Tag: American West

Poem: Almost Zero

On By Jennifer Mugrage1 Comment

The reservoir is all locked in.

Its tessellations enfold the old grain tower,

which is no longer free to dance, hopping, in and out the edge of the water

as it usually does.

The tower is left over from the old city,

which is now shrunk down in its new place —

hope you chose well,

you’re not going anywhere,

at least not until Spring.

Still there is some surface movement:

vehicles creeping and squeaking to their important places,

a train whisking through town,

red lights winking

over across the sweep of the lake,

on the pale grey mountains.

Guys, My Oldest Is 16

On By Jennifer Mugrage2 Comments

Here he is enjoying sushi on his 16th birthday.

I love this photo because it captures something about him … nerdy, techy, fit, into all things Japanese.

I also love the gritty urban look of this photo.

Naturally, I had to edit it so that his image is blurred and his privacy somewhat protected. (Guess who helped me find out where I could edit it? That’s right)

The other cool thing is this: We live in rural southeastern Idaho. You would think, all that’s available to eat out here is prickly pear, river fish, beef, and potatoes. But no, thanks to the fact that we live in this once-great empire that is falling into ruins but is still incredibly wealthy, we can drive less than an hour and get sushi. In Idaho. As this new year begins, that’s something I’m thankful for. Such convenience and prosperity certainly make it easier to raise this lovely young man. Who is, of course, another gift for which I’m incredibly thankful.

Latest View of Big Southern Butte

On By Jennifer MugrageLeave a comment

Can you spot it?

This wasn’t done from a photograph, as you can tell by the lack of detail. It wasn’t done plein-air either, but it was closer to a plein-air painting.

A few weeks ago, after I had gone outside to feed the hens, I was greeted by this scene. The sun hadn’t yet reached our homestead, but it was striking the hills up northaway. I stood there for a few moments memorizing the colors and thinking about how I would paint it. Then, over the course of the next week, whenever I had a chance I would add to the painting. I painted only when there was natural light in the studio. Pretend plein-air, if you will.

Let me show you my process …

Step 1: cover the canvas in light green for the sky and light grey for the predawn snow.

Step 2: add BSB and its mountain friends in appropriate dawn colors.

Step 3: the lava fields near them have not yet been hit by the sun, so they are navy blue.

Step 4: add stripes of cloud, just as they looked on that morning.

And finally, add distant trees, canal edge, ploughed-up snowy field with tire tracks, and black road with tire tracks in the snow.

Merry Christmas!

Creative Jack O’Lanterns

On By Jennifer Mugrage9 Comments

carving it

the elaborate plan (This is going to be a character from Doors.)

some of the many results

My son keeps asking me to buy more pumpkins cause he keeps getting more ideas. I don’t mind; pumpkins are cheap this time of year. Jack o’lanterns are no longer a measure to keep evil spirits away. (We don’t need that; we have Christ!) They are now a whimsical autumn art form. My son is an artist and I can’t restrain him from doing artist things.