And she saw in his eyes that all was enchanted between Earth and sky

The title of this post is also the title of this painting below that I have recently finished. A sketch since last year, but like many of my ideas, they often get put aside for a later date. It's painted on watercolour paper. I kind of wish that I had painted it on wood or canvas now that it's complete,  I love how you can build up a much thicker richer  colour and layers and play around a bit on those surfaces. However I chose paper, which I also love.  I like that you can achieve a certain delicacy by not using so much paint which I tend to do when I use paint on paper.
I don't think I will ever be a 'one or the other' person, as I would miss too much whichever one I chose to abandon.
 You may well see a similar painting popping up on wood or canvas at some point in time. ;)

Dandelion clocks, moths, starry blue hare, silvery mist and snippets of gold.  

 I also finished another piece last week, which is again on paper. 'Path of the Ancients'                                                             

After finishing this painting and naming it, I was browsing the web for some words to share with this post on the theme of ancient and I came stumbled across this wonderful poem. It seems so appropriate and surely a definite case of synchronicity?

'The Ancients of the world'

By Ronald Stuart Thomas

The salmon lying in the depths of Llyn Llifon

Secretly as a thought in a dark mind,

Is not so old as the owl of Cwm Cowlyd

Who tells her sorrow nightly on the wind.

The ousel singing in the woods of Cilgwri,

Tirelessly as a stream over the mossed stones,

Is not so old as the toad of Cors Fochno

Who feels the cold skin sagging round his bones.

The toad and the ousel and the stag of Rhedynfre,

That has cropped each leaf from the tree of life,

Are not so old as the owl of Cwm Cowlyd,

That the proud eagle would have to wife.

                                                         

 I've added both new pictures as prints, to my Etsy shop.

                                                                               ***
In between painting, time has been spent as much as possible outside. Garden jobs and harvesting delicious things such as these.

 And noticing things such as these.

On the left, a  rather magnificent caterpillar which has stayed put beneath the porch for the last two days. I think it's maybe going to form it's cocoon? Anyone know what it is? I haven't had chance to research yet.
The other two butterfly chrysalis I discovered hanging from beneath our water butt lid. Not the safest of places to hang. If we get a lot of rain and it overflows, they will be submerged and drowned. What a horrible thought.  I shall be keeping an eye on these two, as it could be another moving job?

Since last writing here I have acquired an Instagram account. Why don't you come and join me if you have it. :) x

Sometimes there are no words.

I have been back from my travels for two weeks now. It seems longer. I feel very blessed to have returned home safely, with a heart filled with so many treasured moments. I've several times began to write and share here, but each time have found that words did not really want to come. Maybe there are no words to explain sometimes. But there is a feeling. In my heart it's a ball of light, warm as the African sun and wide as the widest of African smiles. It sparkles like the light in the eyes of a baby elephant. It's as soul stirring as a lions roar, as heartbreaking as the peril of a rhino, as captivating as the golden path that reveals itself each sunset on the zambezi river. And it's as beautiful as the rainbow that stretches timeless, across Mosi -oa -Tunya.

Do not stop dreaming!

One day your world-peace-dream

will inundate the entire world.

-Sri Chinmoy-

"Harm no other beings.  They are just your brothers and sisters"

  -Buddha

"Listen to the voice of nature, for it holds treasures for you."

  Native American (Huron) Proverb

♥ ♥ ♥

We saw so many beautiful creatures at various places during our stay. I have many many photo's, these are but a few. One of the magical highlights though was visiting the sanctuary 'Wild is Life' 

One of their recent additions is a baby elephant named Moyo. 

Below, with my daughter. :)

 

Such a special inspiring place filled with love ♥

Here is me with Sweetpea the Kudu. A very dear old lady.

I am so glad that I shared a moment with her, as sadly a week after  returning home, we heard that she had passed away. 

*** 

If you would like to donate to Zimbabwe's Wild is Life charity, sponsor an animal or help them with their rescue and newly formed elephant nursery. Take a look here  Every little helps.  

***

"I see a world in the future in which we understand that all life is related to us and we treat that life with great humility and respect." 

-David Suzuki