Yup, it's that time of year again.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

That was yesterday afternoon. Yup, it's that time of year again, a bit early this time: The first elk showed up early yesterday morning, just after midnight. Only a few of them, but some returned last night, again, early (this time in terms of time of night), sometime between fall of dark and around 10:30 PM.

Wings got me up yesterday morning to tell me they were there, but I didn't have my camera, so I didn't get any good shots. I heard him say, "They're gonna eat all the hay we just bought; I'm gonna go chase 'em out."  I rolled my eyes and went back to my Kindle, and sure enough, I come out yesterday afternoon and there he is, spreading piles of the old, not-so-good-for-horses hay in piles all over the east field.

Now, of course, it's snowing heavily, and because of the nonsense with our scrips and the pharmacy and colonizers risking everybody's lives in Omicron Season, we didn't get back in time for him to do anything. So I imagine tomorrow we'll wake up to find they've chewed the tarps off the horses' bales again.

But at least they're safe here. [And he's left a message for Johnny inquiring about substandard hay, because this drought has imperiled their food sources badly, and this is their land, after all.]

And tomorrow is the colonial calendar's new year. I'm going to have to make a bunch of changes, because it's become abundantly clear to me that my health can't handle a lot of what i've been doing, and I need time for work that I simply haven't had. I'm going to have to step back from a lot of online stuff starting in January anyway to devote that increasingly limited time to more offline tasks. Because there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things, and we still have to make sales; January is our most costly month of the year, after all (July is second-worst). As far as sales go, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship this week and next. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce; I'm too far behind courtesy of the punishing pace of this season business-wise and the inevitable autoimmune crash for me that attends it, and I STILL have not had a real night's sleep in weeks. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

And speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                      

Friday Feature: Sheltered Beneath the Wings of Powerful Spirits

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

It's our Friday Feature at The NDN Silver Blog, with a work by a local master, one of Wings's oldest friends and fellow artists, with imagery well-suited to his own warrior background. It's a painting, framed and focused on traditional symbols of protection, reminding us at year's end that we are sheltered beneath the wings of powerful spirits.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. We still need to make consistent sales to cover upcoming new medical costs and other expenses and make it through the rest of this terrible second pandemic-ridden year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.  

Already under way.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

Work for the new year, already under way. These will be amazing when they're done. 

At some point, I also have to get beads sorted for him for his next gemstone-bead series drop. We were waiting on some imported from the U.K., and while they made it out of that country fairly fast, it took almost a month to get to us once they got to THIS country. They showed up, IIRC, two days before Christmas, so I haven't really had time to see what he's got to work with.

On top of that, as I've said, I'm going to have to step back from a lot of online stuff starting in January anyway to devote my increasingly limited time to more offline tasks. Because there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things, and we still have to make sales; January is our most costly month of the year, after all (July is second-worst). As far as sales go, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship this week and next. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce; I'm too far behind courtesy of the punishing pace of this season business-wise and the inevitable autoimmune crash for me that attends it, and I have not had a real night's sleep in weeks. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

And speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                      

#ThrowbackThursday: Riding the Waves of the Storm

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

It's #TBT at The NDN Silver Blog, with a #ThrowbackThursday work from four months ago, one perfectly suited to the current wild weather of this winter season. It's a hair cuff specially commissioned by a dear friend, one manifest in the shades and shield-like qualities of the waters, protection in beautiful form while riding the waves of the storm.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. This work obviously will never be duplicated, but if the style of silverwork speaks to your spirit, simply inquire via the site's Contact form; Wings can create a figurative work uniquely your own. We still need to make consistent sales to cover all of our expenses to come and make it through the rest of this still-terrible, still-pandemic-ridden year (one that, like last year, has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner. 

That's a nope.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021;
all rights reserved.

So this is what the humans' stable looks like . . . .

::Sigh:: yeah. Somebody (not I) left the gate to the pen open this morning, so of course, these two monsters made a break for it. Which, of all the days to do it, when there's a couple of inches of snow on the ground is definitely the right time.

Miskwaki and Miika discovered the west-side bird feeder earlier in the month; they like both feeders because there are suet blocks there, and of course, they think they were put there for horses, not birds. The west-side feeder is outside the kitchen door, down by the propane tank. There's a sloping space between the slab outside the door and the bank of red willows, and previously, they've just walked through it. 

