I grew up in a family that paid attention to politics without being deeply engaged. But voting was important. I remember the thrill of stepping inside the curtain with my mom when she voted.  I have voted in every election since I was old enough to register.  Even when the issues or candidates I supported have not prevailed, at least I've been heard.  

Election season is upon us. And I am deeply concerned about whether voters will make the changes needed to create an effective government...one that recognizes the environmental disaster and offers steady guidance.  In years past, I have knocked on doors and written letters to potential voters.  

A week ago, I found an interesting entry in The Sunday Paper, a weekly newsletter I receive from papermaker, Helen Hiebert :
"Check out this cool Notes for Votes Kit a mother/daughter team in North Carolina has put together to help you get involved in the 2020 election while staying socially distanced. Their goal is to get out the vote, support small artists and businesses, support/save the post office and share their love of getting something fun in the mail. That sounds to me like a win-win-win-win! They are donating their profits to Fair Fight 2020." 

I sent off for one of their kits and then got to thinking about trying my own hand at this great idea.  Here are the results...five cards designed to remind, inform and inspire people to be sure to register and VOTE!

After watching parts of the Democratic convention last week, I realize the importance of some of these themes and getting voters to the polls. So I thought YOU might help spread the word. I'll send you a card (or many) with an envelope and postage stamp. I'll also make a donation to Fair Fight for every card you order.

Can you think of a few folks who would love getting some Real Mail and an encouraging note from you?

I'll be ready to mail these by September 1st and will continue as long as you can think of people you'd like to reach!
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​Many thanks ~ Candace

The days are l-o-n-g now and hot here in Phoenix.  Though I have lived here for more than 30 years, we've been able to slip away to Minnesota for the last four summers.  So it's been a while since I felt these temps!  Today it's overcast, but still 107° at 6 pm!  Whew!  
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A friend of mine lives in an apartment downtown. She wrote to me in early May with the subject line  "A Fan for a Fan?"   She commented on how the weather was already heating up and wondered if I'd be interested in making her a fan.   A week earlier she had written a piece about all the birds she was enjoying in her yard, especially in its quieter state minus heavy traffic.  

So I started doing research on birds she had mentioned.  The Cornell Lab was a great help. (I keep going back to check on specific markings or identify the call of a bird I can't see in the tree above.)

I've lived here so long and seen birds out in the desert, at our feeders, and in the backyard. Yet I soon realized I hadn't really "seen" them.   As I spent a little time each day for several weeks painting all sorts of doves - White-Winged, Inca, Eurasian Collard and Mourning - I came to see my backyard feathered friends more clearly. There are Pigeons of course, but others thrive in the desert too - Gila Woodpeckers, Cactus Wren, small birds like Sparrows and Finches, and of course, the tiny Hummingbirds.  

After painting these, I cut and constructed a fan...complete with a paint-stirrer handle... and presented it with great delight to my friend.  None too soon... temps continue to rise. We average 105°+ this time of year.

I've also created note cards with four of the paintings... 

So for the ornithologists out there, here you go! Something to sing about!