figuratively Speaking - Geraniums on the Window Sill

11"x14" acrylic

I had a busy day yesterday, running from one event to another to make sure I arrived on time.  I miss judged and ended up getting to the potluck an hour early.  It was at a gallery, so I just helped set things up and waited to see others come in.  It gave me a different perspective.  Since I had been waiting, I was ready to welcome those who came in, introduce them to new people, get the conversation started....then before the event was in full swing, I had to leave for a different commitment.  I was so focused on time that I forgot to eat (isn't that the point of a pot luck?).  I went to a concert of a classical oboist.  That was new for me.  He was a young man who along with his piano accompaniment (another talented young man) wooed us into an inspired but relaxed state with the melodic singing of his instrument.  Then we dashed home to catch the fourth quarter of the Patriots game.  That was a shift I wasn't ready for.  We were hungry, cold (the theater was cold) and the game was anxiety producing.  I ate while watching...eating too fast....eating too much...putting food into a nervous stomach.  Bad plan!  It is not unlike painting sometimes.  Feeling rushed and doing too much without thinking it through can lead to a disaster.  I am trying to slow down and make more careful decisions.  Sometimes though, after having raced through to a mess, I can regroup and pull it off...very much like the fourth quarter of the football game.  It is a good thing the Super Bowl is in 2 weeks and it will all be over and I can release myself from this crazy obsession.  Go Figure!

Figuratively Speaking - Baby Steps #8- values

Values 6"x6" acrylic on paper Price $50

Football season has begun.  I am the most unlikely of football fans.  It basically goes counter to my values and sensibilities.  It is violent, results in way too many injuries, and the capitalistic culture is greedy and ruthless.  I still am a fan.  I like the energy of the stadium, the excitement of the competition, the athleticism.  When my dad was still with us, my sibs and I had an on-going banter via email all through the season.  I miss that.  When my son was very little he fell in love with football.  We lived in a big 8 town and would take our bikes to campus to ride around until after half time when they would let us in to the stadium for free.  That was good because I was a single mom and had to master the art of finding a diversity of free activities and entertainment.  I went to every single game, home and away, when my son was in high school.  That taught this reluctant learner the basics of the game.  I was incapacitated a couple of years ago and one of my chief entertainments was keeping stats of the NFL games.  I only watch Patriot games or sometimes the KC Chiefs or Denver Broncos. That is more than enough!  So the Patriots are playing KC as I am writing this....my two favorite teams.  KC is stomping the Pat's.  Honestly though, I like sleep better than football and so many of the games go past midnight.  Who can play at that hour?..I don't have the energy to even watch...not sure this post represents my best values.....Go Figure!