What's Your Favorite Color?
 |
| Colorful Summer Blouse |
The colors I go for are ecru, white, gray, denim, and khaki green, Earth colors.
At the thrift store yesterday, I considered the blouse in the photo, (even though the colors aren't my usual). I held on to the summery blouse for a while before putting it back on the rack.
Yesterday, once again, I had forgoten my donations. On my return today with the donations, the jacket I wanted is there, but the skirt is gone. That's all right because I wasn't all that keen on the skirt anyway.
On the Tops rack, the blouse was still there. The colors are very flashy. But, I like every thing about the piece, including the colors. Frustrated by my indecision, I asked a shopper to help me decide between another top I was holding and the blouse. She chose the blouse. I said thank you, I will buy it. All I needed was a push over the edge. Laughing.
There it is draped over the edge of the sofa where I can see it. Now I'm deciding what to pants to wear with it. I'm also thinking about changing out the buttons.
Have you ever asked another shopper for their opinion?
What's Been Going On
Black bean chili is on the stove. A spicey meal with nachos and melted cheese is in order here.
It has been a slowish borderline-ish meh week for me.
There has been some wonderful weather. Sitting outdoors, I have to be cautious not to fall asleep. What a struggle it can be to not allow the wind and sunshine to lull you into dozing off.
I have much catching up to do with blog reading and commenting. The bright sun out today ecourages me to garden some between being online. There are also boxes to fill with things to mail and donate. Puttering has produced a lovely variety of tasks that won't go away with me in a chair daydreaming or watching YouTube videos.
How is your week going?
Prayers for everyone in the path of bad weather
The more experiments you make the better.
Reflection Monday May 2024
 |
| Lilacs in Spring |
Thinking About What Intrigues
 |
| First Sketch ~ The Party from a personal photograph |
Many years ago I saw the above image in real life when I was taking pictures (with permission) at a birthday party I attended. The majority, being elderly, added a somber vibe to the gathering. There aren't that many 80th birthdays to attend in life. I imagine there was a lot of reflection going on about our own longevity. I was near my sixties at the time. It feels like hundred years ago. All the party goers in the sketch are now deceased.
Uploading the images, that one particular photo (above) reminds me of Cezanne's, The Card Players (below). To my surprise, after putting watercolor to the sketch, I see my colors are similar to Cezanne's painting. The memory holds well in my artist's brain.
 |
| The Card Players 1890 ~ 1892 Oil on canvas Paul Cezanne 1839 ~ 1906 |
What is it that captures my heart in Cezanne's painting is how he puts to canvas the concentration composure of the men playing cards. Deep in thought they are. At the birthday party, those folks are deep in thought as well. It intrigues me that the card game is similar to living to a ripe old age. How we win at a game or life, chances are chances. The cake is consumed. The cards are dealt.
Eventually I will do an acrylic painting from my photograph. I imagine it will be large as there is more off frame that I might add, if it supports the concentration focus.
If I remember right, then I've done pencil sketches from other pictures of the room. I chose the small section of that table because it best represents what I feel from Cezanne's painting. I don't experience that many connections with my image choices reminding me of an old master's artwork. What will my painting be isn't the highlight. Feeling the connection with an artwork, no matter the artist or era, is the best part.
Day 1139 of Week 20 May 2024
Day jumping is the theme this week as each day feels to me like tomorrow. My Friday gone Saturday brain is already waving nostalgic for cartoons and Shredded Wheat.
What About You?
 |
| The Spring Lawn Before the 1st Cut |
In the 1990s, (long story short), being told that a montly budget includes self care as in something nice like clothes or make-up, absolutely stunned me. I felt guilty when I spent money on myself in those tight budget days of cereal coupons.
What about you?
Do you set aside things, and time, on purpose, to do something nice for yourself?
Rising out of emotional trauma, I began with something inexpensive, cheap nail polish. The goal is to remind myself that it is all right for me to look nice. Every summer for over 20 years, I take care to paint my toenails, and, wear spiffy sandals. Eventually, I added earrings and jewelry. This year, I am graduating to summer dresses and skirts. At the rate I'm advancing, next year I might wear a bathing suit instead of shorts and a tee shirt.
There are events in life that can leave a person feeling unattractive and/or not want to be noticed, men and women. We have to rebuild our confidence, cope with the negatives, and enrich our positives.
 |
| A Spring Puddle Reflection |
How we think of ourselves, I believe, plays the tune we follow in our daily lives. Not being deliberately engaged in our personal self care beyond the daily basics, can press ruts in our path to happier days.
Please, take care of your beauty.
Let your happiness shine!
Day 117 of Week 17 April 2024
 |
| Route 17 Addison, Vermont April 2024 |
Poetry Thursday: William Wordsworth
 |
| Book Inscription 1881 |
A Little Birdie Knick Knack Makeover
There is no telling what might strike one's fancy sometimes.
For me, last fall for the holidays, the little resin something birds with scarves and other decorations were being sold (around $7.00 US).
The bird in the photo had a dark green scarf. It fell off the shelf and broke its tail, and a piece out of its side (under the end of the scarf far left).
I used glue to stuff and smooth over paper towels in the hole as the piece wasn't found. When it dries, I will use an emory board to smooth it out before painting.
The feet were gray metal. I used acrylic paint to fancy up the scarf. The beak has also been painted. The eye has a spot of blue.
I don't put out a lot knick knacks. But that little bird just makes me smile, so out it goes right where I can see it. The body is a bit smaller than a real robin. A substantail bird, the height of the legs, I feel, makes it stand out more. Dusting my mother's knick knack too almost an hour there were so many.
Do you have a favorite knick knack?
Adventures in Social Media
 |
| Cedar Waxwings |
Science supports that human remains are best preserved where the climate conditions are ideal for such preservation to take place. Archaelogical evidence tells us the area had human activity.
There is no scientific evidence to date that I know of that defines where human life began. In Africa then migrated to Asia or in Asia migrated to Africa, the big deal over where we began can might lead us to understand the conditions of our scientific birth.
Interesting thought: What if all that will be left is what there is today? Social Media can cause a person to ponder such questions.