Thursday, June 30, 2016

In spite of all our perceived problems

moon at dusk

I was walking on the weekend, on the way to meet my friend S. I saw a tiny yellow finch flit above my head and into a tree across the path. Then a red cardinal flew across into another tree then changed his mind and flew back in the other direction. Next, I saw a squirrel going about his business. Awhile later, on our way home, my friend S said 'look, there's a bluejay!'. I saw him flying into a tall tree. Earlier that morning, I spotted a little chipmunk in the back yard and there are always noises in the bushes at this time of year.  It makes me aware that life is going on everywhere.  Even the trees and shrubs are alive, it's not just about us.  In spite of all our perceived problems, days like this tend to make life seem as if it can't be so bad after all!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Summer Skies


So my sister and I have had tours of 3 long term care homes in our area now, for our mom. It is kind of like shopping for a house. They have all left good impressions, each with pros and cons. We may see one more, then think carefully about our rankings. It can take years to get a placement unless you are considering a private facility ($$$).

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Crabapples


The crabapples are starting to ripen. This time of year, it feels like you are in paradise, even with having to wipe bird poop off my window the other day. We are having fabulous weather. It did get really hot for a few days, one day is was 36C (97F)and I think a black squirrel was passed out on our lawn, he did not seem to have much energy. Husband M thought he was dead then he started to move! We have been meaning to put a saucer of water out for the wildlife.

Monday, June 27, 2016

A Fun Day



Yesterday, I walked to church on a sunny, warm summer’s day.  Once seated, I noticed an elderly couple enter the church.  The older man slowly advanced using his walker.  He was stooped over with osteoporosis perhaps.  Next to the front bench, where wheelchair accommodation is provided, he expertly folded his walker, genuflected towards the altar, and seated himself. I was impressed by his independence.  I noticed the male pianist was a very good player and I enjoyed the songs that day. He was a sturdily built man nicely dressed in a dark suit. There was also a cello player who accompanied him on some of the songs.  At the end of the mass, the talented pianist moved to the organ to play the final song.  There was a cute moment during Holy Communion when a toddler boy advanced to the altar with his family.  He had his arms crossed and received a blessing from the priest as he was not yet old enough to receive the sacrament. 

After mass, I met my friend S in front of the church.  She made me jaywalk across a very busy main road.  It was empty at the time we crossed.  But this is the difference between S and  me, I would never normally do that.  We went for coffee and a chat.

That same afternoon husband M, daughter L, son K and I walked to Main Street to see their first exotic car show.  It was a total delight, with every fancy car you could think of lining the closed off street: Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Bentley, Mustang, Audi, Mercedes. There was even an antique Rolls Royce.  We ran into a few friends while we were there.

It was a full day, especially in the exhausting heat.  Fortunately, it cooled down a bit later on.  Everyone had fun.

Here are some photos of the exotic car show:

hybrid BMW I think





Sunday, June 26, 2016

Sunday Sketches - Canoe Sunrise


Welcome to Sunday Sketches. This is a quick sketch in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour crayon and pencil, I'm calling it 'Canoe Sunrise'. Have a great day!

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Gifts and Cake


I celebrated my birthday in June, and a good friend took me to lunch a few weeks earlier to celebrate. She brought me this nice card and some very useful gift cards which were easily used.

Daughter L got me this yummy strawberry cake for the actual day of my birthday.



Friday, June 24, 2016

Paint Party Friday - My Mountain Scene


For Paint Party Friday, I created a mountain scene' for you today. It's done on (6" x 6") good quality textured orange card stock in acrylic. I am quite pleased with the vivid contrast of the colours and the misty effect over the rocky part of the mountain.  The piece has depth which makes it seem realistic, I think. 

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Soda Tax


Play a Coke and McDonald's Canada have teamed up to give the kids some fun. These specially marked cups and bottles can be used to play Spotify music once you download a free app. I forced myself to watch son K download the app on his phone, then point the phone at the cup and all this current music magically starts playing! He loves it anyway. We are in such a different world these days.

Ironically, I heard that Philadelphia will be the first city in the U.S. to impose a soda tax. It's all about the fight against sugar/obesity and promoting healthy eating. Good for that city.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Progressing So Nicely

Nicole Beadwright decided to join me in entering the Michael's art store London competition and here is her beautiful entry. Best of luck Nicole!



