I paused between harvesting berries and thinning carrots this morning to admire the progress of this volunteer Sunflower’s growth. We plant the beauties along the fence line as a decorative heat deflecting measure and partial shade for our lettuce.
The errant seeds that germinate in random places in our yard are welcomed surprises.
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
The American River is the subject for my ten piece Something To Write Home About art card series. Each card is its own certificate of authenticity, and has been painted with California rain water that I’ve collected this year.
Six of the ten cards already have designated addresses, and the other four will be sent to unsuspecting recipients as a Thank You note for their inspiration and continued support of my artistic endeavors.
© Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
The plums may be ready to harvest in August or September, and my thirty-foot putts will improve with daily practice.
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
A budding tree holds ground amid blooming daffodils in Newport Rhode Island. I pause mid-step on the Cliff Walk just long enough to catch a balanced shot.
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
I went travelling down a long paved road
listening to the radio playing
I heard a song about a white winged dove singing.
There were shore lined miles of open sky
A picture postcard lullaby
the mocking bird just could not sing
so I was trying.
I watched the golden hills roll by me
A speed limit sign read forty-five
But I felt
like I was flying.
© 2011 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
Weeding and harvesting the berries that are beginning to ripen in our garden is a delicious, nutritious, and tedious chore. I willingly suffer through the task because the payoff is sublime. According to the California Strawberry Commission, the state leads our nation and the world in strawberry production. In 2013, more than 2.3 billion pounds of strawberries were harvested, and the estimated value of the California strawberry crop is approximately $2.6 billion.
Did you know that eight strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange, and these tasty little super-fruits are packed with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients including potassium, folate and fiber? Of all the strawberry varieties available, freshly picked from the garden are the kind I like the best.
~T.
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
UC Davis’ legacy of environmental sustainability is an inspiration to me. In celebration of Earth Day, the University, in collaboration with Sacramento-based CleanWorld, designed and built a 50-ton-per-day anaerobic digester at the University’s old landfill. Bacterial microbes in oxygen-deprived tanks feast on campus and community food and yard waste to help generate renewable electricity. The project is a keen demonstration of what can be achieved when research universities and private industry partner to solve today’s pressing global challenges.
Our 82 gallon black compost bin sits where the fence corners meet. You can see it just above the curve of Stella’s tail.
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all copyrights reserved.
El Dorado County has more than 2,000 acres of grape vines growing at the highest elevations across California. I managed to capture a few rows of one vineyard’s crop growing in yesterday’s late afternoon sunlight. With more than seventy wineries in operation throughout the county, there is no shortage of visual inspiration for my art.
© 2014, Theresa Funk. All rights reserved
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
The Roma and Beefsteak Tomato seeds that we started two weeks ago germinated and are beginning to grow. Once the peas are harvested, the wolf peaches will be planted in their place.
© 2014 Theresa Funk, all rights reserved.
THERESA MAE FUNK 