Until today. Today, Miika decided to see what was inside the glass. And was rapidly joined by Miskwaki, natch, although the photo of the two of them isn't nearly as clear, because the latter butthead was busy shaking his head and mane. Now, they seem to think they should be allowed in the house, too. We did clog Cree inside the studio once during a blizzard, so I suppose there's kind of a precedent.

Still, that's a nope.

I'm already so far behind on this day, never mind the week, month, year, or prepping for '22. I didn't really fall asleep until after 5:30 this morning, and that was only for a couple of very fitful hours. My pain levels have been making sleep impossible for weeks now. On top of that, as I've said, I'm going to have to step back from a lot of online stuff starting in January anyway to devote my increasingly limited time to more offline tasks. Because there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things, and we still have to make sales; January is our most costly month of the year, after all. As far as sales go, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship this week and next. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce; I'm too far behind courtesy of the punishing pace of this season business-wise and the inevitable autoimmune crash for me that attends it, and I have not had a real night's sleep in weeks. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

And speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                     

At the Center of the Winds

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work to honor some of the most powerful animating forces of place and season. It's a work of traditionally symbolism, beautifully rendered, to remind us what shields and shelters us when we are at the center of the winds.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. We will still need to make consistent sales to cover upcoming new medical costs and other expenses and make it through the rest of this terrible second pandemic-ridden year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.    

Cold.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

That's Mr. Handsome in one of his gifts: one of the Nish-patterned scarves I bought for him. He grew up in an era where the men dressed this way, and he still maintains the tradition. His old ones are still neat, but I didn't want him to wear them out, so I got him this one, which features a dogwood-flower and wild rice pattern, and one in black with a tradish floral design across it, plus a warm winter scarf in a Morning Star design. He's worn that one already, too, because while we may not have any snow, the winds are howling and it is cold. Fortunately, I have more than enough to do indoors by the fire for now.

Speaking of things I have to do, I'm going to have to step back from a lot of online stuff starting in January to devote my increasingly limited time to more offline tasks. Because there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things, and we still have to make sales; January is our most costly month of the year, after all. As far as sales go, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship this week, after Christmas is done. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce, because I lost most of last week to circumstances beyond my control, much of the same this week, and for the last week of 2021, I'm weeks behind the curve. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

And speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                     

Red Willow Spirit: The Measure of Winter

Photo copyright Wings, 2021;
all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's an edition of Red Willow Spirit for how we reckon this season now, in a time when the ravages of climate change have forced the snows to fail us. It's a reminder that transformation and healing are up to us, because from angle to aperture to azimuth, the light is the measure of winter here now.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, his photos are available in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. With the economy dead courtesy of more than a year's worth of uncontrolled pandemic, we will still need to make consistent sales to make it through this month and the rest of the year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.  

Haunting skies, but no heavy weather.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021;
all rights reserved.

Haunting skies, but no heavy weather.

Well, except for the wind. There was too much of that yesterday. Now, the skies outside are white, but the clouds are too high to bring any snow down here to us. Supposedly that will change overnight, but they've been saying that for the last week, so we'll believe it when we see it.

My belated gifts arrived this morning: an absolutely gorgeous framed print of a pastel crane and some micaceous blackware for cooking and serving that I've coveted for a while now. These were items Wings chose (in addition to the belt he gave me Christmas Day) entirely on his own, and I'm deliriously happy with them. The blackware is made by Indigenous Colombian artisans of their local mica clay, and the prices are remarkably modest, but it has such a wonderful silky feel to it:  a small roasting pain, a small dutch oven-type covered pan/pot, four covered soup bowls, and a two-dish server for salt and pepper or condiments. The kind of things I'll use almost daily.

Speaking of things I'll use daily, I have a lot to do, to indulge in a masterpiece of understatement for a moment. I'm going to have to step back from a lot of online stuff starting in January to devote my increasingly limited time to more offline tasks. Because there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things, and we still have to make sales; January is our most costly month of the year, after all. As far as sales go, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship this week, after Christmas is done. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce, because I lost most of last week to circumstances beyond my control, much of the same this week, and for the last week of 2021, I'm weeks behind the curve. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

Speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                     

Monday Photo Meditation: A Crystal Geometry

Photo copyright Wings, 2021;
all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a photo meditation for the last Monday of the calendar year, and for the long and winding road ahead. It's a contemplation of the shapes and shades of winter and their resemblance to the hoop, a crystal geometry the perfect ornament to their angles and rays and concentric circles.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. As always, his photos are available in any of the usual three formats; simply inquire via the site's Contact form. With the economy dead courtesy of more than a year's worth of uncontrolled pandemic, we still need to make consistent sales to make it through this month and the rest of the year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.  

