Wednesday, March 31, 2010

SUCCESS!

I just sold my first cane on Etsy! For those of you who are used to selling their artwork on the internet, I hope this spurs you to remember the AWESOME feeling of that first high!

This is a confirmation for me. I started listing the canes right before Christmas. So, four months, of waiting, waiting, waiting.

I've signed up for my first show, at my local artist's guild. And now I have the funds to purchase a space at the Irish Festival in June!

Let's keep this engine rolling!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Barnegat forest fire, March 20, 2010


My husband and I went down to our local boy scout camp this evening. Many of our friends were involved in a training weekend. the camp should have been teaming with happy, yelling boys and nearly exhausted leaders.

As we drove up the back roads toward the camp we began to smell smoke. That's when my husband told me he had heard that there was a forest fire in the area. The closer we came to the camp the thicker the smoke became. We began to see wild life along the road, all heading away from the thickest smoke. We passed a couple of fire engines but nobody stopped us.

We finally pulled in to the camp parking lot and there was not a car to be seen. That was erie enough. Then we noticed the empty camp sites, with the tents still in them and gear sitting where it had been dropped. The parade field was littered with half build wooden catapults.

We drove past the dining hall and it was dark in the front but the lights were on in the back. As we headed back out we stopped at the camp master's cabin, where the offices are and found the back door wide open, lights on and noone there. Now it was really ooky!

It was obvious that the folks in camp had been ordered to drop and run. But the big question was, if they had to leave so fast that they couldn't even take down their tents, how did they get all the kids out, with their parents not there to pick them up?

It was seriously scary.

We closed the backdoor and got back into the car and headed towards the fire. (I know!)
We stopped at a friend's house that was nearby to make sure he was safe. He said that there had been a mandatory evacutation, but that he and some neighbors had decided to stay put. As I stood there talking to him, a huge herd of deer hurried through his back yard. After making sure that he was OK we got back in our car and went even closer to the fire. We passed several more fire engines with folks standing around and nobody told us to turn around. As we came off the little lane, on to the highway that led back home, off to the right the sky was an incredible shade of vermillion, and right across the road from our car we could see the fire breaks that the firemen had been setting.

It was really cool seeing the fire breaks right in the pines, just before us! But we turned left and headed for home.

Oh my! what an adventure!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Somebody Pinch Me!!



I am a member of the Boy Scouts of America, as a leader. My husband is a scout master. My 21 year old daughter is an assistant scout master and Venture Crew advisor. My son is an Eagle Scout and I'm a crew advisor and committee member. We've been involved in the BSA for 17 years now.

And we've all been trained. And trained.....and trained! The highest level being the Wood Badge Course. There is a real atitude of brotherhood amongst the men and women who have passed through that portal.

Last night was our council's annual Wood Badge Dine In. It's a night to get together and get a little silly. We have dinner, then induct new leaders into the brotherhood through a special ceremony called a "beading". That's when those who have completed the training get their Wood Badge neckerchief, leather waggle and Wood Badge beads.


Afterwards there is an auction to raise funds for a Wood Badge scholarship to help those who want to go through Wood Badge, but can't afford it.

This year I donated a hand painted hiking staff.

The one I painted for myself has my "totem" that is the symbol of the patrol I belong to, which is the bald eagle. I also included my husband's, the buffalo. The inscription I used was from "Taps", Day is done, Gone the sun, God is nigh.

When my staff finally came up, the auctioneer held up my staff and explained that I would hand paint a custom staff for the highest bidder.

My cane won the highest bid last night!! It was purchased for $200.00!! I am beyond excited by this! To be able to add to the scholarship coffers this way and to know that I really do have an artistic idea that others value!

So, today it's off to Lowes to buy a hard wood dowel, one inch thick, and get right to work!

Somebody pinch me!!

LIFE IS JUST SO FULL OF COOL STUFF!

My photo
Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States
My nane is Judy and I've been a christian for more than 3/4 of my life. I believe in redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that God, the Spirit lives in me and gives me the power to do His will and to live a joyful life. I have a Godly husband, a grown son and daughter. I live on a farm with 3 goats, 2 chickens, 2 horses, a cat, a dog and a python. I am an artist and a singer. I was a full time stay at home mom, the hardest job you'll ever love! I have two handmade shops on Etsy. Leaning on the Promises www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com (Hand Painted Walking Canes) and Beaver Creek Pottery www.beavercreekpottery.etsy.com and an Etsy shop for selling Vintage and Antiques. Jersey Pine Pickers www.jerseypinepickers.etsy.com I post about my relationship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, about the things He teaches me, delights me with and how He uses me.