12 Oakdale

Our trip has not gotten off to the best start. While showering the first evening, Grant slipped. Fortunately, he was not hurt, however he was stuck in the bottom of the bathtub. After a few minutes, he was able to swing his legs over the side, then scoot his bottom up on the edge. And there he was, lying on the edge of the tub. I grabbed him by the waist, and between the 2 of us, he was able to get to a sitting position, then stand. That evening, my left shoulder hurt and my hamstring twinged, but my back seems fine. My last nerve is shot. Next up was my losing my glasses. We’d swum on the bayside, showered, then walked a short distance along the ocean beach. I was wearing my sunglasses and had tucked my others in my bra top. They were gone when we got back to the car. We have searched and searched the beach, the shower area, the car. Gone. All I can figure is someone picked them up, and I hope will turn them into the rangers. So far, they have not. On the positive, we watched a yellow...

I made the mistake of looking at an internet site where watercolorists displayed their art. It wasn’t just that they were so good, which I won’t achieve in my lifetime. Rather it was that each had their own style. Bad enough I have to learn water control, color theory, and composition, but I need to find my style and stick with it. I have been pinging around, watching YouTube, and copying different artists.  The plus side is that I have free lessons, in my home, that I can watch over and over, copying the work, brushstroke by brushstroke. I particularly like the paintings of a woman from Australia, a guy from England, and a Scotsman. They all have the desired “loose” work. Plus with the latter, some trips around the UK as he goes looking for places to paint. They all explain their work in great detail.  Some of my copies: They are all 9"x12". The larger size moves me out of my smaller-is-better comfort zone. And there is something in each one that I like. The...