Not much going on

I made only one outing today - to the gym and then to the library.  I wasn't feeling up to the gym at all and only walked 1.2 miles, and was glad to leave.  I picked up a book on hold at the library - it was about flowers and is from the children's section.  Not a whole lot I can use in there, but a couple of the other books have given me some ideas.

I'm looking at the books right now to get ideas for sketching/drawing.  I've never tried it before and thought I'd be terrible, but I'm not too embarrassed to show my work so you know it could be worse.  I think I've always known where my true strengths lie, and always just skipped over artistic endeavors.  I'm getting too late a start to ever be even halfway acceptable, but I've discovered a "new me" and I like it.

I will paint the apples in class tomorrow, but in the meantime I'm finding things to sketch.  My kitchen is a good source, and I did a not-bad drawing of three tangerines, and another of two lemons.  One of the library books is all about plants and has a great page of various leaves.  I think I might try a few of them.  I have colored pencils but they don't really work well with the paper in the sketch pad, so I think I will just use the black pencils for now.

Today has been gorgeous, cold in the morning and warming up to a high of 72.  I had to get out my little space heater for when I get up in the morning, and I also have one in the bathroom for when I shower.  The cost of the electricity they use is far less than the gas furnace, although when it gets really seriously cold in the mornings I will need the furnace on for just a few minutes now and then.

I'm dreading Friday when I'll have another molar pulled.  That will be at least 2 weeks of recovery, based on the last one.  I am feeling rotten enough as it is.

I had an unusual treat when I got up in the middle of the night last week.  On my way back to bed I glanced out the window and saw way more stars than are usually visible.  Looking closely (as closely as I can) I spotted the three stars that indicate Orion's belt and was astounded that all the rest of the main stars in the constellation were plainly visible.  I could see Orion's entire outline and stance.  Never saw it before, and have not seen it since.  It's almost impossible to remember back when there were a lot of stars visible in the sky; when I could make out certain constellations such as Casseiopia (I know the spelling is wrong on this one), could see the big dipper and lots more.  Now there is too much pollution in the atmosphere, plus the light pollution, and our beautiful night skies aren't visible to much of the population who live in cities.

I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, but I have a birthday coming up in another month or so.  I will be 24!   That is 24 Celsius!  I like the sound of that much better.