Early morning and later

As I looked out first thing this morning I saw this Chinese neighbor grandfather bringing the baby out to see birds and rabbits. I could hear him pointing them out as they walked.

I got in a walk myself later, and when I came home I stopped at the gate to make a picture looking left

Then right

That's my entire planting area, mostly rescued -- including the Japanese maple there -- or grown from seed. Heres today's morning glory. 

I'm getting one blossom at a time, no fear it will get out of hand.

The patio's become a miniature nature area, never sprayed, and full of bees,  butterflies and moths. 

Since I've been a member of the Xerces Society, I've been much less concerned about insects eating my plants, in favor of being pleased that the plants are clean enough to interest them. Wild folk tend to be gourmet eaters, taking only the best! 

I'm a bit less enthusiastic about the mosquitoes dining on my arms. 

About the community art I showed you yesterday, MaryAnne was interested in the rest of the story.

The Tin Quilt was exhibited for a month after which I heard the ptb wanted it for the Town Hall, so I checked with them and they said they'd get back to me.

I never heard so I did what I usually do with art that's had its turn, cut it down and used the parts for other artworks which eventually were exhibited and some sold.

About a year later the Town Hall ptb called me to say they were ready to receive the Tin Quilt. I had to break it to them that since I hadn't heard from them, it now had several other lives. 

Whereupon the caller said but, but, we thought you'd keep it forever! Not being familiar with the working artist who's not a conservator. 

As for the Birds Nest, the official running the event, had been obstructive throughout and had been pressured by the phalanx of artists invested in it to let it proceed. 

She agreed to leave it in place for a month, because a number of residents wanted to bring children and friends who hadn't known about it, along to see it.

I went out early the morning after the event, to see all was well, no tools forgotten, and the  Nest had been removed. Not a sign. I checked with the Works Department who said, well, sorry, but she'd instructed them to remove it ASAP. 

So they'd bulldozed it and trucked it to the compost area.  Sic transit gloria! I'm in the good company of artists whose work has so enraged authority that they destroyed it. Not a club a person wants to be in, but oh well. 

It means that it succeeded, because it got a huge reaction, joy from many, rage from others. So I lived to fight another day, and I've no idea what she did.

Happy day everyone! Just keep on, your friends will like it and it will annoy your enemies.

Wednesday is when I recover from Tuesday.

Beautiful walk this morning, a bit bitey because all the insects decided to keep me company.

Home again, here's a view down the street

And look who showed up in the wandering dude.  A wandering morning glory.

And tributes to Ukraine. Here's the patio version

Wildflowers (?) in blue and yellow.

Then the new bracelet, which has two sides 

In other gripping news, I read recently that goldfinches nest very late in the year and use thistledown in their nests. My thistle has dozens of flowers maturing to down now, and yesterday I saw a goldfinch in brilliant yellow mating plumage. So I  guess it's true. I hope they'll find the thistledown. They do fly around the deck now and then.

Also I had a hummingbird sighting this week, so I guess it's all life in the fast lane right now.

I was reminded by Textiles and Tea about community art projects and a couple I ran back in the day. 

One was the Great Birds Nest, which I organized at the annual Township Founders Day. On the field where events took place, I had the Works Department drop a truckload of brush and branches.

I also volunteered other artists to attend with clippers, and the general public happily helped build a giant nest, big enough for humans to climb in (and take pictures!). 

We decorated with ribbons and various colorful items, and all ages plunged in, little kids wildly excited to be in a giant nest. 

It was about 10 feet across and I kept the sides low enough for people to climb in and out. Everyone wove branches and tied brush and generally created the artwork. No pictures, it predated digital cameras.

Another was the Great Tin Quilt Caper,at the library gallery, which I spent months preparing. I cut, hammered, pierced and embossed dozens of pet food cans which I cut into 6O° angled diamond  shapes, to create a tumbling blocks design.  Inside tin cans there's a beautiful range of colors, it's marvelous art material.

Then I built a backing of foam core and plywood and gessoed it black. 

All the pet care clients whose cans I'd used were invited to the opening/workshop. I had created the tumbling blocks center then everyone who wanted could attach the many  extra readymade pieces I brought, to the outer sections. I provided hammers and panel tacks, and it was a great party. The library gallery was heaving! 

We ended with a wall mounted quilt about five feet square, and displayed it for a month, with a lot of people admiring their own work (!) and their pets' contributions.

On the catalog (flyer) I acknowledged the name of every contributing pet and I was hysterical at how seriously everyone scrutinized it to make sure their Fluffy and Barnaby and Boots were included!

I've done other group events, but these were the biggest ones, open to the public.

Such larks!

Happy day everyone, just do it! You'll be glad you did.