Still Here

I haven't posted anything for two months! How is that possible. Life has been quiet and uneventful (for me, thankfully). The devastation in western North Carolina is , well, it's hard to describe. Small towns basically wiped out by flooding. People are still being rescued, more than three days after the storm. 

It has been 37 years since my cancer diagnosis, always good to celebrate that milestone. My prognosis at the time was, AFTER chemotherapy and radiation therapy, I had a 40-60% chance of surviving five years. I sometimes forget what a dark time that was for me and my family. But here I am, still. 

It's nearly impossible to avoid the political storm in the country. In less than 3 weeks, early voting begins in South Carolina. I can't wait to cast my vote! 

Here's a photo from 2009, taken in Bloemfontein,  South Africa. 

 

Celebrate

I celebrated another trip around the sun. Thanks to my family for making my day special. 

The summer doldrums have a stranglehold on me. No creativity - painting or photography - have occurred for at least a month. I suppose that's not so very long. Perhaps a respite is good for the soul. You can't force creativity, of that I am sure.

A little minor surgery for a skin cancer and now I'm good for another 50,000 miles. 

Time

Holy moley, I've just realized that I painted this 34 years ago. It won a blue ribbon (and I have no idea where the ribbon is today) in a county art competition. I took a photo of the loom while visiting Cades Cove, TN. 

Back then, I wasn't afraid of a full sheet of watercolor paper (22"x30"). Today, I'm painting a 5"x7". 

 

Sally and Sunflowers

Reminiscing about the LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph, Charlottesville, VA 2015. One of the guest speakers was Sally Mann and I was lucky enough to get an autographed copy of her book - "Hold Still". 

And a collage of sunflower paintings. I think I should move on to a new subject.

 

New Moon

Lately: 6 month checkup with the doc (everything is cool), covid and rsv vaccinations (had a slightly achy reaction), managed a sunflower watercolor that I'm actually happy with. 

Tomorrow - starting a new acrylic painting. 

Sunflowers and Lists

I'm currently working on a sunflower, in watercolor. I haven't had much success painting sunflowers in the past. As with all things, I'm hoping that patience is the key. 

 I also came upon a poem by Linda Pastan: 

Thoughts for Thursday

It's a beautiful morning here in South Carolina. Coolish temps, sunshine, a light breeze doing its job on the wind chimes, and coffee. There is work to be done inside but not just yet.