Monday, November 23, 2009

We are able to laugh when we achieve
detachment, if for only a moment.

May Sarton
We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy and doubt, that peace and abundance may manifest for all.
Dorothy Day
2 more quotes from gratefulness.com
I tend to like the ones that I am constantly working on myself.....
Happy Thansgiving to all....Annie B.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Landing again in Eden!!

"The Rainbow River is located in the southwest corner of Marion County Florida, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala, 100 miles northwest of Orlando and 100 miles north of the Tampa Bay area. It is formed by a first magnitude spring that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge. In addition to the springs located at the headwaters, there are many smaller springs that discharge from numerous caves, rock crevices, and sand boils the entire length of the river. The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon Florida. The headwaters is the anchor for the Rainbow Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous vents that issue 400 - 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day. The Rainbow Springs State Park is a popular destination to swim, snorkel, canoe, picnic, or stroll on the walking paths to enjoy the many plants and animals that abound here.
Once named Wekiwa Creek, Blue Spring, and Blue Run, archaeological evidence indicates that the waters of the Rainbow River have attracted and sustained human inhabitants for over 10,000 years. The crystal clear water, abundant with fish, wildlife and vegetation along with the constant water temperature of 73 degrees, has attracted a number of modern day activities.
The springs became popular in the late 1880’s when hard rock phosphate was discovered in the area. A small community called Juliette flourished near the springs during this "boomtown" era. In the 1930’s the spring was developed as a tourist attraction. Sea walls, a lodge, gift shop, the waterfalls, and a reptile exhibit were developed. Under new ownership, the real heyday for the attraction occurred in the 1960’s. During that time activity greatly increased with glass-bottomed boat rides, riverboat rides, log raft rides, a gift shop and cafe, an aviary, a leaf-shaped gondola/monorail system, a horse rodeo, and submarine boat tours. Not faring well when traffic began using I-75 instead of U.S. Highway 41, with many tourists heading to a new attraction called Disney World, the attraction closed in 1974.
The entire Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. The state purchased the original area that was the Rainbow Springs Attraction in 1990. Volunteers cleared the overgrown park and opened the park on weekends to the public. The Florida Park Service officially opened Rainbow Springs State Park on a full time basis on March 9, 1995.
Rainbow Springs State Park is comprised of 1,459.07 upland acres (which includes around 100 acres of wetlands) and 12.83 submerged acres. The most significant natural feature is the first magnitude headspring basin which produces between 400 - 600 million gallons of fresh water per day, forming the Rainbow River. The looking glass waters of Rainbow Springs come from several vents, not one large bubbling spring. The river itself supports a wide variety of fish , wildlife, and plants, many within easy viewing by visitors. In total, the park contains 11 distinct natural communities, including sandhills, flatwoods, upland mixed forests, and hydric hammocks. Visitors are able to see a variety of wildflowers in season; oak, longleaf pines, magnolia, dogwood, redbud, and hickory trees; gray squirrels, red-shoulder hawks, swallowtail kites, barred owls, whitetail deer, and a wide variety of wading birds. The relative peace and quiet of the winter season offers much for the nature enthusiast. There is an interpretive room located in the visitor center displaying historical, natural, and cultural resources of the park."
I can't wait to swim here again. Spending some time for a while with my dear old Dad.
Peace, Annie B.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Yet another very inspiring site for

Organic Farm-Sound Healing-Earth Healing :

http://www.organic-sacred-earth.co.uk/sound_healing.htm#Top

Friday, November 6, 2009

Another great old illustration from vintage moth
I love everything about the movement to use old images for new collages. I glow inside (with inspiration) to look at what some folks have done and to see things being done more (again) encaustically. Today while looking over vintage moth some more, I found this amazing blog...with challenges to you assembling lovers out there called "Steffies Stuff" very inspiring!!!

I Love Mermaids! This is one of the copyright free vintage pictures available on
www.thevintagemoth.blogspot.com that I previously blogged...
"God bless the grass that grows through the crack
they roll the cement over and they try to keep it back."
Malvina Reynolds via stevie v

Thursday, November 5, 2009


"The same pain that can blemish our personality
can act as a creative force,
burnishing it into an object of delight. "

Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan
Alchemical Wisdom

Tuesday, November 3, 2009


This is actually the top half of a picture that my Mom took years ago. It is the "heartland" of forest from my childhood. Nearly every weekend in the summer, I ran free there with 20 plus cousins. I am pretty sure this is where I became a young Naturalist. It's a beautiful example of what Ohio's colors are like in the fall.

reblog

"Love alone can unite living beings
so as to complete and fulfill them
for it alone joins them by what is deepest in themselves.
All we need is to imagine
our ability to love developing
until it embraces the totality of men and of the Earth."
Teilhard De Chardin

Sunday, November 1, 2009



Earlier this year, the day that two of my friends had their first child, I embarked upon my first project of making an old book into a new "art book" like I had seen in many books about the subject. This one is for Kai and his two parents. The left side mostly represents his Chinese side and the right his Swedish. I reused the Year of the Ox collage because he is a baby boy Ox. I tried to fill it with Love and Blessings from many different cultures.

Rabbit, Rabbit!