Complimentary Colors

I'm itching to start painting the boards for Vladimir's Gift, for now I'm

arranging the details, like picking colors for the main character's clothes.

"Meow" is going to have magenta & chartreuse prints with a touch of purple.

"Paw" is going to be purple & amber yellow-orange silk with touches

of magenta.  I think "Grandmeow" is going to wear blue velvet.

The planning is as much fun as the painting.

Word Therapy

Today started with a rough morning, not feeling well,

I was even too worn to enjoy the library, one of my

favorite haunts.  Despondent by 8:30 a.m.,

I was in a rare and royal funk.

Luckily help was on the way...

Mark had gotten me two word books by Paul Dickson,

and one was waiting in the mailbox when we got home.

  Dickson may be best known for his lengthy lists of words

and phrases describing drinking.

I'm into the rare and fun words that fill the pages.  Days of

quiet and engrossing entertainment.  Perfect!

Sunny Yellow

 Our lemon yellow irises are fading.

The buttery yellow roses are opening to take their place.

I can't get enough breaks of yellow this time of year.

Taking it Easy

 I'm taking it easy, and that fits right in with Vladi's plans.

His little belly fluff is so silky soft, and along with the vibrating
purrs and occasional kitten-mews, its really hard to stay awake.

Oh No, Spots!

Nope, this isn't a blog about handsome brown-spotted Tanjiro,

this photo is a place holder to say there are some slightly

gross photos below.

Five days after starting my amoxycillin antibiotics,

I broke out in a rash.  By day seven...

The spots were pretty much everywhere and other symptoms had

arrived: flushed skin, temperature, and mucus in the throat.

Back to the doctor...

Yep, an allergic reaction, at least I had something for show and tell.

We took lots of photos for our biology class.

My drug arsenal has increased and now I'm armed with steroids,

anti-histamines and my epi-pen just in case.

Its been a long two months!

Layers of Color

 Walking in the field, I'm realizing how drawn I am to layered colors.

There is an irresistable richness to the parallel twists and folds.

Layers of wildflowers, layers of minerals, and of course...

...layers of sweets.

Nine Muses

The ancient Greeks introduced the muses, Zeus' nine daughters

who inspired and informed mortals pursuing knowledge and the arts:

For epic poetry, Clio and her writing tablet;

For history, Thalia and her scrolls;

For love poetry, Erato and her lyre;

For song, Euterpe and her flute;

For tragedy, Polyhymnia and her tragic mask;

For hymns, Calliope and her veil;

For dance, Terpsichore and her lyre;

For comedy, Urania and her comic mask;

and for astronomy, Melpomene with her globe and compass.

How do the muses reach us in the modern day?

I'd like to think they come to us in many forms:

family, friends, people we randomly meet,

and even objects that cross our paths.

 For me, this gorgeous ruby ring has become a muse.

I can stare into her like a crystal ball, and my thoughts take off.

 My mind dances from one idea to the next.

Maybe its Erato, bringing her passion and warmth.

 And I'm lucky enough to have a few other muses around too :).