Archive for April, 2009
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
 Tulip Season, Watercolor Sketch - I wanted to paint a little nosegay, but went the tulip route instead! With this new swine flu pandemic threat I’ve become more aware of how many times I touch my face. My nose seems to be in a constant state of “needing a good scratch.” When my nose takes a break, my eyes need rubbing and then my mouth needs wiping. Yee Gads!!!
I’ve tried to scratch my itchy nose with the top of my wrist. Sorry, that just doesn’t cut it. A really good scratch can only be accomplished with your hands and fingers (the germ infested things). I’ve also tried wiping my mouth with my shirt sleeve. That’s attractive since I’m wearing short sleeves today. It’s looks like I’ve got a nervous twitch I can’t control.
I’ve pulled out the “Instant Hand Sanitizer” that “kills 99.99% of Germs.” There goes my karmic balance with all this germ eradication. Plus I need to know if this 99.99 percent includes the ”little porker” we’re dealing with right now or does it just kill the regular germs (whatever they are)?
Ya know I’m thinking this whole thing was started by some talking pig, maybe a relative of Wilbur, as a way to avoid being turned into bacon or a nice holiday ham. Hey, I wouldn’t put it past the little buggers.
I can see it now, some pig farmer must have overheard the pig conspiracy plot because what was the “swine flu” is now being referred to as ”H1N1″ so as not to reduce pork consumption I would presume. I can hear all the piglets now, “Curses, foiled again!”
When I went out to the bank this afternoon I realized I touch loads of things that are touched by people I don’t know. There’s one suggestion warning to stay away from sick people. Heck, I don’t even know these people, how on earth can I possibly know if they’re sick?! There was one woman with what seemed to be an uncontrollable nervous twitch - I kept my distance!
Okay I need a plan till this thing blows over. . . Awareness is the best defense. I’m on this. First I’ll check to see what the symptoms are and then I’m sure to experience each one! After that I’ll place my order, “Yes, that’ll be two scrambled eggs and a side of bacon please!
Tags: Healthy Living
Posted in Day-to-Day, Health and Fitness, Things to Consider | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
 Homegrown Tulips, Original Watercolor - I painted this bouquet and the vase. The vase didn't come out so well - that's when cropping comes in handy! It really is tulip time here in Upstate New York. In Downtown Albany the tulips are in full bloom, beautiful with vibrant and varied colors. While the tulips are blooming I intend to take advantage of their availability and tackle a few watercolor sketches. I need to be mindful that these are sketches and give myself permission to experiment with color and technique. I ordinarily lean toward a more controlled style, which can - at times - limit my artistic growth. So, for now I’m going to let go of the outcome and explore!
When I got home from work this afternoon I went to my garden, cut a few tulips and put them in a vase. The black flies are unmerciful right now so it’s impossible to sit outside and paint. My intention was to paint upstairs in my art room, but President Obama was speaking about his first 100 days and I wanted to hear what he had to say.
After dinner I set myself up in the recliner with my Cotman Sketchers’ Pocket Box plus another set of travel paints, a small piece of paper and three brushes. I realize now that by setting myself up in that informal way (without my usual pallet, paints, desk, light, etc.), it became impossible to fuss over all the details. Instead, I painted my impression of the tulips.
I’ll admit that I’ve steered clear of certain subjects in the past, but as you may remember from my post entitled, “There’s So Much To Learn” posted on April 20th, I intend to push the envelope. Not only that I intend to practice and paint a variety of subjects in different ways. This ended up being a good way to cut loose. I would recommend trying to paint with limited supplies, or perhaps a limited pallet to force yourself to approach your subject in a new way. There really is so much to learn. The world really is our oyster and it’s up to us to find our pearls!
Tags: Watercolor Floral, watercolor painting
Posted in Day-to-Day | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
 Two Nickels, Original Pencil - Get your own mobile cup and you'll have more than two nickles to rub together and at the end of the week! Get a load of this . . . I bought a new mobile cup a couple of months ago at the Christmas Tree Shop while shopping with Bet and AB (my friend and co-worker). Truth is I purchased a gift set that had been packaged for Starbucks because I needed the coffee and didn’t want to stop on my way home. The set also included hot chocolate and some odd cookies. I used the coffee (not as good as Eight O’clock) and discarded the cookies and hot chocolate (trying to lose weight again). Total cost $5.99!
What a surprise to find the mobile cup that came in the set really rocks! It’s stainless steel (inside and out) and keeps the coffee nice and hot - just the way I like it. I’ve tried plenty of mobile cups in the past in an effort to reduce my personal trash production. Mobile cups made of plastic - hate it - don’t do the job and are likely unhealthy I’m discovering. Ceramic cups, while pretty, don’t hold the heat and won’t stand up to a good dropping.
I buy a cup of coffee each morning on the way to work and after a couple weeks quite a stash of used cups and lids begin to accumulate, which brings to mind our responsibility in stewarding over Ole’ Mother Earth. It’s astounding the amount of trash I (one person - me) can generate in one month just by buying a cup of coffee. Multiply that by the millions of cups of coffee purchased each day and you’ve got quite a mess.
Okay here’s the plan, if we all made a “mobile cup commitment” just think of the mounds of garbage (much of it not easily biodegradable) that wouldn’t end up in some landfill or incinerator. The Mother would benefit from this one small gesture on our part in a big way. Not only that, we’d all save a little cash since most places offer reduced prices for “refills.” You know the old saying, “Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.” We’d all be a winner in this propostion!
