The heat and humidity continues. Yesterday brought two big old thunderstorms, with wind and thunder and lightning and sheets of rain. We need the rain, so I’m not complaining. In fact, as is often the case, the first storm rolled in right after I had finished watering all the young plants in the Memorial Garden by hand. Of course!
As I began to water the ‘Sentimental Balloon Flower’ – I use the vintage galvanized watering can I keep on the porch – I saw something jump out from under the plant, land on my foot, and quickly scurry to the other side of the fence.
It was this little guy. He graciously allowed me to take a picture or two. In fact, he stayed there, frozen, until I finished my chores and went inside.
We haven’t seen the bunnies or Henry since right before this unbelievably hot weather began. I miss them. The birds are using the birdbath like crazy…but no bunnies. This morning, after all that rain, I had hoped to see them outside chomping on the grass, but no. Maybe they’re hanging out up in the woods where it’s cooler?
The hollyhocks are still blooming, but they are definitely coming to the end of their bloom time. This weather hasn’t been easy on them. I find I’m getting sad at the thought of not seeing these beautiful blooms right outside the side door.
The other day, Don called me when he was out and about and said he picked up a package that was waiting for us at the post office. We have a post office box that we generally check once a week. It was addressed to both of us. Normally, I know if something is being sent our way, but I had no idea what this package was.
It was from Shanna. Shanna is the talented artist who sent us the pencil sketch of Scout and the beautiful machine embroidery that developed from that sketch. That sketch was also miniaturized and framed and is now part of the TSP/Studio.
What was inside?
This.
A watercolor of our girl, based on a photo of Scout that was on this blog. She’s on the porch. You can see the coneflowers and hostas through the porch railing in the background.
We were stunned. If this isn’t the perfect capture of our girl, her spirit, the look in her eyes, the joy that poured out of her each and every day, then my name isn’t Claudia.
Look at her ears! And her beautiful green eyes! The tufts of hair around her ears, her nose, her tongue, her pink collar.
The twinkle. The light in her eyes.
She loved going out on the porch. She loved to watch the traffic, the cyclists who would come down our road, the birds, the squirrels. God, I miss her.
But in the midst of the pain and sorrow we feel every day, the emptiness of a house without our girl, there is Shanna – also a dog lover – who understands our grief and sends us not one, but three different portraits of our beloved Scout. We are humbled in the face of your compassion and generosity, Shanna.
We are so, so grateful.
Writing this blog for over eight years has been an amazing experience for me. It has introduced me to hundreds and hundreds of readers – indeed, friends – from all over the world. I am reminded each and every day of the good people who are out there in our world, of the kindness and compassion and generous spirit that is the antithesis of the hatred and prejudice and fear mongering and mean-spiritedness that has erupted during this election cycle.
That’s what I cling to. That’s what I remind myself of when the world seems to be spinning out of control. That’s what gives me hope.
Thank you, Shanna.
Happy Tuesday.
A beautiful portrait. Excellent work Shanna!
It is so beautiful, Doris.
Such a beautiful gift. You are blessed to have so many blogger friends!
I am. And I am grateful every day.
hope you see the bunnies and henry and get some cooler weather soon. enjoy that rain!
that frog would have freaked me out a bit. (i am not a nature girl).
and that portrait of your sweet scout … beautiful! am sure you will find just the right place of honor for that painting.
and shanna … you are very talented and generous; what a sweet gift! do you have a website/shop? thanks.
kathy in iowa
I’m pretty cool about frogs and critters. Doesn’t usually bother me. I don’t know whether Shanna has a website – hopefully, she’ll answer your question, Kathy.
I don’t have a website, Kathy. Just plain old email and facebook.
What a thoughtful, beautiful gift. You are very caring and talented, Shanna.
She is, indeed!
Thanks, Claudia, for your kind words, today and every day. I’m glad you love the portrait and am truly humbled by your high praise. But who could not be charmed by Scout, the dog with the beautiful smile and a heart-shaped spot on her back?
Shanna, she charmed each and every person she met. She was a magic girl. Thank you for capturing the essence of her so beautifully.
Shanna, you put it so well: “…..who could not be charmed by Scout, the dog with the beautiful smile and a heart-shaped spot on her back?”
A lovely portrait of a lovely girl. You really captured Scout’s soft fluffiness. I love the little fluffs at the base of her ears, and her shining eyes.
Claudia, thank you for sharing this beautiful gift with us, and thank you for sharing Scoutie with us all for those years.
You are so welcome, Nancy.
A beautiful watercolor from your talented friend. Scout is indeed a muse to inspiration and art. You are indeed fortunate, Claudia. The colors look so right for your cottage, and you’ll soon have Scout in every room!
We will! And won’t that be wonderful?
What a priceless gift! Shanna is so very talented! My guess is your furry friends are trying to stay cool in the forest. Glad you finally got some rain…sounds like you really need it! ;)
We do. The rivers are really low right now. Any rain is gratefully accepted!
