The Elemental Blog

Snow Berry - Corpse Berry

The rain today has made the world muted with greys, greens and dusky purples. The last of the Snowberries glow from delicate branching twigs.
Called the Corpse Berry by some families of the First Nations, one can see why in this dim light, for the beries stand out in an eerie manner in the dim undergrowth. One can make up a fairy-tale with this plant to be sure. Of course I had to make my drawing far more dramatic than it is.

The berries are edible but bitter and considered toxic in large quanitites (I'm just repeating what I read in a parroting Internet fashion. If you actually check around, the Canadian plant toxicology site only mentions one reference from 1979 that one child vomited... So to what degree of toxicity the berries hold, it is not clearly stated.) Anyway, the whole shrub was used as one would use a medicine cabinet in our modern day. From its berries, leaves, and roots (depending on which part of the plant for the complaint) sore eyes could be soothed, cuts and sores treated, fevers abated, hair washed, armpits deoderized, and itchy skin cleaned.  

And let's not omit the laxative effect.

I shall keep my eye on the cluster at the bottom of my garden to not only enjoy the blooming of its delicate pink flowers against the small blue-green leaves come summer but also to enjoy the knowledge that such a healing plant skirts the borders of my yard.

Snow Fire

It seemed the perfect evening for a winter fire outside in my yard. There was no wind so it wasn't overly chilly and I stayed out for a few hours until I went in for a bowl of home-made soup.

Here the fire is starting off, with strange transparent flames that made it seem that you were looking at the reflection of the fire and not the thing itself.

Later it settled down and burned hotter, the embers in the photo showing up like a lava flow.

It is an enchanting thing to be with both elements at once.

Frasier Fir

Enjoying these candles in the studio that were given to me as a Christmas present. They truly smell great without giving you a headache. They melt down really fast so make sure they are contained in something that can hold so much liquid wax. After that, they just seem content burning away.

Snowfall at the Studio

First snowfall for me. I know, depending where other people live and what elevation they are at, that everyone is experiencing winter a little differently.

For me... it is here. It started as a hissing noise, like sugar being poured through the evergreens. Changing form, it fell more gently and silently.

A Sunny Exploration

Inspiration at my fingertips!

And a quiet companion:

 

 

New Studio

Slowly getting set-up in the new studio. Boxes are getting unpacked and the bits and pieces are finding their way into nooks and niches. The electric heater sounds like someone is breathing long drawn wheezy inhalations and exhalations and can be a bit disconcerting if it is really quiet, like living with someone in an iron lung only there is no one to be found.

Here is a pic of the view from my work desk:

 

And here another view:

 

The Great Crow Party is Finished!

I am very happy to announce that "The Great Crow Party" is finished. And what a fun day to make that announcement!

For those of you who have shown such support and interest, you can now purchase the book on Amazon or here at CreateSpace, the self-publishing company. (The only difference being is that Susan and I will get more money per book with CreateSpace than Amazon.)

A big thank you to everyone who kept us going us with their enthusiasm and unwavering support! We couldn't have done it without you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spider Webs

Filtered sunlight in the woods is sublime for many reasons, not just for the weaving of light and shadow but also for the illumination of the gossamer threads passing from branch to branch. As the webs and trailings catch the breeze, light shifts and dances before your eyes; ephemeral beauty this.

Midnight Dandelions

Time for a new painting!

Harvest Moon

Gorgeous Moon and clear skies.