h600iyabxuSSKpcOO-I9FoRk3KrfdyBUkWzvw/s1600/cuttingpaths-bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWClHcX3DwHomZ2p0FZ4iosybrhFQT9X1nXXwUUuQQL3xDxT0IW0T9OgS_VGSrmSDeJruCjAlISJO3AxvmQiPav9rjaxTlOkrmfPGv7h600iyabxuSSKpcOO-I9FoRk3KrfdyBUkWzvw/s200/cuttingpaths-bc.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed path in Bastard Cabbage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsuxCZ6wHudPUAvSku263dI3G1rd9KcBF5wLAS3tE-qbAi6vA0HOgaTsgr6kXe7of2fS2Xt26JaKX6bV-FFwrDGLzeUx5QCTQg4aLx6gZPkX5MFUAPaP8M8KpWuX1hMGfuCXo4YmiG10/s1600/seedball-sprout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsuxCZ6wHudPUAvSku263dI3G1rd9KcBF5wLAS3tE-qbAi6vA0HOgaTsgr6kXe7of2fS2Xt26JaKX6bV-FFwrDGLzeUx5QCTQg4aLx6gZPkX5MFUAPaP8M8KpWuX1hMGfuCXo4YmiG10/s200/seedball-sprout.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seedball seedlings.</td></tr>
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I hacked a number areas between the plants in order to begin seeding all sorts of new flowers, see left. The soil is soft and easy to dig. We threw seedballs into these rows, to the right is a sprouting seedball.<br />
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I also seeded some vegetables and legumes. Hiding them within the Bastard Cabbage might 1) keep them safe from rabbits and moles that run all over our property, and 2) the shade of the tall plants may be able to let them grow under the hot Sun that is beginning to truly show itself in our desert climate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5m4UTvxVRueGEdPzk8KtgqWKnnNYupnEH7nsR2Je4d-4G2oAUpUVoYUxkOFxAwq26oOoqt8CMpQHvw6ZPvFoLFnySeJz3Co8WtXWbLXcMM2dq_GXhqcCTpvxbVg-XE6RmYfmpwlU8gM/s1600/seeding_bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5m4UTvxVRueGEdPzk8KtgqWKnnNYupnEH7nsR2Je4d-4G2oAUpUVoYUxkOFxAwq26oOoqt8CMpQHvw6ZPvFoLFnySeJz3Co8WtXWbLXcMM2dq_GXhqcCTpvxbVg-XE6RmYfmpwlU8gM/s320/seeding_bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeds planted and the area tagged.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9LG8OgT9Ry2IGQo401fPTX5UrEp6p4TtOOobcGCRIMeOEPMooK-HUlwEQrcyB29MmbvGoFD97QeOVP_tpczUcINkATWqMLT7N8FKtY9PpfcDC_6UOzlgSbo0LX0f5bok0D5nJ3xbotM/s1600/seeding_bc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9LG8OgT9Ry2IGQo401fPTX5UrEp6p4TtOOobcGCRIMeOEPMooK-HUlwEQrcyB29MmbvGoFD97QeOVP_tpczUcINkATWqMLT7N8FKtY9PpfcDC_6UOzlgSbo0LX0f5bok0D5nJ3xbotM/s320/seeding_bc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetable seeds planted within the tall plants.</td></tr>
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I'm very fascinated as to what will happen! There is a rule of Redundancy in Permaculture. Plant much more than you need as it's better to have too much food and you can share. So far I've planted about 6 zucchinis, and if even one or two make it, that will be wonderful! Below are some new seedlings sprouting among the invasives.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSiF2C5AojtiWqTh9nYPnM2JcIINzKMAR8x9sAmJhKf2_-N57cKkZ95ZseCM20hz2JsV2vXPVlEmO6g1SAxepLbMOVADp5PyYuafBit7d4oD7OZvvvrGMMUXlUM2fTbO0OrJb0zMt738/s1600/sprouts-bc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSiF2C5AojtiWqTh9nYPnM2JcIINzKMAR8x9sAmJhKf2_-N57cKkZ95ZseCM20hz2JsV2vXPVlEmO6g1SAxepLbMOVADp5PyYuafBit7d4oD7OZvvvrGMMUXlUM2fTbO0OrJb0zMt738/s320/sprouts-bc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fingers crossed!</div>
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</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-31678452657696896322012-04-22T11:29:00.000-07:002012-04-22T11:44:15.525-07:00Making SeedballsI'm making seedballs to throw into the main central part of our property. Right now, it's nearly a monocrop of "Bastard Cabbage" as well as "Stork's Bill", a purple flower ground cover. I've collected red and yellow clovers, buckwheat, millet, sunflower, legumes, chia and an assortment of wildflowers. Bees and birds will love these, as well as Gil, our tortoise!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8AalCwZBbkRFjou8rlA4ocs5GUan4BhAt2P06GDH8c1gj_6GwqlYUXY7HjiJiyclq5721H4TahHIbTzgnkuMCvqpXPLJiq3j3fX3bVqLH1HtpD9eRaHvv8whH3VOhGnzvSC1F9lshDE/s1600/seedmix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8AalCwZBbkRFjou8rlA4ocs5GUan4BhAt2P06GDH8c1gj_6GwqlYUXY7HjiJiyclq5721H4TahHIbTzgnkuMCvqpXPLJiq3j3fX3bVqLH1HtpD9eRaHvv8whH3VOhGnzvSC1F9lshDE/s320/seedmix.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing the seeds.</td></tr>
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As our dirt is high clay, I dug up a large bucket full, and mixed in organic compost. Then I added enough water to moisten it through and mixed in the seeds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nFAvls7qLWD-Y70E2CTHTZIEQ1pMdcHPh2cMfJwyXpJii2D7tq4OkHBlZTLSzT-52cbghYpuigqHyQEY6GaOUibO9u_5W0ITEyYvykhwhRnSzTCh5jOfkyKSG-80E29Jix97QKkabU0/s1600/mixing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nFAvls7qLWD-Y70E2CTHTZIEQ1pMdcHPh2cMfJwyXpJii2D7tq4OkHBlZTLSzT-52cbghYpuigqHyQEY6GaOUibO9u_5W0ITEyYvykhwhRnSzTCh5jOfkyKSG-80E29Jix97QKkabU0/s320/mixing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the seeds and mixing them into the soil mix.</td></tr>
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It's a bit like making cookie dough! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesXMAMXr2qzaJk6SR-FlVzq-ewC05_aH6gyQDjVVO-YCFsdzJp0LzoPzV9v1I8sp_Rgoid8DC1otml0NgFpAJiiEwkuqq1-qRVYj2sG94L3FagjWcJQIc0wN-jGKy1vLk4JdW7t7OZGE/s1600/seedball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesXMAMXr2qzaJk6SR-FlVzq-ewC05_aH6gyQDjVVO-YCFsdzJp0LzoPzV9v1I8sp_Rgoid8DC1otml0NgFpAJiiEwkuqq1-qRVYj2sG94L3FagjWcJQIc0wN-jGKy1vLk4JdW7t7OZGE/s320/seedball.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Each ball is made by scooping the mix and shaping it into a round ball. </span></td></tr>
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It's important to let them dry. They need to dry quickly, so that the seeds don't start to germinate within the ball. I placed them immediately into cardboard trays in the Sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kPcBHWr1lEvbP3uEJqIrGdY79IVtrP8pkpGPmMp-G1CiWBlvnDqiHmKyD9hLg6jtbta6lNuFKgngyeawQbPSvsmwep-m0ICRb73TL88h6ZR7ksEnjaqd-TNfal1-LuCIZjo4QgDv3J0/s1600/making.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kPcBHWr1lEvbP3uEJqIrGdY79IVtrP8pkpGPmMp-G1CiWBlvnDqiHmKyD9hLg6jtbta6lNuFKgngyeawQbPSvsmwep-m0ICRb73TL88h6ZR7ksEnjaqd-TNfal1-LuCIZjo4QgDv3J0/s1600/making.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All photos by Steve Niles.</td></tr>
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Once dry, Steve threw them into the center of the monocrop. I spent some time in there hacking out dips between the rows, so the balls could land easily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXzMzDb0JEBQNHer4mmnjvaNRI5ovaRFf-lARANTygqdAmBRdRtDEaLsioX8bIkufgKNV83kf4kdtu1K5kuxSZHeU6ZjFm4OGpLx83GUsLs5J8ZfVnVwZk6UOAD7TNkW6BDUGlZJFi2o/s1600/seedballs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXzMzDb0JEBQNHer4mmnjvaNRI5ovaRFf-lARANTygqdAmBRdRtDEaLsioX8bIkufgKNV83kf4kdtu1K5kuxSZHeU6ZjFm4OGpLx83GUsLs5J8ZfVnVwZk6UOAD7TNkW6BDUGlZJFi2o/s320/seedballs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Seedballs.</td></tr>
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A bit too much compost was mixed in, the balls were crackly, but Steve had a blast throwing them! Usually, the point of seedballs is to throw them, let them land and wait for rain. I cheated and watered the last couple of days, but I know I didn't hit them all. Rain is coming in a few days, fingers crossed!<br />
