A Splash of Paint

The middle of May, and finally the central heating has been turned off. Last weekend heralded the warmest few days of the year so far and, typically, I could not enjoy them as much as I would have liked. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, it’s just that the weekend happened to be the very same as my art group’s annual art exhibition, its 28th, and I had volunteered to be one of the stewards for all day Saturday.

Admiring the paintings
(the snow scene is one of mine!)

This year, our chosen charity to benefit from the entry fee, sales made at the refreshment table and raffle, and a percentage of paintings sold is Freewheelers EVS – a voluntary organization in SW England who transport blood, pathology and microbiology specimens, patient notes, X-rays, breast milk and other medical supplies, plus delivery every night to two local air ambulance bases, using specialist motorbikes.

For my part, I entered 5 paintings, 4 of which were for sale, and one NFS, plus 2 reserve works. The reserve paintings are replacements kept back to replace any that are sold. In most exhibitions, anyone buying a painting can only take away their chosen piece at the closure of the show, which can be as long as a week or month in some cases. This can prove difficult for some people, so it was decided two years ago at our show people can take away their purchase immediately, thus we keep a reserve pile to replace rather than empty space on the exhibition boards.

Decision finally made of what to exhibit

During my tour of duty I helped the ladies on the refreshment table serving tea and coffee and cold drinks and cakes and savouries, all home-made by members, but most of my time was spent manning the raffle ticket table. Prizes were 3 paintings donated by different professional artists who had during the course of the past year given demonstrations at our group. Amusingly, our Chairman and Finance Secretary won 2 of the paintings, to the light-hearted call of “Fix” and “Fiddle” by the audience.

Delicious home-made cakes on the refreshment table

As normal, the show was busy but, as last year, sales were slow and down. That said, on Friday Preview Evening, one of our newer members sold 4 of her paintings. A good job we had reserves to hang. To my delight, 2 of my paintings were sold during the course of the weekend, making me one happy painting bunny.

Priory Bluebells – Sold

English Summer’s Day – Sold

The event was tiring, mainly because of the heat, but most enjoyable. I arrived home exhausted and after treating myself to a large gin and tonic, took to my bed early. As a consequence, I missed the fantastic Northern Lights show taking place, something we never see this far south in England, and something I have always wanted to witness first-hand. Curses. Curses.

A few of our 60 artists from Frome Valley Art Group

Meanwhile, it’s back to the easel to paint for next year’s show. I have plenty of ideas. Whether any come to fruition is another matter.

Kit Domino’s websites and blogs

April in Arizona

This gallery contains 2 photos.

I’m still getting used to Arizona vs Washington State. I seem to be climatizing a little better this year. But I still don’t know how people settled here without a/c. In pioneer days you could keep warm by having a … Continue reading →

Spring. What Spring?

Here we are in the middle of April: springtime. Such a shame in the UK the weather isn’t playing ball. As I write this, hailstones are hammering down in between heavy rain showers, the wind howling, strong enough to send pots crashing to the ground, and the temperature has plummeted in sharp contrast to the weather we experienced yesterday and the day before – the warmest days of the year thus far. Crazy. No wonder us Brits are obsessed with our weather.

At least Dave managed to mow the lawns and get the sweetpeas, carrots and onions into the ground at the weekend, whilst I was able to do some weeding and pruning and general tidying up. We did have leeks growing ready to be planted out, but some pesky slugs had better ideas and demolished all twenty of them overnight. We have been overrun with them and snails this year thanks to the all the rain.

I think, too, the weather is the cause of my current loss of mojo. No matter what I plan or want to do, I do not have the impetus. I need warmth to get me going, a bit like a lizard (I must have been one in an earlier life!). How I’ve missed not being able to sit out on the patio just after dawn and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee as I watch and listen to the birds and observe the wildlife in the garden. I need that special hour or two in the early sunshine to set me up for the day. So far, I’ve only been able to do it once this year, and I wasn’t outside for long. Hopefully as the weather improves (fingers crossed) I will be back up to par and raring to go.

