Making the Best of It

Practices/ April 21

(Continuing the Daily Drawing During Quarantine)

Michael and I grow stronger. We take daily walks, laugh and share more of ourselves with the other.

We dance, we sing karaoke, we bake, we read to each other. 

Performance/ March 17

Connecting/ April 19

My friend Leesah hosts one of the first online virtual performances for St Patty’s Day. We join Wassaic community in online Bingo. We swap gifts with neighbors and find offerings at our door.

Gifts/ April 10

And every meal we eat together. And we trust when it comes time for the quarantine haircut, we will be there for each other.

Every meal/ April 18

Haircut/ April 27

The New Normal

(Continuing the Daily Drawings During Quarantine)

Pajamas/ March 27

Feeling wiped out by stress, insecurity, the moon’s position, or imagination, I beat myself up for being weak and dull.  

Wipe Out/ March 21

 Astrological influences aside, we make efforts to dance to the radio, support local restaurants with take-out, sit on the deck at sunset. The calendar loses all its power to define life. Days run into each other, melt, and stop altogether. 

TakeOut/ March 22

I wear my pajamas all day, for days on end, and nobody notices.

Calendar/ March 25

Time for Worry/ March 26

(Self portrait in the hour glass)

 

Drawing during Quarantine

A Vector at the Door/ March 20

“Quarantine” is derived from the Italian word for 40 days. Back when the Bubonic Plague was hitting Venice, the city leaders took it upon themselves to close their borders and limit all traffic going in or out for 40 days, at the end of which the danger seemed passed, and the word “quarantine” stuck.

On March 13, 2020, when my government leader, (NY State Governor Cuomo), mandated closures of businesses, schools, churches and restaurants…(everything that was not deemed “essential”), I turned to my home and wondered what self-isolation really meant. It seemed very abstract.

The first day I raked the yard and was amazed that nature was still on track, doing its thing regardless of the political fallout or terrorized feelings we were having. 

Daffodils/March14

I reached out and heard from my children and close friends who live further away. 

Reaching Out/ March 15

I felt assured that cleanliness would be the battlefront, and made sure to stock up the pantry. I am still not sure what the fuss was about toilet paper, but all the stores ran out of it early on! We were cautious of visitors and wary of interruptions. Life was already shifting

Soap/ March 18

Stocking Up Provisions/ March 24

What is the worst thing you can say to a lady?

1620, painting by Marcus Gheeraerts

I think up there on the list of what is the worst thing you can say, is when someone asks me, "when are you expecting?" I wonder if the regret and angst of the foolish questioner lasts even a fraction of the time that the shame and hurt belonging to the questioned one lasts.
Today the nicest lady asked me that when I was wearing a huge coat and scarf! It was 19 degrees outside and I felt more like an astronaut, with all my layers on, than a young pregnant maiden. I hurriedly reassured her that I was way, way too old to be pregnant! And, not wanting her to feel bad, I even hugged her and forced a laugh. But the rude question swelled in my head as I drove away. Shame filled me for not having a  svelt body that carries clothes like a hangar. I've been exercising daily so, I railed at myself for not dieting, and for even wanting lunch.

1862 Luncheon on the Grass, by E. Manet

It happened earlier this year, last spring when I was touring a museum with my 28 year old son. A museum guard came over and wide-eyed, asked me in broken English when I was due. I was horrified and the dress that, up to then, I had enjoyed wearing, now felt like a cloth sack to be burned.
The worst: is my poor boyfriend, who is left picking up the pieces, and is forced to praise my body, even begging me today to lay on top of him. (I feel sure I would have crushed him flat).
He tries so hard to make me feel beautiful.
I think of the saying that you can only be victimized with your permission, and realize that I need a good comeback. Any out there? Any advice?
My advice to you is to NOT EVER ask that question unless you are in the hospital maternity ward.

Fall chores with Dad

I am so happy to be home on the farm again. Living in Miami I missed the seasons and I missed my dad. This year both Michael and I got to help him with his annual cider making event.

Dennis taught us what had to be done in each station and we all got cleaning, cranking, crushing, pressing, and finally... sipping!

Ohara's Landing, still the place to be

Still time to catch the fall foliage from the water's vantage point. This week the Lakeville Journal printed my article about Ohara's Landing in their #discoverSalisbury special edition.

