Damn Covid

Good Saturday morning all.  Is it good, I'm not so sure right now.  It seems we are back in the terrifying realm of Covid again, even the vaccinated.  So many fears are raging for everyone right now.  I am not alone in this fear, my girls have their own.  Our oldest granddaughter began school this past week so we will probably not be around her for a bit, especially unmasked.  I'm afraid for her because she is in the age group where she cannot be vaccinated and so is our little Min, and she's already been through a round of Covid.  At this moment I'm close to being 8 months out from my vaccination and I'm anxious to get the booster.  I feel like I'm a bit safer because last week I got the over 65 pneumonia shot which makes my body ramp up to build immunities at this time.  I'm still not out of danger, no one is at this point.  So, after over a year and a half we are still battling the unseen virus that we can't seem to get under control.  I'm so mad at the unvaccinated right now.  I think we would have been in a better place if those people had just STEPPED up and done the right thing.  Now our babies are in such danger and that is just not acceptable.  I can tolerate staying home and away from everyone but the babies need the interaction of other people.  They don't really understand why they can't play with their friends, why they are cooped up at home with mom and dad.  Not only have we not done the right thing for our education process of the children (education is another topic) but now we are possibly stunting their mental and social growth.  Oh, I know, the unvaccinated are going on about their business like this is nothing but a bad cold and I live in fear of the danger they are putting their children or grandchildren in when they ignore the whole thing.  You CANNOT prevent this or battle it with vitamins or cracking a  back bone, get real people and lets take this bull by the horns and do the right thing.  Get over YOUR fear of needles, or the vaccine and DO IT!  My youngest daughter has a friend who the whole family decided NOT to be vaccinated and guess what, the husband, father DIED this week.  She had to sing at his funeral watching the wife and children cry and grieve.  They chose to be afraid of the vaccine and not get it and now look at them.  Their lives forever changed because of that decision.  We've had friends that have been vaccinated and have Covid too, because the unvaccinated have chosen not to be vaccinated they've allowed the virus to mutate, to get around the vaccine and now were are faced with a virus that can still get us.  Get over feeling the distrust of the government, of having them tell you what to do, I'm telling you GET VACCINATED!  When I was a kid we HAD to get the polio vaccine (a sugar cube) and the small pox vaccine and guess what those have been nearly wiped out BECAUSE we HAD to be vaccinated, for our children.  I'm just sick to my stomach by the stupidity of people to think praying will make this all better.  Get back to reality people and let's all get our army fatigues on and fight this battle, TOGETHER!

"The End of the Garden Path"

16x20 oil

We've also had a loss in the family again, not Covid related.  My ex-sister-in-law battled ovarian cancer for many years and it had metastasized to her brain.  She was on hospice for 3 solid weeks, no food, no water, nothing.  She was one tough lady but yesterday we were at lunch with her sons, our nephews, one of her daughter-in-laws and the ex-husband (still my bro-in-law,) just starting to eat, when the call came in she had passed.  The boys had been doing constant vigils with her and once they left for a break she left this world.  I told them she probably was waiting for them to leave so she could let go, she was that kind of lady I'm sure.  Even though I had not seen her in many years we all loved her (even her ex) to the end.  She loved my girls like no other.  We will miss you Elaine.

 

Snicklefritz Weekend

What a most glorious weekend we had with Snicklefritz.  Honestly, I so love having her with us.  She is helpful, pleasant, a good eater, and loves just learning about birds, and fishing with her Granddad.

Saturday morning early, I mean early, like 5:30 a.m. her Granddad woke her up to get a good breakfast, slather in bug spray and sunscreen because they were going on a journey.  They were off in the canoe up the creek to what is called Blue Hole to net chub or bait for fishing.  I was a bit nervous because, well, she would be out of my control and under the supervision of her Granddad and that has always caused me to be wary.  He's a guy and guy's just don't have that gut feeling like a "mom" or a Granny has, but all went well and they had the BEST time ever.  She loved going up stream and admitted that she was a bit scared but wanted to go again.  It was probably the last hurrah for the summer with her because on Thursday she begins school again and we will only be able to visit with her via Zoom.  I'm terrified for her but it is so important for her to go to school and be a part of that world.  She said her favorite meals were pizza and spaghetti and I guess I made her quite happy because that is what we ate.  She was very proud to eat the salad because she got to use the sharp knife to cut the lettuce.  Memories were definitely made this past weekend.

