Hello out there World! It's September 9, 2021 and just like that, the end of the year is quickly coming. December will be here before we know it and hopefully, by next year, Covid will be in the rear view mirror. Sadly, there are still so many people misinformed, misguided, and mislead. People that still refuse to put others rights to live before their rights to infect others with ideas or even the virus. I get it, there are some people that truly have medical conditions that will not allow them to either wear a mask or get vaccinated but like I said, some. Unless, egocentrism is a considered a medical exception... It's funny how many of these misinformed people spend time posting copied quotes found on social media sites that beg people to be kind and considerate one moment and then post their own muddled thoughts about Covid and mask mandates or misinformation about how and why they are not taking the vaccine. The facts are out there, and approximately 653 thousand Americans did not make it to the what ever milestones they will be missing. No more graduations, no more weddings and no birthdays with Auntie B or Uncle K or grandpa or that pastor you saw every Sunday. Real lives have been affected.

Feel like a number?

Last year, I was vocal about Covid and wearing a mask and I was also vocal about women's rights and why I was voting Democrat. As of this morning, I still feel the same way and am following the science as numbers do not lie (unless manipulated) and most importantly, I do not regret my vote. It makes me proud that my own children are following the science and doing what is good for mankind, even though I know one of them was leery about taking the vaccine but did it to protect his grandpa. Another thing that perplexes me is the desire to abolish Roe v. Wade? Come on Texas (Gov. Abbot), I am looking at you. Just a thought, maybe if you are so adamant to make a woman's right to decide what is best for her and her body illegal then maybe you should invest in social programs that will aid these children that may or may not have been wanted because of rape or incest or what ever reason and help these women and guarantee that they will be supported financially and medically so that they can have full medical coverage and shelter. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is tough enough. To anyone thinking that these women should have to "sleep in the bed they made", then you are the problem. Science tells us that it takes two to make a baby, man and women, yet women are the ones to carry the burden alone by choice or circumstances they cannot control (rape or incest or even poor judgement). Texas mothers, I am looking at all of you, especially the ones in that state I was speaking about that will have to worry about guns more than mask mandates as it is now legal to carry a gun without a permit or training in that state. Do they make bullet proof school uniforms? Asking for a friend...

New Texas Gun Law

Okay, so, I know I am ranting right now but I feel a little lighter as I had been staying relatively silent on most of those subjects lately but again, this is part of my history that I am recording here in my blog posts. Do I feel better for spouting off my thoughts, no, not really as I know my own ideas are adding to the noise of current topics in the world. Again, this is my diary, my words, my thoughts and this is how I am feeling at this moment in time.

On to other things... Lately, I have been working on my drawing and painting skills. Mainly, I have been having a hard time sitting upright with my feet hanging. I know that I have swelling in my spine right now as I am having an increase in pain and difficulty relieving myself. CES people know this feeling. Most importantly, I have kept from posting in this diary more frequently than I used to as pain makes me feel so many things and do not want to say things that don't need to be said, trust me, I have erased tons from this post. For fun, I will post one of my first attempts to draw and paint.

Those are all done on index cards.

The above photos are from October 2020 and are all from photos that I have snapped in the last few years. I went from painting on index cards or whatever I could find that would not fall apart when paint was applied and kept working at it.

These were done in December 2020

Currently, I am working on improving my sketching skills. I figure that my paintings may get better if I am able to sketch out the paining instead of painting freehand.

Usually, I trace the image onto a canvas and then paint. I would still freehand most of the paintings, like the one above. I just laughed to myself as I am thinking that I have never been able to draw, doodle or paint. Most of the things that I would attempt would look like I was working with a non-dominant hand.

This was done in January 2020

Anyhow, I figured that improving my drawing skills would improve the paintings and I have been sitting in my easy chair frequently this past few weeks, working on sketches.

I know, I am an overgrown teenager....

Personally, drawing has been so much fun and is so relaxing. I can tune out and focus on other things, like staying out of the refrigerator and not watching the news. Also, I like that I am creating things to put on our walls. Currently, I have a few photos that I took when I was out shooting live music that I would like to recreate and reimagine. However, my sketching skills are still lacking so practicing is all I am doing right now.

My bass man!

The above sketches are from photos I took of Hubby and the band he was sitting in with, Boxcar 7. The photo above with the piano player needs lots of work, Still trying to figure out the guitar player, I will get it, I just know it. Hubby is one of my favorite subject as you can see as I have taken many photos of him and have used him or should I say his likeness is many of my drawings. Also, I have been drawing more musical instruments.

Distilled Life

Funny thing though, I mentioned to Hubby that I am not sure where these new skills came from. Then I remembered, my Dad mentioned that the had wanted to be a drafter and liked one class in high school, before he dropped out. That was a drafting class. You see, my Dad was quite talented and if I could ever draw a straight line like him, I would be so happy! He never became a drafter but worked in the construction industry and retired as a cement mason. He used his skills to draw instructions to the guys he worked with and such, I remember him drawing out plans when we were doing the remodel back in the 80s. I wish I would have asked him more about that skill but now maybe some of it has passed on to me. One thing I do know is that it was passed on to my sister that recently died. She was a drafter and also just as talented as he was, if not more. If these new skills are from their spirits, then thank you, merci, gracias and arrigato!

Sarah Winchester in 2019

The above drawing I started yesterdays around 5 AM and finished it around 2 PM. During that time I got to speak with a blogging buddy and gosh it was great to chit chat and speak instead of communicating through text or emails. Did my chores. Rested. Made a loaf of bread.

Oh my goodness. I thought this was going to be a failure as I had put an extra teaspoon of olive oil in machine. I mixed a half teaspoon of Fleishman's yeast and a half teaspoon of sourdough yeast because I was out of Fleishman's. I forgot to adjust the temperature and stuck the loaf in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. D'oh! When I finally figured it out, I cranked up the temp to 400 and stuck it back in the oven for 10 minutes and Oh My, that was the best loaf of bread and I hope I can replicate it.

Anyhow, that is what I have been up to lately. I guess I am a little grumpy as I noticed that a concert I was looking forward to attending has been postponed. Miranda Lambert will not be gracing the Coachella Crossroads for a concert on September 25 but understand that mitigating the spread of the virus is a good reason to cancel. Hopefully, she will reschedule as well as the other acts that have been postponed. Safety first si the best policy sometimes.

Thank you, dear reader for visiting! May your day be full of happy surprises and love. What ever journey you are on today and where ever you are going, I hope get through it safely. Hugs.