Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Happy Camper!


I only got wet twice today and that was on the way home from therapy and when I had to walk the Überhund shortly thereafter. It wasn't that bad, just a steady drizzle that was more irritating than anything else and I didn't get all that wet. My hair is a bit of a mess, so I'll have to wash it, but that is a little inconvenience and I'll look spiffy afterwards, so that is good.

I was up in the middle of the night, thinking I was wide awake and I had the computer on, but soon I realized that I was not nearly done sleeping and went back to bed until the alarm clock woke me at 9 am. I don't know why I am such a silly woman and get up in the middle of the night to write emails, when it's very clear that I should be in bed. I wonder if I even make any sense at all. I don't know, as I'm afraid to read the emails.

Today was my extra creative class and I made my first lino cut ever. Faced with a blank piece of linoleum, I could only think of flowers to draw and called the piece "Opus Flora." Those special little knives that you use for cutting are pretty neat. I don't know what they are called in English, but I had a fun time using those, except when I had to cut out the letters. That was a little bit difficult. Other than that, I do have the patience for it and I can sit there for a long time and make a design, once I know how the whole thing works.

Once I was done, I put on three different layers of paint, side by side, but my piece was to big to fit into the press, so we had to manually press it down hard and it turned out okay, but should have had more paint on it here and there, so I'll try again next time, because I ran out of time today. I was still pleasantly surprised with the result and found it very exciting. I'll make a smaller cut out next time, so it will fit into the press and I will also use the cut outs that are there. Oh, the possibilities are endless and I can see myself being hooked on this for a while.

There were some fun people in the class doing interesting things and I had a good look at what everyone was doing. Some people are making doodles in minute details with a very fine tip black ink pen. Monk's work. Someone is painting Van Gogh's Starry Night. Doing a good job too. I may make doodles. It's something that caught my attention some time back and I have been fascinated with it ever since. I just don't know if I have the patience for it and you do get cramped fingers. First the lino cuts, though.

It was 3 pm when I got home and I walked the dog and cleaned up the kitchen and took the trash out, which I had forgotten all about, so now it's sitting there waiting for the next pick up. At least I got rid of a lot of junk, because it is a large trash bag and I'm always looking for things to fill it with. I have to be careful not to throw away anything worthwhile in my eagerness to get rid of things. Like knifes and forks and spoons and good dishes. I'm such an airhead at times, but I catch myself at the last minute.

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading blogs and leaving comments and I hope they were welcome. For some reason I can't get into my google reader anymore and now I have to read them through the blogger update and the list there wasn't complete, so I have been fixing that. I had been missing some of my favorite blogs and for some reason it isn't showing them as having been updated. That's modern technology for you. I have to do the work myself.

It has stopped raining now, but it is still cold outside. I have to go out in a little while to buy some filter tubes that I'm almost out of. Bbbrrr...it will be cold out on the bike, but I have to do it in order to support my habit. I have to suffer for it.

The cats are extremely quiet as if they have taken a vow of silence. They sit huddled in one place and stare into the distance, not wanting to go out. Toby is staring out the window at I know not what. There's not that much of interest out there. Not even the occasional cat that walks by.

I've just realized that I'm incredibly hungry, so I'm going to remedy that as soon as possible. Then I have to walk the dog one more time and go to the store.

So have a good evening or a good day, whatever applies. I hope the sun shines for you.

Ciao...

10 comments:

lebanesa said...

sounds like a satisfying day. Glad you caught yourself pretending to be awake and got back to sleep.
Have a lovely evening
hugs

Mean Mom said...

Lino cutting sounds like fun. I do remember 'having a go at it', when I was in secondary school, but I wasn't very good, unfortunately. Glad you enjoyed it and had a good day.

Maggie May said...

I think I would like to try the lino cutting.
We had a dry but very blustery day.
Hope you have a good night Irene and that you don't sit up at your computer in the early hours for any reason what so ever. I think Blogger has been playing up lately with the Automatic Blog Rolls.
G/nite X

Babaloo said...

I've never tried lino cutting but it sounds interesting. I doubt I'd be any good at it, though.

It would never cross my mind to get up in the middle of the night to write emails. Even though the dogs wake me up occasionally. If I can't get to sleep again then (that rarely happens, though) I start solving a Sudoku. I rarely ever get to finish it, though, it just puts my brain back to sleep.

Anonymous said...

I remember doing lino cutting in art class at school as well, and although it was fun, my efforts looked like crap. I recall that there were some very interesting boys in that class, though, which would explain why I was there!

Gail said...

I have never tried lino cutting except when I was laying lino in the bathroom. Sounds like your day was absolutely wonderful.

We have had alot of rain lately too. Cannot keep up with the weeds or the grass.

Jeannette StG said...

I love lino cuts, only it's hard on your fingers! For a few years one of my friends had an "open house" in begin. Dec. and we would have a Christmas party doing lino cuts, and he would print it with a hand press. so we could make our own Christmas cards - it was a lot of fun.

John M. Mora said...

what music you listening to these days

Maureen said...

Wow, your classes sound like a lot of fun. What a treat to be able to use their tools and supplies and just go at it! Makes me miss school (well, art class only).

We had some thunderstorms last night and it's still rainy today; but at least the grass has finally turned green and the leaves have popped out!

Have a great and dry evening!

Wisewebwoman said...

There is no end to your creativity, my dear. I did lino cuts years ago, not easy.
congratulations and your middle of the night emails are just grand!
XO
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