Rabbit Hill

"That house was a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep, or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness." (J.R.R. Tolkien)

About Our Simple Lives and the Art It Inspires

Twenty-five years ago, my family and I moved to a yellow home on a wooded half-acre in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of north Georgia, USA. We started out simply enough, with an abundance of enthusiasm for a new life out of the mainstream, having left behind a place my family and I were glad to see in our rearview mirror.

My name is Sandie, and for as long as I can remember, I've wanted a quiet life, simple in its ways and charmingly plain.

I also longed for more time to do my art and writing. Over time, our new home and the people we met here led us directly to the very life I first started looking for so long ago.

Green Rocking Chairs On the Porch

This little home is a place where I weave rugs, grow blueberries, and listen for the cicadas in summer, without having to let go of my art and writing. Not long ago, I set up a small area in the loft for what I consider is my first-ever studio. It's only 5 x 15, but full of everything I need to make art happen: watercolors, drawing pens, colored pencils, not to mention art books and children's books, beads, yarn, and fabric! I am finding out that art loves simplicity!

And now for a word about what I like to call my staff.

The Rabbits of Rabbit Hill

It's February as I write this. I like February, but not much. It's a smudge of a month, and things are often slow and dull, what with the trees at their most bare, looking like splintered sticks. The sun is in hiding. Oh, to see spring or fall.

It's a good time, however, to introduce you to the rabbits that live here. Not real rabbits, mind you; but the few found-treasures of folk art that made the grade and were invited into our home. Only the wirey and fierce, only the most perceptive and clear-headed are allowed in--rabbits of few words and careful vision.

Window In Autumn

So here's the line-up, as seen through rabbit eyes.

No-Name

No-name is a wooden guy with sharp ears and no tail. He sits up straight and tall on top of a bookcase in the bedroom. He's the most serious of the bunch, and is called No-Name because he has no past or future--only the present. He has metal hooks instead of knees--no one knows why.

My advice is don't mess with him.

Gideon likes to hang out in the herb garden, though he's been known to wander if the moon is full.

Notice how his ears lay back slightly. That's because he's always listening for danger. If he hears any, he runs and tells one of the other rabbits, then runs back to the herb garden to hide in the bee balm.

Verbena

Verbena is the only female among the rabbits. She came to us after an unfortunate accident in which she lost both ears. They had to be glued back on, and that's the reason for the wad of rafia which covers a long scar.

She is genteel at heart and has a softening effect on the others.

Gideon

Gabriel

Gabriel is King of the Rabbits here and stands sentry at our front door, even though he prefers to stay in the background as much as possible. Everyone who enters our home has to pass his inspection.

We listen carefully to what Gabriel has to say, because he can be trusted.

Bo Diddley

It's easy to miss Bo Diddley since he's only about three inches tall and sits by himself in various corners of the kitchen. He's friendly but keeps to himself, and the other rabbits don't ask a lot of him.

That's because he's usually busy playing his blues harp. You see, Bo is a Delta rabbit and comes from a long line of musicians. His claim to fame is that he once performed with B.B. King, but we're not sure about that.

Sometimes I hear him playing his harmonica at night when everyone else is asleep. He and Gabriel like to jam when they think no one can hear. Yes, Gabriel.

Johnny Brown is the quiet one, sitting between two oak trees out back near the fence. The dragonflies and bluebirds like him, as do the bees, because he is so calm and slow of anger.

We always stop to say hello to Johnny on our way to the Fretting Porch.

Rabbit On the Run

And last of all, in honor of all the above who hold down the fort for those who run wild, here is a real rabbit, hidden in the grass, ready to run.

I like seeing his kind best.

Until next time,

The Head Rabbit,

aka Sandie

Johnny Brown

"All the world will be your enemy, Prince-with-a-thousand-enemies. And when they catch you they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince-with-the-swift-warning."

Be cunning and your people will never be destroyed.

Lord Frith to Hazel in Watership Down by Richard Adams

"The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one's life."

C. S. Lewis

"I never get tired of the blue sky."

Vincent Van Gogh

"The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life, and in elevating them to art."

William Morris

___________

"We cannot stay home all our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we must look upon it as an adventure."

Beatrix Potter

Is this true? What do you think? I mean, this is Beaxtix we're talking about here. But still . . .(thr)

Comments

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4/5/23 -- "Like Goldilocks, I find your website to be "just the right size" and full of beautiful art and messages (which have been inspiring me and my warren of rabbits for years. Lucky me!) (Pat)

3/22/23 -- "Simple but yet so inspiring and the art is beautiful. Cannot wait for another entry to read." (Trina)

3/20/23 -- "Hello Cutie Pie, what a great website you've got here." (Steve)

8/20/20 -- "Well, what an interesting website; and hey, I've seen that picture of the cat in a chair somewhere." (Kristy)

10/17/20 -- "I love reading all your entries. They make me laugh and also pause to think about all the good stuff. The quotes are perfect, and I am also glad you are up and running again." (Linda)

7/7/22 -- Miss Sandie did you write that poem? Love it! And I am sad that the tomato man is not there but what a wonderful tribute. Love, love all your posts sweet friend😊 (Trina)

Holly Rabbitat