Postcards From the Lake: Concussed!

Some days are good. Some days are not-so-good. You may have read about our fun day with the Little Guys, our own Dynamic Duo. It was fun in the sun, summer food, good times. 

Then they left and things went downhill from there.

Postcards From the Lake: What It's All About!

What could be happier than a beautiful, sunny summer day at the lake? Spending a beautiful, sunny summer day with two little boys and their mom and dad!

Our grandlittles had a grand time at the beach when they came to visit us last week. The boys hadn't been to the cottage for a couple of years -- Covid did that to our gang! So, we were thrilled when they finally arrived! The weather couldn't have been better, which made outside time absolutely perfect!

Paris In July: Marc Chagall

I recently read the book "The Bridal Chair" by Gloria Golderich, about Marc Chagall and, equally and perhaps even more so, his daughter Ida, and the role she played in saving his art and getting it out of Nazi-occupied France in World War II. 

(Most of the photos in this post, unless otherwise credited, are those I've taken at Art Institute of Chicago, Paris Opera Garnier and on the Chicago streets at Chase Tower Plaza on Dearborn Street.)

Postcards from the Lake: Settling In

Our first few days here were quite lovely -- warm temperatures (but with a breeze and little humidity so it wasn't oppressive), sunny days (for the most part), pleasant evenings and settling in. 

Everything Old Is New Again

I keep the watercolors I haven't framed for sale in page protectors in some big, thick binders (along with the practice work in my sketchbooks). Every now and then I look through them, partly for a little boost to see how I've improved, and sometimes, to see how I can improve upon the original work. The ones below date back to 2016.

Sometimes it improves -- and sometimes, I'm not so sure it does. So I do it again!

Postcards from the Lake: We Have Arrived!

We have arrived! It seems as though it has taken a long time to finally make it north to the cottage. My MRSA, Rick's Covid... would we ever get to our home away from home?

Yes! When I see this sign, I know I am three miles from "home."

From the Paint Box

Yes, I have been painting a bit! I decided I need to finally fill my practice book, and since I had done Sketchbook Revival and then a few things during Workshop Week, I'd just keep at it. Soon I'll pull out the good paper and get back to animal portraits and other images but for now, this has been fine! 

Peonies, Poppies, Purring and Pippin

Slow, late spring days. Rosie's poppies are gone now, but they were great while they lasted!

I have a few raggy looking peonies on my bushes, but they were very nice.

The May Bookstack

I devoured a diverse group of books in May! From Julia Child and the royals to some good mysteries and an endearing novel, it was a fine book month.

Hanging Around but Not Together

We're really ready for a good bounce around here. The most recent news (which is slightly old by now) is that Rick got Covid. We don't know where as we've both been very careful. It was the nasty-cold/bug version and he felt pretty lousy but is on the mend. As for me, so far, so good. I've just dropped off things since he was sick and laying low, just in case.

Its origin is a mystery. Possibly it was at a bike ride. Possibly at the open house to view our friend Dick Hill's art. That was a masked occasion, except when we were outdoors, eating. I think that's less likely, as we were both there. The walls were filled with paintings -- it was a glorious sight.

Tea for the Queen

I so enjoyed the Queen's Jubilee events. My equally-Anglophile friend Carol has been watching too, and last week she and I had a Jubilee tea! I had ordered some Jubilee tea plates from Cath Kidston and got out the silver and some pretty table linens.

It was a bit of a pink and white theme, which worked with the plates. Easy carnations and baby's breath made for a queenly floral piece!

Globe Hopping

From my own back yard to the house down the street, the cottage up north and England, here are a few things on my mind of late!

The bird watching continues! And still -- no baby cheeps coming. Maybe they're quiet -- I don't think they have fledged, but who knows?

God Save Her

This is the week of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 70 years on the the throne, Britain's longest reigning monarch and one of the longest in history of any country. 

   

I'm an  unapologetic fan of the Queen. She has done a job she was never supposed to have to do, having fallen into the role of heir apparent when her father became king following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, to marry Wallis Simpson. 

Backyard Birdwatching

I've been doing a bit of backyard (and front yard!) bird watching these days and thought you might like an update! The big news is that Wrennie the wren, whom you may have met before here, has returned! Like the chickadees, the wrens work in concert with one another -- and that concert also includes beautiful trills. Here is one of the two wrens, atop the pole.

Why Wait?

Every day, someone makes a difference in someone else's life. We may know a person for ages as a friend or even an acquaintance, like them, appreciate their talent, and maybe even say "Good job!" or "I liked that!" But then something happens -- to them or to us -- that changes the picture to something more revealing, more profound. Maybe we are able to tell them how they have affected our perspectives or how we value their contributions to our lives. Or, maybe we think there will be time to say so later. Sometimes there is and sometimes, regrettably, there isn't.

