i was able to see one of my pieces framed (and nearly hung) for the first time last night (aside from grade-school doodles that mom dutifully framed over the years). very exciting. Miss Liz had Heavy Skies framed really nicely, floated in glass. it had surprised me that that was the one she was besotted with, until she pointed out that this particular menacing-looking boat in the scene is so like Jessica, her beloved though often menacing-looking pet cat. i can see it now. can you?
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another fantastic surprise in the mail this morning..Aunt Anna sent me three of my grandfather's prints! what a very thoughtful thing to do. i've for some reason or another never had any of his work myself and not-so-secretly coveted my sister's, aunts', etc. (two of Peg's can be seen stairway of her London flat here).
now, the only question remains..frame them here? hang them where? i'll probably hang on to them rolled and frame them when i've figured out where i'm going to spend the next year..now, that's another question..what exactly am i going to do next year? i have no earthly idea. -
More Boats Left, acrylic on linen, 20" x 59"
started working on linen canvas for the first time in ages. i'm enjoying it, aside from the swollen hand from the "big bad-ass-made-in-America" staple gun (those are the french salesman's words, not mine). this is the biggest-ass painting i've ever done as well. -
i have a report from Uncle Bert and Skipper Phil (sorry, i know he's a distinguished master yachtsman and capitain, but only one can have that title on this boat) that La Tishie Mae's new main sail is "bee-u-ti-ful!". i never knew a sail could have so many alluring properties: boom-raising, grommets, wind-taking, baffles, and on and on.
i'm not the only one guilty of loving the equipment as much as or even more than the activity. -
it's hard to explain, but french smiles are a rare and unpredictable thing. sometimes i wonder if they exist at all..like the Dodo bird or something. but i got one today! Madame Smokes' shop recently re-opened and i asked if her holiday was good…and got a brief glimpse of the illusive "frenchius smilius" in return for my fearless use of the french subjunctive.
now, if i could only figure out what it was she said in return. -
my sister is coming down here for a visit at the end of the month, a long time girlfriend and her baby are coming to spend a week here with me in early October, some more friends are stopping by in mid November and i have to get myself over to the States for another dear friend's wedding the first week of November. ok..have to lose another 30 pounds, keep the tan and become fluent in french in four weeks. not entirely impossible, huh? ha!
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the letters keep coming! a great long one from Great Aunt Grace today…how does she find ribbons for that old typewriter? she mentions something about traveling in France when she was 30 and "meeting a few French men to remember"?! Aunt Grace..ooh la la!
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i helped out a friend catering a wedding yesterday. set-up, serving and clearing and clean up. i'm exhausted. i'd forgotten about real work! ooh..my aching feet.
it went really well…the guests were friendly, the bride and groom were very reasonable, the food was gorgeous. (there was a totally incompetent wedding co-ordinator, but i won't even get into that). i'd never thought i'd get back into the wedding business…but if she needs help again, i'd seriously consider it. "the team" worked really well together and i can always use the bucks. -
on September first, it was as if a door was slammed shut..everything here changed. the Mistral winds kicked up and blew away the heat and the tourists as well. i can just imagine it…short-pants wearing, beach-bag toting holiday makers blowing away in the wind! holidays came to a close, school started, and the heatwave ended all in one day. the locals and we long-term residents have our pleasant little town back. Monsieur Fromage, Madame Poulet, Monsieur and Madame Smokes, Mademoiselle Sandwiche and Alex-the-cafe-guy all have their cheerful, rested faces back on. and the chorus across the lane is practicing again…"OH HOPPY DAY!"
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postcards from Athens Georgia / Las Vegas Nevada / Savannah Georgia
(see August 25, 29 and Sept. 4 entries)
the first winner was (see yesterday's entry) Grant NELSON of Savannah, GA, the third winner is NELSON Wells of Athens, GA, AND both those names can be found spelled in the ADDRESS of second winner Kristan Edgar of Las Vegas, NV! hmm..maybe i have too much time on my hands to have figured that one out.
and the first runner up is Sony! i might have to send her out a magazine subscription as well. she's been patiently waiting for the French salt i sent her some six months ago to arrive..i'm afraid it is long lost by now, probably being enjoyed by some guy in Greenland.
much thanks to everyone who has written and those who will continue to..keep 'em coming! i can't tell you how much a little postcard from a friend back home can make my day.
