A Celtic Cowgirl

Sweet, golden hour of sunset

2012-02-03T14:32:00.000-08:00

What is the first thing you do when you wake up {a strange question considering the title of this post; perhaps implying that I arise at sunset - not true.}? The very first thing you do after you face the cold, bitter facts that it really is morning and you really do have to get up.
I myself check the weather. I do this by viewing the position of the horses {my wards} and the chickens {Little brother's dominion} from my window through which they gaze, willing me too wake and hurry up with their breakfast. From this I can glean a much more accurate idea of the weather than the meteorologist on tv to which my parents subscribe in the morning, therefore better preparing me for the imminent moment when I must bundle up and join the afore mentioned creatures {the horses, you understand -- not my groggy coffee guzzling parents who are far too cheerful to face at this unholy hour} in the dawn's early light.
This morning the horses were standing about in an almost frozen state, exposing as much of their bodies to the sun's rays as possible at one time. The chickens were doing roughly the same thing -- basking. This tells me two fundamental things: 1. It is cold. 2. There is no wind.
How can I tell?
If it were not cold the animals wouldn't be standing about like taxidermy, soaking up any feeble warmth the winter sun has to offer.
If it were windy their mains, tails, and feathers would be waving in said wind.
If it were both cold and windy all animals would have retreated to shelter to bask out of the wind.
Pretty deep stuff, right? Somehow my mind blunders through this every morning in order to tell my limbs how to dress sufficiently.

Now, since we've suffered through that unreasonably long mental demonstration on how I begin each day, lets move on to the actual subject of this post, which, if you haven't guessed, has to do with my animals and their eating habits, therefore making the paragraph above you just read almost completely irrelevant! *face collides with keyboard* You know what, just leave me here to die.

I took my camera out this day because 1. the sunset cast a beautiful golden glow over everything, and 2. I felt especially good-natured that day and wished to convey a sense of the pleasure one feels when serving fellow Creations.

After that ~~soppy~~ introduction this photo makes me laugh out loud. Perhaps it was not the best one to start with. However, I believe I captured the essence of Wilber in this photograph: Large and slightly intimidating, with a vacant expression that hints at the theory {which I believe, but other members of the household call preposterous} that he was dropped at birth. From a great height.

Double Stuff has taken to squirming through fences in order to escape the tyranny of Shyanne in the other pen. For some reason she has taken a sudden and enormous dislike to him, driving him to live with Roanie {who doesn't mind him one bit} and Wilber {who occasionally plays cat-and-mouse with him}.

I just had to snap one of the Symbol of Farmers Everywhere: the lowly, but extremely helpful pitchfork.

Inevitably there will be one skeptical pony who comes up to wondering why the heck you just took a picture of a pitchfork.

Bane of my existence! I hate ice. With a passion. Because there is nothing that sinks the soul down to your boots quite like chipping away at ice in -1,000* weather, snow blowing in your numb face, with a modified metal pipe {read: smashed flat at one end and ground to a point} searching for water only to discover the bottom of the tank. It then dawns on you that you have spent the last 20 to 30 minutes of your life chipping at a solid block. of. ice.

.... a picture of ice.

I will not bore you with the details of hauling water some hundred snowy yards from the spigot to the tank in five gallon buckets. I will tell you that it is at those times when you appreciate having an able-bodied Da and brothers around.

It seems I will never be able to write a proper closure for a post, for heavens above it is that Sweet, Gold Hour already and the creatures call me. However, I flat-out refuse to leave as abruptly as I did last time {"so, i'm doing this. good-bye." what a disgrace!!}

So I'll leave you instead to try and comprehend what this post was about, and a watercolor I did for a friend's baby-shower card. I like it.

Dia,

-Gwyn

Kicking the sticks

2012-01-30T18:55:00.000-08:00

Is it -- is it working? Yes? Ha! *happy dance*

This, my friends, may look like one of my average photos, but I tell you it's not!
"How?" you ask, rolling your eyes upward a little even. {"Besides the watermark. That might be new."}
Well, once upon a time - last week to be exact - I was relaxing on a dreary afternoon day, enjoying a cup of lemon-ginger tea {well, not really. Turns out I don't like lemon-ginger.} while browsing the vast Interwebs. Grown bored with that, I decided to check my email before signing off for the day. When lo, I had received a missive from Picnik, my favorite and frequently used online photo editor warning me of its imminent closure on April the 19th! Shock and horror! The scum Google has bought them out and reduced them to an app on Google+. Disgusted at having the rug pulled out from under me {Or having the bomb dropped, if you like} in such a manner, I vowed right then and there to bite the bullet and learn Photoshop.
I had always planned to learn the ins and outs of Photoshop photo editing, but as long as Picnik preformed as I wanted it to, I never tried that hard. Well, my crutch is being taken away so I might do well to learn to walk before it is. As this photo proves, I've already got some of the basics; contrast, cropping, text, hue, saturation, etc.

So with Photoshop 4 Dummies in one hand and camera in the other, I must bid you all good night.

-Gwyn

p.s. I am planning a post featuring animals, hay, and ice soon. Sound interesting? It may well be. So keep your ears pricked.

The horns of elfland

2012-01-24T14:05:00.000-08:00

"Yes, I know what you mean," said Tom. "That's why I threw a stick in Dozmary Pool. I knew it was a silly thing to do. But I didn't want to just imagine the Lady of the Lake; I wanted to enter the story myself. There's a kind of yearning that comes over you that is also an ache. It's as if you've found the gate to Eden, but you're not allowed to go in."
"That is it precisely!" boomed Lewis enthusiastically. I've been having that experience ever since I was a child. I call it 'Sweet Desire', or sometimes just 'Joy'. It's an ache for the infinite, a sense of some lost paradise calling out to us. Sometimes I hear the horns of 'elfland' in the call of birds flying overhead. Sometimes it can just be a phrase in a book -- 'the well at the world's end'."
"Don't those experiences make more sense if you think of them as a kind of homesickness for Heaven? As Augustine said, 'Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.' If the Christian view is right, we are all exiles from paradise."

Excerpt from David C. Downing's Looking for the King

Whimsy

2012-01-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

whimsy |ˈ(h)wimzē|(also whimsey )noun ( pl. whimsies or whimseys )playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor• a whim.• a thing that is fanciful or odd: the stone carvings and whimsies.

+ Cool
- The fact that I'm only 50buckaroos away from photography bliss - le Canon T3
- Learning French phrases like je ris de vous {I laugh at you} and vous chèvre {you goat}. I'm excited to use them in some public place :)
- Endeavoring to learn viola. That's right. I'm willingly taking temporary leave of violin {lessons} and taking up viola.
- Impressing my violin teacher yesterday with my awesome shifting and transposing skills {ha}
- Finding Ken Burns' Civil War documentary on Netflix
- Drawing a semi-amazing Sherlock cartoon tattoo on myself. Ah, the sadness when it washed away!

+ Between
- Wishing I could time travel. Or just fall into books. That would be great, too.
- Starting another story. Mid-19th century farmstead this time. Largely inspired by my infatuation with the Civil War era.

+ Not so cool
- Me. Not writing. The shame.
- This weather. It's seriously a million degrees below zero with a major wind factor.
- Having to pick through moldy hay while freezing in said weather.
- Walmart's people-goers. I don't care how punk or emo or whatever-the-heck you are - leggings are not pants.
- Grandma drivers. Once you reach a certain age road laws must no longer apply.
- Shyanne being a cow; rearing and bucking and the like. I'd thought she'd grown out of it by now. I mean, she's 17!

all pictures via Pinterest.com

Psalm 8

2012-01-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

Psalm 8 has always had a special place when it comes to my list of very-best-favorite verses; ever since first I read it alone in the empty sanctuary before service in my little church. Perhaps it is because I have a curious nature and it voices one of the questions I ponder most: Why?
What can He possibly see in Mankind worth sending His only Son to die for us? Certainly not because of anything we have ever done.
It is, I think, a question to which there is no humanly comprehensible answer. But that doesn't stop me from wondering.

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Makes you think, doesn't it?

-Gwyn

Music of the year

2011-12-31T14:18:00.000-08:00

The last day of 2011 feel like it needs a big long list of accomplishments. Unfortunately I didn't seem to accomplished anything profound this year. Nothing write a whole post on anyway.
Book list?
Nah. Everyone is doing those. Plus a list of titles isn't very interesting.
Music?
Ah, now there's a different story... Yes, I think I'll run with that idea. In fact, I think it deserves an impressive title....

Gwyn's List of Profound Music

Discovered in the Year of Our Lord 2011

This has been a great year in music for me; both in my own career and in the continuous hunt for new, inspiring, unique, and beautiful songs. So much so that I have had to narrow it down to my absolute favorites; the ones that fill all the criteria above and otherwise completely blow me away.

+ Now We Are Free - Lisa Gerrard

I picked up the dvd Gladiator(R) at the library this summer, excited to have found another historical-fiction film by director Ridley Scott {The Kingdom of Heaven(2004) | Robin Hood(2009)}, plus Russell Crowe was again the lead actor. While the movie itself was good, it was the music that made it a favorite. I felt I had died and gone to heaven. Hans Zimmer has long been one of my favorite composers, then paired with Lisa Gerrard, the closest I can find to an Enya rival; it's magic. I can't tell you how much this song has inspired me, in so many ways.
The language in which Lisa sings is her own.

+ Guinevere's Tears - Enaid

What can I say? The Legend of Skyrian in a bottle. I seriously went whoop!-ing around my room after hearing this the first time -- it fits my story so perfectly! The slow mysterious sadness that haunts much of the melody but is brightened in the middle by the merry sounds of pipes reminiscent of a medieval festival, all before plunging back into the achingly beautiful theme from the beginning. That is my story.
Sweet and nostalgic at first, lanced suddenly with loss and the knowing that nothing will ever be the same. Then comes a time of healing and happiness, long summer days, and the chance to change the future. But those days can never last. The days ahead are daunting. But you are stronger now, and face the dawn with new understanding. Life, though hard, is beautiful.

+ To the Sky - Owl City

Changing gears here, To the Sky is simple joy. It never fails to cheer me up and often times will turn a grey day into something special where I go out and accomplish, rejoicing in the free air.

+ Safe & Sound - Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars

Gives me goosebumps how real and true to the book this song is. Cold, grey melody + heartstring beat and harmony; couldn't be a better song for The Hunger Games. It's good to hear Taylor Swift singing something more deep than her usual, too. She has such a great voice, I wish she would branch out more often.

+ I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - H. W. Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play.

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come

The belfries of all Christendom

Had roll'd along th' unbroken song

Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair, I bow'd my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song,

Of Peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With Peace on earth, good will to men.

I was unable to find a suitable video for this as I first heard it on one of my Mum's numerous Christmas albums and can't find the arrangement on the Web. (I see that Casting Crowns has done a rendition of it but cannot recommend it because Youtube is not working for me right now.) However, the potent and timeless lyrics earned it instantly Favorite Carol in my book.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is a Christmas carol based on the 1864 poem Christmas Bells by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song tells of the narrator's despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that "there is no peace on earth... for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men". The carol concludes with the bells bestowing renewed hope for mankind.

I could go on forever listing songs I love, but these will rank tops for a long time, I think. Please do tell me about you top songs for 2011, and tell me if any of these made you list!

Have a lovely and blessed New Year!

Dia,

-Gwyn

It's a wonderful life

2011-12-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

...written yesterday afternoon...

Oof. I just got finished with another enormous feast {I say 'another' because, gosh, has it only been two posts since Thanksgiving? Bad Gwyn!}. Once again fit to burst and brimming with the kind of laughter that can only be endured by being silly with the family. I very much hope that you are the same.

Propped up on my bed surrounded by last night's loot, proudly wearing my paper hat from my Christmas cracker, I type to you of the month's events while the boys play the new Wii game console from the Fat Man himself. But where to begin..?

I might as well start with today and recount backwards.... I awoke this morn to the tantalizing smell of a turkey in the oven and was shortly thereafter enlisted in the kitchen. I am very proud to say that I did not mess up a single recipe {people who know me well know that I can't even make a cake from the box without mungling it up somehow}. You heard me right. I chopped those celery and carrot sticks to perfection. Plus I handled the olive platter all by my self. That's right. Jealousy abounds.
While I did well, the turkey didn't fare so well for Mum. While taking it out of the oven the pan crippled and the... the... turkey juice? Ugh, I know there's a name for the drippings..! -- went sloosh back into the oven. All of it. All I could think while I watched (as if in slow motion) was: 'Nooooo! There goes my breakfast of croissants and gravy for the rest of the week! Noooo!'
Mum and I thought we'd done it then. Our stove is gas so, I don't know. I was thinking a long the lines of nuclear explosion if we turned it on again, and we weren't even half done with the baking. Things were looking grim for Christmas dinner.
But as it turned out, Da just came along, cleaned up the mucho oven mess, and said it'd be fine. Always the skeptic, I left the kitchen before they turned it on again. If they wanted to spend Christmas without their eyebrows, they could go ahead.

Here's one of my presents that I got from my brother. Genuine hand-tooled leather journal of the Celtic tradition.

Yesterday was spent mostly in preparation for today; baking and etc. Also, I believe some very last minute shopping was done, but I shall not 'name fingers or point names'...
Big brother and I played prelude to the candle light services at our church. Little Brother also made his debut there playing The Infant King duet with me {He also plays violin}.
Once home, the whole family {Biggest Sister flew home the 15th} gathered around the Christmas tree and the gifts were given.

The days proceeding Christmas Eve are rather a blur of monotony. The weather has been cold and windy, sometimes snow, though that's all gone now. We're having a brown Christmas. Thus trapped indoors Biggest Sis, LB, and I played a four hour game of Monopoly on Wednesday {LB won}. Thursday we once again had nothing better to do so I pulled out a mystery puzzle we had gotten for Christmas a few years ago but never had time to put together. It's called Murder on the Titanic (1,000 pieces). You're given a short story to read about two rich twin sisters onboard the RMS Titanic in which one of them is supposedly murdered just before the ship itself sinks. To solve the mystery you put the puzzle together and on it should be the answer. I say 'should' because we haven't actually finished it yet. We're not even positive there was a murder. The story was poorly written. Instead of a mystery its more like reading a first-draft manuscript that someone has taken a shotgun to {lots of holes}. Not exactly a Whodunit? its more of a Waitwhat?? Still, who ever painted {whether digitally or manually} the puzzle picture itself did a beautiful job, even if including a large pink satin gown to take up half the bloomin' thing was a mistake, in my book. I now thoroughly hate that particular shade of magenta.

.... And that's really all. Between the two of us, Biggest Sis and I have consumed at least three boxes of tea, and I've probably eaten my weight in chocolate covered peanut clusters. Add to that new watercolor pencils, The Son of Neptune, cozy sweaters, and the lack of graphing algebra.... I love Christmas break.

Happy Christmas, everyone.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

-Gwyn

This crazy life

2011-12-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hi.
I know, I know....
If that break in October/November taught me anything it was how to forget blogging. :) Days have passed without a thought of writing. Heh. Be that as it may, I have returned to tell you... things.

Between Then and Now many things have occurred:

We acquired a Christmas tree. Tramping through the forest on a crisp Sunday afternoon after church on the lookout for the right spruce, I wore my nice brown felt and fur coat {forgetting to bring my Columbia that morning}. I only discovered my mistake of choice after I heard the gun shots. Apparently deer/elk are still very much in season. I hid behind Mum {garbed in a bright pink parka} the rest of the trek.
Oh, and also on that journey I got my little brother good. Hehe. I dared him to lick a snow drift. Hehehe. He knew something was up but I told him to come off it and called him a chicken. Bwaha. He rolled his eyes and bent over, his tough sticking out. With one swift *boof!* I thrust his head into the fluff and ran for it almost dying with evil laughter - hahahahahaha!

The most stressful of the musical performances are over - hurray!!!! Having them all in one weekend just added fellness to the swoop. But now that that is over I get to play with a viola my brother borrowed from University for a week. While I would never in a million year trade my violin Dido for one, there is something about the low strings of the viola that evokes the words of the poet who wrote of "dulcet tones". I'm liking it especially on Oh My Boatman/ The Brown Haired Lad; a Celtic {surprise!} song of the saddest nature, so naturally one of my favorites of all time.
Sadly you can't find any of the songs I play on the Web. Ugh. I am going to have to find a way to record these songs so I can share them. Because no matter how good you are with words, music is a language that cannot be contained in a sentence. sigh.

