Photos of the Cape

(Sandy Neck Lighthouse, Sandwich)~Just a mix of a few recently taken photo's (recent in the past month). Summer has been very rainy and unseasonably cool here on the Cape, in fact, it just started feeling like summer by mid July. It's now finally hot and humid out. Hey, I'm not complaining, I was liking the cooler temps.

(Corporation Beach, Dennis) Today was one of those - it's too hot to do anything- days. Good beach day!

(Pamet Harbor, Truro) Sienna, checking out the boats on a beautiful day a few weeks ago. I always like to stop here when I go to Ptown. Pamet Harbor is so nice.

(Follins Pond, Dennis)
This one was taken from my kayak. See the nose of it?
Well, I just wanted to share a little of Cape Cod with you all. I'll post more later.

Oh, I finished 'The Divine Matrix' by Greg Braden. It was a really good book and I learned a lot! I may have to read it again.

Niagra Falls

Guess where I went? Yep! Niagra Falls. We took a 'mini' vacation- meaning 1 day to drive up, 1 day to see the falls, and 1 day to drive home. I'm really glad to have been able to go because it was one place I've never seen and always wanted to. Here are a few pics: this top one is Horseshoe Falls, on the Canada side. We stayed in a hotel near there.

We went on this 'Maid of the Mist' boat and rode right into the area near the base of the 2 falls. It looked like a boat full of Ompaloompas because everyone was in their berry-blue rain coats!

We got in the very front of the boat, bottom deck, nice and close to the swirling water and where you get the wettest. I just wanted to feeeeeel the whole experience. (and boy did I get wet!)
At the base of the Horseshoe Falls, as close as it could get, the boat lingered for about 5 minutes and all you could hear was the roar of the falls and you could barely see through the mist coming up from it. I'm glad I had sunglasses on because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see that much! I think the boat ride was the best experience and I'm so glad to have taken it. I really felt 'connected' to nature and all it's tremendous energy while I was right there in it. It makes one feel so small and insignificant next to it. It was a totally different experience than just being up top and viewing the falls from there- even though that was awe inspiring too.

I took this one from the boat as we just passed the American side falls.

This was the view of the American Falls from Ontario where we were. Hey, now I can say I've been to Canada! I think they said it was crumbling about 6' per year. Wow.

This was an old electric plant above the H.S. falls. There was one below them too but I don't think either were operational anymore. We ended up taking a drive along the river (highly recommended if you ever go there!) and passed by a spot where you could take a ride over the swirling waters (not near the falls).Not my thing..There were also helicopter rides and jet boat rides. As we drove along the pristine National Park land there were vineyards and wineries on the other side of the street. Who knew Ontario did wine? And PEACH trees! They were both unexpected for me. There was a bike trail all along the river which I would have loved to gone on, and it went all the way to a beautiful little town right on Lake Ontario.

.I've always wanted to see at least ONE of the Great Lakes at some point in my life, and there it was. Just as big as the ocean. Unfortunately it smelled kind of yucky like dead fish and didn't look all that inviting. I didn't see any beaches for swimming so I wonder if you even can. The waves were high and they came right up to the rock lined shore. This was the view across the mouth of the river. That sailboat was just coming in from a day on the lake. I wonder how the border patrol can keep people from sailing across the lake to the other country? So many questions, so little time to look them up.
Feel free to enlighten me if you are from the area.
Horseshoe Falls again. There was a really nice walkway up and down the river. We must have put several miles on our sneakers. My legs ached so bad one night just from the excess walking. (and I walk 2 miles a day on a regular basis!) But it was all worth it. Oh and at night, they lit up both of the falls with colored lights! It was pretty cool looking. They even had fireworks over the water on Wed. night. That was great.

I took this picture from the Ontario side looking over towards N.Y. It seemed almost weird to me because I've hand colored so many antique prints of Niagra Falls before I had ever been there, and this is like one of the scenes . It all seemed so familiar.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my vacation pictures. Maybe I'll be painting the falls sometime soon.

