Friday, April 23, 2010

Family Talents

One thing about family - they are always part of you no matter what. Miles cannot distance you from thinking about them. They help mold you into who you presently are. They continually influence your view of the world - when you are lucky enough to keep in touch.

My youngest brother, Jim, has been a pivotal person for me. As with all my family, I have enjoyed seeing his personal evolutions. Jim's talents have expanded over the years and I relish the times we discuss the wondrous feelings our expressions afford us. I never hang up from a phone call without food for thought and a new way of looking at something. His music has brought many friends together and I have seen faces suffused with pleasure on these occasions. His art is a joy. He has an eye for composition and his photography is memorable. When you have a moment, check it out at http://www.jswansonart.com/. You won't be disappointed.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Compulsions

Lately, I have been rummaging under the eaves to unearth things stored there which, for the most part, have been forgotten. A few treasures were found - certainly a treat - but stored papers (why are there so many?) and bits that were shoved in one door or another at random are now reunited or tossed. My cache of yarn is bigger than I remembered.

I am reluctant to open the can of worms on the other side of the room. Over there are all the boxes of pictures and mementos of life, children and momentous moments. I know I will get lost in memories and not really clean up a thing. Perhaps that is a job for a chilly winter day; not one for today which is blazing with sunshine and the new growth outside
compels me to stop.

Our yard is coming to life. The forsythia is a yellow so intense, one feels lost in the color if standing close and looking into the bush. Muscari gifts that popped up a few years ago (not of my own doing) have now expanded their family along a ridge of rocks and a few have jumped ship and are happily blooming in the grass, too. The quince is orangy salmon and full of blooms. It won't be long before the lilacs, azaleas and rhododendrons open up. While I am looking forward to their release, I am quite content to revel in the color already here. This is a great time of the year!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

In the studio

There is much to be said for a weekend of almost continual painting. Throw in sunshine and warm breezes and it is idyllic.

The seascape I started on Saturday came together sweetly and I was hard pressed to leave the studio for a minute. So I didn't.

I love the feeling of painting with intensity mixed with casual abandon. Don't ask me how that blend of feelings can coexist because I can't tell you but I can say it is most delicious. The painting is almost done. It just waits for highlights and a few shadows, a tweek here and there. What fun it has been.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Sunshine on My Mind

All this sunshine makes me feel like I am in a foreign land! It is radiating down into my shoulders and warming all those tight places which had become so tense as I forded watery roadways and navigated tricky detours to get to and from work. It is like a whole new world out there!

Feeling a little capricious, I am like a kid in a candy store as I contemplate my options for the weekend. I know there are only two days, but for some reason, I feel like they will stretch fit whatever I want to do. Must be the sun - it is going to my head.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Pick Up Sticks

Just put the fringe on a thick seed stitch scarf a few days ago and started on a luscious raspberry Berroco Comfort raglan sweater for my granddaughter. Apparently she has found her baby sweater and is wearing it again. She's five.

I love knitting raglan sweaters. They work up so neatly and have only two underarm seams to sew. Gotta love that! The one I am doing now is in Debbie Macomber's Twenty Wishes pattern book. Found a great pattern for a zip cardigan for her brother in my stash (since I want to have one for each of them). Knobby denim colored yarn. This will test my zipper sewing abilities again - or not. Maybe he would never zip it up at all and can just run around with sweater tails flapping in the breeze. I'll give him pockets instead - boys need pockets.

I am debating on either picking up sticks in the yard or heading up to the seashore this weekend. It is supposed to be in the high 70's - bliss.

The sticks will still be there on Monday and it is staying light later in the evening. I am sure it is better as an after-work chore. Maybe I'll do some tonight.