Edit: Thanks to Celtic Traveler who actually found a snippet of this song! You can listen here.

bad photo of fish, one

Meet Prudence. My fish. A late birthday present from my little brother who is fish crazy. He's started his own guppy farm and the beginnings to his very own Sea World. Thus LB believes everyone would be much better off having a flippered friend and so seeks out opportunities to bestow such gifts to those who lack in that department. As for myself, I'm just hoping Prudence lasts more than a week. But I think she hates me. I'll be reading and happen to look up and find her glaring at me from her bowl. Not moving, just staring. Slightly unnerving.
And she blows and pops bubbles. All night long.
Mum says I'm being ridiculous thinking that a fish loathes my very presence....

Anywho, I hope to return soon with something more inspiring/and/or more deep than today's little diddy. But there you are.

p.s. please vote on the poll!

Dia,

-Gwyn

A day well spent

2011-11-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

Here’s hoping you and yours had a grand Thanksgiving giving thanks!!

Mine, although low-key, was quite pleasant. Meaning I got to eat green olives & cranberries & turkey until I was fit to burst and my chair squeaked in protest. Then, while my parental figures and guests talked and reminisced about cattle drives and brandings, or, on the ladies side, music and art, I got to read and sip tea on the sofa until it was time to feed the horses. All in all, a day well spent, I think.

Now I am again waiting to feed the animals and sipping tea, although this time it’s black Charleston brew instead of cinnamon. I was planning to ride today, since the weather was unusually warm but Louisa called me away to an impromptu music practice, and now that I’m back it’s spitting rain. sigh.

Anyhow, now that Thanksgiving is past, I am quite ready for Christmas. I’m actually excited for it like I haven’t been for the last two years or so. The music and the baking especially. Although... my last baking endeavor turned into a bit of a fiasco... Little Brother and I were making Pumpkin Spice bread and well, Mum and Da were gone and... Well, we ended up having a flour fight.
Hehe. We were quite a sight. As was the kitchen.
Flour has a very satisfying poof! noise :)

Ah! It’s time to go out now.
Till next time....

Dia,

-Gwyn

Hello again

2011-11-20T14:31:00.000-08:00

I have returned! Did you miss me? {You don't have to answer that...} It's been nearly a month since you've heard from yours truly and there have been some happenings. Nothing earth shattering... unfortunately. But a few things that are perhaps worthy of note.

+ The blog has undergone a few changes
As you may have noticed I have done a bit of changing-up here and there all over my blog. I thought it was time for a new color theme, and I was rather tired of the colder blue and greens I was using since Spring. Especially now that Fall is over, I wanted much warmer, cozier colors. Also, I updated the About page, if you'd like to buzz over.

+ We had our first snow.(And our second, third, fourth...)
It's actually piling up now - I reckon about eight to ten inches on the ground now, and 10*f. Enough to keep me indoors for the most part, near the stove where we are already preparing for Thanksgiving. Mum and I are in the middle of jelly-making, but now is the part where you have to wait for the jars to seal, so I can write without feeling guilty. I feel completely spoiled at the moment having nothing to do but type and sip tea.

+ I found a new drawing niche
I have been struggling with my drawings. I really only know how to draw realistically and am very hesitant to try any style otherwise. Mostly because they look childish or poorly imagined to me {I'm thinking like graphic novel type stuff} because they all look as though they could have been drawn by the same 'artist'. At the same time I feel very constricted with real life, as I want something I can just jot down when I have the idea and not labor over the details, etc. At last I have what I've been looking for! Somewhere between sketchy and realism.

Simple and to the point. Freedom of expression. I am one happy peach. I just need a lot more practice.

+ I turned 17
Pretty self-explanatory. I had a very nice, quiet birthday with the family... well, most of them. {:(} Anyway, the day was filled with chocolate cake and presents and reminiscing. And since it was my day I got to watch as many movies and read as much as I wanted while everyone else went about their usual day. Just call me Regina.

Regina [ORIGIN Latin, literally, 'queen']

+ Speaking of reading...
I should be doing a lot of that today. We are quite snowed in; couldn't even get out to go to church. I've zoomed through so many books over my little break, I really should update my sidebar 'bookshelf'. A lot of them were underwhelming, so I guess I won't put those up. But I did read the best WWII memoir in history {that's my opinion, at least}: With The Old Breed by E. B. Sledge. Sledge was a front line Marine in the Pacific war {Peleliu and Okinawa} and secretly took battlefield notes in the margins of his New Testament. A staggering firsthand account of war, I was riveted from the introduction. However, it is not for the young or faint of heart. Peleliu and Okinawa were two of the most bloody battles to be fought in the Pacific, and the conditions were beyond horrendous. This book is a hard one to recommend to anyone I don't know well because of that, but my stars it gave me true insight. It is now beyond easy for me to pick out authors who know nothing of war or battle {C. Paolini springs to mind as I read Inheritance}, and ensures that I will not make the same mistakes when the time comes in my own novels.

That pretty much wraps up what's happened to me for the last month. Though I left out the million-and-one music practices and performances and gigs. November/December is the busiest time of year for we who play stringed instruments publicly. My brother and I have pretty much made a pact that next year we're not going to do any performances and instead sit back and enjoy the Christmas season.

Ha.

I have to say it's great writing and editing photos for posts again. My break was refreshing, but I'm glad to be back.

Dia,

-Gwyn

Gáire Milis

2011-10-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

le temps est venu, mes amis, quand je dois dire adieu douce pour le moment.

Tá an t-am tagtha, mo chairde, nuair caithfidh mé tairiscint beannacht milis le haghaidh na huaire.

è giunta l'ora, amici miei, quando devo addio dolce per il momento.

The time has come, my friends, when I must bid sweet goodbye for the moment.

I'm taking a leave from Blogger and probably the Internet in general to focus on the big projects coming soon in music and school, and I want to write TLOS without the pressure of thinking I should write more Briste {which is turning into a full-time project} or work on a new blog post. I'm such a perfectionist {which I hate} that its getting to be a problem, especially when the stuff I post is not my best. Sometimes a single sentence will bother me for weeks.
Anyway, I will be back - not sure just when - a day, a week maybe, or a month. This isn't forever.
I will still do my best to manage Cleiti, but I must give up my character Erin, perhaps to a new writer. I will also be checking my email somewhat regularly, so you can write me if you want :)

Farewell, for now. I hope the next post here on A Celtic Cowgirl tells of a refreshed me with many ideas to come.

Dia,

-Gwyn

Searching

2011-10-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

via pinterest

Sometimes all you need is a cup of tea, and some dark chocolate morsels.

After being stuck on the opening pages of The Legend of Skyrian for weeks yet again, I think I've finely broken through. I say that, however, with fingers crossed, for I still have a major problem: I have no idea of the plot.

I realized some days ago that I have characters, events, settings, and even a history behind my novel; but no plot. My worst fears were realized.

The Legend of Skyrian has changed so dramatically since I penned the first lines - indeed in the last two months - that I suppose it's hardly surprising I lost the thread of the story. It could quite possibly be the whole reason behind all my other issues in the story.

In my efforts to find the essence of my story I have mercilessly hacked and stripped away so much of what I call either obsolete information or completely unrealistic elements, so that I am left only with the bones. And somehow they don't fit together.

When I first set out upon the rocky way, Skyrian, a magnificent black stallion of lore, took center stage with Cilla, the heroine. His very name is in the title. So how come at if I carry on with the idea for a plot I have at present he becomes obsolete by chapter four? More to the point, how can I make him more of the story? What can he, as a horse from the pages of Ithreal's history, do? I'm beginning to fear that I might just have to scratch him - and that would be tragic.

Another headache inducer is my villain. What a rat. Oh, he's evil enough, doing many unspeakable things. But why? He's so evil he won't even tell me. He's not like most villains in adventure/fantasy who hunt the main character(s), and I wonder if that will be a problem; make him feel like less of a threat to the reader. After all while he's out destroying the countryside and starting a civil war, Cilla is off... somewhere else... sheltered and partially oblivious to the outside world. Out of sight, out of mind?

These are just a few of my problems. Some, I am happy to say, I have solved. Most recently {last night} what I called the AC Predicament.

The Anoad Cappal {ANO - add CA - pöl}, a secret independent force in the Western wood, has gone from a band of around ten to fifteen, to a force of two-hundred, to... three men in their late fifties.

For reasons I cannot go into throughly I have opted for the three older men, who happen to be brothers. The Anoad is very much in decline and yet should prove the perfect spring board for future events for which certain persons must be prepared.

The second 'I've got it!' is the issue of Cilla's parents and how they will affect her future. Cilla is an orphan. Now, before you go get the cheese and cliché crackers, let me say that I am not going to follow the usual knock-off the parents recipe {Died in childbirth, didn't want the baby, sacrificed themselves for child, etc.} but rather make up my own scenario - taking perhaps a dash here and there from Chaucer and a few classics that not many read anymore. Just to make it interesting.

Still, even though I've fixed a few of these, the dark thunderhead of little or no plot looms. I'm thinking I need a day or two with nothing at all to do but search and imagine and maybe, just maybe I can figure it out. Until then, it lurks.

Sometimes all you need is a cup of tea, and ~~some~~ a lot dark chocolate morsels.

-Gwyn

Untethered

2011-10-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

via pinterest

Today I was nearly killed by a cat.

There I was sitting mildly on Shyanne, minding my own bees wax ... enjoying the fall air and relaxing on my bare-backed no-bridled mare ... when Kitty decides she wants up there too. So what does she do? Why, climbs up Shyanne's back leg of course!

Shyanne tucked under and bolted, I went with her, and the cat hit the dirt.

I love Sundays.

They're so quiet, you never know what might happen.

-Gwyn

p.s. Did you know if you squish a gnat they smell exactly like mold? Didn't think so. Bam! The random fact ninja strikes again.

I be antelope

2011-10-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

Remember when we were kids and we used to run and jump and climb and build forts in the backyard? Yeah. What ever happened to that?

Why is running now a chore?

Is getting older really that good of an excuse? Really?

via pinterest

These thoughts have been bouncing 'round my brain cells for... ever. I figured it was time to do something about them when I tried playing soccer with little brother and I collapsed breathless and with a major stitch in my side on the sidelines. Wow. I thought, This is pa-the-tic!
I'm fed up with wishing for better endurance and then going and reading a book in stead of actually getting out and doing something about it.
So, Self, listen up! I now demand you run 1/2 mile everyday, to the best of your ability. And work on those skinny arms, soldier! Winter's coming and you can barely lift a five gallon bucket of water, let along carry it, you sissy!

via pinterest

Sometimes I have to be my own ~~motivator~~ sergeant-major.

The first day was painful, but today getting out there felt great, plus I ran twice as far. It's like my body is remembering how good it feels to outrun all the boys my age. Ha. I'm a long way from that, but I'm on my way.

Fall is the time to remake priorities. What are yours?

Dia,

-Gwyn

I attempt to capture autumn

2011-10-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

... and learn that I really can't spell today. It took me four tries at 'attempt' before I broke down and used spellcheck. Pathetic.

I've been feeling desperately crafty the last few days, but have found nothing of worth to unleash my torrent of creativity. Which means I go bumping about the house at high velocity unable to sit down to any one task. ADHD? Perhaps. I think it might also have something to do with the gorgeous weather too -- which has again changed drastically since my last post. Yesterday and the day before were in the 90s {crazy stuff} but today is balmy and filled with sun. Autumn's crisp air has arrived. Break out the teacups, cider, and scarves! And watercolors, as it turns out.

I found this fireball of a tree out in the pasture and knew I'd found my outlet. I don't believe I did it much justice, it had such rich color. Lots of yellow, but some reds and oranges, too. I used as much pigment as possible on these little concepts, but the yellow ocher(sp?) was rather grainy. A result of using ancient colors.

I really like painting small. The itty-bitty gems of color, and the delicate feel of the whole piece. I'm easily daunted by large canvasses and sketch pads. I also like being slightly vague when it comes to drawing or painting, not really being one with the patience to put hours of detail into a single work. I love simple and uncomplicated.

I also love spot-painting{for lack of a better word}. Just little blots here and there to make an image. This little bouquet is about an inch long. Granted, its not very fall-ish, which is the theme for this post, but.... I like it too much not to share :)

I darted out late one morning, camera in hand, on a mission from Mum to capture the lovely of Fall before everything dried up and died. Autumn is so sort here, you literally have to get out and take photos the moment the trees turn. So.....

I'm blessed to have this for my backyard. What more could a kid growing up {or a snap-happy photographer} ask for?

The sky is so unbelievably blue in the fall. It has something to do with the way the sun's rays bounce off the atmosphere, but I'd rather think of it as summer's way of saying goodbye.

This season is far too short and beautiful. My days are filled with learning, reading & writing, bareback riding, music, thoughtful walks.
I wish this would last forever.

Dia,

-Gwyn

Ooh snap!

2011-09-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

I'm going to name my dog Snap someday, just so when I call it I can say: Oooooh Snap! and people at the park will look my way and I can just smile and nod. Oh yeah, that's right. You wish you'd thought of that first, don'tcha?

Sadly that day looks a ways off, so let's talk about a different kind of snap: Photos. Namely, the lack thereof on this here falootin' blog. I'm here to make up for lost time. Expect to read rambles. Don't expect anything profound.

You have all been waiting so patiently to see my new violin, Dido. Since June 30th, in fact. *cough* My name is Gwyn Wildchild, and I am a procrastinator. Well, here she is anyway, in all her mellow glory!
I've really enjoyed having such a beautiful instrument to play and to have as my very own. Not a hand-me-down, not a used, brand new {handmade last year in Romania} and all mine. Mine. I'm not at all possessive, promise.

{German chocolate-mousse-filled-candy-bar.}

Do you like chocolate? How about mousse? Well, then you just might like this little slice of heaven that came direct from the makers of the best chocolate in the world. Yup, them Germans.
One of my friends spent the summer over there as sort of an exchange student. She came back a few weeks ago and gave me this and an awesome vintage-looking scarf. Then we looked at pictures of her adventures over there: castles, forest horses, jailer's museum {the mask of shame; you have to look it up} and all that wondrous stuff. The only way I can one up her is if I go exchange for Ireland.... If I don't write in the next month or so, you'll have an idea where I've gone.

On an unrelated topic to violins and gourmet chocolates, a few of my little chickens have just begun to lay. Little Brother found two little pullet eggs a day or so ago. They weren't in the nest boxes; the feather brained critters aren't quite getting the concept, despite the golfballs to give them the right idea. But! They're laying!

Roanie and I have been making progress over the summer, especially where leg signals and gate opening are concerned. We have had a few set backs, though. Like nearly squishing me into mush against the hitching post. Let me clarify: I was trying to get her to move over so I could put the saddle on her, she freaked out for some reason, pulling back and trying to break free. I had to scramble to get out of the way before she pounded me with her feet, unfortunately, the only way out was under Shyanne's neck {who I also had tied} thus freaking her out. I'm probably the only person to have single handedly caused two full grown horses to pull back on a hitching post simultaneously. Although, I personally blame Roanie for being a dork. I mean, how many times have I asked her to move over to put the saddle on?
Well, anyway, because of that little incident {which ruined my awesome black halter's leadrope :(} Roanie now refuses to be tied. If she is, she pulls back. My sister has been having the same difficulty {x10} with her troubled horse, Corona, which is why in the photo Roanie is tied to an inner tube roped and stapled to a post. Sister and I made a pull-back post. Well, actually remade would be more accurate. The last one.... Let's just say the inner tube was old and cracked, and when Spook {aptly named also recovering abused horse of my sister's several years ago} pulled back it broke and smacked him right between the eyes. He stood there for two seconds with a look of shock before he took off like a rocket. It took Sister close to an hour to finely catch him again. We had to settle for him being ground tied.
Anyway. Needless to say, we got a brand new inner tube this go round.

It's canning season! Peaches and chokecherries at our house. Mum's made peach jam and jelly that is to die for, and chokecherry jelly and syrup. I just peel and slice. And taste. Okay, snarf.
I don't know if you've noticed, but I've changed up my writing style in the last month or two. I've decided to become more honest. Because, quite frankly, serious posts are not my thing. Posts are a lot more fun to write now that I'm sounding more like me and less like a wannabe intellectual.