Catfish by Dick Hill

And that's why I need to tell you now about Dick Hill. Because I want him to know how I feel -- and I want you to know about him. You need to know about him. We all do. He may not have a lot of time left to hear these words, so it's important to do it now. And while he's here on this earth, he still has a lot to say. It's funny, witty and very wise and I need to share some of that with you..

My Buddy Harry the Heron (And Bunny 17)

I couldn't resist sharing a few photos from my most recent Ditch walk. I couldn't have been more lucky.

Toying with Normal When You're Not

"I hug myself till my arms turn blue, then I close my eyes and cry and cry till the tears come down and I can taste them. I love to taste my tears. I am special. I am special! Please god, please, don't let me be normal!" -- "The Fantasticks"

I always thought that was the best line -- and it so fit me. Now I just want normal again. 

I Just Keep Painting....

Sketchbook Revival has really pushed me to try new techniques and practice drawing and sketching as well as painting. So here we have the good, the bad and the ugly!

Catching Up and Recipes for You!

I remember when I was working and how hectic spring used to be. I sometimes wonder how I managed to have much of a life while I still had a job. Oh wait, maybe I didn't manage all that well! 

It seems as though my calendar has been more or less empty for so many months, I don't know what to do when something fills it up. I took a quick glance at an upcoming week. The doc. The dentist. Going with Rick to a retirement planning seminar. A birthday gathering for a dear friend turning 70.

 It almost feels normal.

What Would Wally Do?

My friend Wally died last week. You've seen his work -- the beautiful images of Paris that hang above my mantel are by Wally. And my personal collection holds many favorites from this well-loved and respected photographer who focused on European images.

 

And, as you might expect, it takes a chunk out of a person to know there will be no more lunches, photo shoots, good talks about photography or travel with someone you just plain like and have known for a very long time. 

Mother Goose

The goslings have arrived and the nests all appear empty at the Ditch. Mother Goose is tending her babies!

And, it should be noted, the Father Goose is right at hand, ready to spit or advance on anyone that might be a threat!

The April Book Bunch

Let's just say that after a March with a lot of reading, April was a let down! I guess all that reading time in March was disrupted in April by a lot of painting, which was probably a better thing overall!

 

 

That said, it was a mostly-mystery month, with one book on home decor. I'm about halfway through a remarkable (and very long) biography on Julia Child -- but you'll have to wait for the May report for that one.

Mural Monday: Old Town (and a tune from Rick!)

A couple of weeks ago, Rick and his musical partner Josh were playing an open mic night in Lansing's Old Town. I wanted to see them perform but after five minutes in an overcrowded room with bad ventilation and practically no one but me in a mask I said, "I'll walk around a bit and try to come back when you think you might be playing" (about an hour later). (You can here it too, at the bottom of this post!)

So, I took a stroll around Old Town, one of my favorite shopping areas. Unfortunately, everything was closed except for one (very lovely) gallery -- the excellent "Absolute Gallery."

My New Neighbor!

I have the most charming new neighbor! 

 I don't know if the Chickadee family have had their babies yet, but there certainly is a lot of action going on at Chez Chick these days.

Waking Up at the Ditch

The Ditch is still pretty much a symphony of muted colors and fairly quiet. I think most of the ducks have gone down-under, tending their nests; the new growth of grasses is yet to be visible and the trees still bare.

But there is definitely some life going on! And more than a little bit of beauty!

Waking Up: At Home and Beyond

Before I start this post, does anyone else who follows blogs with bloglovin' find that their site has been down for about a week? If I don't visit you, it's because even though I get their notifications, when I click on any link to visit you, it says their server is busy. Same when I visit the url for the site so I can't even complain! Just asking -- wondering if it is overall or just me!

Last week my friend Jan and I went to our favorite market to pick up Easter food. Their "fresh" selection beats any local grocery. On the way past the bird seed, garden implements and seeds, we glanced outside and saw some color in the greenhouse. And so we ventured forth, curious to see some color in what has been a very gray spring.

And we were blown away!

More from the Art Workshops!

Sketchbook Revival continues till April 30 but so far I've filled a lot of pages on my book! I shared the cats and landscape with you HERE. These are a few other pieces.

Early Easter

This weekend, many who celebrate Easter will do so on April 17. (Orthodox Easter is April 24.) We celebrated on Palm Sunday with our kidlets. And it was so much fun! 

Birds, A Blog Book and a Book Signing

Spring is trying to break through here in mid-Michigan, although the weather is doing its best to provide the obligatory April showers. It brings out the critters, this happy cardinal...

More Bunnies

With only two weeks until Easter, it was time to bring on the rest of the bunnies! It may be frigid outdoors here in Michigan -- or not, we're on the seesaw season of Sprinter, no matter what the calendar says! But inside it's pretty cozy!