Awhile back the Marshfield Clinic sent a letter asking if I would be interested in participating in an Avian Flu study. Since I am fascinated by science, should have gone to school to be a vet or some such thing, I said yes. I am beginning to think I am the only one. Anyway, today was the blood draw from the birds. I have five chickens, four hens and a rooster though I used to have a lot more before the hawk picked a rooster off and several hens disappeared most likely my fox.
Anyway, other than Percy the rooster bawling the whole time (he is such a BABY!!!) it went smoothly. Saturday I will be in Marshfield to watch my eldest son run his car in some goofy races at the Eve of Destruction and will swing into the hospital to have my blood drawn too. Then in like 6 months we do it again.
Today was school registration. Not too much longer and I will have the house to myself again. I cannot believe two more years and the boys are out of school. So many times I wondered if they'd EVER grow up and now here they are, almost done.
Last night was the hitch classes at our county fair. I dream of someday showing my own horses in this show. I look at the Belgians, Percherons and few Shires and think man, my horses would be a real attraction. I bet even most these draft horse folks have never seen my breed, they are that rare. Not in real life anyway. Someday. Meanwhile I torture myself with going to the show and being so overwhelmed by it all it brings tears to my eyes.
The fair ends today. I have to go pick up the artwork I and my kids entered yet tonight.
The fair ends today. I have to go pick up the artwork I and my kids entered yet tonight.
Here is the latest finished painting for the upcoming art show. I have another one in the works of two Clydesdales and an idea for a larger one but I don't know if that is something I will attempt this time around. We shall see. Meanwhile I dug up some more unfinished paintings and will see if I am inspired to work on them.
Another one knocked off my finish list. I have a bad tendency to put paintings away just when they are getting ready to blossom and not go back and finish them up. This was one of them. I didn't like how it was turning out and so put it away. Well, now it is done and what it is it is. This is my dog, Ty. I am thinking of putting on eBay through Mission Fish for Aussie Rescue. Ty was a humane society dog.
After I did the mail route this morning I headed over to Holcombe to a small art show held at the Methodist church. I had no clue what to expect figuring perhaps it was more of a craft show than art. I couldn't have been further from the truth though. The art was spectacular and from all over...New York, Arizona, Illinois, Milwaukee and of course more locals to this area. I asked who sponsored it and it is through the church. I was surprised, wondering how all these folks from all over happened to be involved. Well, they either lived here at one time or have vacation homes. I was impressed and inspired by the artwork there.
I came home and did the above calf and started a more folk arty cow. I have an upcoming show end of September and have no art to take. I now have a month to get a body of work together, starting with the above.
I came home and did the above calf and started a more folk arty cow. I have an upcoming show end of September and have no art to take. I now have a month to get a body of work together, starting with the above.
Summer is definately here. Rolling heatwaves come in during the week, weekends cool off and then on Monday the heat starts rolling in again for another round. Not being a warm summer person this is a little distressing for me and I am looking forward to fall. I hate to wish my life away though so try and enjoy each day.
For the past three weeks we have been doing a complete roof tear-off. This house, built in 1921, has had four roofs put on and none torn off so that is left to us. It has been an interesting history lesson as we peel off each layer of different colored shingles and even floor linoleum used to patch the roof with! Down to the original shake which is quite a sight to behold. The roof looks so different in shake but it is a pain to tear off as each piece is nailed on. We are replacing the whole thing with shake looking metal roofing which looks real nice so far. Finally, my vision of a little brick cottage/farmhouse is moving forward.
This weekend is our village's "summerfest" so I spent a few hours yesterday in the church kitchen helping make piergies, golabki (cabbage rolls) and brownies for the large community chicken dinner. I was the only non polish person there and made sure it was ok that I helped, lol. They claimed they'd take ANYONE so I got to stay.
For the past three weeks we have been doing a complete roof tear-off. This house, built in 1921, has had four roofs put on and none torn off so that is left to us. It has been an interesting history lesson as we peel off each layer of different colored shingles and even floor linoleum used to patch the roof with! Down to the original shake which is quite a sight to behold. The roof looks so different in shake but it is a pain to tear off as each piece is nailed on. We are replacing the whole thing with shake looking metal roofing which looks real nice so far. Finally, my vision of a little brick cottage/farmhouse is moving forward.
This weekend is our village's "summerfest" so I spent a few hours yesterday in the church kitchen helping make piergies, golabki (cabbage rolls) and brownies for the large community chicken dinner. I was the only non polish person there and made sure it was ok that I helped, lol. They claimed they'd take ANYONE so I got to stay.
What is rarer than a unicorn? A man doing housework. Want proof? Google it! LOL!
Today was the Open Air Festival of the Arts in Phoenix Park, Eau Claire. For a first year I think it turned out quite nicely. At noon was my faovrite local band, Patchouli. Julie, pictured on top. My digital photos didn't turn out too great so I am hoping the film photos will. Shortly after Patchouli was our local belly dance troupe, Peanut Butter and Gypsy. My friend Trish and instructor, Sheri both dance with them so that was fun to watch. Again, digital shots are bad because of all the clutter of tents and the such.
I purchased Patcholi's latest CD and from the artisan tents I got myself a wall shrine called the Shrine of Nature. What it is is a shelf with a backing that has a painting on. It comes with a votive candle holder and one can put special things on it such as personal stones or a bowl of affirmations and the such. It was just so different I thought I would get one. I also got some note cards.
Maybe next year I will be dancing there (ha ha!) with the troupe. I need to get a whole lot better first, LOL.
I purchased Patcholi's latest CD and from the artisan tents I got myself a wall shrine called the Shrine of Nature. What it is is a shelf with a backing that has a painting on. It comes with a votive candle holder and one can put special things on it such as personal stones or a bowl of affirmations and the such. It was just so different I thought I would get one. I also got some note cards.
Maybe next year I will be dancing there (ha ha!) with the troupe. I need to get a whole lot better first, LOL.
Ok, so I am a little odd. Yup, here is another of my goat, Richard. He is all for peace and is a hippie goat at heart.
Today was my last day of training. Monday they throw me to the wolves. Egads, I hope I survive. I am also hoping the next two nights I get a decent nights sleep. I am having mail route jitters in the form of dreams which keeps me restless. But since I can forget about it until Monday hopefully I really can.
Tomorrow is the Open Air Festival of the Arts in Eau Claire. My favoritest of all bands, Patchouli, is playing at noon which means I will have to beat butt around the mail route tomorrow to get there in time. After Patchouli my girlfriend Trish's belly dance troupe is performing so I must go! I need to get a 35mm film too. I am looking forward to it and the weather is to be perfect.
Have a good weekend.
Today was my last day of training. Monday they throw me to the wolves. Egads, I hope I survive. I am also hoping the next two nights I get a decent nights sleep. I am having mail route jitters in the form of dreams which keeps me restless. But since I can forget about it until Monday hopefully I really can.
Tomorrow is the Open Air Festival of the Arts in Eau Claire. My favoritest of all bands, Patchouli, is playing at noon which means I will have to beat butt around the mail route tomorrow to get there in time. After Patchouli my girlfriend Trish's belly dance troupe is performing so I must go! I need to get a 35mm film too. I am looking forward to it and the weather is to be perfect.
Have a good weekend.
Here is Richard, my pet goat. He is oftentimes the subject of my drawings and paintings. Richard had at one time his own series of ACEOs. I love to draw and share my little goat.
This piece is an ACEO (2.5"x3.5") done in colored pencil on bristol. He can be found here. on eBay.
This morning I went in and cased mail for two hours. Sometimes I do not think it is getting any easier although it has to be since I can't not be learning something, right? I will go in again tomorrow, my last chance at training. Then I will be considered trained and be put on the new route Monday and Tuesday.
For two days all we have heard about is the super cell storm, wickedest storm in 20 years heading our way. Schools and activities were closed south of us yesterday already and a lot of them let out early today. My kids are already out of school so not a big deal here. So this afternoon I worked on art and watched the television as they updated where the worst storms were. Thank goodness we saw none of it. The storms went east and west of us. There were tornadoes and lots of farms and homes damaged just south of us along with baseball sized hail. North of us a resort was destroyed and last I heard they were searching for two people. Even where I will be doing the mail route they were hit pretty badly. Makes me awfully glad I was home working on my gardens since the winds were strong all the skeeters were blown away. All the storms are past now so we can just enjoy the cooler and less humid air.
This piece is an ACEO (2.5"x3.5") done in colored pencil on bristol. He can be found here. on eBay.
This morning I went in and cased mail for two hours. Sometimes I do not think it is getting any easier although it has to be since I can't not be learning something, right? I will go in again tomorrow, my last chance at training. Then I will be considered trained and be put on the new route Monday and Tuesday.
For two days all we have heard about is the super cell storm, wickedest storm in 20 years heading our way. Schools and activities were closed south of us yesterday already and a lot of them let out early today. My kids are already out of school so not a big deal here. So this afternoon I worked on art and watched the television as they updated where the worst storms were. Thank goodness we saw none of it. The storms went east and west of us. There were tornadoes and lots of farms and homes damaged just south of us along with baseball sized hail. North of us a resort was destroyed and last I heard they were searching for two people. Even where I will be doing the mail route they were hit pretty badly. Makes me awfully glad I was home working on my gardens since the winds were strong all the skeeters were blown away. All the storms are past now so we can just enjoy the cooler and less humid air.
