Another Bird Story

Being delinquent about posting here has made me feel quite cranky. To all of those who visit regularly, I apologize. I'll tell you it hasn't been for lack of desire, but rather, just too busy to get even one painting completed! I have several projects in the works and will post them as I am able.
All of my life I have had a loving interest in penmanship, calligraphy, and lettering. Oh, my poor parents! how frustrated they must have felt with all of the paper waste! You see, as a child, I remember my school projects and homework had to be "perfect" (at least, in presentation) and if the very first letter written was not acceptable by my standards I would simply wad up the page and throw it away. Sometimes this took 1/2 a ream! LOL!!! And so, my attraction for beautiful penmanship grew. I never did take instruction in calligraphy or any other form of lettering arts through the years, but have been self-taught. I did let the interest and obsession wain over the years, but recently, it has been revived and there are not enough books (or paper, possibly) on the subject in our tiny local library. I have purchased a couple of pens with italic nibs and a wonderful fountain pen with a very springy and flexible nib that I am anxious to put to work. It needs a new sac and just a thorough "once over" though...something that I do not feel qualified to do. Look for some artistic lettering posts in the future here.
I must tell you a funny story! I wish I had pics to post, but alas, I did not have my camera ready. Whilst flitting around the house doing chores and getting ready for my watercolor class the other morning, I noticed Miss Kitty running back and forth from window to window. I looked out to see what was so interesting to her and found that there was a huge flock of Starlings flying and diving about just outside. I didn't think much of it. I went out to get in my car a couple hours later to leave for class and was given quite a shock. My car (which btw, is new) was covered (and I do mean, covered) in bird poop!!! I was not parked under any trees or electrical lines, as you might expect, but those Starlings had decided to swarm my car and leave me parting gifts anyway. I could hardly see through the front window and even the door handle was covered! I didn't have time to spray it down at the moment, so headed out to class. I stopped at the coffee house on the way and the girls at the shop were rolling laughing as I pulled up. One of the girls said "If you don't have time to wash that off, I'd suggest taking the backroads. It's embarassing!" It really was funny! I kept thinking "Have you ever had one of those days when you just felt like you'd been c____ed on?" Well, I did. There's something about birds................

Kitty, Chef in the Kitchen, and My Guide

Life here on the Oregon coast is pretty wonderful lately. I haven't been posting regularly lately, because so much is going on in our neck of the woods and for the most part, I have to say everything has been good, good, good. Since moving to our new place in August, we have had many "visitors" to our home, all with the hopes that we would be keeping a bottomless dish of cat food on our porch. Yes, cats are abundant in our neighborhood! I warned the cat lover in our household that he was not to start feeding them and he took it to heart for a good 2 months, I'd say, until a little female revealed that she was living under the church building next door AND that she was starving. After a few bowls of milk and a morsel of left-over cod, she decided to follow us home and she has not left since. She now has run of the house (though she never strays far from the "princess chair", where she lounges and bathes herself regularly) during the day and then she promptly wants out at night. The arrangement works well for all of us, so far. I was talking with a friend about this new arrangement and she made the remark "All strays that you take in are 1. pregnant, 2. full of fleas, 3. wormy, or 4. all of the above." Miss Kitty is quite clean, but also quite PREGNANT!!!! I'm not sure how we will deal with that, but all in all, we like our new guest. I'll try to post a picture of her soon.
It has been a treat this week to have our son home, in good spirits, and to see his love of cooking at work in our kitchen! Today we will be feasting on a wonderful smelling pot roast with all of the trimmings.
My Guide, My God. He is so good and His love never ceases to amaze me! In the turmoil of this life, I am thankful, beyond description for His goodness and peace of mind he provides to me and my family.