{wildflower}

Today I was sent to do the weekly shopping for the fam on my own. LB has come down with something nasty so I offered to do the groceries and such after my violin lesson and let Mum stay with LB. I must say I got plenty of stares while cruising down the aisles at Walmart with my cart filled with everything from 50lbs of dog food to men's razors. But Walmart is already filled with strange people, so I guess I fit in. One lady even asked me where they kept the sauerkraut. I wanted to ask her if I looked like the kind of person that would know.

{grass.... i hate that distracting grey -- thing!}

The weather here is bipolar. I'm convinced of it. Yesterday we had wind that tore some shingles off the house, rain, and it was miserably cold. Today it was sunny and a balmy 73*. The thing is, it's been like this all week. I predict that I'll need a parka tomorrow.

The leaves are steadily changing. I don't have the camera this week, so I hope they don't die and fall off before I can get some decent photos. Meanwhile, I will strive to enjoy them solely with mine eyeballs. *stares intently*

{trees are really awesome.}

Oh! I finished the Hunger Games series!...for those of you who care. I was sadly underwhelmed, despite appearance of the enthusiastic beginning of this paragraph. I loved the first book, but the next two... bleck. I'm sorry to those of you who love all of them, but I for one was disappointed with a) the story line b) the characters and c) the lack of a moral.

{i'm not sure why like this photo. i mean it's slightly out of focus, hammie is photo-bombing in the corner, and there's no real subject. it must be the lighting.}

Once again we have come to the end. I hope you enjoyed that barrage of pictures and the rather quilt-like patchwork of words that accompanied them. Tomorrow I might type out a song I wrote for TLOS and maybe you could tell me if it's rubbish or not. I'm really not one for poetry and prose.
Meanwhile, drink tea and read good books.

Dia,

Gwyn

Better

2011-09-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

I owe you all a great amount of thanks, especially you, Jenny, for the encouragement and sympathy you gave under my last post. I really think I would still be wallowing in self doubt if not for your comments. As I mentioned before, thank you especially Jenny! I never fail to be inspired by your blog, but to have you write such an encouraging comment for me was amazing.
Several of you said you also were going through the exact same faze. Maybe Jenny's words will help you out, too.

"When you are a writer, when you are an author, there is always someone above you. If you are a good writer, you're always looking up at that other someone, always straining to achieve that next level...and that sort of straining leaves the heart wide open to despair. There is always someone else above you, no matter how high you climb.

It strikes as depressing.

I know that feeling. I've just gone a long time without writing anything I considered "important" because I've been so busy getting the second draft of Adamantine edited. I was cross, I was grumpy, I was moody, I was at a loose end. My husband told me just to write - just write. I am always happier when I am writing something. And that's true. But it had been so long since I had written anything that a kind of metal plaque had built up that I had to break through. And it's hard. I'm lazy. Unless I'm really fired up, I don't do well. Sometimes I have to slog through the depression so I can slog through the laziness, so I can finally reach the keyboard and start writing.

But I do it because, despite all the laziness and plotlessness and childishness that I fight, I love it. I'm learning to ignore the childishness, the thought of "How will anything I write ever be good?" So maybe what is spilling off my fingers is silly; I'll edit it later. In the meantime, I'm enjoying myself. I'm creating something. The touch-up work can come later. Maybe I'll hate it when I'm all done, but maybe I won't. It's worth a shot. I'm creating something.

Try writing those ideas that are under lock and key. Write them, and fix it, and tweak it again, and add a touch of salt. Gwyn, believe me, it is so, so hard to say what you really mean the first time, the second time, sometimes even the third time through. But that story in your head matters, and you never know but it might matter to others too. And one of these passes as you're trying to get it out the way you really mean it, you'll find that you have - and that is a beautiful feeling.

You're not bonkers. I think every honest author will own up to this slough of despond. But there is always Hope to lend a hand to pull you out, if you mean to press on, and I trust I have been a little bit of that for you. You're not bonkers. I'm right there with you."

Thanks to this and all your marvelous and wonderful words of advice Bristé part III is nearing completion and should be published by Sunday afternoon, snippets of the Artist's Daughter is also getting prepped for publishing on Various Novel Bits as well, and I'm trying to make sense of my pirate-esque short. So thankyouthankyouthankyou! I cannot find any other words to say it -- which is ironic :)

Dia,

Gwyn

One of those days

2011-09-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

Frustrated. Envious. Unhappy. Go ahead, stick all those things to my name. They're true.

I stand in the middle of the salt flats of the writer's world. I can see the beauty of the mountains in the distance, the majesty of the sunlight. But I don't appreciate any of it. Because someone has told me about the place where they are - green and full of life. Where every word comes with ease and the very nature of being a writer is a constant joy. Unrealistic? Maybe. But I don't seem to care. All I feel is the vast emptiness of the white plains, as empty and desolate as the notebook before me. No, that's not completely true. My notebook is filled with words but most of the look like ~~this~~. None of them are inspiring. None of them have that sense that the author was on to something profound. None of them match the epic saga I see play out in my mind daily. My story. It's all there in my mind. Under lock and key.
They say anyone can come up with a good story. But what separates the author from the dreamer is that the author is the one with the determination and the talent to write it down.

I've never been that determined. Stubborn, yes. Determined, not as much. Procrastinator is a word that would better describe me. That's why I'm here, on my mother's brand new MacBook writing to you chums, instead of working on my algebra lesson and reading my science textbook for the test on Friday. It's also why I have three more parts for Bristé in the making, but part II still unpublished.

You have to wonder what is stopping up my fountain pen. It wrote so wonderfully for the first three days TLOS was part of my schedule, but this week the words that come out feel childlike and awkward. And on top of that, I just don't feel like writing.
But I feel the pressure of getting somewhere anyway, because, let's face it; if I sat around and only wrote when I felt like it, I know I would never finish.
So how do I move on? How do I convince myself that every word I write isn't rubbish -- it may not be great, but I needn't go into an inner tantrum and strike out the last paragraph?

I don't know really what I'm looking for in writing all this {answers? encouragement? a wristband to the insane asylum?} and giving you all a rather bitter post to partake of with your eyes, if you've read it this far. {I wouldn't blame you if you didn't, I'm depressing my self.}
But if you do have something helpful to say {keep it together, man!} it would be rather..... helpful. Perhaps you're going through the same phase as a writer I am. Perhaps I'm just bonkers. Either way.

Dia,

-Gwyn

I visit George, Tom, Teddy, and Abe

2011-09-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

I have announced summer to be officially over. It seems quite premature, but doesn't it always? I imagine our cold, wet spring accounts for the feeling of not-yet-begunness summer had its entire stay. Still, this morning for church I wore jeans and blouse with three-quarter length sleeves because, as I went out to throw hay to the horses earlier, the scent and chill of autumn was definitely on the air. How can I tell? Each season has a very distinct smell to it; Spring is sharp and fresh, summer is lazy and warm, autumn mellow and woody, winter of course is biting and crystal clear.
But scent isn't the only thing that determines this new season in my life: We started school last Tuesday, which is really what I'm here to blog about, because it was not your average first day of school, oh no. I just happen to be home schooled -- or home educated, if you prefer -- so the word average doesn't even enter into the equation.
On the first day of school, I got to go to Mount Rushmore: the shrine of democracy, and had a few other stops on the side. Read it and weep.

The road trip began as all others do -- with the road. How exciting. There's really nothing to do while 'tripping except take pictures of the landscape and... yourself. I refuse to publish any of the latter since most of them involve Little Brother and I on a caffeine high.

Speaking of that caffeine high, all I can say is thank goodness for awesome little coffee shops, shaken iced teas, Amariconos, and iPods. Shaken iced teas are the bestest things since sliced bread. You get your regular ice tea but with a 'shake' of Fruit Tea Blast flavoring. Sweeeetness! And they even taste great when they've been sitting in the car for an hour and a half! moving on....

Our first stop: A little Keystone taffy & candy shop. It's pretty much world famous. I think they even say that on the packages.

the taffy makin' process.

They have a million different flavors for their taffy {made in a little glass room in a corner of the shop - see photos}. Anything for jalapeno to the native buffalo berry that grows right there in the Hills.

The lady was nice and let us sample before we walked out with two pounds of the stuff in every flavor. Mum says we're going to send some to friends "of course", but I'm not so certain they'll be full bags.... om nom nom....

LB and I would have like to take this truck up on its offer -- Mt. Rushmore helicopter rides -- but besides being $49 short, Mum said they have at least one crash a year. Uh... Who hires these pilots? Or do you fly the chopper yourself, I wonder. I could be on to something...

Ah, yes! The reason we've come! Mount Rushmore itself, as seen from the Hall {or walk?} of State Flags.

As seen from Grand View Terrace... aptly named. The place was buzzing with tourists, as you would expect at a National Monument. Lot's of rich retired folks in their giant caravans - er - RVs. British television is ruining me. People have also informed me of dropping my 'r's, and only yesterday I said tomăto instead of tomāto! Gah!

LB using his first public machine -- we're so proud. It only took him three minutes to figure out that you need a quarter to make the thing work."I can't see anything!" Hehehe.

The day was spectacular for this kind of sightseeing: cloudless, breezy, and in the lower 80s. We decided to take the Presidential Trail and from there took the 'strenuous' branch -- read: 1 million stairs. It started great, all nice and even, chipmunks playing and chattering alongside the walkway. Then we started going down. And down and down and down. And what goes down must eventually come up it seems. All in the form of unevenly cut stone stairs. Not so great when you're wearing flipflops. I had zero traction, and by the end of it a scraped knee, sore rear, and blisters between my toes. And I was starving. I needed happiness.

please excuse the lack of head, i lost it some time ago.

And it came in the form of 5 tons of raspberry-chocolate best-soft-serve-in-the-world.
While omnomming, I had a good time people watching and writing down what I saw. What a treasure trove for that kind of thing!
I....
*walked the trail with a couple from Tennessee
*was served my ice cream by an Italian
*sat across from eight Australians while eating above item
*had a table next to a guy from Greece that was Skyping with his brother {also Grecian} who was in Turkey
*walked into a Chinese family's photo -- I'll just back away slowly and hope you didn't notice....
*encouraged and elderly East Coast lady up the strenuous stairs -- "I can't make these .... stairs!" "...Of course you can! {tries not to laugh out loud and therefore look like a total jerk}

By the time all this had taken place it was already late afternoon and we started to head back home. Then we came upon this little slice of heaven...

They call it... Pack..toe..la... Pactola reservoir. It's right in the heart of the Hills and utterly beauteous. We had to pull over. And we found the perfect spot, too.

And get this - The water is warm! Like warm warm! I so wished I had had a swimsuit or at least shorts. But I had to settle for wading, which was alright.

I promise you my feets aren't really misshapen, whatever this photo may imply. I have very nice feet, thankyouverymuch.
I had fun splashing LB when he wasn't looking. Benevolent sister? But of course! I just had a perfectly large rock, and when one has a perfectly large rock one simply must place it with some force behind an unsuspecting person in the water. :)

But like all travels, this one had to come to an end. A whole day on the road, trails, and in quaint little shops, and very well spent. The next day we had a real day of school - textbooks, papers, and brand new pencils. I'm taking nine classes this year, and now TLOS has a designated spot in my day everyday. So maybe I'll finish it after all.
In spite of my ranting and raving, I am feeling the tingles of excitement for this...this... newness.
A tree in the backyard is turning yellow though it is only just September. Order and routine has returned to its throne in my day -- everything is scheduled so that I get the important stuff done. Priorities, Gwyn, priorities.
Music lessons are also back and I'm excited to show my teacher my new violin, Dido. {I have pictures of her for you coming soon...}
So bring on Fall and the turning leaves! ... just winter stay away for now...

I shall return to you all later!

-Gwyn

Today, I {am} love{d}

2011-08-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today I am unreasonably happy. I can't stop smiling. It's like I have strings attached to the corners of my mouth and they keep lifting. I try and quit but...

Every time. *cue insane laughter*
Do I have a specific reason for this unshakable blissfulness? Well...
I'm saved by Grace. Unbelievably lyrical. Free to run & to jump like a deranged deer. To ride like no one is watching {Hey, Roanie, wanna go fast?}. Drive like I have something to do in town -- and that Hammie needs to go too. Annnd I got a shot of espresso in my frozen hot chocolate. Booya. The epitome of frozen delight. Knocking the socks clean off that snowcone in my last post.

I'm so glad to be this happy again. In the last month things have been a little off-kilter, mostly because my Mum had to work a lot filling in shifts for vaca-ers and so was hardly ever home during the morning/afternoon. Plus we have a ton of projects to finish before the dreadful white stuff from heck arrives. Some of them quite big. Like the chicken house needs finishing, the deck sanded and stained, the horse sheds need a bit of patching -- thankyou bored horses. And things like that.

Another thing bothering me a lot: My faith.

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for

and knowing something is real

even if we do not see it. Hebrews 11:1

Over the past weeks I've been getting a pretty clear message that I need to grow and share. Everything from the text to the sermons at church -- to my own nightly devotions that oddly keep saying things like

"Is your faith the same as it was last year? Even last month? It shouldn't be. God's gift of faith and grace is not a stationary thing. It is a living thing that must either grow or diminish. Like a child that does not grow needs to be taken to the doctor, maybe you're in need of a spiritual check up."

My Bible readings are also patiently pushing me in that direction, like, "Hey Gwyn, don't be afraid to stand up and say something." Because the truth is, I'm a coward. I don't have tons of confidence or charisma when it come to talking to people. Especially about something as important as eternal life, because -- here it is, my fatal flaw -- I might mess up.

God, examine me and know my heart:

test me and know my nervous thoughts. Ps. 139:23

Well, big news, self! It's not about you! You are just the mouth piece. Chances are, if you ever get the guts to actually talk to someone about this stuff, you won't even be using your words. That's the thing about the Holy Spirit, he'll take care of it for you. Piece o' cake then, right? Ha. This is a girl that actually forms what she's going to say on the phone before she calls to ask if she can borrow a horse trailer. From her neighbor.
I will undoubtedly blame this on being a certifiable introvert -- I love and need solitude like extroverts love and need to be social, I get very overwhelmed at parties where I have to talk to a lot of people I kinda-sorta know, I would rather listen to someone talk than talk myself. Unless it had to do with horses, animals in general, or writing.
But it has become an excuse that I hide behind with laugh and a change-of-subject attitude. I've finely pieced my own veil, thank to the unfathomable love and patience of Our Redeemer. I mean seriously, after all humanity has put Him through, how can we not sing How Great Thou Art like the Warblers in the third pew? If it had been up to me, I would have chucked Earth away a looooong time ago. But that's exactly why I'm not God. I and I am so so so glad I'm not. Because no matter what we've done -- no matter what -- His arms will still open wide when we realize we just can't go it alone.

God is being patient with you.

He does not want anyone to be lost,

but He wants all people to change their hearts and lives. 2 Peter 3:9

Thinking we can is like being an ant on an ant farm that doesn't believe it needs the little farmer to feed it bread and sugar each night. It thinks it can live off the sand in its own little world. But sand has no nutritional value, my friends. And the ant will soon end up dead because it was too proud to eat the sweet sugar from above and too proud to ask for help. And then the farmer will be sad.

You gave me life and showed me kindness,

and in Your care You watched over my life. Job 10:12

Thank goodness God's a better ant farmer than I was. Mine lasted three weeks tops in those little plastic boxes and tubes. But as you can see, we're still here. But it won't last forever, just like any farm. The day will come when God will harvest and the wheat will be separated from the useless chaff. So if you're a bit of chaff now, you might want to think about putting out some grains. You'll be much prettier and happier for it.

On the day when the Lord Jesus comes. . . .

all the people who have believed will be

amazed at Jesus. 2 Thes. 1:10

I didn't plan this post, or if I did I didn't plan it like this. I just wrote what was on my mind or maybe even what was on my heart. I don't know if anyone will benefit from my writings today, but I know that I did. Putting your feelings into words seems to increase their potency and really clear up what the dickens you are feeling. Just scroll up to the beginning again, I had no clue why I couldn't stop smiling. Now I do.
I'm loved.
I really do matter.
The sunshines and the breeze is cool.
And I matter and am loved by the One who made both.
What's not to smile about?

-Gwyn

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God. Ps. 40:3

Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5

Not feeling philosophical

2011-08-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! How's your summer going? Good. Speaking of summer, that's what my post is going to be about today. A sort of summer recap/photo montage/howcowit'salreadyAugust21st!

