visit Lynchburg

So many things I enjoy about Lynchburg, Tennessee: the absence of chain stores and strip centers, the friendly nature of it's people, the festivals and visitors from all over the world. Lat time I was there I met a family from Germany, and talked with people from all over the USA. For a gentle step back in time, Lynchburg has it all.

You might want to find a quiet, charming place to stay like Miss Bobo's Bed and Breakfast

Find yourself in need of some supplies? Try the General Store and gift shop

Big building, center of town, been there for 100 years...you can't miss it - the Courthouse!

The Old Jail where many an artifact is held

People are perplexed when they visit Jack Daniel's Distillery and not offered a snoot...it's a dry county so you can't buy it or drink it there. Surprising as that may be, I feel sure that you'll be able to locate JD by the glass or bottle in a nearby town:)

wordless wednesday

Birding in Tennessee: Hairy Woodpecker

You can hear this hard working woodpecker in my backyard right now! For the past 3 weeks he's been making his prescence known with chirps and rapid fire tapping that are so loud and rhythmic that it sounds electronic.

The Hairy Woodpecker is found year round, across the entire state of Tennessee. It's a black and white woodpecker with a white belly and black wings with rows of white spots. The red mark on the back of the head, and the long black bill make it fun to watch.

This bird has a barbed tounge which helps it eat many destructive insects from trees. Small, bristle-like feathers around the beak helps protect it from flying debris (and probably give this bird their 'hairy' name). Hairy is larger than the Downy woodpecker, and has a longer bill.

Hairy woodpeckers will drum on hollow logs, branches or stovepipes in the spring to announce their territory and to attract a mate. They excavate oval-shaped nest cavaties in dead or dying trees. While they're incubating their eggs, the female will take the day shift, and the male will cuddle them at night.

BIRDING is a new series for Edge of the Wildwood that describes some species of birds found in Tennessee. Click on the label below or follow a link for BIRDING and enjoy these wildlife articles!

dream of doing nothing

I've just completed another custom sign project and want to share it with my readers!

There's a quiet little cabin in the woods where this family loves to do nothing . . . surrounded by nature's beauty, they relax in comfy chairs and chuckle about their laziness. They love nothing more than the idea that they need do nothing.

Erika from The Linnet's Wing hired me to woodburn a custom sign for "Laiska Lodge"

I'm very excited about the final product, and truly hope for many laiska days for this family at the old cabin:)

Watch my blog for another article that features the amazing arrangements and wreaths of The Linnet's Wing !

old rugged cross

CATurday evening post

and I promise to feed you, and clean up after you, and let you sleep anywhere you want

neatO FB friends

they're swell:)

Meet The Bag Man

When you walk into a bowling center you want to make a big entrance . . . Sure, your shirt has your name stitched on the back and you got that cool wrist wrap but what's your gear doing for you?

It's time to meet The Bag Man! Glenn Harvey is known around bowling centers as the go-to guy for a tricked out bag. His after-market modifications not only improve the stability and usefulness of the bowling bag, but he can also personalize your package so it's easy to spot in a crowd of look alike gear bags.

Glenn took a few minutes out for an interview so we can learn more about his rebuilt bags:

How did you get started with customizing bowling bags? In 1953, I was traveling to Cincinnati for a tournament and realized that my 2-ball bag was way too heavy to carry. When I got home, I constructed a wooden frame on wheels and my first bag was born. This was years before bowlers were using a handle and wheels on their gear bags. But, I truly started modifying other people's rolling bags in 1985.

In addition to the decoration and personalization, what other improvements can you make? I can replace the axel and wheels for better manuvering; I can add an axel with wheels to the front for stabilization (this makes the rig roll while in a standing position); I can install support to the bottom that carries the weight; I can also inspect/repair handles and zippers.

How many bags do you think you've worked on? It's about 1500

How long does your mod process take? If I'm working on a 3-ball or 4-ball bag it usually takes about 4 days.

Are there any thoughts you like to share with my readers? Well, this does remind me of how I got started with sign painting as a child. A guy asked to me to paint some lettering on his boat, so I got to work and soon another fellow came along and ask how much I charge for that. Well, I didn't know because I'd never done it before.

As one bowler put it----you don't have a bag until you have one of Glenn Harvey's bags!

lucyandglenn@comcast.net

wordless wednesday

how does it know what I like

I recently had a question from a new blog reader: how does it know what I might like?

Took me a minute, but then I realized that they were asking about the LINKED WITHIN feature of my blog that recommends other articles with "You might also like" at the bottom of each post.

These are random articles that I've posted in the past that may or may not have something in common with the current post. It's a great way to quickly find another articles and experience some of my blog.

