Spring and summer have been a mix of exploration and appreciation of Momma Nature both outside and inside my studio along with summer’s healthy dose of friends and family who visit this special place we get to call home. I’m finding new ways to squeeze in more mini adventures on studio days. Mountain biking “helmet hair”or the grit from rock and chalk beneath my nails or the satisfaction of happy sleepy dogs after a quickie six mile dawn hike accompany the grin on my face when I step into the studio. Raymond took this photo early one morning this week while I led a nearby “new-to-me” climb before studio time. Feeling fit. Inspired. Playfully and intentionally creative. Blessed.
Dancing with Bulls - insight into the world of protecting bull riders in the rodeo arena
My husband Raymond shared thoughtful insight with passion and humility on the TED stage. Everyone who takes a few moments to watch his talk feels changed, inspired and enlightened…
Raising Funds for Flood Relief
Raymond took the “Jake Bank” to a coffee shop to help raise funds for our local animal shelter. The staff had to act fast when the shelter was overtaken by water in minutes. Some dogs were stuff into kennels and placed on the upper floor of the barn, then rescued in canoes later by Swift Water Rescue. The shelter is a total loss but all the animals (including the little goldfish) were rescued. The “Jake Bank” has raised a few thousand dollars for the shelter during the last decade but managed to raise over $5000 the first week it was in town after the flood.
Jake gets a loving polish at the coffee shop
Precious Moments; celebrate the little blessings...
Ray and Raymond
Raymond and his mother work together to care for his father during the challenging final stages of Alzheimers. Dubbed “the overeducated cowboy” by the students he taught for 35 years at MSU, Ray is admired and beloved by all those who have the privilege of knowing him. Some of the intimate moments and feelings were shared on my blog during the years I cared for my mother while Alzheimer’s ravaged her being. Ray was diagnosed about a year after my mother passed away. This photo of these two makes me happy.
Unprecedented Montana Springtime Floods
Momma Nature expressed her potent power this week. The usual springtime high mountain snow melt which swells creeks, streams and rivers was amped by excessive rain destabilizing the snow which unleashed a fury of flooding and mudslides throughout Montana. Raymond took this photo from our place. Normal spring conditions would show the Yellowstone River like a fattened snake winding it way on the edge of town rather than the isle, island and wetland scene shown. My friend Storrs took the following photo as volunteers filled and carted sandbags deep into the Strawberry Full Moon night. Ten thousand tourists were safely evacuated from Yellowstone Park. No lives lost. Counting the blessings while appreciating the beauty of nature and humanity alike - not taking anything for granted.
From desert warmth to mountain spring snow
Of course snow - and rain and thunder and hail and wind and calm and birds singing and little furry critters scampering and brave tender grass reaching for those tantalizing blasts of sunshine.
Moon shadows. Painterly sunsets. Moody sunrises.
Springtime in the Rockies.
Home-sweet-home.
Inspiration outside the studio
Endlessly sculptural. Zen garden soul stirring landscape entwined with Dr Seuss-like whimsical formations. Tantalizing. Grounding. Empowering. Humbling.
Parts of my creative process can be described with the same adjectives
Cliff and Tala
I wonder if Tala feels Cliff’s spirit as strongly as I do? I know she would be ecstatic if he walked across our deck, or if she heard him laugh. Grief from the loss of my dearest closest friend seems even heavier, harder and more persistent these past few months than other times in more recent years. Is that possible? Perhaps some of the deep layers of grief are finding their way through me; released with tears amongst the trees in the woods on the mountain he is such a part of. Thankful for his ever-present spirit. Gratitude for the mountain of memories, the storms we weathered and the endless river of love.
Cliff Denham: Oct 21,1947- May 1, 2016.
Happy Easter!
Bunny tracks in the snow - Easter blessings abound…
Reflections on grief
Softness and light greeted my heart this morning. Grief is a many-layered thing. Sharp as an icicle, soft as the persistent drip drip drip drops…
TED Talk'n
Selected in 2019 for the TED stage, Raymond’s talk was delayed. Twice. (COVID). He worked HARD putting together an eye-opening and moving eight minute talk that I can hardly wait to share (once TED posts it online).
Raymond stretched minds and hearts when he took the stage Saturday. Humility, courage, insight, power, vulnerability and presence; he enraptured the audience. I’m in awe and PROUD!!!
