Odd Things Afoot!

I am becoming quite aware of shifts and energy bursts in my life. My practice in Iyengar has progressed with such peace and strength. My photography has gone to a whole new level. I've made new friends that were placed on my path by one greater than us all. I'm thank-ful I am loved. I am in awe at what God presents to me, what is set before me.

Clarity hits me sometimes in such a way that tears come quickly and are blinding. What a relief most the time. At other times like all through my life, anger swells in me; but now it is fleeting. Odd, yet meant to be I believe. We never quit learning do we?

Major Changes Bringing....

me to many realizations. Two of my dearest friends passed away. Life long friend Kelly Bruce, suddenly died of a massive heart attack in October. My dearest friend of over 36 years, Layce Lindsey Kassinger, went into the hospital at Thanksgiving. She passed away on Wednesday night on the 7th of December. Just like her to leave us on an historical day. She knew I couldn't bear it if she left me on my birthday.

 I hadn't been in a festive mood come Christmas. I always have been a decoration aficionado. I didn't care. I was out shopping in Wally World, and found these huge shimmery decorations.I decorated my Siberian Dogwood for my girl. It gave me a new perspective. Something as simple as  as the wind off the lake making them dance, made my heart happy.

I've always been a worrier, wondering if this or that will happen. No more, I gave it all to Christ, I mean really; I haven't taken it back and tried to work it out on my own. I've left all those things that I have tried to influence, or change, at the throne. I know something wonderful is on its way. Something I would've never dreamed up on my own. My walk is no longer looking for God, I am now standing still, and he has found me.

I keep coming out of the shell that I let myself create when I was an abused child of my Mother. My love of animals has never waned. My photography is getting better and better. I've made new friends, love Zumba. ( as my sister has always said, " I'm a dancer!" There is something in me now, that even my nasty mouthed, self centered mother can't even touch.

I appreciate the sacrifices that my grandmother Mabel made for me and my sister's, the prayers she and her sister's prayed for our lives. Answers coming even now.

 So I will love  Layce forever.  I'll remember fondly Bruce always. Thank  God for both of them being in my life. I am such a changed person for that.  I know Mabel is with my Matthew Aaron and filling Paradise with her love and beautiful voice.

Layce Ann Kassinger

(C) JDobbins 2012

Kelly Bruce Hartley and daughter Kayla

(C) JDobbins 2012

Big female Blue Heron fishing the shore in front of my house

(C) JDobbins 2012

Bones of a Clematis Blossom

As September 11th Approaches

Everyone remembers what they were doing on that horrible, crisp clear morning in September. Some have loved ones lost, saved, and never the same. I am thankful that my brother-in-law Ali Behrooj, working in Tower 2, made it out alive. It changed our family forever.

The Towers were very special to me. My first date with my husband, was sitting on the pier at Exchange Place gazing at all that was going on around the towers, lower Manhattan and Jersey City. It's where we knew we'd be a couple forever.

After being in the city long enough we moved to the rural mountains of NW NJ. Marty still driving to Hoboken everyday, me working up here. We both had off that day. My regular day off, he took off to be with me and to work on our new laundry room. I was sitting on the couch as usual for a day off, taking in the news. When I saw the 1st plane hit I thought this is no mistake. I called for Marty, he couldn't believe it. When tower 2 was hit I starting praying for my brother-in-law and those that were trapped in that UN-Godly event.

It wasn't till the next day that we found Ali. He's forever changed. He was always proud of being a "good" person from Iran. But after that day, he legally changed his name to Al. Who could ever blame him.

What ever you were doing that day. I hope you can find some peace and are still able to pray for our country. Terrorist never come at you straight on...it's all covertly and with great devastation.

My Late Spring Favorite

Cornus Kousa Blossom

My 7 year old tree

(c) J Dobbins 2011

I just can't seem to snap out of being so ill. Since April. I have had enough

I don't feel like dancing in the streets....

I'm personally tied to a survivor of September 11th 2001. I was so ashamed and disconcerted, over how Americans were, and are partying over the demise of one of the most blood-thirsty killers of our time.

I'm saddened that , that's how he chose to meet our one true God. I'm proud the of the young men and women of our armed forces. They've been hunting Usama way before there was an Obama in office.

I'm blessed to be an American, to have the rights that I do. To worship the Living God. All based on what someone else did for my freedoms 100's of years ago.

