Life on the High Plains

 Wow!  What a day today has been.  Our Capitol was breached, the ReTrumplicans got a wake up call that their words and deeds have consequences, the dems took the majority in the Senate, and Joe Biden was certified as our next president. I thought it might be nice to post something peaceful and tranquil. The other day I posted my most recently finished painting on FB and then I realized something important was missing--the guy who was fly fishing.  (by the way, this is a horrible photograph of my painting.  I didn't take the time to find the proper lighting to reduce the reflection.) He was in the water that afternoon in his nice turquoise shirt doing what he loves and I was on the riverbank doing what I love.  We didn't speak, but did acknowledge each other. A perfect afternoon. What will tomorrow bring?

Happy 2021! I wasn't sure if I was going to continue my blog into another year, but here we go again. Why have my blog posts been so sporadic lately?  Well, the answer is simple.  I'm staying at home following CDC guidelines and the advice of health experts and scientists.  Therefore, if you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, life is pretty darn boring. We did jump in the car and make a quick trip to Arizona last month.  Yes, I am one of those people who travelled for the holiday, but we were careful and I mean very, very careful.  Our bubble only intersected with other people's bubbles who we knew were also very careful. We visited a couple National Parks on the way.  Our national parks are good outdoor activities if they aren't too crowded and in December they usually aren't crowded.   The first stop was the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park.  I've been here before, but now that I'm an adult who actually parks the ca...

 Merry Christmas everyone!  Let's pray for a better 2021 as we all try to survive this pandemic. Have a beautiful and joyous day as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6)

 We had big storm clouds roll in earlier this week on the high plains of Colorado. No snow yet, but cold and windy.  I believe my brother in Tulsa has had more snow than we've had.  (Check out his blog by clicking here .) Keeping our fingers crossed because we are in quite a drought. Merry Christmas! Linking with Skywatch Friday

 Finally!  My She Shed aka art studio is back up and running. It was toppled over during the summer and required some repairs. The repairs are finished and I moved back in. It feels so good to have a space of my own again (especially now that Irv is retired).  My little space heater gets the place warm and comfy in a short time. Most of my inspirations prints from Monet and Van Gogh survived and are back on the walls. Starry Night is my all time favorite.  Someday I'll get to MOMA to see it in person. This week I finished not one, but two paintings.  The horse on the left is Sunflower Supreme, a gift for my friend who had to put the horse down last month.  The painting on the right is "An Afternoon on the Madison".  The Madison is my favorite river in Yellowstone and on a sunny September afternoon I hauled my painting stuff down to the riverbank and started the painting.  I think it might be one of my favorite pieces. Have a good week.

 Happy birthday, Mom!  It has been 17 years since I last saw you, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I know you're proud of the democratic women who have followed you--your daughter, granddaughters, and great granddaughter.  I can't even imagine what you would have thought about the last four years.  Don't worry though because goodness prevailed. We learned kindness and empathy from you. God and family first followed by good democratic principles. (All in fun folks) What a cutie! What a beauty inside and out. You are missed everyday!  Happy birthday in heaven!

 Sometimes I think Irv feels a little left out and maybe lonely.  I have three shadows with me wherever I go in the house. Last night I was in packing my suitcase and both cats decided they were going to Arizona with us. Then they all decided it was naptime.  Here's Sophie, the old cranky lady of the bunch. Maisy decided a catnap sounded pretty good too. Then there's my little buddy, Hayden.  He's named after the great Yellowstone explorer so he has big shoes to fill.  He'll get started on his explorations as soon as he's done napping.