Yikes it's August! But it's also still summer and there's a month and a half to go before it’s fall. How has your summer been? Mine began with a vacation to Venice and Vienna with John and his girls. It's a different experience traveling with family, and Venice won't show you much beyond the surface if you don't have the time and quiet to spend. I've only done a quick look-through of my photos from the trip, so there will be more to come.
It wasn't until the last day of the trip that I found THE perfect guidebook, illustrated with watercolor washes and written as though a friend is talking to you. So, once I was home again, I spent a little time on my patio every morning reading through it, folding over pages and pages of things I'd like to do when I go back again. This is my second time in Venice; I can't imagine it will be my last. I haven't even gotten to the islands yet.
At home again, I opened up all the doors and windows, even the ones without screens, and just imagined I was back on the canals, living in a centuries-old building with secret-garden patios.
For awhile I slept in front of my upstairs French doors. Moonlight all night. Stars sailing by. Good dreams.
In the garden this year, I thought I'd try growing some snap peas instead of just tomatoes. They were so good. Most of them didn't even make it into the house because we'd just eat them right off the vines. I hear you can plant a fall crop since they like cooler weather. Maybe I will do that…
Summer means swimming, of course, although I’m not at the pool as often as I could be.
July took me to Florida to house sit for my brother and his wife while they went on vacation. My week included reading on the beach every single day unless it rained, and playing vet tech to Socks, my brother's asthmatic cat.
I also tried my hand at food styling & photography for the Amici's Italian Restaurant website I’m designing. Every time I look at the photos I get hungry!
I've been sewing too. Made my first sundress out of an old sheet I'd been saving.
I also shortened one of my Mom's full slips so that it fits me in that sundress. I took off the lace, cut the fabric, and sewed the lace back on. Now that I can sew, I wish I'd saved more of her clothes. But I guess that makes the things I did save that much more meaningful to me when I wear them.
It's been a year and a half since I started sewing, and I told myself that if I kept it up and still enjoyed it after a year, I'd let myself spring for a new and better sewing machine. That time is here! Sew to Speak, my favorite sewing shop, happens to be a Juki dealer, and trying those out felt like stepping into a limo after riding around in a golf cart. I knew which one I had my eye on, asked the shop to order it, and then felt validated when, wandering through the halls of CCAD's fashion design halls one afternoon, I stumbled on a sewing room that was outfitted in Jukis.
Back in June, I gave my Flying Adventure book reading and artist talk at the Phoenix Rising printmaking coop, and to celebrate, promptly gave their honorarium back in the form of an associate membership... I'm excited to spend time there come fall.
My talk went well! The audience was wonderful and we had lively discussions afterward. Best of all was that after packing everything up and walking out the door, there were still people talking about it in the parking lot. I am sooo looking forward to spending time in that great space and being involved in an art community here in Columbus.
Thanks for the phone snaps, Vicki!
In a bit of not-so-great news, I just found out that Copper (aka Miss Kid) is diabetic. She'd been drinking sooo much water and acting differently and just looking at me with that "something's wrong, please help me" look. While I was in Florida she spent a week at the vet and they got her all sorted out. I learned how to give her injections and glucose tests and now she is feeling so much better.
She's 17 and this is her first ever illness (if you don’t count the time the tip of her tail got nipped off in a closing door). I keep telling her she has to live forever. I hope she listens!
In airplane world this summer, everything is broken. The Starfighter's air system is leaking and the Champ needed a new engine. I haven’t even flown it yet. I'm just glad Ohio's autumns last through November because I am missing hanging out in my favorite planes. Here's a photo from our last trip through the playground of clouds.
It always feels like the months from August to December move at the speed of light compared with the rest of the year. I’m going to do my best to slow that down but it’s probably inevitable! Sigh…
I hope that fall still feels far away for you. Keep in touch... I'd love to hear about your adventures this summer!
