Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Scribble Picnic, The Apple Orchard


Good morning everyone! :)

Are you up and at 'em? Bugs can barely keep his eyes open before his morning carrot juice. Today's theme for the Scribble Picnic is Pajamas. I could have just posted a photo of myself for this theme because I basically spend my days in my pj's. Alex and I call our lifestyle the "pajama life" :) 

For my watercolour today I thought I'd share one of my creepy experiences, that became one of my nightmares. At least ten years ago, I visited an apple orchard to pick apples. I went a little late, got a little lost and ended up in a slight panic at dusk, trying to find my way out of the deadly silent and creepy orchard. I kept hearing things and seeing glimpses of things that were likely not there. I scared myself silly though! It could only happen to me right? Lol...

Of course, that night I dreamt that I was in my nightgown, barefoot and shivering, in that same orchard, running for my life from the apple trees. I wrote a poem about it and I'd like to share that with you today! :) 


The Apple Orchard
(A Rain Frances Nightmare)

In the orchard, dark as night, 
I wander blind, despite my fright.
The wind is still but whispers stir,
A monster lurks, of that I’m sure.

I scan the rows of apple trees,
One by one, then twos and threes,
My footsteps snap the frozen grass,
I’ve reached the edge, the dark impasse.

Shivering from cold and fright,
My breath is taken by the night,
A lonely apple hangs up high,
A creak, a hush, a laboured sigh.

I peer into the hollow blue,
“My dear it’s time to bid adieu”.
Eyes ablaze, the demon grins,
Its prickly skin as sharp as pins.

Its evil voice revives my fear,
Its nasty smile grins ear to ear,
Its fiery eyes seem to ignite,
I cower at its ghastly sight.

“In this orchard you will stay,
And join the rest who came this way.”
It points to rows of lifeless trees,
Imploring branches, silent pleas.

I run, I run, I cannot flee,
The demon catches up to me,
A crash, a screech, its cry of glee.
The last I see, the apple tree.

60 comments:

  1. AAAAAiiiEEE!

    Meanwhile, the appletrees were just trying to be helpful, "Hey, go that way. Look, I am pointing with my shadowy branches!"

    :-)

    Yikes, though.

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  2. OHHHHHH MERCY......

    What awful dreams. But you certainly captured it, in words and especially, in your art.

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  3. That gave me the creeps. The apple stuff not Bugs. I liked Bugs.

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  4. Whoa! Usually apple orchards bring on feelings of fun and joy and pleasure. 'Course, I've never been in one at night . . . ooooooo! Your painting and poem perfectly captured your nightmare-ish feelings. Oooooooo . . .

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  5. Such a cute piece Rain! That's so scary getting lost like that.

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  6. That is a bad dream! However, in my usual creepy fashion I just love that painting. I feel for you but in my next breath I am all like...ooooh that would be so neat to be in the orchard at dusk. I am just so weird.

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  7. It sounds like The Wizard if Oz when the apple trees were throwing their own apples.

    Terrifying dream but fantastic painting.

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  8. Will try to find time to read the poem tomorrow. Sounds spooky and I love spooky stuff. And apple orchards. But not so much carrot juice, even though I drank my share.

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  9. What a fun and great poem! You are clever.
    Thank you for the sweater and socks love. At first I thought you didn't like the color of my shawl but reread your comment and figured out you were asking about the texture of the yarn. It's 100% wool but against my neck it doesn't feel rustic like the pure wool of a wrap I had made some time ago. I think it's fine and will be even softer after a blocking.

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  10. It all started off wonderfully with Bugs (such a great drawing) and then WHAM all that creepiness. What a scary experience! Thank goodness it turned out alright.

    But I must say I really like the eerie drawing and the creepy poem. I somehow get a kick out of these things. I enjoy watching scary films but I don't actually watch them, if I'm honest. I look with my peripheral vision or through fingers over my eyes. Sometimes I lower my eyes and don't look at all! LOL

    The "pajama life"...haha... So cute. And why not? It's very comfortable :)

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  11. How can something so peaceful ans beautiful as an apple orchard be so creeepyyyy. He poem and the painting. I love them !!!

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  12. Your artwork is really awesome, especially the eerie one! And so is your poem. Wonderfully scary!

