This week Rain’s prompt is Western. What had envisioned was to sketch Little Joe from the 60s TV series Bonanza. I’m not a portrait artist. Clearly as soon as I realized that I wasn’t going to come close to a Michael Landon likeness I just went with the idea of drawing a cowboy. I’ve reconciled that if I hope to draw real people I need to invest more time into it but right now I’m not ready to move that direction. I just want to explore what I can and can’t do.
This is not a subject I would’ve explored on my own without Rain’s push. I’m thankful she motivates me each week to try new things. I hope to draw more western images in the future. I spent a lot of time watching old westerns as a kid so much so that I’d often have dreams with me in the old west getting shot but never dying just like in the movies. That’s what I thought because I’d see the same star in different films after fatally wounded in the previous one. lol
This week’s Thankful Thursday I’m thankful for the improvement with my arms. I got to thinking over the weekend how a year ago this time I was having real issues with pain especially in my left arm. It hurt to lift it or to carry anything and forget trying to use that hand for opening anything. It flares up sometimes but the pain is 98% gone most of the time. The right side started this nonsense but hasn’t progressed to the severity I had on my left side, though. Although, a doctor hasn’t diagnosed me, I think I have tennis elbow. This injury isn’t necessary related to the sport as much as it is from repetitive movement and typing is one thing I found out can cause these problems. I’m thankful we already had a tennis elbow brace on hand left over from DH’s use years ago, so I wear it off and on. It provides some relief. The main thing is to try to not overwork the arm any more than it can easily handle right and to rest it every chance I get. This isn’t easy since I’m right hand dominant but I’m adjusting.
I’m winding things up today with Kat’s Writing Workshop. Writing was my first passion. I hope to revive this dormant side of me before it becomes a lost art altogether.
If you’re a long time reader you know we have future plans of buying a new home that’s better suited for our needs. It’s not that we don’t like this place. In fact there are things I love about my home, so I’m inspired to use Kat’s prompt to list 5 things I love about my home.
- It’s ours free and clear. In 2012, we made our last mortgage payment making our home truly ours.
- The view. Probably the best thing we like about this place is from our front porch we can see the Smoky Mountains most days.
- The design. It’s a ranch style which we like and if it had a basement then we’d probably wouldn’t need to look for another place.
- It’s full of good memories. We raised our children in this house. Celebrated birthdays, Christmas, and many other special occasions. We enjoyed family movie or game night. We planned day trips and vacations from this house. We spent hours cuddled on the sofa reading stories to our children, having lengthy conversations, making plans for the future, and so much more. There are some not-so-happy memories but with family you ride the waves of both the good and the bad. When the storm passes, I choose to focus on the pleasant moments because it’s like a sweet fragrance for soul.
- It’s home. Even with all of its imperfections this house is still home to me and I find when I’m away from home I always look forward to being back in the comfort of these four walls.
I want to pitch Eugi’s weekly gig for creative writers, especially those who dabble in poetry. Click on the button below to visit her site for the word prompt and if you’re inspired don’t forget to share a link back on her site in comments to your place. She’s an awesome friend!
I’m heading over to Rain’s Garden to browse through the gallery of artistry and you’re welcome to follow along. I’m taking a lackadaisical approach to posting daily because I have a burned out vibe scorching my brain so if it happens, it happens. I tell you this so you won’t worry about what’s going on. The only day I’m totally committed to is for Monday’s Music Moves Me, so if you don’t see my Friday Fun Stuff edition up then be sure to hit the dance floor with me. Have a doodletastic day!