No Winter Blues

Our driveway

The old saying, opposites attract must be true because
my best friend can't understand why I enjoy being alone.

She needs constant interaction with people,
while I need times of solitude.
Creating art produces a different kind of tired.
 After viewing something up close for 8 hrs,
I need a place to rest my eyes.

I need to focus my eyes on something far away.

God knew my sensitive spirit and artistic eye would need

a place like this to call home.

I love coming home after a long day at work, to a my quiet living room.

 Now don't get me wrong.

I like being around people.

Our home is always filled with family and laughter on Christmas Day.

Christmas 2007

My mother playing the piano after she set the table
in our dinning room.  Christmas 2007

Nana's last Christmas at the homestead.

You might be wondering why I'm posting photos of Christmas's of the past.

This was the last Christmas my Grandmother spent in the house she raised her family in.

Going out doors in the winter at almost 100 years of age was hard on Nana,

but she always endured it to be with her family.
Looking at these old photos made me think of how it was on

the very first Christmas night.  It was anything but cozy for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The only expectation she had was to give birth to a baby that would save the world. There was no lavish feast, no decorations and no gifts.

 When I sat and pondered this,  I realized how many times in years past, I had set myself up for the after Christmas blues.  Could it be that the after Christmas blues come to us because we don't have our mind on Jesus.  We're so busy trying to get our house in order, putting up the lights, shopping
for the all the gifts. Spending late nights wrapping and baking and preparing for the big day.
Is it any wonder why we are just tuckered out after it's all over.

"Tucker"

2012 is going to be different.  I'm going to spend more time worshipping God on my treadmill.

Yes, on my treadmill.  I play praise and worship music while I walk away the stress

of an over-active mind.

My New Years resolution is to simplify my life as much as possible.

To be happy with less and grateful for the things I already have.

To nurture a feeling of peace in my home and in my mind.

We weren't created to be rushing here and there,

filling our lives with more and more things that need to be charged,

plugged in and ultimately repaired or replaced.

Most of us long for the simplicity of an uncluttered life.

Simply stated, my New Years resolution will be...

"Less is More".

Harvest Home

A few weeks ago I took a walk down the road from our house. The corn was beginning to turn brown and there was a familiar smell in the air. You know, that earthy smell when the leaves are turning from green to brilliant colors of red, orange and gold. 

It won't be long until the harvest. I pondered how many times
this field was plowed, planted and harvested. 

Green Foxtails holding on to summer.

A hint of yellow coming from behind reveals their destiny.

The soybeans look almost ready for harvest.

A painterly sky catches my eye. God sure has a big paint  brush today.

I like to walk down Lubold Lane when the late afternoon sun
casts long shadows across the gravel road.

It's never been this green in Pennsylvania as long as I can remember.
The summer rains brought us lush green pastures for the cattle to graze.

One would almost mistake these rolling hills for Ireland.

But the cornfields give it away. This is definately PA.

A few days later the harvest has begun. I watched while my cousin and
brother rode the combine through the fields that border our yard.



Look at the truck filled with corn.

They call her Dolly cause she's top heavy.

I just finished painting our welcome sign.

Inspired by all the colors, I went to my studio and
did a painting called "Reflections".

The back porch is a favorite spot for me.

Looks like it's Stella's favorite spot too.

We always make time for porch sitting.

It's a family tradition at our house.

I'll try to remember these bright colors when the cold winter winds begin to blow.  The sounds of summer will echo in my mind. Crickets and peeper frogs will soon be replaced by the sound of geese and crows.

My brother looks to see how full the truck is

while my cousin Keith rides the combine.

It's time to come inside and take a break.

Watching the harvest is something I look forward to each year.

My family looks forward to my apple pie.

Make mine a la mode please.



Fall is in the Air

 

 It's been a family tradition to hike the "Herndon Head" in the fall.  





Our daughter and Son-in-law.  They were married in May of 2008.





We enjoy coming home to apple pie and potato soup.



This artistic creation hanging on the cellar door is something I found at the Hegins Arts and Craft Faire.

The artist who painted it started with a rusty peice of an old tin roof. She used the ridges as a guide to paint the stripes which represent our American flag.

Why one lonely star you might ask.  I like to think that the star represents God who is holding it all together in the midst of great turmoil, economic downfall and catastrophic disasters.  The rusty holes are a result of a nation who has turned it's back to God.

Removing prayer from our schools and our court rooms

has had an extremely negative effect on our Nation.

 My Christian ancestors would be surprised

 to see how much our society has changed.







Copyright © 2011

Wiseman Graphics
This is a portion of my most recent work of art titled "If My People".

 



 It's purpose is to bring moral and
spiritual healing to our land.

      II Chronicles 7:14

“If my people which are called by my name

shall humble themselves

and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways

then will I hear from heaven and

will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The painting was inspired by a letter which was written and published in the Wall Street Journal during the Great Depression of the 1930's. In that letter, the editor of the Journal said, “What this country needs to bring us out of the depression is not to build more factories, but... for men to go home early on Wednesday afternoon, hitch up the horse and buggy, get the whole family ready and go to the little white church in the grove of oak trees and attend Wednesday evening prayer meeting.”

With that letter in mind, I prayed for a week before beginning the painting, asking God to show me how to proceed. I wanted the painting to take us back to a simpler time and remind us to pray for our nation. It is my hope that you will want to display my latest work of art in your home and find a place of peace, rest and hope for the future.

“If My People”
Open Edition Print
by Deanna Wiseman
Copyright © 2011

Signed Print $59

25 Artist Proofs $79- Sold Out

Remarques add $50

MasterCard, Visa, Discover

Cash or Check Accepted

The print size is 16"x 20 3/4" with an image area of 13" x 17 1/4"

Call to reserve now. 570-758-2770

A Family Tradition

Nearly every summer for over 111 years the Bohner Homestead has been a gathering place for our Annual Family Picnic. 

A place to hang out with the girls and just enjoy the simple things of life.

The guys enjoy shootin' the breeze. 





Looking through pictures...




... and catching up on all the engagements, weddings and new babies that have arrived since our last gathering.

This is our dear "Nana"  Clara Reed who could always be seen holding a little one.
This was one of the best photos of her before she left us to carry on without her at the age of 102.



Cousins...Feel the Love.



Notice the clothes pin on the jeans.

Another unsuspecting victim.

My mother has a special connection with nature.
A butterfly landed on her finger while she was reading.

A special birthday with our daughter.

Some of the Reed Family could not be with us this year.
You were missed.  Maybe next year.

The Campbells

My family.



My husband and I with our daughter and son-in-law in the kitchen
carrying on a family tradition.
1900-2011