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</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-65234821226151135382012-04-16T21:06:00.000-07:002012-04-17T11:01:40.817-07:00Land Ho! At last!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6KVKsSoIGYqt4SxfE1qtwrT7auo_kGe3EFPaSeYqe2RZZMEL3lzdhmA-pdUN4ksueAD66EQc4ZBoV3o1vwIdBrJD3K2uKRh-CFL6gTyGqMLEOgN4t0NQFreboatR2D63mNiSYu00f3g/s1600/rabbit_hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6KVKsSoIGYqt4SxfE1qtwrT7auo_kGe3EFPaSeYqe2RZZMEL3lzdhmA-pdUN4ksueAD66EQc4ZBoV3o1vwIdBrJD3K2uKRh-CFL6gTyGqMLEOgN4t0NQFreboatR2D63mNiSYu00f3g/s200/rabbit_hole.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbit Hole</td></tr>
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Steve and I recently moved out to the desert, and now we have an acre of land to play with. It's a rental - we'll see what the future holds - but it's been a dream to have little ranch like this! The area is peaceful - people wave as you walk or drive by. The sounds of roosters can be heard in the morning, birds I have yet to recognize make lovely sounds in the trees.<br />
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Having been away from any practical Permaculture work for almost 2 years, it's extremely exhilarating to have such a blank slate. The desert soil here is really just dirt. The land around our home has not been cared for in years, and I make new discoveries every day. We have many unpruned, thus scraggly, Elms that outline the property. There is an abundance of wildlife: rabbits, ground squirrels and moles are all over our place. To the left is a rabbit hole. At night, coyotes might jump the fence. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lmruFngYEKGGFcgDtVTJj9sen1vKRaSTRITlBl0BOZbA34xR4e8ATk5JIerKuHx_ZdKI9GT68cUrv6gdy8qFxGSYAZQI0FARPkguTPNlz_p5t-pXs-o1Lb1GNbXFt3ZrVrT0-Exk6cw/s1600/land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lmruFngYEKGGFcgDtVTJj9sen1vKRaSTRITlBl0BOZbA34xR4e8ATk5JIerKuHx_ZdKI9GT68cUrv6gdy8qFxGSYAZQI0FARPkguTPNlz_p5t-pXs-o1Lb1GNbXFt3ZrVrT0-Exk6cw/s400/land.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back property, with Sonny and Zendra. Photo taken by Steve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQiv4xhcCyRF3yl-huyjotMJybgyPcVvNr74fFJtu5d1LsqrFkn-uG6BKhbprMZa3ZhqvIb2KQLK4zbt1lCncwt9Liz4oztcvltGYhookERlfQqMp-WqzWLQvwal5Wg198shMCegj-BU/s1600/orchard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQiv4xhcCyRF3yl-huyjotMJybgyPcVvNr74fFJtu5d1LsqrFkn-uG6BKhbprMZa3ZhqvIb2KQLK4zbt1lCncwt9Liz4oztcvltGYhookERlfQqMp-WqzWLQvwal5Wg198shMCegj-BU/s320/orchard.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard</td></tr>
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We discovered we have a long untended orchard. At least three peach trees, three grape vines, a possible fuji apple, and a couple I am not yet sure of...<br />
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One of the peaches has a large Elm taking over, so I need to address this... Evidence of old bubbler systems are in sight, but there are also broken plastic water pipes throughout. I'll need to get these systems back in order eventually. For now, I have hacked out a bit of a ditch around each one to better catch water, and I definitely need to feed them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq_aB4fPGTUmk4DmpkEHUioGmYQNZtgO-KS9Tl_uO9Dy80XFPr-iIHOXCc7yvJyTyBtVwpQdQggPF_59j57Svtji5NaTuTGBYUHMJ9mwOfFP2tEOUpBVM1Wr1bJFo7MhXliWQa1wMMW0/s1600/bastard_cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq_aB4fPGTUmk4DmpkEHUioGmYQNZtgO-KS9Tl_uO9Dy80XFPr-iIHOXCc7yvJyTyBtVwpQdQggPF_59j57Svtji5NaTuTGBYUHMJ9mwOfFP2tEOUpBVM1Wr1bJFo7MhXliWQa1wMMW0/s200/bastard_cabbage.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bastard Cabbage</td></tr>
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There are some wild flowers here and there, but overall what we see are mustard/dandelion varieties growing everywhere. Yesterday, I was able to identify the main plant that is growing all over the property, especially in the large dip in the center of our land, as Bastard Cabbage. This plant grows in eroded and disturbed soils, and it has one very large and deeply penetrating taproot (see below right). This is very helpful in areas of dead, dry dirt - the taproot can help break up the soil for the next plant species to come. Bastard Cabbage, though, is very opportunistic, and seen as quite the menace in some areas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeM6RGPzJ6y5KFii2BxMu_rLCIycaJvXO5cq9h_-7_MVQeiaPldz_4SgyMp9OFBkRQr_XRNhow4kv2sum46A1QX76H4hKKeB_OfmOjxrEobABgiHc6QivqdllBKcdEheLfVcvqvLfsdg/s1600/tap-root.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeM6RGPzJ6y5KFii2BxMu_rLCIycaJvXO5cq9h_-7_MVQeiaPldz_4SgyMp9OFBkRQr_XRNhow4kv2sum46A1QX76H4hKKeB_OfmOjxrEobABgiHc6QivqdllBKcdEheLfVcvqvLfsdg/s200/tap-root.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bastard Cabbage Tap Root</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgXagT7l1V4VczqllczFPr5OkV7QNhJkAvjTQnsid6egMSdMByaRG0sYoDN9Oec7iLJcGcbSjA3RmeEeNmL3JQ4TB-qh2nLBphXAazHv2kqpKgu1JYHk8qND71nh_suAy4B0ZkH00C2Q/s1600/ZendraandGil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgXagT7l1V4VczqllczFPr5OkV7QNhJkAvjTQnsid6egMSdMByaRG0sYoDN9Oec7iLJcGcbSjA3RmeEeNmL3JQ4TB-qh2nLBphXAazHv2kqpKgu1JYHk8qND71nh_suAy4B0ZkH00C2Q/s200/ZendraandGil.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zendra hangs with Gil</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">Of course, the common gardening solution is to kill them all off. But right now, their flowers are attracting bees, and I see their thick cabbage leaves as a fantastic source of organic material. It is very clear that the rabbits and other wildlife do not care for this plant, but a big plus is Gil, our desert tortoise, loves it. So he is able to chomp away at that as well as early switch grass that is starting to sprout. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">So my possibilities are: dig some shallow swales in between them to sow Summer wildflowers, and get started for succession and bring in diversity, most likely in the form of seedballs. And something else I would like to try: plant a few veggies in between - and see if we can use these plants as cover from the bunnies. It's all so fascinating what can happen.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">Next: beginning the garden area.</span>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-29044349482768344412011-12-31T10:16:00.000-08:002011-12-31T13:56:49.060-08:00And Another Year Passes...Here's to 2012!<br />
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<i>2011 is a bit of a "well we made it through that one" for me, and I think many other people as well, having heard from friends and fans. But then, so was 2010 for me... </i><br />
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For 2012, I am truly looking forward to a number of things. The release of NAIADES, my long awaited Book & CD. I'm updating the <a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/naiades.htm" target="_blank">NAIADES</a> page to give full website info to each artist. Official preview video below:<br />
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Full video of the Mighty is coming later in January! <a href="http://www.seraphemera.org/seraphemera_books/Home.html" target="_blank">Seraphemera Books</a>' Marc Moorash is currently editing as I type this. He was the brilliant artist/editor behind F&TM's "Battle Hymn" and "Sovereign" videos as well as the <a href="http://www.mercyground.com/merchandise-shoumei.htm" target="_blank">: shoumei : DVD</a>... I cannot wait for this to come out. Perhaps it will be available the very day pre-orders begin shipping!<br />
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<i>As far as performing live, look for me later in 2012. It's up in the air as far as what kind of show I plan to do, but I do know the *music* will be live! I have a wonderful group of musicians around me, and I am thankful that they plan to go on adventures. Stay tuned!</i><br />
