Memories of an outdoor cat

Posted on September 13, 2018October 20, 2021 by Van Waffle

I don’t often see cats on my rounds. This one reminded me of the feral kitten my family adopted when I was 3. Grey Shadow remained an outdoor cat by choice, and an inveterate predator.

The beauty of a spider web: overcoming prejudice

Posted on September 11, 2018March 30, 2022 by Van Waffle

This macro image of a spider web holds a lesson about beauty and prejudice.

Canada wood-nettle seed heads, Laportea canadensis

Mystery solved for a nettle look-alike

Posted on September 6, 2018June 1, 2022 by Van Waffle

A woodland plant resembling stinging nettle had me stumped for several years: Canada wood-nettle. Like stinging nettle, it’s reportedly good foraging.

Collecting raindrops

Posted on August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 by Van Waffle

Today I stood outside collecting rainwater in a dish. It was an exercise in patience with oneself.

Why cicadas are important to me

Posted on August 7, 2018March 30, 2022 by Van Waffle

Cicadas hold particular meaning for me. We hear them a lot more often than we see them, so I took the unusual opportunity…

Review: A classic in creative career design

Posted on July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 by Van Waffle

Creating a Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd (1997) is a classic in the self-help genre for artists, providing a pattern for career design.

Floral celebration

Posted on July 10, 2018July 10, 2018 by Van Waffle

My garden this year has shifted focus from vegetables to flowers. This morning’s offering include a new lover, the California poppy, and an old boyfriend, ‘Abraham Darby’ rose.