Category: Friendship

2020, Don’t Let the Door Hit You in the A$$

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10 hours and thirty one minutes from now it’s a wrap.

It hasn’t been all bad. Sure, there was fear. Definitely there was too much hate and untold sadness, but there have been bright spots as well.

I have made connections with amazing artists and beautiful human beings that I probably would never have made. I have started and sustained a journaling practice that I’ve always dreamed of doing. I have created a cozy, creative space for myself.

I used my voice and vote to instigate change. I pushed some boundaries with my art and learned that sometimes it’s okay to just hang onto a wall.

It’s been a year. When “normal” returns, there are definitely parts of my new normal that I will keep.

Happy New Year!

Stay amazing!

I’m on an ‘E’ Ticket Ride

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Once upon a time in the Land of Disney, there was no such thing as fast passes or, lines permitting, unlimited turns on any given ride. There were no MagicBands for hotel guests. Imagine this, if you will, a time where entrance to the park came with a little stapled book of paper items called “tickets”. There were varying values, but the best and most expensive ticket (at a whopping .89 cents) was the ‘E’ ticket. This ticket got you on the latest and greatest rides! An ‘A’ ticket got you a ride on the street car. An ‘E’ ticket? Submarine Voyage! A ‘B’ ticket? Casey Jr. Train. An ‘E’ ticket? Matterhorn Bobsleds! You get the picture. It was ALL about the ‘E’ ticket rides.

I am definitely on a ‘E’ ticket ride this year!

The majority of the summer has been spent taking online classes from the fabulous Ardith Goodwin. I can’t recommend her classes highly enough. Some of my works in progress from her classes include these guys: “Comb-over Carl”, “Tony Toupee” and “Bob, but I Call Him Dennis”.

Comb-Over Carl - A Work in Progress Tony Toupee - A Work in ProgressBob, But I Call Him Dennis - A Work in Progress

And just when I thought life couldn’t get any sweeter, I met Carolyn Seiler through our mutual friend, Maxine Trainer. These women are amazing artists, mentors and animal lovers. Carolyn owns Carolyn Seiler & Friends – An Artists Co-Op in Cocoa Village, Florida and guess what? She asked me to join her artists in her gallery!

Insert happy dance here!!!

As of one week ago today, my peeps and I are part of Carolyn’s wonderful tribe of artists! I’m still pinching myself and find that I’ve been using the word “Gobsmacked” a lot.

I still can't believe this happened!

As for those Disney tickets? I have some unused sets of them around here somewhere and judging by what people are selling them for in Ebay, I might just make enough to pay for parking should I ever go to the parks again!

 

Hugs,

j.

 

Feeling Grungy

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Nothing pleases me more than when I’m making something for someone special. It’s a happy zone I get into during the process where I reflect on the reasons that person is special to me, moments of laughter together and adventures taken.

This week brings the birthday of the husband of one of my dearest friends. It’s one of those often rare relationships where her husband and mine are pals as well so it’s great fun doing things together.

D has one of those techy, geeky kind of jobs that I’m sure if he told me what he really does for a living, he’d then have to kill me, so I’ve stopped asking. What I do know is that often he works long hours, often through the night, of on-call time.

I knew I wanted to create a little painting for his birthday, so when this gal showed up, I knew she was the one. I have seen D after a long on-call and his eyes look an awful lot like hers.

On Call

On the back, I wrote this quote: My tolerance for idiots is extremely low today. I used to have some immunity built up, but obviously there is a new strain out there.

She makes me happy on so many levels. Aside from giving her as a gift, I rediscovered my love of grunge and grunge makes me very, very happy.

 

Until next time.

Hugs,

j.

Categories: Friendship