A busy day yesterday: I weed whacked and then, as so often happens, I got sucked into something else, in this case, pruning. The wild roses (aka brambles) are all over the place. If every plant grew as fast as the brambles, we’d be in spectacular shape around here. So, I got out the pruners. Then I watered the seeds in the chicken wire fence garden. There are already tiny zinnias emerging, as well as a few morning glories. I’ve found it helps when I put down a layer of topsoil, which I did this year. I didn’t do it last year because of lockdown.
Other than my usual impatiens, lavender, hanging plants, and geraniums – all in pots – I only added one perennial this year, a clematis. I put it in the bed under living room window. That bed gets a lot of sun. So far, it seems to be doing well.
Then I painted.
Taking a cue from some oil painting enthusiasts that I follow, I decided to do some small studies. And by small, I mean, about 3 x 5 inches. I used a sheet of Arches oil painting paper and cut it into smaller sizes. The idea is to play, have fun, try new things. Since I’m new to this, everything is a new thing. I felt the pressure I had put on myself evaporate. There is no right or wrong.
Here are the two mini paintings:
The one on the left is just something I came up with, it’s not based on a photo or another painting.
The one on the right is my interpretation of a photo I took last week as a storm came in over the mountains. I was on the porch and this huge, dark cloud was over our neighbors’ house. I might tweak this one a bit more today. I have to remind myself that they are studies and an experiment. I’m going to play some more later today.
In the meantime, Don and I are discussing buying a used car. We haven’t used the CR-V in nearly a year. Why? The muffler is hanging by a thread. The CR-V is 21 years old and the bottom is rusted. The door on the drivers side doesn’t open consistently, and the anti-lock mechanism does some weird thing that makes it impossible to start the car without going through about seven steps and even that isn’t always successful. We love the CR-V and it’s served us well; 3 trips across the country, countless adventures, reliable transport for the dogs and recycling. But it’s tired.
Can we really afford a new car? We have to. Don needs to be ready to drive to NYC, to shooting locations, etc. We need something that is more of an SUV, because my low-slung (too low!) Honda Accord has a nice trunk, but since my dad went with a sporty coupe in his late 80s, it has an impossible back seat area. No one could sit back there comfortably unless they were under 10 years old. I can transport certain items like groceries and bags of mulch, but anything larger is impossible.
Anyway, we’d rather buy something used that has the stamp of approval of Don’s mechanic and he’s got a few cars on the lot that we’re going to see later this morning.
We’ll see. But we are increasingly aware that it’s time, especially since work is about to start again.
And we need to work!
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
oh, good luck with the search for a new car! not fun, but hopefully soon successful.
and hooray for more painting! your studies look great. glad you had fun!
just had a “lower ball joint” replaced on my car. that feels better (even at the price). once they told me it keeps tires on cars, it was scary to drive … but now it’s fixed. whew!
i will head home to change clothes, then go to work. would much rather spend the day with my family. second choice would be to stay home.
hope you have a good day.
kathy in iowa
Glad you got the car repaired, Kathy!
Stay safe.
HI,
I love the painting on the left. The sky seems to be in motion. Lovely.
I had a Subaru for 25 years. It was a great car. I did finally have to get a new car and went with another Subaru. Just putting that out there.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
We too have a Subaru and love it
Two weeks ago we took it to the dealership for servicing and had a new outback for the day
So much fun !
Linda,
Good for you a new Outback! My only regret I have with my new Subaru is the color. I wish I would been more colorful in my choice..I went with grey but it does have little sparkles in the paint.
Have Fun and Be Safe,
Kaye
Subarus are great, and so are Hondas. I’ve had Hondas for over 30 years!
Stay safe, Kaye!
Ooh…I really like your studies. The one on the right especially….it’s filled with such tension from the approaching storm. (Amateur art critic, here..lol.)
I love that work is will be resuming again for you both. And, you need a reliable car. Your car has served you well, if you’ve gotten 21 years of service. We have a 14 year old SUV that we’ve fixed, so it can continue on for another year. Because there is a computer chip shortage for new cars, the
price of used cars has gone up dramatically. So if you have a “connection”, more power to you. Good luck on the search!
Enjoy your day! ;)
Well, we hope it will be resuming! Don has to audition and get cast and I have to be asked to coach, but the possibilities are now there.
Interesting about the computer chip shortage. I had no idea!
Stay safe, Donna.
I bought my first CR-V (Crash Resistant Vehicle) in 2014 and in 2016 had a head-on collision right outside my house—5” of new snow and I slid into the oncoming lane. Banged my knees up on the dashboard and couldn’t take a full breath for a week but survived! So I replaced it with another CR-V. Now that we are both retired, we are planning to just have 1 car. We are thinking new so it will last as long as us! But don’t know if a solid used car would be just as good?