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2012 is also going to be wonderful because Sonny is still with us, <i>(and had we not begun the chemo program for his lymphoma when we did, he wouldn't have made it to Xmas)</i>! I don't have the words for how Steve tirelessly raised the funds through his artist friends, or their amazing generosity and immeasurable talent in creating and/or donating art for Sonny's treatments. We'll be putting out a sketchbook for the art below!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 18px;">THE SONNY PROJECT </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Top row: Jill Thompson, Kelley Jones, Miran Kim. Second row, l-r: Bernie Wrightson, Fiona Staples, Bill Sienkiewicz, Antoine Dodé. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Third row, l-r: Ming Doyle, Scott Morse, Nathan Ooten, Liz Wrightson. Fourth row, l-r: Greg Ruth, Menton3, Daniele Serra, Gabriel Hardman. Bottom row: John Rozum, Monty Lewis</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yy3wf2FhobU/Tv9Q4Zb8_CI/AAAAAAAAAEw/Ymtjt-ILV7s/s1600/sonnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yy3wf2FhobU/Tv9Q4Zb8_CI/AAAAAAAAAEw/Ymtjt-ILV7s/s640/sonnies.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
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Sonny is bouncing around with new energy and is a very happy dog these days, which - our vet pointed out - shows that he was sick for quite a while <b>before</b> we discovered that his neck glands were like golf balls. I can now safely say that - though I find many problems with chemo and human reaction, having seen it through my own sister 's losing battle many years ago - it does work in dogs...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9iZwvrpzL8/Tv9L8qaOvmI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8LJahjKFzck/s1600/Sonny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9iZwvrpzL8/Tv9L8qaOvmI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8LJahjKFzck/s320/Sonny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year I also plan to do some soundtrack work with one or two of <a href="http://www.steveniles.com/" target="_blank">Steve Niles'</a> books... Soundtracks and theme music are styles I have clearly been moving towards, so I figure this may be a great place to start. More on that as it comes... I have also begun doing some remix work, The March Violets will be releasing remixes, one of which was made by yours truly!<br />
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I may also put out (finally) a little Book of Tales... Little micro-stories that I have been writing for many, many years... I called them Tales from Parallel Planets for a long time, I may or may not use that as the title. I will include the original tale behind ANAFAE.<br />
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And speaking of ANAFAE, Jim and I may move this to a web comic, we're in the beginning of discussing this...<br />
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So 2012 shows great promise! Onward and upward!Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-77732536912100888222011-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:002011-12-22T09:49:54.833-08:00NAIADES Update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_G_l-1URIH8/TvNtWGC48zI/AAAAAAAAAEY/TLGPAgeD224/s1600/NAIADES_Book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_G_l-1URIH8/TvNtWGC48zI/AAAAAAAAAEY/TLGPAgeD224/s320/NAIADES_Book1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I realized it's been a few months since I updated this blog!<br />
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NAIADES is in manufacture, due to come out January 15th, 2012! I have a video I will be posting this weekend with highlights from the CD and all sorts of views of the artwork! Stay tuned!<br />
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Sonny is doing great, he has one more round (4 weeks) of chemo, and we hope it will really kick his lymphoma into remission!<br />
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Here's to a great Holiday! More info to come!Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-44917447195296402722011-10-18T13:15:00.000-07:002011-10-18T18:53:53.066-07:00THE SONNY PROJECT<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzb70K8Gp-JJdSkTpLtaZldsj6080AMezKufopnb_7GxjtwC2HohgyujX9wvUq6M4Zg-EjWio6k_3ig8joQ0I6S_DglgtpnmJbTGyD-1KvfaXcI_GTpA1ZJDGD9l5BHf9xNsleLCnYwI/s1600/sonnys13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzb70K8Gp-JJdSkTpLtaZldsj6080AMezKufopnb_7GxjtwC2HohgyujX9wvUq6M4Zg-EjWio6k_3ig8joQ0I6S_DglgtpnmJbTGyD-1KvfaXcI_GTpA1ZJDGD9l5BHf9xNsleLCnYwI/s320/sonnys13.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
THE SONNY PROJECT Some amazing artwork is being made of Sonny!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Top row, l-r: Scott Morse, Fiona Staples, Bill Sienkiewicz, Antoine Dodé. Second row, l-r: Ming Doyle, Miran Kim, Liz Wrightson. Third row, l-r: Greg Ruth, Menton3, Daniele Serra, Gabriel Hardman. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bottom row, l-r: John Rozum, Monte Lewis</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span><br />
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Originals are now starting to be auctioned!<br />
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See Menton3's gorgeous Sonny painting <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Menton3-art-Auction-Sonny-/160666646206">HERE</a>!<br />
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See Greg Ruth's Sonny in Ministry of Silly Walks <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/160666649505">HERE</a>!<br />
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More to come!<br />
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They'll also all go into limited edition print sets or possibly an art book, we're deciding as more art pours in!Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-48653298988331219452011-10-06T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-06T14:22:04.716-07:00People are so amazing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-HYaEAZ-0UuiBRJicZ35Il2_Vof7rv9_CB4OXtuPk_sXBug0ewDP-j6vY3Zicgm0NOSSEV6pTYYW9EcrpY2Gfp3Tc3_O3-gP5wF4I7tkuvDzFYkmNscLUZ_SK3xddtR3gn4wvhSydu0/s1600/sonnysnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-HYaEAZ-0UuiBRJicZ35Il2_Vof7rv9_CB4OXtuPk_sXBug0ewDP-j6vY3Zicgm0NOSSEV6pTYYW9EcrpY2Gfp3Tc3_O3-gP5wF4I7tkuvDzFYkmNscLUZ_SK3xddtR3gn4wvhSydu0/s320/sonnysnew.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I can't even begin to say enough about how wonderful our friends are! So many have been helping and donating money and artwork! Here are 4 wonderful pieces made for and of Sonny to help offset his vet and hospital bills! </span><br />
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Top left clockwise: Ming Doyle, Bill Sienkiewicz, Menton3 and Greg Ruth.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 18px;"></span> If you'd like to donate, Steve has set up a donate page on his site </span><a href="http://www.steveniles.com/sonny.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">HERE!</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Anything will be great, from $1 on up!<br />
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We're going to be listing ebay auctions for Sonny as well, which will be so instrumental in getting him the every best treatment we can!<br />
