Taking the Fork in the Road

My New Blog

Hi folks,

Just wanted to steer you over to my new blog--Moody Artist.  Since this one was created for my trip to New Mexico, I've started a new one to share my experiences as an emerging artist.  Come on over, you'll find it at http://carolfogelsong.typepad.com

Carol

Must travel...(gasp)...must drive...

After a week at home, I'm going through Travel Withdrawal and it ain't pretty folks.  My right foot longs to press the gas pedal to the floor.  I keep looking into my empty suitcase for the next day's underwear.  I just can't handle bars of soap that are larger a credit card!!!! And it's getting harder and harder to pass by the Mount Vernon Estate Gift Shop without dropping in and buying a T-shirt! 

There's only one cure for TW:  ROAD TRIP!!!  But where to go?  Gosh, is there anything in the Metro Washington DC area within a few hours drive that is worth seeing in the springtime?  I hear the voice of my friend Leah The Botanist:  "Carol, don't miss this opportunity to visit Longwood Gardens!  In the spring!!  On a WEEKDAY!!!' As usual, LTB is right on.  She's told me many times of the beauty and wonder there and I've always wanted to go.  So, instead of E.B., I take George The Husband and we pack the car lightly with painting supplies (me) and snacks (him) and take off.

Longwood Gardens is a world famous garden just outside of Philadelphia, about 2.5 hours away from us.  I'll spare you the history lesson because you can find it here:  http://www.longwoodgardens.com/

There's a lot to see in the area besides the gardens, but since we only want to spend one night away from the cats, we decide to limit ourselves to the Gardens and the Brandywine Valley Musueum, a beautiful museum with a wonderful collection of Wyeths (all generations) and other artists.  Here's more info:  http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/

Both stops were wonderful.  At the Brandywine Valley Musueum, we were treated to a free tour of several of Andrew Wyeth's drawings given by his granddaughter, Victoria.  Her commentary was lively and insightful, especially the parts where she said, "Andy told me that this was inspired by....". I've never experienced a tour where the tourguide had such a personal relationship with the artist!  We also saw some great work by the 1920's illustrator Dorothy Lathrop.  If you're over 30 and ever opened a book in your childhood years, you've seen her beautiful fairies and sprites.  The high point of the museum for me was to see original illustrations from "Hitty: Her First Hundred Years" and the original Hitty doll.  I absolutely loved this book when I was a kid about a wooden doll that travels the world by being passed from child to child.  I had no idea that the museum had this exhibit, so it was a sweet surprise.

The Gardens were jaw-droppingly awesome.  Even GTH, who isn't into gardens, was impressed.  I won't even try to describe the beauty here.  Just imagine the most beautiful garden you can and then double it.  You won't even come close to Longwood Gardens.  All of the tulips were blooming their litle heads off, shouting "Look at me!  Look at me!"  I set up my easel and was able to do three small, but intense paintings in just a few hours. 

The day was a beautifulperfectglorious spring day.  I was painting in the fresh air, surrounded by the colors and shapes of both cultivated and wildgrown nature.  Every now and then, a passerby would stop and offer a positive comment on my painting.  What more could I ask for?  That every day could be like this?  Yeah, but then I'd get spoiled.

A Hissy Reunion

One of the things that I've been curious about is how Clara and Inky would (or wouldn't) welcome back E.B. after a two month absence.  Do cats remember that long?  Would they recognize her or would we need to start all over again in acquainting them with her? 

When I pulled up into my driveway on Saturday afternoon, George was out in the yard, waiting for us.  He carried E.B. into the house and deposited her in the living room.  Clara and Inky were there, ears pointed, eyes wide alert.  Sniffs, hisses, and growls were exchanged, after which, E.B. went straight under our bed; Clara and Inky took up their former positions on the couch.  Luckily, my Universal Translator was working and provided this transcript:

Clara:  Well, look what the human dragged in!

Inky: So you're back?  I thought we got rid of you for good.

E.B.: Can't get rid of me that easily.  Besides, I got to see all sorts of cool stuff that you--ooo-uu didn't!

Clara:  Yeah, like the underside of a lot of box springs!

E.B. Well, I did see some of those.  But I got to see badlands, lava flows, mountains, big rocks, tumbling rivers. I got petted by a bunch of cute Navajo children.  I saw lots and lots of cows and horses and even some llamas!

IInky:  Well, at least you took good care of Mom and brought her back safely.

E.B.: Somebody had to look after her.  You wouldn't believe the places she took me!  But she wouldn't even let me drive!

Two days after our return, everything and everybody is back to normal.  There were a few more hisses exchanged, but now all felines are back together as a cat family.  E.B. reclaimed all her favorite spots and eats side by side with Clara and Inky. 