{gasthp! I just remembered tomorrow is my parents' 30th anniversary! Gaahh!!}

Also on the subject of this wonderful time of year, I've been seeing a lot of bloggers posting about wishes for autumnal weather, and I'm like ....whaaa?? Are you bannaners??
You see, some of us have to live with six months of snow. Six. Months. That's like eight lives in human years, people. So when the leaves start turning, it's a cry fest. For me at least.
But enough of this disheartening talk! On with the photos!

The essence of summer itself. But I have to ask, Am I the only one who buys cherry so I don't go around looking like a loon with blue teeth? I mean, seriously. Whatever kind of syrup they use, that dye will not come off your face for three months, short of skinning yourself. It's probably chock full of bad things like rat poison, too. But, hey, who really cares, right? It's a little $2.50 bowl of icy-cherry goodness on a hot day at the reptile and jungle bird garden.

I've rather neglected my blog in the last few months, for proof you need only look at the header; it's been there for since May. My posts are also becoming increasingly rare, it seems. If you've been wondering about this, I shall tell you why. No, it's not the usual "I'm busy".
I just seem to have run out of things to say. Sad really, but true. Ideas for posts used to spring to mind very often and I would just run with it, sprinkling photos throughout. But now it appears my life has become to dull to write home about. Or maybe I'm just doing the same things I've already posted about several times. I mean, I can't imagine you wanting to read about my every ride.

Unhappily, this pall has seeped into into my writing career as well. I lack the words to express myself properly, especially when it comes to TLOS. I'm trying so hard to get it right this go round that my style has become stiff and uncomfortable. Nothing wants to flow.
Mum wants to start school again this week, so maybe that will help. I seem to write best when I should be doing a math lesson. Oooh how I'm dreading algebra 1!

My eldest sister was here for an in-between semester break lasting for ten days. We of course rode horses {can you imagine living without a horse??}, went back-to-school clothes shopping where I got three shirts for decent prices. Thank you, Gordmans! Love that place because lets compare:

1 solid color cami:

American Eagle - $15.99

Gordmans - $4.99

Yeah. No contest.
Did you know that in the Bible, modesty of clothing applies not only to the neckline but the price? In other words, it's not very modest {and certainly not practical} to go out an buy $150 jeans. But you knew that, right?

"Summer is butter running down your chin and corn mush between every tooth." - Calvin and Hobbes
Calvin and Hobbes are simply the best. I picked up two new books of theirs the other day when we went shopping. In case you haven't heard Borders is bankrupt and going out of bis. everywhere, so if you're lucky like I was you can nab some Calvins and Hobbes for six bucks a piece and spend the long car ride home laughing into your seat cushion.

You know me. I love snakes. Well, most snakes... You see that? That is the face of the devil incarnate. It is also the only snake that will actually make me feel uncomfortable looking through the Plexi glass of its exhibit. Boas, I can handle. Black Mambas? Awesome. But rattle snakes...? shudder. I've had a few encounters with them and they are just evil. They'll try an get you with no provocation. They are also the snake that is up top on the Big Vicious Killer Snake USA list at #1. They are responsible for the most human snake-bite related fatalities in the States.
So, Mr. Rattler? Just go away. And leave my dogs alone.

Meanwhile my little brother is bent on burning down the kitchen with his omelet-making. Just as long as he doesn't try flipping in the pan. He's tried that with pancakes to disastrous effect. Aiiiieeeeee!!! What is he doing with the pilot light???? I gotta go!! -gwyn

Cilla and Gana

2011-08-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Inspired largely by my ride last night. And the night before that. And the first time I rode my Kiowa at a gallop, though I don't remember it. :)

:: First draft :: Placement - I'll stick it in TLOS somewhere ::

Twilight. At last it was here. Lessons were over and duties finished.
Faegan had asked her what she was planning to do with her free time. She bit back a ridiculous grin, giving the cinch a final tug. What did he think? Now was the time for thundering hooves and flying mane.
Tovah would be tucking into a book about now, probably that tome on the history of warfare. Well, he could have it. Cilla didn't really feeling like having company on this ride anyway. Just her and Gana.
After bridling the filly and checking the cinch once more, Cilla stuck her boot in the stirrup and climbed on. Gana danced a few paces as she settled herself in the saddle, anticipating the unrestricted pleasure of a gallop.
.....

Reaching the part of the road where it straightened for nearly a mile, Cilla reined in Gana, and they stood looking down the track. The night was beyond perfect. Warm and rosy; the stars just beginning to shine in the far east above the treetops. There was just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs at bay, and the scent of rain perfumed the air, mingling with the healthy smell of a warm horse. Gana stood quietly at first, but then shifted impatiently as if to remind Cilla why they had come.
"Alright, alright. Just taking in a piece of this beautiful world we live, is all. Sheesh."
Gana only flicked her ears and bunched her muscles. She knew this stretch of road. This was the part where we run. No drills. No endless circles. Just run.

Cilla shortened her reins and leaned forward with a kick. That was all Gana needed, and they were away. Finding Gana's rhythm was easy and Cilla kept the reins tight, holding Gana back just a little. Tonight she wanted to test her filly's limits, to see just how fast the little buckskin mare would go. But first she needed to get into her stride, that moment when the headlong, frantic-footed start became more controlled and focussed on a single thing: speed.
Gana hit it and Cilla loosened her grip on the only control she had over this thousand pound, wild-born creature hurtling through the woods. Gana felt the release, and, instead of turning on Cilla as she had feared the sudden freedom might cause her to do, Gana threw herself into each stride, stretching out with her whole, only a single hoof cleaving the dirt at a time.
Black mane whipped Cilla's face as she clung to what felt like pure muscle and bone. But it did not matter, she rode the wind itself.
A laugh escaped her when at last she reluctantly pulled Gana down to a canter, a trot, and at last a walk. They had reached the end of the stretch in barely a minute, and though breathing hard, Gana said she was ready for another race, prancing sideways and snorting.
"Oh ho, little lady! Me thinks those boys are in for an evil surprise come Sunday," Cilla hugged Gana's damp neck. "I can see it now. Beaten by two girls." She laughed again. What a treasure she had! All the months of fighting and frustration -- all were paid off in this moment. A moment in which they had worked together. Not because they had to, or were told to, but because, somehow, both knew that they would be better together than alone. And they were right. What a beautiful feeling.

Another page turned

2011-08-10T20:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the library and limited myself to checking-out two books, The Hunger Games and The Demigod Files.

I came home at 3:30pm.

It's now 6:24pm the next day, and I have two books to return to the library.
That's 525 pages in eight hours, I think. And right now all I want to do is tell everyone to be quiet so I can think about them. Ha. Fat chance. I'll write what I think instead....

The Demigod Files

by Rick Riordan

The Demigod Files are a sort of...well... file of short stories and pieces that didn't make it into Riordan's original series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, plus a few bonuses like 'portraits' of some of the characters, character inter views, a map or two, and a few word games sprinkled here and there. In short, a fan guide of sorts.

To be honest I only picked it up at the library because, out of the eleven or so books of R.R.'s {Including the Kane Chronicles which I was endeavoring to get hold of}, that was the only one not checked out already, besides The Lightening Thief. Blast! These summer reading program kids always get the jump on me when it comes to Riordan's works {which happen to be huge bestsellers}. Anyway, I brought home Files because it was something, and the hour and a half it took me to read it was not at all wasted. The shorts were written in the usual humorous fashion that I love about Rick Riordan's hand the most. Though, you could tell that these were 'just for fun' and lacked some of the reality of the original series. But I'm putting it down to lack of polish. I think if he had just taken a little more time with them, perhaps tweaked them here and there, or really edited them, they would have been up to par. But, as it is, all I can say is Good, but not as good as the original, The Lost Hero, or as good as the Kane Chronicles must be...grrmuffmuff.
So if you see this book in the library and you liked Percy Jackson, heck yeah pick it up. For even though its small and not quite as good as the real thing, its still good. Like almond bark chocolate.

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Oh, where to start? It defied my expectations and widened my writer-o-scope on first-person story mode, to say the least.
I've been hearing recommendations from all over -- ranging from Amazon reviews to bloggers to neighbors to friends. Everyone telling me I should read it. So for the past three months I've been trying to catch it unawares on the YA bookshelves at the library{I never go out and buy a book on recommendations alone - I have to know I'll love it} -- Unsuccessfully. Seems every other teen was camped out for the book as well, and with only one copy it's first come first serve. Well, yesterday it had just been returned. Ha ha! I had it! Though I don't imagine seeing its kin until school resumes.
So what do I think of it? Hm.
Writing: Superb. Collins certainly has talent, no question there, and skill, which is equally important.
Setting: Wonderfully fleshed-out and very real. Almost too. real. Suffice it to say that after reading it and the news, I now have very little faith in the present government. Perhaps this is just a side-affect.
The characters are beautiful and real, some of the most spot-on human writing I've read in a long time. The scenarios are frightening; the gore just enough to make you feel the gravity of the situation. The sweet endearing moments make you smile, and the playful banter can make you laugh. The whole book is an emotional roller coaster. Which is how it was meant to be and how it should be.
With all this could I have found a new favorite series? Maybe. It will have to work pretty hard to get past The Books of Pellinor, my all time favorite, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't have a chance. gasp!

There's always something though, isn't there? In the H.G.'s case it was the whole Katniss-Peeta deal for me. I thought it a little over-excessive and felt that it was there mostly for Teen-bait. But the brilliant writing made up for it, I suppose. I might even have to go and buy these books!

Well, until I can get my hands on The Kane Chronicles,

-Gwyn

A series of unfortunate events: Oil Painting

2011-08-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

I realize it's been a ghastly amount of time since my last post involving any of my artistic endeavors, but there is a reason for that -- I haven't had any since now. Or rather then. It's been a week or two, and I am terribly behind.
Anywho.... I finely got brave and took out my Grandmother's oil paints. She taught me up until I was about eleven or so, when her health began to fail her. I learned the fundamentals and probably much more, but I think I've forgotten most everything about oils. However, I set out boldly with a magazine page to create my first ever people person. Even when I was taking lessons all I ever did were flowers and bunnies and horses, never a people. But this particular people struck me as very pretty from her perfume advertisement in an ancient Victoria mag. So I decided to try it, but to practice first on watercolor paper instead of expensive canvass. And I'm glad I did. Here she is as a concept....

It all started well. Good base colors.... and the hair turned out much better than anticipated! I was believing I really had something going and was wishing I had started with canvass. A few days later however, after the first paint had dried, I attempted to add shading and depth. As you can see I utterly failed at blending the colors.

How the heck do you blend with oils??

I've only just figured it out with watercolors{vaguely} and I tell you no similar method applies. After numerous experiments and messy mistakes {paper towels are my friend} and feeling discouraged and a little miffed at ruining such a promising practice piece, I hung up my smock {I just wanted to say that} and left for the more reasonable realms of watercolor, with better results....

This is Pete. I think you met? He crops up in just about every painting of mine. I did this for my Da's birthday card and was very pleased with it. The original design I drew back in 2008 but I liked it so much I did a copy and added color.

Watercolor and I have had in the past a love-hate relationship but we seem to have found some middle ground. I don't think I'll ever be able to paint wonderfully, but that's not going to keep me from making this little whimsical splotches.

I've been very inspired lately -- about everything. I would really like to sit down and do a good sketch, but TLOS is once again buzzing in my ear and I fear I must really get down to business in that department. You can see on my sidebar what I've done. Again. I despair at the moment of ever finishing. So I really must write!
*sigh* I kind of feel like I'm on my own little island, though. Mum appreciates my stories and is always asking when she'll be able to read the next bit, but nobody else seems to care around here. Especially is it conflicts with me getting chores done. *sigh* Ah, well. Great masters aren't truly appreciated til after their dead, right? Haha :)

Til next time, then!

-Gwyn

Hay making

2011-07-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

With what content and merriment,

their days are spent, who's minds are bent

to follow the useful plow.

-Unknown-

Here it is July 31st already. Three more weeks before school begins anew; six more weeks until the first frost, is the reckoning. Where has summer gone?

Crows are gathered in bunches of twos and fours, being beaten about by smaller protective bird parents. Going for a walk down the road they caw and cackle at you from the trees, noisy and rude-like.

The days are long, but never quite long enough to get everything you want done. Up with the sun and out to the animals, a bucket of corn for the chickens and a pile of hay for the horses. And of course what ever is dropped for Hammie.

Hay making was begun a few weeks ago when we cut the grass to dry. It didn't take long, for the thermometer may say only 85, but the direct sun is positively blistering and makes it feel more like 95 with the humidity.

After only a day or two, our sort-of neighbor {if you call someone living within ten miles a neighbor} raked and baled it all up with his machines, packing fifteen square acres of grass into 104 neat round bales. That's three less than last year, but hey. Or should that be hay? I'm confused.

There is just something supremely satisfying about looking at a freshly mown field. Its all so crisp and has the look of a 4-H heifer -- well taken care of.

Especially when you compare it with the tall tangle of jungle that it was until just days ago. Now it's the perfect riding spot with no holes whatsoever to worry about. The perfect racetrack for me and Little Brother and our magnificent{ly fat} steeds. Charge on!

The original height: Up to ma' ears, as you can see, and I'm five foot five. Oh, and ignore those rainy-looking clouds -- they're bluffing. They're always bluffing.

I've been away from the Internet a lot lately, so I have much to catch up -- mostly in the the photo editing department. I think I have about ninety to do. So I'll be getting to that now, and perhaps scheduling some posts for the coming week since it will be much the same -- outdoors working 24/7 it seems. But it's great. Roanie's a little less round.

-Gwyn

The Rider

2011-07-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

You know those moments in good movies
when the hero races up a hill on his magnificent steed
and then pauses at the top to look at the camera,
all heroic and awesome;
the horse arches its neck and holds its tail like a banner?

Yeah. I had one of those. On my beautiful roan. Life is good.

July in pictures

2011-07-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Here July is already half over and not a word from me besides my brief little horse story. Thank you all who commented on it, on the by. It was lovely to hear from each of you - your encouragement, your stories, your wishes, and your complements. You gals are some cool beans. I'm sorry I can't answer you individually at the mo., for the reason you've heard very little from me is because my Da has restricted the Interwebs time to the crack of dawn and after the sun sets for the night. This leaves little time for me, and I usually spend it writing the next part of Bristé {almost ready!} if able to use it at all. So. Now for the pictures....

The Fourth was awesome. Our little town's parade is the best -- read: Almost all horses and carriages and old cars. I got to spend half the day with my dearest-friend-who-I-never-get-to-see-because-she-lives-in-Ukraine. So it was a very happy Independence Day.

The summer skies have been magnificent too. Simply stunning every evening.
All my relatives have gone home now, and life has returned to the norm. Mum did get to travel for five days to visit my sister on the East coast... or would it be more South? I don't know. Anyway, she got to go to the beach and bring me back some shells :) I was sure glad when she got back, though. Living with just boys for five days and fixing them supper most nights is not my idea of a good time. Da said it was good 'bonding time'. I bonded a lot in my room with several new library books. Speaking of....

This is my stack that I'm currently reading. Though now I've finished two today, The Twelfth Prophecy, and The Seamstress. On hot days after spending the morning in the garden{which is starting to produce!} it's the best to come into the air conditioned house, grab a glass of ice tea and a new book.

Some super exciting news is that I got a new violin! For my very own! Never used before; made just last year, and hand made in Romania from wood from the Carpathian mountains. Oh yes, and her name is Dido {You have to say it with an accent}, after the tragedy in which Dido throws herself off a cliff. The drama and melancholy matches my violin's tone. I love sad music.

As of yet I have not taken any photos of my gorgeous instrument {excuse the bragging. I've waited a long time for a professional violin.} but I assure you that they will be forthcoming.

I must end now; my time is already up. But I will try and post again soon about the other interesting things that are happening -- not the least of which my adventures in picking up oil painting again, and more horse tales. Pun intended.

-Gwyn

I like leadmares

2011-07-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'm not gonna lie. I'd much rather ride a leadmare than a follower. Tonight cinched it.

I've been having a rough time with Roanie lately, I'm not going to lie about that either. She's been... oh I don't know, teenager-ish. You know, the typical rebellious, my-way-or-the-highway business, which is weird because she's eight. years. old. Supposedly a mature adult. But then again she's always been a bit of a filly.
I'm getting a little frustrated, which is probably why I'm writing this at ten o'clock at night. The thing that gets me is that she's behaving worse than last year. Last summer we really turned a corner; we were getting over being skittish 24/7, our leadership skills improved... And now all she wants is her way. I feel like a parent who wishes they could give their kid a good spankin'.
I hope this is just a faze.

