Sunday

Gilligan on the Beach

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Look! I think it's Gilligan on Gilligan's Island!

I think I could really get into pleine air painting. These are two very small ones I did yesterday at the lake. Nothing to brag about, but I enjoyed doing it. And I think I am getting a little better.


This is the little Guerrilla painter box I got that will mount on a tripod. It holds a 6" x 8" canvas panel. and a tiny palette. I have used it once, and I want to take it out in the front yard and paint outside.

Just a photo of the beach where Paul and Tracy are camped. The campground is officially closed after this weekend, and from now on, I should be able to go up and find an empty campsite and do more pleine air painting. This is the time of year I enjoy the lake the most - the people have pretty well all gone home.

Friday

Friday, Sept 4, 2009

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Beach bums! There are two campsites off the main road down right on the lake. Tracy and Paul have been lucky enough to reserve one of them the last several years. There is a nice protected cove where they can beach the boat.

I love spending time at this camp site, as I can wander along the shore, sit on the beach, take pictures, and paint. The Forest Service is planning to do away with these two sites and turn them into day use for registered campers.

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I wandered around this afternoon and took lots of pictures of flowers around the campsite.

I think these are flicker feathers. Very bright and colorful!

Berries on a grape holly

Harebell (I think)

Showy Daisy

Thursday

September 3

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What fun! Kasey has really made up with Paul now. He hoisted her up in the driver's seat, and she helped drive the boat fast! She was delighted.


Tracy went wading with Kasey. Kasey was in up to her armpits, and never seemed to mind the cold water. Tracy was shivering and whining!

Goofing around with Mom's hat

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I came home exhausted today. I know Barrie and Kasey would have stayed at the lake longer, but I just couldn't do any more. I was sunburned, my legs hurt, and I felt like a nap. I was whining. I might be in bed by 8:00 tonight!

The life jacket Judi brought for Kasey was perfect. Kasey was so much more comfortable in it. I thank you, Judi, Barrie thanks you, and Kasey thanks you!

We saw three osprey today, hanging around the old nest. I thought maybe they were all gone, but these three haven't left yet.

Tracy is such a voracious reader. I don't know how many books she brought with her, but she has finished two and sent them home with me, The Texas Connection and Pope Joan. Her library in Silverthorne has a paperback trade section.

Wednesday

September 2


The wind was blowing hard and the lake was rough when we went up last night, so we didn't go out in the boat. We are going up earlier tomorrow, so should be able to spend some time out on the water.

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Kasey pretty well made up with Paul last night. For one thing, she figured out he is the guy who drives the boat and will take her out and go fast. She went in the camper with him to help him do dishes, and helped him build a fire.

Kasey is getting her sunscreen on.

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The Rendezvous Pointe art group went to Pam's house on the Upper Green to paint today. What a beautiful place with a beautiful view! The weather was great, a little bit of wind came up, but not bad. Conley, Cindi, Terry, Nancy, Vicky and I went. It would be fun to do that more often.

Pam had found this interesting item on a walk near her house recently. It is a hairball from the stomach from an animal, and a couple of teeth were under the edge of it.

This is Pam's living room - -




And this is the view she has from her living room and deck.

Tuesday

September 1, 2009

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Kasey and Shorty playing on the edge of the water. Shorty doesn't like the water. Jarvi will swim out after a stick all day.

Kasey ran up and down the shore and splashed a long time. Her hands, feet and legs were so cold they were turning blue. She didn't seem to even notice.


I had taken my lilttle plein air watercolor kit along, and was going to paint a little. But I didn't get a turn. Today I am having my turn, and Kasey will just have to wait!

Judi saw the picture of Kasey in the life jacket and stopped by with two vest type ones for her to use. She should be much more comfortable today. Thanks Judi!

Monday

Barrie and Kasey and I went up to the lake this morning to spend time with Paul and Tracy. It was a beautiful day, and we had a good time.

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Haven't seen Tracy with her hair this short before. I really like it. That curl is all natural.

