The Boston Marathon, raspberry bars, awkward family photos, Joy Division, seeds, sketchbook project, studio vacation

1. Vacation= time in my studio. I was cleaning shop and playing today. I cut up an old painting and turned it into this circle-y thing.

2. I have been participating in this sketchbook project organized by & In One Another. Each participant is working in a sketchbook that the group made by hand. Over the course of sixty days an assignment or theme is offered every other day. The above is my response to "Nothing to worry about." When the assignments come to a close, the completed books will be on display at a local gallery. I very much enjoy having assignments. Must be the teacher or student in me.

3. Planting seeds with my honey for our garden. Cucumbers, basil, morning glories, tomatoes, nasturtiums.

4. Teaching achievement of the week: I introduced two teens to the awesome-ness that is Joy Division. Their mouths dropped in amazement. It was so fulfilling to see how much they appreciated them right away. Them are some cool teens.

5. A place to go to laugh: awkward family photos.

6. I will be making these raspberry bars this week because this week is all about me being a domestic, art goddess. They are a JMP favorite.

7. The Boston Marathon. It's really inspiring. Though I had lived in Boston for years without actually going to see it in person, in 1998 I finally did. At that time I was very sick with a heart infection. I clearly remember how in awe I was watching all sorts of people running together and being applauded as they went by. And by all sorts I mean blind people, people with prosthetic legs, a man pushing his severely disabled child for 26+ miles. Even though I grew up being told to "take it easy" because of certain health issues, I decided that day that once I was in the clear from the infection, that I was going to start running. Even if I ran just a mile, I was going to start. A year later, I was running 6 miles at a stretch at least 4 times a week. I run a lot less now (more like 2 miles, 3 times a week) but still do and I am always reminded that seeing the Boston Marathon that first time was my inspiring moment to start. Especially today. And today I ran.