April's Agenda

April. Already. Wow! Where has the time gone?

Time. Such a fleeting thing. Here one moment and gone the next...

We had planned on having the house finished and placed on the market to sell by this time but cold weather and projects not going as planned have delayed things. The kitchen is almost finished, though. Just waiting on the new flooring to be installed. (should be going in as you read this post - as long as you're reading this after 9 am) I'll share pics as soon as the floor is in. 

This month should be productive. I'm down to just two rooms (mostly ceilings) to paint and have most of the inside packing done. I've been trying to squeeze in some creativeness during paint dry time but there always seems to be something else that needs to be done ... laundry, cooking, mowing. Where is that maid when you need her?

This month you're going to have to put up with me reminiscing about living in the South. (Painting gives a person a lot of time to think.) We'll continue to meet a few of the inhabitants of the Land of Melting Shadows. And this month's Sunday Art Posts will be about art from things that would otherwise be thrown away - in honor of Earth Day - April 22.
Oh, And Gomez will continue with his Monday Musings. 

So stay tuned! 

An "AA" Day

Last week was Spring Break for Hubby. Schoolwork has been keeping him busy but he is on the downhill stretch - graduation is in a little over a month. 

And I have been living with a paintbrush (or paint roller) in my hand. We both needed a break! Desperately!  

So we decided to take an AA {Attitude Adjustment} Day!  

It was a gorgeous day with clear blue skies, plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. And Mother Nature beckoned to us to come out and play. So off we went for a day trip to the Cossatot River State Park. 

Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area is located in southwest Arkansas. This National Wild and Scenic River is a watershed basin with flow levels dependent on rainfall. After significant precipitation, the river level rises. It has been a dry winter following a dry summer and autumn so the water level in the river was low and the bottom could be seen in numerous places.

These underwater rocks look like cobblestones. Maybe this is a road from an ancient civilization....

This State Park-Natural Area stretches for 12 miles along the scenic Cossatot River, Arkansas's premier whitewater experience renowned as the best whitewater float stream in mid-America. 

Looking downriver over whitewater area.

Rock ledges at Cossatot Falls area

There are several camping and picnicking places along the river but we stopped at Cossatot Falls to explore. The Falls are located in a section of rugged and rocky canyon that challenges the most experienced canoeists and kayakers with its Class IV and V rapids, when the water is high. At Cossatot Falls, with its distinct ledges, the river drops 33 feet in elevation within 1/3 of a mile. Hence it's name Cossatot, which comes from the French cassé-tête which translates roughly to skull crusher.

Rock at Cossatot River. Actual colors of rock and lichen.

We wandered around the river and climbed on a lot of rocks. Took pictures of rocks and the river. And rocks under the river. And just had a fun time.

This is the beginning of the rapids area. But because the water was low, it wasn't very  rapid.

Amazing how smooth the rocks are from the water.

On the way back home we took in the sights and enjoyed seeing the wild cherry and redbud trees in full bloom. Just gorgeous! And we found a long stretch of mountainside where there was mile after mile of redbud trees blooming. Their pinkish lavender blooms were gorgeous against the green of the forest.

Funerary Finale

For some fun, visit Pushin Daisies, a mortuary novelty shop.

Flush your remains? Alkaline Hydrolisis is the method which turns the body into a brownish, syrupy liquid by dissolving them in lye. The liquid has the consistency of motor oil and smells strongly of ammonia, but is sterile and can be poured down the drain.

Why not go out with a bang? Several companies incorporate cremated ashes into fireworks for a farewell fireworks display. Click here!  Or Click Here!

Become one with the Earth with Spirit Tree.

Learn about Lachrymatory and how powerful collected tears can be.