As for me, I'm missing New Mexico terribly, but I'm so glad to be back home. I did have a panic moment last night, however.  I woke up in the middle of the night and didn't know where I was.  What's more, there was this STRANGE MAN in the bed beside me!  I honestly got real scared for about two seconds, then I remembered:  I'm back home in my own bed and this STRANGE MAN is my husband!

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord,

Thank you for bringing E.B. and me home safely.  Thank you for watching over George, Clara, and Inky while I was gone.  Thank you for the opportunity to travel and see so many wonderful things.  Thank you for the wonderful people that I met during my journeys. Thank you for the peacefulness and solitude that I enjoyed during my travel.  Thank you for Motel 6 and their pet-friendly policy and their helpful desk staff.  Thank you for the co-workers who are taking over my duties while I enjoy this extended vacation.  You have blessed me with so many things in my life, and now I am even more blessed by this wonderful experience.  No requests this time, just thanks for everything, always and forever.

Amen.

On the way home

Today we started our journey back to home and real life.  E.B. and I spent the weekend at the home of my teacher and friend, Michael Chesley Johnson, his wife Trina Stephenson, and their sweet dog, Saba.  We went paintin' in the beautiful Sacramento Mountains, where the weather was crisp and cool.  Check out his website here: http://www.sff.net/people/mcj and his blog for the painting he did that day: http://wheezard.blogspot.com/  Can't buy it though, I beat you to it.  It will soon be hanging in my living room, reminding me of a great day of painting. When I finish mine, you'll see it here in my blog.

The highlight of the weekend however, was when Michael and I (who are two months apart in age) shared fond reminisenses of Baby Boomer TV Sitcoms.  When you sing The Beverly Hillbillies theme song with someone, you're friends for life!  Thanks Michael, Trina, and Saba for a great weekend!

A Coffee Story

You guys know how much I enjoy a good cup of coffee.  Let me tell you about the best cup of coffee I've ever had.

I was on the way to Shiprock, from Farmington, deep inside the Navajo Nation.  It was about 10 in the morning and the free-but-insipid Super 8 Motel coffee just wasn't cutting the mustard.  I pulled off at a roadside diner that displayed the sign 'Hot Coffee'. I went up to the counter and ordered a cup.  I paid for it, and stepped aside to take a sip.  This coffee was even worse than the Super 8.  I said, in a firm, but polite manner, 'Do you have anything stronger than this?'  At that, an old man sitting at the counter turned my way. He instantly got my attention with a single glance.  He was obviously full-blooded Navajo, with silver gray hair in one long braid.  He looked extremely old, but still good-looking enough to be a 'Lost' cast member.  He wore faded denims and enough turquoise jewelry to stock a jewelry store. 

'So you'd like some stronger coffee?' he asked me.

'If you have it, that would be great.' 

He looked at me.  'Come with me.'

The man behind the counter shouted 'No, old man!  Don't forget what happened the last time!  We don't want another....incident!'

'It will be alright.' he replied.

I followed him to the back of parking lot.   There was an old shack that looked like it was last repaired during the Eisenhower Administration.  It was dark and cold inside.  The wind was blowing inside, but not outside.  He went to a pot on a wood-burning stove and filled a mug.  He handed it to me.  The mug was rough clay, looked like it was about a thousand years old.  The liquid inside was so black, that it seemed to drain away the dim light from the shack.  'Got any Sweet And Low?' I asked.  'Drink.' he said.

I drank.  Then I drank some more.  At once, my brain exploded and my spine tingled.  Everything that was open was closed and everything that was closed was opened.  Energy bolts shot up and down my spine.  All mysteries of God and the Universe and the Human Experience were now revealed to me and my puny little brain was no longer puny.  I  understood why bad things happened to good people.   I knew exactly how and why the Universe was created and how and when it would die.  I could define exactly what an 'observation' was.  I knew the difference between a concept name and a global name.  I knew why the bread always landed butter side down.  I knew exactly how to lose weight and eat as much as I desired.  I had enough energy to run a marathon and paint twenty paintings.  I was one with God, the Universe and every single living being.  I finished the coffee.

Then I shrunk back into my old, middle-aged, puny-brained self.  'Could I have some more please?  How about filling up my Thermos?'  The old man shook his head.  'It is not possible. Go in peace.'

I went back to my car.  I could remember that I knew the things that I knew, but I couldn't remember any of them.  If only I could remember the losing weight part!  Unfortunately, the coffee I've drunk since then is only a pale shadow of what the old man gave me.  I'm now a tea drinker.

Hope you enjoyed my coffee story.  None of this happened of course, but it could have.....