I found this package of gluten free mac and cheese clearing at Walmart the other day and decided to try it. Son K quite liked it. But I didn't see anymore after that.



There is a nice young pharmacist at my drugstore that I will occasionally talk to.  I asked him how his newly married life was going and how long has it been now?  I was surprised to learn it had already been 2 years!  He told me he was waiting to move into his new home but there is some kind of construction delay due to some strikes they are having.  It is a new-build townhouse with a double car garage which he really wanted.  I told him I was very happy for him.  It's nice to hear of young couples progressing so nicely in life!  Apparently these past two years they have been living in one of their parents' homes.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Creative Tuesdays - Time for Tea


Welcome to Creative Tuesdays' 'Time for Tea' theme! This piece is done on good quality textured beige cardstock (6" x 6"). It's done in watercolour pencil and outlined with a waterproof black artist pen. This is based on a photo I took as I held the coffee cup with my right hand. I didn't realize I had all those wrinkles, but it is what it is.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Vitrectomy


Husband M and I went to this restaurant and decided to split a western omelette (eggs with sweet pepper, onions and ham) breakfast.  The portions are quite large so we were happy and full afterward without feeling as if we had overeaten.


This former co-worker that I reconnected with recently had eye surgery, a vitrectomy to correct a problem in one of her eyes with its vitreous humor. She risked retinal detachment without the surgery.  She is only about 56 years old.  The surgery went well and she is very happy with her retinal specialist who has been monitoring her condition over the past 6 years.  The recovery period is 2 to 8 weeks but she is already driving out and about.  In fact, we will be meeting for coffee in the coming days. 

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Sunday Sketches - Sunset over the Barn

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!



For Sunday Sketches I did a piece in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour pencil, watercolour crayon and waterproof black artist pen. It evolved into a stained glass effect, called 'Sunset over the Barn'.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Summer Festival 2016

A couple of weeks ago we had our local summer festival.  Here are a few photos I took for you:


Town Crier

Can you see the drone top left?

Dragon Dance


Marching Band

Elvis

Friday, June 17, 2016

Paint Party Friday - I love my ice cream



I made this (18" x 24") canvas portrait in acrylic of my mother eating ice cream, based on a photo I took of her.  I entered it into the Michael's art competition which closes June 19th.  There are some stunning pieces submitted, the main thing is that it was a lot of fun to do.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Stag and Doe


Daughter L went out of town recently to attend a 'stag and doe' pre-wedding event. According to Google, it 'combines the traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties. Typically planned and hosted by the couple's wedding party, guests are invited to purchase tickets and enjoy a night of entertainment and fun.' It's also called a 'Jack and Jill' event. Money is raised for the young couple to help them get started on their new life together. L said she bought in on a raffle and won a prize pack of lottery tickets. So she and son K will go to the lottery store to collect some small winnings. She had a lot of fun at the event. I've never been to one of those, have you?

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

It is Time

oops, my post went out late this afternoon, I forgot to set the time when I pre-posted.

Spotted over the fence:




My sister has decided it is time to apply for my mom to go to a long term care home. My mom shares a house with them and she is well taken care of.  They are feeling the strain of her care as she needs help with most things. The application process can take years so it is a delicate question of timing. You go on a waiting list but if there is an opening she has to go or else you are put at the bottom of the list. We will be going on a tour of our first choice home early next week. It will be a new stage of life and learning for us all.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Secretariat

The past weekend was a quiet one.  I was able to watch this older movie called Secretariat (2010).  It was very enjoyable and inspiring, have you seen it?  It's based on the true story of this remarkable race horse and its owner Penny Chenery.

We have many of these beautiful peonies in the neighbourhood:






Monday, June 13, 2016

The Chocolate Factory Movies

The other day I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the version with Johnny Depp.   Son K and I enjoyed it, it is a good show for all to see.  Of course we loved the older version too, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder.

