Saturday, January 30, 2010

Rookery

My new bike!



I have been going on and on about buying myself a bike... I only have three in New Mexico, but none here. Very annoying! Anyway, I finally gave in and bought it today and late this afternoon took it out on it's first journey. I caught the sun a little late, but I think it will be great for me to just dash out and get some exercise, which I really need these days and also see things that I don't see in the car. I felt so good after my little bike ride. I got rid of some cobwebs and my thighs hurt! A sure sign I need to do more.

I am going to post a few of the photos I took.

I am also desperately waiting to get four little paintings back from the framers in Cambridge. I couldn't get there this weekend, but hopefully I will make it next week. This last week entailed a fair amount of visits of the hospital and doctors for blood tests and check ups. Dad is doing so well that he made a wonderful batch of scones yesterday for the church coffee morning! He is exhausted today though.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

My weekend studio




For the last two weekends I have managed to get away and stay with my friend, Melanie in Cambridge. She has a little studio flat above her garage where her daughter stays sometimes. I have been able to use it this weekend to paint in and it feels so good to be able to just lock myself away and get on with some work without interruption.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Surfleet Lows Nature Reserve



I took this photo on the other side of the road from the nature reserve. I have been driving along this road for 39 years and am now looking with fresh eyes.

Surfleet Lows Nature Reserve



Yesterday I went on an errand for my Dad. It was very foggy so I just had to stop off to take some photos. I have always enjoyed the mist and the shapes created by it, plus the beautiful muted colours.

Rosie, my middle child and youngest daughter arrived today. Lovely!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire



And here is Wicken Fen. http://www.wicken.org.uk/introduction.htm

Drawing



I visited Wicken Fen yesterday, near Ely, Cambridgeshire. They have a dragonfly centre. For years I have been thinking of incorporating dragonflies into my paintings and have been doing a few drawings. Here is one. It's a little blurred....

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Things are getting better!



Dad is doing so well in comparison to a week ago and I am managing to get some work done at last. I have almost finished four little bird portraits and just started a landscape inspired some photos taken the other day when on my way to the hospital. It was such a gorgeous sunset and I risked slipping and sliding all over the road just to take them. Of course, it's snowing yet again. I have never ever experienced a winter like this in the UK. I know it's awful for some, but when I don't have to drive to the hospital and back, I am selfishly loving the wonderful scenery and inspiration.

Here's hoping things will get better and better.

Friday, January 8, 2010

More postings from frozen UK



This beautiful pony is in a field just down the road from where I am living right now. The cold doesn't seem to bother him! It is just so gorgeous at the moment, as I drive to the hospital I have been taking photos and am so looking forward to translating them into paintings soon!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Another view from the hospital window

Hard Times

This is a difficult time for me and I wonder whether I should be writing about it in public. Somehow it doesn't feel right to air my problems online, but I also want to keep my blog current, so here I am, three weeks since my last post, looking back on hours of hospital visits and caring for my father at home wondering as the New Year arrives, what it has in store for me and my Dad.

I wish all those who read or follow my blog a very happy new year. I have never been so unsure about where my life is going as I am now. I am grabbing small moments to work, but mostly I am learning what it is like to be a full time carer. I am glad to be here, and grateful for the fact that my 'job' is flexible enough for me to do it anywhere. I had such high hopes of painting lots of lovely English paintings and have been frustrated by my lack of time. It has been so beautiful here and the morning I took my son to the bus station it was glorious. Snow everywhere, tinged pink by the early morning sun, breaking through bruised clouds. How I wanted to stop and take photos! But... we had a bus to catch.