On A Rainy Day

Sunday was cold and rainy--very rainy. And we got word that Josie had been exposed to Covid at her school on Wednesday and we had been exposed to Josie on Friday. Plans to have a friend over for supper were scrapped and I settled in for a day of reading and watercolor.

I've never been comfortable painting 'from life' but generally take a picture of the subject to work from--that way the light and angles don't change. But after having a go a few days ago at painting Blue Elephant (2) without taking a picture first, I was emboldened to try to capture the magnificent variegated poinsettia my friend Sue gave me.

It was too big and complicated for me to do more than a portion. I sketched in pencil then inked the sketch. Then I began layering color. The gorgeous shadings were challenging, to say the least.

I like to work on two pictures at once, to allow time for the paint to dry in between bouts. A primrose on the table was less challenging than the poinsettia. (Also, you may notice that I was reading Hamnet, of which I'll have more to say tomorrow.)

I actually like the plain pen and ink but can't resist adding color.

By late afternoon when both were done, I had a text from Claui to say that Josie had tested negative, and life could go on--though preschool will be closed this week.

There's something about drawing and painting--trying to capture a likeness-- that engages my full attention, slows my breathing, and erases worry. A great way to pass a rainy day with the possibility of Covid.

 

Remembering NC Mountainwoman

As I sat at the dining room table, taking pictures of the winter birds at the feeder, I was reminded of a long-time and sadly missed blog friend, Carolyn Powell, aka NCMountainwoman.

She and I never met in person, but we shared a love of wild birds, dogs, reading, liberal politics, and our granddaughters--almost the same age.

A virtual friendship can be quite real, and the loss of a virtual friend leaves an ache in our hearts. 

Carolyn has been gone for quite some time now, but I look forward to occasional Facebook posts from her son, documenting Carolyn's granddaughter's funny sayings.

My life is richer for having 'known' Carolyn and for all my virtual friends.

That's one social interaction the pandemic can't mess with.

                                                                                       

Josie's Snow Day

There was no pre-school on Friday because it snowed so I spent the day with Meema.

Do you know what a geode is? It is a rock like a hollow ball and when you break it open, there is a surprise. I got a geode for Christmas and Grumpy helped me break it open.

I borrowed his hammer and cold chisel, but I had my own goggles just in case. I tapped on the geode, but it didn't break. We wrapped it in a dishcloth to be safe. Finally, after I tried and Meema tried and it wouldn't break open, Grumpy took it outside and hit it Really Hard.

And look what was inside! 

Gems! Beautiful white crystals!

The Castle People love them!

I also did some painting. This is a stegosaurus. The zig-zag things on his back are called plates, He has ten legs and is about to eat a tree. 

Later Jenny and I relaxed with a video. She likes to snuggle when she isn't running around like crazy or trying to get my food.

It was a pretty good day. 

 

Winter Color

 

Writing to Picture Prompts

 

Back in 2010 there was an ongoing series in the blogosphere called Magpie Tales, the brainchild of Tess Kincaid and her blog Willow Manor. A photo prompt (above) would be given, and any number of folks would respond with prose or poetry. I had way too much fun with these and, as it happens, I'll be offering a class beginning next month through Great Smokies Writing Program, doing much the same thing. (For information, go HERE.) The following example shows how much fun a writer can have, just being silly.

Ceiling fans stirred the sullen heat of a Kenyan midday, setting a-whirl golden motes of the inescapable African dust. It rose in a shimmering haze and then settled back on the heads and shoulders of the three men gathered on the veranda of the Colonial Club. Humming insects and the barking of baboons in the bush vied with the Victrola's tinny jangle -- the Quintet of the Hot Club of Paris. Unnoticed, the hot animal smell of the jungle prowled and sniffed at the edge of the clearing

A silent native attendant in crisp white garments brought yet another round of gin and tonics to the men engrossed in examining the curious ivory carving that Nigel Cholmondelay, fourth Baron Delamere, had just produced from the capacious pocket of his dusty jodhpurs.

"Ever seen one of these, you chaps?" he asked, setting the little thing in the center of the round table.

Dickie Pembrocke screwed in his monocle and leaned over for a closer look. "It's a bloody elephant -- Of course, we've all seen elephants!  What are you playin' at-"

"Steady on, Dickie, old boy."  The third man laid a restraining hand on his irascible neighbor. "I think what Delamere is asking pertains to the function, rather than the form, of this object.  Am I correct?"

The taciturn fourth baron nodded and quaffed the rest of his drink.  The native attendant silently materialized with another round.

"Mtu huyu atalipia kila kitu,"* said the third man to the native, pointing to the baron. 

"Yes, Bwana. As you wish." The native grinned at the noted white hunter, a man known to be as at home in the savannahs and forests of East Africa as the natives who had given him the name Bwana Nguruwe for his great strength and messy eating habits. 

Reaching for the strangely elongated carved elephant, the white hunter ran a reflective finger along the upraised trunk.  "Where did you come by this, Delamere? If I'm not mistaken, it's one of only three in the world -- used in the traditional wedding rituals of the Samburu tribe."

Shaking his head very slightly, the white hunter set the thing back on the table and drained his glass. "Bad show, Delamere.  Old Ijumaa, a witch doctor up near Lake Naivasha, swore that Kubwa Tembo, the king of all the elephants, would track down anyone who dared to steal the sacred-"

"I say, what's that beastly sound?" Dickie Pembroke's monocle fell from his eye and shattered on the table. Beneath the tan, his foolish, rabbity face was deathly pale.

An angry trumpeting rang out in the clearing around the club house and heavy footfalls thundered toward the veranda where the three white men sat beneath the slowly turning fan.

The golden dust of Africa danced in the air.

Swahili Guide*

Mbaya Hatari = big danger
Mtu huyu atalipia kila kitu.  = This gentleman will pay for everything.

Nguruwe = giant forest hog

Ijumaa  = Friday
Kubwa Tembo = big elephant
Gari langu linaloangamu na mikunga. = My hovercraft is full of eels.

Blue Sky, White Snow

                                                                                

 

The First Snow

So, of course, I walked it it. Barefoot, per the tradition that promises good health for this undertaking. I don't walk far--not wanting to fall and break a hip in my pursuit of health. But at six am it was time for Jenny to go out so, after convincing her she really had to, despite the white stuff, I did my little stagger in the snow. It was pretty dark, hence the murky picture.

After her initial reluctance, Jenny decided she liked snow and raced about like a madwoman.

Also barefoot--she and Bob and the birds are looking after their future health too.

It's so beautiful--and it will likely be short lived. John and Justin have made sure our road is clear but for today, we're all staying put and enjoying the view.

Jenny goes in and out, in and out. At least I don't have to put a snowsuit on her. When her ears get cold, she comes in to warm them up then back out she goes.

By 4, it was clearing in the east. A lovely little snow!

 

Early to Bed

 A long day working on an edit-for-hire and my brain is fried. Perhaps I'll have something to say tomorrow.

Mountain Moods

 

                                                                                      

                                                                                              

Happy New Year!