Raige Creations

I know it's hard when you're falling down And it's a long way up when you hit the ground Get up now, get up, get up now.  A good sunset hike last week gave me the peace and energy I didn't even realize I had been missing.  I didn't realize how nature, quiet (real quiet that can only be enjoyed far away from houses, streets, buildings, people) and natural beauty could make me feel like I was on top of the world. And of course, this song popped in my head. A sense that I had been missing something in my life hit me, about when I had found what it was that I had been missing! I  had found it in the time I was out there hiking, seeing, feeling nature. The waterfall, the sunset, the streams and trees. This is what I loved doing, and lately that feeling had been avoiding me.  I found found what had been missing out there, and that alone made me feel like I am on top of the world.  Like Imagine Dragons says: I've had the highest mountains I'...

Take a moment, take a deep breath.  Let yourself relax,  let yourself get out the headphones,  plug them in,  and sit back  for a full 25 minutes of Zen.  How a zen moment should be.  Namaste.

All week I have been teasing you with mentions of the hike I took with the kids.  So here are the details . We went to the Pisgah National Forest Big Ivy (Coleman Boundary) area , and found the Lower Douglas Falls trial . It is a beautiful drive into the forest, over 8 miles of gravel road from this entry into the forest, passing waterfalls, trees, and gorgeous mountain views. Once we (finally) reached the parking lot where our little trail began, the kids took off, and I quickly fell behind. Sometimes, I caught up. And sometimes we all stopped to enjoy the little things, as well as the big things An amazing display of tree rings. Then an amazing display of tree roots. (The tree happened to fall, seemingly deliberately placed, right on the side of the trail.) We sometimes had obstacles. But the effort was well worth it. The reward was beautiful. The 70 ft. Lower Douglas Falls. The water was refreshingly cool, and we could walk right behind the falls. That log appare...

I know it's early for the sleepy time show - but I have been busy today. The normal chores, laundry and such took up the morning. Then I took the kids on a hike on a great easy trail in the mountains. (more on that in the Walking on Wednesday Series). Here is a sneak peek of the beautiful scenery. Waterfall seen on the drive to the beginning of the trail We are all a bit tired, so we put on my sleepy time show early tonight. I have a couple shows that just knock me out, put me right to sleep. They are: any History Channel show, and  many Discovery Channels shows.  Hubby is already dozing off, and the boys are so relaxed it won't be long until they are snoring too. My daughter soon will be in the same boat, cuddled up here with me. Whale Shark What is the show that has us near comatose? Discovery Channel's Planet Earth bioluminescence It has beautiful images , soothing music , and Sigourney Weaver 's soft voice .  This is the ...

We moved here to the Blue Ridge Mountains just over a year ago.  I figured the novelty would wear off a bit, but no, I still am in awe at the views and beauty of the mountains. And so are plenty of others, as evidenced in their wonderful creations. Please leave a comment to show them some love, and feel free to share! One of the items in the original Collection has sold already, so let's spread the word and see if some more can sell. Enjoy. I Love the Mountains   Curated By: RaigeCreations ArtFire.com Fine Art Photography

Something new for Music Monday Country Music - and not a bad song actually. And something new at Raige Creations Toekini's - very cute ones actually. The Song - "Toes" by the Zac Brown Band With lyrics like: "I've got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today, life is good today." What's not to love about this song? New Item - Toekini's - Ladybug , Dragonfly ,     and soon to be listed - Oriental Fish and others With cute little Toekini's on, what's not to love about life? Adios and via con Dios, I am leavin' NY soon. Headin' further south, enjoying the warm weather each afternoon. And with my Toekini's on, life is good today, life is good today.

In honor of my daughter'a recent adventure as part of the 8th graders who just finished 'FMS /BMS Quest 2010'.  Her school offers a great hiking and camping experience for 8th graders every year called 'Quest'. A group of wonderful teachers and community members organize about 60-70 kids and teach them how to survive safely in the wilderness (pack a backpack, cook, clean up, set up tents, use the "bathroom" or "take the poop position" as they affectionately called it, take care of blisters, hold hands while crossing streams with strong currents, etc). They go on 3 hikes, a one-day, a two-day, and a 4-day. Yes, that is right, 4 days, hiking over 30 miles, over 3 nights out in the woods with 60 kids and an adult and/or junior leader for every 2 to 3 kids.  This year Fredonia asked another nearby school, Brocton Middle School , if they would like to join the Quest team, and so this was the first year kids from both schools took part.  The two-day ...