As every season passes, I am so thankful to still here knocking about as if life will never end. Today, as we experience the first day in the Fall of 2005 and embrace the ol' world charm and beauty of it, I write my heartfelt expressions about it.

I love this time of year when the fields are ripe for the pickings and the harvest is good. Here in northern California, the ground is dry and exhausted. In my area, people flock to the apple orchards in Apple Hill, California. My family and friends love to visit the local crafters, eat their apple pies and pastries, get our feet dirty, and mosey around this time of year.

The blistering heat of 100°-105° is behind us which only makes the cooler Fall weather so sweet and enchanting.

I love to garden, but by the time Fall comes around each year, I'm ready to let it go for the winter. However, when I am in the mood to garden, I feel like I am nurturing my plants and fortifying the ecosystem in my backyard. I love to see the different species of vegetation, birds, flying insects, earthworms, and see them all cohabit with me in my garden.

I am especially complimented when birds nest in my backyard and use the cut-up yarn that I've laid out for their nests. I love to see the birds bathe in my bird baths that I have just filled up with water. It's even okay when they eat from my strawberry patch.

In fact, I love the cute little birds so much that I paint huge, bigger than life birds on my fence. There is no doubt about it, my garden experiences had a profound influence on my artistic expressions. Love for life and enjoying all the wholesome activities life has to offer is an artist's ultimate resource. Just as when we speak from the heart, our true feelings come out―when we express ourselves artistically by drawing from our own personal experiences, we are able to bring out our own unique style, artistically speaking. Let your life's experiences surface in your art. Really, once you find the connection between art and yourself, good things happen.

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

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