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  13. Oooh, Rain, that's wonderful. I was hoping Sam and Dean might save you at the end, lol, but your ending was better :D xx

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  14. I may never be able to pick apples again....

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  15. Hi Sandi :) Thanks, I love your reaction! :)

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  16. Thanks Wisps of Words :) I'm so used to these nightmares...I've tried so many things, but I think I'm at the point where I accept them and use them as part of my art!

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  17. Hi Marsha :) Glad you enjoyed Bugs...being in that orchard gave me the creeps too.

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  18. Hi Mama Pea :) Your reaction is great, thank you! When I'm in an orchard during the day, it's wonderful...I just happened to be there as it got dark...not fun!

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  19. Thanks Christine :) No, it wasn't fun and I actually did the same thing in a corn maze once too...I need to learn my lessons lol!

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  20. Hi Dianna :) Then call me weird with you! :) We have a date for the orchard at dusk lol! ;)

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  21. Hi Birdie :) Oh that is so cool, you are right! Those Wizard of Oz trees were such meanies!!! Thank you!

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  22. Hi Guillaume :) I'd rather have coffee than carrot juice. :)

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  23. Thanks Laurie for your reaction! :)

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  24. Hi Stefanie :) Thank you! I enjoyed writing the poem, I have so many of them, some more creepy though...I guess that's become my "style" :) I forget about the blocking. I have to remember that when I eventually finish something I started to knit lol!

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  25. Hi Martha :) I'm just like you! I love the spooky stuff, but you'll never catch me watching a horror movie without my hands over my eyes lol...PJ life is very comfy! I'm so happy I don't have to get dressed every day! :)

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  26. Thanks TB :) Very nice comment :)

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  27. Hi Nik :) Only at night is it THAT creepy! :)

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  28. Thanks Alex :) I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

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  29. Hi Yarrow :) LOL! I laughed so hard because I used to watch that show and who wouldn't want Sam and Dean coming to the rescue? That was funny! :)

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  30. Hi Susan :) LOL...come with me and Dianna, we'll have a few bottles of wine when we meet at the orchard at dusk. Liquid courage lol ;)

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  31. I liked your Bugs Bunny. I don't think anyone really remembers him and that crew anymore, I never see them on tv.

    I don't go out in the woods at night. There really are things out there that can do for you.

    You'd like our woods after a heavy rain. Methane gas is pushed up out of the soil, and it creates phosphorescent "sprites." People used to think it was "Old Jack" out wandering the woods with his lantern, looking for lost souls.

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  32. Harry, that is very cool about the "Old Jack" legend...I know it well. I really would love to see the "sprites"...but I agree, there are things in the woods at night that I'd rather not encounter. I stick to the yard after dark, just to let the dogs out, and even that can be frightful! :) Bugs is my hero, he's suck a stinker! :)

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  33. Wow..I'm late in my visiting....but so glad I had time this morning to read your entire post and enjoy it all. First, your cartoon of Bugs just made me laugh out loud, as it reminded me of a story my sister tells having two boys.
    The way bugs is pulling at his pj's was how Stuart would stand at the toilet, scratching his sides and letting the pee go wherever it wanted...haha..boys..not always having good aim.

    And your Apple Orchard dream (nightmare) certainly got your creative juices going, what a wonderful poem and story to illustrate your watercolor. Excellent!!!!

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  34. Thank you Wanda :) I'm glad you enjoyed the creepy stuff :) I laughed at your sisters boys...aim lol...not too important when you're sleepy hee hee! :)

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  35. Good Grief, Rain, you scared the pants off me ... so much for apple picking. I think I will be staying home this year. As for Bugs, I think I recognize that feeling of barely making it out of bed. My Animal gang gets me up early (as their hunger bids) every morning and I stumble through the feeding routine without a thought of what I am doing. Then, a cup of tea and all is well ... hope Bugs finds his way to the Carrot juice :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  36. Hi Andrea :) Lol...oh, just make sure you go to the orchard during the DAY!!! ;) I feel like Bugs most mornings our pack wakes me up too...takes me a while to clear the fog! :)

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  37. Great sketches but I have to say I LOVED your poem...written so well and it definitely had me thinking - "Get the heck out of there!" Well done! Your real life experience probably wouldn't have been so scary if you'd had someone else with you. We seem to feel more comforted when we are not alone in those type of situations. I have some spooky stories of my own so I know how scary it can be. I can definitely see where the nightmare and poem came from.

