I’m huffing and puffing up the hill, swatting at gnats. The Jonas Brothers’ Sucker comes on. I focus on the beat to set my walking pace (yes, walking), ignoring the title as I think back to the meeting at our new complex, which we left less than 30 minutes ago. My brain has been jogging … Continue reading Everything You Ever Wanted
Things I Will No Longer Carry
Last Gasp, 10" x 20", Oil on Canvas If "Picking My Battles" were a child, I would have had to report myself to DCF for willful neglect, and I doubt my reasons would hold up in any court, least of all public opinion. But it's a blog, and while sometimes it seems to telepathically reproach … Continue reading Things I Will No Longer Carry
Share this:
Merry Connectedness
For our family, 2025 has been an odd and, mostly, wonderful year. There has been loss, but most of the twists and turns have, ultimately, brought us closer to the people we care about. Last night, as we moved more firmly into a new holiday tradition, celebrating Christmas Eve at a restaurant with our sons … Continue reading Merry Connectedness
Share this:
Finding Comfort in Community: A Winter Celebration
For the third year in a row, the Chinese club at our kid's school hosted its annual International Cultures night. In a tiny rural school of 300 kids (K to 12), an entire town enjoys food from around the world. A local Chinese cultural group performs traditional and modern dances. Kung fu demonstrations amp up … Continue reading Finding Comfort in Community: A Winter Celebration
Share this:
Under the Snow
I knew there would be more than a chance of snow when I reserved a booth for January, but I was committing to a real chance on my art. The alarm went off at five, and, working with 3 hours of sleep, I jumped up, packed the car and headed to a mall an hour … Continue reading Under the Snow
Share this:
Changing The Guards
For the most part, the change has still been almost imperceptible, but it is there. It’s a fire are brushed across masses of green, there are just enough splashes of gold and orange, however, to warn that the changing of the guard is on the way. Here in Vermont, that’s the sign to get the … Continue reading Changing The Guards
Share this:
Shine On
Old Lady Katie is in her 80s, in dog years, and like the middle-aged ladyshe follows around, she has to visit the necessary room a little more frequently these days. Katie’s necessary room is the great outdoors, and, because she has the world's worst recall once the sun goes down, I always take her out … Continue reading Shine On
Share this:
Healthy Addictions
I don’t know why, but whenever I start packing all of my watercolor kits, I feel like I am going through a secret stash of something illicit. To be fair, paint pans are every bit as mood altering and addictive as any pill or powder. But at least, with a watercolor, I find myself drinking … Continue reading Healthy Addictions
Share this:
In the Moment
If you were to tell me that there was anything more mesmerizing than watching rain move across water — watching the sky bend down to become one with the world - I would beg you to come and sit by the lake or ocean with me, and let yourself exist in a moment of utter … Continue reading In the Moment
Share this:
A Weed by Any Other Name
We took the train to get to our vacation place in Southwestern Michigan, and, being a one backpack packer, I figured out pretty quickly that bringing even my pretty portable plein air oil kit was not going to be a small undertaking (with the emphasis on undertaking). My watercolors and watercolor journal, which haven’t made … Continue reading A Weed by Any Other Name
Share this:
Should a, Could a, Nah!
I should walk a mile or two. I could swim half of that. Oh, What to do? ‘Tis this towel that makes my butt look fat, So I should move, but oh boo-hoo. Just one last sketch once I fix my hat.
Share this:
Slow Down, Mama Bear
Slow Down, Mama It’s not time to hibernate, but it’s the latter half of summer, and this mama bear needed some time to slow down. A slow day of watching kids get up when they needed to get up, people get breakfast when they were ready. A slow day of painting from morning till noon. … Continue reading Slow Down, Mama Bear
