Still Working

Acrylics might dry quickly, but doing large paintings with them seems to take a really long time. So very many layers of paint to give them depth. But I promise I'm working on something, and, with a little luck, it should be done in the next few days.

I actually can't wait to finish, because my head is already ready to move on to the next painting.

When Pigs Fly

Kayaking and Miniature Art

The weather was beautiful this morning (not too hot, not too windy) so I took advantage and went kayaking at Shawnee Mission Park with a friend. It was the perfect morning to be out. The frogs were everywhere, and not the least bit worried about us. In fact, many of them let us get close enough to touch them, so I got some good pictures.

I'm planning to do some more miniature paintings to enter into juried exhibits this fall, and one of the bullfrogs was just begging to be painted. I may even post it in progress here, as I work on the painting. I love miniature art - it's kind of unexpected, and can be finished relatively quickly. (Though it can be hard on the back and on the eyes.)

Since I'm alone in the house at the moment (a rarity!) I may get started now.

I have discovered wild grape vines growing in my yard today. (Please excuse the lack of manicured landscaping. I'm much more of a woods girl than I am a lawn and garden girl.)

Will they bear fruit? Will the fruit be edible?

It takes me back to growing up in NH. Mom would pick wild concord grapes and make jam. Mmmmm.... And that makes me homesick for New Hampshire. Must make a point of getting the family up that way this summer or late this fall. Maybe we'll even pick some grapes.

For Mom, since I apparently failed to post this:

The Amanita (with the slug.)

Crazy Weekend

Danny's family was in this weekend, and we had some crazy weather for them. Saturday night, after most were tucked up in bed, the tornado warning sirens went off, and most of us scurried to the dank basement to wait it out. For me and Zoe, it was the first time we've ever heard the sirens in use.

At UU the next morning, we learned that most people just turned on the weather report then decided not to go down. Apparently the sirens in all our cities go off if a tornado is spotted anywhere in the county. So there was no real threat near us.

The next day, just about when Danny's family was arriving home in SW Missouri, a huge tornado swept through their area and nearly wiped out Joplin. Their town was spared, and they didn't even hear the sirens, but it was too close nonetheless. (And I can't imagine how the residents of Joplin are feeling right now.)

This weekend, we're going out to get a NOAA weather radio so we can really know what is going on when severe weather hits.

But last night was calm, so I made these mushrooms for Danny's desk. He wanted them to make him feel better when the powers that be treat him like a mushroom. (i.e. - keep him in the dark and feed him sh*t.)

It's a Slug! It's Yellow! It's Proof I'm a Bit Odd!

I've been missing the NW lately, and tonight I'm going to the barbecue of a friend who, until recently, lived in Olympia, WA. Along with wine and appetizers, I'm taking my afternoon project, a felt banana slug.

I'm becoming rather fond of the little guy, though, and may make another for myself. And perhaps for Danny - he wants one to sit on his desk at work. Who knew slugs could be cute?