Okay, so I’ve been working on that post about vulnerability, but it’s taking hours and very soon a Six and an Eight arrive to spend the day. The same will happen tomorrow and the day after, so writing that post may proceed slowly.
Meanwhile, may I share a recent stroll? And an OOTD or two? Also a sketch? The plan is to keep this a photo-heavy, word-light post because those are quicker to put together. If you’d like a more sustained read this morning, I’ve been going through old posts as I organize the digital archives, and I came across this post written in May 2016 about Transition. We were just about to leave our beloved island home when I wrote it, and I was meditating on the layers of “letting go,” particularly focusing on the word “dismantling.” Oh, and the post has photos of my old garden, should you be curious.
But if you’re in a hurry as well, this Monday morning, and “mostly photos” suits you best as well, here goes:
The all-linen outfit I wore to dinner with some of my Italian classmates, our instructor, and our spouses Saturday night at an Italian restaurant. So much fun to finally meet in person after a year of Zoom classes together!
Happy to report that I managed not to spill a drop of red wine nor splash any “sugo di pomodoro” on my new white top. Whew! And the Stan Smith Adidas were comfortable for the 2.5 kilometre walk each way.
Now that the heat has dropped back to mid-20s, I’m walking through the city again, and recently discovered a tiny magical world in a nearby neighbourhood. . .
And what did I wear to tiptoe past fairyland, you ask?
Yep, those Stan Smith Adidas again, and a purple, open-weave linen sweater over a capacious white cotton shirt and my old, olive JCrew linen skirt.
I haven’t been sketching as much as I’d like lately, but I did add a page to my watercolour sketchbook a while ago, this “portrait” of the dog who belongs to the Six and Eight. I haven’t shown them yet . . . hope they can recognize their pup from my rendition.
And now I have to dash — their Dad is dropping them off on his way to work, and I need time first for a cuppa and a shower (a very short shower: water rationing here, still no rain in the forecast. We’re not living up to our Wet Coast, Rain City, Raincouver nicknames!)
How’s your Monday going?
Chat soon,
f
I love your new white top! May I ask for the source?
2016 was when I first found you and quickly connected with Allison for the painting trip. I remember your honest, vulnerable words as you packed and downsized to move to the mainland. My husband and I were beginning to discuss doing the same. It took us until 2019 to move from our Los Angeles home of 34 years…and we haven’t look back! Well, maybe…with thinking that we should have gotten rid of a lot more stuff! I seem to remember something about a piano on your end. Yes?
Enjoy your grandchildren! We will still be here when you return…
Charlene H
Author
The top is by a Danish company, By Basics; it’s from their OWN label.
And yes, it’s true that there was a grand piano involved. There really wasn’t going to be room in a 1000sf for it, but somehow it’s still here 😉
Love the top. Love the sneakers. Hope you’re having fun with the littles.
Author
Thank you! And yes, we are!
I do like your style Frances , especially the first outfit . I’d definitely wear that . I’m wondering , was your meet up conducted in Italian ? That family dog is very like our Rory except he has some white under his chin ( & plenty of grey now ) I try sketch him but smooth haired dogs are tricky . Hairy dogs are much easier I think . We are busy gardening just now . We are having hot days interspersed with serious rain & the plants are going beserk . We have a twelve foot high foxglove . So lots of hacking & slashing going on . Your island garden was lovely , hope it is still being cared for .
Author
Thanks, Wendy — as for our Italian dinner, I think that one of my classmates hoped we would speak Italian throughout, but the rest of us relaxed into English almost right away. We could have stayed in Italian and covered most of the same topics, but not with anywhere near the same ease.
So true that hairy dogs are easier to sketch — although, to be honest, I only rarely try to draw animals at all, especially now that we don’t live with any.
I envy you that mix of rain and high temperatures . . . but a twelve-foot high foxglove is crazy! We haven’t had rain for weeks now, and there’s none forecast for the week ahead. . . So strange for us, this early in the summer, and unsettling.