Europe

Getting ready for the French Show is a big deal. Just imagining what the climate will be like and what tastes are like there vs here is sort of mind bending.

the only thing I can do is paint the best show I have ever painted and take it there and see what happens.

this is what I want to happen. Sell everything and have other galleries in Europe ask to show the work. I would like to have a show in Brussels and in Germany and Paris and also Venice.

That is the dream and idea. That is a great way to get to visit those cities and have a really good reason to go.

It really is an extraordinary opportunity to be in this big art festival. I guess People from all over Europe go there. I hope I can do a show somewhere in Europe every year . that is the big big plan. That is my stick figure for today

Its so hard to see myself

Thank you for the comments yesterday about the baby.

We do have a plan now and and the more I think about it the better I feel about it. I am going to spank her if she starts a fit when her mom comes to get her. My son and daughter in law told me to. At first I was horrified. Spank her because she doesn't want to leave me?? Too hard.

But after examining the idea a little closer I realize that she does not love me best she can manipulate me most. She would not get away with something like that with her other grandmother and she knows it. But me , I am putty in her tiny hands and she knows it. While she is crying and going on I feeling so sorry for her and saying Oh no Oh no (as if I am helpless to stop her)

And then my daughter in law is the bad guy.

It is so hard to see yourself . I talked to a large group of women who also did not know what to do, Most said she will stop when she is older.

I don't want her to learn to manipulate people by pulling heart strings like that and pride strings . I will let you know on Friday what happened when I spank her for crying so much about leaving me.

Oh it is so hard.

I have a granddaughter that I love so much it but she cries when I have to say goodbye. I am flattered but I want her to not make everyone feel bad as if they aren't also wonderful to be with . I don't know if I am doing something too much and she is spoiled or what but I feel like I am. Any body else out there with this problem. I feel like I am getting her in trouble.

left hand

I have to tell you what happened when I used my left hand at the studio. I was able to write in a half an hour somewhat legibly, I was drawing and when I started doing that I liked the outcome. The people I was drawing were like contour drawings sort of dreamy. I like the big legs and arms every which way. Mostly I started thinking differently as I was using my non dominant side to draw. I started thinking calm thoughts kind of like when we do a visualization exercise. I am going to do it again today and paint too.

A mind is a wonderful thing to explore with and there are fun exercises to do with strengthening the weak side. I will tell you another one tomorrow.

one new thing

For the next week I am doing one new thing a day. this is not that easy. First you have to think of something that you have never done before. Then you have to figure out how to do it. Then you have to actually do it not just talk about it. today I plan on trying my hand at painting with my left hand all day.

I have no idea what I will do tomorrow but something is supposed to happen to my brain when I paint all day with my left hand so I will tell you tomorrow if that is true.

A new thing

I heard on the radio this morning about a coffee shop in Oakland called "Actual" It is called that because coffee shops have turned into laptop heaven with everyone busy in a virtual world.

This coffee shop is actual, no lap tops allowed.

and they have communal tables so it forces you to talk to people.

In this computer age how funny that this old thing is now a hot new thing. Talking to each other= in person.

I was also thinking how when you get something you lose something, unless you see it coming and prepare for it.

This is a new thought for me and I am going to make it a point to notice life more. the plus and minus of whatever comes my way.

my husband of 22 years almost

I don't know where the time went . We are so much older and hopefully wiser now that all these years have passes. I look at his face and see the lines of worry and concern and tiredness . How I love those lines on my man.

I think the older we get the more beautiful we get to each other.

You can be glamorous to your mate just by a kind word or deed. It doesn't take much to be thrilling and amusing and tired and happy all at the same time.

Each day has new markers to put down. Our lines on the earth. Our time together spent together and apart.

the apart time matters less and more when you are married a long time. YOU want to be with each other all the time and when you aren't , its like you still are.

I love to hear his voice on the phone during the day. Surprise I still am here. Its so rich. We are so rich and I hope this for my son and his wife that they may grow to be one over all the years they are given.

My daughter in law

I did write a post about how great my granddaughter is but I did not tell you how infinitely spectacular my Daughter in law is.

Here a just a few words that describe her to a t.

courageous, disciplined, caring, tremendously thoughtful, organized, loving but not weak love, beautiful, helpful, dependable, loyal, focused, strong, abiding, encouraging, mechanically inclined( thank God for that) skilled and a quick learner, giving, supportive, healthy and wise beyond her years, a teacher, possesses amazing eyes that look into your soul like no other eyes I have ever seen.

flexible and competent , gorgeous, she can sew(thank God for that too) Industrious , gentle spirited, gorgeous voice, darling laugh, strong faith, well mannered, oh it just goes on and on. You get the picture. She is the most wonderful daughter in law anyone could ever ask for. And Tina today I salute you dear heart.

a simple place

Today we went to a simple place for Church. We have been going to a church that we found in Soap Lake called Bread of Life that we call" the cowboy church."

It is a small gathering of people who are not highly sophisticated or incredibly brilliant. No it is a simple message presented in an unostentatious way. No frills. But it has a sweetness that is hard to resist when we go there. It is pure acceptance and caring and love, that is what you take away.

I have never seen a Pastor and his wife be so concerned about everyones welfare that you actually feel like he is delighted that you came.

Sometimes we crave a sweet simple meal of just three things.

Faith, love and charity abound there and we were so happy to be part of that this Easter.