Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Been a while and then some since I've posted anything here. Not that I've been entirely neglectful; I've checked round a time or two. I just didn't stop long enough to write anything.

Not much new and improved going on. I did purchase a bag of good soil and three tomato plants for my small garden patch. I'm not confident they'll do well, however. It's been so cold here. Nights in the 50's and a frigid north wind. The plants look good so far, but I'll be watching them very closely. Waiting expectantly for flowers...and fruit.

As for the rest of life, the universe and everything: I'm confused by things as per usual. There's that friend of mine I'm beyond understanding. I keep trying to ignore what's bothering me and let her go through what she must alone. Non interference clause or what-have-you. Not my strong suit. I want to help. Still, if she doesn't want to share her pain, then there's not much I can do. I've told her I'm here to listen and expressed my concern. Ball is in her court, so to speak.

I did join Twitter, but I'm not sure why. Why anyone would be entertained by my life in the Twitter world is beyond my comprehension. But then, why do I visit the site and follow others just as silly or as boring as my own? Voyeurism, no doubt.

During my downtime I've found myself listening to Enya and other new age artists more lately. Mike Oldfield. Vangelis. David Arkenstone. I do still slip a rock or pop CD into the player on occasion, but for some reason I'm filling my life's soundtrack with more moody instrumental selections. Perhaps my mood is becoming set by the next project I'm doing.

I've been commisioned to create a kind of memorial stone for a friend's recently passed loved one. It is yet at the planning stage. I'm thinking it will ultimately be placed on the gravesite. I want to do this well, as an artist I view an object like this as more than a simple cement block with a name attached, it can be a reflection of the person's memory. The form and design is going to be my own, but I will be following a general pattern of sorts. I'm a tad nervous as this is something I've not tried before. I've sculpted in clay and done some woodworking, but never designed anything in brick mortar mix. I'm not sure what the possibilities might be... The prep should be relatively easy: fashioning a form, mixing the mortar, pouring into the mold, etc,, so at least that's not too daunting. Like most things in art, I suppose, the only limit is my imagination.

I'm also depressed about money, or should I say, the lack of it. I certainly have my basic needs met, so I should be completely satisfied. Thank God for providing what I have (and I will admit, a little more besides) and be forever grateful. Yet...there's always that one thing your mind tells you that you must have. That DVD 5-disc set of your favorite programme that you've been wanting for months, yet...the budget just isn't allowing for it any time soon. Blah.

I really want a guilty splurge. But do I want the DVD's or groceries for a week? Hmm, that's a tough decision, isn't it?

Until I make up my mind, guess I'll go down to the public library and borrow a couple more books, come home, water my tomatoes, fix a supper of beans on toast, slip in a David Arkenstone CD and ride out this recession/depression that way. At least for today. Tomorrow...is anybody's guess.

Ah well, so much for that.

Cheers.