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It was a good night. Happy Halloween, everyone, and sleep like the dead 🧡

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Details of a golden sea, part II : Sunset at sea, by Diyarbakirli Tahsin (1875–1937).

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Flowers, c.1910

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Chinese bronze sword with turquoise studded, gold inlaid rock crystal hilt, Warring States Period, 4th-2nd century BC

from Cardale Auctioneers

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It's been a dry, dusty summer. Arizona has been in a state of drought for over 20 years, but this was the second driest year on record - we received 1/100th of an inch more rain than the very driest year in 1924. We broke the all-time heat warning record, with over 100 days above 100°F. Combine the two and it's the worst drought since 1896. Even the cacti are struggling. Watching the sun glow red in a dull white sky, cloaked in the smoke of the west coast wildfires, a feeling of deep unease sunk into my bones and I've had a hard time shaking it since.

We finally hit the 80s this week; a momentous accomplishment. But nothing compares to yesterday - the temperature plummeted over 50° in a short 36 hours. The wind lifted my hair like a static charge and whipped the sheets from my fingers as I tried to cover my frost-tender plants for the night.

I feel alive for the first time since summer began so prematurely. Something about the chill sets my skin sizzling, sparking. I want to go outside and run, run, run. Even the horses feel it - we let them have the run of the property because they were frolicking and chuffing in the paddock.

I love these brilliantly cold mornings, when every breath sears your lungs and the sheer crispness of the air feels like it cleanses you from the inside out. I feel invigorated and renewed.

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Mountains of the Sea by Ray Collins

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I've collected over 10,000 Datura discolor seeds so far this year, and I'm still harvesting more each day as the pods ripen... all from a single plant. I have to count them by weight. I suspect I'll end up with 15-20,000 by the end. I'm at a complete loss as to what to do with them.

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Lalique Quatre Sirene Opalescent Glass Inkwell c1920’s

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Theodora Allen

The Cosmic Garden (series). 2018-16, oil on linen

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Been feeling quiet lately. The news makes me ache in a numb kind of way. Dealing with a family illness and due to COVID, it took 6 months to get her in for surgery - but it's over now and she's already recovering well. Things are a little more peaceful now.

Well wishes to all of you, hope everyone is safe and healthy.

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The one with the serious eyebrows and the dumb face is my special baby, but they're all darlings. Canaries are so enchanting to me, especially at this age. Even their "feedmefeedme" cries are melodious, not harsh like most birdlings.

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A fruitful day. A few chewy old roosters make excellent jerky, and nothing goes to waste. Not the feet, bones, combs, gizzards, or tails.

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Hope my old fat man brightens your day like he does mine.

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Curing desert tobacco this year because shelter-in-place is boring.

Gov. Ducey may not have issued the order yet, but as far as I'm concerned, it's a social responsibility. And ma has bibasilar atelectasis, a fancy way of saying the lower lobes of both lungs have collapsed - not a good time to fuck with COVID-19.

So much time to kill.

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PART 1

The Road to Awe

“I see the stars in your eyes” said he. “Reflections merely.” Said the crow. “Memories and premonitions” the voice, a soft rebuke. “How can you know such things as the sky will not tell?” crow asked, “I have taken the road to awe, as one day you shall too” a crackle in the voice, the sound of shifting sands.

~Anastasia Korochansckaja

Part 1 of a collaboration with my dear friend Anastasia/Balaa/ @spiramirabilis and I.

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Tomarum

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Diana Yevtukh often displays her embroidered textile art within nature, such as placing her pieces on trees