Some of y’all might be wondering where I disappeared to. Well, two weeks ago I was in south Louisiana to help my sister out after she had surgery. Then last week we were in Destin, Florida. That was a whirlwind visit with Rob’s family who live in that area. Between visits I did get to enjoy some surf and sand on a fabulous private beach. We got back home on Thursday, and then on Friday I had errands to run in town. While I haven’t been an idle *person* I’ve surely been an idle artist.

Hurricane Ida

Friday is also when I noticed Ida out in the gulf and heading toward my old home town, where all but the kids who moved up here with me still live. My mom and dad’s family are all in Ascension and Livingston parishes, and it looked like the eye was set to pass very near them. So my parents, sister, nephews, uncles, aunts, and a lot of cousins were all scrambling to get ready. My sister evacuated. Saturday we had errands to run and Rob and I got our second Covid shot. On Sunday I spent most of the afternoon worrying over my people about to get hammered by a hurricane. And we were both pretty knocked down by that shot, so I pretty much did nothing but worry between naps.

Idle Artist Down Time

I don’t like being an idle artist. Sometimes, though, some down time is necessary. This has been a pretty long stretch of not working on my art, though very little of it was true relaxation. But next week we’re leaving for some true down time in Colorado, where we’ll play at panning for gold at our claim. Though I intend to bring my supplies, the odds of me getting a painting done while there are pretty slim. But I thought I’d get some painting done while I was in Florida and I didn’t, so perhaps because I *don’t* think I will in Colorado, I actually will.

Ramping Back Up

I won’t be an idle artist for much longer. Two articles are on my to-do list, one for the Native Plant Society of North America, due in October. Then there is another one for Ozarks Watch, due in January. Both will need art, though for the NANPS one, I’ll need that art with my colored pencils so I can get closer to true on the shades. Generally I don’t sell my drawings anymore, but if you’re interested in that just email me.