The fall

It was a gorgeous walk around Campbell Valley yesterday morning...until...John stepped into a small dip on the left side of the pathway and lost his balance. He went down and rolled over the edge into brambles. Thankfully there were several women walking on the path and they came to our rescue immediately. Eventually, after advice from me about his shoulders, they managed to get him upright. Slightly shaken but otherwise able to walk...we slowly made our way to the car...quite a long distance because we were only about halfway on the walk. At home I tended to his bashed right knee and iced his sore left ankle. Propped up on the couch with a pain pill and the remote...he floated through the afternoon. Meanwhile I had wrenched my back while trying to stop his fall and finally resorted to ibuprofen and a rest. What a pair!!

After a restless night for both of us...I am feeling much better and he is, once again, ensconced on the couch with a re-dressed knee wound and an iced ankle. As he is able to get around and there is no noticeable swelling...we are very grateful.

Reflecting on the gorgeous day...before the fall!

This little guy was on a feeding frenzy...and no help to us!

Sunday morning walk

This morning we walked around the Derek Doubleday Arboretum grounds 

and noticed some early signs of spring.

Daffodils in full bloom

Tulips almost ready to bloom...

...and the impressive structure that houses

the Rotary Interpretive Centre.

Painting again!

It feels like ages since I picked up a paintbrush but yesterday I finally had the urge to brush some paint onto a canvas! It felt good...and only lasted about 15 minutes. Today I put on my painting apron and applied more paint...for about 30 minutes. Slowly...slowly! I drafted the image very carefully in my sketch book a couple of weeks ago but decided not to transfer it precisely to the canvas. The muse was calling to me...loosen up! So I listened and we will see the result in 15-30 minute increments.

Twelve of my paintings are returning to me in April from the Puerto Vallarta gallery. Apparently, although there was significant interest in them, customers could not figure out how to frame them because they have slanted sides. THEY WERE NOT INTENDED TO BE FRAMED. The image is painted across the canvas and down the slanted sides allowing them to be hung unframed! So...I am looking for a local venue to exhibit these paintings and another five in my "Lock" series.

Yesterday I sent a query to our local coffee house to see if they would be interested. I am also sending proposals for 2021 to the Langley Arts Council and the Museum/gallery in Fort Langley. I could have 20-25 paintings ready by next year.

Our local street artist has reappeared after a winter hiatus with a new easel, paints and canvases. Santa must have been good to him! It is wonderful to see him creating colorful images every morning on my walks.

Daffodils and crocuses are popping up...signs of spring and the starlings are desperately searching for nesting sites in/around our building.