We flew home from San Francisco Sunday afternoon, my cold staking more territory with each passing hour, my laryngitis not aided one jot by the drying air of the plane. Exhausted as I was by the time we opened the door to the condo, though, I was quickly revived by the smell of roast turkey and the sounds of knives, forks, and clinking glasses mingling with the chatter and laughter of our daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Knowing we’d be late home for Thanksgiving dinner, we’d offered our place, with its greater square footage and its neutral toys (i.e. no rampage of the Nine’s bedroom by the Five and the Three) — and now all we had to do was sit down and eat. And check out the missing tooth in the Almost Six’s mouth, the Almost Ten’s new haircut.
Even better, while those who cooked the meal were cleaning up afterward (our offers of help firmly refused), I got to take the little guy — Three — out for a sit on our small front patio — he’d been getting more than a bit past-my-bedtime-No-I’m-not-tired Growly, but wrapped in a blanket on the purple Fermob chair, the lights of the city spread in front of us, he released a heartfelt “It’s Amazing.”. . and then began pointing out the marvels — a crane not too far away, a red band of light atop a building in the distance, lights moving across the lower sky — whose mystery I explained as cars driving across a bridge. He was tickled to be able to “spy” people moving through living-rooms and around kitchens in the building opposite.
Eventually, the Fermob chair proved uncomfortable for him — he needed more support for his little back and wanted to haul one of the inside chairs out. Instead, I convinced him to squiggle over onto my lap. . . We sat like that for five or ten minutes, chatting. The best five or ten minutes of my day, I must admit, San Francisco’s marvels notwithstanding. . . .
Not to say that I didn’t love San Francisco, however. As you know, I had a couple of wonderful days there with my friend Lisa, and then my husband joined me. Unfortunately, this is when I lost the struggle against the cold I’d been holding at bay — we still managed a few good walks, marvelling at the city’s architecture, and we ate at Mission Chinese the first night, as recommended by our daughter and son-in-law who’d been there a few months earlier. But we had to cancel the reservation we’d made for Saturday night (a well-reviewed restaurant I’d wanted to try, if only because it’s called “Frances”!), and I wasn’t up to visiting the glorious SF Museum of Modern Art.
Instead, I left Pater there (he took advantage of a tour of the temporary exhibition of Susan Meiselas’ work and enjoyed it very much) and I went looking for a good spot to do some urban sketching.
I was delighted to find a row of empty benches along the sidewalk, sat down, and began sorting out the preliminaries — placement, proportion, shapes, etc., and had just begun inking in some outlines when a young woman came out to tell me that the benches were reserved for the art academy’s students (all of whom were currently elsewhere!), but that I could have five minutes. . .
So.
Despite the haste with which I had to proceed, and the loss of my chosen perspective partway through, I’m pretty pleased with the way this sketch captures my sense of that street’s energy along with my memories surrounding the morning.
As well, this sketch — and the one at the top of the page — represents for me that I’m getting more comfortable standing on the sidewalk drawing. The small sketchbook is so discreet, and these sketches began with an inkpen, so I like to think I’m not conspicuous.
Back in Vancouver, we’ve woken to sunny skies today — and the weather forecast is for those to continue through the week with temperatures topping out at around 15 Celsius (59 F). My voice is still AWOL, and I can’t stray too far from a big box of Kleenex, but the crisp fall sunshine might coax my sketchbook and I outside later today.
And you? what are you up to?
That sounds like a delightful time, you and the little guy conversing. Such rich memories.
I love your sketches. You do indeed capture the energy and spirit of the street life. I can almost hear it and smell it.
He can be so grumpy (a Three-and-a-Half!) but also so sweet — and always so interesting.
So encouraging to hear that my sketches bring pleasure — thank you!
The benches are reserved???
Have you ever thought about illustrating a book? Perhaps the book that you are writing? These sketches just keep getting more interesting…I am a fan!!
The benches were, to be fair, actually set back from the sidewalk, in little recesses in the building façade — but no one was sitting on them, and I think her attitude was a bit unfortunate. . .
You're too kind re the illustrations. I'm so away of how many "real" artists are so much better than me, tbh 😉 (I know, comparison is the thief of joy!)
Frances….I am not "being kind" I do tend to "be kind as it is my general nature" but this is not one of the times…I am seriously smitten with your sketches!
Beauty is in the eye if the beholder…and please be joyful in your achievements…I have been watching closely and you are honing your talent.
Thank you so much, Leslie. The fact that you came back to comment and to correct my response is making me think twice. I need to hear the voices of readers/viewers like you over the critical inner voices, and I promise I’m going to try to do that.