Even though you might be shivering and wearing turtle necks, its not too late to be on the water, by any means. Nestled in the NW corner of the state, at the edge of Salisbury, Twin Lakes O’Hara’s Landing is still bustling with marina activity. Since it is after Labor Day it is easier to maneuver through the grassy lot and nab a parking space between trailers of sport fishermen and water skiers.

In it’s 45^th season under the Haab family, not much has changed at the Landing except that there are a lot more boats, and the floating dock has expanded it’s coverage. The marina is a casual spot, idyllic in setting, with a family atmosphere. A sense of timelessness like the weeping willows at the water’s edge, greets the visitor whether it is your first visit or if you recognize the faces of Dave, Mary, Barry, Fred, and Collin who have been working at the landing for years and probably decades.

Just off the parking lot, the restaurant is decorated in 1940’s décor, complete with enamel folding tables, riveted vinyl chairs, and vintage dining accessories. Mary’s Cafe has been serving up hot dogs, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and fries for exactly 40 years. My son, who worked in the bait and rental shop when he was a teenager, swears by her breakfast sandwiches. Every morning, he said, groups of local fishermen would file through the screen door and congregate at her counter. Grab a seat to enjoy the view outside on the porch or inside by a windows, which are lined with unique pitchers, plates and even a collection of flour sifters.  Sitting at a table you can watch the boat ramp activity as well as peer into the Mercury Marine, Starcraft Marine and Ebbtide showroom.

Watch out as you may start dreaming over your lunch and find yourself under the spell of David Haab who has been selling Mercury Marine boats for 56 years, since his days on the dairy farm back in 1963. It is obvious he loves what he does. Haab has been running the marina for 45 years, and yet, when he thinks of retirement, he just thinks how there is no other place he would rather be. Make sure to check out his small mini museum at the edge of the showroom with an array of working motors on pedestals that attest to the technological and design metamorphosis of the industry. Each motor comes with a story.

The bait shop sells minnows scooped up in nets by teenage summer employees. Kokanee salmon, brown and rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass are all lurking in the clear cool waters of the lakes. Fishing tournaments of fewer than 20 boats are allowed each weekend. Those looking to relax and enjoy time on the water can rent a boat for the day. Choose from the 14 foot rowboat with a 5 HP motor or one of the six available pontoon party boats. They are perfect for families wanting an easily controlled, stable and safe platform for recreation on the lake.

The lake view from the marina includes barely a rooftop among the surrounding forested hills of the Tristate area. Summer’s passage may have slowed down the action seekers, but some weekend skiers are still pulled out on the water. This is the perfect time to experience the beauty of the area and enjoy the transition of the lush green and blue landscape into the fall colors. Certainly the fall foliage is an upcoming attraction. “Every year”, Haab says, “its different, but always stunning”. He recommends you take a boat out on the water and then turn back to look at the marina and the maple filled hill behind it. “It just makes you gasp”.

Though the season is winding down, and there are more boats than ever in the marina, O’Hara’s Landing will stay open as long as the weather is decent.  The Cafe will close after Columbus weekend.

The farewell tour

Dear Blog-
So much has happened in the last month.
There wasn't time to write. My job at Palmer Trinity came to an end, and there were reports to write, rooms to clean up, students to console, friends to party with, a studio to empty and plans to make.
Here are some pictures of the farewell tour...

The hardest part was saying goodbye to the kids.

My advisees gave me a mounted group photo and filled the classroom with balloons.

I even got an orchid- yikes!!!

I gave my last painting to my art department colleague, Mr. Robert Moorhouse who has taught me so much and made me, over the last 8 years, into a better teacher. I am so indebted.

Ms. Massa, Ms. Fernandez and Ms. Beske

In fact I was so lucky to work with colleagues who valued what they were doing and collaborated gracefully. The intellect and passion of these three would fill an ocean.

The bible study ladies all gathered for a happy hour meal and I was showered with more love than I ever expected. These women will be missed. They will forever stay in my prayers.

And I will miss the giant Bismark. Everyday, as I traversed the campus, we checked each other out, and witnessed growth and weather. Such a lovely place! And though my home in New York is calling and has been a deep longing, it is a bittersweet ending. This has been a fantastic time and place.

