Welcome, Friends!
Gardening & Housekeeping
I love gardening – especially in an autumn garden – my enthusiasm is not matched by ability. Both are excellent tutors . . . and here are the lessons I am learning.
painting & writing
I may not yet be a Grandma Moses, or a Eudora Welty, but while there’s life, there’s HOPE. And every day I can paint or write is a good day!
understanding the times
The men of Issachar understood the times — understanding ours is no less crucial. (1 Chronicles 12:32)

Paintings From the Porch
In March of 2020, our sun porch became my favorite room in our home as Doug and I began a new season in our marriage — the COVID pandemic season. The season continues and so do the challenges. And, the porch is a place where we both “do” art.
Painting on the porch is my sanity saver! There, painting helps me find designs and colors that say how I feel: hopeful and nervous, and old. (Cute, though) I have a spirit that says, YES! Alas, the old body says . . . maybe not.
In the words of Vincent van Gogh: “In painting I want to say something comforting in the way that music is comforting.”
Communication matters in these uncertain times. And I hope the messages I have painted brighten your day!
Often in styles inspired by other artists, here are some of my creations I am offering. In order to keep painting, I need to clear some room and keep my supplies full. So I’m offering some paintings for sale.
From the Blog
A Favorite Tutor and Painter: David McCullough
One of my favorite history tutors recently went home to his reward — David McCullough. Since March of 2020, I have...
I Put My Foot Down
I put my foot down today; not smart. I put it down on the T.V.’s remote control activating a [computer] voice that...
Updates from the Porch
First: I am glad I have updates from the porch! I am grateful for so much — even change -- which is as disconcerting...
Fifty Years Ago — What Was Your Song?
Fifty years ago, what was YOUR song? You know that little tune that just captured your romance? OK - maybe you weren't...
You’d Think I Would Have Heard
You’d think that after fifty years living with Doug, I would have heard about his disrupted musical stage career. But no. Watching an Antiques Roadshow Recut from the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento CA, another person’s treasure opened the door to a funny twist of his theatrical fate. Here’s what happened. As we watched the evaluation of […]
Looking Back: Lessons Learned from COVID
Looking back, before COVID erupted in March 2020, Doug and I may have had it! Something fast and harsh knocked us...
Feeling Wobbly Today?
Two editorial headlines this morning captured why I often feel so wobbly nowadays: Homeless Encampments No Longer...
A Reason to Look Up!
TV news, handheld devices limit my focus; so, sometimes it’s just good to have a reason to look up. (NASA: Landscape...
Sunflowers from Seeds and other Surprises.
I had hoped I would have many sunflowers from seeds this year. Not only have we enjoyed them in previous years, this...
Thank you for visiting!
If you're new here,
you may want to subscribe for updates.

Who am I? I am a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, aunt, sister and cousin, and friend. And I am a recovering English major. I enjoy writing, painting, and reading – which when combined with all the wonderful people God has permitted in my life, I have much for which I am thankful. And I am grateful for the freedom to express my thanks.