I noticed these orange poppies hiding behind some other flower leaves:







Sunday, June 12, 2016

Sunday Sketches - Dog Love


Welcome to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches! Today's piece was a quick sketch on a memo sheet (4 1/2" x 3") in watercolour pencil, I'm calling it 'Dog Love'.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Addison's Disease

Some good friends returned from vacation recently only to notice that one of their little dogs was very ill.  The vet was able to diagnose him with Addison's disease which affects the adrenal glands.  So they said the disease is triggered by stress.  It seems that everytime its owners go away, the dog gets stressed and indeed almost died while the owners were away for 2 weeks.  So it is on medication and will receive a double dose next time the owners have to go away.

I will often take photos on my walks, and I love to see the flowers blooming:

Aubretia

Crabapple Blossoms

forget-me-not

Friday, June 10, 2016

Paint Party Friday - Rising Moon


Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday! Baili asked me if I could do a moon reflection on a lake.  Here it is on good quality (6" x 6") cardstock.  I used acrylic paints.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Cutting in Line

Son K and I were at a Costco warehouse store the other day.  We will often line up for the free food samples.  In this particular line, it seems someone cut into the line.  A person behind was annoyed.  I was a bit further behind in the line, but I heard myself say 'that's not right'.  The annoyed person nodded her head in agreement.  Next thing I know, the lady in front of her was staring pointedly at me and said 'that's the new norm', she said it twice.  Would you have had a response to this?  I have trouble thinking on my feet.  I hadn't actually witnessed the 'cutting in line', but I think she must have let a friend into the line ahead of her. 

Anyway, I have some hub cap art for you today. I took the first photo a week before the 2nd photo. It's the same hub cap which had moved down the street, I think.







Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Some Weed Art

I had to share this meme with you 'if the Titanic Sunk in 2016', it's a sign of the times. Yesterday I filled out this online survey for my fitness club.  The first question asked to indicate whether I was male, female or 'other'.  Furthermore, had I selected 'other', the next question asked details on that 'other'.

Here is some weed art today, some photos I took on a walk.




Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Creative Tuesdays - Children

Michael's Stores (the Arts and Crafts retailer) is running an art challenge in the US and Canada if anyone's interested!



Welcome to Creative Tuesdays!  Michael's current theme is 'Children'.  This piece is called 'Horse Love', done in my (9" x 12") sketchbook in watercolour crayon and pencil.  It's based on a recent photograph of my niece and seemed to fit well with our CT theme.  I had done a portrait here of her and my brother when she was a baby. 

Monday, June 6, 2016

Too Good to Be True

We had a bit of a setback. Son K left his new job after only 5 days. It was too fast-paced with unreal hours of work. He tried his best but has learned from this experience and he will keep looking. We should have known it was too good to be true. Now on with today's regular post!

free mini-pastry

McDonald's restaurants run a coupon book event several times a year. I noticed this new coupon where you purchase a small coffee and get a free mini-pastry, so I had one for breakfast the other day. There are 3 flavours, maple, chocolate and raspberry, so I chose raspberry. It was good, and being a mini-pastry, it shouldn't be too bad on the calorie-count!

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Sunday Sketches - Olive Oil


For Sunday Sketches, I drew a bottle of olive oil for you on a greeting card in watercolour crayon and pencil ( 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"). Have a great day!

Saturday, June 4, 2016

On Ageism

one of the last magnolia flowers left on this tree

I found this interesting article on Ageism. It discusses that "while much of American society now considers it unacceptable to be openly sexist, racist or homophobic, "old people are still fair game.""  I've never thought about getting old in this way, but it is definitely true.  And the answer does not lie in trying to stay young.  We have to change our way of thinking.  Older people are not boring and stupid and indeed have a lot of wisdom to impart.  Given some older people have to develop a  tolerance for young people.


Friday, June 3, 2016

Paint Party Friday - Room with a View


Welcome to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday! This piece is called 'Room with a View' done in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour pencil. It is based on a photo I took at home. I actually was able to capture the robin in my photo.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Tulip Tree

Tulip Tree

Tulip Tree

I recently heard about the Tulip tree and was on a walk and then, I saw one. Do you see that the flower looks just like a tulip?

I have also noticed Ginkgo biloba trees being planted in the neighbourhood by the city to replace trees that were damaged in a storm 2 years ago. It seems this is the oldest living tree species and has many medical uses for treating various diseases such as blood disorders, memory, and eye health. This was interesting, I thought.