Raige Creations

It was a day that started with loads of potential.  source   Blue skies. Beauty. And things to do. source  Potential. source Sadly, my effort failed me late in the afternoon, and the day ended rather meh. Like, dinner at 9:30 pm kind of meh. source: etsy It turned out to be a  total hump day. Luckily, I think I am getting over the hump. I hope you had a wonderful hump day - did you have a big 'meh' hump to get over?

source: Thoughts of Raige Some days, the days when I wake up less than chipper, when I haven't yet found my positive thinking and hope or a good day, I am thankful for the views from my kitchen. Out past the tree line, there is a mountain I can see most days. There are lots of trees and nature is evident all around us. It almost feels like we are out in the country, away from noise and developments and crowding.  But in reality, a main road is on the other side of the house, we can hear traffic. We are down the street from several housing developments, and we hear dogs barking day and night. Our closest neighbor is pretty close actually.  We are within walking distance to Main St, a small village street with restaurants and shops and even a local mechanic's garage.  Though we still have plans for our dream house, our perfect place, the means to do only what we love, this is good enough for now. For this is all we can do right now. We can only dream of a better...

Yesterday was a true autumn day. Through and through.  First thing in the morning there was this beautiful crisp view from the front sidewalk of the high school. Soon after I went for my run/walk and the breeze was string and cool, with the smell of leaves in the air. I brought the dog and Madonna with me, and something about the entire experience was invigorating! Each wind gust, the birds riding the air, the leaves in their reds and yellows. It all gave me energy I hadn't felt in a long time.  I ran almost the entire time, and it felt good. Surprisingly good. The energy stayed with me and I accomplished so much yesterday morning it surprised me.  Up until that point I felt this sadness when I let it sink in that it was fall. I was missing the warm air, the hot sun, the summer!  Yes the leaves are breathtakingly beautiful, but I wasn't ready for the seasons to change. All I could see was winter not far off and I am just not ready for that.  ...

Driving the kids to school last week (when they missed the bus...again....) I was shocked and amused to see this on Main Street right here in little ole' Weaverville . Yarn bombing ! Then I wondered if I should have been in on it! I sort of felt left out!! But really, I wouldn't have had the time, energy, much less skill to be part of this wacky tradition that pops up every now and then. At least I can enjoy it. It really is spectacular to think all this time and effort goes into letting the general public get a kick out of what is covered in yarn. And to think about what they heck it is over the rails of the Library? Wacky. Today the only thing left was the bench cover. No Teddy bear, no garbage can cover, nothing left of the rest of it, just the bench cover. And it had just poured rain for the last 3 or 4 hours, so it was soaking wet.  This left me wondering what happens to yarn bombed things over time. Do people take the yarn, and if so who? Do people steal i...

I love my neighborhood. Though I am sorry to say I missed my goal of walking each and every day since my birthday, I am still walking at least 5 days a week, and I still love seeing everything in my 'hood'.  How about seeing some of the things in my own 'hood' today? I run into some beautiful nature, fine neighbors, and interesting things that make me appreciate where I am. Today I am bringing you into my 'hood'. This area is full of dog lovers.  Dogs go with their families to eat, to festivals, and there is always someone walking a dog or a yard with a dog in it, whether you are downtown or here further in 'the country' as we are. Plus, there is a dog every other house here in my hood. Some houses have 2 dogs. They each greet us with their barks, scaring LadyJ, but I think they just mean to say hello. 'yang' 'yin' These 2 fine dogs, the 'yin' and 'yang' dogs of the 'hood', share the same house, ...

It isn't every day you can say 'I'm on top of the world' and literally be a mile high, completely feeling like you ARE on top of the world. We got to last Saturday. View from Craggy Pinnacle The kids were on Spring Break last week, and I wanted us to do something fun, something cheap if not free, and special. Since we can't take a trip for vacation (see cheap mentioned above) due to limited funds, and my oldest having to work several days of the week, it had to be local. Luckily, we happen to live in a mountain range that offers hikes and views that are incredible. We went for a hike last fall and that was such a wonderful day everyone was willing to hike again, but this time wanted to try a different hike.  We decided to pick an easy hike close to home. Craggy Gardens.   It is almost like going on vacation, but is only 9 miles from our house. Tunnels through the Rhododendron's The trail was said to be an 'easy' one, and only 1.4 miles, a...

Autumn.  The time of transition from warm to cold,  the harvest time.  Last Saturday, here in Weaverville , it was time to harvest the Art.  Weaverville hosts the Art in Autumn Festival every September, and has been doing so for five years now. This year, it was a festival of over 100 juried artists and artisans, musicians throughout the day, and lots of happy, friendly people. (One vendor told me she will be back next year just because the people here are so friendly and have such a good attitude.) The Art in Autumn Featival booth, sponsored by the Weaverville Business Association I decided to volunteer to help sell the Art in Autumn merchandise and raffle tickets, proceeds going toward the festival costs.  I thought it would be a great way to meet people (moved here just a year ago and we still don't know too many people) , and experience the festival a little, as I want to apply next year.  I met some wonderful people, and some wonderful ...