I have not been idle … just diverted into china painting by my daughter who is doing a bathroom in the cabin she inherited at 5500 feet … she wanted to show the local fauna … fun for all !
Flying Squirrel Tile by Mary P Williams
Here is the Northern Flying Squirrel, a nocturnal creature, who flies around the treetops in the Sierra mountains. He is seldom seen but a tall tree crashed to the ground and there he was … looking stunned and desperate to ascend another tree … A lovely, shy, tree-top-flyer!
Yellow Jacket and Scorpion Tile by Mary P Williams
Then the yellow jacket … a wasp with a painful sting. Heaven forbid that a number of these insects should zero in on you … there would be fiery welts dotting your skin. In this same tile is the small black scorpion discovered under a rock .. .he hastened to erect his tail and threaten the world.
American Fence Lizard and Skink Tile by Mary P Williams
The third tile depicts the American Fence Lizard with his showy blue throat. Below him is the Skink in the juvenile state which means his tail is blue. In the adult the tail is brown.
Garter Snake Tile by Mary P Williams
Fourth tile has the Garter Snake who slithers around ponds and streams. He is harmless, beautiful,and will flick his red tongue at you … you may pick him up!
Douglas Squirrel Tile by Mary P Williams
The Chickaree, or Douglas squirrel, is a noisy inhabitant of pine forests. He notifies every animal in the neighborhood of your presence with his chattering calls. Not shy or retiring, he is in busy residence in the Sierra foothills and mountains.
The American Kestrel, or Sparrowhawk can often be seen hovering over a meadow or perched on an overhead wire.
American Kestrel Tile by Mary P. Williams
The next three images are of the Kachelofen which heats my house.
Kachelofen, Front View
The word “kachel” (pronounced cockle) relates to “stove tile”, which in material and form is different from ordinary tiles. The word “ofen” is equivalent to oven or stove. So it is a heated, ceramic tile wood-burning stove which gives radiant heat.
Kachelofen with view of Sierra Wildflower Tiles by Mary P Williams
The painted tiles decorating my stove are the wild flowers located on my land in the Sierra’s at 8000 feet. It is a history for the children and grand-children of what particular flowers grew at this elevation in the year 2000.
Kachelofen Dedication Tile by Mary P Williams
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Mary P Williams 