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Wanderer at Rest: I see you.
Published
10 years agoon
By Jamie Balke Explore Big Sky Columnist
This is the first summer at my new house, and I’ve been gardening. So far it’s going well and has been an enjoyable endeavor. The backyard feels like an oasis, and my dog Finn and I have been spending quite a bit of time out there. Mostly he poops or naps, and I read or putter around watering flowers. Sometimes, my guinea pig Joey eats the grass. It’s a good system.
Yesterday, however, the garden came under attack. I was sitting at the kitchen table when I noticed a robin flying straight at the garden bed. Being a relatively inexperienced gardener I thought, “That’s weird.”
Just as I was wondering if it could be lost, the bird dipped its beak into my strawberry plant, and came up with a rather large-in-comparison-to its-body-size green berry. I watched as it tipped its head up, and ate the berry in one gulp. Actually, it was kind of impressive.
My first thought was, “Well, everybody has to eat.” My second thought was, “Back up off my berries, bird!”
I went outside, thinking the act of opening the door would shoo away the robin. Unfazed, it perched by the strawberry plant, and stared me down. I took a few steps toward the bird, shouting something like, “Please move it along,” except riddled with expletives.
The bird flew a short distance away and perched on my fence, clearly waiting for me to go back inside so it could resume the berry feast. “I see you!” I advised the robin. The bird stared impassively back. In retrospect, my neighbors might wonder about my sanity. The bird eventually flew to a neighboring rooftop, the cheeky bugger.
I decided to attempt bribery. I just happened to have birdseed formed into the shape of a bell in the garage and by the time I made it back outside to hang up the bird bell, the robin had returned to my yard. Despite my very clear gestures towards the birdseed, the robin did not appear interested. The bird bell will probably just attract more birds undesirably close to my strawberry plants.
Of course I kept my mom apprised of the situation in real time. “He’s back!” I texted. Because she has my back, Mom started doing some online research. It turns out there are all sorts of products available for those who find themselves at an impasse with birds.
“It’s a fake scary looking bird that emits hawk screeches at incoming birds,” Mom said. “Awesome right? There are certainly lower tech options. Mylar balloons painted with scary faces…”
A quick Amazon search revealed other fascinating options including an owl statue with a solar-powered rotating head, rubber snakes, and balloons that look like brightly colored eyeballs.
I haven’t yet reached the point of painting faces on balloons, but feel that if I do, it might be time to consider another hobby aside from gardening.
Jamie Balke has mostly resigned herself to sharing strawberries with the robin.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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april, 2024
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd