I'm afraid to write anything here because I've been dismal on my follow through.  I am painting again, but don't know how far I will get. I finished/reworked one of the paintings I recently posted and I'm much more satisfied with it.  I think I got sidetracked from my original plan which was to do abstract landscapes.  I kind of got hung up in doing those ocean paintings and people seem to like them.  I think, basically, people want something beautiful on their walls.  I know I do.  However, painting them is tedious and not very creative.  All my life I have been able to copy anything you put down in front of me, but that's not what I want to do.  I could paint the same realilstic seascapes over and over working on different wave patterns and colors, but it's boring and artists everywhere are painting that stuff.  I want to create something that amazes me.  Haha, pretty hard to come by.  

I added the two paintings I've been working on.  I was hoping to be able to see what else I need to do to finish them as I'm a little stalled.  For some reason I can't get them to enlarge.  Oh well, I guess I can just go look at them.

Seems the physical therapy is making things worse.  I guess that's expected, but it's a little discouraging.  Of course I would like it to be cured in two weeks.  Nothing impatient about me.  

I stood at the easel for about 1 1/2 hours.  That's about all my back would take.  I also decided that I'm not working on that painting anymore.  It's frustrating that I can't quite get it to where I want it to be.  So, if I can only stand at the easel for a limited amount of time, it won't be painting something that's frustrating.  I'm going to start a new one.  

I think my eyesight is pretty much back to normal and the holidays are over.  I'm doing another round of physical therapy and it seems to be helping.  I'd like to get back to being more active.

I cleaned and set up my studio yesterday and today I'm gong to try to finish that painting that is collecting dust on my easel.  Then I'm going to try something new.  

Haha! I feel pretty good.

I think it's safe to write here again.  My daughter settled her case and there will be no more lawyers; at least for a while.  

I was walking my dogs today and enjoying shuffling and crunching through the many leaves that have fallen. It's cold and crisp out and I love the sound they make.  It occurred to me that this was another example of remembering the joys of childhood.  I mean, after all, is there a kid alive who doesn't love jumping in a crunchy pile of leaves?

I'm beginning to understand why old people talk so much about the past.  Aging pretty much sucks. Your body is all fucked up and you look like hell.  It's depressing to think about the present; how you haven't achieved what you thought you would in your lifetime.  You are likely to be in a mostly dead relationship (where is that great love you thought you would have?).  You have either retired or are close to retiring and where is fame and fortune? The days are endless and the years fly by.  

OF COURSE WE WOULD RATHER LIVE IN THE PAST!  There are all the joys of the "first times" to remember. I had a friend who said, if you could bottle anticipation you would have the world's greatest drug.  When you get old the big anticipation is how you are going to deal with death (which is another entry).  

Of course I like remembering my first love, great discussions about the meaning of life, my first car, sex, drugs and rock and roll.  I would rather remember crunchy leaves.  I guess I'm just fortunate to still be able to find the joy.  I must really be getting old.