What's In Your Bag?

     Whaaa?  What bag?  Why my "Bug Out" bag of course.  Now, if you're thinking I'm some crazy paranoid old woman - I'm not.  Well, sometimes, maybe a little.  Anyway, it is the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
      For 33 years, every summer, I would begin collecting our valuables, important papers, and photo albums to keep in a special place for quick evacuation.  This is very much like on TV's MASH.  Sometimes we were only given a day or two's notice.  Keeping 4 kids and dogs calm while packing up our old VW van during all the craziness in the community was quite a feat.  Amazing how people panic with an impending hurricane!
      So, when I moved to tornado country, I continued to keep a bug out bag near the front door.  That lasted about 5 years.  I finally realized that if there was a tornado, there might not even BE a front door, much less a bug out bag.
      But, about a month ago, I awoke one morning, and just started filling my backpack with a few days necessities.  Then, seeing Honey giving me the glare, I realized she needed a bug out bag too.
So, I started filling my collapsible carryall with food and water for both of us.  So now we are prepared for whatever may come.  I think I would have made a good Girl Scout if I had lived in the city.

The carryall with liner I made to conceal innards.  Dried foods, easy open cans, and bottle waters fill the bottom.  There is a tether for Honey to ride on top.  She's not a real hiker.

This is after I added a few more items, a small pillow, towel, and puppy pad on top so Honey can ride in comfort.  She's not spoiled!  Nooooooo!

I love these mesh bags I bought from Rick Steves for my trip to Italy.  Here there is a change of clothes and extra socks plus a sewing and eye glass kit.  

And this is my hanging toiletry kit - also from Rick Steves.  These both fit in the large compartment of the back pack.  There is also another smaller mesh bag with medications, can opener, plastic bags and utensils, and TP, etc.

And what would any self respecting "bug out" bag be without a crank radio, LED headlight, compass, and extra leash and poop bags.  An old fashion fan always comes in handy in hot weather or swarming bugs.

So there you have it.  Bag is all ready with my money belt and print out of vital records in the side pocket ready to put on in a rush.

      But, I have another bag I haven't shown you.  And I can't!  It's a bag I keep with me 24/7.  

But, you can't see it.  The main compartment is my heart, filled with the love of Jesus.  The side compartment is His holy Word, lest I offend Him or others.  The other side pocket is His salvation.

The handle bears the motto "Jesus is my Boss".  This is my "Bug Out" bag of Faith.  

      One bag is useful to get me from one physical location to another, and one bag is useful to get me from here to eternity.  Never hurts to be prepared for both events.

Now, what's in Your bag?

Kareen

PS  If you have any suggestions for additions, please let me know.  Thanks!  K

Fort Jackson

     I'm going to show you something I rarely show anyone.  A partially finished drawing!
WHY?  I hate doing this because an unfinished drawing is UGLY, and people think, "what kind of artist are you?" They can't see the finished product the way I can envision it.
     But, I want you to understand the process, and it IS a process that can be quite messy in the middle.  So, I'll walk you through what I've worked out to date.  I'll show you more in a follow up posting.

     This is the entrance to Ft. Jackson in Bootheville, LA.  The Plaquemine's Parish Orange Festival is held there in December.  We, and especially our kids and dog, spent many a fun time there.

     Here, I've traced the picture onto Bristol Board from the printout upper right.  I use it and the photo on glossy paper for color reference.
     Then I used the Derwent Inktensive Blocks to color in my background colors.  Brushing with a wet brush brings out the intensity of the color and fills in all the little white spots that regular color pencils leave behind.

     Now I've come back with the Prismacolors and started blocking in my darker areas to help me with value balance.  From here on out it will be up to the Prismacolor color pencils.  I'll keep you posted.

Have a creative weekend,
Kareen

From Glory to Gloom and Back

     I meant to post this Sunday, but the blog got too lengthy.  It has been so hot here in Oklahoma, and Honey and I have been struggling with the heat.  Not being able to walk as much is a real bummer for both of us.  Fortunately, Hannah at Paved By Pawprints came to the rescue with these homemade dog toys.  I made some for Honey to help her with the boredom of being cooped up inside so long.
     That said, Sunday early morning proved to be a real treat.  Cooler with a bit of breeze.  So, we went the half block to the park.

The walking trail is a mile around the perimeter.  What a glorious morning.  It was a lovely time alone to soak in all God's grandeur - a time of refreshment after a busy, hot week.

Just thought this was a fun pic!

Midway on our walks is Honey's favorite part  of the park - the cement picnic table - a cool place to watch the other dogs and their humans.

     So much for the glory!  Today it rained.  Rainy days are so depressing for me and Honey too.  We can't walk.  Rats!  

     But, when I sat down to do this post and saw these pictures, it reminded me that this is only temporary ( I'm so impatient). God still loves us.  I don't have to go to the garden and eat worms.

There will be more beautiful mornings and lovely, long walks in the park.

So I hope you all have a glorious week despite the weather,

Kareen

Weeping and Itching

     It started out quite simply this morning.  Honey and I left the house to begin our morning walk at early light to beat the impending heat.  It is 99 degrees in Tulsa right now.  We got as far as the middle of the driveway when she balked, turned around, and headed back.
     She was hungry.  Normally, we walk first.  But, since she had the cortisone shot two days ago for allergies, she has been ravenous.

This is Honey when we first moved to the neighborhood.  There are six pecan trees on our lot.  The whole neighborhood is in a two hundred year old pecan orchard.

And this is Honey (on a good day) with stains from allergy tearing.

     She's been pretty stable with Benadryl.  But, lately, she's had a rough time - hence the cortisone.

HELP!  Do any of you have this much problem with dog allergies?  Are there any good home remedies that work?  I wipe her down after our walks with a wet cloth - sometimes with a mix of apple cider vinegar thanks to the Good Flea.  It helps a little. 

     I hate her having to have steroids.  That can't be good long term.  The vet recommended Selenium, vitamin E, and Omega 3 & 6.  I started her on them.  But, I guess that is long term maintenance. Are any of you using these for your fur babies?  Any good results?

     Sorry to be whiny, but, I think you doggy mommies understand the angst when our fur babies are hurting.

Give your fuzzies an extra hug today,

Kareen

Kareen's Artwork: When Nancy Came Down

Kareen's Artwork: When Nancy Came Down:      Nancy came down the road from New Orleans (70 miles) in the winter  of the early 2000s. Nancy Newfield  works with LSU and travelled a...