Illness and travel are poor companions and I hope you feel better soon. You and your grandson on your balcony is a much better combination. Kids remind us to see the magic in the everyday, something for which to be truly thankful. Your delightful sketches enliven your blog even more than your wonderful photos, x
They really do, those little guys!
And I'm so pleased to hear that the sketches work well for enlivening the blog — I've always liked a mix of visual and verbal, or graphic and textual or whatever.
Sweet moments to treasure with the little guy. I'm sure the view from your balcony provides infinite viewing interest for him. I'm sorry you've caught a cold, but what wonderful sketches resulted from things not going quite as planned.
Not too much going on here – I've got two Spanish classes this semester – and we had the family over for Thanksgiving dinner, contributed to by everyone.
Be well.
Thanks, Lorrie. I hope two classes is a good balance for you — sounds busy, given all your family and creative stuff, but I know the work can be so satisfying.
Sounds as though you got the most you could out of your trip despite the looming and ultimately overwhelming cold. The urban sketches are grand–not an easy thing capture in such short periods of time and in sometimes awkward positions. I am all admiration.
Snuggles with grandchildren are a delight (when they are in the mood). I keep an old wood kindergarten chair in my living room and on a recent visit my 4 year old grandson pulled it out, set it among the grown ups, sat down, crossed his legs and looked around. I asked him if he wanted to join the conversation. He said, yes. I asked him what he would like to talk about–he smiled and said, Me! LOL
Hoping your voice and bodily comfort returns soon.
Thanks Mary, for the encouragement re the sketching
And thanks for sharing that ever-so-cute anecdote about your grandson!
Hello sister in (arms) cold! I was at the seaside for a beautiful wedding. It was so lovely,walking through familiar places and beach without the crowd, but it was ,periodically ,raining cats and dogs,so I'm home with a nasty cold.
What a wonderful surprise for a Thanksgiving!
Love your sketches
Dottoressa
I'm sorry you're having to pay so dearly for a lovely visit to the seaside, but I know you probably think it was worth it — take care now, though, lots of hot liquids and good books!
Take care of that cold! Monsieur has been sick for 3 weeks and was diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday. It's the second bout since he's been retired. It sounds like you had a effortless (on your part) dinner and a chance to hold Little Guy. You are really becoming accomplished (I think) with your sketches.
Yikes! I don't want pneumonia! This is my third hefty cold this year, and I think it has to do with the grandkids 😉
Enjoy your sketches, they capture so much in a few quick strokes. Delighted to hear about your grandchildren – aren't they grand? We have two, and it is wonderful to see the world through very fresh eyes.
Here, pretty busy – practicing medicine part-time (edging towards retirement) and taking a Landscape Design course from Guelph U. by distance learning. I'd thought about either architecture or medicine as a young person, and chose medicine (which was the right choice for me), but by taking Landscape Design, I get to try out a possible second career for enjoyment or maybe post-retirement. 2 careers in 1 lifetime – how cool would that be? BTW, there is a ton of reading, and regular homework assignments with hard deadlines for this course – enjoyable, stimulates the neurons, but hard work!
Absolutely agree about the grandness of grandchildren, and thank you for the kind words re the sketches.
How exciting, to be learning something new with an eye toward a possible second career (your first one already having been substantial and rewarding)!
I just love your sketches! Hope you're feeling better.
Thanks Maggie! I'm getting there, but this bug has really dug in. . .
I keep repeating myself: I am impressed by the progress in your sketches. They are not only lovely to look at, but also encouraging in a way. Proof that it is possible to learn new tricks at various moments in life…
I'm so glad you see the sketches that way — I think that might be what I love best about them: having spent 50+ years being so sure I couldn't do this, to discover that door was always open to me. What else might life reveal?
The sketches are wonderful – what a great way to remember a trip. I caught a nasty coughing virus from a fellow traveler on a plane in September and still have lingering issues. Hand washing does not seem to be so effective! Hope you are feeling better.
Oh, Frances! These sketches — in fact, ALL your recent sketches — are just lovely. I know San Francisco very well (after many scores of business and holiday trips there over the last 50 years), and I see its timeless vibe in your art.
I hope your cold responds to being home again and however else you determine to treat it. Your family's Thanksgiving festivities must have been a great welcome home. If love can cure what ails us, that evening surely gave your immune system a boost.
Here, I'm recovering from bronchitis brought on by allergies and maybe something nastier and finally enjoying the optimism that appears when I feel better than I have in a while.
Like spring, autumn here has been full of property maintenance projects, new plantings, medical appointments, and anticipating the year's remaining holidays and long, snuggly months of winter that will follow.
My next travel is down to New Orleans to celebrate Halloween — a holiday that, I've been instructed, requires a full week to observe properly. I plan to get an A+. 🙂
A very happy remainder of the autumn to us all!
Ann in Missouri