Each time a reader loads the webpage, LINKED WITHIN presents new selections for them to maybe like:) This feature keeps my older posts active and give the readers some suggestions on more items to view. Sometimes it uses the labels or images to find related stories, and sometimes it comes up with it's own items. For instance, this post has labels "feature" and "Promotion" and all the images are 'screen shots' , there's only one hyperlink (and it's repeated), the word 'like' appears 5 times and is in the title - so, look to the bottom to see how it did.

It doesn't really know what you like - it's just hoping that you will!

Easter Lily by Catherine Donnelly

Spring touched a snowflake

that winter had left,

Turning it into a bloom,

With petals fashioned after the wings

Of an angel who sat by the tomb,

Fragrantly scenting the early spring air,

Vibrant with promises given

By Christ, whose victory over the grave

Has opened the doorway to heaven.

here comes your King

Celebrate Palm Sunday with this short video from the movie 'The Gospel of John'

CATurday is here

I think I see it now

we hate

it brings us together!

Birding in Tennessee: Barred Owl

Do owls only come out at night? Can an owl capture fish right out of the lake?

Well, the Barred Owl does come out during a dark or cloudy day to hunt for mice, birds and other prey. They can sometimes be seen perching high up in the foilage and watching for any opportunity to hunt. These owls have been observed snatching fish from a lake!

Some Tennesseans call this species a 'hoot owl' and are heard making their loud "who-cooks-for-you who-cooks-for-you" sound that can be heard naytime of the day or night. During mating the Barred Owl makes a "hoo-hoo hoo-WAHHHH"and can range from short yelps to barks to a wild squall that sounds like a monkey.

listen to several barred owl calls on this OWL PAGE under 'calls'

The large round head, brown eyes and horizontial bars on the chest of the Barred Owl are it's defining features. Usually about 20" tall with 50" wing span it lives for about 10 years in the wild (20 years in captivity) wth their only natural enemy being the Great Horned Owl.

Barred Owls mate for life and maintain a small terrioty throughout their lives. They care for their young much longer than most other owls (4 months). When the young leave the nest at 4 months, they are not able to fly but use their beaks and talons to move along onto branches. These owls are called 'branchers'.

SUNCATCHER $98 - - - - - - - -Coconut sculpture $20

from UpNorthSuncatchers - - - - - - from EverythingOldisNewAgain

I saw a Barred owl on a windy night when I turned on our outdoor lights to see if it was raining. The small owl had perched on a very tiny branch only 3 feet from my office window. I was so excited that I grabbed my camera but not fast enough to catch him before he moved on.

This is the first article in a new series for Edge of the Wildwood . . . BIRDING! We examine many wonderful species of birds found in Tennessee. I hope you'll come back often and follow the BIRDING series.

wordless wednesday

nobody told us that we couldn't

I've posted many times about the vast talents of my family members, and as part of the BLOGFIRE carnival I wanted to tie a few of my posts together so you can get a better picture.

My mama is creative in many various handicrafts: cooking, gardening, sewing, painting, photography, and even flower arrangement. She must have been the one who taught me the 'you-can-do-anything-if-you-try" lesson. Mallie has recently tapped into her skill with the needle and produced dozens of aprons. Be sure to read "Mama Said" and watch for future posts about her influenence on my craft.

My younger brother, Mike has developed his talents in music. I remember learning to play the piano at age 10 with Mike watching my fingers closely. He tried to get his hand-eye coordination to allow him play, but maybe he was too young for it. Years later, Mike picked up a guitar and finally found his instrument of choice. Mike is also successful as a sports photograher and handyman. Find "The Stray Crows Flying Blind" article with links to sample his songs.

Another artist that I greatly admired was my Aunt Judy. She didn't shy away from difficult or demanding art projects, and she took compliments with grace. Judy's oil paintings are a timeless testament to her talents. If anyone in my close family could be called an accomplished artist, it would be Judy. My recent article "runs in the family" gives a few examples of her work.

I continue to be inspired by my stepfather, Gary, who has an award winning career as a commercial photographer. Gary excels in teaching others his profession, and he shows genuine interest in all forms of art. His eye for the light that brings an image to life and his intuition for textures has served him well over the years. In "Curse of the Photographers Daughter" article, I share some of my frustrations and Gary's gentle guidance.

And these are only a few of many family members that influence and encourage me in endless ways. My darling husband, Jody is my muse and gives me support in ways that I really can't describe. My chosen craft is woodburning, but Jody honestly believes I can do any creative work.

My BLOGFIRE friends will certainly have great stories about the family members that inspire them. Follow the link and find more warm hearted articles!

