I'm No Longer Over The Rainbow...

Whew!! I traveled that yellow brick road from Deansboro to Oz and man are my "dogs" tired. I've got two corns and a blister now.

Heck, I don't know how Dorothy did it hoppin' around in those ruby red scoots of hers. I would have weathered better in a pair of earth shoes. All I need is some red sequins and a glue stick and I'd be skippin' around too.

Well folks, my one of a kind Wizard Of Oz Firewood Folks Series is complete. I truly had a blast makin' them. They will be listed individually on eBay this Sunday night(February 3rd).

I will be workin' on more Firewood Folks; but for now I think I'm goin' to get me a pedicure and take a load off.

Happy biddin' and God bless...
:> )

Oh and don't forget to feast your peepers on Zella-Lee and Hedy the Hare. They are my February offerin' on The Humble Arts.

"But Oz Never Did Give Nothin' To The Tin Man..."

"That he didn't, didn't already have. And Cause never was the reason for the evenin', or the tropic of Sir Galahad."

What in the heck was that Dewey Bunnell feller from the band America smokin' when he wrote those lyrics? It makes no sense but was a real toe tapper, wasn't it?

I remember my mama lovin' that song, so I saved my money and bought her the 45 (for 79¢) and gave it to her for her birthday. That along with some groovy wooden napkins rings. Gotta love the 70's.

Here's my Tin Man.

I'm workin' on the scarecrow next...

Many of y'all know I still get the willies when I see those flyin' monkeys! YIKES! *shudder* But I know they are important characters to the story.

So I was finally was able to bring myself to sculpt one of these lil' creatures. He will be offered with the Wicked Witch.

Mine isn't as scary lookin' but I reckon it will take years of therapy to overcome this one. I really do need my head examined anyway. :> )

She's Not Bald Anymore...

Here's a sneak peek at my February 1st offerin' on the Humble Arts.

Meet... Zella-Lee and Hedy the Hare.

They're (Almost) Off To See The Wizard...

Only two left to go. Man, I'm havin' so much dang fun makin' these! I will have the series complete and up for auction on Super Bowl Sunday night.

If y'all are an Oz fan or know someone who is; join my email list (on my website) and I'll give y'all a holler when they're ready!

Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Was Laid To Rest Today...

Hundreds attended the funeral for this brave young soldier.

Our small town community united together to offer our condolences and support to the family of a fallen soldier.

Thank goodness not one member from the Westboro Baptist Church showed to protest. But if they did, our town was ready for them.

We were told by a member of the Patriot Guard Riders they usually do not show when they find out the Guard is invited to a funeral.

What a wonderful group of folks these Patriot Riders are. They come from all over the state to support military families in a time of need. They stand side by side in a sea of red, white and blue. It is truly amazin'.

The Sigsbee family was able to bury their son in peace.

Thank you John. You have given us the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace Dear One.

More Sad News...

I heard on our local news last night that members of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka, Kansas are comin' to our small country town to protest the funeral of Cpl. John P. Sigsbee on Friday.

I have seen the national news footage about these people. For a group who claims to be Christian, they sure do hate everybody. Its almost comical, like a churchful of Archie Bunkers. Now I know they are a radical group and most Baptist-folk are not like this. All religions have their radicals, includin' my own. It is shameful.

Sounds like these folks just like all the attention they get. You know the ol' sayin', negative attention is better than no attention at all. Or maybe its a pathetic way for them to travel around and see this great country of ours and use the church's tax exemption status to write off all their travelin' expenses. Who knows?

I think the good Lord above is snappin' photos of these folks holdin' their signs of hatred. So when judgment day arrives, He'll hit the review button and show them the images of what they did here on earth. I can bet they'll be doin' a lot of back peddlin' and tap dancin' to get out of that one. But He knows the truth; He always does. Have they forgotten there is only ONE Judge? They may be shocked to find where they will be spendin' all eternity.

I don't want to hear they have the "right" to protest. I have the right to say and do many things; but I try to live my life as morally right as I can. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31.

