Thank you for visiting.
July is halfway done. This summer is going by rather quickly. I am reminded of Summer beach trips that I took with my Mom and my Aunt and cousin. We always left the mountains in the very early morning hours and headed south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I’ll never forget watching the sunrise over flat, farmland, horizons as we got close to the state line. The landscape opened up in a way that felt so different from these old mountains that, while lovely, can create such a closed in and closed off feeling – especially in the 1970’s before all the roads to come up to Boone were improved.
Every visit to Myrtle Beach included a shopping trip to the Gay Dolphin, located right on the strand. It had all sorts of gits, collectibles and things that you could buy to bring home and share with friends or as keepsakes for yourself.
Have you had your “beach trip” this year? Nowadays, I tend to go to Wrightsville or some other North Carolina beach, and I prefer to go in the Winter. The weather is still much nicer than it is in the mountains; warmer and clearer. And the ocean is beautiful with much less people. The Winter sky at the coast is a relaxing grey/blue.
I hope your Summer is good and bringing you happy times and good health.
Have a great week!
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what is going on around here?
Some of what I do:
Nature
Getting out in nature is something I like to do, and I do it with respect. Nature is to be honored. When the balance is off, life can be difficult. Nature is beautiful with flowers, trees, paths and animals, but it can also be brutal. I have tried to live in harmony with nature as much as possible my whole life. 60+ years. We won’t worry about the plus. ;) It’s all a plus.
Art & Craft
My creative endeavors often include small houses for fairies or gnomes, animals and florals. Sometimes, I gather natural materials to craft with. I also draw, paint, collage and create with clay and paper. The natural world informs my perspective more than anything else. I like to mix it up though…imagining animals and nature in ways that may not be expected. I like to decorate my garden space with crafted decor – fairy garden, anyone?
Garden
I have a lavender garden that makes the area smell great in the summer months. I gather lavender, and other herbs, and dry them for many uses. Plans for 2026 are to expand and include other flowers for sale.
The area where I live, close to the town of Boone, NC, is a small farming area. I live on a Century Family Farm. This designation was procured by my Father in the 1980’s after he worked with the state of North Carolina to designate it as such. Even though Boone has changed so much, thankfully there are still people here dedicated to rural life and working with nature.
and other things:
I work at the Explore Boone visitor center. I’ve done this for about a year. It is a really nice place. If you call or stop by, it’ll likely be me that you are talking with.
I wrote and illustrated a picture book, self published through Amazon. That was a fun challenge. I have more ideas for writing and publishing…always working on what I can learn or do next!
I also have a vintage and handmade Etsy shop that I’ve maintained and sold through since 2011.
I will be updating this website weekly, so please check in often for seasonal art and photography.
quote for the week:
“In the deep heart of summer, the sky is a mirror of the sea, and the sun spills gold over everything it touches.”
— A Midsummer Night’s Dream ~ Shakespeare
Lisa Clements Boone NC 