THE DUST WILL WAIT

I don't even know what to say about the repairs on the asphalt.   I see them every morning on a particular street.  Early because I want to exercise before the old sol furnace kicks in.  It's been blistering hot. I wonder who is the artist that swirls the stinky hot substance into such awesome designs.  I wonder if the designs are done with intent or just with abandon.  I wonder if the person is working in a very toilsome job because being an artist just didn't provide for a home or a family. I wonder what more wise and contemplative people might say about the markings that will soon be worn away by tires and the eroding weather. The one that probably satisfies me most was from David Henry Thoreaus: "The world is but a canvas to our imagination."     

I've scattered a little of me everywhere the past three months.  I've gardened a little.  Birded a little.  Traveled a little.  Grandmothered a little.  (Is that a word?)  Water colored a little.  Remodeled kitchens a little.  And I've improved my health a little. Obviously I've 'littled' way too much this season. The weeds still grow with gusto in our gardens.  I don't think the birds or bees really care about the ones that drive me crazy.    Here's a young hummingbird enjoying  the  'salvia hotlips' that we planted with the hummers in mind. Twice this summer I've been a farmer at my eldest daughter's.    This last time was when she and her husband took the eldest boy to college 6 hours away.  I made sure that all the creatures were cared for and her farm was not unattended.  On the first night  around 3 a.m.  I awoke to the loudest thunder I've ever experienced.  Not to...

Blue Momma (of Life in The Fish Bowl) is hosting todays Fun Monday. She finds that having a toddler is hampering her ability to finish projects. To reassure herself that others share the unfinished project gene, she has requested that we expose ourselves. I have a whole pile of unfin

Thank you Jammin' and Buttercup for my very special treat in the mail today.

I've neglected my watercolors. I should be painting every day - but I'm lucky to get set up once a week. It is time to pitch all my brushes and get new ones. There is a point at which they no longer hold the "juice" (as I call it) and the smooth texture is unattainable. My "To Do" list includes doing a painting that is reasonably well done of each of my beautiful grandchildren. Jammin' is f.i.n.a.l.l.y complete and "At the Framers!" There is a framing shop in town that employs a wonderfully gifted sculpting artist who does the framing. She shares my taste in frame choices. I could hand per a painting and say "Frame it" and trust her to choose the perfect fit. However, I don't put her under that much pressure. I pick it. Yesterday, while chatting with her, I confessed that there were at least six Jammin' s at home. Some half done, a few complete. Something wrong with each. She laughed. "You know Pamela," she smi...

Marnie showed Melissa her cute necklace from Disneyland. Heather showed Melissa her Arizona turquoise and her under the car seat ring. Karmyn showed us her brand new wedding ring awhile back which replaced the one she lost at the airport in Provo, Utah. A friend made this unique necklace for me out of a silver coin about 32 years ago. He died soon after in a motorcyle accident, which made the gift more precious. Last month I also displayed the cool Hummingbird pin from my brother and his wife. I'm tagging anyone who wants to show Melissa their jewelry. (No WT , not the family jewels.)

When you make a water color error - you say "I meant it to be that way." Especially after every part of the painting went well until you got to the cat.

Only four of us showed up for watercolor class tonight. So, we didn't start the new landscape project - we drew and painted this old man who's already headed our way.... actually, he's here. There was Christmas stuff in the stores last week.

My co-workers son Brayden (Bubby) is an almost six-year old. He loves to draw pictures, which includes the little tattoo pictures all over his mothers office desk phone. His Kindergarten teacher taught Bubby and his classmates all about following rules. They also learned about a sign that has a red circle and diagonal line. His mom said, "Bubby took this as the perfect opportunity to make rules of his own. He has always been a stickler for following the rules and making go od choices ." (Hey Marnie and Melissa -- when I saw this one today I knew you two would be humbled. And then I thought I would send it to Kelly to consider for her Pass The Torch Tuesday!! Or I could have submitted it to Kailani's Carnival of Family Life. This poster really is the best!) So from now on, Brayden, I will remember never to choke anybody by the neck - no matter how much I really want to!

Karmyns budding artists. Two years ago, when my Ben'jammin was 3 1/2 and my Buttercup was just barely 1, both of them drew a picture for grandma's calendar. 'Jammin drew a bluebird. I thought it would fly! Buttercup gave me a flock of bluebirds. I'm sure I see a beak in there! Don't you?

Here is a digital picture of one of my paintings that I just had matted. I need to pick out a frame. She is someone else's grandaughter and was a class project. I loved the way the sun speckled her face, ribbon, and dress through the shadow of the little straw hat. Yes I made some boo-boo's. But please don't look for them this time.

I pulled out my watercolors this afternoon. I wanted to begin a portrait of my Benjammin kid. I have a camping photograph with a real smile on the kids face, so I knew that it was one I could use. I chose the colors that I thought would match his blond hair and pink cheeks. Hair color is the more difficult of the two. I tested on scratch paper that I save for just that. The water was prepared and the brushes were chosen; I laid out a clean towel for my little brush rituals and for spills. Then it hit me, just like it always does. The fear of the first stroke . I just sit there...frozen, scared, wondering what the heck I'm doing thinking I can paint a picture. (In this case a portrait of a grandson.) The feeling does not pass. I just have to force myself to pick up the brush and find a spot to begin. I hope to start another watercolor class this September so that I can learn more skills and become more confident. My teacher is amazing. I watch her in fascination and envy. I want to...

Bird calls before the alarm rings The window opened wide Awake The sun peaking over the eastern mountains The reflection on the patio table Morning coffee Window shades up in my parked car Sunglasses perched on my nose Sunblock The silhouettes of the buildings next to my office Shadows moving in opposition to the sun Sidewalk simmers Abundant fields, brown and gold The combines dance in the distance Harvest music Kids cannonball in the neighbor’s pool A barbecue wafts enticing invitation Warm friends Dark clouds rolling like monster trucks Lightening and thunder tracks in the valley Smell rain The western horizon painted crimson and mauve Smoke from forest fires burns eyes Beauty from ashes Crickets and frogs in competing chorus The open window an orchestra seat Summer lullaby