Dale is back, we've got Tom here with us, and this weekend Nick came for a visit.
i've put the toilet seat back down no less than 32 times in three days.
other than that, no complaints—it's nice actually to have boys around again. no matter what i make–they eat it. (i'm not known for much in the cuisine department, aside from American-style pancakes–which they ate with their hands!)
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we (Dale, Liz, John and i) had dinner last night with a young chap by the name of Tom. Tom is English. Tom is from Elham (the village where Dom's parents have the pub/restaurant). Tom is a young farmboy doing seasonal landscaping work. Young Tom has the winter free. So, Young Adventurous Tom is BICYCLING (from England, from Elham) THROUGH FRANCE IN THE WINTER. contrary to what most would believe, this activity is NOT
a) the cost of losing a bet
b) a dare
c) the result of a break from reality
so, here he arrived, bicycle in hand, at Liz's doorstep the other night, happy as she says to "kip on the carpet". and what a lovely boy! so well mannered, must have been well taught by mom. we've all insisted he stay on another night to join us for dinner again and i'm keen to have him meet Bert tomorrow afternoon down at the boat—they seem to have so much in common. -
Lilies, oil pastel on linen canvas, 29.5" x 35.5"
Wall I, acrylic on heavy paper, 20" x 25"
(click on title for details and price)
i had a really good time getting messy with Lilies—oil pastel on canvas is yummy. the subject matter is a tad twee, but the medium is expressive–you can see my fingerprints even. and yes, the second piece is more abstracted than usual, but i'm going that way these days, and i like it. it's more about studying contrast and color combinations than anything–expect more of these–how the light affects the structures here, light and shadow and color simplified, abstracted–i'm seeing a whole series coming this spring…..
don't panic, more boats are coming too. damn, what is it with everyone liking the boats so much?!? -
i seem to spend most of my time here—the living room! although the weather is finally warming up, i'm painting in here more now, so there you go. that middle shot shows the new curtains mom and i devised the other week for the front room in Cannes–they make a big difference and neither Jack nor Ruby have destroyed them yet, a big bonus. i love being able to stay at Dale and Dom's in Cannes, don't get me wrong..but i am itching for a place of my own, i need to exercise my domestic demons soon. -
a container ship on the Savannah River, a Nebraska landscape complete with church spire
happiness in the mailbox today–not only did i get the two postcards above (thank you Sony and Grandma Eileen), but Ryan's Christmas/Birthday package FINALLY arrived–along with a 20 euro customs bill (but don't let that keep you from sending me presents!). well, no wonder–the thing weighs a ton—he must have sent me fifteen books! which will all be read with great pleasure–i've reread every John Irving and Minette Walters in the house and am hungry for something new (no doubt the books from Ryan will be somewhat heavier going than my usual fare–he's so collegiate the little bugger)… -
Miss Ruby is afraid of the trains, in fact she fears the entire train experience–the train station, getting on and off the train, watching the high-speed train bullet by, riding the slower regional train, even the loudspeaker announcements through her off-balance. going back and forth from Cannes to Antibes by train is still a snap–provided i pick her up and carry her and don't mind de-furring my clothes upon arrival.
the other night, she was showing marked improvement–walking into the station herself, though haultingly. as we turned the corner on to the platform, she froze. a few yards away was the most terrifying looking dog we've ever seen. it was a giant pitbull-rotweiler-albino-demon cross, complete with intimidating chain, muzzle and security officers. Ruby understandably hit the pavement, trembling. first the train, now this! one security officer was amused–"Regardez–l'aperitif!" he said to the drooling beast.
speaking of aperitives, amuse-bouches, appetizers—i'm amused myself to know the french use so many ways of saying hors d'oeurves, without ever once in my experience using the word hors d'oeurves.
(though to be accurate, l'aperitif is usually a starter drink, not a food…wonder why he choose that word? or maybe i misheard..wouldn't be the first time). -
i have a friend, Kristan, who has kept a quote board for years. say something silly in her presence and it's likely to be posted on her wall the next day for eternity. i think mom and i need an entire quote board for Bert alone. just a few recent ones:
"It's good to see you've got that cooking thing down." (while eating mom's home made dinner for the 372nd night in a row)
"I've figured out the shrouds." (some such thing about the boat)
"They're just not clean." (while boiling toothbrushes) -
Margaret has a job interview this week, Maria has four strong leads for her new property management work (with some spillover work for me) and i've had two good responses to my work inquiries…things are looking good this week. could there be a 'career' star in our houses or some such hippydippy thing?
i tell you, this poverty diet is working out though…size 12 jeans here i come! -
sorry to be off-line so much this past week—have been spending most days recovering from my nights. Dom is back in town for the week, Dale is here now as well and well…i'm not sure who is the bad influence on who, but i haven't seen 9am in quite awhile!
lovely to have everyone back together—dinners out, good laughs over drinks, etc. i'll miss Dom when she's gone next week. -
today's Uncle Bert-ism, after a day single-handing on Tishie Mae: "I had the perfect day today…absolutely perfect. Then a seagull took a giant crap on the new main sail. Just goes to show ya, no day can be perfect."
and another: "It's all just an illusion. I mean, that's what life is—you think you're going somewhere but you're not. But, jesus, you've got to have your tv."
um, ok.