Tonight I decided to mix it up a bit and left Roanie Fat Pony {It's ridiculous. She's looks like she swallowed a barrel.} in the pen and grabbed Shyanne out for a good ride in our neighbor's big pasture. What a wonderful feeling not to have to anticipate what might make your horse blow up! It was so nice to ride for pleasure and not bother with circles and exercises. And aside from one instance where she tried to buck me off, Shyanne was fantastic. I think she must be mellowing in her old age :)
Shybaby {my pet name for her when she's sweet. If she's mean I call her Cow.} is also a leadmare so I got blaze on ahead. She warn't afraid o' no boogies. Leadmares have that nice quality, whereas followers tend to get stressed and jumpy when forced to lead or be alone.

So all in all, a lovely evening. Oh, tomorrow I'll get on ol Roanie again when the flies aren't so bad, and we'll see if we can get things worked out. But for now, all I can say is: Thank God for horses and sanity. It's just too bad they don't always stick together ;)

-Gwyn

Various novel bits

2011-06-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hullo, peeps! How has your summer been so far? Mine is-has-will be packed with the stuff summers are made of, not the least of which are my favorite relatives are making an appearance. The first half should arrive today and the other tomorrow. Excitement!

Perhaps a little less exciting to me but more useful to you, is this: My blog that I mentioned in the last post for bits of unedited stories of mine is now up and running. I posted the first part to a series of episodes called Bristé yesterday. Now if unedited musings of an overactive imagination interest you and you'd like to read them, please leave you email in a separate comment below - I made the blog private for several reasons, such as: I control the traffic, therefore less chance of some hooligan to come along and make big bucks off my genius {insert sarcasm}, and of course elimination of trolls. Well, maybe not completely; there may be one in a future story...

So there you have it - a quick update on my doings and an invitation to view the rough cut gems that spill without ceasing from my pen. Ha. Yeah, right. But don't let my sarcasm put you off, Bristé has me full of ideas!
Now I must dash off to town to buy my chickens some breakfast.

Tata!

-Gwyn

Bugs are mean.

2011-06-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

They just are. I do nothing to provoke them, yet they find reason to bite me. One in particular had to bite me twice, waking me from a well needed rest. I took pleasure in smooshing him.

this is not an ant. i don't have a picture of ants.

The days have been lovely and full of sunshine and a few showers, enough so that I don't have to water the gardens -- yay! I've picked up the pen again, well, actually keys, and am almost ready to launch a blog for all my tidbits of stories that are more working vacations from my larger pieces. It will be a private blog -- so if you would like to read my unedited musings, leave your email address in a comment below {will not be published} and I'll send you an invite as soon as I get things running.

Also, if you thought Mr Turtle was cute I'd like you all to meet Pip. The quarter-sized painted turtle baby.

My little brother has taken him in and Pip now happily resides in an aquarium -- when he's not crawling around the living room.

I've never come across as small a turtle as he before, in all my younger days as an explorer. He's a fun little companion. When typing up a story on my laptop, he likes to watch the letters appear and warms himself to sleep on my speakers.

He also likes to climb curtains. And people. No obstacle is too big for this determined little critter. He hunts gnats like a crocodile. He's hilarious.

Have any of you come across an interesting critter or two this summer? Or been bitten by bugs, for that matter?

-Gwyn

Word.

2011-06-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

I am told that's the new 'It' word, replacing 'cool'. So instead of saying, "That sunset is cool!" just look at it and go, "Woooord!"

I digress.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Summer is officially here! And I have become smitten with paper and ink.
There is nothing I love better in the evenings after a good ride but to come in and read a good book. And 'good books' are no longer just Fantasy/Adventure in my book. I'm enjoying mysteries, histories, some non-fiction {gasp!}, and even some poetry {double gasp!}. You may have already noticed, but I have added my 'bookshelf' to my sidebar so you can see exactly what I'm reading and what I've read.
And of all the bargains in the world, I stumbled on the best today at a little up-cycle/antique store in town: The complete Sherlock Holmes Adventures, 1929 edition, and Hair and Scalp Treatments, circa 1940. Both for $3. Awesome.
Wondering about the Hair book? It has an amazing cover.

This infatuation has also extended to -- music! My brother bought a lovely mandolin a few weeks ago and yesterday and today {while he's off at work} I've been strumming until my fingers bleed. Well, not bleed exactly. But my thumb got a blister from it!

me and the rocky road to dublin*

My quartet group has also been dive-bombed with gigs, which is fantastic. Mostly is the easy stuff like background music for anniversary parties, church functions, and such. No weddings yet, and that's okay with me :)
Hopefully all these performances will add up to a camera by the end of the summer! I'm excited.

Gardening moves apace. I am in the process of at last hammering together my boxes! They should be finished tonight and then it's fresh herbs and fruits all season long!

Jumping to another topic...
I have been inspired lately by some fellow writer/bloggers who have pages devoted to snip-its and 'book covers' of each story they are writing, have written, or even have thought of. I'm thinking I must do this. Especially make a book front. I love that kind of thing.
I so want to share my writings some how without being copied and this just might be an outlet. I'll let you know.

I apologize for such sporadic postings that cover no particular thing except life, but there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day to think out a deep meaningful post. I'm finding I have less time now then when I had school. Hm.
I'm up earlier, too, and then I'm out the door to feed my animals and then it's to the garden to weed, back inside to eat and read, back out to weed some more, plant some more flora, ride; watch the sun go down to the sound of Miss McLeod's Reel*. And that's how it's going to be from now until school begins again.
I love summer.

-Gwyn

Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Sunshine and summertime

2011-06-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

Remember me? The girl who used to post at least twice a week?

Yes, well, needless to say I have been up to my eyeballs with lists of things to do. Have I accomplished any? Yes, in fact.

my feet in the new turned soil

First of all, we got the garden planted last Saturday. I do hope everything has time to grow in our Northern climate, but our late planting was inevitable because of heavy rains that caused much flooding and strife in lower areas of the country side.
I was very eager to plant this year, and to plant lots and lots so that hopefully we'll have a surplus this year that I can sell. However, with our late start and baby grasshoppers already starting to emerge, hopeful is all I can be for now.

Here's some early lettuce that cropped up. Besides lettuce, Mum and I also planted sweet corn, green and wax beans, five rows of tomatoes, three or four rows of peppers, several kinds of squashes, carrots, cucumbers, and little brother finely got his wish and planted a big row of pumpkins and watermelons in the low lawn. I have yet to build 'teepees' for the peas, and, alas, my kitchen garden boxes that I've been talking about since last fall have yet to materialize. But that's next on my list.

I don't know why exactly, but suddenly I really love to garden. There's just something about digging in the dirt and harvesting the fruits {or vegetables} of your labors in the autumn. There's also something incredibly rewarding about working with horses, too. But you knew that, right?

My Roanie has become fat and sleek on the rich pasture grass -- and a three week leave of duty did not help. I couldn't ride her for three weeks because she developed bad sores from a rubber cinch my Da used when he rode her once. I forgot she had such sensitive skin. Plus with her new, thinner summer coat, it was probably at its weakest. Shyanne also caught something that had her coughing and gave her a runny nose. We're still not sure what it was -- maybe an allergy of sorts? But all that's in the past now, and I had a wonderful and eventful ride last night.

can i just say i love how this one turned out? thank you.

First, I taught Little Brother {from now on LB} the importance of positive enforcement. With his piggy pony you do have to have a firm hand, but people would not believe the difference a little encouragement and praise can do to for a horse's attitude. On the topic, look for a new Horse Logic coming soon! Now that I've said it, I'll have to find time to finish it.

Roanie was an {almost} angel last night. Her break seems to have refreshed her outlook on working somewhat and she was excellent at obeying the more acute commands { side-stepping, backing, pivoting...}, and her lope{or canter} was divine. I never felt like I was fighting her to stay in control. A first. However, when we decided to go up to our neighbor's big pasture, all the scaries came out to get us. In her mind at least.
There are several big hills in that pasture, most of them dotted with rocks and badger holes so you have to go carefully if you're going to go any faster that a trot up them. Well, we got separated from Da and his horse and LB and his pony.... I've never galloped up that steep hill, nor have I ever been on a galloping horse going up hill when it jumped a large rock. I think I'll try to avoid it from now on.

Also in the news: My sister's friend is terrified of snakes. A pity. Because I happen to love chasing people with snakes. It all started with a campfire and then on the way back LB pointed out a two foot garter snake laying in the grass. I of course did the natural thing and scooped it up. I turned to show my sister and her friend, but her friend was no where to be seen. I couldn't believe it. In the maybe five seconds it took me to grab the snake he was already half way to his pickup {some meters away}. It has to be a land speed record.
Oh, the above it not the horrifying snake. It is not even a snake. It is an estimated{by me} to be a two month old painted turtle. With all this rain we've had our creek its once again flowing well, and our pond is close to overflowing again, like it did back in March. So we've also been getting a variety of aquatic creatures: mallard and wood ducks, a heron, millions of noisy frogs and toads, and of course, turtles. I love turtles. They make me happy. Can't get enough of this little guy? Click here.

My fro chickens now really have their fros coming in. And it's hilarious. Especially since they seem to be the fighters, even though they're the smallest in the coop. I was cleaning the coop today with LB, and one chicken refused to leave so I had to pick it up. I was then bombarded repeatedly by one of these crazy kamikaze birds, the little rat. Its brethren seem to have the same disposition toward humanity as well, attacking our shoes a boots if we get to near. You can see the malice in their eyes.

I got my hair cut early this morning at my favorite hair shoppe. Privacy denies a before/after photo, but I shall do my best to describe it. I've begun a sort of exploit by refusing to have my hair cut the same way twice. For as long as I have good ideas, anyway. I see life as too short to be going around with the same hair style all the time. Last year I radically hewed off ten inches and enjoyed a light summery, jaw length cut. This year I'm going long. My hair has already grown to past my shoulders since last time, so I just had the stylist leave it as long as posable and add lotsalotsa layers so its not... blah anymore. And I love it.

I'm also involved in my church's VBS this week as assistant teacher to 13 wild little Pre - Ks. I've got to tell you, 8 to 11:30am is the longest period of the day. Whew, they keep you busy.

Well, as I see it, I've had a good day, about to get better with a viewing of one of my favorite movies, Sherlock Holmes, perhaps a quick drawing or painting, and a new read from the library.

Ní bené, friends!

-Gwyn

It's in the rain

2011-05-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

The sky is crying. It's tears trace my finger tips at the touch of a new leaf.
I feel wonderfully nostalgic, yet content at the same time.
Enya's music seems more poignant when listened to outside in the rain, add in the the Fae-like atmosphere. It's times like this when my world, Ithreal, and all my characters -- Cilla, Tovah, Skyrian, Gana... -- seem so close. Just out of reach.
Sometimes that feeling is painful, sometimes it's exhilarating.

The wind begins to pick up and chill my hands so I turn back for the house. Along the way I glance at the rising waters in the creek and quietly send up a small prayer for those facing flooding and worse.

There is no Hammie to run beside me, Hooey to trot ahead, or Molly to greet me at the door, they're safe and warm on their rugs in Da's studio. The little chickens had probably finished eating now and are snuggling down together under the light. Everything has a cozy feel to it. Cozy gets me thinking: time for a cup of tea and a good 1920's mystery.

Today my sister flies back, so I have a feeling everyone will kind of take the day off. Spend time doing the small things that often get pushed aside, like writing letters, drawing and painting, wandering through the pages of Scripture in search of good verses for handmade cards. That sort of thing.

Life's been a bit of a curveball of late, so I'm making today a day of rest and thought.

I hear leaves drinking rain;

I hear rich leaves on top

Giving the poor beneath

Drop after drop;

'Tis a sweet noise to hear

These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,

After this Rain shall stop,

A wondrous Light will fill

Each dark, round drop;

I hope the Sun shines bright;

'Twill be a lovely sight.

The Rain by William Henry Davies

Have a listen...

Create a MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

Until the sun shines,

-Gwyn

'The days are just packed' - Calvin & Hobbes

2011-05-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know about where you live, but spring around here has been marvelous! And with my eldest sister here, we've been doing a million things a day it seems. On sunny days: picnics at the park, riding horses, 'playing' with the little chickens, campfires.... And the days when it rains? Turns out Hulu.com has I Love Lucy episodes :)

Today and yesterday was/will be hectic, though. Today is the day of the wedding I'm playing in, and whoooeee! Suffice it to say I got most of my music on Wednesday, annndd the rest I got last night at the rehearsal. Gulp. It'll be interesting!
But on to a more interesting topic! {and one I have pictures of}

Campfire!

The other night we firebugs of the family {me and Little Brother} chopped firewood and gathered green roasting branches. I also snapped a few photos of the new sights of spring.

I think this is a boxelder tree.... Kind of crumby bark, but awesome looking seeds!

Mum and everyone else came out and brought with them the best part of any campfire.....

The fixings of yumness. Have I ever mentioned I have a sweet tooth? It's the size of my head. Any other kind of food I don't care for, but chocolat? ... I've eaten one of those truffle boxes that you can get at Walmart for like $3.... by myself. I can't help it!! It's a problem I blame on my German half.

I like toasted 'mallows too. This one I caught on fire. I wanted a shot of it still flaming, but I guess Mum draws the line on my extreme lengths to get a photo when it could involve her hair catching fire.

In case you're wondering, I've been known to lean out car windows, climb trees, and hang upside-down if I think I can get a good photo. It's kinda fun, actually.

Darn it! I'm making myself hungry!

Does anyone else lovelove the sticky goodness of s'mores? Little Brother had marshmallow goo up to his eyebrows :)

I like messing around with the charcoal. This above is my name in Elvish. I think. I learned it back when I was a huuuge fan of LotR {when it came out in the early '00s}, so it's been awhile.

Oh, I cannot leave out this little guy I found two nights ago...

I was walking the dogs before putting them in for the night when I heard rustling in the grass. At first I freaked out - just a little. You know, I froze like a hunted hare. But I have a reason for that! I have a reason! The night before I had a dream I was walking down the same road and came across six skunks and a bear and her two cubs. While I knew it wasn't going to be a bear {we don't have those around here} skunks seem to thrive on our place.

Eventually I tracked down the noise to this little bugger. Isn't he sweet? I had to bring him to the house for everyone to see. They weren't too thrilled, except for LB, who got the camera out.

Toads and frogs and snakes I just love. Snakes could be a little more friendly, but they are so cool to watch, and if you do find I nice one, they're really fun to play with as well. Do you like reptiles?

Alas, for I must dash!

-Gwyn

I promised you cuteness...

2011-05-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

But it's late in coming. And I only have two good photos right now, but it's of one of my awesome lil 'fro chickies and then some kind of white Auracuana {sp?} :)

My orange lookin hands and a sleepy fuzzball

Our server is having a lot of trouble lately - as in, not working - so I've been enjoying a loooooooong break from the computer. Also, my eldest sis is back for a month on her summer break and we've been donin' stuff. And I have a wedding to play for next week. Hoping the bride gives me the music soon. Haha. And I think I have a music gig Mother's Day.
So yeah, I'm not exactly lounging around but I'm finding time to ride my Roanie, watch a movie with the family, write a sentence here and there for TLOS, make a coin necklace {maybe coming soon - no promises though, considering my record}, make bday and Mother's day gifts, plan the garden, snap some photos at the park, run from wasps, chase the dogs away from a new 'treasure' - a dead cow. OmyWORD did it smell!! Uuugh!!
I also found a new book series that I like: The Monster Blood Tattoo by.... {insert two initials} Cornish. I wasn't too sure about it because of the title {sounds rather dark and primitive}, but I was mildly surprised, and enjoyed the writer's style. While this probably won't become one of my favorite series, I do think they're worth a look. They're pretty fast reads too - I got the first one Saturday and I've only got a chapter left. I didn't even read it every day.
If your looking for a slightly steampunk-ish book with a lot of world detail {the author created a very vivid world through his illustrations, the glossary, and notes}, try The Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling{book one} and see what you think.

Right. Now I've got loads to do and people telling me so. So, til next time, when ever that will be.

