Just back from the field with Kaley. I am still sweaty from playing with her. We called her old coach to see if she could just practice with her old team. He said, "There's a game tomorrow. I've got a uniform. Be there."
Still working on the "The Writing Master" in my painting class. I have been doing some glazing - something I had never done before. It's working out well. George showed me how Alizaron Crimson can be used as a transparent haze over blacks. I was very surprised at how it livened the atmosphere and popped things out. I ended up doing something similar with indigo over the jacket.
What's happening is that I'm getting the subtle tonal changes in the darks that I've always wanted. Today, I was able to place a shadow into an already dark area. It might sound kinda no duh, but it was like I stretched something more than I thought possible. I am still thinking about that brush stroke where I brushed about 6 solid inches and it was like the brush was going deeper and darker... pretty cool!
The group I'm with are retired ladies. They are fun. Today the talk was all about the government, the way things used to be, how crazy it is now, gas prices, earthquakes, Armageddon, raising rabbits and chickens for the Apocalypse, crazy mutant bugs in California.
We ate at a Mexican food restaurant. Margaritas went around. About half way through lunch it dawned on me that we were laughing at lot more. The conversation turned to stories about eating squirrels in the Depression, how to guillotine a rabbit in France, giving a chicken wine before wringing its neck, the 60s, China taking over the world... And I thought, it's the danged Margaritas! This is great!
After getting home I went fishing. I love catching those bluegill. I caught a large one today, about 6". I also caught a small largemouth bass. I told Kim yesterday, "I think fishing is saving me. It's getting me out. I can do it every day. I'm exercising. Having fun." I *really* want that #2 or #3 rod. I told myself I was going to wait until after Lent, but I may go early.
In short, my bafflingly simple conclusion over yesterday's thoughts about beer - alcohol is not a substitute for dealing with stuff that bothers you. It's best, most of the time, to deal and deal soberly. That doesn't mean you are going to be happy all the time, it means you are tackling things instead of letting them pile up or hide away underneath a mirage. It's not a way to deal with things. I'd say beer is good... really good... especially a nice ice cold beer... in a frosty glass... on a hot day... after working outside... on a porch... laughing... Beer sometimes but not all the time.
Here's to guillotines for chickens and margaritas on the rocks :-)
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