Many hide behind the First Amendment to get away with these kinds of acts. The bottom line is I don't give a hoot what side of the war y'all are on. A mother and father are buryin' their child and we should have the decency and respect to let them mourn in peace.

I do know our small country town (myself and hubs included) will rally together to make sure this group behaves themselves.

The Patriot Guard Riders will be there to help too.

Lions And Tigers And Bears, Oh My...

Or should I say, scarecrows and witches and tinmen oh my!

Yep, I'll be somewhere over the rainbow today workin' on the rest of my Oz Firewood Folks.

I may have to borrow the tin man's hatchet to chop me up some more bodies though. Yikes! That didn't sound right. Make that Firewood Folks bodies.

Geez, I had to clarify that, otherwise I might end up on an episode of "Snapped." *chop*chop*

Its A Sad Day Here In Our Small Town...

The villages of Waterville, Deansboro and Oriskany Falls are saddened by the loss of Cpl. John P. Sigsbee.

At only 21 years old he was a decorated soldier given the Purple Heart in 2006. He was killed earlier this week in a grenade and small arms attack in Balad.

I did not know this brave young man personally; but we grieve with his family. Livin' in small towns like we do, we consider anyone's child "our" child. We keep an eye out for each other and pull together when tragedy strikes.

We stood outside our home this mornin', waitin' for the military escort to drive by and bring "our" boy home. With our hand over our heart and American flags wavin' in the bitter cold, we watched. He is home.

God bless you John.

Yet Another Cue Ball...

Here's what I've been workin' on today.

Even though I have the attention span of a flea; I usually work on a dollie from start to finish. I don't like to work on more than one at a time.

But I really needed to veer off the yellow brick road for just a bit and work on somethin' else. Besides, my hubs is so tired of hearin' me sing "We represent the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild..."

So I'll get back to the Oz gang after I finish up this wide eyed darlin'.

What A Difference A Day Makes...

Looks like ol' Man Winter changes his mind about the weather like he changes his underwear. No snow one day then snow the next.

I hopped back on the Towpath down behind our home and as usual, brought my camera. I never want to miss an opportunity to snap a picture of the beauty around me. See for yourself.

I also enjoy seein' all kinds of critter tracks in the snow.
Mouse...

Rabbit...

Deer...

Me...

:> )

February 14th Is Right Around The Corner...

So instead of gettin' roses that will last only a week, or that borin' box of chocolates; why not get one of my dollies from my Countryfolk Keepsakes website?

I guarantee they will last longer than those flowers and they won't stick to your hips like a truffle.

Click here to see more pics of Marisela the Heart-Head. She's bein' offered on my website.

Put 'Em Up, Put 'Em Up!

I'm workin' on the Cowardly Lion next.

As I'm needle feltin' his mane, I'm havin' flashbacks to when I had my big 80's hair.

Man! What I could do with some Paul Mitchell's Freeze and Shine, a round brush and a blowdryer. Back then I looked 5" taller just because of my do.

He's still neked, so for now I'll keep him away from the drafty window.

Oh and I promise I won't put a head band and leg warmers on him. But I'm tempted. He's a maniac, maniac on the floor...

I've A Feelin' They're Not In Kansas Anymore...

She keeps clickin' those heels of hers; but she's still here in Central New York.

She is my second Firewood Folks for 2008 in a Wizard of Oz series I'm workin' on and will be offered down the road upon completion.

So hopefully Dorothy (and her little dog too) will find their way back to Tornado Alley.

There's no place like home... *click* There's no place like home... *click* There's no place like home... *click*

I Went For A Walk Today...

Ahhhh! It felt so good to get these ol' bones out in the cold, crisp air and snap some pics.

Even in the dead of winter, nature's colors shine through.

As I can upon this soda can someone had deliberately placed on this stick; I felt extreme sadness.

I thought, "Why would someone want to ruin this God given beauty we are blessed to have surround us?" "Have they no respect for anythin'?" "Do they not care?"

Nope, I truly believe they don't. How can they respect nature, when as a society we don't respect ourselves. What saddens me most is, we have become so desensitized to everythin', there's no turnin' back.

