Sunshine and Flowers

 We have sunshine today! Not very many flowers yet, but they are coming along. We also have open water at Joe's Pond! Yesterday when I came back from St. Johnsbury late in the afternoon, I couldn't see a bit of ice or slush anywhere. It always seems so freeing when the ice is gone. Something about the sparkle of the water - it has a more intense blue color and almost sings out to us. That's not to say it can't suddenly become gray and menacing under dreary skies or turn angry with wind and waves lashing the shoreline. I'm sure there was some of that darker side displayed yesterday rain, hail and lots of wind ruled our weather off and on during the day. 

I had a play-date with my 10-year old granddaughter, Tangeni, yesterday. We hadn't done much together for months because of Covid, so it was great fun to literally get to know her again. Every time I see her, she has grown an inch or so. She is great fun to be with. For some time we have talked about doing some painting together, and yesterday was our day to experiment with that. First, we went to the art gallery at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. She said she had spent a lot of time at the library, but had never visited the art gallery. We took some time to examine the beautiful paintings there, and then we moved on to Uncle Jamie's workplace, KATV. Jamie gave her a complete tour and brief explanation of what goes into capturing the meetings and school functions in area towns, to make it all available for the public to see on television. After we left, we agreed it was very complicated and neither of us really understood much of the process, but I think she enjoyed seeing where her Uncle Jamie spends his time at work. Actually, she probably grasped more of it than I did -- she's a lot more tech-savvy than I am.

We grabbed sandwiches at Subway, and after lunch at her house, we got to work. Tangeni has been sketching with pencil for a long time, and only recently began using acrylic paints, so she was interested in doing a painting. We set up a little vase with a small artificial corsage in it for a model, and I told her to just paint what she saw. This is her almost-finished painting. It was very much a learning experience for her - sketching the canvas lightly with pencil and then experimenting with mixing and blending to get the colors she wanted. She had a piano lesson scheduled for later in the afternoon, so we stopped work before her project was completed - she said she wants to add a butterfly, and perhaps details to her flowers, leaves and the vase. She may or may not, but I think she will keep experimenting and practicing. The main thing is for her to enjoy it. She showed me some "diamond art" she was doing, and said it is "very relaxing." I want her to feel the same way about working with other mediums. 

It's been a while since I've put brush to canvas. But I admit, yesterday inspired me to start painting again, and I may dig out some of my supplies. I expect most of the paint I have has dried up, so it may be a major resupply will be needed in order for me to get going again. I have had a massive project in mind for some time, but haven't had the courage to get started with it. I already have a very large canvas ready, but that's as far as I've gone. Except for planning and planning some more. It sometimes takes courage to actually DO IT.

Today I'm torn between catching up with some computer stuff I've neglected this past week and going outside to do a little yard cleanup. I think I'll do the computer stuff now and hit the lawn and gardens after lunch. That way there will be nothing nagging at me because someone is waiting for me to respond.