Today, gloomy with rainddrops on every window. I entered all the  many dates for upcoming shows, entries, etc in my calendar book. It's always good to know what's coming up!

Back to work on my chair for charity, and lots of short talks wth area artists. I feel blessed to have a project to work on, and friends to laugh with.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth  

Today, I guess it hit us both that the neurologist's news wasn't the best. Larry has some blockage in the one carotid artery he has left, and we will "watch" it by going to NYC for sonograms every three months. the doctor was especially concerned with a large shoulder artery on the side where the carotid was closed. This side had considerable blockage. He still has to study the tests that he received when we were in his office. However, he asked me if I knew the signs of a stroke, and went over each one in detail with me. "If any of these things happen, then go away, still call 911 and go to Yale New Haven Hospital.

We were both digesting this news today, and my husband admitted that he was disappointed. One more thing to watch for. One more reason for me to watch him at all times.

I am fortunate I can go to my work and get some pleasure from decorating my "Chair for Charity," which is getting wilder by the day.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Good evening color fiends,

Today we went to NYC. I visited with my hairdresser while Larry had MRI's of his head and sonograms of his  neck.

I gave Liz 'Readheads Rule," and I think she loved it. I am so lucky to have her as a friend since 1994. Calm, loving, full of wisdom. A true treasure.

Home at 9:30PM, too late to do anything but write a bit and think about tomorrow's priorities.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Good evening Artistes,

Today was another one of the best. I worked very hard to finish "Redheads Rule."

Tomorrow, my husband and I are going to NYC. He has several tests from ll:00-3:00, when we meet with his doctor to review the results.

I called my NYC hairdresser who I have been with since 1994 to tell her my CT hairdresser has ruined my hair.

"Come in Monday while Larry has his tests. I'll open the salon for you and we'll talk up a storm and I will fix your hair."

I never expected her to say that! Over the years, she has saved my hair from CT slayers, but she has also saved my heart, my pain, so many things. She is the first angel to appear after my first husband's death. There have been many since, but she was the first.

I made "Redheads Rule" my latest Gallery entry, as a present to give her  tomorrow. She will help me be strong and brave for the 3:00 meeting with Larry and the neurologist. I haven't seen her for seven months, so we have a lot of catching up to do. I can't wait.

In the battle of whether to go swimming or work on my "Chair for Charity," I must say the water won. High tide, it was the best. Can't swim every day.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello fellow brush cleaners,

Been doing what I love the most, swimming every day, working on my "chair for Charity" and a new portrait for my NY hairdresser who is opening her salon just for me on Monday when Larry and I wiill be in NYC.

Beginning at 11:30 Larry is having anMRA and ultrasourd of his carotid arter. At 3:00, we will meet with the Doctor who will discuss the test results for our appointment. This I like, no waiting for a phone call with the news. I like his methods.

Looking forward to the week ahead. Who knows what surprises are are waiting?

Live In the Light,

Lisabeth

Good evening beautiful creators,

It has been days since I've written anything. The weather has been so beautiful I decided to swim everyday, doing some water aerobics moves.

I finished the commissioned portrait of my next door neighbor, and his girlfriend gave it to him on his birthday. Tonight, she told me he cried when he saw it. Hearing that made it all worth it. I worked hard on that portrait, he ended up looking a little like Paul Simon in his younger days, which he does!

I am working on my "Chair for Charity" which must be finished Aug 1st. It's all lace and ribbons and pressed flowers, a girly chair, for sure.

Tomorrow, I enter two pictures in the Clinton Art Society's juried show, my first time with them. I chose one seaweed (Geat Hat! )and  one flower (Golden Day). We'll see how the judge feels.

Monday, back to NYC for more tests for lar's artery. My NYC hairdresser volunteered to come in on her day off.She has a kind soul.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello Arties,

Today was unusually wonderful. No deadlines to worry about, as I handed my commissioned portrait to the framer yesterday and getting it back to me is his responsibility.

While I was drinking my coffee, I suddenly was struck with longing for the old days when I dressed in a bathing suit and was wet most of the day. I changed into my suit, grabbed my noodle(no jokes, you know what they are!) and hit the water for some early water exercises. I put it between my legs and bicycled, no hands for a long time.

Other exercises from class just started coming to me, so I did them. My husand was so intrigued, he came out with his camera to catch this unusual event on film. The water was not as warm as our pool, but the sunlight was wonderful.

When I emerged from the water, I was filled with energy and weeded my flower garden. Soon, it was lunchtime, I couldn't believe it!

In the afternoon, I worked on my Chair for Charity, and checked out other sights to join online.

It's time for dinner and I feel full of life and good energy.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Greetings color-crazed friends,

Today was just the right balance of work and fun. It is really hard for me to feel this way. I always feel something didn't get done or finished enough, etc.

July is the month of the flowers. My watercolorist friend invited me to pick flowers at her house after water aerobics on Friday. I brought home an incredible bagfull of color.

I am fortunate to have friends like Marjorie, and my next door neighbors Dominique and Gary. They just bought their house, but the flowers grow, one after the other, perennials, of course. "Take what you want, whether we are here or not," she told me more than once. She is the one who commissioned the portrait of Gary in flowers.

I pressed flowers (if you don't get them just at the right time, they are too wilted to press well) for a few hours.

The Left Bank Gallery in Essex, CT, where I hang my work, is having a "Chairs for Charity" party and auction in August. I found the perfect gold curved chair. I will cover it with flowers, letting some gold peep out, and tie ribbons on the top curve. Maybe I'll take a photo for the Gallery.

I worked on Gary's portrait. Teeth and hair are not easy, but I see the end coming soon. His shirt will be pale green and whisper lilac hydrangea petals.

Then, I got a call from a friend, inviting Larry and I to dinner at a local joint called THE PLACE. It is all outside, under a tent, with tree stumps to sit on, just a few things on the menu, roasted clams, roasted corn, steak, roasted or BBQ chicken. Of course the very best part is that she invited us to dinner. Since Larry has been sick, no one has invited us to dinner. They know, as my friend did, that Larry can't eat or drink and communicates by writing in a notebook, and  they have quietly dissappeared. Maybe they are embarassed because he is disfigured and drools without knowing it, so he wears a bib and always has paper towels.

I was given a gift of love from a friend today. It is a first, but we have already planned another dinner out. I am so fortunate.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth

Hello all you paintery types,

I am excited because my girlfriend and I are going to an art and craft tent show in Niantic, CT.

I went a few years ago and met a woman who I have stayed in touch with by phone ever since. She lives in RI, up by Bristol, where Uncommon Art, oone of the galleries that my work is in. She is a watercolorest, and teaches in the winter. I love her work. Maybe today I'll buy one.

After that, we are going to Leftbank Gallery, the other one that my work is in, for a welcoming party for a new artist.

Looking forward to a busy Sunday. Will report in.

Live in the light,

Lisabeth