Another reason for my low mood is because this month has seen me hit a milestone birthday. Birthdays are not something Dave and I celebrate, we don’t give each other cards or gifts; we don’t do anything special such as a meal out – Dave isn’t one for that, he’d much rather he or I cook a meal at home, but I cannot believe I’ve reached my platinum birthday. Where have all the years gone? The muscles may ache, the knees hurt climbing stairs and I don’t have the energy of a teenager anymore but inside my head I still feel like one.

That aside, it is lovely to receive cards and beautiful presents and birthday messages from family and friends. Talking of cards, I might have mentioned in the past my two older sisters are identical twins. Believe me, when I say there is a solid telepathic mindset between twins, as I have discussed in the past. My sisters often unintentionally dress the same, have been known to buy the same clothes, give each other the same gift; the list is endless. This year they even sent me identical birthday cards, and they were not together when they bought them! Spooky? No, it’s what happens with twins, and Dave and I are still laughing about it.

The crashing pot I mentioned earlier was a birthday present from unexpected guests who arrived on Friday morning. We love blue pots and this was a beauty complete with a pretty pink azalea bush in flower. It looked lovely on the little garden table between our two patio chairs. Not any longer. Oh well, a perfect excuse to visit the garden centre and buy another. Or two. Or three.

On the whole, I’m feeling better already writing this. Life is great. Yes, it has its ups and downs, its heartache and loss, but also it is full of laughter and fun, and family and friends are an important and vital part of it. There are so many good things to be thankful for, and it is true that life is what you make of it. I’m never down for long, it’s just that this year it seems longer than usual.

Meanwhile, the black clouds have been swept away, the sky is blue now and the sun is shining. The central heating may still be on but from here things can only get better. And they will, starting with this little springtime painting I’ve managed to finish in time for next month’s art exhibition! Till next time, take and enjoy your spring whatever you are doing.

Kit Domino’s websites and blogs

Historical Area -Pensacola- Black History Month

Jillian here. Happy February. Since it’s Black History month, I thought I’d share a bit of Pensacola’s Black History. We have a rich cultural history here for the African American community. My office is very close to the area I plan to focus on today. It is called “The Blocks or the area of Belmont and Devilliers Street. This is a traditionally Black neighborhood and played a big part in the music scene in the early days of the blues. Many, many of the famous singers you know made their way here and played their music. Sam Cooke, B.B.King, Louis Armstrong, and Percy Sledge to name a few.

One of the places I love to eat is called Five Sisters Café. In fact, I ate there yesterday with five friends (haha- no pun intended). It’s good old soul food and they serve huge portions. It is decorated with old posters from blues shows as well as old photos of the people who lived in the area. Long ago, the building housed Gussie’s record Shop. I love this old neighborhood and am glad it is undergoing some revitalization by the city but I hope they don’t take it too far and that it loses its character. Sometimes, revitalization can lead to pricing the members of the community out of their homes and neighborhoods. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen since there is so much history here.

Another place to eat there in “The Blocks” is Blue Dot BBQ. Basically, the menu is hamburger or cheeseburger with no special orders. You get it like it is. The other thing on the menu is ribs which you can get as a slab or sandwich. Chips and canned soda. That’s it. The whole menu. But some say, and I agree, it’s the best burger out there.

Another great place to eat soul food (which is in another downtown area) that has now been closed since we got hit by Hurricane Ivan is H & O Restaurant. I drive by there all the time and I hate that is looks so haunted now. I plan to set a story there since the building “speaks” to me. They had the best lima beans and country-fried steak back in the day.

Some links for your leisure reading:

Pensacola Blues History

Five Sisters Blues Café

Blue Dot BBQ

H&O Restaurant (which reads like it’s still open, but it isn’t)

Sam Cooke – Chain Gang

Boys In A Boat

This gallery contains 1 photos.