I did finish this little jewel last week.  I've really enjoyed taking a lot of landscape photos and hopefully will be painting many of them like this one.  

"Let's Go Fishing" 

16x20 oil

The drive home netted this beautiful snapshots of lots of roads and clouds.  Gosh I love northeast Oklahoma.

Anniversary and Happy (& not so happy) Time

 

First of all, Happy Anniversary to you for three years of wedded bliss and 10 years of knowing each other.  We celebrated with them last night with their little angel, the oldest and her family and Nick's bestie from New York.  It was a wonderful dinner of lots of laughter and good food.  It's quite wonderful to have my family so very close during all this damn pandemic crap.  

A lot has been on my mind lately and has put me in a funk, not bad and not good.  First, just because I've not posted food stuff doesn't mean I've stopped.  On the contrary, I am continuing the road down the weight loss trail.  In fact, I had a 6 month check-up with my regular doctor yesterday and he was quite pleased with me.  At first his nurse took my blood pressure and announced it was 140/72!!!! WTF!  I was alarmed and he was too when he came in and retook it.  Well, I don't know what is wrong with that nurse but it was 124/70.  WHEW!  I don't know what she did but I felt a lot better after he took it himself and so did he and he announced an almost perfect patient with all I'm doing.  I also got the pneumonia shot they give if you are over 65.  It's a more souped up version and I'm all over it.  Then I went downstairs to the lab for blood draw to check my thyroid, liver, etc levels.  The girl called me in and we were ALL masked.  She came over, leaned over to draw the blood and noticed the band-aid for my pneumonia shot and asked if I'd had the Covid vaccination.  I said, "Yes."  She replied that she had not, that she was scared of it and then asked how mine went.  I WAS SHOCKED that she was IN MY FACE (mask on) and admitting that.  I have not been around anyone unvaccinated if I could help it and if I find out I back off immediately.  I've been super careful with myself in those situations and now this.  If I get Covid I will know EXACTLY where I got it.  I was so damn mad.  This person is in the health care industry and afraid to get a damn shot!  GOOD GRIEF!  Really ended a good morning on a bad note there.

I'm also upset with some of my "friends."  I can't and won't go into it but I got a phone call which shocked me the other day.  It pissed me off to no end and continues to effect my mind.  Some people can be so stupid in their tact and how the talk to people.  I (we) are going to pull in for a bit, away from the masses, so to speak, and let some stuff die down, i.e. our anger by unfeeling, out of touch people.  I will continue living my life, being a kind, nice, person the best I can.  Whew,  Ohmmm, Ohmmm, Ohmmm

Back to the easel where I can let stuff go in my head and find my happy place...later friends

Cows and Landscapes

The weekend, oh the weekend.  Yes it was hot but mostly on Saturday afternoon.  The rest of the weekend was most pleasant, at least for me, summer lover.  I went up on Thursday and enjoyed most of that day by my lonesome on my screened porch and a good book.  

In fact, I read three books this past weekend.  Now that, is a great weekend!  I read The Summons by John Grisham, Class Act by Stuart Woods (not worth it at all), and last night finished off The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.  

We hosted grilled chicken on Saturday evening with some of the NEW weekend residents of our little cabin area.  They are super nice and it was one of the best evenings.  It was a small gathering allowing us to really visit and get to know one another.  The Hubby wanted to invite more but I had put a limit on that, especially with the Covid numbers rising I didn't feel comfortable with a huge crowd.  We were able to be on the porch and that makes me a bit happier and feel safer.  

I just love capturing the photos as we leave to head home.  Luckily no one was on the road as I drove allowing me to stop occasionally and snap the photos.  I'm sure I will paint one or more of these.

As I rounded one corner it was very evident that someone in the night had driven off the road and demolished the fence allowing these escapees all over the road.  I stopped, rolled my window down and captured their faces.  I wanted to take more photos but it was at a precarious part of the road where someone could have come up on me and smashed my car or the cows so I was quick and moved on.

It will be a busy week for me as I will be watching Snicklefritz a lot.  Next weekend she will journey with us to the cabin.  I always enjoy having her because she is a help and we just enjoy each other a lot.  Maybe next weekend I will load up on our watercolors and we will paint on the porch together.

