Things Are Changing

They say the only thing guaranteed in life is change....I have been holding on to my "old life", and after having an accident (really bad fall, and a concussion), I decided it was time to change - my goals, my dreams, and my life in general.

For example, I love photography, and I've made a point to never put anyone's photos up on my blog except my own.  For one thing, I think it's an infringement on other people's creative works, and I don't want them to do it to me, (although, I think that has happened) and for another, I love photography....
With "Smart Phones", digital cameras, etc., just about anyone can take a wonderful photograph.  For example, my 92-year-old mother-in-law took this portrait of my husband, Robert and me.   

Not that I don't love the photo- I do, but, you see what I mean?  Also, with photo shop and all the bells and whistles, I remain a "purist"...(does that make me ancient?  Probably)
If I see something wonderful, of course, I grab my camera and shoot, but I need another direction.  I have no desire to sit at the computer, and change a photo until it is "perfect".  Nothing should be "perfect".  

 

Years ago, I was hired by the Federal Government to dress in the attire of a Civil War widow ("Widow's Weeds), and photograph reenactments all over the country.  I lived in an officer's tent, and after shooting, I would go home, and spend the night in the dark room, producing prints, which I would take to the next reenactment....the "soldiers" would say, "Let's go down to the Widda's tent, and see if we have photos of ourselves".  I did this for several years, but, it became too much for my husband to drag all that stuff all over the country, and stand there, dressed as a "Sutler", (someone who sold to the soldiers) wearing ticking-striped trousers and hob-nailed boots...he did look good, though.  

So, change....

So, we moved to Wisconsin from North Carolina, and I opened a gallery in an 1850's restored school house.....
                                      Change....

 

I became a faux-finisher, and an interior designer for the next 20 or so years....which is why you may "pop in" to this blog, to see what I've done (you've pretty much seen it all at this point) and to get some advice on interior design, etc.

Change....

After the renovation

 Before the renovation

My husband and I moved from Texas to Tennessee, where we have spent nearly a year, (and a ton of money) renovating this house on a lovely lake in a lovely spot (Fairfield Glade, TN)

Most have you have seen the process and the befores and afters...

We got the house on the market late in the fall, and with this horrific winter, not many people were willing to brave the sleet, snow, and cold to view homes...hopefully, with SPRING coming, there will be a ....

(say it with me)

Change...

After the thrill of selling a few paintings, I realize this is my direction in life (at least for now)..hey, I'm nearly 66, so, I'd better start painting....oh, and writing...I've been working on two novels and a children's book for years...but, never had the time or energy to pursue it...so here I go...
                                         Change...

My first watercolor (that I actually finished)....

Not only did this fall (and concussion) blacken my eyes, but it also opened them...life can change on a dime...one second, you are here, and the next, you are who knows where we go when our number is up???

My husband took this photo of me this weekend...the black eyes are gone, (and the fur is faux), and I'm ready to dive in....
I hear people saying, "Oh, I just am so bored, I don't have any interests"...I just can't imagine that...

So, if you decide to stop in and see how things are going, that's great...I'm excited!   I want to pursue all the interests:
(Not necessarily in this order):

 Painting
Cake Decorating
Art Dolls
Sculpture
Writing
Making....all kinds of making...
and, to make time to help someone (there are many) less fortunate than I)...
Hope you will stop by and see what's cooking (oh, did I mention cooking?)
                                      

I encourage you all to follow/find/reinvent your dreams....life is short.