art in the garage

I'm the only one up early this morning, as no one has anywhere to go--Richard isn't going in today, Katie is home from being a counselor at a summer camp and is EXHAUSTED, Joel worked all weekend at the golf course, which is closed on Monday, and Jenny is home from her friend's house (where they rented a houseboat and went tubing and had all sorts of fun). So now you know why everyone else is asleep and I'm awake so early...

So I'm sitting outside with the dogs--our big dog, Dinah, jumps fences and cruises around the neighborhood, so she is either inside the house or outside on a chain. I come out and watch her most mornings, while she wrestles with the neighbor's dog, Red, who is waiting for us when we come out in the mornings (he's an only dog, and he likes to have friends to play with :) )

My college roommate is coming for a visit next week, bringing her four-year-old daughter, who I haven't yet met. Some of you may remember when Kelly adopted her daughter from Kazakhstan  three and a half years ago.... I'm soooo excited! Kelly and I lived together for three and a half years at Michigan State--We've known each other for 31 years (whoa, that is a long time!)--and she knows me well, and loves me anyway! We've been getting the house and pool ready, but still have lots to do, especially outside, since two and a half acres of grass can really get away from you--

I'm going to go out to the studio and work today, and if I sweat like a pig, then so be it. I really miss being out there, I really miss painting, and while sketching and blogging from the house is okay, it's not making stuff... Someone wrote on their blog yesterday that it was time to get off the computer and GO MAKE ART--can't remember whose blog it was, but if it was yours, then thank you! I needed to hear that. I decided that my choices are 1) move all my supplies up to the house, or 2) go and work in the studio, even though it's hot out there. Since all the bedrooms are full up in the house, and I do love my little studio, you know which one I'm choosing...

I've finished my cup of coffee, so it's time to take Dinah in the house, get dressed, and get to work. I miss painting my girls!