I have no idea! Because we’re both still working – and we work in the arts, which means inconsistent income – buying new is prohibitive. We just drove the car – it has a new transmission, radiator, brakes and tires. It’s in great shape. Normally, I would be hesitant on a used car, but Don really trusts his mechanics and they know the car inside and out.
Maybe new for you two?
Stay safe, Becky.
Forgot to add: Thank God you were not more seriously injured, Becky! xo
I like both paintings, especially the stormy one.
It sounds like a new(er) car is needed for sure. I hope the work situation improves for you rapidly.
I am driving a 10 year old prius and we just bought a used small truck for hubby. I think I will be driving the prius a few more years.
Stay safe
A Prius is a good car, Marilyn. We’re going to buy this Honda Pilot. I hate that a chunk of money will be missing from our savings, but it’s a perfect fit for Don. He loves it. He’s a big guy (6′ 4″) and he needs the room! I really like it, too.
Stay safe!
You have again won my heart-the paintings
Just my favorites
Good luck on the car…and returning to work
Saw my first person without a mask today in Florida (other than some beach goers ) since I moved here
I am upset but am not going to verbalize
We saw someone without a mask today. Most people here still wear them. We were outside at the mechanic’s shop, and we wore masks!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Brenda.
Stay safe.
What?…..no liberal electric car?? I guess that’s for everyone else.
You know what? I gave you a chance after your last mean-spirited comment. If you can’t respond with a modicum of manners and class, you’re out of here. Bye.
I’ll leave the comment so everyone can see it. I must say, I hope you find some peace. You clearly don’t have that at the moment.
Blocked.
What? A liberal car? (Shaking my head, because now I’ve heard everything.)
Oh, my. Electric cars are liberal. Wow!! I guess saving the planet is just waaaayyy too out there for some people.
I like both paintings, I have done crafts for years but painting has never been one I am good at. I admire your posts especially in today’s world. You post for all of us to see your day to day life. I am on FB and I hardly ever post anything political or religious because of all the nasty remarks when someone thinks differently. It is sad today that someone who does not even know you would make a nasty remark. Good thing there is blocking, lol. Take care and continue to post what you do because I believe there are more good and decent people out there who enjoy reading about you and Don, I know I do.
Thank you for your kind words, Barbara. I appreciate them.
Some people just seem to need to attack others, and about something that makes no sense.
Stay safe.
And I forgot to add that I also liked the storm study. You did capture movement—not an easy thing to do!
Thanks, Becky!
I get it; my youngest car is age 22. I never feel very secure if we go out of town because I don’t trust its reliability (so, who can live like that forever; the car has more than lived its life). We’ll prob be getting a replacement this year, too. Just were waiting for the worst of Covid to get past us. It’ll be used; we haven’t bought a new car since 1996. I’ll be interested to see what you buy.
Claudia, I love your small paintings. Your interpretation of the storm is ‘impressionist’-worthy. Keep on painting; you’re doing a great job.
Scary times with my old dog. She reacted adversely to the canine NSAID/’ibuprofen’ for after-surgery pain. Almost took her to Pet Emergency in another town at 2am earlier today. Stopped that drug in the nick of time I think. She finally ate a scrambled egg an hour ago; is perking up. We’ve been basket cases and I’ve had zero sleep (which is where I’m headed right now at 9:30pm). I’ve felt like howling when she couldn’t; her pain is our pain.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet dog, Vicki. Praying for a full recovery and some rest for all of you.
Stay safe!
Thank you. She’s better tonight (Fri); a way to go yet til 100 percent though. It’s been a rough five days for sure.
Xoxo
Good luck with the car. I thought about how practical it is to buy a used car because I do not waste one thought about what colour to choose. All the possibilities we have to choose from is just overwhelming. It starts with pasta, toilet paper and …. cars. My mecanic says if you buy a new car and you roll it out of his shop, the car is worth minus 15 %. So better buy a used one anyway. :-)
Yes, I agree!
Thanks, Regula.
Stay safe!
I love seeing how you are taking off with your painting! Biggest smiles!
I may be in for a new car, too. My 2001 Toyota is held together in places — and I mean this literally — with duct tape. I may end up with Rick’s mom’s car. I’m excited and a little bittersweet — I love my manual transmission but I decided long ago that when it was time to replace it, I should get an automatic. Rick’s broken leg and my shoulder surgery in the past both were reminders that a manual doesn’t always work well when both feet and a fully working right arm are required. I hope you find a wonderful bargain.
Yes our CR-V was from the 2000 model year. Old!
Thanks, Jeanie!