SHELTER IN PLACE: FIVE GOOD THINGS

Well, we've been "social distancing" for two weeks now, and just got word that we have been upgraded to "shelter in place." After reading the restrictions, I realized that it was pretty much what we were already doing. The only big difference is that they have closed down all the parks, so we won't be able to take walks on the Blue Hole Park trails. But that's okay. We've got into the habit of taking walks down to the end of our street and back -- mainly because we like checking on what our newest neighbors are up to. They caught our attention when they were first building their new home -- and a fantastic tree house at the same time. They are just about the only people in this neighborhood who have young kids. Next they built and planted an amazing vegetable garden, and now they are building a chicken coop! Kinda remind me of me, when we first moved out here, but with more skills!

The second good thing is that my garden is fixing to burst into bloom, which can't help but brighten one's days. First up every year is this Crossvine, which has spread from its little mannequin shaped base,  onto the porch rails and across the fence!

Third up was a call I got from our little grandson, after I sent him this.

I knew he was probably a bit sad and confused about not being able to be around us right now, and I needed a way to stay connected with him, so I came up with this idea.

A Sketch Of One He Built From Magnetiles Last Time He Was Here

A couple of days after I mailed this handmade postcard to him, his mama facetimed me, and there was Calvin, waving his postcard around, saying "Yes Mimi! I want to be your pen pal!" I can't wait to see what he sends me in return!

Waiting on my nightstand, to be read each night.

Fourth on my Good Things list is that Mandy Rowden -- an Austin singer-songwriter and the leader of all things musical at Lucky Star Art Camp each year -- decided to spend her unexpected downtime reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, and working through the lessons in it. She invited other Lucky Star gals to join her on this journey, and set up a Facebook page where we could leave comments and have discussions. I jumped at the opportunity since that book was a real life-changer for me when I first read it many years ago, and I'd been longing to get back into the habit of doing those "morning brain-drain pages" that are so crucial to creativity. This was just the kick in the pants I needed!

Waiting for me to scribble my "morning pages" in, first thing when I wake up.

Last, but not least, I did a bit of work in my mindfulness-art-journal-agenda- thingy, based on prompts from  No Excuses Art Journaling, by Gina Rossi Armfield.

A Couple of "Card Peeks"

A Favorite Quote Used For Lettering Practice

And A Couple Of Quotes That Came In My "Mindfulness" Agenda

As my little sketch above says, considering what's going on in the world right now, things here could be a whole lot worse! Hope it's the same for you.