This week I will also go to my regular doctor and I'm so excited to step on his scale.  According to MY scale I'm nearly 20 pounds down but the last time I was in to see him it will show only 15 from his chart.  I had gained 5 pounds since I last saw him.  The weekend I did derail a bit but that's okay, I'm back to it today, last night.  Again it is a food life change and I don't plan on changing that.

Happy Belated

Yesterday would have been Daddy's 86th birthday.  I kind of avoided thinking about it.  My girls went to the graves and put flowers on them.  That is just NOT my thing.  To me they aren't there, they are with me, in my heart.  It's hard to know that my girls went there and cried.  I know they miss their Papa tremendously, I do too and that is their way to grieve.  A LOT has transpired this past year for all of us.  We have lost way too much with him, his buddy Jay, my sweet mother-in-law, Gloria, our pets and now we are facing yet another impending loss.  

Many many years ago The Hubby's oldest brother was married for many years to Elaine, the boys (our nephews) mother.  She was my sister-in-law for a very long time but they parted and created different paths for their lives.  Sadly sweet Elaine, the aunt the girls remember very lovingly has been battling ovarian cancer for several years and heartbreakingly her battle is coming to an end soon.  It's just another huge hit for my girls to their big hearts and for us.  I think I'm staying out of the talks and remembering of those lost right now because I'm in a good place in my head and don't want to open that door again.  I'm trying to heal and grieve in my own way.  

 

It Takes A Village

I finally was able to finish this one on Saturday.  The plan was to work in the office but The Hubby just did not have time during the week to do the invoicing.  He was pulled in too many different directions, so I painted, knowing that my Sunday would be work.  But, first I had forgotten I was to watch little Min so her momma could go to mass and sing in the choir.  Her Daddy has been in LA performing this past week so we've all pitched in to help with the kiddo(s).  I don't like Hilary Clinton, never have and normally I would not quote her, but with these grandgirls I am making an exception.  She said, "It takes a village," referring to raising children and I am part of the village with my grandgirls.

"Follow the Yellow Arrow Road"

11x14 oil

 

Middle of the Week Life Update

First of all is a recipe update.  You know the Tik-Tok recipe for baked feta, well, this is my version of it.  SOOOOOooo, yummy and easy.  

I took a deep casserole kind of dish and tossed in a bunch of grape tomatoes and tossed them around with salt, pepper, lemon olive oil, Italian seasoning and garlic.  Then in the middle, squeeze in a block of feta cheese and sprinkle it with more olive oil and the Italian seasoning.  Then around, on top and squeezed in around the tomatoes put chicken tenders with seasoning and oil.  Bake in 400 degree oven for about 30-45 minutes, or until chicken is tender and the cheese is all smushy and melty.  So very yummy.   

The losing weight thing is still a thing but this week has been a bit of a pull back because we went out to eat and I totally had pasta but it was well worth it because it was an awesome date night.  Then last night I was planning something totally different but I had the grand-girls to watch and feed.  So what do kiddos eat and love, well, spaghetti of course.  Pasta again was part of my meal.  I wasn't about to fix something different for me because I was already fixing vegan spaghetti for the girls and regular MEAT spaghetti for my guy.  It was yummy, I won't lie.  But, I had a smaller plate and did not go overboard on it.  This morning I'm taking Snicklefritz out to breakfast to one of her favorite places and of course I am eating.  Just have to take it a meal at a time.  It will be okay.

I've been to the studio a couple of times this week but really haven't achieved much in the paint department.  I've been working on this from one of our weekend drives to and from the cabin.  This is one leaving on Sunday and heading back to reality.  So far I'm liking it.  I'm using a lot of greens and mixing paint is very therapeutic for me.  I've not gotten too much done because of work and Linda coming in.  I haven't talked to her in over three weeks because she had her family in town with grandkids so we had to play catch-up on the visiting. 

That's okay, I will finish this next week.  Really need to let some of the green dry anyway so I can paint in the guard rail along the road and the arrows on the signs.  It's going to be nice.  Why I can't paint anymore today or tomorrow, well, I'm again watching grand-girls today and tomorrow I have to WORK!  It will be an all day thing because it will be payroll and it's the end of the month and invoicing should be in full swing.  I also may have to go in on Saturday to work.  Not too keen on that but when you are self employed it is what you do.  Plus we have the printer situation fixed.  Did I tell about that, maybe not.  Our printer, only 6 months old decided to stop working completely but since it was under warranty our nephew, our IT guy, got HP to send a replacement printer and he got it up and running on Tuesday.  I went in yesterday and did a few things and now I wait for The Hubby to get the invoicing ready so I can get it out.  I love a working printer.

