Taking a shot at Being Alive

   Am I retired or not? I haven't been working for money, so maybe l am. We have a little money in a Canadian bank now so we get a free financial advisor. We (actually Deb) filled out a form asking us what we spend on what and what, if any income we are getting. We handed it all in like a homework assignment yesterday and now we wait for a few days for our new appointment whereby we will learn if we are actually in the "retirement" category or the "get your asses back to work" category. I am thinking perhaps we might be in the "make some realistic budget adjustments" department and squeak by without having to punch a clock somewhere. I love working here at home. We haven't had to buy vegetables for weeks now and  my quail are beginning to provide a few of their little eggs. Mark's recent visit resulted in  a stockpile of winter wood. I'm splitting and stacking when I can. 

 ! chicken egg = 3 Quail eggs.. Quail eggs are supposed to be better for you. I just like how easy they are to raise. Anyone could have their own little fresh eggs.

 Amirra is set loose on the unsuspecting Baba (me) first thing in the morning...Could life be any better?

 Mark cutting the dinky-ass size fire wood I need for my dinky-ass stove. Ten inch rounds with a 5 foot bar...bang bang bang

                                                 The girls, Jamie, Amirra and Deb. 


  I have been invited to show my work in Gibsons in July. They are giving me 15 feet of wall space for a show called "Homecoming" I wrote them and said I used to come here with the kids when my folks had a little camp trailer on the lot in Roberts Creek. They liked that I have "come home", and so now all I have to do is paint a bunch of paintings.
       Also, the Senior center was looking for a muralist to do something on the outside of their soon to be newly painted exterior. Since I'm "the new guy", I treaded softly, avoiding entrenched toes. You can't swing a cat without hitting an artist around here, many of them are entrenched. Imagine my surprise to learn the local art group had appealed to a (probably famous) muralist in Vancouver, who's comprehensive bid for the project would certainly put me in the "retirement" category had I presented and won such a sum. The result was nonetheless favorable for me as there was no way the Sechelt Senior Center could afford such a lofty bid. The moment I learned this, I began treading loudly.
      My plan for artwork on the senior center would involve the kids from the local elementary school. I don't know what the hell to paint on the center...but I'll bet the kids will. So I presented the idea to the powers that be at the Sr Cntr and he didn't know what the hell to paint on the Sr Cntr., but he sort of thought I might be on to something, so he said, in effect, "go ahead on" Then he went on vacation. So I emailed a nice letter to the principal of the elementary school and they seem very much on board. I am suggesting enough money for me so I don't go broke doing it and still put a few bucks in the bank. This will include class instruction on the mural theme, (which the kids and I will determine.) so the strapped school gets the freebie lessons. I didn't screw up noticeably enough for all my references to not like me so if they check me out, I'm not  worried.....in fact I hope they call a few principals and teachers I've worked with in case they all think I'm retired. 

  Next week I will be doing a workshop with all my ol' pals at the SnoValley Sr. Center in Carnation. They used to be all these old people ...now we're the same age (give or take) They have gone to great expense remodeling the ol' place and they have invited me to come and do a watercolor workshop in one of the new rooms set aside for the purpose. 
The following 4 days (June 19-22) I will be doing my "Sketching to Painting" workshops at the Frye Museum in Seattle.  But, as wonderful as all these events are, I am really excited to have an opportunity to work with the kids at Camp Korey in Carnation in August. This chance was brought to me by my daughter-in-law Jamie, who works there. Check it out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtGWK7zTWjc