    Enjoy the rest of your week! :)

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  38. Your poem and your painting are eerily beautiful. It must have been such a strong feeling that you had getting lost to evoke such a masterpiece. Bravo.

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  39. HAHA...I love Bugs! That is really cute, you did a great job! I keep planning to get back at the scribble but I find I run out of time. Not figured out how I can sit around as much as I do and I run out of time!??? haha

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  40. Looks like some comfy pajamas for Bugs. Just the way they should be. Can't say that I've ever had any carrot juice–have you?!

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  41. Thanks Serena :) LOL...yes...get the heck out of there indeed lol...I think that orchards are lovely, lively fun places...but you won't catch me alone in one after dark ever again!! But you know, I have a wild imagination, so even if Alex were with me, I'd still be really jumpy :)

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  42. Hi Lorraine :) Thank you! Very sweet of you! :)

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  43. Hi Pam :) Thank you :) Bugs is fun to play with :) You've been very busy with the wedding!!! I wouldn't call that sitting around much ;) Well, we have an extra week for the next scribble, I hope you join in! :)

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  44. Hi Jolene :) I have had carrot juice, and it's SO sweet! We have a juicer and in the fall when the veggies are really in season, I get lots to make juices. Perks a gal up, so I know how Bugs is feeling lol! :)

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  45. I love Bugs!!!
    I'm sorry about your nightmare! Very scary!!! You painted and wrote about it perfectly!! You captured everything!!

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  46. Thanks Magic Love Crow :) Despite the scary nightmare, I think (in hindsight) it was a pretty cool experience! :)

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  47. Rain, we have ALL of the Supernatural boxsets and are watching them from the beginning for like the 3rd or 4th time! I think we're on season 5 at the moment!!! My daughter got me hooked, of course :D xx

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  48. That's fun Yarrow :) I had such a crush on Dean...and of course, loved his dad!! The actor who played his dad did some good movies after! I think I stopped when Dean came back from hell though. I have a soft spot for Castiel...they have such good characters!

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  49. Bugs bunny is most fav of my younger boy
    i love him and his mischievousness:)

    this is cary to get lost in orchard alone dear Rain!

    i used to wander in orange and many other orchards with my cousin girlfriends but never alone as i was sacred of being lost

    absolutely BEAUTIFUL poem with such great rhythm and amazing narration ,LOVED it !

    i don't know i can count your skills ever my lovely ffriend !

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  50. Thank you Baili :)) I'm happy you liked the poem :) I spent a lot of time on it, trying to capture the mood. Oh I love Bugs...he's always up to something! ;)

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  51. you might want to get some of that squeeze on stuff for the bottoms of the slippers which make them nonslip, if you have wood or linoleum floors.
    nice to see dog doing well.

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  52. Hi Deb :) We do have wood floors...I though about putting something on the bottoms, but so far I've been okay...knowing my luck though I better make them slip-free soon! :)

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  53. Ooh, that's such a great poem, Rain. I love it and a perfect compliment to your moody piece. What a fab interpretation for PJs theme. Love it. I think though, I [ll skip the orchard, thanks. :)

    P.S. the "pajama life" --that actually sounds quite luxurious..like Bigs there enjoying his causal morn. Well done! :)

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  54. Wow! I can just imagine what a horrible dream and some reality could scare a person terribly! I've had some douzies over the years but only when I was stressed and now I've rid myself of stress I have no bad dreams. Your poem is excellent as you really conveyed the feeling! I hope I don't dream about apple orchards tonight! LOL!

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  55. Thank you Michael :) I definitely skip the orchards after sundown now...I got myself caught in a corn maze at some point too, why do I do these things lol??? Pajama life is grand, I love it! :)

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  56. Hi Sam :) That was one of the dreams that really got me scared...but writing about it helped me to realize it was JUST a dream lol...(I still had my doubts the next morning!) ;)

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❤ Thanks for your comment, I love hearing from everyone! ❤ Why not join me and my fellow artists every Thursday for TADD? That's Thursday Art and Dinner Date! It's a lot of fun!
Love,
Rain