Oh these girls....LOVE them so much.  Yesterday Min's momma took them to the pool and then brought them to me to watch so she could go to a prayer vigil for a friend who is on the verge of being put on a ventilator.  So very sad, especially since he opted NOT to be vaccinated.  Anyway, Snicklefritz had a ZOOM Campfire meeting and Min was right beside her watching and participating in it most of the time.  They were so quiet in the bedroom, I just loved it.  

 

Lost Sleep

I have been up a good part of the night because of the rising numbers from Covid.  I shared it on FB and honestly only got a few responses for the rightness of this.  I am on board for being vaccinated for sure.  There was only one negative and the stupidity of their reasoning is bugging me.  I've heard all kinds of reasons not to be vaccinated, and these I've personally heard:  

* It's not tested enough, we're guinea pigs

* I'm waiting to see the side effects of the shot

* I'm afraid of the side effects

* It's my right not to be vaccinated

* It's against my beliefs

* You can't tell me what to do

* I've had Covid, it wasn't that bad

* I've never been vaccinated for anything before

* It can make me infertile

Okay, now I will challenge these:

* There are literally MILLIONS of people who've had the vaccine, we are not guinea pigs

* IF you have side effects of the shot they last a day, maybe two, not unlike possibly the flu shot

* It's my right NOT TO BE INFECTED BY YOU UNVACCINATED

* This is NOT a religious thing, it is medical, get over yourself.  

* What are you 13 years old rebelling!!!

* If you had Covid I can bet you say you had Covid but if you won't get a vaccine you probably weren't tested either so you probably DIDN'T have Covid!

* If you are my age I can almost guarantee you have been vaccinated for at least polio and smallpox!

* I know 4 people who have gotten pregnant during this damn thing!!!

Listen people, get over yourself and let's get this thing beat back down again before we wipe out our babies now because that is who it is hitting hardest now.  Think of your fellow mankind here and let's do the right thing and get poked! A friend of ours who is vaccinated is a pilot and his co-pilot (private pilots) is...was unvaccinated.  The co-pilot passed away and our vaccinated friend got Covid but is getting over it.  Our daughter has a friend, a couple with five children who did not get the vaccine and the husband is in the hospital fighting for his life and losing that fight.  This is completely crazy that people are not willing to suck it up to save lives, their lives, their children's lives.  I've seen what it can do to a baby.  Our little Min had it early on and it was heartbreaking to watch her suffer.  Her momma still has issues with smell and taste and another friend is still losing his hair by the handfuls from having Covid.  I am TERRIFIED of contracting this thing because of my lungs.  

I DO NOT WANT TO DIE!!!  

This is why when I woke up at 12:30 last night I could not go back to sleep until around 3:30.  My mind was whirring again like it was when this all started a year and a half ago.  

I'm sorry to be on a soapbox, but I can't sleep from the worry.  Let's all be careful and do the right thing.  Let's get back on track for our lives, our future, our children and stop the fighting and the ignorance.

Weekend Shenanigans

My weekend was shear bliss.  The Hubby had a lot of dancing to do this past weekend and I had absolutely nothing to do, so I boogied off to the cabin by myself.  I've actually been a bit afraid to go by myself because I've been so unsteady on my feet.  Lately though, since I've lost 17-1/2 pounds so far, I feel lighter and I am moving so much better.  As long as I take my Aleve every morning I am so much better.  So I thought, I can do it.  The issue there is that when I arrive I have to go down the stairs to the garage to turn on the water and flip the breakers to the hot water heater and stove.  But it was okay, I was okay.

It was a hot weekend but we've had so much rain that the countryside is still very green, muggy air, but green, green, green.

When I arrived I immediately contacted my girl friends there and they were heading to the creek.  Now, that kind of thing, walking around in water in the creek, I'm not able to do.  But I was able to drive the golf cart down close enough to the girls were sitting in their chairs in the creek with an umbrella in the water and sit on a chair on the edge and visit.  It was hot and steamy but I'm okay with that too.  The heat doesn't affect me like The Hubby.  The creek was so lovely and I got some lovely shots.  I promised the girls NOT to put their photos up and I'm true to my word.  I think I also got a few shots to paint and that is where I'm going this morning.

