July 21, 2017

Moon & Monsoon

Why, hello there!

Remember me?

Moon and monsoon 9

It's summer in the desert and there is all sorts of action going on.

Thunder, lightning, lizards, puddles, fuzzy hair, pink skies and dream clouds!

Moon and monsoon 4

It's monsoon season in the dry desert.

The earth is gulping rain and we are so glad to be getting a lot of it in the last 2 days.

4 inches just in one day, it was simply crazy wonderful.

But before that, there was the last moon that shone so bright I could hardly believe it.

Moon and monsoon 1

The clouds slowly moved in.

Oh summer clouds…

Beautiful, incredible things.

Moon and monsoon 2

The drama of monsoon season in the land of dry earth is just, beyond words.

I chase lizards around admiring their ombre bellies and incredible colors.

Moon and monsoon 6

I told him he was wearing my favorite shade of teal and he looked at me, and slightly smiled.

It was a Mona Lisa smile really, but I'll take what I can get šŸ™‚

Moon and monsoon 3

We huddle on the porch in evening storms.

The hatter on guitar, me thinking up lyrics.

But my spoiled children just want to go inside and sit in front of the a/c.

I guess humidity and fur don't mix.

Moon and monsoon 7

The other day I was running when it started to rain.

I thought, I'll jump on my trampoline a little bit.

Listening to good music, jumping in the rain.

This was my exact view and then the sky turned super dark and I got hailed on.

It was glorious, amazing really.

I just laughed out loud to myself jumping in the rain and hail.

Soaked to the bone.

What a great morning.

It rained soooo much the washes were pouring over.

I was on my way to meet a dear friend and had to roll up my pants and take off my shoes to lock the gate because the street was a deep river.  It was so wonderfully dramatic. My hair didn't appreciate it at all, but my heart did.

So fun!

Moon and monsoon 13

Water droplets everywhere.

Moon and monsoon 10

The desert is turning so green and slowly everyone who was getting torched in 115' endless days, is coming back to life

Moon and monsoon 11

We start to see dahlias and roses again.

Pink rose

The gophers are trying to gobble up all my plants (at the root) so I've been dragging the troughs in the vegetable garden to the front flower garden to try to save them.

I'm loving above ground planting, it makes everything easier.

Filling the trough with 150 heaping shovel fulls of dirt was not fun, but I knew the outcome would be great.

So I forged on.

Well, it really wasn't that bad at all actually.

I even tossed some seeds in and they sprouted 2, yes 2, days later.

Moon and monsoon 12

My boys and I set out to see what we can see each morning.

Miles is on alert.

Moon and monsoon 8

Matty follows quietly.

Moon and monsoon 17

With his beautiful pondering eyes.

Moon and monsoon 16

You can see where the waves of water filled our parcel of earth below.

It was fabulous

Although I think my bathroom might spring a leak, darn!

Moon and monsoon 19

I don't mind.

Anything for rain.

Moon and monsoon 18

Like jewels on petals at 6 a.m.

Moon and monsoon 15

I am loving these days so much.

I've been journaling a lot.

And even doodle journaling which is so much fun.

I love chatting with people.

We are all so different and yet so alike.

I incorporate messages and thoughts in to my little doodle journals, of all the things that swirl in my mind from thoughts and conversations.

About the importance of allowing oneself to feel.

Doodles 3

We should allow ourselves to feel our feelings.

Not be afraid to feel.

Sometimes we need a hearty laugh.

Sometimes we need a hearty cry.

Whatever it is.

It's okay to feel.

In fact, it's darn good to feel.

Actually, we need to feel so we don't go bonkers.

Instead of fighting feelings, we accept the feelings we feel, and in turn we feel better.

Isn't it funny how that works?

I was sooooo much better at allowing myself to be sad or throw tantrums (at home of course) when I was younger.

As I get older I feel like, I reign myself in more.

I say, get over it, to myself.

I have to remind myself to feel and purge.

It's so healthy to do that.

And it's healthy to sing and dance and jump on your trampoline in crazy weather.

It's healthy to allow your feelings and heart to be free.

Imagine that?

Doodles 4

Accept your feelings.

Say, hey it's ok to feel any way I want.

I read an article where a guy talked about how everyone thinks he's really tough and brave.

But that he knows he's weak and fearful and in turn that makes him stronger.

Isn't that neat?

So, the next time you are driving down the road, and a song comes on and makes you get that lump in your throat and you shove it down, why not have a good cry instead?

My dad says, everyday you should laugh and cry.

Feel it all.

I cry sometimes when I look at my dogs' faces.

Oh how I love them.

I laugh madly chatting and having lunch with my friend for 5 hours.

