12 Oakdale

I love lying in bed. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s so true. The weather has turned cooler, and we’re off Daylight Saving Time. My sheets are clean and crisp. I’ve turned on my side of the heated mattress pad to low. Absolutely luxury. Even the cat has been enjoying lying in. The only downside is that I’ve reached my 6-week mark, maybe a little longer, in my morning exercise program. I’ve noticed that in the past, I do really well, then start missing a day or two, then a week, then it’s over. This time, I am determined to change the pattern. Yes, there will be breaks when I’m out of town, and realistically, I am not going to lie on hotel floors and do sit-ups. I’m also not going to carry my little weights to exercise my arms. However, there is not a reason not to start back when I get home. I’m up to 26 back-and-forths in the pool. I never know whether 1 way is a lap, or is it 2? In any case, I always loose what number I’m on. So at Denny’s suggestion, I’ve changed to cou...

It rained 3 1/2” Sunday night through Monday, and another 1/2” Tuesday so all outside activity was on hold. The ground is soggy, and the canal full. Every time I  started out to bring in the Halloween skeletons and garden flag, the rain returned. Finally, late in the afternoon, I grabbed them all and put them to dry in the garage. I’d already dragged the front porch rug there and turned our small fan to help it dry. I had time to paint and draw. I caught up on October tiny paintings with Kristin Van Leuen. They all used masking fluid. Perhaps I am somewhat better with that technique. Not my favorite. November is  about gouache, new to me, and I hope less frustrating. I also finished the little summer sketchbook with Andrea Nelson. I’d bought the VIP package ($37) for permanent access to Sketching Retreat 2026, an online set of 1/2-hour sketching and drawing tutorials. It included an additional set of watercolor ones. Bottom line from all: do the art, enjoy the process.