|
July — The scene above is from our early July trip to Sanibel Island. It was hot but it was Sanibel — it’s our happy place and it’s always beautiful. The view facing me right now, through the large window of my studio, is its own kind of lovely — verdant greens, golden sunlight, a Carolina blue sky. But it’s deceiving. The thermometer reads 89 but the heat index makes it feel like 102, and you can break a sweat just sitting still in the shade. Leaving the house quickly reveals that the outside doesn’t feel nearly as nice as it looks through the window. Mid- to late summer in Raleigh is not my favorite season. And it’s a looong one because “summer” lasts well into October. I know we’re not the only ones suffering through terrible heat right now, and in some places it’s much worse. And in some places they don’t even have air conditioning (!!!) — which I’m putting at the top of my “grateful for” list, and saying some extra prayers that we would all come together to address climate change. So I’m surviving summer in the pleasant cool of the house, not feeling hugely inspired, but getting a few things done. I’ve finished a number of pieces from the 101 Days Project, they’re ready for display. I framed some and got creative where the pieces didn’t lend themselves to traditional framing. Some of these pieces are currently listed in my Etsy shop, The Muse and the Magpie, and are for sale at Bayleaf Market. I’m looking forward to fall in so many ways . . . one of which is by beginning to work on designs for this year’s Christmas Whimsy Boxes, along with a small ornament collection and (drumroll) plans and projects for an ornament making workshop. More to come on all that. We’re headed to Ashville in early August. It won’t be a break from the heat like say northern Michigan, or maybe Nova Scotia, or Iceland . . . would be, but it will be vacation with people we love in a favorite place — and that’s beautiful. Hope you’re beating the heat (and Covid surge:( and making beautiful memories this summer! P.S. I love to hear from you! The newsletter format doesn’t allow comments, but just hit “reply” to email.
|
