Is it just me, or has April flown by?  I have blinked, and we’re almost in May.  I’m looking forward to May, though.  While summer has never been my favorite season, I am excited about opening the pool and spending more time outside before it gets too hot.  I’m also loving the longer days. Here are my four things for this week: what art teaches us, a high-tech visit to the past, aging and taking risks, and bouncing from one thing to another. what I’m reading When I saw the title Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart: What Art Teaches Us About the Wonder and Struggle of Being Alive, I knew it was my kind of book, and it is.  The book fits into an odd niche of art history mixed with some Biblical/faith-based teaching, but it all seems to flow.  I’ve realized over the years, as I’ve talked and written

It’s finally feeling more like Spring this week, and I’m getting the jolt of energy I often do that comes with sunshine, grass that’s greening up, and crisp air that calls me outside.  I did some work outside in the garden, but I’ve mostly been focusing my energy inside, organizing and purging while I’m motivated and willing to be ruthless.  I’m going to continue with that work for a few more days, while still spending some time outside to weed and tend.  I hope to get into some bigger outdoor projects in a week or two.  There’s planting, painting trim, power washing, mulching, and we’ll be opening the pool in a few weeks.  And, of course, I’ll still be chipping away at projects in the basement. It’s been a good week, though, with much to show for my efforts. So, here are my four things: birdwatching and record keeping collide,

I’m ready for a beautiful spring day, but I’m watching rain fall and wearing a hoodie because it’s a little chilly for April.  I normally cheer on these last gasps of winter, but I am itching to work on some landscaping projects!  It will all happen in good time.  When we have the long, sunny summer days, I’m sure I’ll be longing for the cooler temperatures of fall.  I need to focus on enjoying each day I’m given instead of always looking ahead to the next thing!  I’m sure I’m not alone in that. Here are my four things for this week – Bringing France home, catching up on an old favorite, the best swimwear is on sale, and I’m pecking away on my neck book. what I’m reading I just got a book I’ve been waiting for this week – French at Heart.  It’s the second book by the

I was sick in bed last week, and the gunkiness and low energy have been hanging on!  Someone called it the yucks, and that’s exactly what it is.  I have been looking out my studio window at the garden bed, which has been covered in black plastic since last spring, and I am eager to get out there and start landscaping.  I’m just trying to be patient with myself and getting the rest I need.  I’m hoping I’m back to my old self by next week. Anyway, here are my four things for this week – Crafting a life beyond productivity, a race across the world, on limits and lack, and watching the garden wake up. what I’m reading I started listening to the audiobook Making Time by Maria Bowler and it’s so good so far!  I’ve followed Maria on Instagram for a while and feel like we’re on the same

Well, unfortunately, the virus that has passed through our household, taking us down one by one over the last few weeks finally landed on me this week and I’ve spent most of the last few days in bed!  I feel the pull of gardening work, I’m excited about doing some Spring Cleaning and home projects, and I have dozens of panels and reference photos waiting to be painted and instead I’ve been littering my bedside with spent tissues.  Well, this too shall pass. I didn’t have the mental clarity to write a blog post yesterday, but I already had this one partially done so it was pretty easy to polish it off. As a reminder, my next original art sale goes live tomorrow, Friday, March 28, 2025, at 1:00 pm Eastern.  You can find the sale preview HERE. what I’m reading I shared earlier in the week about the new

I was planning on writing a Four Things post when I was at the beach but then, well, I was at the beach and decided against it!  But, I have some good things to share today.  Having a short memory in order to do scary things, the best thing on television, the bit of mystery involved in great works, and catching up… what I’m reading I read several books at the beach, but most of them were to study art or to do research for the current book I’m writing, so I was mostly hunting and pecking, reading pages here and there and taking notes.  On the ride home, though, we listened to the audio book His Majesty’s Airship by SC Gwynne.  While I love novels, I find it hard to beat historical non-fiction and biographies.  In many cases, true life is more interesting, textured, and inspiring than fiction.  I also