Beginnings and Endings

Funny the way things go in nature..as summer begins, June is coming to a close.  June. There is something unmistakeably summery in that name. Weddings, of course. Pools open. School aren't. Long planned vacations are finally realized.  I love June.  I love the lushness of my garden before the heat of July wilts it into submission, thunderstorms that aren't too intense yet, and my favorite: the longest day of the year.  I celebrate the Summer Solstice the way most greet the new year.  Oh, I don't blow horns or make resolutions, but I usually have a party in the garden and if possible stay out there until there is no light whatsoever, usually around 9:30.

This year there was no party as the solstice landed on a Monday, and I have put some garden projects on hold.  But the celebration went on in my head and heart. Where summer lives on.....

Cat  =^..^=

A rainy beginning....

June has been a soggy month, so not many opportunities to paint outside.  I could, of course bring my paints and set up in my garden, but the old fear of not having Anita there as a safety net still looms over me.  I know I have to get over this, but....
Today was absolutely fantastic in the studio.  Our lesson was clouds and reflections; Bill and I painted along with Anita and the results were as varied as the artists.  I really need to bring my camera along or learn to get photos off of my cell phone.  I hope she will post her photos on FB or email them to me.
Jerry and I had a great road trip to Chicago, Winona, and La Crosse to get Julia moved.  Her 4 yrs at Winona State are just a memory now, and she is moving on to the world of advertising with an agency in La Crosse.  We had great weather, and the van was so fabulous to have---I just love that vehicle.  Visiting Jim was as delightful as ever, and we stuffed ourselves with Italian beef  sandwiches, and a wonderful dinner at Gale St.  He sent us on our way with Vienna Dogs and included some sausages too!!!  yumm--eee. Thanks, buddy!!
There won't be a Summer Solstice Party this year; I need to work on the garden path, and as well I am saving money for a possible trip to Greece in Sept to paint and write!  From time to time, I'll have a few friends for lunch alfresco, but nothing elaborate.  
Here's hoping the rest of summer is laid back and relaxing....I'll certainly do my part...

My first plein aire painting....

 5-5-10
Some how I just knew....at the last minute I grabbed my easel and tossed it in the van.  When I arrived at the Roost, Anita said "outside today"  I struggled with this and in the end it was a great collaborative effort between Anita and myself. 
Next on my list:  a real easel for plein aire!!

Happy Arbor Day...my 2 little trees are in and I can't stop sniffing the snowball viburnum!!  So sweet and spicy; it reminds me of my Mom's. Hers was outside her bedroom window, and the breeze would waft the aroma throughout the rear of the house.  That's when I knew it was Spring for sure.
Do your part for Arbor Day...even a bonsai counts!!!

The Nursery

My seeds are in their little paper pots waiting to burst open from their shells. If they do well, I'll have boquets of zinnias, cosmos and towering --16ft--sunflowers this year. Herbs are tricky devils, so I'll probably use the "Big Nursery" as a back up. I'm not sure if living a mile from the best garden center in town is a good thing or a curse!
Spring seems to be for real this year...goes from very warm to cool, to warm...just as it should with no bad frosts in sight for now....fingers and trowels crossed.

Winter to Spring

And what a winter it was!!! Finally, Columbus joined the rest of the Midwest with a "real winter" with record snow in February. I think the final total was 30" with 50" for the year.
Although a couple of my art classes were cancelled, I made it through without any injuries to self or house.
Our trip to Ft Myers in Feb, was rather cool and cloudy. A bit disappointing but all in all it was good to get away. Jerry and I love the smell of the salt air, spending time at or in the ocean.
Well, he braved the cold water, while I sat on the beach with my sketch book.

Now that Spring has arrived, I am praying that no more aberrant snow storms like the ones we had in April '05. blanket my yard. The garden looks like it survived pretty well although I did remove the holly by the garage. I plan to put a re-blooming lilac in its place. Not sure if there will be a Summer Solstice party this year...there is a trip to Greece on the back burner with Anita, my art teacher. She'll be back in town at the end of April and we should know more details soon. I miss my classes a lot, and try to paint on my own, but I remain petrified to put brush to canvas by myself.
May will bring Julia's college graduation, and we're so excited for her!! She's going through the final push and is terribly busy now, but the end is in sight. We all hope she takes the advertising/marketing world by storm.

WINTER 2010

January 2010

Painting classes are going quite well. I look forward to Wednesdays like a mini vacation; nothing gets in the way of my classes. Hope I don't get sick, cause I'd crawl in on a respirator if need be. The latest project is a 24x24 orchid blossom that will one day hang above my bed. It's taking shape today.
Jerry and I are just about ready for our mid winter break in Florida. Wish it was a bit warmer there

though. Nights have been in the 40s. But being acclimated to Ohio, I'm sure we'll notice a difference.

We had lots of snow to ring in the New Year, and it was great! Even on the most cloudy of days, there was wonderful light. Now that it is gone the familiar Ohio drabs have set in; wind and rain seem colder to me than the crispness of 10-20 degrees.