A Nice Week

Mid-April, we thought Mr. M. was going to have some bad news because of some unexplained symptoms. I sketched in the doctor's waiting room.

At Sketch Club, I drew my sketching buddy's geraniums, now in full bloom. Helped to keep me calm.




Then I celebrated a big birthday. 






<--Oh, my gosh, how did this happen????


Coincidentally, we went to see a hematologist for Mr. M.

The news was good as we finally have a diagnosis that explains all the health issues, and better yet, a treatment to get things under control.

We ate out to celebrate everything.

And then we went home and Mr. M. had severe indigestion--from eating out. Well, it was still a nice day.

But isn't it all so geriatric? 

Now, a good birthday entails good news from the doctor!

An Anniversary

A year ago, I was sitting in a Parisian hospital, sketching my husband recovering from a serious operation, an endarterectomy.

Today, Mr. M. is doing well, for which I am thankful. And so, I have been able to turn toward my own work with a lighter heart. I've been quilting the sky of the Pomegranate Tree.

The binding comes next and then I will hang it on the wall and stare at it for a few weeks to make sure it is finished.
























In the meantime, I did a half-selfie and am wondering how to translate this onto fabric...

Repairing Old Quilts

My sketching buddy inherited a quilt made by her grandmother, a lovely double wedding ring quilt, thin and soft, much used and much loved.

                




However, apparently a mouse liked it, too, as it had a rather large, ragged hole close to the middle. Having great respect for old quilts, I offered to repair it. I replaced several patches, then added a bit of quilting. Now it's almost as good as new.

I'm thinking that I should get back to repairing my own quilts made by my grandmother. A number of years ago, I replaced a lot of the outline stitching on this Peter Pan quilt to restore the designs. 

Repairing is an activity that allows for reflexion and brings peace--a sort of meditation that connects one to past generations. It provides grounding in a world that seems topsy-turvy.

Out Occasionally

Over the last few months I've only managed small artwork. Whenever we go out grocery shopping, I sketch in my small purse notebook.










We've managed to eat out with friends several times.

They have been good sports about posing for me.








One evening, a violinist entertained us while we dined--very enjoyable.









Sometimes, I can only manage to catch a tree when out on an "expedition."




Even though we don't get out much, there's always plenty of entertainment at home. One day, we found Blanche, our intrepid Turkish Angora, high on the netting that forms a "roof" over our patio, taking in the breeze. 

Coming up for Air...

...after being submerged by orchard work. Gasp, gasp...I did get help from Blanche. She is apparently a Turkish Angora (so soft and silky) who showed up one day at my doorstep, a starving and confused kitten, which was aggravated by the fact that she seems mostly deaf. Now that the other cats have adopted her, she's content. I still wonder how such a lovely cat got into my dusty corner of the world...it's a mystery...


Now, I'm getting back into my artistic practice.
<--I stitched on my textile "book"... 
and enjoyed Spring's blossoms. The apple tree went wild...


<--and the apricot tree looked lovely.

New leaves on the pomegranate trees are looking pinky red just before the red blooms come out. (Background done first with ballpoint pen. Drawing done with Prismacolor pencils)

I drew my sketching buddy's doll at Sketch Club. 

Yup, I'm just an ol' Spring Chicken!