RAIN!

I can't remember the rain and wind being this heavy in Sacramento for a long time.  It's the way it used to be frequently throughout the winter.  This morning the winds were around 25mph but the rain was scant, so I ran a couple of loads of laundry across the street to dry them in the dryer.  I'm glad I got that chore finished before the downpours began.

I had an appointment with the dentist so he could check the healing on the last work he did - the visit lasted only about 5 minutes and I was told everything looks good.   I had another errand to run which was so difficult in the heavy rains, heavy enough traffic, and deep puddles of water on the sides of the roads and in low spots.

Coming back across the bridge over the American River I got a glimpse downstream and was shocked!  Over the past few years a low spot in the river has stayed above the water level and even had small trees growing there.  Today either the river has risen considerably, or it has washed away the trees and "island", or maybe some of both.  I wonder if the water levels are just from the rain or if they are releasing water from Folsom Dam, which they do when it gets to a certain level.  They also plan for snowmelt in early spring, when all that lovely snow at Lake Tahoe begins running down the mountains.  I don't think there is another state quite like California, and especially the constant worries about water - too much or more likely, too little!  It is the stuff of newscasts and weather reports.

I am so hungry, so what have I been doing?   Sketching an orange on a small canvas to add to my collection!  I did the first one in my sketchbook and checked colors to be used, then with my water color pencils I drew the fruit onto a prepared canvas.  It's nice to have something to work on when the mood strikes.  I'll have to say that my orange looks pretty good, but then when I start applying the paint I always lose something in the process.  I'm not sure what it is, but maybe I should stick to drawing and forget the paints.  I love working with a paintbrush though, and want to figure out why I can't seem to make it work as well as I hoped.

For the heck of it I will show you my initial sketch as well as what I've put on the canvas as a guide.  (Click to enlarge)

 Sorry they are so light.  I think the paint will cover the lines of the water color pencils, but I don't want to make them too dark.  I hope you can see them.  I don't know what I can do about my judgement of space though.  As hard as I try, and as sure I am that I am drawing in the center of the canvas, it always is more to one side than another.  That's a problem with my perception, and I guess I have to make it as part of my style.  But there is a part of me that wants things evenly spaced, and perfect!
 

Tomorrow I am driving my daughter to an appointment downtown - she is still unable to drive after her foot surgery.  Imagine me, on a Friday afternoon, driving in town!  The mapquest directions send me onto the Freeway 50, and then off on the Cap City Freeway for less than half a mile.  I wonder if she would be upset if I drove Folsom Blvd. most of the way.   I can drive on the freeway but it's when I have to merge that bothers me.  I can glance to the side easy enough but when I need to look closely and be sure I can move, then my eyes are off the road longer than they should be.  I'll do fine, but I fret about such things in advance!