Earth Gypsy Studio

Broad Leaf Sage and Such

Right now most of my yard and flower beds are being over run with weeds. I have a lot to do to get it back in shape. I did have a good many things survive our cold winter. My Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Oregano and Black Eyed Susan are all looking really good. I also have some volunteer Snapdragons, Sweet William, Morning Glories, and Dill coming up here and there. My pot of mint is also doing well, although it will need to be re-potted this year.

My Broad Leaf Sage bloomed for the first time and I got a nice photo of it recently. I am using a similar photo for the cover of my school project.

New School Project

You may think that since I've not been writing much lately that there must not be much going on in my life. WRONG! I have been super busy with home, work and school. Since most of my down time is spent studying I have decided to put up some pictures of one of the projects I'm working on. It's very time consuming and I'm trying hard to do a really good job on it. Here is a picture and species information for Columbine, which is one of my best friends favorite flowers. There are 116 plants I have to research, illustrate and provide actual photos for. So there will be more posts and pics from this project as I progress.

Excited for Thursday

Tomorrow is Thursday and I'll be going to spend the day with one of my closest friends! Yes, I am speaking of the lovely Stephanie! We have photos to take, creative chatting to do, and of course lounging outside to enjoy the awesome weather we are having here right now. I'm so very excited about seeing the house she and her husband just bought.

I have no eye's; I make The Flash of Lightning my Eyes

The Samurai's magnetic presence cannot be ignored. She is pure contained ferocity, the force of nature incarnate. The necessity of the moment is all she sees. And, through evidence of her actions, others perceive  the intensity and integrity of her inmost vision.

And what is vision, after all, but a living connection with the elemental power of inspiration? Like lightning, it can appear to descend from an external phenomenon- something encountered in the world that reaches out and shakes up the creative essence inside a human being. The source can be turbulent as a monsoon, or silent as a patch of night sky. Everything that exists holds this matchless promise of inspiration.

Excerpt from "One Flash of Lightning, A Samurai Path for Living the Moment" by Stephanie J. T. Russell

Wealth of the Heart

That which I seek cannot be found on printed paper kept inside a wallet. If you think that money is what makes a person happy then you are a fool. What I need can only be found in the heart and soul. Love is not a mere word to be said. Love is something that you "do". It is shown in actions, in thoughts, in a touch, in a look, in a selfless act, in friendship, in companionship, in respect, in sincerity.

Sure, we all have to make a living and take care of our responsibilities. I'm no different. But how you treat those you come in contact with has an effect on all that occurs in your life. It doesn't matter if they are family, friend, or just a stranger. When you love yourself and love others and have the ability to see beyond the tangible items most people think are important, I call that wealth of the heart. Not many people have it, and most people could never understand what it means.

Kindling Determination

The only thing standing in my way is myself. I've made a lot of excuses as to why I am where I am metaphorically speaking. The weather, depression, the economy and finances, my personal life...etc. I have been pushed around and knocked down and I may be broken but I'm not going to let it get the best of me. I get up and go on because that is what I do. That's who I am.

I may not know a lot, but I've learned a little about some things.

    Actions speak louder than words. You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. No matter how much you love someone, you cannot make them stay when they want to go. Money cannot buy happiness, if you think that it can then you are a fool. People take for granted the best and most important things in their lives, and often lose them due to stupidity and pride. There really is a razor thin line between love and hate. Words really are magic, be careful what you say and how you say it. What happens is what is meant to be. A good margarita can make a bad day better. If you don't believe in yourself no one else will either. The state of your life is due to the choices YOU make. If you have no expectations then you cannot be disappointed. Life is cruel and seldom fair. Each moment of the day is a blessing.

That's a few. There's more here in my head somewhere that I will post at some point.

    

Mindboggled

The daily stresses of life are really pulling at me. I have tons of things I want to do but I feel like I'm spinning around too fast to focus on any one thing. I really need to find a way to balance and focus. However I have no idea of what direction I need to be moving in. My home life, work life and school keep me super busy already. And I need more time to work and make money.

I hope during this short break from school I can find a little time to relax. I'm praying that positive things are on the horizon for me and all those I love and care about.

Short Break

I am out of school for two weeks! Yay! I took my final exam for Landscape Design Thursday. I made a 100 on the written part of the exam. I thought I'd do well but I never expected that good of a score. It would have been a 9.5 but the teacher added a .5 curve for some folks who had a hard time. Now I just have to wait for the drawings to be graded and then I can find out my average! Hopefully I will keep my "A".

I'm glad to have a break from school and studying. I hope I can get some things done and maybe start some creative projects. If the weather would warm up and dry out a bit that would help my motivation greatly. I am so ready for spring!

Three Weeks

I had Landscape Design class this morning and we started on a pretty big project for a residential landscape design. Luckily we have a week to do it, so I can take my time. I have preliminary concept, analysis and bubble diagram done. The next step will be to actually draw the completed plan with all the pertinent criteria.

My teacher really like my concept and I pretty much know how I want everything to look. I do have research on plants still to do online and then I'll have to get some advice from Mr. Huber to make sure the trees shrubs and plants I choose are ideal for their locations on the site. There is a lot to take into account when planning a landscape.

Perhaps I can fit the whole drawing onto a photo when I am finished to post here. It's a large plan so I am not sure what I will be able to do. We only have three weeks of class left this quarter so I am going to be a really busy girl until finals are done! Wish me luck!

Drawing Landscapes

I am really loving my Landscape Design class. I have far to go to get really good. It doesn't seem to be a talent that I have naturally. The measurements and calculation of angles and curvatures is proving to be most difficult. I really need to work on training my powers of observation. Mr. Huber said I just need practice and that I am being too hard on myself. He said that all the drawings I have done could certainly be used and that even though they are off a little that it would not be too much. I think he is being very generous.

Being hard on myself is a problem I have had for a long time. I strive for perfection. I do not want to be mediocre at anything. I want to be at least good, preferably very good. Working hard is not something that I am afraid to do. The fact that I know I am not naturally gifted makes me want to be a success that much more. I want to use my creativity and determination to have a successful career in the field that I love.

Many of the students have already had experience with drafting or landscape design so I am at a disadvantage. And my problems with measurements and mathematics only adds to the challenge. I really hope that I will not be a disappointment to my Dad, who is a very talented builder and designer himself. He has built some of the most beautiful and unique homes I have ever seen. And while he did not do the major architectural designs, his eye for details really shows in all the things he does. 

I can't wait to go from drawing existing landscapes to designing the layout of new plans. I hope some of my creative thoughts will be put to good use on the projects we will be doing. I am really excited! And I have been making friends who also share the same interests that I do and I am really enjoying the human contact of learning with others, and giving each other feedback and moral support.