What a great “green” beginning and all that’s required is a modest financial investment in a couple of mobile cups (your choice) and everyday will be Earth Day. This can work and we all know it’s best to take care of the Mother! I’m in, how about you?!
Tags: pencil drawing, Rainey's Favorite Things, Still Life, Think Green
Posted in Our World, Rainey's Favorite Things - Like Oprah But Affordable | 2 Comments »
Monday, April 27th, 2009
 That's us (Pat, Steve, Matt, Bethy and me) Christmas 1963. We've only changed a little since then! Mumzie and Pa will be back home this afternoon from their winter escape to Arizona. They left right after Christmas - a late departure - with my youngest brother and his family here for the holidays. A truly rare event. Now they’re making their escape back to Upstate New York from (more…)
Tags: family values, Gardening
Posted in Day-to-Day | No Comments »
Sunday, April 26th, 2009
 Not Raspberries, But Delicious (Watercolor Sketch) Boy the weekend just flew by! Yesterday (Saturday) was spent at a springtime picnic - first of the season! One of my husband’s (Tom) high school friends and his wife hosted a party appropriately called a, “Meat Fest.” Loads of barbecued meat, delicious salads, beverages of all kinds and interesting conversation the order of the day. On this day when asked, “How have you been?” or “What’s new?” the questions were asked with genuine interest. Lots of interesting new faces and (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, Family, Gardening, watercolor painting
Posted in Gardening, Things to Consider | 2 Comments »
Friday, April 24th, 2009
 Last Year's Peppers (Photo) - We had a great pepper crop last year and ended up letting a lot ripen to red and then did a little canning. Excellent! It’s Friday people and the weather is beautiful. What’s more forecast for the weekend here in Upstate New York looks good as well. The possibilities are endless on a Friday with two whole days to spend almost anyway you choose (some things are off limits no matter who you are).
The workweek has been good and I’ve walked the stairs everyday this week. Boast… Boast… Shock! My legs are definitely feeling their new workout. Bet (my sister) and Conrad (my brother-in-law) will be bringing their Rototiller over this weekend to prepare a spot for my veggie garden.
I attempted growing (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, Balanced Living, Exercise and Fitness, Gardening
Posted in Gardening | No Comments »
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
 A Little Bird Told Me, Original Pencil Sketch (Yup! A Little Bird Told Me It's Time to Take Better Care of Myself) I got this flyer in the mail recently from my health insurance provider sharing 10 ways to “live well.” Hmmm….only ten?! That’s doable. I glanced at the list.
Number 10 - suggests getting a good night’s sleep and says it’s “essential.” Sleep! I’m doing that one already. What’s more, I love to sleep! I’m 10 percent toward the living well goal without really trying. So I read on.
Number 9 - quit smoking. I’ve done that! Truth is I was never a smoker with the exception of a few Winston’s in the plum trees when I was a kid in Alabama and I never inhaled. Cool! I’m 20 percent toward the living well goal and am living weller than I realized. Let’s see what else they suggest.
Number 8 - take a fitness break, get up (yeah), stretch (okay) and walk instead of coffee (no). Well, I almost have that one licked. I’ve gained a little confidence. I’m not as much of a lost cause as I thought.
Number 7 - suggests (more…)
Tags: Balanced Living, Exercise and Fitness, Healthy Living, pencil drawing
Posted in Day-to-Day, Health and Fitness | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
 "My Summit," Original Oil, Image Size 5" x 4" This scene is my reward for hiking into the woods at the end of our road. The view alone should be motivation enough to exercise. Whatever the season, it's beautiful. No more excuses! I just started an exercise regime (of sorts), and it’s been four whole days! Now don’t get all excited. Exercise and me - we hardly know each other.
I used to think exercise was a four-letter word. I can see now it’s an ate letter word. . . oh. . . I mean an eight-letter word. Ate - that’s what got me into the mess. I ate this and I ate that.
Now I’m going to make some excuses as to why exercise and I have not been friends in the past. Indulge me - (more…)
Tags: Balanced Living, Exercise and Fitness, Healthy Living
Posted in Health and Fitness | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
 Here They Are - My Twenty-Something Nieces and 50% of the Attendees for Tonight's Meeting of ... Girl's Night! I won’t be watercolor painting tonight. It’s Girl’s Night - No Boys Allowed!
Girl’s Night has become a “must do,” starting in an unlikely way while planning a surprise party. We’d all meet to make plans and have dinner - my sister, mother, sisters-in-law, nieces and me. With pen and paper in hand, we’d meet to exchange ideas and get caught up. Raunchy talk seems to be a must. Shock value counts and (more…)
Tags: family values, Rainey's Favorite Things
Posted in Day-to-Day, Rainey's Favorites | 6 Comments »
Monday, April 20th, 2009
 Tulip Promise, Original Watercolor - Here's the Tulip Painting I promised yesterday. Springtime Temptation, Watercolor (I had to paint it twice and will probably do it again) As I headed off to work today I realized how much I have to learn - artistically and generally. I’ve been painting on and off since 1989, when I took an adult education class at our local high school. I had signed up for an oil painting class the previous year (at my mother’s urging), but the class ended up being canceled. So when I found another opportunity to join a class and get some instruction, I signed on. I remember that first class, (more…)
Tags: Creative Motivation, Watercolor Floral, watercolor painting
Posted in Art Talk, Things to Consider | 6 Comments »
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