On The Dark Side

The name of my latest piece pretty much sums up how I have been feeling the last week or so. The weather in Michigan, like a lot of the country has been downright crummy! We have had nothing but black skies and snow and rain. I always feel colder when it is above freezing and wet outside. It seems to go right through me the older I get. I have been living in my studio keeping away from the weather. That is OK. If I was still working I would be getting up at 4:30 to face the crummy weather!
I always feel inadequate in my posts because my life is much the same from day to day. No events to describe in colorful detail or observations on life in general. I could lament about politics, but I think most of us are downright sick of that. Not that I am complaining. What that means is there are no crisis, illness or other problems in my life. Boring is good.
I am really looking forward to spring and we had a glimpse of it today. The sky was blue, and the sun was warm. For the second year in a row, we have a rabbit living under our porch and I have been watching him (and he me) from our lower level kitchen. He is obviously enjoying the warmer weather. He watches me with nervous attention waiting to see what I will do. When my daughter came home from work she exclaimed "baby bunnies!" I freaked out. I thought we had a clutch of little rabbits all living under our porch. I had visions of our golden retrievers chasing half dozen bunnies through our yard. False alarm. She didn't realize we had ONE rabbit, so she was all excited.
Daylight savings time has added time for me in my studio. I really enjoy painting in the daylight although I always use additional lighting. More hours in the studio and less time to snack! I have recently eliminated sugar completely from my diet and reduced the carbs. Till I get used to this new regiment I am craving sugar like mad. Keep painting Keep painting.
Till next time
Gail

A Week For Patience

This has been a week for patience. I have just completed the above painting I call The Essence of Mackinac done in acrylic and is a miniature that measures 3-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches. When I think of Mackinac Island, this is the kind of image that comes to mind. This is one of the many historic homes on the island in all its glory! It is a piece I started several months ago and put on the shelf. Sometimes I lack patience. But as I said before, this has been the week for patience or is it patients?
My daughter had surgery on Tuesday and as I always suspected, it is easier to be the patient than the caregiver. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being the caregiver, but I think it is exhausting. My daughter is 27, but had never been in the hospital before, let alone for major surgery. I stayed with her overnight in the hospital sleeping on a recliner they provided. I am pleased she is doing well, but she is anxious about every little ache or pain, so I must constantly reassure her. She has been quite content to be waited on hand and foot, so I finally started making her get up and do simple things on her own. I know it is better for the healing to move. I was unable to paint for a couple of days and it felt good to pick up a brush late in the week.
Today was quite warm for Michigan this time of year and I sat outside with my coffee this morning and just soaked up the sun. It felt sooooo good. I was energized for the entire day. I am really sensing the changing of the season and I can't wait!!
Plan on spending considerable time in my studio this week and hope to complete several other half finished pieces on my shelf.
Till next time,