I smile at the beautiful weather that gifts rainbows.

A little of this, a little of that…

Makes for a healthy heart and mind, right?

That's part of the human experience.

Why block it out?

In the words of Bruno Mars…

Don't fight the feeling, invite the feeling!!

 

Haha!

 

There's my two cents for your Friday!

Lots of love, 

Vanessa

 

 

See you soon a fanciful twist 300px

 

 

  1. deezie says:

    I just adore you Vanessa, the way you look at the world. You really know how to live, its so inspiring. I am one of those people that cry a lot. Not just for being sad but for being so happy. I love that you were jumping and playing in the rain. How fun* Your so magical. Stay that way sweet Vanessa
    deezie
    have the best day ever***

  2. What a sweet, sweet post. You have a huge heart, Vanessa. And I agree….I’d much rather love so forcefully and feel so intensely rather than live a guarded unemotional life. So many women in my community take drugs so they don’t feel any emotion. I think it’s sad, really.
    Ah, the monsoon season….I remember it well when we lived in Scottsdale. It’s nice to have the respite of rain! I love your photos of this magical time of year.
    I would love to see more of your journaling. I’ve been keeping an art journal, and I’m struggling a bit to find my “voice” and “mark.” I guess I should just get over myself and draw what’s inspiring me at the moment and not try to copy others’ mixed media madness (although I think it would be fun to learn new skills).
    Take care, and have a blessed Saturday!
    xo,
    Ricki Jill

  3. Monsoon season in the desert sounds magical, and Miles and Matty are adorable, as always. I too sometimes well up with tears looking into my dog’s eyes. He’s 13 now, and we’re at the point where I’m cherishing every day with him.
    Must add, I’m smiling somewhat bittersweetly at the image of The Hatter playing guitar, as it’s reminding me of evenings with my late husband, reading or knitting or just puttering around the kitchen cooking as he played the acoustic. So thanks for sparking that lovely memory. šŸ™‚
    šŸ–¤ Carolee

  4. Tina micheal Ruse says:

    Love your magical lizards! Especially the one trying on your pink shoe! Always a treat to see your little world.

  5. Shelia says:

    Glad to hear all is well in your magical kingdom; here in Georgia it rains some each day and then there’s sun as well–so we are just ready for whatever comes our way. Seems the whole world is journaling–I even plan to start doodling my thoughts. I have no green thumb, truly, so sharing your flowers is always a pleasure in my week–Vanessa’s garden under pink skies. Stay well, dear heart.

  6. Renee says:

    The monsoons seem to bring magic to your garden. We have had a lot of rain this year. So happy it is not dry like last year. The heat is back now.

  7. Ellie says:

    So great to see you here again and to know of the rains! Rain is always just utterly glorious, isn’t it? And I especially love your lizard. ( :

  8. Teresa Wendel says:

    Thanks for your 2 cents. Your insights always up boost me up and make me ponder. Sometimes they help me see that my life needs a little change.

  9. Miss Linda says:

    Wonderful and meaningful photos Miss Vanessa.

  10. That’s a wonderful philosophy! šŸ™‚

  11. Caren says:

    Beautiful lizard. I love your photos of your environment 💗 So different from mine!

  12. Holly says:

    Encouraging words and breathtaking pics.

  13. Hello Miss V,
    How refreshing to have so much rain! Even though my comment it a couple of weeks late! I see that Matty isn’t as camera shy as he used to be. He is a gorgeous dog, and of course when I see photos of Miles, my heart melts!
    I always adore your journaling artwork and phrases. It kind of reminds me of SARK, and her books she has created. I could see your artwork in books like that too, very easily. You ought to do it! With heavier paper, with less pages so the book fills up very fast, yet people can dream along with your muse.
    You do know all of your blog friends adore your blog, the faithful ones who come here to sigh, and dream right along with you.
    I have been coming to your blog for nine years…incredible how time flies! Your blog is timeless and filled always with beauty and splendor.
    Ta ta for now!
    Miss Teresa

  14. …In fact…it would be awesome if you could create ‘A Fanciful Twist’ coloring book! I am kind of surprised Jane Davenport hasn’t done a coloring book yet…Hmmm? Just some thoughts swirling around in my magical dream world.

  15. Karen Lawson says:

    Vanessa,
    You are a joy yourself! I come to your website to escape the negativity of the world, they don’t report very much goodness. So I come over to your little slice of heaven and get the goodness I seek. I adore mini lizards too, especially poking out of pink tennis shoes! The kids/your dogs are so precious as always. Tuscon is stunning. Oh, I have you down as my favorite website on my Yelp account too.
    Hugs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *