Daily Notes- August 15th.

This selection isn't as relevant.  But "don't envy".  That one is hard.   I like throw your heart into your work and build from large shapes to small also.

I try every day to do the "time to read, paint, exercise and rest".  But I sew little scraps together these days and I never paint.  I love painting. I loved painting.  I'm not sure I even remember how to paint anymore.

When I was in my 20's I had small kids and zero money.  So I didn't paint even though I had painted in college classes.  In my 30's I had two children and lived in a foreign country- but I took a very short class in patchwork.  In my 40's, I worked.  Finally, I had jobs and money of my own and two kids in college and graduate school. But I found the Botanical Art classes at the Morton Arboretum and really loved them.  It was a totally different way of painting.  Very controlled and slow.  I learned to be patient with the paint. We moved.

In Maine, the teacher who was recommended to me by Morton Arboretum-only taught painting classes for people over 50.  I had years to wait so I started quilting.  Needle turn appliqué.  Really slow cloth.  I liked that.  By the time I was 50 plus the teacher I waited for retired.  I do have a painting she did.  I bought it at a gallery.  I mentioned it to her when I met her.  She replied "I never liked that one".  Period.

I am using drops in my eyes.  Usually the stickiness is from allergies.  But I will put the drops in more often and look for the preservative free ones recommended by two readers.

Riley is already panting.  I think he "knows" we'll be going out to Music Theater and the cocktail party tonight.  And no Law and Order today.  Our daughter will be getting here after we have been gone 90 minutes.  She has work, shower and her two cats to feed before she comes here and eats her dinner.  She is very good with Riley.  Usually, he's only alone 30 minutes but the cocktail party adds an hour.  I will try not to be on time.  It's Wizard of Oz tonight and the reviews are impressive.

Riley has fallen asleep.  I always forget he likes watching me use the computer.  He's had his morning pills and eaten breakfast.  A good start.  I'll just sit here and look at things.