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<br />Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-43252406591359911342011-10-04T17:37:00.000-07:002011-10-04T17:37:14.127-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmxpq0v8k7Of1wbKq_KkX5K2BB1d20fL9_Z1UpqnIca4mZKq6dKmATTMEpFqJ-ort247Epo855YjHqTRnjztjZl3O_-26KO7L0MNrCJbGvu8sc6tzi1RLtwTHyTIDccqpqN96ROm9mJ8/s1600/sonnys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmxpq0v8k7Of1wbKq_KkX5K2BB1d20fL9_Z1UpqnIca4mZKq6dKmATTMEpFqJ-ort247Epo855YjHqTRnjztjZl3O_-26KO7L0MNrCJbGvu8sc6tzi1RLtwTHyTIDccqpqN96ROm9mJ8/s320/sonnys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sonny made it through his first chemo, and we are so very hopeful! We are currently talking to some amazing artists to do artwork for him to help offset the vet and hospital bills. With the artwork, we plan to sell as limited edition print sets as well as auction the originals. To the left are some lovely images of Sonny, left to right, by Ming Doyle, Greg Ruth and Menton3.Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-72379614426702783972011-10-03T20:33:00.000-07:002011-10-04T17:33:35.590-07:00Sonny...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-_gCBw8a9M_cHSVv8vmfOFikGOs3ZIGluSGvMymJ35rezi397XvUQrnITa5KKAk_GZYN1KC_S24rm2QaxFoTRHISIhp7QbJBJkXm-qM9n8rgy1gaKSdq_XIIUiaCNDKESNbS604jD-g/s1600/son2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-_gCBw8a9M_cHSVv8vmfOFikGOs3ZIGluSGvMymJ35rezi397XvUQrnITa5KKAk_GZYN1KC_S24rm2QaxFoTRHISIhp7QbJBJkXm-qM9n8rgy1gaKSdq_XIIUiaCNDKESNbS604jD-g/s320/son2.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
I find that the hardest, saddest animal rescue cases can also be the most heartwarming. I can't resist the hard luck stories as in the end, they end up being the happiest of all animals. This has lead me to adopt a three-legged dog, a kitten with a near-blind eye, a cat that needed to get broken her tail removed, the list goes on and on. We love our kids, each one has a very unique story.<br />
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Our dog Sonny is one; he's a very, very special pup. He was rescued in 2005 on a hot Summer day in Los Angeles where a bunch of street guys were feeding him beer. The woman that rescued him pulled up and demanded that they let go of the rope they had around his neck. He immediately jumped in her car and I met him a few hours later. He was a very sweet greyhound/terrier mix, completely dirty at the time with a giant scar that traveled half-way down his body. Vets tell me it was a Frankenstein sew-job. He also has scar tissue covering the skin under his ears. For years he had nightmares nearly every night. And a severe fear of being left alone.<br />
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With all of that... Sonny is one of the friendliest dogs I've ever known. He loves meeting people, loves kids, and finds himself more at home around humans than other dogs. He has an intelligence I've never seen in a canine, almost as if he could actually speak to you.<br />
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In 2008, Sonny came down with ITP, an auto-immune disorder that caused his body to destroy his own blood platelets. He nearly bled to death while they worked day and night to lower his immune system and stop the attack, as well as get him blood and plasma transfusions until they actually worked. It took three transfusions before his blood began to go back to normal. After that we had to work on keeping his immune system low and getting him tested repeatedly to make sure the ITP didn't return.<br />
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Sonny is a very happy dog these days. After everything he's been through, he's now stable and secure enough to be home alone, and he hardly has nightmares now. He and his pal Zendra are like two peas in a pod.<br />
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So... I was quite shocked when I found the glands under his neck to be swelled out like golf balls. And after being tested, we find he has lymphoma. Most likely brought on by his immune disorder. He is not in any way acting ill, so hopefully we're catching this early.<br />
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Tomorrow we get him to the oncologist and figure out the plan of attack. I hate to do chemo, but Sonny is a very special case, and we have to really walk the tightrope on how we'll proceed. I've just gotten a whole new holistic supplement system for him to help with what he's got to deal with.<br />
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With everything else happening in our lives, this is going to be so hard to afford. Steve has been talking to artists about making special artwork of Sonny. We plan to sell sets of prints of our boy while we deal with the hospital bills to come.Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-46793000152539728822011-09-18T18:56:00.000-07:002011-09-19T10:40:33.313-07:00How Things Were... and How They Are.<br />
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I have in my possession an antique melodeon. It was hand-built by my great-great-grandfather. It doesn't work, the vacuum bellows are in need of repair. Someday I hope to find someone who can fix it. But I have something that is directly connected to my own roots, my family, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it… I run my hands along the cherry wood that he sanded and stained. I can play with on the keys that he carved. It is an heirloom.</div>
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When I was a teenager, one of the things I loved about getting a new album was that it came with a big cover, often with a lyric sheet, and I would just sit and read over the lyrics and look over the artwork while listening to the music. It was an overall experience. It was a journey. Many from my 80's generation and older are just like me, but I do also know that some young people (and I HATE using that term, but, eh... I'm the older generation now, no denying that) are wondering what that was like. These records, some of them I have now 20+ years later, and the smell of them, holding them, it takes me back to those times. I love that...</div>
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We are locked into this high-tech, lightning-fast age and it gets faster every year… which devalues all aspects of creation and Art as it now can be turned into digital media: visual arts, music, books and films. Younger generations grew up with and therefore always expect instant gratification. That also makes for a feeling of being uncentered and out of balance. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">The faceless world of the internet allows for no knowledge of action or reaction to what one does on the computer. </span>Apathy prevails.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
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I know that people will be able to download my next album free, and torrent sites will pretend that they are "promoting" my music, but really... once someone downloads it, the chances are nil that they will then actually buy it once they get it free. And what hurts Underground musicians is that our music is hard to find anyway, you have to really search to buy our music, I get that. So people just hit the button and download, then they have it and it's done. </div>
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This is really affecting us, causing us to now to be forced to cancel tours, stop recording, or take years longer... because the source of our small supplemental income is now drying up. It's always cost to be an Underground musician, but now it is costing so much more... We used to sell a couple thousand of each release. Now it is a couple hundred. It affects us deeper than you know, especially when each downloader thinks "I'm just one person, my download won't matter." Times that by a few thousand, and there you go.</div>
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Here are some facts about what Underground bands get paid, and why it is so important to support them:</div>