God Save America!

Kemah Lake Eagles

March 29,2011

(c) J. Dobbins

Caught By Surprise

I can't really say it was a surprise. Yes, I knew I had bad heart valves,a-fib..... But what a surprise to find out my kidneys are failing and the left lower part of my heart didn't show up on nuclear stress. Echo revealing valves are much worse than 2 years ago. I await
(scary) procedures on the 8th of April. My sister is flying up and both her and my friend, and husband, will be at my side. No matter what happens.....I'm blessed

My Akira ~" Caught Napping"

(C) 2011 J Dobbins

Sometimes I feel

like a muted swan....

First Full Day Of Spring ~ Muted Swan

(C) Jennifer Dobbins 2011

Can't see the forest for the trees

The Japan catastrophe's have weighed heavy on my heart this week. But what really disturbs me is the the lackadaisical attitude allot of people have....I just don't get the idea that everything is AOK. My nephew plans on moving his family back to Japan..no big deal he tells his Mom. No one that I have talked to personally thinks anything like what happened in Chili, Indonesia, and finally Japan, can happen here. I think differently. I can't have the attitude that if it didn't happen here, who cares. It will happen here...sooner or later.

My nuclear tests are thursday, the heart, carotid, the whole deal. My better half will accompany me. I tire of the quirks in my heart, the irregular beating, the heavy chest feeling. No medicine changes, Philip says I have to stay on the doses prescribed. I was upset, but, I have accepted. It's amazing how things feel more normal when you can take a breath, and be realistic.

Opened my Etsy shop back up. I have lot's of new products, things are going well with that. I have really enjoyed being almost 98% organic. I can tell a huge difference in the end products.

Spring is here...maybe not on the calender, but here on Lake Kemah it sure is. Merganser's, Osprey's, Muted Swans, they are all back...I am comforted.

Beauitful Male American Merganser

(C) 2011 J Dobbins

I love to photograph the Moon

(C) 2011 J Dobbins

Kemah Just before the Thaw

(C) 2011 J Dobbins

It's been a while

It sure has been awhile since I've been able to blog anything. Illness, winter storms, family uproars; so many things happen.

I had a really nasty pneumonia, then complications from treatment. I've had heart problems for over 5 years now. It is getting worse, and now have an upcoming battery of new tests starting the 23rd. I personally feel meds need to be re-evaluated.

I temporarily closed my Etsy shop. Many reasons...the blizzards, ice and downright horrible conditions this Winter.There are days I can't even get up outta my property, let alone down the mountain to th P.O. Plus, I want to create and test some new products. The lip glosses have turned out great and I have several other items in testing. I will be re-opening soon I think.

I haven't been able to make it to the last two meetings of my fiber spinning guild. I have lot's of items on needles and hooks. Still have not finished spinning the alpaca I have on my wheel, only one spindle is almost full. Things come in cycles for me.

My bestfriend is opening her own Veterinary Hospital.  We've talked and dreamed about it for over 14 years. She closed on the building last month. Opening day is set for March 1st. We had a great visit with each other yesterday morning.

I am continuing to have to wear stabilicer spikes on my boots here at the lake. Several parts of the yard are impassible, and frozen drifts are around 1/2 of the property. The lakeside of the house, which is the front, is totally impassable. We have made special areas for the dogs to venture into to do their thing. They can't be walked on the road as there is way too much chemical de-icers. It tears both their paws up, even with Musher's wax applied.

Am planning a photograghy trip to NH. , I think I will be planning it to coincide with a weaving workshop I am going to take outside of Harrisville.It's my most favorite part of New England, and always opens up my eyes to explore different photography opportunies.

On and ending note.... I want to pose a question to you....how many passive aggressive people do you come a cross in your day to day life..including your "friends" on social networking sites? I must say in my sphere, there are way too many. I dislike dealing with them. There's no pleasing a passive-aggressive. I have a few on the social networks I participate in. To be totally honest, half the people who have friended me, are not a bit more my friends than a rattlesnake. Most have no one single idea of who I am or aspire to be.