-Gwyn

A glimpse of Eternity...

2011-04-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

in the dawn of a new day. {And I'm not just talking about the photo :)}

✠ Happy Easter ✠

✠ I apologize if any of you were expecting daily photo-posts like the last one. At first that was my intent, but then other more Easterly things happened; like Good Friday service, painting Easter eggs, playing piano purely for the love of music {something I have not done in forever}, and of course the family traditions crept in as well. So, on the one hand I feel terrible if I let anyone down, but on the other I'm glad I did. And I am aware that sounded mean and callous. Sorry. :)

✠ Prepare for cuteness. 20 adorable little chicks {five of which will have mohawks} are arriving tomorrow. Of course I'll take photos.

✠ Because it's Easter, and because of that I'm extremely happy, here's a list of my favorite Easter things...

the early church service

the new feel everything gets after hearing the Resurrection story

the chocolat. Period.

the egg dyes

the inside jokes: laughing at a road-killed rabbit on the way home.

watching The Ten Commandments for, what? Four hours? the night before

My little brother's attempts at fooling the Easter Bunny by setting out extra baskets for imaginary 'new' siblings

Sadly, Easter only gets celebrated one day of the year, which I don't fully understand. But I'm pretty sure it's my favorite holiday {holiday: conjugare of holy and day}
So make it count, I guess. A very happy Easter to you!

-Gwyn

Holy Week: Tá mé buíoch

2011-04-19T18:44:00.001-07:00

Tá mé buíoch: I am thankful

Holy Week has always been a very special and personal time of year for me. This year I want to celebrate the days leading up to Easter morning; too often they go by unnoticed in the anticipation of stuffed rabbits and chocolat eggs. Sometimes we forget the actual journey Jesus through the week leading to His resurrection and our ultimate freedom.

I don't want to do that this year. I want to ponder each day of this holiest of weeks. One of the ways I want to do this is by reflecting each day on one thing that I am truly thankful for, photographing it or, at least a representation of it, and sharing it here.

For the first day, I'd like to start with

Spring

Yes, peoples, spring has just about sprung in my little corner of the world. Finely. Rain {and sleet} is soaking the ground for what promises to be a lovely green summer. The early flowers are at last shyly opening their colorful blooms. And I am thankful. To me, the outside world has been too long without the benefit of color. Winter's grip is tight up North, and it clings to the earth long after decent places have blossoms and sunshine.

Then the first flower blooms, small but bright; shining like a new cut gem in the dead grass. Suddenly you remember what it's like to run barefoot in green grass. Inspiration that was slowly waning in the dull winter months awakes refreshed in the cool rain and sweet scent of tilled earth.

Reading at night has a new feel. Snuggled down in your soft covers and nestled in your squishy pillow, the gentle patter of rain on your window... cosy has a new meaning.

Who can resist the sweet song of the meadowlark? Walking down the road, splashing in all the puddles. Tracing the new buds with your fingertips and suddenly you feel like a character from a novel.

Winter is a time of reflection and slumber. Spring is the season of energy, new starts, and spontaneous joy.

The robins are back and the dirt is black.

Some people have the sea in their blood, but I am descended from a long line of farmers, and I have the dirt in mine. My garden plans are nearly ready for action - at last!

I am so thankful for spring and all it has to offer. And this is only the beginning. Photographing a few of the signs of spring told me that. So much more is in store and I can't wait to discover it all later this season.

So, Athair, thank you for the four seasons. Especially spring.

I'd like make Tá mé buíoch a link-up blog hop, if you'd like to join. I don't have a linky tool {no site I went to had clear instructions} but if you leave a link in the comments, I'd love to read your post!

Til next time,

-Gwyn

Oh, dear...

2011-04-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

alternately titled 'Here we go again'

You have again caught me between ultra-busyness and the dreadful doldrums of energetic boredom. You deserve an update, so I'll do my best to give you the short version:

This week the weather has been nice {read: above freezing + drizzlings of rain} except for the wind which has been awful even in the local standard, so naturally it is the time Da decides my brother and I should put up new pasture fence for summer grazing ground. Thankfully we already have a skeleton to work with: most of the posts are still there {except for the gate post I ran over one foggy October morn}, but we haven't used that pasture in so long that a lot of the wire needs replacing. A note to animal owners everywhere: Never use electric wire to fence your animals. It's fickle and usually only keeps your extremely stupid animals in. I hate the stuff.
A couple years ago we switched the stockpens to Electrobraid and that works sooo much better. We were even planning to fence the rest of the pastures in with it this year, but the grass is growing to fast and we wouldn't have time to dig all the post holes. So wire for another summer. Wheee.

But speaking of growing grass... Grass is growing! Green grass! Aaah, I'm so excited! At last! I've been digging ing my garden beds and finding daffodil shoots and tulips and iris poking up. Nothings blooming yet, but we just got an inch of snow two weeks ago plus this is the Great Plains: Springs doesn't come fully till the last two weeks of May or so, then summer hits about the middle of June.
Still, loving the sunshine in the mornings.

Ack! I have so many things to build this month! Our chickies are coming possibly the 23rd {Saint George's Day - who knew?} so I need to get on building another mobile house for when they're bigger. There's the kitchen garden boxes I still have to bang together, and... hmm I'm forgetting one. Anyhow, rest assured I have to hammer something else as well.
Oh! And Mum and I have been planning some home improvements, too. So far we're still in the tearing out pictures from Southern Living and Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Gardens stage. But we've also gone through closets and unearthed a few lovely antiques! Frames, hats, jewelery, etc. Cool stuff; I'll have to take photos for you.

Music this month is... has... There's a lot of it. Too much of it. Last night was only the beginning with my piano recital and a fine arts fair. Over the next week I've got six violin practices with various groups and, finely on the 17th, the actual concert. Bugger.
In my 'spare time', whatever that is, I drew this ---

Not the best photo, but I seem to have misplaced the full version on my desktop somewhere... But you like? My photographer friend took the amazing photo of her little sister and I knew I just had to draw it :)
I need to get back to drawing horses again - it's been at least a month since my last one. Sad. When I was little I drew a picture of one every night before going to sleep. I wonder where all those stacks went...
Okay, now you're really going to hate me for saying this but -- Istartedanewstory. Don't spear me! I know, another one that puts TLOS on the back burner. again. But I couldn't help it! Honest. It all started late last Sunday when I was on Polyvore {see my sidebar} and I came across this picture of a girl with the biggest saddest brownest eyes you've ever seen.... Well, she had a story she needed to tell. I'm sad to say it's not a happy one, not at first. But it may become a mystery. That idea really intrigues me - I've only done Fantasy so far. But I love mysteries! So we'll just have to see where this goes, right?

Here she is...

the artist's daughter by The Celtic Cowgirl featuring butterfly tops

Winding things up, you may have noticed but I've added a FAQ page and a few other things including my Polyvore sets to my sidebar for you to browse. I'm not on Polyvore hardly at all because 1) It takes up a lot of time just to make one set and 2) I'm not that interested in clothes. But it is a great place to find inspiration, but I think you've gathered that already. But don't expect updates on Poly all that often ;)

Well, I really hate to leave you but the fence is calling. Really hate to leave. really.

-Gwyn

My experience with horses...{guest post}

2011-03-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

... the good and the bad!

Meet Rebecca, everyone! A girl like me in several ways {*ahem* head-over-heels in love with horses...}. This is her tale of the adventures she has only just begun with the most amazing animal on the planet. I'm not bias at all of course. Enjoy!

About Me:

Hello, my name is Rebecca, and I am 15. I am a homeschooled Christian girl that is striving to live for Jesus every day, though quite often I fall short. I love horses, and science, my favorite subject in science being Biology. I own my own horse, and her name is Pearl. She is a Quarter/Arabian/Thoroughbred horse, and can be very spirited. I am from a family of nine, and I am the second oldest. I think the thing I love most about being in a big family is that I learn a lot from all my siblings. I also love to read and I mostly read horse books (surprise!).

Visit her blog, Living for Christ, here.

First I would like to say a big thank you to Gwyn, for letting me do a guest post on her blog, “A Celtic Cowgirl.” I am so honored, and I really appreciate it. Thanks Gwyn!!!

This is the story of my journey with horses.

I have loved horses for a very long time. I mean, what girl doesn’t love horses, and dream of maybe owning one?

I sure did, and I started to save my money. I kept it all in an old pickle jar, and soon my money started to smell like pickles!

I did odd jobs for my parents, and saved every last penny I found.

I prayed for a regular job, and God provided. I actually got two! I babysat, and worked in an office.

I preferred to baby sit though, and I did so as often as I could.

The children I babysat were awesome, and were very cooperative. I enjoyed it because, not only was doing something I loved, but I was earning money to buy my horse.

Since we live out in the country, I babysat on a farm.

And across the road lived a horse named Admiral. He was all alone. The farm house on that property was abandoned.

During the summer Admiral ate so much he got amazingly fat, and during the winter, he practically starved!

I tried to contact the owner, but to no avail. Admiral was all alone, and I could not find his owner.

Since it was the least I could do, I visited him every time I went babysitting. The kids loved that! When I started bringing oats, Admiral looked forward to my coming. On the day I went babysitting, he would be waiting by the fence.

When I first met him he was terrified of me, and I could not get near him for two weeks. But eventually he learned to trust me. So when he started waiting for me by the fence that was a great improvement!

But, since I do not have that babysitting job anymore, I have not seen Admiral for months, which I am very disappointed about. Hopefully I will be able to visit him soon :)

I also began to take riding lessons. Once a week I went with my sister. I learned so much! But, best of all I learned to ride, which is what I really wanted!

For about two years I saved, and saved. By now I had a bank account, and did not keep my money in a pickle jar anymore! LOL

We started to fence our property. There was some fencing already, but it was in bad shape. We spent weeks pounding posts, and stringing wire. We also built a round pen, and fixed up the barn. We were all ready! Now we just had to find the right horse!

We did not have to look long!

Someone from our church has a son who trains horses, and he invited us over to look at two horses he had that he thought might be for us.

Needless to say, I fell in love with one. Her name was Pearl, and she was an Arabian/Thoroughbred/Quarter horse. She was a grey mousey color, with a black dorsal strip running down her back, and was four years old.

The first time I rode her, was wonderful. She had such a smooth gallop, and loved to run. I found this out in an interesting way:

She had not been ridden in quite awhile, so as soon as I hopped up, she took off at a full gallop. Now, please note, I had never galloped on a horse before!

Even though I had taken riding lessons, I had only gone as fast as a canter.

But, thankfully I kept my head, and spun her around, got control of her, and returned to the other rider (the owner of the horse) who sat calmly waiting for me.

I am just so glad that he did not come racing after me, because that would have been even more embarrassing!

After that she was just fine. The other times I went to ride her, she was a perfect lady.

The other horse was named Trixie, and she was Paint. She was a calm and quite horse. My sister liked her, and I liked Pearl, even after my interesting ride. Trixie was to slow for me, besides she liked to walk.

Even though I had such an interesting first ride on Pearl, we purchased both Pearl and Trixie.

We brought them home about a week later.

I think that was one of the best days of my life. Here I was, almost fifteen, and I had just purchased the biggest item I ever had in my life! But, I was super excited!

We had them for about a week when it happened.

The horses were rather scared of our dog, but he thought it was rather fun to chase them.

But, we chained him up, and whenever we went out to the horse pasture we took him with us, and kept a close eye on him.

On afternoon I was walking down the road, when Scout (the dog) saw my brother in the distance. He took off at a run towards him. Then Trixie spooked and ran. She came to the end of the fence, jumped, caught her back legs in the fence, struggled, pulled free, and ran down the road with Scout at her heels.

Thankfully, she galloped up our driveway, and there we caught her. We hauled the dog away, locked him up and took Trixie back to the pasture.

But, her back legs were cut up pretty bad, so we took her to the vet.

We took Pearl along to be of company to Trixie. That was a BIG mistake, because when we got to the vet, Pearl who was in the trailer first, refused to get out.

We tried everything! In the end we had to take her down the cattle drive. But, that was not the end. Pearl, after struggling at the trailer door, slipped, fell, and cut her front leg.

We ended up getting Trixie fixed up, and Pearl too.

Pearl’s cut was worse, so she got stitches.

That was the first time I ever saw something like that. I thought my horse was dying! Don’t laugh, I was really scared and did not know what to think! But, looking back, I realize it was not so bad and I was just badly scared, so you can all laugh now :)

Then, we took them home. Pearl had a purple bandage (my favorite color) and Trixie a pink one (my sister’s favorite color).

But, then on July 18^th which was my birthday, coming home from church, we were driving down the road nearing our home, when I said, “Hey, it looks like Pearl is in the ditch there!”

And, sure enough, she was! So, I got out and walked her back to the pasture.

I looked her over, and she had another cut on her front leg, it was bad! So, of we went to the vet again! We took her down the cattle drive, and she had to get stitches again! But, this time I was prepared for what was coming, so it was not as bad.

Turns out, Pearl too, jumped the fence but we do not know why. I am just glad she did not wander far!

That was the worst birthday I ever had! I spent it at the vet, and I do NOT recommend it to anyone!

We ended up taking Trixie to the vet again, for another cut. Thankfully after that we have not ever been back!

I am sure something was spooking them causing them to jump, but I am not sure what.

I did find a beer bottle someone threw in there, because it was not there before.

And another time, someone drove by, honking their horn trying to get our horses to run.

We ended up boarding them at the place we bought them from so they could settle down, and recoup.

After about a month, we brought them back and they have been here ever since. No more fence jumping since then!

But, was this all worth it for me, I mean like all the vet bills and such?

I would say yes, it was.

My love for horses has not diminished, but increased. I have learned a very valuable lesson, one that I could not have learned any other way. And that is that, horses are not all fun and games. They require work, time and money.

Before I bought my horse I really had no idea what it would be like. I have read tons of horse books, and from some of them I had gotten some pretty romantic ideas of what my dream horse was going to be. These dreams were far from realistic, I realize now. Horses are work, time and money.

But, I still love horses. I love to go for rides; I love to be with my horse. She is a wonderful horse, though sometimes she came give me trouble. But, that is what makes her who she is, and I love her.

The thing I have learned from horses is to have patience. Horses have their own ideas and sometimes I need to remember that Pear is learning as well as I am.

My advice to anyone who wants to buy a horse:

Have patience, preserver and remember why you wanted a horse.

Never lose your love of horses if you go through a bad time, because that just means you maybe never really and truly loved horses.

You may be bucked (I have), you may be kicked (I have) you may be bit (I have), but never give up!

~Rebecca

Herbal Recipe & Tips for a Great Complexion {guest post}

2011-03-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

Everybody, I'd like to introduce my first guest blogger, Elisha!

About Me:

Hi, I'm Elisha, I am 22. I am a daughter, a sister, a homemaker and a future wife and mother. I love learning, writing, cooking, gardening, herbalism, plants, and anything old fashioned.

Visit her blogs here or here -- and her herbal business blog here

First of all I would like to start out by thanking my host Gwyn, The Celtic Cowgirl. This is my first "guest" blog post and I am really excited and nervous at the same time, so bear with me.

Today I am going to give you my recipe for my facial cleansing oil and give you some great tips and pointers on how to keep your facial routine as natural as possible. Then I will be telling you about the herbs that go into the facial routine and why they are so great for your complexion.
Usually cleansing oils are used for removing water-proof make-up,but not so with this oil. This oil is great for removing makeup, as well as cleaning out your pores, moisturizing your skin and helping to heal acne and acne scars.

What you will need:
- A Carrier Oil (I suggest Grapeseed or Almond Oil)
- Tea Tree Oil (this can usually be found at your local drug store in the vitamin department, it's around $8-9)
- Vitamin E Oil (this also can be found in the drug store, same department. Usually about $5)
- Peppermint Extract (Optional) - not to be confused with peppermint oil
- 4 oz bottle (these can be bought here, or you can probably find something about the same size at a thrift store)
- Funnel (make sure the funnel fits the mouth of the jar before getting started)
- rubbing alcohol

What to do:
To start out you want to use the rubbing alcohol to clean your bottle, funnel and any other utensil you will be using. This insures that everything is clean. Let the utensils sit for at least 10 min (or more) to dry (you don't want the alcohol to get into the mixture of oils). Fill bottle with Carrier Oil to the halfway point, then fill it with the following mixture: 1 teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil 1/2 teaspoon of Vitamin E Oil 1/8 teaspoon of Peppermint Extract (Optional) - not to be confused with peppermint oil After mixing these together in the bottle, add more Carrier Oil bottle is full. Label and store in a cool dark place.Shake before every use.