Lovely watercolor – It is truly beautiful. Talented and generous artist – but isn’t that the essence of artists? Looking forward to seeing where you place it in your home.
We have to find a frame and then we’ll figure out where we’re going to hang it, Karen.
I love the watercolor. Hugs!
Thank you, Rose!
Tears sprang to my eyes when I saw this! That is so Scout! Beautiful and so kind and loving of Shanna! I enjoy frogs and other critters in the garden, but it’s so hot right now!!
hugs!!
Linda
It looks just like her, doesn’t it, Linda?
Well, the First Lady’s speech to open the convention really moved me, too. I even cried again when I heard later sound bites. “Don’t let anyone ever tell you that this country isn’t great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on earth!”
It’s the perfect image of Scout. What a treasure!
Oh, whoa, I have rain envy here in SoCalif…
I loved her speech. It was incredible.
Absolutely stunning likeness of Scout. What a blessing!
Thank you, Ann!
Oh Claudia, what a delightful surprise! What a thoughtful and loving gesture. It made me so happy for you and Don.
Thank you, Janie!
What a beautiful and generous gift!
We’re so grateful, Melanie!
Such a lovely gift to receive, a portrait of your girl. Very talented with such subtle coloring.
A treasure. I have a greeting card with a picture of a corgi by Tasha Tudor. It looks exactly
like my precious Roscoe. I keep it on the fridge. It’s easier to look at than an actual photo of
my baby. Your little wood frog is so handsome with his/her little eye mask and
buff coloring. Love to find them. We usually have tree frogs in our living room windows by
this time of summer, but haven’t seen them yet. They are cute but boy do they leave a lot of
rather large poops for such a tiny creature!
I love that little wood frog, Pamela – I thank you for saying what kind of frog it was, because I wasn’t sure!
…and her smile!
Perfect!!
m~
Thank you, Monica. She had a great smile.
Wow, that picture really IS Scoutie. And double wow, is Shanna incredibly talented or what? Lots of artists can reproduce physical resemblances, but capturing the true “essence” of a subject is something else entirely. But Scoutie’s twinkle is definitely there. PS – wish I had some drawings of my 3 dogs – what a very kind thing for her to do for you! 🐶
I know – capturing her essence shows incredible talent and heart.
What a kind and loving gift. The simple things in life are what keep me going. After a horrible night, a hot cup of coffee, and some Howie nuzzling will set me right <3
Miss nuzzling my girl. I know how comforting that is, Suzan. xo
Not only is the picture of your beloved Scout, a generous gift but the beauty of Shanna’s soul is also reflected within this amazing watercolor.
God places certain people with us on our life path for good reasons, and who but HE knew that her talent would prove to be such a comfort and blessing to you and Don at this particular juncture.
Shanna has certainly given us a rare and beautiful gift, Elizabeth. We are so grateful.
The artwork is amazing!! The pink ears were the first thing I noticed and smiled at when I saw them. It looks JUST like sweet Scout!! Shanna is a wonderful artist to be able to capture truly what is the essence of Scout. Just wonderful!
This weather is brutal. I think all the little creatures are trying to stay cool just as are we. Just wish the humidity would break. Take care and stay cool!!!!
Very humid here today and we took a trail walk. Why, I don’t know! I’m sitting here in the A/C still sweating from the walk. Enough already!
Wow! The portrait is wonderful! Such a lovely gift. Yes, there are so many kind, understanding, giving people in this mixed up world of ours. Here’s to the goodness and may it prevail.
Amen, Lyndia!
I love watercolors Claudia…it is just perfect…
Thanks, Nancy.
It’s beautiful. It’s her.
It is, indeed, Sue.
Very sweet. xo
What a lovely portrait of Scout – so sweet!
It is lovely, Liz.
I love the picture of Scout! That is so beautiful! Such a wonderful gift from Shanna!
As a disabled person, I have found there are so very many kind people in this world. When I go out there are always nice people lending me a helping hand every where I go. So many more kind people than mean people out there! That gives me hope too…. And as a daily reader of your blog for a long time now please count me as one of your friends. I feel like I know you and Don in real life at this point! We will all get through this very mean spirited election together! It was such a wonderful and historical moment to see Hilary nominated! I was so happy to see this happen for a woman in my lifetime!
I’m happy that you are encountering good and kind people, Lily. It sure helps to balance out the mean-spiritedness that we see out there right now. I’m thrilled for Hillary. We got very emotional as the vote counts were going on. Yay!
Such a nice gift! I love it!
Thank you, Sydney.
Wow, this is such a wonderful and thoughful gift from Shanna. Such a great painture of Scout! I too believe there are still enough good people outside who are brave enough to look further than the fear that some ignorant people try to force on us. Hugs, Susi
Thank you, Susi. The good outweigh the bad by far!