"The Oz Man"

(c) 2011 J Dobbins

Turning Back

(c) 2011 J Dobbins

Christmas Oh Christmas

Well Christmas is here. Marty is working and I have time to reflect, and time to talk to one of my sister's on the phone.Plenty of time to play on my new mini netbook....what fun...what a really neat little tool. Learned a lesson in setting up a wireless router. Once I grasped the concept of completing a circuit, it went really fast. Once you learn...you learn.

I went to candlelight service at church last night. The talk  was on the gifts the Magi gave the baby Jesus. Gold fit for a King, Frankincense and Myrrh fit for a Priest.Afterward I thought why God had those men from the Orient bless Christ with those gifts. Joseph and Mary were poor, dirt poor. When the Angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream, told him to arise and take his family....flee into Eygpt to escape from Herod's blood lust for our King.....they needed money to live. What wonderful gifts for the King of Kings. Items that were priceless; and that afforded them to live in a far off country until Herod died.

The Lord has been so good to me. Kept me safe in his healing hands, protected me, illuminated me, blessed me, shown me my worth, and revealed my gifts to me. I continue in prayer for the salvation of family and friends whose eyes are still covered by the scales of sin. He will answer in the manner he designs...I am only the vehicle for the prayer.

I turned 54 the Fifth...ahhhhh....not a bad thing at all.

Cardinal Male From a grey Christmas Eve
(C) Jenny Lee Dobbins 2010

Reflections of Christmas through my windows

(c) JDobbins

All Rights Reserved

My Bestfriend Gave Me Some Great Birthday Presents

WAYLON

(C) JDobbins 2010

Laddie, Waylon, Parsnip

(C) JDobbins 2010

Tweetles Lashes

(C) JDobbins 2010

 DVM Sherri Valerio and her Tweetles

(c) Jdobbins 2010

I got to spend the day with my favorite horses and my bestfriend...it was a good day, to shoot photographs, and spend time with my old friend.

NJ Bear Hunt Nearing

It's been a trying 2 and half months. I've been really sick and not coping very well. My Pekingese Akira as been ill again as well. We are quite the pair.

I've encountered allot of cruel mouthed Bear hunters lately...ones who call me names and talk as if it is their right to kill whatever animal they want. They say the Lord gave us dominion over all creatures....yes he did, but rest assured brother and sisters, we will answer for how we treated those animals. The Passover Lamb was taken into the home, cared for and attended, by loving hands. By the time it was sacrificed, it was done with great care and heartache. We do not live in the 17-1800's, we have grocery stores and programs to assist those in need for food. I know of NO food program, that offers bear to those in need of food. So that argument flies right out the window!!

All I know is, I turn 54 on Sunday, and on Monday morning 6 days of bear baiting and killing begin. I will never be able to change a hunters mind, or stop my neighbors from putting out their garbage days before pickup. Sometimes it's all too much to bear.

NJ Black Bear in my Peony Garden Aug 2009

(C) J Dobbins

Be protected my gentle little male

(C) J Dobbins 2010

Sharing Autumns Finery

Sussex County October 2010

(C) J Dobbins

 Shadowed Young Linden Tree

October 2010

(C) J Dobbins

Moonflower at night

October 2010

(c) J Dobbins

A View I Wake Up To

October 2010

Kemah

(c) J Dobbins

Wonderful Weekend

Had a blast at my Guild's Fibre Retreat. I met great artists and teachers. I completed  3 great projects. It was great. I couldn't sleep in the cabin very well on the first night . But pretty well on the second. I chalk it up to excitement. 

Everyone one oo's and awed at the NJ Black Bear we saw drinking at the lake. I was proud. I see the  magnificent Black Bear here at Kemah allot. I truly am blessed.

I completed my fish and baskets, then arriving home late Sunday, I unmolded my soap. I have made life long friends and happy that I have taken the path I am on.....

The wet felted 3-D Fish I completed- YAY

(c) J Dobbins 2010

I chose a goat embellishment for my spinning wheel basket.

(c) J Dobbins 2010

My wonderful Market Basket

I loved the process

(c) J Dobbins 2010

My new organic Tomato Basil Kitchen Soap

just out of the mold Sunday night!

(c) J Dobbins

The day is nearing

Well...hummm.... this weekend is Wilbur's Country Fair...big time shopping going to go on there. Friday the 24th, I'll be leaving in the late afternoon for my Guild's Fiber Retreat Weekend. I have everything almost ready to go.

 September and October always go by in a flash for me. Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool is the 16th and 17th of October. I have everything planned and ready.

