EDM # 7 Draw a shell

So okay ... it took me long enough but I did it ... several in fact. I count as my excuse, I didn't feel well a few days this week. No that didn't stop me from doodling and sketching or reading Danny Gregory's two books that came in the mail but it did stop me from blogging or spending too much time on this machine.

In my bathroom, on the window-sill lives a very tiny re-purposed jam jar that holds a small amount of Biddeford Pool beach sand, some smooth water rounded pebbles plus a few shells. I collected them during my last trip home to Maine on one of several beach combing strolls. It seems so long ago (1 1/2 years!). I am awfully happy to be here in southern CA today though as Maine is under an ice assault. Brrrrrrrrrr! Such tough souls live there. I used to be tough but I'm not anymore. :>)

Peace and blessings to all who stop by.

EDM First Sketch

To sketch or not to sketch. I have forgotten how I think but I will improve with time, perseverence and challenge. Ha! This one is from a group I belong to called Everyday Matters. I am new there so just finding my way about. I will learn how to add their logo (?) here. So much to do, so much to learn. They say that's good for the ol' gray matter so I keep pushing and pulling to encourage continued firing ~ LOL. This is rough, very rough and my waterproof pen smeared but that may have been the watercolor medium I used in my paint too. I resisted futzing and fretting and worked very quickly so I would not chicken out. The talent at EDM is amazing so I've decided to simply post my first efforts here instead of there. Be kind now please.

Anyhoo this week's challenge at EDM was one about what they call it/ what we call it. You know ... different names in various parts of the world for things. I chose molasses and gingerbread (here in the USA) but in the UK, I believe that would be treacle and treacle sponge though on my gingerbread box I found this quote. "Had I but one penny in the world, thou shouldst have it for gingerbread." William Shakespeare. Perhaps it was updated for modern sales through Trader Joe's.

Chaeli-bug Christmas Week 2008

Introducing Miss Chaeli in her Christmas finery ~ LOL. Her other grandmother bought it for her so she was a cutie patootie for the holiday. Amazing that she'll be five months old in a few days. She's sitting in the corner of the couch in our living room looking up at her Nonie (me). I'm grateful she's a good natured lil thing and tell her Mama she has no idea just how lucky she is about that aspect of things. Being a single mom is hard enough at the best of times but having a 'good' baby makes things easier than they might otherwise be.

No excuses for not adding to mah blog except life, sweet life

I have been mulling through lots of things, trying to find a suitable topic to muse on. It's 2009 and that's noteworthy to be sure but I seem a tad late to be commenting on the newest turn of time. I made no grand resolutions ~ not new as I generally don't. :>) Mostly I am just happy to mark the change and date be grateful to be alive.

I always seem to rise early these days. Does this happen more as one ages do you think? I don't seem to require so many hours of sleep and I relish my first cup of coffee alone in the quiet of a new day ... that of course after dealing with the feeding of two squalling cats who one might think from their sounds of starving insistence, that they had not eaten in days. So not true as they are free fed dry food and always have a full bowl ~ LOL. The furry cannibals want their wet food of a morning though and woe to me if I stop to pee or make the coffee first. Then it's out to fetch the paper that I sometimes hear slap the drive at o'dark o'clock (between 3 and 4AM) as the carrier heaves it from his vehicle.

The days grow longer and I've already commented on how much I like that. The birds must be like me (or I like them) as they are rising earlier too. Sometimes I sit out back, sipping my fresh ground, dark roast coffee and listen as the world awakens. Sometimes I am lucky enough to hear the whoosh-whoosh of a raven or two as they wing over my head. Nice!

Peace to the earth, peace to the days, peace to the people I love.