It's That Time Of Year. Again.

5:49 AM

Garden Gloves
Watercolor and Ink
3.5 x 8.5 inches
Handbook Watercolor
Sketchbook
Yep. Time to rake the yard, trim the hedge, yank up vines, remove weeds and generally, subdue our jungle. It needed it before we had a huge storm front move through last Thursday, but it really needed it afterwards. We have two huge maple trees in our front yard and they produce the meanest little spikey balls you've ever seen. DO NOT try to walk through our front yard barefooted. You will be sorry. Very sorry. (Ask me how I know!)

And so, blisters, sore muscles and all, we spent a good deal of time outside communing with nature (or cleaning up nature's sh...stuff, as Chris says) over the weekend. Time well spent (for me). There's nothing quite so therapeutic as getting your hands in the dirt, smelling the fresh air, clearing out the mental cobwebs, pulling weeds that made the mistake of growing in the wrong place and feeling the accomplishment of a job well done, even if we're not finished.

I'm going to have to get some new gloves though. These had a blow out and when I came in, my finger was black as......well, dirt, and somehow, I don't think that would look all that great on a video. They've been good ones and I love the color. They're easy to find whenever I make the mistake of taking them off and forgetting where I've left them. Which is often.

I have recently begun to feel a pull towards capturing some of the odd bits from my days as they are flying past. I've never really felt the need or the pull to do this before. I guess too many conversations starting with "when did ____________ happen?" being answered with, "I dunno....a month ago maybe" has had an effect on me. We can't remember sh...stuff, anymore.

I've realized I am a bit of a journal 'ho. I'm not faithful to any one journal for more than a few pages before I'm off to another. Sometimes, it's a paper thing. Other times, it's a size thing. But it's not very conducive for creating a day-to-day or even week-to-week type of journal. I'm going to give using just one journal—start to finish—a go. Wish me luck as I seriously doubt it's gonna work. I'm too fickle.

Meanwhile, I leave you with an image of someone who knows how to take it easy in the hottest part of the day....


Isn't he a cutie pie?!!!

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19 Creative Thought(s)

  1. Hi Laure; your garden gloves watercolour is fabulous and I enjoyed reading about your day in the jungle :). Such a sweet pic of the squirrel; I've only ever seen them on tv and they're always scurrying, or picking up seeds/nuts.

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  2. Breaking in a pair of gardening gloves is sort of like breaking in a new pair of shoes. I like you glove painting. We have large oak trees that drop their leaves in the spring and I need to follow your lead and start raking.

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  3. ...journal 'ho--you're so funny! Love those gloves (hope you can find another pair in such a fun color!). In about a month or so I'll be out there planting flowers too. Can't wait!

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  4. A journal ho. Ha... I must be that too. I can't seem to get a whole week into "one" journal let alone a month. I am glad ot hear I am not the only one. We have been in the garden a lot lately. We haven't had to deal with the "hottest" part of any day yet though. A good thing because I work better when it is cool.

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  5. Glad to know I'm not the only one who is a Journal'ho. I don't stay with one journal. Not sure I could. I'll be watching to see if you stay with one journal. :)

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  6. We too have been out working in the yard cleaning up when this rainy weather allows & I love being out there.I noticed I too need a new pair of gloves, as mine have huge holes in them. :O
    I so identify with this post. I cant seem to stick to one journal either. Which is odd because I have done a written one for years. but when it comes to drawing.. it doesnt happen, I go from one book to another. If you make it maybe I can. :) We get those squirrels drapped around the trees here in summer. Its so cute. Your work is always wonderful and your posts so inspiring.

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  7. Who would ever think of painting garden work gloves? Great painting and a great way to combine 2 loves - gardening and painting!

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  8. Oh isn't it great when you find some gardening gloves that are just right - and then not so great when they wear through and you can't find any more like them!

    You shouldn't stress about being a journal butterfly - just think how many complete ones you'll have on your shelves!

    Love the sketch and that is one cool squirrel. x

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  9. my favorite time ....to bring out the garden gloves!!!! wonderful work!!!!

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  10. Yes, your squirrel is a cutie pie. And I love your gloves - amazing how you can make something so ordinary look so wonderful!

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  11. "Hi, my name is Laure and I'm a journal 'ho"...you made me laugh out loud! You're not alone, though. I have a couple of written word journals, as well as a couple of sketchbooks. You have to go with what moves you at the time!

    Love the squirrel pic--was he/she watching all your hard labor? I hope he/she appreciates the improved landscaping. There is something very therapeutic about cleaning up, whether it's clutter, yard debris, dirty dishes, etc. You're inspring me to keep going with my own clean up efforts.

    I also love the gardening glove painting. This post was just full of so many good things.

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  12. Another great page spread. And what a cute squirrel. Joe wouldn't say so, but I get a kick out of them. He's a riot.

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  13. Thanks, Carole! They're usually quite ambitious, but it was break time!

    I agree, Vicki, I'm not looking forward to it, but it's become necessary. Good luck with the raking!

    I try, Kelly, I try! I doubt if I'll find the same color, but maybe something fun.

    It seems there are quite a few of us that are journal 'ho's, Lisa, so you're in good company! Good luck with the garden.

    Toni, I don't have much confidence that I can stick with one journal, but time will tell!

    Wow, Cris, you too? Maybe we need a Journal 'Ho's Anonymous!

    Hey, Jacqueline, it was better to draw and paint the gloves than those mean little spikey balls!

    You have the straight of it, Gillian!

    Thanks, Diana!

    Thank you, Cheryl, your comment really touched me. I didn't think of it as wonderful so much as "just another sketch." Thanks for shining the light!

    Hell, KJ, if I was going to stand up and admit I was a Journal 'Ho, I'd fess to it all—color junkie, art supply junkie, journal junkie!! ;•) No, s/he wasn't around. I took the photo after the big clean up!

    Thanks, Sue, we get a kick out of them as well. There were four out there when I took the photo and none seemed overly concerned about my presence.

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  14. I think you've done some really nice pictures, and this is one of them, with this narrow format. Your gloves look so well-used, a perfect journal entry! I really liked Jennifer's (of Drawn2Be) idea of a small drawing of something good about the day although it could even be something bad (water drip, hole in glove, lol) so the memory would be there later. I've been putting the weather and the date so why not a little memory jogger on my page? I've got to get a new pair of gloves too. I wouldn't want a black widow or a scorpion to find the one finger that has a hole in it!

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  15. That is just a little hole! Those gloves are just getting broken in.
    My neighbor's puppy stole one glove off my door step, took it home and chewed the cuff off. I figured out where my glove went and retrieved it. Now the dog is getting grey hair and is arthritic, but my gloves live on. Guess I don't garden enough!

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  16. P.S. What a great squirrel photo!

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  17. Hey! I think that's my cousin Sammy.

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  18. Thanks, Timaree! I too like Jennifer's philosophy. Life isn't all good so why candy coat?

    Elva, I may get out the duck tape—we'll see!

    Bob, that may just be your cousin!

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  19. what an awesome watercolor!!! that squirrel is too cute for words!!!

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