We started September with the better half on a nine day vacation. We headed to Sandy Hook, it was overcast and cool, but we didn't care. We had fabulous fried oysters at Bahr's Dockside, it was nice. I didn't get any photos of the Peregrines that were spotted flying low to the beach, but...oh well...another day will come. We went on the 12th to Belvidere NJ's, Victorian Festival.  The entire town is full of painted lady Victorian Homes. While they are gorgeous; I surely didn't have anything in common with that era. I know my sister would.

I still have stray hummingbirds stopping by. My Butterfly Bush is still in full bloom, and they gorge on the nectar. Very few males now, mostly all females. They are a different kinda nasty compared to the feisty males. I have been getting some good photos of young male Cardinal's just out of molt. One captured my heart early this week; on a dreary, rainy, day.

Young male Cardinal

(c) J Dobbins September 2010

Vacation this week...

What a rare happening...Marty has taken off for 9 days so we can tramp around. Going to Sandy Hook for our last swim in the ocean for the season, eat a huge plate of fried oysters, and try to photograph the Peregrines that have been spotted flying low to the beach for the last week. Hopeful for a good photo.

Made a post of abaca and flower paper, took the Sinfully Sherbert soap off the curing rack. Made a new friend of a fellow artist. Saw through a line of crap that was trying to be spoon fed to me... Got a letter from Ledbetter Ky., that only took 3 days to get here. My  close childhood friend is in so much pain over his older brother's loss. All are gone now except him. He has a great wife and daughter that are his forever loves. I'm comforted for that... New photo of Kayla, she's stunning.Counting down the days to Retreat. Endless Mountain Fiber Festival is next Sunday...so love the Autumn months....

Sinfully Sherbert Soap

(c) J Dobbins 2010

Abaca Handcrafted Paper with garden flowers

(c) J Dobbins 2010

Fall is almost here....

Yippee..I feel Fall in my bones! I'm  busy gathering hydrangeas, and lavender for dried bouquets. Mostly though... I've been photographing Hummingbirds.

My Sinfully Sherbert soap is curing well and has scented my  entire workspace with the highly naughty fragrance of orange sherbert. I have almost 8 pounds of special order batches on rack curing.

I have gathered all my papermaking goodies, revving up for some great stationary and bookmarks embedded with dried flowers from last years gardens. Cosmos, ferns, black-eyed susans, woodland lichens, lavender buds. I'm excited. I love the process of making pulp into paper. My cornsilks from all my corn plants, are going to make a beautiful paper this season... Counting down the days to Fibre retreat!

Late Season Ruby-Throat

(c) 2010 J Dobbins

I really love this time of year!

I was noticing that the mighty oak trees are dropping their acorns allot sooner this year than last. The Chipmunks and squirrels are hoarding sooner also.The Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds that were in Canada,are stopping by in droves to my back yard habitat. Allot sooner as well. I enjoy this time of year, my lavender is in full bloom,I'm making soaps;  old fashioned lavender balls, sinfully sherbert soap. I have really been enjoying photograghing the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.

This is a busy time of year for me, I have several Fiber festivals coming up starting with the PA Endless Mountain Fiber Festival on the 11th and 12th of September. As well as the Dutchess County NY Sheep and Wool in October. As well as my own fiber spinning guild: North Country Spinners, hosting our bi-annual Fibre Fallout Retreat.

http://www.northcountryspinners.org/mentors2010.htm#costello

That is the weekend of the 25th to the 27th of September. I so love the fellowship with other Weavers, Spinners, Knitter's,Felter's, Basketweavers...on and on the creativity goes. I'm gathering all the tools required for the classes I've taken. I am getting bedding ready, as it is a large old campground with cabins....with individual little kitchens and showers I might add. Our Guild committee does a fabulous job of making it a perfect weekend. The camp serves us three fab meals a day, daily devotional prayers. There is a Fashion Show this year of Inge Dam's woven fashions. It will be a great time. I am of course going to miss my sister's presence. But, I will try to be more outgoing than last year  ;>)

Male hummingbird sitting atop my spent Lillies

(c) J Dobbins August 2010

Box of fresh old-fashioned lavender Soap Balls

(c) J Dobbins August 2010

3 Notes Madder Soap

(c) J Dobbins August 2010