The Highest Praise

My mom has Alzheimer's. At 85, every day is a gift and every day is one where life shakes another puzzle piece out of her memory.

 

We play a game where I lay out photos of all the important people in her life, children, in-laws, grandkids, caretakers, and we sort them into piles. Who lives in Santa Barbara? Who likes to paint?  Who speaks French? Who speaks Spanish? Who's in college? Who is a teacher? Find the photo of your grandchildren. Find the photo of your three children. 

It's odd what sticks and what doesn't, but we go over it, day after day.

Today, she saw my photo and said, "This is Marilyn. She takes such good care of me." I was sitting right there, but it was like overhearing someone talking about me behind my back. It is and will always be the best compliment that I have ever had in my life.

My brother and sister also lift heaven and earth to take care of our mom. Our kid take her dinner over every night and eats with her and makes sure she gets her meds. He is a hero. 

I haven't had much time to toymaking or art. But for now this is my world, 

"Take your time."

"Watch your step."

"No worries"

"I'm glad that you're here."

"Today is a free day."

 

"Take your time."

"Watch your step."

"No worries"

"I'm glad that you're here."

"Today is a free day."

"Take your time."

"Watch your step."

"No worries"

"I'm glad that you're here."

"Today is a free day."

"Take your time."

 

A Good Day

Yesterday was my birthday. It was filled with all good things. The boy bought me a delicious cupcake from Susie Cakes. I left it on my desk last night and this morning it had a very suspicious kitty nose print in it.

I treated myself to a walk on the tide pools with my friend Barbara. I've been going there since I was a little girl and I felt old. My feet weren't too happy about jumping from rock to rock, but I managed to wander about without twisting an ankle or having to be airlifted out like a beached manatee. It was a beautiful day and I got some good ideas for paintings.

My mom took me out for a birthday lunch, Chinese food with a good fortune.

 Other fine presents included a JoAnn's gift card, new towels, curry powder and a fine basil plant. 

 I pinned my cards on the hatstand.

My wonderful hub got me gorgeous flowers and a magnificent set of Calphalon pans. I love them so much I haven't even taken them out of the box. I've just been staring at them like they were a bunch of Faberge eggs. I'll get over it and put them to good use, but dang they are pretty things.

My bestie, Julie, presented me with two vintage cookbooks that belonged to her mother-in-law. Now I'm geeking out over how to make white sauces and table settings. I love reading old books about etiquette and home economics.

This awesome fish was carved and painted by my uber talented friend Barbara Malley. It's a treasure.

And my clever friend, Heather drew a Queen of May cat.

All in all it was a perfect day, filled with phone calls and texts from family and friends. Maybe getting older isn't so bad.

Wishing you a creative week,

Marilyn.

---

 Each day comes bearing its own gifts.  Untie the ribbons.  ~ Ruth Ann Schabacker

 

 

Daily drawings

More daily sketchbook pages... I've been looking at a lot of mid-century ceramics and color palettes as well as playing with playing with geometric shapes. I have absolutely no reason or goal with these drawings other than to amuse myself. 

What is your favorite thing to draw? What is your creative outlet?

Marilyn.

 Copy of some fifties wall decor.

 

 Celtic knots are fun to figure out. 

 The last page in my animal sketchbook... time to start a new one.

 I mostly seem to be drawing birds, fish and suns these days.

Animal Parade

I've been getting into the habit of drawing every day. Drawing people takes concentrated effort, but animals are just fun. Except for horses, horses and their legs are impossible. I'll keep working on the horse thing but for now here are a few pages from my sketchbook.

Sometimes I experiment with drawing animals as stylized shapes, like these birds. These are done in ink with a brush.

 I've also been obsessively drawing Celtic knots. I've got pages of them, they are really relaxing to figure out.

That's what's on my drawing table. What creative things have you been up to? What are your favorite animals?

Marilyn.

--

“I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” ~ Claude Monet

 PS A drawing of a person...