I tell you guys that I CAN draw but don't. Why? I don't really enjoy it. Why? Because my professor Ms. Grimes is still in my head telling me I will never be a good artist. Yesterday, @Heather van Doorn was here IRL during Open Studio here in Wisconsin and I decided I should take my own advice. Push past my fear of fucking it up and just do it. After all, Heather is a really cool cat and isn't judgy. She is super positive, open and just all around cool. So I drew her. It's the first time I have tried any figure drawing in 32 years. Guess what?? It FELT good! I got lost in it. I know it's not right but that is perfectly ok. The FEELING is what I was after, not the outcome. It was the first time I have done something for ME in a while.

Just came out of the eye doctor. Waiting for my eyes to undilate a little bit. For the first time in I cannot remember how long, I did not have to get new lenses! I have retinas that are kind of spectacular. A new eye doctor always is amazed that I can be corrected to 20/20. And they often call other people in the office to come look at the pictures. Yeah. It's like that. I find it amusing. Thankfully they have been stable for a long time and they still are stable. The one difference is I have the beginning of a cataract. Now normally one wouldn't be excited about that. But they can put corrective lenses in now and I may only have to wear reading glasses then. That would be wonderful. I always ask about the current cost. He said well insurance will pay. I said well I don't have insurance. He said well by then you'll probably be on Medicare. Oh. Yes. I guess I am getting to that age. There's always a silver lining.

Wowza. It will take me a bit to catch up. This is mostly from you all. Our beautiful community. I rarely post personal things in social but you guys have gotten in my heart. I wanted to share with you the adventures that I was on every day while my family was here. Fishing, floating and fun. Did I mention ticks? Oh ya. Lots of those too. But yall….. 248 notifications is gonna take me a bit. Lmao

Until this morning, I'd forgotten I even had this song. This is my first attempt at Permission to Play, inspired by Michelle's post about the fearless four-year-old. I created it from my own experiences in life, what I've learned from being part of this community, and the things I've heard @Michelle Cyr say on more than one occasion. While it didn't really capture the four-year-old, it definitely spoke to me. This version feels the most like me and maybe you'll find a little of yourself in it too. Enjoy. ❤️

I can't wait to get started on this painting! Who else has Sunday 1pm CST on your calendar? If you're new, and you still need supplies, pretty sure if you order now, @Michelle Cyr can get a starter kit to you before the second class. You don't have to have it for the first class. Okay, Roll Call people! I'm all in. 😎