New Beginnings. . .I Hope!

As I sit here uploading photos to my blog, which you can see I've titled "New Beginnings...I Hope", I suddenly realized that I am emerging from a dark place that I didn't even know I was in. I guess if it's truly dark, you can tell! Anyway, I drew today for the first time in months. I just haven't wanted to. I've said to myself, well, I MUST do this or I MUST do that. I have birthdays to plan for, people to see, "things" to do. I'll do it tomorrow, next week, when I'm through with this or that. My "studio" is a wreck of stacked up "stuff" that has just been put in there to grow mold. I am wrapped up in so much...too much. For those of you who faithfully read my blog for so long and expected me to do the same in return, I have neither posted nor read and commented. I don't know exactly what I've done, and although I kept is terrible Lent, that still enters into it. I've thought I said "no" to responsibilities, but, in fact, I supposed I've said "yes" without realizing it. So, I find it so fulfilling as I emerge.

Last Saturday night we attending an art and musical evening at the Double J Hacienda and Art Ranch situated on the Brazos River west of Mineral Wells. The Double J used to be the Seybold Guest Ranch and is now owned and operated by Jimmy and Jane Baldwin. They sponsor resident artists and musical events, as Jimmy B is a fine musician, a singer/songwriter.

Thus, I came home and percolated for a while. Yesterday I quilted some, with the help of Jake, and I took some photos around our yard, and I planned to draw today. When the day dawned, it was raining, and I feared the iris would be washed away, but God is good and He knew I needed to do that drawing! It certainly is lame, but I did it, and perhaps I will again this afternoon. It was so peaceful drawing, spelling the wisteria, hearing robins and cardinals, and knowing hummingbirds are here even though there is a pine siskin still eating thistle at the feeder.

I thank Jimmy and Jane for the inspiration of the ranch and for endeavoring to make Mineral Wells sit up and take notice that there are artists and musicians in the area just waiting to be seen and heard.

I thank Father Cantrell for his Why, oh Why? post. And for the comments of so many like-minded Christians!

Anyway, I will try hard to visit blogs and to post regularly. And God bless us, every one!
Thanks to Jim and Louise for providing the beautiful irises.

Jake is helping with a "secret" quilt!


Jimmy B in the middle with Glenna Bell to the left and Nancy Apple to the right.