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• If you buy something directly from a band's website, and you spend $10, they get the whole $10, minus only the processing fees from either the credit card company or Paypal. </div>
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• If you purchase something from iTunes, the band gets about 67 cents for each dollar you spend. </div>
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• If you purchase a CD from someplace like Amazon, they get about 45 cents for each dollar you spend. </div>
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• If you download something from a torrent site, they (WE - as musicians), of course, get $0.</div>
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Possibly, there will be some sort of a Renaissance towards slowing things down. To spend some time in Nature, to enjoy your food, to take time out to read an actual book, or just lie in the grass. With the insane amount of audio and visual input overload at every turn - the idea of waiting for anything seems so strange. So I ask you to take a little walk with me to an earlier time, when you wait patently for a new release, and you sit down, put the music on, and take the journey with me!</div>
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This is why I decided to go for a serious hard-cover book for <a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/naiades.htm">NAIADES</a>, so that fans will really have something solid to own, to hold, to keep forever, and years down the line, they can return to read and read again. I am doing this by the very seat of my pants, with the hopes that fans will really understand the value of my choice of music and art.<br />
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Love and thanks to Patty Hele, and kaRIN and Statik of Collide, who began this conversation with me...<br />
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Downloads die off with old computers and ipods, but Art is indeed forever. </div>
Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-78697605802337455472011-08-13T06:59:00.001-07:002011-08-27T11:21:37.336-07:00NAIADES<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gSX0rF6mTqNumc76sz4rm5P_FkWMVwlduusDukz0qsQrpCWADIKTzM3b_Zy3Cs1cDfeen1uuu_9C5fgTOk2MF9ThpXmiOvL7UWNHwLf7JNyGriav_tXy_S8Ps2HrDqT9GrRe6dTnYCc/s1600/P12.4AThetis.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gSX0rF6mTqNumc76sz4rm5P_FkWMVwlduusDukz0qsQrpCWADIKTzM3b_Zy3Cs1cDfeen1uuu_9C5fgTOk2MF9ThpXmiOvL7UWNHwLf7JNyGriav_tXy_S8Ps2HrDqT9GrRe6dTnYCc/s400/P12.4AThetis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640340170665558994" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love researching! It fully enthralls me to get to the source of things. It also gives me so much inspiration and is so f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">ascinating as I move through the mythology as well as the work itself...</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"></span>NAIADES were associated with fresh water, as the Oceanids were with saltwater. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Naiades </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">presided over fountains, wells, springs, streams, and brooks. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But the NEREIDES were fifty Haliad Nymphs or goddesses of the sea. They were the patrons of sailors and fishermen, who came to the aid of men in distress, and goddesses who had in their care the sea's rich bounty. Individually they also represented various facets of the sea, from salty brine, to foam, sand, rocky shores, waves and currents, in addition to the various skills possessed by seamen.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> To the left is a Greek vase, depicting Nereides. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So like the ethereal piece, 'Naiades', that I had opening my last two shows, (and will also open my Los Angeles show) I have also create a piece called 'Nereides', which is much deeper and a bit more ominous...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm also very excited about the new album as far as the music! Though the first InfraWarrior album, which really was centered around electro-tribal work - for the most part, though... songs like "Into My Own", "We Are the One" and "The Turnaway" were quite different.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Paul Mercer and his producer Bruce Bennett are working on a gutwrenching classical song entitled "LureinLay". There is also a purely tribal drums and vocal piece entitled "Scylla and Charybdis" where I really have fun with multiple vocals. I even have a couple near punk rock-like tunes due to Steve Niles' help. Steve was in Gray Matter back in the day, one of the first Dischord bands, so he's been writing riffs with me. We knew each other when we were just kids in the punk rock scene, and I love how things have come back full circle for us! Just finished recording a song called "Pride" which I am quite proud of!</span></span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then the song "EndBegin" which I listed the lyrics in my last post, the end is something I am so proud of! Mutliple chant vocals that intertwine, with tribal shouts that caused our dogs to bark throughout the house thinking I was hurt. Hilarious!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Info on the album artwork to come! I have big plans, and hope to report soon on them!</span></span></span></span></div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-19693824715975252012011-08-07T19:19:00.000-07:002011-08-07T19:24:35.508-07:00Full Immersion into NAIADESI am eagerly awaiting the finished painting by artist Chrissie Zullo of the album cover, and working away on the full album now as well as the booklet artwork. Bits and pieces of lyrics may show up, as well as fun mermaid imagery that I've been playing with. Here are the working lyrics to a new song "EndBegin"...<div><br /></div><div> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Through the cracks in the wall I'm going back to Nature</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Through the holes in the floor my roots search for the waters</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Along crumbling brick I'm building back my forest</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Over collapsed walls I'm stretching myself homeward</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">As the sidewalks break I'm dropping down my anchors</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Along rusting wires I'm stretching out my fingers</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">From the rotting beams I'm reaching towards the answer</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Upon broken glass I may walk forever</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The trees are burning and the wars unseen </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">What we know and what we believe</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The walls are blurring and the lines between</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">What we know and what we believe</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Leave the endless noise I'm going back to silence</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">On the crumbling bridge I cross back to the mountains</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Through the blood red sea I'll sink into the alters</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Through the cracks in the wall I'm going back to Nature</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Leave a bounty of fruit at the base of the cinders</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Through the holes in the floor my roots search for the waters </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">When the oceans die, your tears will fill the rivers. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p></div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-49752213059396931382011-07-26T17:27:00.001-07:002011-07-26T17:27:56.444-07:00Beating a song into shape.<div>Words bristle and ignite themselves</div><div>Backwards and upside-down before a pen can be found -</div><div>Claiming a strange reward in shattering bursts</div><div>That flame and die all too soon</div><div>To recreate such catastrophe.</div><div>I have left Life fall cold a plunging necessity somewhere behind me,</div><div>As I retrace its electricity...</div><div><br /></div><div>Like a weed that triumphs charred ruin,</div><div>I suppose Nature springs from me then.</div><div>Blowing its brilliance through my lungs</div><div>Blazing its secrets forth</div><div>Changing colors against the frost </div><div>While I capture it thus -</div><div>Imperfectly -</div><div>Letting it cool past my fingertips,</div><div>Shaping it numb and trimming it to proper form - </div><div>Elementally agreeable</div><div>And trained to speak.</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-2570930662096182712011-07-15T08:44:00.001-07:002011-07-15T09:45:56.801-07:00Sea Change...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMoIr-LxaEA7xTS0DN6rLbk_ot1PZXnXSIx0TioSpdtUbjRU2B8uk3yga4oLcRA36oOrG6xd58nxruRkTqsL9djkMYIoXXz-TQ0Xr9L-DYlOM8M7gLxll3TDR135gG99UqJCczzPZ-S0/s1600/dragonfly_neck.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMoIr-LxaEA7xTS0DN6rLbk_ot1PZXnXSIx0TioSpdtUbjRU2B8uk3yga4oLcRA36oOrG6xd58nxruRkTqsL9djkMYIoXXz-TQ0Xr9L-DYlOM8M7gLxll3TDR135gG99UqJCczzPZ-S0/s400/dragonfly_neck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629605951828378610" /></a>I have to admit, I'm having a great time making jewelry, searching through boxes of my old stuff, resurrecting pieces I wore with costumes... and finding all sorts of new things to create. It's a zen thing for me, I am finding.<div><div><div><br /></div><div><i>"My silence killed my writing skills..."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a strange time. Restoration of my old pieces seems to restore me personally... It touches upon everything I am doing now. Transformation into a solo artist, choosing my own distinct vision, with the help, support and love of those around me...</div><div><br /></div><div>Though my new album title, "Naiades" was decided upon, I have had a hard time articulating why I have chosen to go back to the waters... but my inner-voice told me to flow with this. Now things are truly making themselves known... </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I am undergoing a Sea-Change, it seems...</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>From Shakespeare's The Tempest:</i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Baskerville;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Full fathom five </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">thy</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> father </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">lies</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">,<br /></span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Of</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">his</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">bones</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">are</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">coral</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">made</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">,<br />Those are pearls </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">that</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> were </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">his</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> eyes,<br /></span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nothing</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">of</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">him</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">that</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">doth</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">fade</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">,<br /></span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">But</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">doth</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">suffer</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">a</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sea-change</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">,<br />Into something </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">rich</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">strange</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">,<br />Sea-nymphs hourly </span></i><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ring</span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> his knell,<br />Ding-dong.<br />Hark! Now I hear them, ding-dong, bell."</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Renewal, Redefinition, Metamorphosis. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lyrics are beginning to flow as I just work with my hands, especially when parts of completely different eras and ages suddenly click and just work together. My mind is allowed to float freely as my hands work. I am drawn to Dragonflies, Skulls, natural elements of change. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was a woman that once wrote, "how do I know what I have to say until I see what I write?" So funny to see what is coming out of me and only just now catching myself in the mirror!</div></div></div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-11931050119603335252011-06-25T14:32:00.000-07:002011-09-12T08:59:49.686-07:00On Purging and Moving Forward...<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Sooooo…. it's been a good long while since I have written anything here. A great deal has happened in the last long while, and it's been very hard to write about my personal life. How does one lead a public and private life, staying true to one or the other, continuing a sort of mythology in order not to cause pain to fans, yet at the same time be thrown into the struggle of my life? Some of you know what I've had to go through in the last year. It's been, to say the least… challenging.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">But I have come through and almost on the other side of some very dark times. Now I have a new life, new Love and feeling very hopeful towards the future!</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">With all of this, I am stronger now. I've learned to count on myself and to believe in myself. I've found the ability to ask for help when I need it (which is not easy for me), and to lean on those close pals around me who have helped me along the way. And the good side is these changes have fed my own personal artistic expression and have allowed me to grow by leaps and bounds at learning to record and mix my own music, as well as create the soundtrack to the live film for my shows. I feel as if I am walking in new worlds, entering new realms and all of it up to me.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Yet the truth is… It has been extremely costly to deal with a mountain of debt from the FatM tours - on top of upheaving my life, creating a new studio to work in and - in many ways, start completely over. I am now a completely self-run entity and will start my own record company to release my album in the U.S. But doing just a simple search for my music, I find website after website offering my music for free. Orders are very few and far between. It's been, at the very least, disheartening.