Years ago, I shared the TED stage with one of my sculptures. Someday - I hope to take to the TED stage again as I’ve much room for improvement to more deeply share and connect with words - the creative spirit and the spirit within all things.
Years ago on the TED stage with one of my sculptures…
Raymond and Yellowstone National Park Birthday Celebration
Beautiful frozen waterfall beckoned us to climb….
We celebrated both Raymond’s birthday and Yellowstone National Park’s 150th birthday with an ice climbing adventure in the Park yesterday. Perfect pairing of a magical place and the gracious bright light Raymond beams. Greeted by bison on the road, painterly skies, stellar frozen falls, beauty, wonder, nature and love followed by this moment tucked into comfy covers at a cozy little cabin in Cooke City - a wee little town perched on the edge of the Park. No cell service here. My handsome husband sleeps, my heart leaps. Blessed.
Morning Musings...
Criss-cross frost bejewels the window above the fancy delicate o’l treasure of a writing desk my mother loved. Bunny tracks at the door. Candle lit. Hot frothy morning brew in the fat rabbit mug. Multi-colored pens. Journal. Gratitude.
Full Moon Slow Dance
Home-sweet-home after a stellar 4 day adventure with my love. We hiked to lyrical waterfalls no longer frozen enough to climb, stayed in a historical brothel-turned-boutique-hotel (yes I packed tiny lacy things) Climbed stellar frozen Cataract Falls in the steep mountains near Augusta, attended 3 nights of Circuit Finals Rodeo to support and hang with friends and their families. I didn’t realize how hungry I was for ART until we took in the contemporary art installations at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art which prompted us to pilgrimage to Lincoln to visit Blackfoot Pathways Sculpture in the Wild. Slid into the historical healing pools at Broadwater hot springs for our final interlude. Full moon magic welcomed us home-sweet-home.
Heart - Soul- Mind - Body - Cowboy boots - Ice Axes - Lace - Frozen Falls - Art - Hot springs
New Year's Day Beautitude...
Looking for a compelling climb…
Momma Nature all blinged out with magical crystal beauty that only happens in sub zero temps. New Year’s morning, Raymond and I uncurled from our cuddle, rolled off the air mattress in the dining room of the lovely Big Sky condo, suited up, tip-toed past sleeping friends, got the sliding glass door unstuck and slid into the hot tub where we soaked up the sunrise.
Thirteen degrees below zero.
I scampered barefoot and made a snow angel in my bikini as a post-it note greeting to the sky (and for the kiddos to discover when they woke from slumber).
Hiking in sub zero temps is other-worldly and LOUD. Cold snow crunch crunch crunch. Partnering up to climb on frozen falls was a sweet little retreat and memorable way to begin the New Year.
Snow Goddess
I want to share this bright-eyed joyful beauty with you. She was created near the studio by a family of friends (with five delightful young boys) who enjoyed Momma Nature’s sledding playground while we were away with family. The snowball goddess has hair and eyes repurposed from the studio wildflower garden created by a group of dear friends as a wedding present to us five years ago. Gifts abound and rebound!!!
Christmas Kisses...
Blowing each one of you warm kisses wrapped in fresh crisp mountain air… MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Tree Muse...
She embraced me morning and night. Vibrant vivacious daughter of the Mother. Smooth arms poised like a temple goddess. Her canopy sparkled with stars each night as I smudged with cedar and sage, accompanied by owl song. The tall red Dr Seuss bloom blew kisses while I meditated early mornings at this very spot just outside the door to our bedroom. Gratitude.
Full Blue Moon today.
Did you know there are two different kinds of Blue Moon? Somehow I felt a “Blue Moon-ness” yesterday as Raymond and I drove down the mountain to join friends in a sweatlodge ceremony. I looked it up and discovered the Seasonal Blue moon exists.
Ceremony helps us “remember to remember” as Robin Wall Kimmerer points out in her lovely book “Braiding Sweetgrass.”
Remember to Remember
(I’ve wrapped myself up in those words this weekend)
-image from my newest series-
How do I recharge?
Totally stumped during a recent interview by the question “how do you recharge?” I stumbled for an answer. Perhaps because the things which refuel me are intricately woven into the fabric of my life both inside and outside the studio. Creativity recharges me. So does Momma Nature, Kundalini, laughter, love making, naps, super fine chocolate and even the dark hard places. Exhaustion and exhilaration can actually co-occur.
