Blue Skies and Yellow Leaves: 21st October 24
Mondays / Remembering a tiny handmade sketchbook / Shop Update
Mondays
Monday, Monday… (Oddly, it’s Neil Diamond’s voice I hear in my head and not The Mammas & the Pappas). Actually, I do like Mondays. They’re rarely blue or manic. Ever since I started calling it my day off, it became one of my favourite days of the week. It feels a lot like Sunday used to, in the ‘olden days’, but without the hangover.
Usually, it’s devoted to catching up with house stuff, doing odd jobs and, generally pottering around. When that all gets too dull, the man and I will find any excuse to leave the house, most often with a mission to find tea and cake. Sometimes, when we really can’t face the day’s designated humdrum task, we’ll have a day trip instead, which is exactly what happened last week. It was also the most beautiful bright Autumn day that it would have been criminal not to be out and about!
We went north to see family in Fife, and took a stroll around Pittencrieff Park, which is known locally as the Glen. The Autumn colours didn’t disappoint. The leaves were positively glowing. I’ve been making a concerted effort to appreciate all those golden yellow, copper, and vivid red leaves before they fall.
…and there was a glasshouse, with a pond. I sat on a bench, with the sun shining in, being mesmerised by the fish. It was a perfect tranquil moment.
So it’s Monday again, but no adventures today. If the rain stays off there’s work to do on the caravan . In the year we’ve had it progress on the renovation has been slow…many reasons for that which I’ll write more about soon.
I often feel like I’m not making any progress, with anything! But lately, I’ve been using the Google Tasks app to keep myself organised. It’s really helped me stay focused on what’s important and marking tasks complete gives me such a buzz. Hoping I can keep the momentum going…
Remembering
A few years ago when I made a tiny sketchbook from old maps and filled it with imaginary ceramics - that was fun! The yellow reminds me of all the perfect fallen leaves I’ve been walking through for the past couple of weeks.
Shop Update
Eventually, after looking everywhere at least twice I found the cable for my camera and worked out how to store my pictures, which means I was able to add 16 recent small paintings and drawings to my website. I’m almost up to date with listing everything now - there’s a few I’ve held back because I think they’ll benefit from being framed.
I really do hope to update the shop more regularly from now on, especially since I was very lucky and sold three of the new pieces the day they were listed, which virtually never happens. Better still, each of the buyers took the time to let me know why they decided to buy the paintings and I absolutely loved hearing those stories. It helps add a greater meaning to what I do and I’m so grateful to them and everyone who chooses to live with my art.
For the rest of the week I have big plans to be alone with my sketchbook. Hope you make time for something equally as enjoyable!
Wonderful post and update. I am glad you have Monday adventures when you can. Glad the task app is working for you too. I might check that out for myself! Lovely glimpse into your world.