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">My fans say they can't wait to hear my next album. Many don't understand that it costs so much to do what I love to do, and create what they hopefully love to listen to.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">This is why I am going to do the following: sell my paintings, more artwork, some personal creations, belongings and costumes -- and -- ask for donations.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I had a long talk with kaRIn and Statik of Collide, another completely independent musical entity and old friends of mine. They told me about their donation page, and the amount of support fans have given them. They also pointed out the following facts, which I know all too well, but may be good to reiterate here:</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">• If you buy something directly from a band's website, and you spend $10, they get the whole $10, minus only the processing fees from either the credit card company or paypal.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">• If you purchase something from iTunes, the band gets about 67 cents for each dollar you spend.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">• If you purchase a CD from someplace like Amazon, they get about 45 cents for each dollar you spend.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">• If you download something from a torrent site, they (we - as musicians), of course, get $0.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">For anyone who feels like they can help out a little (or for people who may have been getting my music for free), now is your chance to help me continue to make music. Your donation will help fund some of the costs of recording my new album, including mastering costs, production costs, some studio equipment I need as well as the dreaded pressing costs.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">With any donation of $25 or more, you will also get your name in the credits of my new album as a special supporter.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/donate.htm">PLEASE DONATE NOW.</a></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Here are the pages with Items for Sale:</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/paintings_sale.html">My Best Known Paintings</a>, and <a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/paintings_sale2.html">Less Expensive Paintings</a></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/unique_items.htm">Unique, Hand-made and One-of-a-Kind items</a></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/costumes.htm">Costumes and More</a></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><a href="http://www.monicarichards.com/jewelry.htm">Hand-made Jewelry</a></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I hope this will be fun for those fans who would love their name added to my next album, or get the chance to own a little piece of history from one of my costumes or art pieces. </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Thank you for the support all these years! </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">XXOO!</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Monica</p>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-56695694132578221122011-06-23T19:30:00.001-07:002011-06-23T19:30:55.136-07:00New Blogs coming at last!I've been out of the loop, but now back to work on writing my thoughts... Stay tuned! XXOO, MMonica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-16634435935450206992011-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:002011-01-13T09:38:57.162-08:00Fozzie Bear...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe8HaT1CST6Cuk8YltRIyByCai4NxT1swdjjtIhkroi-lw95F5U8u8SM6EK_WTH4CjVw0ZtQX1fURQ16Bw1WPqnlA80R0DWSW1-V8BeIu1a9tpwIS3zrRz-7id_fGMnXfztiLyTQhUcc/s1600/FozCloseup.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe8HaT1CST6Cuk8YltRIyByCai4NxT1swdjjtIhkroi-lw95F5U8u8SM6EK_WTH4CjVw0ZtQX1fURQ16Bw1WPqnlA80R0DWSW1-V8BeIu1a9tpwIS3zrRz-7id_fGMnXfztiLyTQhUcc/s320/FozCloseup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561721758394811458" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I am writing this while my Fozzie Bear is still alive… though he is so weak and can hardly stand without falling, he still happily barks at visitors to come and greet him. The pain in his legs has gotten to the point that he cries quietly all day, so at least now he is comfortable these last few days - I made sure of that… The hardest part is that his mind is fine, it's his poor body that has finally worn out…</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I met Fozzie when he was so tiny he actually looked like his Muppet namesake. (Namesake, is that right?) He had that short stubby puppy-bear nose and big wide eyes, all fluffy black and brown… He still had his fourth leg, but it was wrapped with "Please Adopt me" written on his bandage (by CC, my lil sis, who was a vet tech at the hospital - she was the one who told me about him). It was as thin as a stick and he used it like a little cane, though he was able to run around with it, tapping it every second on the floor. The story was he had been hit by a car and a junky was holding him - with the 4th leg dangling like meat - trying to sell him for drugs. Luckily the guy who gave him $20 brought him directly to my vet - and into loving, caring hands.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdpBAPGnmewFf49z4KzzQcWYspnKUrOY-JxCTSPPnYk3rCYbCjeMA_xZcAxk6JAAu-BoGHAONiXipZkhcSbuua0sQjvX80Nnxp7ZFR9LDX6iTc0d-KEGVNWWwM19KeBT6FPq2xs4GihY/s1600/Fozziebaby.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdpBAPGnmewFf49z4KzzQcWYspnKUrOY-JxCTSPPnYk3rCYbCjeMA_xZcAxk6JAAu-BoGHAONiXipZkhcSbuua0sQjvX80Nnxp7ZFR9LDX6iTc0d-KEGVNWWwM19KeBT6FPq2xs4GihY/s200/Fozziebaby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561722359588531746" /></a> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I hadn't had a dog since I was a kid, but as soon as I saw Fozzie, he was my baby boy. They removed his leg and he came home with a giant bandage that stretched all around him, and a big, wide smile. How can you resist a little puppy with three legs that's always smiling??? Fozzie didn't know he only had three legs - it didn't impact him until he was around 7 or so and the ACLs on both back legs had torn. Two operations later, he had metal parts put in his legs to help him walk again… We called him the Bionic Dog at that point.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Baby boy, never a complaint…</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">When I first wrote the short story "Spring - Untitled" - which later became the source for ANAFAE - I saw Fozzie as her guardian Fauz Fenris: a three-legged dog that grew a fourth leg of flora when Mother Nature stood by him… His personality burst from the pages. It is going to be hard to continue ANAFAE with him gone, but at the same time he will live on and on now…</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cFXGl3jlXy3hB7y-crBfzX0kUSlY770puxmk_hEI1ydNUz5D0EqRM5m3A3FS2K-R5F0XedZfQXNZ8cEbgxTTbxtJnXoyLGSUVoGl-pgTwuVjc3O128II1vlLlZZpCNtpyaPPmq7LHKQ/s1600/Ana_18_B2_RGB.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cFXGl3jlXy3hB7y-crBfzX0kUSlY770puxmk_hEI1ydNUz5D0EqRM5m3A3FS2K-R5F0XedZfQXNZ8cEbgxTTbxtJnXoyLGSUVoGl-pgTwuVjc3O128II1vlLlZZpCNtpyaPPmq7LHKQ/s400/Ana_18_B2_RGB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561723277678968002" /></a><br /></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg21ZB0pkLbEX_79Cj3Zxtn-qMMouDgU_asKD5JxvYWJ5QaGQCvRw1aJS9GFvH0-6Can_p0xW04OxMK43tSgDY2NvymaQAu3SrJOATNT6eaH6nGD7j4sVbtohk4OQ4Z1IIdvk6PaNpQ0/s1600/FozzieJynx.