The life jacket Kasey was wearing was so confining that she couldn't even reach her mouth to eat a snack! It had to have been very uncomfortable, but she never complained.

She got so excited when we took off and there was a wake behind the boat. When Paul stopped to fish, she wanted "More, More". She loved the wind in her face and the speed.

Helping Paul drive the boat.

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We will be going up to the lake again tomorrow afternoon and several more times, I'm sure. Paul and Tracy will be here all week.

My friend Mary Lou called from Colorado tonight. She misses Pinedale. She didn't think it was fair that we were going up the Green to paint on Wednesday without her. I didn't ask her, but I hope she is still painting.

Sunday

Paul and Tracy got here yesterday afternoon around 3:00. We cooked steaks on the grill outside, had baked potato and salad. We ate on TV trays, as the old computer is still on the dining room table. I would like to finish deleting stuff off it and make sure I have everything on the new one. Then Tracy can take the monitor home with her. It is a flat screen, 25 inch, a really nice monitor.

We sat up and visited, Tracy played with and harrassed Kat, and Barrie caught her and cut her toenails. She hisses and growls while it is being done, but doesn't even try to fight. She just tries to sound mean. We even got the cat outside for a while.



This is their pickup camper. I took this photo last year, and they will be in the same spot this year.

Breakfast this morning. We also had biscuits and gravy and sausage patties. I have lost most of my ability to cook, but I can still fix a good breakfast. Barrie says my problem is that I keep trying new, untested recipes and that I should stick with what I know!

Paul got his fishing license this morning, and they will get gas, go up and put the boat in, then Tracy will drive to the camp spot and Paul will drive the boat down to the little cove right next to the campsite, where they can beach the boat.

Barrie and Kasey and I will go up tomorrow. I know Kasey will love riding in the boat and playing in the water.

Saturday

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Kasey loves her naps - - -

And snacktime

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Tracy called yesterday afternoon. They had thought they might come yesterday, but decided to wait until this morning. They don't have their campsite until tomorrow, so will spend tonight in the driveway (in their camper) and get set up at the lake tomorrow. We will have steak and something for supper tonight. I'll wait and see what they want to do about breakfast.

I had planned to paint one of the little trading cards yesterday, but didn't get to it. I have finished the dark background of the ink stippled drawing. Only about a billion dots, I think. I want to practice the trees on another piece of paper before I do them.

The Jungle is Gone

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Barrie attacked "the jungle" with the loppers yesterday. There must have been over 100 young quakies growing in this corner of the yard, and I had just let them grow and did not mow the corner. Some of them were getting really tall - 8 or 10 ft. Barrie decided we should have the yard more open, so she took them all out and mowed it once. The grass was about 18" tall in there.

She also sprayed a bunch of little willows, caraganas and cottonwoods in the back yard with Roundup. She finished cleaning the little front yard and hauled two big wheelbarrow loads out of there. Woe to the cat who uses it as a sandbox.

Speaking of cats, my original little bobtailed female showed up yesterday. She was one I had spayed, and I hadn't seen her for so long that I had given up on her. She rubbed and rubbed on my legs, and wanted to be petted. She is probably the great-great-grandmother of the cat I have in the house.

Kasey went swimming this morning. She came home and had a bath, then wanted to paint with a long stem of grass. I suggested we could give her a paintbrush from the basement. I should have known better. Barrie said "why? She likes what she has." How right.

Kasey throwing a ball for Shorty

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After fussing and fiddling with the speakers for my computer, I unplugged the jack and plugged it into the headphone jack and they worked. I tried plugging it into the speaker jack again, and wiggled and bumped it, and they work.

Wednesday

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Three Watercolors by Pam

Our collection of "whiskey art"

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I didn't accomplish a thing in art group today. I should have just left my watercolors home and taken my pen and ink.

Judi has painted several of the ACEO cards. (Trading Cards). Maybe I will get some done this week.

Next week, weather permitting, we are going to Pam's house on the upper Green to do some plein aire painting. She said the trees are turning fast up there.

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Getting the fingernail polish renewed