It’s Four Things: Isle of Palms edition! We’ve been at the beach since last Friday, so we’ve been going for lots of walks, eating great Lowcountry food, preparing for the annual shell-collection competition, doing puzzles, playing Bananagrams, and visiting family. We always have a grand time, and it’s been a great week. Here are my Four Things…
what I’m reading
My friend Cheri gave me the book Theo of Golden a few months ago, and I’ve been saving it to read here at the beach. I’m partway through it and, she was right, it’s right up my alley. The funny thing is that my parents actually know the author, Allen Levi, and his family through their work at a mission agency. When I was telling my mom about the book, she said, “Allen Levi? From Georgia?? I know him!” He is such a talented person – a singer, songwriter, author, among other things.
what I’m watching
We don’t watch TV at the beach, but we started Masterpiece’s The Count of Monte Cristo, and we’re enjoying it so much. It will be a little treat to watch it when we get back to reality!
what I’m loving
We woke up before dawn yesterday and saw the sunrise on the beach. It made for good shelling, but it was also a stunning display of God’s handiwork through the beauty of nature. It was truly awe-inspiring.
what I’m working on
I am on vacation, so most of my work is on pause or, at least, done during slow times around shelling, reading, painting, putting together puzzles, and playing games with family. I made a commitment to paint every day, and I have been doing that. It’s interesting how much work is always a little different when I’m not in my studio. The light is different, the setup feels a little foreign, and usually I abbreviate my painting sessions, so most pieces are a bit sketchy and loose. While I sometimes find it frustrating and harder to overcome the critical internal voices, I also find it a good thing to step outside of my normal workflow. I feel more freedom to play and experiment.
I’ve also been working on my shell collection for the competition. This might be my year!
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?
14 Responses
Hi Marian,
reading about home repairs (replacing skylights.) Also, having to completely replace our current well filtration system. Just came from a meeting with a water technician regarding our well. He gave us two choices; repair current system, which has old parts cobbled together from 2006 to 2021 or almost total replacement of the old. The latter is north of 18,000 thousand dollars! After carefully reviewing cost scenarios we are going for total replacement. You can only repair old for so long because parts become nonexistent. Sigh…
I viewed your painting of that beautiful dog! Is that a French Brittany spaniel? I own one currently, her name is Lucy and she is black and white with some tan. Enjoy your vacation; I am rooting for you to win the shell contest!
Theo of Golden is hands down the most wonderful book I’ve ever read! Hard to believe that this is Allen Levi’s first book.
We just started watching The Count of Monte Cristo as well. Really good so far. I’ve been working on some sewing projects and getting the pile of ufo’s down some. With the daffodils, forsythia, and other trees blooming, it’s making me giddy for Spring. Sounds like you have had a nice restful week. This fall we are planning a trip to the UP and Sanibel.
Sanibel has amazing shelling! Enjoy!
I love Theo of Golden too and discovered it, thanks to one of your bloggers a few months back. Amazing that your parents know the author! I am rereading it right now. It is warm here in California and time to work outside some and take more walks to see the wildflowers. We watched a sweet movie called Flipped this week and really enjoyed it. I always love it when you go shelling on Isle of Palms. Those shells are beautiful. California shelling and beach combing is fun, but what I find are small shells, sea glass, and drift wood, but we still love it!
I’m so happy you are enjoying Theo of Golden! Also, loved hearing that you mom knows Allen Levi — how cool is that!??? Did Jeff like it?
Marion, you must have tempted to paint those wonderful sunrises! They were stunning.
We play bananagrams at our house too…but love Rumikub more! Would be fun to do mother daughter shelling. Cherish these moments.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I’m placing in my cart now.
The Brittany at the beach is beautiful! He looks so much like my Riley when we camp at Edisto each year. All your work is beautiful, and I have one of your earlier pieces, but your dogs are exceptional!!
great painting
Loved Theo of Golden, and caught a great interview on YouTube of Allen Levi with Russell Moore about a week ago that you might enjoy. While this was his first novel, he had earlier wrote The Last Sweet Mile: A Journey of Brothers that I now would like to read. So glad your beach trip has been so relaxing.
I am at the beach in Sarasota, FL and just finished Theo of Golden! I, too, listened to the interview between the author and Russell Moore… loved it!
I’m so glad you suggested Theo of Golden…I purchased immediately and read it in a day and a half….didn’t want it to end and I think it is probably the best book I’ve read in several months. Getting copies for gifts this year as well. Thank you for the recommendation.
It is wonderful, isn’t it?