Such winter as it is.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

Not really what you'd call snow for Christmas. That was yesterday; there's even less of it today, and what there is is all on the peaks. We do have howling winds, though, so there's that. Lots of outages around the county, so we're on edge wondering when ours will go on the blink. The Ski Valley up the road always gets first fix, but that doesn't extend down here, you understand.

The forecasters are always be so wrong on the snow, but always dead on when it comes to the winds.

Anyway. Not quite at the point where the world can get down to the business of winter, such winter as it is, but working on it. A lot to do, and I'm going to have to step back online starting in January to devote my increasingly limited time to more offline tasks. Because there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things. As far as sales go, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship this week, after Christmas is done. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce, because I lost most of last week to circumstances beyond my control, much of the same this week, and for the last week of 2021, I'm weeks behind the curve. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

Speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                     

The Light at the Center of the Hoop

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work for a world as it was meant to be — not easy, perhaps, but always in good health and harmony. It's a reminder, too, of our own obligations, of the fact that we are born into the circle and we are guided by the light at the center of the hoop.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. We will still need to make consistent sales to cover upcoming new medical costs and other expenses and make it through the rest of this terrible second pandemic-ridden year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.   

Ornaments.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

Ornaments. No real snow, but at least a little water, even if only a very little.

The gifts are opened, the tartlets are out of the oven, the turkey is in the oven. The clouds are still hanging around, playing hide-and-seek with the sun and hoping, I think, for enough cold and critical mass to drop some snow. There's a roaring fire in the big woodstove, the whole house smells of kitchen spices, and I'll spend the rest of the day working, but not to the kind of punishing schedule we've maintained for the last three months.

Merry Christmas?

But there's always the work, and lots of it. I have to re-organize the site, among other things. As far as sales go,there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship next week, after Christmas is done. Other than that, I will likely still be scarce, because I lost most of last week to circumstances beyond my control, much of the same this week, and for the last week of 2021, I'm weeks behind the curve. It can't be 2022 yet; I'm still trying to manage the ravages of 2019.

Speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. And again, if you're planning on commissioning gifts for the holidays, DO IT NOW. [And that includes just ordinary orders for the holidays, too.] Yes, I mean NOW. We have about one more week for shipping, and then no guarantees on delivery in time. We're dealing with the same supply-chain issues as everyone else, and at some point soon, Wings is going to have to get silver and stones to produce holiday inventory, and I'm hearing that the price is already spiking on the metals. More to the point of what customers care about, we also can't guarantee shipping times this year, because see above. But I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                     

A Cosmic Winter Medicine

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

Now posted at The NDN Silver Blog, it's a work for a day of wishes and prayers, of promise and hope, and for our own role in bringing them to pass. It's a work, too, to remind us of the role of this season and offer us that rare opportunity to improve upon its work, a cosmic winter medicine for healing and rebirth.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. We will still need to make consistent sales to cover upcoming new medical costs and other expenses and make it through the rest of this terrible second pandemic-ridden year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.   

Decorated!

Photo copyright Aji, 2021;
all rights reserved.

As of yesterday evening, decorated! Not that it takes long; it's a small tree, and we don't have many lights or ornaments. But we like to see the tree itself, no tinsel and not a lot of garlanding or anything, so it works out. Now, there are a few small gifts underneath; Wings had to run one last errand at Tractor Supply, so I took advantage of the time for wrapping.

Stuffing is done; turkey is about to get stuffed and seasoned and set in the fridge to soak it all in until tomorrow morning. Then I'm going to do the pumpkin tartlets. Still haven't decided yes or no on rolls, but it'll probably wind up being no; I can barely stand up straight thanks to the pain in my joints, and I'm looking forward to only having to do mashed potatoes and gravy and the vegetables tomorrow.

And there's always the work, and lots of it. There are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship next week, after Christmas is done. Other than that, I will be scarce, because I lost most of last week to circumstances beyond my control and this week is starting many days behind the curve. 

Speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. And again, if you're planning on commissioning gifts for the holidays, DO IT NOW. [And that includes just ordinary orders for the holidays, too.] Yes, I mean NOW. We have about one more week for shipping, and then no guarantees on delivery in time. We're dealing with the same supply-chain issues as everyone else, and at some point soon, Wings is going to have to get silver and stones to produce holiday inventory, and I'm hearing that the price is already spiking on the metals. More to the point of what customers care about, we also can't guarantee shipping times this year, because see above. But I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.                                                                     

Friday Feature: The Mystical Light of Prophetic Winter

Photo copyright Aji, 2021;
all rights reserved.

It's our Friday Feature at The NDN Silver Blog, with a work by a master wrought in two dimensions that glows with the illuminating power of the dimensions beyond our senses. It's a mixed-media work featuring imagery that ranges from old photographs to original watercolor to the charm of children's decals, brought together with all the visionary power of the mystical light of prophetic winter.

The post is here. Wings's main page is here. Inquiries via the site's Contact form. We still need to make consistent sales to cover upcoming new medical costs and other expenses and make it through the rest of this terrible second pandemic-ridden year (one that has already been bitter indeed for our communities), so shares of the site links are much appreciated.

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner. 

Talk about perfect timing.

Photo copyright Aji, 2021; all rights reserved.

We made a wholly unexpected sale yesterday. This morning, Johnny called; he had not expected to have any more hay, never mind good-quality stuff, before spring, but he scored some this week. Talk about perfect timing. And so Wings had him bring us two big bales of it, so the horses should, we hope, be set for the winter now.

I'm so relieved not to be going anywhere today. Plenty to do, including decorating the tree, but first, I have to go up to the deck and help Wings tack down the outdoor lights.  I tried to replace our old farolitos, but they're another supply-chain casualty; they've been out of stock worldwide for months now. So it'll be a modest line of white lights, and probably nothing more, but given how the wind is howling out there, now, quick is good.

And in addition to holiday stuff, I have way more than enough work to do, never mind al I have to catch up after last week's mess, and yes, I will be at it all week, because the pressures of the outside world never let up. We are past the point now where we can get orders shipped to arrive in time for Christmas, I think, even with Express/Overnight shipping. Still, there are belated gifts, there are post-holiday birthday gifts, there will be engagements and weddings and graduations to coincide with the new year, and of course Valentine's Day is not that far off. There are five now four new items up here, and orders will ship next week, after Christmas is done. Other than that, I will be scarce, because I lost most of last week to circumstances beyond my control and this week is starting many days behind the curve. 

Speaking of responsibilities to the future, our doctor's practice is a certified community health center, and they are currently in the middle of their year-end appeal (and since they are a qualifying non-profit, donations are tax-deductible). They treat a large cross-section of grossly-underserved local populations, and they need help now. Since this is the doctor who saved both our lives, we'll be giving again this year, no matter what. You should, too, and tell 'em we sent you. [And for those worried about it, it's tax-deductible.] You can do that here.

But the work just keeps piling up. So do the expenses. I'm currently waiting for delivery of the other beads and cabs that Wings needs for his next set, and for several other things in the pipeline. There was yesterday's small fortune to the doctor. And all of that means that I need to bring in enough to cover all that outlay, because none of this comes cheap.

Yeah, it always comes back to that: more sales. A lot more, because we have two years' worth of a shattered pandemic economy to make up for, by which I mean we need to gain more ground ourselves financially to be able to be sure of making it through the winter. And again, if you're planning on commissioning gifts for the holidays, DO IT NOW. [And that includes just ordinary orders for the holidays, too.] Yes, I mean NOW. We have about one more week for shipping, and then no guarantees on delivery in time. We're dealing with the same supply-chain issues as everyone else, and at some point soon, Wings is going to have to get silver and stones to produce holiday inventory, and I'm hearing that the price is already spiking on the metals. More to the point of what customers care about, we also can't guarantee shipping times this year, because see above. But I've posted a ton of Wings's new work lately, and there will be more in the days and weeks to come. If I could sell one of the big works, like one of the belts, maybe I could get us on the drill list for the well that is the only thing that's going to keep this land alive. But I've got way too much to do and too few hours and other resources to do it. 

Anyway, I have GOT to continue to make sales, so links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (priorities are first and foremost, the ladders, because see above);
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

And if you've been contemplating a purchase? This would be a very, very good time to do it; I've got to cover all this staggering outlay somehow and get us through what's left of the year. And right now? I have no way to do it.  But there's lots of fabulous new work, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2021; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.