Final product

How to use this product and tips on how to have a natural and refreshing complexion:

Step One - Opening the Pores: Take a cloth and wet it in hot water, lay over your face breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, do this for about 10-15 seconds (or until cloth becomes cold). This process opens the pores as well as clears the nasal passages.

Step Two - Cleansing with Oil: Take a medium sized cotton ball (or pad) and add a little oil. Clean your face with the oil always using a light upward/outward motion, meaning always going up from the to the forehead and always going outward towards the hair line. The upward and outward motion keeps you from pulling your skin down, which means you could have less wrinkles later on in life by using this motion.

Step Three - Cleansing with Water : After you have removed all foreign matter from your face with the oil repeat step one. Wipe face with warm cloth to remove excess oil.

Step Four - Toning with Astringent: Wet a cotton ball with Witch Hazel*and use the same upward/outward motion until. Let face dry. *found in the drug store, usually next to the alcohol or you make your own.

Step Five - Moisturizing: Apply Aloe Gel* all over face, be careful not to get it in your eyes.

Step Six - Spot Treatment: For spot treat ment try my http://www.undertheherbtree.com/skin-care.html"> style="color: #38761d;">Cool Mint Balm or http://www.undertheherbtree.com/skin-care.html"> style="color: #38761d;">In 'Mint' Condition Salve, leave on overnight. Usually for small acne spots it can take up to 2-4 days for them to disappear, for larger spots 4-8 days...but on occasion they can disappear overnight.

Step Seven - Diet, Exercise & Sunning: The best thing you can do for your complexion is to eat lots of fruit and veggies, drink plenty of water, exercise at least three to five times a week, and get out in the sun for at least 10-20 minutes a day (just don't over do it), vitamin D is very good for acne and your complexion.

What Are These Things?

Tea Tree Oil - The leaves from this tree were once used by early colonials of Australia and New Zealand for tea, this is probably how it got it's name, Tea Tree. This oil is antiseptic, antibacterial, skin healing and also a decongestant.

Peppermint Extract - This plant is used all over the world for several medicinal reasons, our use of the extract is for it antiseptic properties and for it's great smell.

Witch Hazel - This plant is a natural astringent, and is great to use on both oily and dry skin. It's also great for other skin problems such as bug bites, cuts, poison ivy rash, and sunburn. You may be surprised at what this simple and natural astringent will do for you. If you'd rather use it without the alcohol content why not make your own? Just boil a cup of water and pour it over about 1/4 c. witch hazel, cover and let sit for about 20-30 minutes. Keeps in the fridge up to 4 weeks.

Aloe Gel - Although the gel is not as "good" as the fresh plant gel, the gel will do if you don't have a fresh plant. Aloe is a natural moisturizer, it has antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory so you can see why it's good for your complexion. Aloe can reduce the swelling caused by acne and also over time reduce acne scarring.

Why is this better than store bought? Store bought items have harsh cleaners in them that most of us can't even pronounce, when you make your own products and use pure and naturally grown plants you know where they came from. Plus when using these kind of products you are being better to the planet and yorself by not using all these harsh chemicals. If you have any questions please leave a comment here, on my blog or on my contact page here.

If you have any questions please leave a comment or contact me: http://www.undertheherbtree.com/contact-us.html">

Bickering - featuring Cilla and Tovah

2011-03-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

I was having a pretty heavy and painful day today, not lightened by the fact that the weather decided to ~~snow~~ dump six inches of horrid white stuff on my baby tulips and iris {and my hopes of an early spring. Ha.} and blow 30 - 45mph winds all day. Oh, and my plans to go to the theatre to see Rango were crushed as well.
Long story short, I needed an escape. Thank goodness for characters with great senses of humor.
This is also a tip of the hat to the Sherlock Holmes movie{'09}, which I love :)

“Well, that’s a new one,” Cilla said, pulling a long, slippery squidge of riverweed from her dripping hair. “Jumping off Clifton bridge, well done old man. I would never have known you were afraid of heights,”
Beside her Tovah made a distinctive “cha” noise.
“What?”
He pulled off his boot and tried squeezing the water out of it. “I didn’t say anything,” he muttered. Then he gave a short hysterical bark of laughter. “When have I ever said anything?”
Cilla blinked. “I’m not sure I follow you, young mutton.”
He turned to face her, the laughter gone and only the hysterics left in his eyes. “Oh yes you do. Why I ever follow you on your silly adventures, I’ll never know. I must be mad. Or maybe just eternally optimistic the this time, this time nothing bad will happen, this time...”
“You’re referring to the goat incident, I take it?”
He glared. Cilla sometimes wished she had such dark eyes so that she could look so formidable when she gave someone the evil eye.
“Yes, I am referring to the goat incident, and every incident in between,”
“So you’re complaining about my ability to lead a successful escapade, is that it?”
“Complaining? Complaining? Cilla, I call this log to witness that I never so much as opened my mouth when you decided that the quickest way home was through the poison oak thicket,”
“That wasn’t entirely my fault. We hadn’t even begun our woodland learnings,”
“I’ve never complained when your farret -”
“Mink.”
“- mink - steals my clothes to make a nest; Or when you spiked my waterbag with tamarind* -”
“That was meant from Jarvis,”
“- Or when you threw that fruit at the bailiff because you thought he was insulting. You had the whole bloody village after us! We could have been drawn and quartered!”
Cilla cocked her head with a lopsided grin. She wasn’t going to deny it.
“Or, or, or! Do you want me to go on, Cilla? We could be here all day but for your benefit I will continue...”
Thankfully he did not but went back to removing river water from his person with a short sigh. “I must be going insane.” he muttered.

For awhile Cilla just sat admiring the sun in the green treetops, a blissful smile on her face. Water had never bothered her, even now when one ear was full of it, it didn’t dampen her spirits. Exciting adventures always seemed to give her an afterglow, despite gloomy Mr Soggy Trousers behind her.
“Insanity may have something to do with it,” she said. “A great deal in fact. But I can think of another reason,”
Tovah grunted.
“You’re my best friend.” She smiled and stuffed the wad of riverweed down the back of his shirt.

*a laxative herb

{Needless to say this is all strongly copyrighted: No text may be taken, in whole or in part, without my permission. So to any pests out there: Write you own story, you lurking rats!}

I'm not sure if this will find a place in the actual book {at least an edited version - this is completely first draft}, but it was a relief and joy to write something so lighthearted and unimportant in terms of plot. I often love reading these sorts of parts the best and am sad that so few writers find time in their extensive pages for a few back-and-forths that may not have any value as far as story development, but are endearing to the characters. Not to mention it's realistic. I mean, at least for me. I would definitely try and spike some one's water with something nasty if they were nasty enough. Hehe. I guess really Cilla is just a more extroverted me. I say extroverted because she can talk to people much easier than I. And she acts on her impulses when I usually listen to reason. Usually.

-Gwyn

Be on the look-out for guest posts coming soon!

Interested?

2011-03-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Due to the warming of the weather I've been busybusybusy spring cleaning the horses and their pens, water trough, and hay feeder {I had to move it with my little truck and... well now the little truck has a dent in the side identical to the one in the side of the big truck [which I did not have anything to do with, thankyouverymuch] But shhhhh! I haven't told anyone yet. :)}
Anyway, I've begun putting my garden plans into action also. Very exciting. We ordered our new chicks and they'll be arriving about mid-April. I won't give away what all they are just yet -- I want photos to go with them -- but I will tell you that I did get some funky ones! Hehe.

But what I'm driving at with this update and the title of this post is almost obvious: I'm a little too busy at the moment to be writing blog posts. But! Since I hate to read that on other peoples' blogs, I would like to give your readers something to read so...

Would any of you out there like to write a guest post for The Celtic Cowgirl?

It can be practically about anything: Horses are a definite yes on here if you have tips or a story of your own. Craft or drawing tutorials you'd like to share. Maybe a discussion?

If you're interested in gaining perhaps publicity [new bloggers out there?], guest posts are great. Or if you simply want to share, that's more than fantastic!

If you'd like to write a post for The Celtic Cowgirl, shoot me an email at gwyniver[at]gmail[dot]com with your post idea and I'll get back to you!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

-Gwyn

Freedom

2011-03-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

I feel like a bird let out of is cage.

A horse set free to run and run after a long winter in the stable yard.

A dog that just remembered what it's like to swim.

While I'm not any of these animals, I am a girl with a driver's license.

And with this beautiful weather bearing up my spirits on its wings, I can help but run and jump and laugh in the sunshine. I grab the keys to 'my' little junker '89 Toyota pickup, camera, and co-explorers {aka Hammie and Hooey} and hit the road.

How exhilarating it is to go cruising backroads, the windows down and the wind in your hair, an endless sky above you.

I now know what Adam Young means when he sings

When violet eyes get brighter

and heavy wings grow lighter

I'll taste the sky and feel alive again.

The road touches the horizon miles away and nothing seems impossible. Indeed, I fancy I even flew! ... when I hit that pothole at sixty. Hey, my nick name is Little Miss Leadfoot :)

The world seems new and my inner explorer is wide awake. I feel like I've finely thrown off the garment of winter like those coats and jackets I've grown to despise over the course of six months. So I've also chucked winter out of my header, which you've probably already noticed.

But life really is an open road, readers, boundless and far-traveling. God's given you the keys, so there's no sense in sitting on the shoulder. He's also given you an accelerator, because you're not meant to live in the past. So take the wheel.

Adventure is out there!

-Gwyn

find my photos of this escapade here

Flood waters

2011-03-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

I debated awhile whether to post this on Big Sky of here since this is really more of a photography post, but you haven't heard from the Celtic Cowgirl in awhile so....

a new favorite photo of mine -- no editing required!

After what seemed years of temps under 20* and snow and wind and nastiness, we have suddenly gotten a pocket of warmth literally over night: Went to bed -- 5*. Got up next morning to 50*

But, hey, I'm not complaining!

We ~~have~~ had at least six inches or more of snow, but all that's melted already. But the ground is still frozen so.... well, see for yourself.

run-off joining the main flow

May I remind everyone that we normally have no water in our creek bed -- it was dammed up years and years ago and has been dry pretty much ever since. Well, not so much right now.

the creek bed is about three to four feet across dry. this is more like twelve.

Stunned at what I saw out my window, I did the natural thing: grabbed my wellies {okay, so they're actually just high-water snowboots, but that doesn't sound interesting.} and the camera and set off to explore these uncharted waters, Hammie at my side.

It has completely overflowed and gone round the dam and has continued to carve a path back to its old route -- right across the flat pasture!

look at the way it carved out this bank. there's always been a sort of bowl, but now its a fall!

Ham and I followed the flow to the edge of our land where it meets the larger Hay Creek, which is on full churn too. All the while we were being followed ourselves by this little bugger:

This chickadee would peep and chirp at us; flitting from tree to tree and generally making a nuisance of himself, for he wouldn't hold still enough for a photo. This is the best I ever got of him.

A Bald Eagle also flew over our heads. I think she must be planning a nest or something because I've seen her around more than once. Usually Bald Eagles just pass through occasionally since they usually live near streams and lakes and such for the fish. And we've got no fish. So I wonder what she is planning...

big birds, aren't they?

froth. froth-froth. frothfrothfroth. i think i found a new found a new favorite word...

I nearly fell in taking this photo. Haha. The froth was pretty cool though, and there was a lot of it.

Coming back I noticed a lot of dog tracks heading towards home. I thought that was very odd since our dogs don't go out that far without us. And they had to be new to have survived the warm weather so well... Then it hit upside the head. Well, duh! What have you been listening to every night but coyote cries! That made me feel stupid since it took me a good while to figure it out. But there it is.

bubbles!

I love adventuring. :)

-Gwyn

The frazzled quill

2011-02-27T15:25:00.000-08:00

Title definition: 'Frazzled' is the perfect word I would use to describe my quill... if I wrote with one. Haggard. Smunched. Frayed. You get the idea.

I have discovered I can get no farther in TLOS until I have *gathp* organized my materials. Now, I have been writing this story on and off for three? four years? without any sort of, um, system. I've pretty much jotted down what ever came into my head in the various notebooks that litter my room to this day, save for one master notebook that follows the story as it will be told... someday. In the past I have indeed taken a few steps toward an orderly writing desk; collecting all my photo references, scribbled lines, notes, and mostly empty notebooks into one vast binder. Well, this binder now weighs eight stinkin' pounds. In other words, if I chucked this thing at your car, it would leave a vaguely book-shaped dent.

This still does not fix my organizing problem by a long shot. Because a) I hardly ever get this tome of information out, and b) when I do I have struggle for several minutes afterward just to get the zipper to close. Sitting on it is usually required.

So, in order to have a 'pleasant' access to all my reference materials, the past few days have be largely used to convert written snippets to computer pages and files.
I'll warn you now: If any of you have a story you are writing by hand -- get copies on to your computer's desktop now. Don't wait until you have Mount Etna in the corner of your room!

because i can't stand a post without pictures :)

I am kinda-sorta about half way done, but golly has it been a journey! I'm finding bits and pieces that I would believe I'd written if it weren't for seeing the handwriting as my own.

Also, in organizing, I have forced myself to face a monster that has been plaguing me forever: The Plot. Of course I've always had an idea where my story was going... sort of. But I kept changing it and adjusting it, and even now it keeps growing extra limbs. Which is why I can go no farther until I get this figured out. So I'm in the process also of writing a detailed online of the entire first book {TLOS will eventually be a series}. I've got three pages down already with maybe three more to go.
I'm excited because thing are really staring to shape up too! I've already cut out a lot of *sigh* unnecessary stuff, mainly the first three chapters *gasp-shrivel-die*, because Cilla being 'adopted' by nobles for unknown cause? Pfft. Out the window. I decided that aside from being extremely improbable {I could make it work if I tried, I suppose...} it's pretty much just 'fluff'; interesting twist and all, but really not relevant to the rest of the book.
Besides, now I get to delve into Cilla's gypsy side. *claps hands* Very excited about that. Though, I do need some reference... Has anybody read a great gypsy/thief-ish book recently? Otherwise I'll just have to wing it for the first daft.
Ha. Winging it: Story of my life.

-Gwyn

"Ah, for pen and parchment...

2011-02-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

... with which to write."

Can you say, 'writing frenzy'? That's what I've been having! And I'm very excited about it :)
My novel, which has been inert for a month or so, has suddenly exploded in my face -- in a good way. Ideas, details, and character growths are sprouting out of everything like -- like --weeds! And I mean everything; the movies I watch, the books I read, the paintings I see, the walks I take... Heck, even when I'm doing the grotty jobs I have inspirations {mostly about possible slave/forced labor in a character's future...}.
Sadly, this brainstorm has not overlapped into the Blogger world.

"Spring is in the air, and I am a flower with nothing interesting to say." - A Bug's Life

I feel completely null when I log on in the evenings.*sigh* Even for Cleití. So much so that I'm thinking about pulling out of this next round of role playing. Half of me cringes at the thought, but the other relaxes and says please.

Ergh. I'm in a fix.

But I have very much fallen head-over-heels into my book again. Tovah has blossomed! I'm so cruel to him though, it's criminal. I just blamed him for the death of three people. Poor chap. *Bwhaha--ahem*
Cilla, too, is growing. I've decided to make her much more the instigator and troublemaker {if that is possible}, but some how I'm going to have to ground her so that when hard times hit {and they'll hit hard, I can guarantee you} it won't seem out of character for her to be a complete emotional wreck. Things will get really tough before I write The End. I'm almost surprised at myself. As my little brother put it:

"Everybody dies in your book. And I've only read the first chapter! Who's left??"

"I hope I never get read into your book {like in Inkheart}. I'd probably die."

Who knew I could be so morbid?

-Gwyn

Stressed!

2011-02-10T18:57:00.000-08:00

I apologize for neglecting my blog.

And my photography.

And my TLOS writing.

But I am horribly swamped at the moment trying to get things rolling for a new role play at my writing blog, Cleití, and straightening out a few hiccups it's been having while trying to hook all the new writers up. Phew.
I'm also too busy in real life with a music gig this weekend {opening for a concert, no less! ;)}, a surprise birthday party - maybe, and.... algebra. Uuuuuugh! Why? Why the xs and the ys and the x/y fractions and find this and solve for that?? What manner of things did I do when I was small?
I guess this is just a ~~rant~~ post to tell you why Celtic Cowgirl has been silent for so long. Besides those brief videos and such. So I apologize and say to you that I will return eventually with something of interest! But for now, slán a fhágáil!