The So-called Aztecs of New Mexico

Today, I toured the Aztec Ruins National Monument in Aztec, New Mexico.  The ruins date back to the 12th century and were occupied by several migrations of Indians for several hundredy years.  It was eventually abandoned, probably due to extensive drought, in 1300.  When it was discovered by the Spanish, they thought it belonged to the Aztec Indians of Central America.  Hence the name. 

The ruins were absolutely fascinating and the self-guided tour was very interesting.  The Great Kiva has been restored and is quite impressive.  When you enter the kiva, you can press a button and hear a recording of an Indian sun-rising song.  Really gets you in the mood. 

Since it was one of the few non-windy days, I longed to set up the easel and paint for a spell.  But I did some sketches instead.  Tomorrow, E.B. and I will see Shiprock and the Bisti Badlands.  I'm going to try and put her in the sling carrier and do a little hiking.  It's pretty secure.  She can sit on my chest, and there is a clip that I can put on her collar.  She needs the exercise.

On the Road...Again!

E.B. and I have left the Dixon guesthouse and have hit the road for some free-wheeling rambling.  Many thanks to Gary Smith and his wife Deborah and daughter Audrey Anna for making me feel welcome.  If anybody is looking for peace and quiet in a luxurious setting, here's where you'll find it: http://www.nmriversedge.com. 

We drove up to Farmington through Abiquiu, Tierra Amarilla, and Chama.  Beautiful scenery, but very remote.  I think we went for a full hour without seeing a single other car.  Thank God I didn't have a flat tire.  The terrain was mountainous, but had many valley ranches.  E.B. waved to all the horses we saw.  And she saw a lot!  During a rest stop, I let her out of her carrier in the car.  She promptly settled in the back of the station wagon, on top of the sleeping bag.  She looked so comfy, I thought:  Why not?  So I let her stay there for the rest of the trip.  I know, I know, it's not safe, But she did great.  I think she really enjoyed the ride.  I enjoyed seeing her sweet litle face in my rearview mirror. But she's going back into the carrier for the next leg.

Books I've read so far

You guys know that I'm an avid reader, so it's no surprise that I've brought along a grocery sack full of books.  With the wonderfulness of audio books, I can read and paint at the same time!  I can also read, paint, and chew gum at the same time too!  But that's my limit.  Here's what I've read so far:

#1. A Cat Abroad by Peter Gethers.  I read this a long time ago, about a man who travels with his cat.  I thought E.B. would enjoy hearing about another traveling cat while we were driving.  She slept through it.

#2. Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King.  Terrific book if you like Sherlock Holmes mysteries and aren't a purist who would have a conniption at the thought of Holmes having a wife.

#3. Corelli's Mandolin by I Forget. Wonderful book.  Friends have recommended this to me for years and I finally got around to it.  Loved it.  Very absorbing story that got me through the OK/TX plains.

#4. The Constant Gardener by John LeCarre.  Great book and very well read. 

#5. Holes by Louis Sacher.  Yes, it's a kids book, but it was fun.  I needed something light after #3 and #4, and this one did it.

#6. King of the Mild Frontier by Chris Crutcher.  Hilarious autobiography of growing up a dweeb.  Read by the author, who was great.

#7. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.  Currently in progress.  Very absorbing

#8. The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon.  Currently in progress.  Also pretty good so far.

The Joys of Sketch

One thing that I've learned about myself as an artist during this time--I enjoy sketching just for sketching's sake.  I've always labored under the impression that sketching was just a prelude--a warmup for painting.  A tedious prelude at that.  Some instructors I've had emphasized doing many thumbnail sketches before putting a pastel stick on a paper.  I've always chafed under this guidance.  When I want to paint, I want to paint NOW, dammit.  I usually do one or two hurried thumbnails, then get right to the good stuff. 

But lately, I've been just sketching with markers.  Some days have just been too windy to set up the easel and all of the parafenailya needed to paint, so I've just brought a small book and a set of markers.  This is been most satisfying for the following reasons:

#1. I can dash off a sketch in 5 minutes that can make me smile and feel good for the rest of the day.

#2. The architecture around here is so danged easy to sketch!!!!  It doesn't get any simpler than square adobe blocks.   With the shapes of the windows and those thingies that stick out around the roof, there will be interesting shadows to sketch any time of day .

#3. If I screw up, I haven't invested much time or energy in it.  Just turn the page and try again.

#4. It's easy to rescue a sketch.  I've gone from not bad--it sucks--not bad--kinda good with just a few judicious strokes.

#5. It's easy to sketch in the car.  The steering wheel makes a great easel.  Who cares how hard the wind is blowing, as long as it doesn't shake the car too much.

So, when I paint, I paint.  When I want to keep the artistic flame lit, but don't have weather/time/energy to do it, I sketch.