We saw the movie, Boys In A Boat. And I can’t say enough about it. It is one of the best movies – – ever. I had read the book and I’d still recommend to read it, as the book … Continue reading →

Moving Forward

I find it difficult to think we are in the third week of 2024, and even harder to believe that this day last week, was the day my family said our final farewell to my 97-year-old mother who sadly passed away a few days before Christmas. It was a simple, non-religious ceremony with only immediate family, lots of tears but also lots of laughter, just as Mum had wanted; she hated fuss. I think she would have approved both of what we did and the music we chose.

The last six weeks have gone by in a blur of emotional and physical stress I can only express as a surreal, out-of-body experience, however, I am finally back down to earth and moving forward. Through all that has happened, the support of close family and friends has helped us all come out the other side, for that I am extremely grateful.

Our Christmas was cancelled and in the suspension of time between losing Mum and the funeral, I kept myself busy by blitzing the house, as being away at Mum’s hospital bedside for most of December, trust me when I say nothing was done in the way of housework although Dave did his best in my absence. When bored with cleaning or stopped by him from doing more, the only way I could cope was by turning to my paints, although at times it was a struggle to stay focused and I nearly scrapped this one, but glad I persevered and finished it.

So, a new year, a new beginning in many ways. I am not one for making New Year Resolutions but I am determined this year to finish all those tasks I’ve started but yet to finish, particularly where my writing is concerned. I know I am ready to move on because I am itching to get back to my books. Moon Stones needs to leave the house to seek a publisher, and the next installments are tamping away inside my head, impatient to be let loose. Spring is in the air here despite the frost and cold we’re enduring this week. There are snowdrops and crocus in flower on our the lawn, daffodils in bud and many of the shrubs already showing new shoots, my garden boots and gloves calling, but they will have to wait a while before they are allowed out of the cupboard.

Meanwhile, a few more trips to Reading are necessary as there are legal matters to sort, signatures required on several documents, the bungalow to clear and put up for sale whilst we wait for probate. Then my sisters and I are going to take ourselves off for a much-needed holiday. We need it.

Kit Domino’s websites and blogs

I Can Do This

Could someone please pinch me and tell me I better not be dreaming we are in the middle of September already. Our week-long summer has gone, the nights are drawing in and yet I feel I have achieved nothing this year, and certainly am nowhere near completing tasks I had planned to finish. Yesterday, doing our weekly supermarket shop, the first items seen stacked by the entrance door were mince pies, lebkucken, stollen, and boxes of Christmas cards. Either the world has gone topsy-turvy or I have. Okay, I know this happens every year, the moment the children return to school after the summer break, the shops gear up for Christmas, but I’m simply not ready for it yet. 

It’s because it’s autumn here, a time of year I do not enjoy. Being an artist, I know I should for the glorious colours that nature provides and the bountiful fruits of the countryside, but it’s the season that always makes me feel down. The thought of long cold winter nights and foggy grey days makes me want to pack my bags for warmer climes. If only I could hibernate for four months. Yeah, like either of those is ever to ever happen.  So I just have to make the best of things. With no sun and cold weather, I can’t spend all afternoon in the garden. With rain and snowy days outside, inside I can paint those colourful landscapes and flowers I crave. I can curl up by the fire with a book. Better still, I have no excuse not to sit at my desk and write my own stories. Positive thinking is the only way I can cope with the months ahead and come out smiling at the end. 

That week of summer seems so far away now. The garden is still looking glorious and the new large painting I’m doing is coming along nicely – nearly finished. My latest novel is on the cusp of going to beta readers and critiquers (bless you all and thank you for helping to keep me going). There’s nothing now to stop me, only my own … what? Fear of failure – yes, that is what I’ve come to realize holds me back. As it does with many of us creative creatures, be it writers, artists, dancers, wannabe chiefs, ballerinas etc and so on. We always doubt ourselves and our abilities. Why do we torment ourselves like this, or is it only me? I don’t think it is.  

