This is an index of posts that fall into my “Musings” category. Usually it’s on a topic that has no other defined focus, but sometimes these are also my philosophical-type posts. Subscribe to Wild Ozark™ » Musings by Email
Well, sooner or later ever year there comes a point where it feels like winter has arrived. This week here at Wild Ozark marked that point. It’s been 19*F some mornings, but this morning was 24*F and that is plenty …
Today I’ve started working on a task that’s been on my to-do list for the whole year. It’s one I procrastinate for as long as I can, it seems. But it just can’t go on like it is any longer, …
This post is being filed in my category for off-topic Musings. I’m sixty today, and the feels I’m feeling today are taking me by surprise. The wheel of life isn’t just creaking on this revolution – it’s nearly kicking and …
It’s so easy to get caught up on the big things – the huge projects, major hurdles, or life in general. Sometimes it can get overwhelming. I think that noticing those small accomplishments, moments, and experiences that make up the …
I usually send a newsletter out once a month. Eventually, I’d like to make shorter ones and send them out twice monthly, but I never seem to find the time to do it, so it’s still only a monthly. Sometimes …
The other day as I was driving to the office for work, I saw a beaver at the second bridge. I stopped to watch it and took some video. Then on the way home that day, I saw deer, mostly …
My path to becoming a painter was sort of traveled in reverse. I found the pigment first, but wasn’t sure how to make use of them. After some experimenting and research, I made a set of watercolor paints. And then …
There’s a technique for dealing with anxiety that involves observation. It goes by many different names, but the one I know by is called the Rule of 3. I’ve found it to be excellent, not only for anxiety, but also …
Research shows that having a connection to nature is beneficial to mental health, and those who spend time outdoors are likely also enjoying physical benefits. But, those who either live in cities, don’t like the usual ways people experience …
This is an older post, from 2015 about resistance to change. With so much change in the air these days, it felt like a good time to repost an old post.
When you think of ‘nature’, you’re probably thinking of green spaces, trees, creeks, rivers, etc. But what else could that word encompass? This post is about questions pertaining to perspective and perception; about what constitutes nature.
After dark last night, we sat on our balcony and waited for our eyes to adjust. Seeing the Milky Way is always special, even here where we can see it often. The night was perfect for viewing – the moon …
While the world was in Covid shutdowns, I’d begun making blog posts I called ‘Hermit Journals‘. While I’m glad we’re not still in lockdown, I miss making those entries. So I’m going to start them up again as …
First of all, let me say that vacuuming the cat went way better than I expected it would. This post is a departure from my recent types of posts. This is me practicing getting a blog post written, about whatever …
I’ve been struggling with a decision about whether to purchase blue pigment or continue using the indigo. While I can source local indigo or grow my own, it isn’t a permanent pigment. Does it matter if I use outsourced pigments? …
Spring ushers in busy times at Wild Ozark. I’ve got a host of things I’m working on, and Rob does too. Most of mine are real estate, art and garden related, and most of his are solar and homestead tasks.…
This is an example of the imagery that arises when I let my imagination guide my artwork. It’s one of the earlier paintings I did after finding out I could make paint from the rocks here, titled “Four of Wands”. …
There was a time when I thought it was only this particular place I call Wild Ozark that held such importance in my life. While I do truly love this place I’m planted, over the years, through travel and difficult …
Around this time of year, when the grass starts to green up here and there, it stirs me to watch for the short-lived, earliest spring flowers like bloodroot. It’s the annual ‘ephemeral anticipation’ time.
When I walk around out here, I’m always finding rocks that I like for some reason or other. Sometimes, it’s a good pigment source. Sometimes, there’s a fossil imprint I like. If it’s small enough, it comes home with me …
The approaching weekend and the week after has foreboding forecasts, so today I spent the day running errands. And preparing for bad weather. That usually means COLD weather out here. The only other thing we get during warmer months is …
Today is Christmas day and the family festivities are over. I had taken some pictures the other day with the intention to write a blog post about firewood, an endless homestead task. But time got away from me and so …
Sometimes art & life plans work in synchronistic harmony here at Wild Ozark, just because everything here acts as inspiration for my art. But, it always feels like I’m flying by the seat of my pants. No routine, just trying …