Feature Works

Patrick has arrived and we took yesterday off to check out the building and have lunch out. Not much headway on the house so I did not take pictures. We did talk about where art work will hang and best places for odd bits of furniture.

I walked the dam the day before he arrived.

Saw a pair of mallards.

Then this morning a lovely walk along the river.

And this cypress tree base showing also these root bumps that grow around it in the lower right.

They are such odd-looking protrusions and very hard. It will be interesting to see how high they grow. Right now they look like very strange protruding mushrooms.

I did get a new drawing done for Burke and Wills. They are older and reading books here.

I think the story will open with the two of them in a care home where they are room mates reminiscing about how they met and their adventures.

And I am halfway through the book Mink River. I found I had to stop reading often to just breathe. The author writes like a poet on the fly. Such a story teller. I will hate it when it ends and will loan it to only one person who will read it quickly and return it to me so I can take notes in the margins. It is that good if you appreciate poetic story telling.

I had to look the author up after just a few pages in and found he had written only two other books and many essays before dying of a brain tumor at only sixty years of age. His daughters were so lucky to have such a wonderful story teller for a father.

All for now…..

A red bud and a dogwood next to the driveway.

The front yard is greening up.

And azaleas in bloom…only because the deer can’t get to them here.

Some walks at the river…..

And at the dam….

I had to go down near the water to get this picture of a new installation.

And walks from the gym over to the new house on frosty mornings.

Frost-filled dandelions.

My doctor’s office is within walking distance of my new place. Here is a view from her parking lot. A short walk inside got me an A+ on the annual wellness physical. Last year I just broke down in her office and hugs and a heart check was the extent of the physical. Much better this year.

Blooms are everywhere in Hayesville. This morning I interrupted a wild turkey checking out the shops in town and arguing with his reflection. I left the turkey to walk down the hill to see my house construction…but not much new there. It is a good walk with the steep decline down and coming back up.

The other day the mailbox held wonderful surprises.

A book from a recent visitor.

And an exhibition booklet from friends in Australia.

India Flint’s page…

And how it opens up completely….all done on one sheet.

I love not only the thoughtfulness but the threads wrapped around the book. I will put those to good use.

This morning after the gym, walk and groceries I did two more drawings for Burke and Wills book.

After learning to fly Burke likes to keep any eye on Wills from up in the tree.

And even took Wills for a boat ride.

Patrick arrives this weekend to spend the week helping out and then loading another trailer to take back home. Marla will get the rest of my wooden flat file, Amy will get the beautiful walnut loom that Lee made me in 1982, and Patrick will finish taking what little is left in his father’s shop.  I plan on filling all empty spaces with more small things not going with me to the new place.

I am going to enjoy the company and especially going out to dinner to our favorite restaurant. It has been well over two years since I have had dinner there. Oysters and a lovely white wine to start off. Then if the weather is nice we will take friends to a winery and indulge even further.

That is about all I have to say for now. If I don’t do a blog every four days then I have too many pictures to post.

Til later….

Spring is arriving here.

Some walks these past few days were refreshing.  First at the river…

Some serious trimming going on there.

And ducks….always ducks.  But surprisingly no geese…maybe next week when I return.

Then back out to the dam.

With a kayaker and loon to keep her company.

Now back to the kitchen…remember the last post had that recipe from the Cookish cookbook? Well here are some of the leftovers with shrimp, spinach and more lemon added.

And yesterday I did an intervention on things left a bit too long in the refrigerator…

I rescued two cups fresh kale, seven little baby red potatoes, one third of a yellow pepper, one onion, some garlic started in olive oil….added one large carton chicken stock, 1/2 lb cut up roasted chicken, dash of cayenne pepper, some salt, and a can of great northern beans (because there was not a single can of cannellini beans in the store), and when it was cooked to just right, I added 3/4 cup heavy cream. Asiago bagel made the perfect addition. It was a lot of food so I opted for popcorn and wine for dinner…but this soup is delicious and there is quite enough for three more meals.

Speaking of food, my takeout place is now open at 7 a.m. for breakfast and was a good place to kill some time after the gym and walk.

And this French toast that made two meals. The grits on the side were the best I have ever eaten!

Also, the Bird Stories Book is complete! Ending with a Sandhill Crane, her baby and a hatching egg on the final page.

And another drawing in the house building book….manhole cover behind the house by the only tree growing out there.

I have been working on the illustrations for the Burke and Wills story. I start with a fairly detailed pencil drawing…

And then get out the watercolors to fill in.

I am using the left side and mostly lower corner of the papers that are marked off at six square inches.

After Burke fell from the nest and told his mother he would be staying with Wills (the bunny he fell on), she did not totally abandon him and nicked some socks off a clothes line for Burke and his new friend to spend the nights in.

Wills realizes he has to help Burke learn to fly.

Boris and Belinda, a couple of river rats turn over their house to Burke and Wills so they are more comfortable. Boris and Belinda are rafting South in search of warmer climate.

Here is Burke and Wills in their new place.

So far I have eight illustrations and will likely do some over again as I get better with each one.  There is no telling how many adventures they will have but I am very much appreciating them taking me along.

Not much else new going on. The house is so quiet.

They gave me extra copies of the floor plans for the new house and each time I go inside and wander through the two by fours I see ways to adjust where the furniture will go. It is one thing to look at the bird’s eye view of floor plans but quite another to wander the space.

More packing up to do. Then the builder, realtor and I will have another look at timing.

Til later….