I’m trying hard to look on the bright side, I have much to be thankful for even though it has been a difficult year family wise not only for me, but for many others too. I’ve lost friends along the way this year, sad anniversaries coming up, but it’s no excuse to mope about. Life’s for living, life’s for making the most of every day, every hour, every moment. And that is what I intend to do. Starting right here, right now.

I only have to look out of the window or over the backyard fence to give me inspiration.

On The Island (Book Review)

I had another topic for this months blog but I’m shelfing it until next month to share this book with you. I read it in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. 

On The Island is different than anything I can remember reading. According to the author it has been promoted mostly by word of mouth.  I can attest to the promotion working as I read it after high praise by a friend.   

After numerous rejection Tracey Graves self-published it.  Now — according to Amazon it’s a runaway New Your Times bestseller. 

This debut novels success is impressive after a rough start. To the authors among us its encouraging and again reminds us that rejection doesn’t need to be the end.  Tenacity makes a difference. 

The story starts out with action. The pilot of a float plane with passengers T.J. Callahan, a sixteen-year-old student and his summer tutor thirty-year-old Anna Emerson crashing after the pilot has a heart attack.  Thankfully both T.J. and Anna put on life vests at the pilots direction.  The current finally washes them on to an uninhabited island. 

The story continues with action where they fight to survive. During their four years on the island they confront injuries, a shark and the elements especially dehydration and malnutrition.   About half way through the story, with them knowing their bodies can’t take much more the story shifts when in a dramatic twist (I don’t want to give away to much here), they are rescured. 

The rest of the story is a fast read and one you just have to keep turning pages. Sometimes stories slow down, especially in the middle. This one doesn’t. 

Be sure to read the Authors comments at the end of the story as it is inspiring. 

I’m looking forward to reading more of Tracey Garvis Graves.

A Road Less Travelled

July for me started on a high. After a long 3 years, it was time to travel down to Taunton for a much longed-for get-together with our writing group, namely Tricia (waving madly to you), Avis, and our hosts Rosemary … Continue reading →

Happy Juneteenth!

Jillian here. Happy June. Juneteenth is a now a federal holiday (since 2021)—If you’re unfamiliar with Juneteenth, here is a link with the history. Basically, it’s a commemoration of the end of slavery in Texas. While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, since Texas had seceded from the Union, it wasn’t really enforceable as there weren’t really any union troops in the area at that time. With the war ending in April 1865, there still wasn’t a way to enforce it until Major General Gordon Granger signed an Order on June 19, 1865 declaring the slaves free. The word Juneteenth was coined putting together June and 19^th.

Dido Elizabeth Belle (LINK) was the child of a female slave in the West Indies by the name of Maria Belle. Her father was Sir John Lindsay, a British Naval Captain stationed there.  John Lindsay brought the child back to England with him and had his uncle (the first Earl of Mansfield) raise the child alongside a cousin who the uncle and aunt were already raising. An interesting side note—Lindsay paid for the freedom of Maria Belle and granted ten acres to her in Pensacola where she built a home.

Dido was raised as an English gentlewoman and eventually married and had three children. A movie was made about her in 2013 and its called Belle. It’s very loosely based on the truth. LOL! 

The reason I bring all this up is on Saturday, June 10, an organization I’m in along with the local chapter of the National Coalition of Black Women are having a Juneteenth celebration where we are going to a private theater and watching the movie, Belle, and then going to a place downtown named Adonna’s (link) which is a local bakery/café. We’re having tea there with assorted sandwiches (chicken salad, cucumber cream cheese, Southern pimento cheese), a macron, pastry, and a pot of tea.

We’re also going to hear from Margo Stringfield, a local researcher with the University Of West Florida Archeology department about her research into Dido’s mother, Maria and her connection to Pensacola. I can’t wait. It’s going to be really interesting to learn more. Check out some info here.

I’m really looking forward to this event. It’s a great way to help our community celebrate Juneteenth and foster a good relationship with another organization. It’s going to be a very nice day out.