-Gwyn

p.s. Ellyn I will answer your H.L. question - I haven't forgotten! I've just saved it on my dashboard as a reminder :)

Stunning violin {and viola} performance

2011-02-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Holy mackerels....

I hope I learn to be at least half as good as they!

-Gwyn

Much left unsaid will be said

2011-02-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted anything worthwhile for a long time have I? {And I call myself a writer!} Well, I'm sorry and I hope this post will make up for the long absence of my usual brilliance {insert sarcasm here}.

Life has recently decided to put me through the wringer at a great pace, chucking at me pain/illness, un-creativeness, mood swings, and a nasty cold storm {-20* with a windchill of -45* @ 35mph} to boot. Today at last I got the chance to get away from all that unpleasantness because the Stock Show and Rodeo is in town!
Well, not my little town -- but it's close enough. 'Close' is a relative term around here.

I always get excited and over active at such events. I blame the smell of fresh donuts and sugared nuts, sawdust, and tooled leather. Or maybe it's the 'you're a cowboy I'm a cowboy, that makes us friends' atmosphere. Or the vendor stalls that sell everything from saddles to handmade soaps, bronze sculptures and paintings to shining new horse trailers and Dodge pickups.
The animals help too. We got there during a bull show and walked the aisles of cattle all being prepped and primed for their big chance in the show ring. One particular bull had a thick winter coat that was being fluffed and combed until he looked like a poodle.
I still hold firmly to the belief though, that a cow is still a cow no matter how much you scrub it.

As with every year, the Stock Show has a 'petting zoo' for the little kids. Piglets, chicks, a nanny goat and her kids, border collie pups, a llama, an alpaca, and a burro with a sign "Caution: I bite". Poor beasts. Ten days of being gawked at by hundreds of screaming children and their parents with flash cameras.
I asked the alpaca how he was doing and he just looked at me as if to say, "Seriously?". So I nodded and left. I'm not going to pester the living daylights our of those poor creatures.

I was disappointed to learn that we missed the stallion show. Last year there was a really beautiful boy; a blanket blue roan with a little sliver star on his forehead. He looked really sweet, not all big and intimidating like most of the others. He had big brown eyes and a soft face. sigh.

After we'd toured every leather-working shop and artist's booth, and munched a few hot donuts, we had to leave. I was hoping we'd get to go to the rodeo tonight but we have time constraints this year so we probably won't see any this time. Rats.

I have not been completely idle since my last post, I suppose. But I got pretty dang close, to my own grief. I knocked up a few necklaces to add to my little shoppe - of which will be in for a little change in the near future.

I really liked this locket but have struggled forever with what to pair it with. I finely settled on just a simple silver chain and a bit of ribbon {which is having technical difficulties at the mo.}

I also really love this 'pearl' one strand. It's simple and sweet - my kind of trade mark in fashion :) - yet it is surprisingly elegant. I wore it once to a church function paired with my creme pea-coat, skirt and flats, and it looked quite smart.

It was one of those days when I felt like something different besides the regular boots-and-jeans.

This one is incredibly basic but I think has a certain thing-ness about it. In the photo you can see a tiny bit of my afore mentioned coat. Not that I like it or anything. ;)

I came across a set of these pendants a few weeks ago and love them! The only problem is deciding on a design that will do them justice.

The photo renders the beads bluer then they are; their actually more lime colored.

Alas! Time has flown like the bird through the windows and I must leave you to go feed my freezing ponies before it is pitch black out. I hope this post made up for what ever lacked in the last!

-Gwyn

HTML... win!

2011-01-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, peeps, I said win! As in, I did it! I succeeded for the first time in pioneering the html frontier! The evidence is before your eyes -- no double sidebar!

I've been mentally griping about my left sidebar for months now. I only got the double sidebar template for the post space anyway. I've tried numerous times to fix it or find a tutorial but my fruits were always searchless.

{Of course, all of this has come at a cost. No weather update for instance. Ah, well. If anything weird happens weather-wise I'll be sure to mention it in a post at least. ;) }

So today -- today -- I finely bit the bullet and hit 'Edit HTML' to delete and demolish, trying not to think of how bad the outcome might be. I clicked Save and saw what you now behold.
I was shocked, stunned at how... simple it was.

Oh, you code-savvy designers and whatnot may laugh, but for me, today is a day of triumph!

-Gwyn

p.s. On another note, inspired by Ara's character post, I think I may have a post of my own coming along...

Not just Enya anymore...

2011-01-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

I've updated my music player with a few of my favorite songs from The Kingdom of Heaven, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, a mix of Celtic harp music, and my dearest violin piece, Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar.

{EDIT: I've also added a song from a historical videogame{Assassin's Creed II}, Ezio's Family by Jesper Kyd.
Note that I do not necessarily condone or agree with events that the game may contain. In other words: I like the song as a brilliant piece of composition, but do not offer any opinion on the game's quality on any front. }

But don't worry, Enya isn't being replaced :)

Enjoy!

-Gwyn

Ask away

2011-01-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

This is it. The time and post where you can ask me any question!

{As long, of course, as it's deemed fit}

This little forum will be open to questions till Feb. 5th.

I will write my answers {as well as your questions} as they come on this post, so check back for updates!

-Gwyn

p.s. I have a question for you first: A lot of you have written that you would like to see more Horse Logic posts from me. But I'm not sure what next to write one on. So do you have an idea or need information on something in particular? Please comment.

Answers

Madi B. asks: How did you get your mouse to turn into a galloping horse? How did you tweak those pics?
1. I got my cursor at TotallyFreeCursors.com.
2. I edit my photos generally with Picnik Premium. I love it because it's cheap, and if you know how to use it, you can make a lot of the same looks Photoshop has through layering and etc.

Lady Amy asks: Gwyn, you mentioned that you've been copied, have you tried "copyscape"? I've seen several of my writer friends blogs that say they are protected by Copyscape. Just an idea, since I would love to be able to read some of your book. My other question would be, I'm always trying to find out more about Celtic music (especially violin), history etc...any suggestions?
1. Yes, I have tried Copyscape, dear Amy, but I think all it actually is is a button to make you feel safe. Along with stealing my post, the person actually stole my Copyscape button and what I had written under it as a warning! I had no warning or notifications from Copyscape that my things had been stolen, either. So I guess I'll just go with the 'better safe than sorry' saying. Thank you so much for your suggestion, though!
2. Hmm... do you want Celtic music or Celtic history? Or both? ^_^
For fiddle music, I love Bonnie Rideout's books. She has several and does a wonderful job at arranging.
For history, I don't really have any one source.... I just pick up bit and pieces all over, if you know what I mean :) Again, Bonnie Rideout writes brief histories of each song she arranges at the back of her books. Some of them are very interesting indeed!

Margaret Rowena asks: Dear Gwyn: 1. How long have you played the violin? 2. How long have you been working on your novel? 3. What do you think about Wikileaks? (that's my random one. :)) 4. What kind of camera do you use?
1. I have been playing violin for ten and a half years -- eleven this June, to be exact.
2. Hm. My story started out as a parallel character {Cilla} to a book that I really loved at the time. But I think when I actually realized I had the makings of my own novel and began writing it down was about three years ago.
3. Oo a political query, eh? While I don't condone everything the government and military did as revealed by Wikileaks, I do believe it important that some of the government and military's actions and files remain secret. Not because of anything to hide therein, but because the media is a bad place to have all your tactics; pasted all over the world, as it were.
4. As of now I use my Da's Canon Powershot. The best point-and-shoot you can buy right now. But I still want a camera of my own :) preferably a Canon DSLR :)

Elain D. asks: What's your favorite fairy tale?
Oh, narrowing it down to one is hard! But I think it must be The Twelve Dancing Princesses, an old German tale. Mostly because of the beautiful illustrations that have been done. Like this one:

Ellyn asks: I would ask you to put up a photo of yourself but I don't think that would be deemed fit :D :D Hm, Ok... 1. Have you ever broken a bone? 2. If you could instantly transport yourself to any book world, which book would you choose? 3. How tall are you? 4. What is your favorite winter outdoor activity/sport? 5. Do you approve of guys wearing pink? (random) ;)

A: Well, I wish I have a real picture of me for my profile at least, but you know, people can just come along and take a picture and use it for anything from artwork to advertisements anymore, the rats. So instead, I'll let you in on a 'secret': I said that I used a picture reference when drawing Cilla. Well, that photo was of meself :) With a few adjustments to make it Cilla -- and not a self portrait. Anyway, moving on...

1. I have been lucky enough never to have broken any bones, though I have come very close more times than I'd like to remember. But to recount two instances, I've been trampled by Shyanne; and bucked off amid a hill of boulders and stones, nary hitting a one!

2. Hmm... a book world... I take it this excludes my own? Well, then... Middle Earth{LotR} or Annar{the books of Pellinor} I suppose :) Someplace with lots of history like those two places.

3. I'm 5 foot four and three-quarter inches

4. Winter activity? Hm. Well, I don't care for skiing or snowboarding much. I like best to cliff jump{into drifts} and have epic snowball fights :)

5. Do I approve of men wearing pink? You're right, that is a bit random. Um, I'd say if it were for a cause like cancer or something, but otherwise I tend to give them a weird look and maybe a snicker or two :D

Ashley asks: Will we ever be able to read any of your writings on the World Wide Web? And: Before you started out with the art/drawing book, did you have ANY talent for drawing?

I'm afraid that the most you'll get to see of my major writes on the Web will be small excerpts. I'm very cautious about even putting up excerpts, come to that. Usually it's only first drafts and ideas. I've been bit by a copyright infringer only just recently to stole a whole post {they didn't even change the wording}, so that makes me all the more protective.

I wish I could share! I really do! Someday I'll be finished and have copies made and I'll be sure that my bloggie friends are the first to know about it!

2. Golly, I don't want to sound like a snob... but yes, I guess you could say I have some talent. Art runs very much in my family, you see. My Grandmum {r.i.p. <3} was a brilliant oil painter, my Da is a professional sculptor {you can view his Webpage here}, and us kids, well, we all dabble in paints, pencils, clay, etc. But my older brother and I are the two that really 'study' any particular form.

That magic drawing book...

2011-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

In response to some of your queries, here is the book I used to create Cilla.

{Click here to see on Amazon}

It's a fantastic book, however, it is an advanced overview of techniques, textures, and etc. If you haven't quite mastered the fundamentals, I would suggest buying one for their more in depth and specific books first; like this one for faces, etc...

To Anora,
I got my cursor at TotallyFreeCursors.com. I tried leaving a comment on your blog, but sadly my computer doesn't like embedded comment boards :/ Anyway, there you have it!

Also, I'm thinking of having a Q&A post where you can ask me what ever questions you may have. Would you like me to?

Slán a fhágáil!

-Gwyn

Giveaway winner announced!

2011-01-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

Like I said before, I wish I could give all of you who entered a necklace! Thank you all so much for making my little blog's fist giveaway such a success! You gals are some cool beans ;)

And now for the winner of the necklace

made by yours truly....

....

.....

ajfcello!

Congratulations! Please email me with your shipping address at gwyniver{at}gmail{dot}com and I'll get it off to so as soon as poss.!

Ooh, I'm going to have to do this again! Maybe next time I'll make it a party :)

But now to get that necklace wrapped... :)

-Gwyn

Oh, I'm happy alright

2011-01-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

Dear readers, What you are about to see is my newest,

greatest,

bestest,

favoritest,

most- Cilla -like drawing I have ever done!!

Wacha think?

Okay, even though I practically went around my house screaming "Its perfect! It's perfect!" I can see its not. Quite. ^_^ For instance, I had planned to give her much more of a smirk, a kind of mischievous smile, you might even say. But for reasons unknown to me, the smirk-angle just would not come out. Being the chicken that I am, I was too afraid of messing it up to try and fix it.

Her left eye I just noticed. Hm. How did it get so dark? It must've been my photo editor {I had to increase the contrast so you could actually see the whole picture - though, at the tragic loss of most of my painstaking shading.}. Oh, and yes, I did use a picture reference. My imagination has difficulty translating to paper in any form.

For so long I have been uninspired to draw anything - anything at all - that I thought I had perhaps grown out of my drawing vein and branched into different forms of art; namely, the written word. I did not want this to happen, but the more I scribbled it seemed the more I failed. Eventually I shut my sketch book for a month, a big blob of sadness and frustration forming in me when ever I looked at the thing.

For Christmas my older brother {also an avid artist. Yes, it does run in the family} received a first-rate drawing book on how to draw faces and make them look realistic. The teacher/author at fist glance through the book seems vague in his instructions and trade secrets, but when you are working with it as I was today, it is just the right amount of info at the right time. It gave me enough know-how to get me through the stickier places {except for the nose. I could have used a lot more help there} but plenty of space to bushwhack on my own. I had a great time doing it too. Such a great time in fact, that I was surprised to look at my clock and see the glowing numbers 3:48pm, having started at about 1:15 or so.

I am so glad this drawing worked out for me! for many reasons:

One: I know I can still draw

Two: I know I can still learn

Three: I finely have a picture of Cilla!!

For some of my newer readers who may not be acquainted with my main story heroin, simply click the link on my sidebar Posts on The Legend of Skyrian. She's in there.

Well, tis supper time here so I must go. But please, constructive criticism is always welcome!

Namárië!

-Gwyn

Giveaway ends tonight!

2011-01-17T11:23:00.001-08:00

You heard me right! My very first giveaway is coming to a close. But how great it is to have so many entries! I wish I could send you all the necklace :) Sadly the pendant is a one-of-a-kind I came across years ago.

If you still need to enter, the giveaway is open until midnight tonight {Mt. time}.

I will announce the winner tomorrow through random number draw! Good luck!

-Gwyn

Chicken Evaluation 2011

2011-01-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

My mind recently has been focussed on renovations for the Spring. I have made countless plans now, for the garden, landscaping that needs done, building raised beds for a kitchen garden, working with the horses, and so many other projects.

I really, really want to start getting the farm farming again. The past two years everything has happened to us. Growing veg and tilling earth has rather gotten knocked to the side.

The first garden catalog also came in the mail this week, and when we went to buy chicken feed yesterday, the manager said they're taking orders for chicks starting next Monday which got me thinking about our own hens....

We've had this flock, I'd guess you'd call them, for about a year and eight months. Five Buff Orpingtons; four Plymouth Rocks, barred; and three Araucanas. We started out with 14, all hens, but two died - both Araucanas incidentally - leaving us with only twelve.

The best egg producers have by far been the Barred Rocks, in both consistency and amounts given. They average about fourteen{in winter} to seventeen{in summer} eggs a week. For only four of them that's not bad! Even if they are mean.

Contrary to popular belief, a chicken ~~does~~ cannot lay five eggs in a sitting. It takes around 25 hours for a hen to produce one egg.

On the other side of the spectrum are the Araucanas. They lay around six a week, and that is not too bad for three in midwinter, but they definitely do not pay for themselves. They are also really wild creatures and nearly impossible to capture if one should escape. And if you do grab one, they're nasty kickers!

The Buffies on the other hand, are sweet little yellow hens. Therefore, they are my favorite. They do fairly well with about the same amount of eggs that the Barred Rocks give, but there are five Buffies.

This June will be their second 'birthdays' so we are going to order future replacements soon. I'm going together with Mum this year so I'll get to pick out a few of my own. I know I want something different, not your plain ol' Leghorns or Rhode Island Reds. One like this little cutie--

A Faverolles Salmon Hen. There is a sweeeet looking one in Mum's calendar, but it's not on the the Web. But take my word for it, its pretty darn cute.

Or maybe something cray-zay! Like this Polish White Crested Khaki. {Yes, there is a face in there :)}

Something interesting is what I'm going for. But Mum also wants good producers. So I ask you this, fellow chicken farmers, do you have any idea for me? Crazy birds you've known? Anything?

-Gwyn

p.s. Oh, and another thing: The weather here has been crazy! Yesterday I woke up to -22* and today it was in the thirties before the sun was even up! Only here...

Words of encouragement

2011-01-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes all you need

to get you through the day

is a quote that seems

as if it

was written

for you.