I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do this year.
My game plan at the start of the year was to become wiser, sexier and better looking. But all I managed to do was to become a year older. At least this year wasn’t a total bust! Hee, hee. Maybe next year I’ll have better luck. Surprisingly I did get my Christmas shopping done early for once and I didn’t put that off until the last minute as is my usual custom. I can thank the Bedford/Goode Ruritan club for that. Those old codgers cooked up fifty odd gallons of apple butter (which I devoted a considerable amount of time and energy helping them cook) to sell for their summer fundraiser. Sales were lackluster this year leaving them with several cases that need carting off. For all the work I put into peeling apples and stirring the pot I’d sure like to see it all get sold some way, some how. So I did my civic duty and bought a case and now everyone on my Christmas list will be getting homemade apple butter just to show my appreciation that I’m related to them and haven’t disowned any of them. Even got a jar for myself and I’m not waiting until Christmas to enjoy it either. With power comes privileges!
My church had their Christmas program this past Sunday which forced me, for the first time in a great many moons, to actually put on a tie. Our program wasn’t too sophisticated this year which is wonderful for a dip like me who doesn’t have much to offer in theatrics or singing. The program was a musical more than anything else and since I was singing in the choir there was little threat I could kneecap the performance too badly. I stepped up and practiced with everyone else and we didn’t sound half bad. All I had to do was show up wearing black pants, a white shirt and a red tie. I’ve never looked more dapper all year! I was quite pleased with myself that I could still remember how to tie a tie. If you can’t sing then might as well look good and I believe I did. And Dad would be pleased to know that I actually did learn something from him.
Afterwards we all hustled to the fellowship hall to enjoy a big Baptist buffet of punch and cookies and brownies, and every other sinfully delicious temptation known to man. My mom of course made her famous sausage balls just as she does every year. And every year fusses that she didn’t get one because they all vanish faster than a three year old at bath time. For the record I didn’t get one either although I did my fair share of cleaning off the extras. It is the holiday custom to let nothing tasty go to waste just as it is, at least for our church anyway, to hand off little paper baggies of the traditional candy along with an orange for you to take home. It’s something they’ve done for as long as I can remember although I don’t know why they throw the orange in there. Maybe it’s to add some color or vitamin C. Your guess is as good as mine although I do love a good orange so I’m not complaining.
Recently at one of the writer’s groups I attend, one of the regulars there, who apparently just celebrated another birthday, made a poignant comment that stuck with me and I think is worth repeating. She is an older but spunky soul and with a certain bit of glee told us that she wasn’t getting older. She was just celebrating. Her words, and that victor’s attitude of hers, really made an impression on me. I’ve heard throughout my life that getting older isn’t easy so I’m always looking for advice, tips and inspiration from the older set as I go down that journey myself. Life really is what we make of it and I suspect that old age is no exception. Attitude, and a sense of humor, goes far in helping make our lives more fun and easier to bear.
Now for today’s show and tell.
I did some sketching while I was at the Christmas Cantata even when I was sitting up in the choir. As everyone was finding their seats and the band was prepping for the program I made a quick and spontaneous drawing of the only view I had; looking out from behind the band and the audience looking back at us. The lights were still on while I drew this and I made the most of the opportunity. I don’t know that this is a great shot but I think it’s interesting at least. Once they cut the lights off that pretty much put the kabosh on my drawing. Just as well since the program was getting underway and I had to focus on the singing rather than drawing. Full confessional; I’d rather draw than sing.
After the program we had the traditional Baptist holiday hangout complete with enough finger foods, goodies, and punch to ensure that everyone in the entire neighborhood gained a pound or two. Drawing this was tougher as is any scene where you have people constantly moving about. You have to take some creative liberties in trying to capture the mood of the moment but every line and stroke you put down has to say something. I probably could have fleshed this out more but I haven’t as yet. Not sure if I will. People are always a delight to draw and I never get tired of it.
My niece Katy came by yesterday which was a nice surprise. All grown up now and enjoying a holiday break from college it was nice to see her and hear about her adventures. I think she has her sights set on being an electrical/computer engineer or something along those lines. She will surely shine whatever she opts to do.
Almost every time I get to drawing and painting out in public it gets noticed. You never know whose attention you might attract and this little lady happened to be one of those who was curious at what I was doing. This drawing/painting was made at a musical jam with much of the neighborhood in attendance. The little girl and her family were sitting across the table from me and while they were enjoying the tunes, she took a greater interest in what I was drawing. She must have been all of three years old and a real charmer. So I decided to entertain her by drawing a quick picture of her using my watercolor pencils. There’s no denying that I’ve still got a ways to go learning the ropes to this handy medium. While this portrait drawing isn’t too bad, it still has some goofs which I wish I could correct. But she didn’t mind and her family was tickled with it. So much so that her grandmother(?) who must be employed with one of the schools here, told me that she has her students keep a sketch pad and to draw what they see when she takes them out on their nature hikes. She said that watching me draw her granddaughter gave her a marvelous idea of getting her students to try drawing each other. Made my weekend hearing that and knowing that a passel of kids somewhere will now have to learn how to draw a face because of me. That fact is definitely going down on my art resume!
May you have a Merry Christmas.
