Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Churchill polar bear adventure is less than a month away & I am literally counting the days!

I have been doing extensive research and look forward to all that Churchill has to offer. Snow has been in their forecast, and after the hot summer we've had here on the east coast, I'm looking forward to it. I will be blogging along the way, as long as there is Internet access. There will be a link to my blog from http://www.artcnow.com as well. 

I've also been working on a book, "Life on Patcong Creek", with the subject matter in my own back yard. The book will not be all my own words as it will be a collection of information I've gathered along the way. Included will be the wildlife that exists here, the marine life, flora, history & I will be writing our current history so as to save our future generations some time on their research. Check out http://www.facebook.com & type in Patcong Creek in the search bar. There are a few variations, but mine has an eagle for the profile picture, then take a look at the photo album to give you a little preview of our creek.

This project came about from the environmental stewards class I took this past year through Rutgers University. It was held at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority in Pleasantville, NJ. We had to do an internship project for the completion of the class & to receive our certificate. I will be sponsored by The Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association & I will also be giving a program at their November meeting. I have learned so much from this class & I highly recommend it to anyone interested in our environment, its past & where it all seems to be going. Every week was with a different professor / instructor & subject matter. We had a great class & I made some awesome new friends & contacts along the way. http://www.envirostewards.rutgers.edu/

So check back for updates on all of this exciting news & leave comments as I look forward to hearing from you as well!

Much Peace, Love & Happiness & Be Well!

New Schedule...

October 1, 2011 ~ Birch Grove Park ~ 10am till 3pm ~ There will be a fishing contest, car show, art & crafts for sale as well as food, hay rides, pony rides amongst other festivities going on this Saturday. Raindate, Sunday, 12pm till 4pm.

October 8, 2011 ~ Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree ~ 10am till 4:30pm ~ Pine Barrens culture, art & crafts & food will all be available for purchase. Wells Mill County Park, 905 Wells Mills Road, Waretown, New Jersey. This event is held rain or shine!

November I'll be going to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, polar bear capitol of the world!
I'll be staying at the famous Blue Sky Bed & Sled known for their sled dogs! Their place sits on the edge of town, overlooking the tundra.
I'll be there photographing the sled dogs & polar bears, amongst other things! Stay tuned for updates about this very exciting adventure!

Hurricane Irene

Irene was not at all as bad as had been expected. Not for us anyway. On our 2 little streets, all of the 17 homes in our neighborhood came out without any catastrophes. A few lil' branches here & there, but everyone is safe & bottom line...that's all that really matters. The tide came up higher than usual, but not as high as predicted. The water covered the dock & came up about 15 - 20 feet past that. My greenhouse survived as did the studio, although at around 5am this morning, I did think the water was coming in, but then it receded. There a several tomato plants down, but out of over 150 plants, we won't miss them too much. The canning has been trying to get the best of us anyway so this will be a welcomed break! (I did pick everything I could before the storm hit.) My dog, Ashley, is not sure if we're moving & is up my butt a little more than usual. Poor old dog. There are literally paths going through my living room at this point from all that I have packed in here from the studio. I don't regret doing it though. That was my insurance that nothing would happen. You know how that goes.

I can say this, we have built this house well. It has survived alot this week, not that I ever had a doubt....ok, once during the earthquake when I didn't know what was going on, a fleeting thought went through my mind that my house was going to fall down, but, all in all, the blood, sweat & tears that went into building our home was all worth it. We know it was built to survive.

I hope this finds you all safe & sound! The tornado that hit in Delaware is down the road from where we spent last weekend. Not everyone has come out of this as well as some of us.

Oh, by the way, did you hear there is another hurricane coming next week?

(Attached images are one of our gardens & the produce I picked before the storm.)

What a week!

What a week, an earthquake, hurricane Irene & 1 tornado warning....Mother Natures Fury.

As many of you know, I live on Patcong Creek in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. We expect many changes in the next 24 hours. Two of my major concerns would have to be water in my studio & loosing my greenhouse. We'll see how that all works out. We may also be seeing what has been the best ever community garden come to an end. We've been under a mandatory evacuation since last night, but I don't expect to be going anywhere. I'm here with my dog, Ashley, & have really done all that I could for storm control over the past few days.

Be safe my friends & keep in touch to let me know what's happening in your area. I would love to hear from you!

Mayfest at Smithville, NJ, May 15 & 16, 2010

This weekend I'll be showing my art at The Mayfest, in Smithville, NJ. I'll have new work from Africa, "Ukutula", The White Lion Conservation Reserve!
Stop by & say hello! My booth # is 114.
I hope to see you there!