Eastern Utah
EMAIL ME AT: mgypsy97 at aol dot com

Friday, September 23, 2016

T.G.I.F.

For some reason I'm glad to see Friday, but it usually doesn't make much difference to me what day of the week it is.  I will go to the event "Brushes & Brews" at American River Brewing tomorrow, maybe have a glass of golden ale, and if it's very crowded I won't stay long.   I also have to make the stop at Michael's to buy the half-price classes.  I had finally intended to pay for 4 future classes, but I think I might still go for 8, which would be $100.  I should definitely know if I want to continue by then.  I've been searching online to see if anyone offers classes in oils or water colors, but it's all acrylic paints that I can tell.   I want to stick with it until maybe the end of the year, and then decide what I might want to explore.  

I read something that came to my email box that is very inspirational to me, and I know the first art class in Alaska came at exactly the right time in my life.  I have always thought of myself as having no artistic creativity, and I probably don't have much at that.  I like things to look like I think they should look, and if someone else wants to see everything in geometric angles and circles, or strange colors, then that's fine.  But I'm realistic, which doesn't mean I have no vision or imagination - I do.   But I like order in things, which you would never know to look at the state of my house right now!   I like order but can live quite comfortably amid chaos.

The article states:  "The truth is, you are not too old....Recognize that the obstacles you find before you have arisen from a place of fear and that they will wane in power every time you do something creative.  Each creative act takes you deeper into a realm of beauty and magic; a realm that you have every right to return to and reclaim."

I apologize for the long quote, but I suddenly realize that it's already happening - the fear wanes in power with every class I attend, and every intention I make to continue.  That in itself is the best reason to continue and to keep my mind open to new ways of doing things.

Grandma Moses I will never be, but Grandma Gypsy is a good old gal herself!

I recently mentioned that I was getting bruises all over my arms and hands, and traced the cause of them to the green tea extract in some supplements  I was taking.  The bruises went away when I stopped those particular supplements.   Almost a week later I was bruising again, and you would never guess the reason.   I love green vegetables, especially spinach, chard, and kale, and often eat it along with a main course for dinner.   I think one evening I made cooked quite a bit of greens so I could use them before they became seriously wilted.  When I did some online searching to find a reason for the bruising as I take no aspirin or blood thinners, I found that some people should avoid fruits and vegetables!  That's exactly what the medical site said.  Well hell, that is most of my diet, and I'm not going to quit eating them.  I just have to use a little caution on the amount of greens I eat at one time.  The bruises have nearly faded completely by now, but I miss my spinach salad at lunch, and greens smothered in cheddar along with dinner.  Moderation is the key I suppose.

9 comments:

  1. Hmmm, if you've been eating greens for quite a while and the bruising has just started I wonder if it is that. Love your quote and I think it is so true. Fear is what keeps us from doing most of the things we decline I think. $100 for 8 art classes is a serious bargain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure I overdid it on the greens. I really cooked a lot, ate most of it the first night and had leftovers the next day. Aging skin bruises more easily as they love to say, and I guess going overboard on some foods just adds to it.

      Delete
  2. I don't know who originally said it, but...What sets us apart from the other great apes is our need to create. Doesn't matter who it is or what it is, we as individuals, have to create. For me it is cooking and fiber (quilting, sewing, knitting) for you it is something else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is very true. In my younger years raising my kids, I cooked up a storm and also sewed a lot. I really haven't had much to create in the past few years, and I really hope to continue with the painting because it brings me such enjoyment. Now I'd like to do a good job and add satisfaction to the enjoyment!

      Delete
  3. I have been reading your blog for sometime but have not commented. I enjoy painting very much. My friends and family seem to think I have some talent. My greatest joy is giving my paintings to special people. I am sorry but the lady that who has been teaching my class is retiring at 86 and I will not get to see my painting friends on a regular basis. You might want to look at the Crafty classes. I see them advertised on Facebook. Please share your painting when it is finished.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your comments. I haven't been at it long enough, but seriously doubt I have any talent at all. I'm just enjoying the friends I'm making at the art class, as you have, and learning something as well. I'll look into Crafty classes, but I just signed up (and paid) for another 8 weeks. By then I should know if I want to continue along these lines, try oils, or whatever. Thanks again, and good luck finding another class. Have your class friends said what they are going to do?

      Delete
    2. We have not decided what to do. I have tried watercolors and acrylics after starting with oils. Watercolors are pretty hard but I think oils are the easiest.

      Delete
    3. And I started this after I retired about 7 years ago.

      Delete
    4. I'm sort of surprised to hear oils are the easiest. They seem to be the most demanding when it comes to cleaning, etc. I just went to an exhibit and noted that the depth of color in the oils is so far superior to anythign else there, and I was amazed!

      Delete