J.B. Sommerset

  "Sundowner" (c) 2024 J.B. Sommerset Sometimes nature speaks in ways I can't ignore. It can paint the world better than I could. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by things I, as a writer, don't have the words to describe. A paint so ethereal it has no phonetic meaning. I am reminded in those times how small and stupid I really am, although I think I am clever at times, I am but a stupid little spec among the bristles of an artist that has been mastering the craft for millions of years. If you haven't gathered, this weeks quote is about nature. "Nature has no evils, no malice, no bad intentions. Those things are projections of mankind's own sickness. Nature has no need for those things, and in many cases it does not tolerate them ruining it's painting. It shines in spite of us." J.B. Sommerset Cheers!

"Spring Morning" (c) 2025 J.B. Sommerset For some reason, this one didn't get published last Friday, like it was supposed to, most likely some sort of user error. This weeks quote is one I came up with while sitting in the line at the D.M.V. years ago, it's still applicable today, especially at the D.M.V. "I have an incredible imagination, sometimes it's a gift. It lets me see impossible things, go to far off worlds and have unreal adventures. However, one thing it really struggles with is how insanely mediocre the inside of some people's minds are..." J.B. Sommerset Cheers!

"The view from our House" (c) 2025 J.B. Sommerset This week's quote is more for me than it is for you, unless you too are running on fumes and the belief you have in yourself.  I have a tendency to get too many irons in the fire at the same time. The problem with a having to split the focus is that it's very hard to finish all the "stuffs" a person needs to do. Lately is seems that all of the projects I have been juggling are important, too important to put off. I am reminded of the little engine that could. Except I am also low on gas, and have bad wheel bearings.  This homesteading thing requires a lot of energy. So I decided to send the drone up above the trees and look out at the horizon. Beautiful! I took a photo of it for all of you.  It's a good reminder of why I work so hard at so many things. I am lucky to be able to live where I do, despite all the hardships. This week's quote if from the rough rider himself- Teddy Roosevelt. I hope it mean...

"Shroom Buddies" (c) 2025 J.B. Sommerset This week is a busy one for me, I have a chicken coup to finish, and 10 chickens to make happy. Eggs, sweet eggs, it's how we shall pay the mortgage.   I don't have the time to post. However, last week, I found some time to post ahead and bring all of you up to speed on things. While I was outside this past week, I noticed there have been more mushrooms fruiting. Usually the season kicks them off earlier in the year, this year they were late. Anyway, I bring up mushrooms because of the weekly quote. This weeks quote is not about politics, I need to take a break from that, it's a tidal wave of shit. This week's quote is about mushrooms, because they are awesome. This quote is short, sweet, and simple. I don't really know who this is, but it's a quote I have liked for a while now. “Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom.” Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus Cheers!

"Tiny little friend" (c) 2025 J.B. Sommerset Well, I guess I can't call it the quote of the week if I don't update on the regular- like weekly would be ideal for calling it "the quote of the week". But, what the hell, I'm going to do my best and call it that anyway. So, I am now back on the wagon, despite the shit-show that is my country right now. Here's todays quote, it's not mine, but it fits the times.  "The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth..."  H.L. Mencken Cheers!

So, here's a quick update from my world, that is the world in the woods and the mountains. Of course, I mean everything other than fighting off the mountain lions, bears, and the mooses... meese? uh, moose's? What ever the plural of moose is ... the guy in the photo above is one of them. This one likes standing between me and my car and asking if I like to eat through straws. Out side of that, I have been working on building a green house. In part, because I get the feeling that groceries are about to take a turn and become a "luxury item". Most Americans, at least us that aren't in the 2%, might be resorting to a number of poor-man's dinners in the near future. To mitigate that, we in my household, have decided to amp our own food production up. Grow our own veggies, we got some chickens, and I am currently growing mushrooms too. However, where we live, the veggies are going to require a solution that keeps the frost out. So, a green house it is!  It's no...

"Fractals in G minor" (C) 2025 JBSommerset Some of you have asked, do I still art, the answer is yes. I do still art. Although recently my art has shifted it's direction. I have been doing two types of art recently. The first are illustrations for a story I have been working on, and the second are "mandala" works that seem to stall my urge to kill <cough> <cough>, I mean my unfathomable rage. (That's a joke for all you literalists out there.)  I decided to post a couple of these Mandalas here just to give you all some eye-candy, and to let you all know that I am still alive. I hope you enjoy them. "The Rune Wheel" (C) 2025 JBSommerset "Mushroom Mandala 1" (c) 2025 JBSommerset Cheers!