:)

West Dennis Yacht Club Silent Auction

The West Dennis Yacht Club PMC Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction is coming up soon (Thursday maybe?). I'm not sure because I never actually go to the events, I just donate items to help raise money. This year I donated these two little framed paintings of the kids taking sailing lessons on the back side of West Dennis Beach. Last year they raised $8,000.00 to help fight cancer! (that's a LOT of pancakes! lol)

So if you are in the area and would like to help support a good cause, check out the WDYC website for more information on the date and time.

Woodpeckers

Look what I saw on my lawn yesterday! Not one, but 2 woodpeckers- a male and a female I believe. They are pretty large birds compared to the usual Sparrows and Chickadees we usually get around here. This was the female. She was just hanging out with her mate (they were definitely together)- poking the lawn with their long beaks looking for worms. It looks as if she got one in this pic.

This was the male. He had a red spot on the back of his head and was the 'prettier' one of the two. They were on the lawn for a good long time before they spotted me taking photo's of them. Usually they are pecking on my shingles on the house, so I was glad to see them finding lots of worms in the lawn.

Cape Cod Mermaids

It's the time of year when I think about mermaids. I love painting them and usually render them as little girls. I just think they are more playful.

Each one has it's own unique personality and flair.

They may even look like someone you know!

Or, that inner child in all of us.


Some may 'crack' you up a little.

But they are definitely Cape Cod Mermaids.

And there's always a party animal in the bunch! Look for them soon....

Ebay Auctions Sacrifice Art Sale

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist
Keep an eye on my Ebay auctions- I'm in the mood to clean out and make room for the new, so I have actually listed some 8x10's for as little as $24! I'm calling it my Ebay auction Sacrifice art sale. Yep, when I clean out, I clean out, don't miss out. (Hey that rhymed!) Follow the above link to my Ebay store to see everything.

There is a show coming up on Tuesday at the Cape Cod Art Association that I will enter this painting in. it's a gallery wrapped canvas, 12"x16", and the subject is Bass River. I'm not totally sure if it's finished yet....who knows until the last minute. (no, I changed it, and forgot to re-photo it before I put it in the show.)

Well, today is Monday and I had a wonderful weekend. I went on a long walk through the woods yesterday and actually got a little lost which was fun. I love it when I am exploring new ground! I found a neat little pond with water lilies and bull frogs croaking. I didn't bring my camera because when we left it was cloudy, but then the sun came out and boy did it get hot! Today it's beautiful out here on the Cape but I have a ton of work to do AND my mom and sis want to have tea this morning. We are trying to make it a ritual each week so we can keep in touch and share our lives. Sometimes we all get so busy that we forget to regroup and get back to what is really important (family). So I am going to wake my kids up now and head out. Have a wonderful day!

On Ebay now; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200361409249&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT


It's a beautiful Saturday. I'm just on my way out to pick up a book I 'ordered' at the library (the Divine Matrix) and go across town to the mail. I have to get out there before the summer traffic but I think I'm already too late. I like to get all my errands done early, then get home to work, then go out again around dinner time when the traffic dies down because people are eating dinner. When you live here you kind of have to plan that way or you'll get really frustrated with the lovely tourists.

Ok, so I better go.....maybe I'll do something fun this evening so I can take photo's, but for now...

Hyannis Ma.

Had to go to the dentist in Hyannis this morning, and although I didn't take this photo today - this is Hyannis harbor from the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Pretty roses there. It was last week when I had to go to Hyannis (which is the 'big city' of Cape Cod) for another appointment that I took this photo. I was on my motorcycle and it was sunny overhead but in the distance were some really dark looming clouds. Sure enough, it did rain but I had made it home safely before it down poured. :)

I'm waiting for a large order of antique prints to come in for coloring but in the meantime I've been doing some really neat designs. I would love to do tee shirt designs some day- maybe ones with an enlightened theme but look a little gnarly like tattoo designs. They are so fun to do, and a nice change of pace from the usual landscape/seascape painting. I have soooo many ideas and things I could produce. I just need someone to sell them for me!
Some women need a man, I need a sales-man. (ok, enough of my strange sense of humor). Have a nice day!

I had lunch at my mom's house yesterday with my sis and our kids. It was a late 4th of July party -kind of. They (my mom and sister) talked me into cutting my hair even shorter (as if it wasn't short enough!).

My cousin's two kids were there too. Sienna is a really good baby sitter. They occupied themselves in a kiddy pool and with bubbles. Sienna loved the bubbles. You're never too old for bubbles!!

While we 'adults' (Brielle IS now 18) had some serious girl talk going on. Grethe is now 7 months pregnant. It's getting close!

So here it is. I think it's the shortest I've ever had it, but I'm really just trying to let the gray grow in, so it's the fastest way to do it - or should I say, the least ugliest way. It won't be long now.... I'm still a little nervous about being totally gray. I imagine I'm going to look 10 years older. How come men always look good when they go gray?
It's not easy being a woman (sometimes).

Beautiful Sunny Day Kayaking

What a gorgeous weekend it was. Yesterday I went for a long walk on this beach (Cold Storage beach in E. Dennis) and it felt so good to be in the sun and smell the fresh salty air. It was low tide and the flats just go on and on.

This afternoon was just as nice. Sienna and I took the Kayaks down to Follins Pond. When we got there we noticed there were people making a (real) movie! The woman said it was an independent film called "Changing Times" or something to that effect, about a man who goes off to Vietnam. He and a woman were sitting in a row boat right at the edge of the water as they were being filmed.

Here's my baby paddling along..she almost thought she couldn't make it back, but we both did. It was a good thing because I forgot to bring some rope for a tow (not that MY arms were doing any better!). It was our first time out in the kayaks this year. I'm having a hard time typing right now with my sore arms. I hope they feel better for painting tomorrow!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone. I hope you are enjoying the day. I just got back from picking up Beth (I do respite for her) at summer camp in Connecticut. She's the one in the middle, in the denim skirt, surrounded by her camp counselors. I was amazed at how efficiently this camp was run since every camper was 'special needs.' It was so organized that it seemed like there were 5 counselors to every camper. Anyway, she had a great time and brought home photo's, crafts, awards and stories to tell. Her mom also got a much needed rest for 2 solid weeks!

My girls are in Provincetown tonight to see the fireworks (again). The town will be packed with people- just the way the kids like it. I, on the other hand am going to relax and take the night off- no more crowds, no more traffic, just peace and quiet. Maybe I'll go for a nice walk on the beach after dinner and watch the sunset.
:)

Sesuit Harbor East Dennis

The sun actually came out for a while today! The girls and I headed to the beach, even though it was late afternoon- just to get in the summer mode. The weather has been so lousy it hasn't even felt like summer yet. Anyway, it was nice sitting there with the crowds of tourists for about an hour then we headed back home. The roads on the Cape were mobbed today. Good thing I know all the back roads!
:)
Tomorrow it's off to Connecticut to pick up Beth from her summer camp. I wonder how she's doing. I'll bet she won't want to leave. She loves to be busy and around people. (I know because she lived with me for a year). All the participants of this camp are in her same special needs group so it was probably great. We'll see tomorrow.....

Creative Arts Center -Sacrifice Art Sale

Finally! I managed to get a couple of small paintings finished and put on Ebay. http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist
It's been raining for so long now- almost every day for about a month, that I have started getting depressed and not even wanting to paint. Ho hum. It's almost like the clouds are suppressing my creativity and joy. Go away clouds!
Here's a pic I took at Corporation Beach in Dennis. I just wanted you to see how camouflaged the baby seagulls are. You can barely see 2 of them in the sand. You can see the adults (the white and gray ones) much easier. Pretty neat.

Tonight there are supposed to be fire works in East Dennis but with this weather..I don't know about that. I wonder how the big July 4th weekend will turn out for all the tourist that come down.

Oh one more thing: The Sacrifice Art Sale at the Creative Arts Center in Chatham is tomorrow from 9am-12pm. It's a quick sale where you can get loads of art/pottery/ supplies etc.. for a steal. Some of my work will be there. I like cleaning out and making way for the new.