Nearly gone......

So here we are in Florida getting things done before the cruise.  The trip down went smoothly with a couple of nights visiting Steve and Karen in Crown Point.  They will be moved in the next week so it's the last visit there.   Traffic wasn't too bad this early in the season and luckily hurricane Dorian went on up the coast.

As usual, I am packed except for the last minute items.  I had it done and just juggled a few things today.  George of course hasn't done anything much.  We did remember the sport coat at least this year!!

We visited Costco this morning to get our shingles shot after waiting a year to get our turn.  a flu shot seemed like a good idea as well.  Mine are in one arm and hopefully I won't suffer too much from them.  I also have a Zpack just in case.  Not much more I can do now to stay healthy!!!

Our ride picks us up on Monday morning, hopefully George will be packed by then!!!

Packing....11 days til we sail!!!!

Of course as usual I am just about ready to close up my bags.  A lot of thought goes into my choices...hope they are the right ones for this trip!

We will be leaving the lake on Tuesday to stay with Steve until Thursday morning. Boats  and dock are pulled and ready for storage.  After this weekend the patio will be clear and we'll be set to take off. George will help  Steve disassemble a few items for their move..starting on 9th. We will travel down to Ft. Myers  and  fly out Monday to UK.   Hurricane Dorian is making things a little sketchy so we moved the trip back a day to give extra time but we must be down to allow G to pack  at least!!!  I have my fingers crossed that it goes ok.

Steve and Karen will be moving to Metro Detroit area with his new job in Dearborn.  It wasn't by choice but he still has a job, yea! and they eventually wanted to move there in any case.  I think it will be ok in the end.  Their "new" home needs some updating and Steve is just the guy with skills to do it.  Other than being overwhelming to think about..new kitchen and all new flooring the biggest task, it will keep them busy and engaged.

So I am excited to see some of the UK and know from my research I will want to return.  28 days on the ship will be fun too.

My sketchbook is packed and I hope to do at least one per day.   Surely I can manage that!!

Outside

  Outside of my sketchbook.  Made of Kraft-tex paper fabric decorated with acrylic paint.  Leather cord and antique buckle clasp from my mother's stash.

It will be fun to fill this with sketches from our cruise around UK and back across the Atlantic. 

I've worked on a few other paintings but not to completion yet.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Inside of my sketchbook

   Hand colored pages inside of the book to use for sketching on our next adventure.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Collage

  Collage from a workshop with Kim Ensch.  All small pieces of mostly blotting paper colored with acrylic and inks.  Done on a cradled board.    I like how it came out but don't think this will be my medium!!  I like the brushes and paint too much!!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Portrait of a pup

This little guy is what I've worked on a few days.  It's only 7x7 and for a friend.  What a challenge with my limited supplies here..only wc pencils and a tiny travel box.   I ended up using only pencils and a brush to complete the piece.  Hope they like it!!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Summer.....

After returning from SMA we spent the next few days packing up for our trek back to the Lake for the summer.  We take only one car this time as we experiment in having only one while in Michigan. It has worked out fine with only a bit of juggling.  By the time G returns from pickleball, I am ready to do whatever I need to do. 

It seems this year has been the year for repairs...from the garbage disposer to the porch posts...It has kept G busy and busy still.  Not a fun job to be working in the sun for hours on the porch.  It is about half finished and much improved with the addition of some trim work. 

My project has been to get cataract surgery.  Tomorrow I have the second eye done.It has been as easy as everyone said and hopefully will continue.  Drops are a bit of a chore but not really.  The multi focal lenses, though expensive, will permit me to forget my glasses.  Yes!!  I will not know how well for a will as they adjust and learn to work together.  George encouraged me to spend the money and I think I will thank him for being so generous!!

I've done some art work...gelli print cards, a couple of experimental works, took a class in painting water, and still a collage class to come.  I hope to have some to submit to the many exhibits coming up this season.

This one is called "Summer Eddy" and is mixed media.

We are looking forward to another cruise coming in September.  The itinerary takes us around Great Britain stopping on Guernsey Island, to Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Glasgow, Iverness, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton (for Stonehenge), Portland, Belgium, Bilbao, Bordeaux, Lisbon, the Azores and finally across the ocean to Ft. Lauderdale.  28 days!!!   We will be joined by the Menz's for the segment from Southampton to FL. I've been working on planning our days and tours which takes some time considering all the stops we make.  It will still only touch the interesting places to visit so already I am thinking about a tour of the interior!!!

Into the Light, mixed on cradled panel

The painting above was accepted into the International Society of Experimental Artists 2019 Exhibit.  Because it is the third time I have been accepted, I will be awarded signature membership.  That means I have "credentials" and can put ISEA after my name.  Exciting.  Unfortunately I won't be attending the reception even though it is in Michigan due to the trip.  I will help with receiving then leave for the south.  Who knew I would get in!!!!!