THE PHOTO

Another Photo of the Beach Area

Forgot to download this other photo of the beach area I wote about in my previous blog. Enjoy

I am absolutely amazed at the speed of time! The past two weeks have passed by so quickly I can hardly believe that the first of the Holidays is upon us, and that soon a New Year will begin again. I just became accusotmed to writing 2005.
I knew that this week would be a bust as far as getting anything constructive done. This was COMPUTER week, and what a week it was. Every day for the past three days I have been at the computer, on the phone, etc, for a minimum of 3-4 hours each day trying to get everything taken care of within the computer, so it has been conversations with techies all over the world to try and fix my computer. Everyone has been very nice and helpful, but it certainly has taken time away from the things that I like to do. I guess the bottom line is, I have viruses. We restored all today, but Sunday I will be on line installing the antivirus software and working with the Dell techies to correct all that is wrong, hopefully for the last time.

We did manage to get in a little bit of an "art day" this week, albeit a day early, and no light to work from as we lost the electricty for about four hours. However we managed to do some work until it was dark, and candle light was necessary, but certainly not enough light to work from. The candlelight, however, provided a nice ambiance, so Sydney, Cheri and I enjoyed our wine, snacks, and conversation by the forgiving light of the candle. The wind was howling, and the afternoon was delightful.

Earlier this week, I went for a lovely walk with Patti and our dogs. This time I brought the camera and got a few photographs of the walk. At the end of the road is a beautiful little beach. It was high tide this time, last week it was low, and I picked up a few shells. I did find a nice piece of driftwood that I will probably use in my "bird sanctuary" garden. After our walk we rode around the area. Patti is so nice to show me these different places.

We were driving slowly, and I couldn't believe my eyes. I pulled over to the side of the road(Patti thought I was going to let a vehicle pass). When I showed her why I pulled over, she was as delighted as I was. Sitting on a STOP sign was gorgeous, large owl, who kindle turned his head around to look at us with the huge eyes. What a thrill. God, I love this place. I so feel like I really BELONG. This area is everything that I hold dear, woods, water, wildlife, wind and rain, fog,boats, and I think some of the most wonderful, intelligent, diverse people I have ever met. I am so thankful for it all (even the troublesome computer).

Walks and Fabrics

THE REMAINING 'OVERLOOK' PICTURES

I am hoping the last of the "Overlook" photos uploaded. It was such a glorious day that Sunday when I took them, they just need to be shared

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

This has certainly been one of the most industrious weeks that I have had in a long time. I had definitive plans for the week,and it seems as it always has, that if I plan the following day, and set goals, I seem to meet them.
Monday, I wanted to do some painting as I wasn't real happy with the comp0sition of my still life,so worked on that for awhile in the morning. Did laundry, and have my work clothes ready for the Other Life. Tuesday was a great day. I cleaned the whole house, and had one heck of a hot fire going in the wood stove, nearly heated my self right out of the house. I just love it when the house is put together and neat, all vacuumed and dusted, floors swept, and it smells so good..

I had made a wonderfully tasting chicken stew with rosemary dumplings on Monday, so I didn't have to cook at all. It really hit the spot as it was a bit cold and windy this week. Anyway, not having to cook anymore for the week left my time wide open, so I was able to ball up some of the sari silk yarn that I had ordered from California about two years ago. It is just beautiful, and I plan to make a VERY COLORFUL scarf from it. I need to keep my hands busy in the evening so thought knitting would be a little relaxing.

Today is art day, so will be painting this afternoon. I'm hoping Patti comes with her spinning wheel. I certainly enj0y all the folks that come, and I love the idea of everyone doing something different. I am thinking about making homemade pizza for everyone today. I have some ripe tomatoes so thought I would make a fresh tomato,basil, kalamata olive and two cheese pizza for after the work session.

Next week, I won't have all the cleaning to do, so I will be able to do more painting. I also want to do another lamp and lampshade.

I also put away all my summer clothes and brought out the turtlenecks, sweaters, and comfy and soft lounge pants. My bedrooms are all ready for winter, I just need to get a new blanket for my room, and I am going to check out the curtain shop for some sheer curtains of the living room.

It sure feels good to get all this "stuff" done.

I took Sierra (my sweet Golden Retriever) for her walk up to the "Overlook" . I have added more pictures of this unbelievable view.

Here I am at my other Life

Hello faithful readers, here I am at my other life. Actually it's been a relatively good weekend, very busy, but lots of fun with the wonderful group of women with whom I work. Looking forward, of course, to my return to my real life. I'm excited about my plan to paint in the mornings, walk the dog, and do what needs to be done in the house for the restof the day(I like to call it puttering). So I am off now to do my work, so that I may have my real life.

Getting Back onto Blogspot

It's just so hard. Seems as though I get kicked off Blogger all the time. Anyway, after some frustration this morning I managed to get back on and here I am with photos. The two landscape photos got reversed. Sunday I was gratefully here in Eastport, and took the dog for a little hike up to the Overlook at Shackford Head State Park. It was an extraordinarily beautiful day, andI was glad that I brought my camera. I took 6 photos and will publish those as well in hopefully the correct (left to right order). It has been a busy couple of weeks for me. I am still in the nesting mode, and spent last week making ribbon curtains for the upstairs guestroom, little cafe' curtains for my bedroom made from a lovely candlewicking material, and a pair of very long curtains to disguise bare wallboard and framing. The color is luscious,"Paprika", and will cover a piece of furniture with it when the carpenter work is completed. I am now thinking of having some curtains in the living room, at least for the winter. Emma made a good point about the black rectangles at night. Will need to think about what I would like to have, and more importantly what I can afford.

The Gallery meeting went well on Tuesday evening, and the Policy Nazis did very well, as all was agreed upon with only a couple of addendums. Food was delicious as usual, and casual conversation rounded out the evening.

Art Day was fun as well as fruitful. It is truly a wonderful afternoon. Folks working on their art of the moment, drawing, spinning, knitting, and of course the painters. Lisa worked on a fall stilllife that was just beautiful, and our Cheri worked hard on a portrait, I began a new stilllife, and am still unsure whether or not I will continue with it. I have another idea for the same subject matter, but will probably finish this one before I do the other one.

Weatherwise this week was unbelievable, lovely warm days, and cool nights. Love having the woodstove going it is so cozy and snug. I have so bonded with this little house and surrounding property. It really just dawned on me last week,IT'S REALLY MINE. There are times, believe me, that I still can't believe it, but here I am, and don't plan to leave, anytime soon.

I'm back to the 'Other Life" today, but I'm certain that I will enjoy the ride down Rt. 9. It is always a pretty drive, if you like the woods, and I do. The scenery is breathtaking from atop the hills. Hopefully the next three days won't be too taxing, as I really want to get into my painting next week, and throughout the winter for that matter. I really need to take time in the morning, three to four hours, just to do that to keep my hand and eyes skillful. The more I paint, the more comfortable I become with my paint, and my ideas.

I will publish this Blog, then I will also post the other photos of Shackford Overlook.