Heading Across the River

Tomorrow Dave, Dorene and I will be heading to the Arch for some sightseeing then off to the Butterfly Museum. Oh yes, and thanks to Lauren, Dave says we can't possibly come home without visiting the Crown Ice Cream and Candy Cafe. I really need to stay away from places like that until I have better will-power. Oh well, right now all I see is that delicious hot fudge and home made ice cream. How does Cindi do it??? I have lots of will power until some delightful thing is put in my way and then my will power flies out the window. I have good intentions but am lousy at saying "no way."

I can tell I'm getting older. Trying to decorate the tree last night was too much. I have 3 boxes of ornaments and I was half way through #1 when I just closed the box up and said, "no more, I'm finished." Needless to say, I have many lights (of course they came already attached to the tree) and maybe 20 ornaments. Sad! If I keep the lights on it doesn't look half bad.

Catching Up

My friend arrived tonight from Maryland and we are playing the catch up game. It's great to be able to sit and talk with her in person rather than over the telephone. Can't find anyone around my age group here in town to yak with and it does get lonely at times. The thing I miss the most is doing bible study together. Most of our studies have been via snail mail. Anyway, here it is 1:45 in the morning and we're still going at it.
Tomorrow if the rain holds off, we'll be heading into the city to do a little sightseeing. If it rains we'll probably stay at home and start trimming the tree.

On Thanksgiving we'll be heading to Cindi and Bill's for dinner. Did most all the cooking today so I would be free to show Dorene around. She is anxious to see the kids since it has been quite some time since she has seen them. She couldn't believe Rebekah was a junior in high school. Time does move onward at a fast pace the older you get. Another wrinkle and another day older.

Moving Right Along

I am thrilled with my new hymnal. It is so much easier to handle than those hard back hymnals in the pew. Been flipping through the pages and trying to acquaint myself with the hymns and prayers. Right now I am trying to memorize the Nicene Creed so that I can concentrate on the words I'm saying rather than just reading the words. Been looking at the hymns and I do recognize many of them. I must admit that I don't like singing hymns I'm not familiar with. Part of the reason is that when I sing worship songs I like to close my eyes and concentrate on the words. I concentrate so hard on the notes that I miss what I'm singing about. I keep telling myself, "I will learn these songs by heart." By God's grace I am trying to learn a different hymn every week. My handicap of course is that my piano is in Maryland so I'm not sure if I'm conpletely on pitch. I'm giving it my best shot though.

Things Looking Up

While not many people come into my shop, I am getting jobs via word of mouth. Just put the finishing touches on 2 paintings and now its Dave's turn to frame it with the just the right color and design.

I just love to stand back and take a plain white canvas and start adding color and see where it goes. Sometimes, I don't have any idea what I'm going to paint. Ideas come to me as I stand at the easel with brush in hand. Other times, I just pull a snapshot from my file and start painting the picture before me.

I might have to revamp my painting on glassware since it seems that the industry where I purchase my paint has changed their formula. Had a customer call and said the paint had come off in the dishwasher. Never had that happen. Dave and I have had a glass we have used since I started painting and the paint is like new. Even tried an experiment on my end. Wiped the glass down with alcohol, painted it, let it sit overnight, fired it, let it sit overnight again, took to Cindi and Bill's and placed in dishwasher. All the paint came off. Might have to rethink about glassware. Might have to stick with canvas'. Sure wish I had a dishwasher. Used to do that with all my glassware. It was a way for me to guarantee that the paint would not come off.

Well, after today, (going Christmas shopping) I will get started on the next project for Christmas. When the holidays are over I'll post my paintings on the blog. Until then not sure who is reading my blog so I better wait before I give away someone's present by posting it on my blog.

May this day bring joy and peace to all. In Christ we are One.

The Latest

Well the show in O'Fallon didn't go very well for me but I did get an order for a painting via phone call at the show.

I have so much to do before the holidays such as 2 paintings, finish birthday cards for month of November and December, complete my Christmas cards, Christmas gifts (which I only have bought 3), Christmas cards for a couple of customers, birthday cards for customers, and of course somewhere in between I have to clean house for my company that's coming for Thanksgiving and Christmas. When I was 40 that didn't feel like too much to do, but at 67, well never mind what it feels like now.

From my Heart

Getting ready for the O'Fallon Craft Show. Been into myself all week painting glassware. I can lose all track of time while sitting in front of my dining room window surrounded by paints and brushes waiting for an idea to manifest itself. Just like writers block, an artist can have painters block. Many times during that time I come up with my best ideas. While I love doing glassware, my greatest love is doing paintings in acrylic on canvas. Taking a photo or several photo's and making it come alive on canvas is very rewarding.

My grandson, David has a natural ability for art. I look at his drawings and just marvel at the depth of feelings that went into that drawing. What a great gift God has given him.

I have been falling behind on my birthday cards but at least I have finished all my Christmas cards. Sometimes when I go upstairs I don't know rather to paint, draw, scrapbook, or work on my cards. I think when I finish here, I'll work on cards. This is something I really enjoy doing. Sending cards to shut-ins and birthday cards to church family members. I did this at my church in MD and got to know many people that I would not have otherwise gotten to know except through sending greeting and birthday cards. One gal said that I was the only person that had ever sent her a card and to this day we keep in touch. There are many lonely people out there hoping someone will take the effort to send a greeting, letting them know someone cares.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, try and include:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001