Abstract and Landscape
I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m getting my painting kit together for an afternoon of escapism, I feel a little bit like James Bond’s messed up kid sister (yeah I like to pretend I’m that young). Flipping open my beat up watercolor tin that looks like somebody’s five-year-old got into it and checking… Continue reading Maximum Distraction
Most years, we have or are company at Christmas and Christmas Eve feasts for which all the stops -- good china, good silver, family favorite recipes - are pulled out. This year, with Covid raging, 'company' is our little nuclear unit, and we were grateful to have it. We knew this year would be different.… Continue reading A Good Night for the Good China
Still on the Group W Bench together It started with a writing prompt a few days ago. Write a scene with no more than four characters that happens in one room. It was a good assignment, but at first it took me to some very dark places before I remember I was in control of… Continue reading Don’t Go There
I love special education because it’s all about finding the spark in someone and helping it glow. It’s an act of hope informed by evidence. I’m housebound now and spending too much time on social media. The temptation to give into fear or despair is great, but the same internet that serves up daily examples… Continue reading Front Row at the Renaissance
In an apparent attempt to prove that the world would be better off run by members the next generation, the boys have been dragooning me — for my own good — into a very short ZeroK walk around the house every day since I’ve been sick. Thing1’s rationale is that there is nothing that even… Continue reading Feline Friday and The daily Zero K
Someone on Facebook wryly observed that, unless you’re socially separating yourself in the Quarantine region of France happy, then you’re really only engaging in sparkling isolation. I’ve had to segregate myself somewhat from my family since being diagnosed with pneumonia earlier this week. I’m still close enough, however, to be able sit for a few… Continue reading Sparkling Solitude
Driving by Fields on a Snowy Day Today was the first time I’d been out of the house since the surgery. I figured out how wrap my cast and get a shower before the Big Guy chauffeured me to my follow up appointment. I’ve been using the enforced break from the activity of daily… Continue reading Mother’s Little Helper
I got as much homework as possible finished before the surgery, leaving a little to do on Sunday. Sleeping off the anesthetics and first round of pain killed time on Friday night, but Saturday was completely unscheduled. The unusually un-booked day unexpectedly gave me one answer to a question we’ve all asked ourselves every time… Continue reading Blessed Boredom
We got back from the hospital in the early afternoon. All three of my boys helped me into the house where a borrowed motorized scooter was waiting. I scootered straight to bed where valentines flowers and chocolate were waiting and, after a quick bite, passed out for the rest of the evening. Jim-Bob, our orange… Continue reading Orange Tabby Therapy.
 There are several things that are certain in life at our house. Dust. Bills. Taxes. And if I sit down at my desk and open a keyboard or a tin of watercolor paint (it has to be watercolor paint), Jim-Bob will crawl into my arms within five minutes to offer his assistance and advice.… Continue reading Gratuitous Artist Pics
Friday the 13th rounded out this last week which also included a full moon and a lead into the upcoming week before Christmas creating what one meme called a “Teacher Trifecta of Terror” (it can be kind of scary for parents too). Friday was actually pretty lucky for me. There were no meltdowns. Everyone got… Continue reading Saturday Gave Away
I had a mountain of paperwork waiting for me at home, so when I got the text last night that a mountain of sand at the top of our driveway was blocking the last 900 feet of my trip home, I groaned. All I wanted to do was to get my work done and go… Continue reading Waylaid
Rachel Barlow Art 