Number Crunching to Gain Traction (on 2018)

As the year skids to a close I find my inbox full of friends generously sharing their lists. Even Obama has shared his list of favorite movies and books of 2018. Lists of books, (now I wish I had kept track), lists of trips, lists of deaths (4 small shatterings for me), lists of births, how many candles did we burn on the cake? How many cakes did we eat?

A time for reflection and gathering receipts, I jog my memory by flipping back through date books, logbooks, calendars and am happy to find that I am closing out my 3rd sketchbook for the year, so I feel pretty much on track as far as filling in Spring, Summer and Fall. (I live in Florida so there is no WINTER).

Hibernation Mode at Max's place

In January I make a ritual of checking my inventory- how many paintings did I accomplish last year? How many studio hours did I track? How many art sales was I blessed with? Where did I show my works? And then, it's always good to keep learning... so what new skills can I say I did develop? (letterpress, spray painting, drawing on the road), what new life lens did I assume (hello institutional racisim!).

Then to be financially mature, I have add up those tax deductions and count how many ways i donated to charities. How did my raises balance out between the job and the rent? How many political donations did I accumulate? (yikes!) Might as well make a list of the monthly automatic deductions I have signed up for.
And to be immature: how many followers did I attract? How many blog postings... I had hoped to do better with both.
I count my good health as my top blessing but shouldn't I weigh in my body's loss or gain, my blood pressure, my new cosmetic addictions, and my weekly attempts to exercise? Should I add up the grocery bills, the times we ate out for dinner, my travel expenses and medical procedures?
May I suggest we add to the lists the countless hours I talked to God, the times I smiled and faked it, my handful of new friends and the, not enough, times I sat still?

road trip sketch

The end of this sums up whether I feel like a winner or a loser. But before I go too deep I must be grateful to be alive. Not everybody made it this far, and I am a 2018 lucky winner. I count my lover, my kids, my parents and siblings, and my next few days off and call this a good year after all!

Holiday blessings

 I took a break from work and shopping to just hang out with my boys in the Florida panhandle. We had lots to catch up on. All of us stayed off the internet and relished the darkness of short days.

 A little rest and a lot of food has gone a good way to making me feel merry and bright again! Best of all is that we turned off the alarm clock. Spending quality time with my loved ones is what I wish everyone could, and would, do. It would make a much better planet. Its time to reflect on that together.

That is my wish, from my family to yours! Thanks for the follows, emails and sales. You are a blessing to me!

sweet tooth

"It was the sweet life she had always craved"

 

Seaside Ice Cream Shoppe, acrylic on paper 10 x 12

Just recently I spent an evening baking up batches, bowls and trays of cookies. And every day, as an end of term art teacher, I face the sweet dilemma of students bringing me boxes of chocolates, delectable pastries, and sugar cakes as gifts. My dining table looks as though I live in a sweet shoppe!
Found a sweet solution! I now put hand-fulls of my cookies in sealed plastic bags. Store them in the fridge. Every day I grab one and put it in my car console box. When I stop at a light and see a homeless person begging I hand them the bag. I have done this twice this weekend and the immense  gratitude is visible. Both times the person smiled wide, dug into the bag and had a mouth-full before making it the full length of the car away.    Spread the joy!

Mango Season

Right now it is the prime season for mangoes in Florida.

During the rest of the year we are lucky enough to be able to get one or two varieties in the stores, but NOW, there are 50 to 60 varieties dangling from trees in the neighborhoods, and 500 different strains at Fairchild Tropical Garden! This July 14th and 15th the annual Mango festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens will feature the mangoes from Haiti!
A google search of "mangoes from Haiti" turns up this:
The Haitian variety, is called the Francis or Francique. It has a bold flavor, which is both sweet and slightly spicy. Haiti grows mangoes year round. However, peak harvesting season for the Francis, which features yellow-green skin and a bright orange flesh, is typically from March to June.
Right NOW.
My personal favorite mango is the Kent variety, dark green with a little red bluch, it is sweet and rich with hardly any fibers. I can't get enough of them.
All the varieties, with the range of textures and sweetness, can be very inspiring.

I'm cooking a heavenly Mango and chicken stove top dish tonight...

Table Blessings

It's time for us to gather and break bread together, reaching across distances, perhaps, that are greater than the width of the table. This was a set of blessings and instructions I made years ago in an attempt to educate and inspire my own children.
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving week is filled with awareness of our blessings.
Love you- Tilly