I remember that television commercial about anti-pollution back in the 1970's. Iron Eyes Cody paddles in his canoe through a stream riddled with trash. He watches as folks toss garbage out their car window as it lands near his feet. He then looks into the camera and a tear streams down his cheek. Now I know that feller wasn't a real Native American Indian, but it definitely hit home with me even as a young'un.

I'm sure many of our forefathers are rollin' over in their graves right about now.

The Calm Before The Storm...

I snapped this pic about an hour ago.

Its spooky but pretty. What's even freakier... NO SNOW!

A Sneak Peek At My #2 Firewood Folk for 2008...

She's as bald as a cue ball but I promise she won't be lookin' like Uncle Fester's twin when I get finished with her.

The poor thing is waitin' for my shipment of mohair to get delivered. So until then I'll keep a hat on her.

I can't show ya the rest of her because her clothin' would give her away.

But I'll give ya a lil' hint... She's a Jayhawks fan.

I'll keep ya posted.

:> )

What In The Sam Hill??!!!

It was minus 15 degrees less than five days ago.

Well lookie what its readin' this mornin' on this January day in the central New York!

I swear, last Thursday I saw a chipmunk bundled up in a parka and ski mask and today he's sittin' in a tiny lawn chair, sportin' a pair of Bermuda shorts and sunglasses.

Well since its so warm out, I best get my can outside and shovel up all those "doggy landmines" just waitin' to get on the bottom of someone's shoe.

I lead such a glamorous life, don't I? I think I'll wear my diamond drop earrins' for this special occasion.

This afternoon (just for sh*ts and giggles), I hopped on the ol' mower and made a couple passes so I could say I mowed the lawn in January! It doesn't take much to amuse me.

Guess Who's Goin' On eBay Tonight?

So if y'all want youself your very own Firewood Folk©; click on the "My eBay" link on the upper right side of my page!

Back To Work...

The holidays are over, the decorations are put away and now I can get crackin' on some creatin'.

I have a bunch of ideas swirlin' in my head but if I don't jot them down, they swirl right on out and I forget.

I know, I know... I should have a sketch book to doodle in but that would mean I would have to be organized and that word isn't in my vocabulary. Besides, I'd misplace the dang thing within 24 hours.

So instead I scribble on strewn pieces of paper like junk mail envelopes, business cards and gum wrappers. In a pinch, I could always use toilet paper.

My Head Is Still A Lil' Fuzzy...

from gettin' knocked in the noggin yesterday. So when I woke up this mornin', looked out the window and read our thermometer, I thought I was seein' things!

Nope. It was real. 15 below zero!!!! Brrrrrrr...

It has now warmed up to a balmy 10 degrees!
Yee-Haw!! Where's my bathin' suit?!
We're havin' a heatwave, a tropical heatwave...

I Took It On The Chin...

Quite literally. Just like Tyson did when he fought Lewis.

The culprit...

This ratty ol' wood bin. We have it on our property to store some firewood. After hubs splits it, my job is to stack it. This is the last place I like to store wood because its such an eyesore. I never did like this dang gum thing and after today, I will be usin' it for kindlin'.

To get the firewood in, I have to duck down and toss it in to stack it. Well I was pitchin' 'em in there like Roger Clemens durin' the World Series. Sure enough, one log hit the back wall, bounced back and hit me square on the chin.

I can attest to the fact that y'all really do see lil' birdies flyin' around your head like in those old cartoons.

So after I got my wits about me (well, that's a stretch), I went in the house to assess the damage. And again just like in those cartoons, I watched my chin grow a lump like a jumbo Eggland's Best right before my eyes. Man, those cartoon folks are right on the money when it comes to this stuff. I just needed Mel Blanc here to do the sound effects for me. **doink**

Now my chin is a lovely shade of purple with some flecks of red.

Since my head feels like its goin' to explode off my shoulders, I think I'd better go lie down for the rest of the day and pop Advil like Tic Tacs.

"Yo Adriannnnnnne!"

:> )