Also had this little visitor early Saturday morning.  He was there last weekend too.  I've seen turtles in our little yard over the years and I think they are the same ones.  I love it.  

Thursday was not a good day at the office.  I went in to do a deposit and an invoice.  The previous day I put a magenta cartridge in the printer and then printed some stuff.  Thursday morning I got there and printed the deposit and invoice and a couple of other things then BLAM, the printer screen went blank.  I actually was able to print some other things and then tried to figure out what was wrong with the printer when it went offline and then NOTHING!  I messed around with it for a couple of hours and nothing.  I told The Hubby to get hold of his nephew, our IT guy to look at it, that we needed it fixed before this next Friday for payroll.  I took off to the cabin and then got text messages that J was there working on it and for some reason The Hubby had in his head that changing the cartridge was the culprit.  I explained over and over and OVER again that was not the problem but sometimes when he gets something stuck in his head he can't let it go.  As it turns out I WAS RIGHT!!!  After a few hours of them working on it and contacting HP the printer just crapped out and it was only 7 months old and under warranty.  They are shipping a new printer Wednesday and J will come and install so hopefully I will not have to do payroll or invoicing BY HAND!  Oh the problems of still working.  Hopefully we are closer to the end of work soon.  Good news though is our original building where we operated out of for over 30 years and have had leased out for the past 5 years has a new renter!  We've been working on finding a new renter for awhile now but the only inquiries were pot growers and you know how I felt about that.  This one is in the oil business and signed a 5 year lease!!!!  Woot-Woot!

I almost forgot that Friday before I left for the cabin I had lunch with my siblings (we try to do once a month).  My youngest and her family joined us along with my other granddaughter, Snicklefritz.  Little Min was not in a good mood at first but after a bit she settled and we had a grand time watching her and visiting.  

Weekend Roads

 What a glorious weekend we've had.  We didn't get to the cabin until nearly 10 Friday evening as we had a function to attend but better late than never.  It's always the best when I am able to get up early in the morning at the cabin and make my way to our fabulous screened porch.  Hot coffee, birds starting to wakeup the morning and a good book in hand, I am in my happy place.  

Saturday was a wet morning so The Hubby had to wait to mow and do a bit of yard work in our small little yard.  We were having guests for dinner, ribs and he needed to clean up the tall grass.  Me, I sat quiet contentedly in my chair and finished reading a 400 page book and started in on another.  All the while I loved watching my bird feeders which were full with goldfinches, indigo buntings, purple finches, black-capped chickadees...oh there were tons of wonderful birds.  I could spend all day just watching, and I do.  

We had a wonderful evening of guests for dinner, lots of laughter, chitter-chatter.  After a bit we girls took a nice golf cart ride just to get out.  By the time we got back the sprinkles started so everyone decided to head back to their respective cabins to await the rain.  We have a metal roof on our cabin so listening to the rain is wonderful to sleep under.

Sadly, much too soon it is time to head back to reality, home and work.

Oh my goodness I almost forgot to mention, I got into another national show, the Allied Artist show in NYC I am once again in.  So two national shows in two days, my weekend just got even better.  

I totally forgot to take any photos of our weekend but captured a few from the drive home.  Maybe a painting will come out of these.

Home again, home again, till we head back down the road back to our Eden next weekend.

Art Show Notification

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I received the email with the juried results notification one of the many art competitions I enter . It was from NOAPS (National Oil Painters of America) 2021 Associate Online Exhibit along with 150 other works. I am very honored to be in this show . I was sitting at the table working a jigsaw puzzle when the email came in. I had totally forgotten that the 15th was the day for notifications. I guess being turned down so many times I had just given up hope. Snicklefritz was sitting next to me when I logged into the website and there it was a green circle with a check mark. I squealed! I honestly had forgotten what painting I had even entered and was thrilled to find it was my first landscape to even get into any show. I know I've gotten into Allied Artists in NYC and gotten in twice but this one is different. There are three top groups/shows I've tried to get into and NOAPS was one. The other two are Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society. This one is online only so I don't have to ship anything. I think the 26th is another notification for different paintings. Let's see what happens with those show!

"The Long Road Home"

8x10 oil

Watermelon Girl

Had to give some screen time to the other love of my life, Watermelon Girl.

Stopped by their house today at lunch and she was again chomping down on watermelon.  Such a cutie.

I kind of think she looks a bit like me...what do you think.

Sadly I think she has my eyebrows.