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg21ZB0pkLbEX_79Cj3Zxtn-qMMouDgU_asKD5JxvYWJ5QaGQCvRw1aJS9GFvH0-6Can_p0xW04OxMK43tSgDY2NvymaQAu3SrJOATNT6eaH6nGD7j4sVbtohk4OQ4Z1IIdvk6PaNpQ0/s400/FozzieJynx.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561723699394495922" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Fozzie loved his big sister, Sugar, and especially loved his little sisters Daisy and Zendra. He raised my puppy, baby Nola, well. They all loved to chew on his neck while lying on their backs beneath his chin - Fozzie seemed vicious as he opened his wide jaws, only to gently touch their necks in play. He was always the most gentle and nurturing when new kittens were adopted - they would bat at his nose as he stared at them wide-eyed.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Fozzie went very peacefully, he had a wonderful, happy life - so hard to say goodbye... The doc found a large mass while examining him, so the time was right, to be sure...</p>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-23618845349712754592010-12-08T18:05:00.000-08:002010-12-08T18:34:29.606-08:00An Interview!I recently did an interview about The Book of Annwyn. Though I self-published it in 1998, it seems to have deep roots, fortunately! This was for the American Welsh Society (Americymru Association). Click <a href="http://tiny.cc/5zxuo">Here</a>!Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-59854373886444734892010-11-11T08:23:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:37:22.974-08:00The Muse Onward<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I wish I might explain the enormity of Image, </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Merely a magnification that reflects back</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">From the eyes of those who do not know me at all.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The fear of breaking from my little box.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Trapped in my own Illuminated corner.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Magic appears from behind the curtain</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The Enchanted mirror:</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Scenes from a lost childhood teach humanity to search out idols -</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Its temperamental need to be reminded of a Perfect world -</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Yet full of swift rejection should the Human turn its head</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">And bring forth its own heart</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Not the one expected or more often demanded</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">But the gleam of a life lived onward</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Full of turns and tides.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Like life, We ebb and flow.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Hell hath the fury of every little resented Reflection.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The pedestal smashed underfoot in moments.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Thus the rest of Persona must remain immersed in the water,</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Drowned.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">For the time at least.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Hope itself is enough to bring the Dead back to life.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I am the Muse:</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">But I must reflect that which radiates upon me.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">It can not come from the void. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">So the One I choose to shine on </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Can only be the One that causes me to shine.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Now a beacon of light flares from my center</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Like a homing signal high above the cities.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I radiate endlessly - electricity pours from my fingertips.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I cannot stay calm or silent but will -</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Not for my own choice but that of thousands who must learn</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Slowly -</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">That even the realm of Dream -</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">And the humans that live under such a weight -</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">May change and breathe new life.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">My mythology changed forever.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">My Tale is that of beginnings.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">This is Truth.</p>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-68299736121113248072010-11-01T16:59:00.000-07:002010-11-06T08:52:21.664-07:00Crows<a href="http://video.pbs.org/video/1621910826">Documentary: A Murder of Crows</a><br /><br />I have written on these magical beings often... They are very prominent in Celtic Mythology, as Bran (Welsh for Crow) and Branwen - White or Shining Crow. The Crow is their War deity, and this is just the beginning... I have Crows that hang around my yard - they cluck and clickw hen they hang over my yard... I love that they know that my place is a good place...<div><br /></div><div>Watching this documentary is incredibly inspiring to my own creative work as it manifests...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086452644028453.post-77017558642914181482010-10-30T09:28:00.000-07:002010-10-30T09:28:41.883-07:00Loneliness. Patience. Wisdom. Happiness.Woke up to a lovely rain, it feels more like early Spring than Fall to me. Watching the dogs nap and listening to Maxine, the duck, quack as she wanders the garden. All is peaceful...<div><br /></div><div>Last night I went to a friend's place and met his kangaroo, she is a rescue who has ended up living there. The doc is a long-time zoo vet, so this is not an unusual animal for him to have at home. I watched him give her a bottle, and then she came up to me to check me out, surrounded by her five dog companions. SO cute!</div><div><br /></div><div>Animals. I could not live without them.</div><div><br /><div>Life has been upside down since returning from the last European Tour - but I am picking myself up again. I feel I have so much to say but it is hard to put it into words. This is the problem of emotion, when you feel gutted and empty from circumstance and have such trouble trying to explain how it feels to those who aren't able to live inside your skin. </div><div><br /></div><div>Poetry is how I connect and speak truths, touch hearts and rise to that very special place where words are nothing but cages - trapping the deeper meaning behind their doors - snapped shut with metal lock. </div><div><br /></div><div>My thoughts are like animals - they need to be free and given wide open spaces to roam, to find kindred spirits that connect their voices to emotion and yet somehow still breathe, and say it's okay to do so - to rise above the soil up into the sky - to look back down from a distance without pain - that was something left somewhere below...</div></div><div><br /></div><div>AH! To the Future! I cannot wait to look calmly at the Past.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just typing this has brought a wave of peace to my soul.</div>Monica Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15402703808396781705noreply@blogger.com0