June 22, 2021

Every Day Is Earth Day

"Every Day Is Earth Day"

Just ask my husband and he'll tell you that I'm a devoted recycler! Yes, I've been known to go through our trash and pick out plastic wrap and cardboard that could be sent to the recycling center... and I have no shame about that! Walking our dogs every day, I'm liable to pick up bottles and cans to deposit in the nearest recycling cart. My thinking is always, "If I don't pick this up, then who will?" Just trying to keep our neighborhood beautiful one dog walk at a time!

Not only that, but I'm an unapologetic scavenger and enthusiastic repurposer! "Are you throwing that out?... Hmmmm! How could I reuse that in some creative way?" My brain just seems to be "wired" to see the possibilities in discarded items. Our home is decorated with lots of random finds and hand-me-downs... and I really love the uniqueness and whimsy they add to our environment!

This week is the Bulky Item Pick Up in our neighborhood... the once-a-year chance our city gives us to clear out our attics and basements of "junk" and have the city take it all to the dump. My next door neighbors have used this opportunity to clear out a HUGE amount of unwanted "stuff" left in their home by the previous owner. So we've had a front row view to the ever-growing pile of "stuff" they've brought out to the curb this week.

They say "One man's trash is another man's treasure"... and we've been witness to that this week as many folks have come by to pick through the mountain of random things and happily cart them away for who-knows-what-purpose.

As I watched out our front windows, I spied two older black rocking chairs someone put out at the curb... and I literally SPRINTED across the street to nab them for my front porch. My husband and I hosed them down and dried them off... and now they're looking soooo cute on "This Old House's" large front porch. I'm happy to say I now have a rainy day place to sit outside and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with a friend!

Are YOU an avid recycler like me???... Please tell me I'm not the only one out there!!


** The painting "Every Day Is Earth Day" was created by me. You can find other whimsical & quirky paintings like this one in my Etsy shop, PholkartStudio!


June 17, 2021

Lake Life

 "Lake Life"

A few weeks ago, my husband and I packed up the car and headed to a long-awaited family time (post pandemic) at Lake Santeetlah in Western North Carolina. My son and his wife had recently purchased a lake home there, and we were so excited about seeing it for the first time!

To be honest, I had never heard of Lake Santeetlah before... and I've lived in North Carolina for nearly 35 years now! So I had no idea what to expect! To my delight, we discovered a GORGEOUS, very quiet and peaceful mountain lake with a little marina and a small public beach. Even though the new lake house is on the side of a big hill, there are flat roads that wind around the peninsula that even I, with my wonky knees, can easily enjoy walking on. And the views!... They are spectacular at every turn in the road!

As a mostly-city-gal, being out in nature at the lake was a breath of fresh air (literally!). The sky was a bright Carolina Blue... The water sparkled, reflecting the summer sunshine... The tall trees whispered in the breeze. It was just soooo peaceful and inspiring!

I'm grateful for opportunities like this to get away from my "normal life" and travel not-so-far from home to a beautiful place of quiet and rest, surrounded by Mother Nature. My soul felt refreshed from our time away... and I look forward to returning again and again to this new "Happy Place!"


** The painting "Lake Life" was created by me. You can find other whimsical & quirky paintings like this one in my Etsy shop, PholkartStudio!