I dwell in possibility

I dwell in possibility

a fairer house than prose

more numerous of windows

superior for doors

of chambers as the cedars

impregnable of eye

and for an everlasting roof

the gambrels of the sky

of visitors the fairest

for occupation this

the spreading wide my narrow hands

to gather paradise

-Emily Dickinson

dead ringer

Many believe that the phrase "saved by the bell' is from the 17th century. It describes people being saved from being buried alive by attaching a bell to a coffin when it's intured. This way, if they were accidentally buried alive, the bell would ring when they revived. The sound of a bell ringing in a cemetary would prompt the caretakers into a swift grave digging and a rescue of the living.

The fear of being buried alive was taken quite seriously. Several prominent people expressed this fear when close to death themselves:

"All I desire for my own burial is not to be buried alive." - Lord Chesterfield, 1769

"Have me decently buried, but do not let my body be put into a vault in less than two days after I am dead." - deathbed request of George Washington

"Swear to make them cut me open, so that I won't be buried alive." - Frederic Chopin's last words

Just as serious were the bell devices themselves, several of which were patented in England and the USA. These were known as 'safety coffins' and designs were registered in the 19th century and up to as late as 1955.

The Improved Burial Case.

Patent No. 81,437

Franz Vester, Newark, New Jersey.

August 25, 1868.

USA Patents Office

Although these fears were genuine, the origins of this phrase (and 'dead ringer') actually has nothing to do with burials. Rather, it was used to describe a boxer who is losing a match and has been given a chance to further the fight with a ring of the bell.

The term dead ringer has origins in horse racing.

cottontail rabbit rock

One of my favorite subjects: rabbits! When it comes to rock painting, rabbits rule. I can scarely keep them in stock because they sell so fast. The kit rabbit rock featured is one of the smallest I've ever done, and it's friendly size adds to the charm. Are those whiskers twitching? are those eyes twinkling at me? My handpainted creek rocks certainly get alot of love and attention from buyers. Each rock has a unique character and shape, and it's fun to bring them to 'life' '

COTTONTAIL RABBIT ROCK

$38.00

The Seven Elements of Art

1. LINE


2. SHAPE


3. FORM


4. SPACE


5. COLOR


6. VALUE


7. TEXTURE

From BUZZLE.com

Shape: A shape always has two dimensions, length as well as width. This is represented as an enclosed area that is defined by color, value, space, texture and form. When lines form together, they form shapes. Shapes can be geometrical, rectangles, ovals and squares. Form: A form always has three dimensions; length, width and height. Examples of such would be cubes, pyramids, spheres or even cylinders. Therefore, form has depth as well as height. Sculptures and decorative arts serve as good examples for form. Value: The value refers to the changes in the base color. This is also determined by how much light is reflected or absorbed by any surface. Values mean the various intensities of the tones or colors. This could be the highlights, midtones or even shadows in any painting or sculpture. Texture: The texture is the quality of a surface or the way any work of art is represented. There are three kinds of basic textures, actual, simulated and the invented texture. Lines and shading can be used to create different textures as well. For example, if one is portraying certain fabrics, one needs to give the feeling of the right texture so that it closely resembles what the artist is trying to convey. Color: Color always has three characteristics, which are hue, value and the intensity. Hue means the shades (Red, yellow or pink), value refers to the lightness or the darkness and intensity refers to the brightness or dullness of the work of art. Space: Space is the creation of visual perspective; this gives the illusion of depth. Space can also mean the way an artist uses the area within the picture plane. Real space is actually three-dimensional. The way any artist uses the combination of positive and negative space can have a great effect on his/her entire composition. The right use of space can go a long way in creating a bigger impact with even minimum use of lines. Three-dimensional space can be created with the help of shading and perspective to give a feeling of depth.

Also see The elements of art on The Getty

50 is the new 30

Sending out a special birthday wish for my big sister, Kelly! It's great to have a sister like Kelly who puts up with all my foolishness.

I hope Kelly will celebrate her 50th in style - and I wish I was with her to give her a big hug and party down.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY ***

i need a swift kick in the blog

Sometimes I just need a gentle push:) So many great things to share, and a perfect place to meet. My blog. I've been blogging now for several years and have learned a trick or two about how to get my message out. I try to post a mixture of instruction, historical, humorous, and topical items that relate to my craft, my town, my family or my faith. I don't get discouraged, but I do sometimes get distracted. In all my years of blogging, I've never gone for more than a week without a post---until January of this year. After a successful surgery to remove a large cyst from my abdomin, I feel ready to kick back LOL

So . . . thanks for hanging in there with me, and we'll get to the Wildwood and post content that you deserve. Read me and I'll read you, too.

who do ya think ur foolin?

see more Failbook