Dizzy & Sprite

Cathy lost both Dizzy and Sprite last month.

They were very special cats and it has been a hard loss for her, so I painted their portraits.

Dizzy was my cat for 6 weeks, then I gave her back to Cathy because it didn't work.

That was the right choice, Dizzy was always meant to be with Cathy.

Both paintings are 5x7 oil.

Connecticut, Hammock, Friendship, and Oil Paint

Cathy asked me if I could visit her this weekend.  Her husband is away at Dragon Con and she could use the company.

Well, it has been WAY too long since I saw her, so off to CT I went.

I went through Grand Central.

I love Grand Central, always have.

I also remember when the ceiling was black from all the old cigarette smoke.

There used to be one little patch of cleaned ceiling, just to prove the constellations were real I guess.

I said to Cathy "I'm going to bring my hammock and sleep in your back yard."

Cathy said 'You're really weird!"

Hahaha I know!

Cathy didn't think I could actually do it, but I sure did and it was AMAZING.

I got an under-quilt for the hammock and wanted to do a gear test.

Plus, sleeping outdoors in that hammock is literally the most physically comfortable thing ever.

I hung my kayak light for some indoor-hammock lighting.

Of course I brought oil paint!

6x8 oil

More hammock pics

I took Gypsy for a walk... the woods on one side have been cleared for houses, and it's pretty devastating. 

Those woods were so wonderful and now they are gone and it hurts.

Dizzy is like 17 now, she was my cat for 2 weeks many years ago.

This is Fluffy, who is ridiculously friendly.

Look what Cathy got me.... this is so wonderful and lovely.

The book inside is The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter.

I'm going to read it on the hotline between calls.

We saw Jaws in the theater, which was cool.

Jaws is still a great film.

We also went to Essex and Mystic.

We got the best garlic salt ever and a few other things.

We both liked these flowers.

I had such a nice time with Cathy, and it was so good to see her and spend time together.

Don't Let Me Take You for a Walk in the Woods

This morning I joined Cathy's husband, Mark, on his morning walk in the woods with the dog.
I love the woods.

Mark is a great guy for many reasons, and one of those reasons was his willingness to let me show him my off-trail (and illegal) path over to the reservoir!

It's a bit rugged.

(I admit that's an understatement)

I really wanted to find the tree I marked with blue artist tape to see if the tape was still there.

We walked through the woods..................

...and made it to the reservoir!!

I took a picture of Mark with Gypsy and sent it to Cathy.

AND THEN..........................

A utility company vehicle drove past us!

This is the first time I have ever seen ANYONE on that road.

The lady pulled over and asked me where we came from.

I said the woods.

She asked where did we park?

I said we didn't, we walked.

She said from where? 

I said the woods.

She said the road is not public access and we have to leave.

I said ok, what's the nearest way out?

She pointed down the road and said about a mile that way.

Since I know that road quite well, i knew exactly where she was directing us.

It's a LONG walk back to Cathy's from there.

No hecking way!

I did not tell the lady that though.

I apologized and said we would leave.

Then Mark walked up and she asked him where did we park?

(I guess she didn't believe me)

He said we walked.

She said from where?

He said from the houses on the other side of the woods.

She still looked skeptical... like why would anyone do that?

We promised to leave and she drove away, in the direction she told us to go.

We were both in complete agreement that we weren't doing that, so we cut back through the woods and found the trail again pretty quickly.

I did not find my blue-taped tree, sadly.

I hope she drove back looking for us and didn't see us anywhere, and wondered where we went-- or even better--- if we were ever there at all!

So that's how Mark and I got in trouble and got kicked out of the reservoir, and it is 100% my fault.

Will I ever walk through the woods to the reservoir again?

HELL YES.

**************

When we got back Dizzy came out to say hi to me.

Dizzy absolutely knows and remembers me.  

She always gives me a nice purry greeting.

Mark is a retired navy commander, and we went to the sub base to pick up some tables.

Henri in CT

I spent the weekend with Cathy in CT, right in the hurricane tropical storm that..... wasn't.

But I didn't bring paint with me because of it.

There was a rat rescue event and I got to see DRU AND BRANWEN! YAY! I was so happy to see them, it's been too long.

Cathy has more foster kittens.

Dizzy

The not-so-stormy-storm.

Cathy wanted me to paint a cat on her wall so I did.

Marble

Connecticut

On Friday evening after work I got on the last train to Boston, got off at New London CT, and went to visit Cathy.  Her friend passed away and she was feeling bummed out and asked me if I could come visit.  Of course I said yes. I'm glad to keep Cathy company.

Going up Friday night worked out really well- even though my train was an hour late. I got into CT at 11:30pm.  I just went to sleep right when I got to Cathy's.  But this is significantly better than coming in Saturday morning because neither of us has to wake up early.  Cathy is nocturnal and prefers being up late at night, so picking me up late is more comfortable for her.  Win-win.

Daya stayed home. I have zero issue leaving her home alone for a couple of nights.  She did great in October and doesn't mind at all.  I would like to bring her with me next time, but it depends on dance.
But it is really nice that she is old enough I have the option either way.  And I'm sure it was nice for her to get a break from me.

*******
Cathy's husband, Mark, is not nocturnal and whenever I am visiting I join him for his morning walk in the woods with the dog.  On Saturday morning I brought my painting gear and stayed in the woods.

I found a nice spot.  Last time I painted in the woods it was just so magical, and I was hoping to experience that again.  I figured- I'm here in the nice woods, I'll listen to the woods while I paint.

My painting started out well enough. I even thought- this is going to be a good painting.  I felt it.
And then........ I bombed.  I mean I REALLY bombed.
I was working 6x8, which should take me less than an hour and a half, tops.
2 hours later I was less than half done, had wiped out the top twice, and just called it.

Holy hell, what happened?????

On the walk back, I think I figured it out.
My head got SO LOUD.

SO. LOUD.

So loud I couldn't paint!

And I just didn't think to put something on to listen to.

Well, there is learning in all experiences, especially our failures.
I did keep the bottom of the painting because I like it.
And I think I will work on the rest at home with my leftover paint.

**************
I did get to visit with Cathy's rats and cats, which is always fun.

Dizzy came to sit with me, but Rusty was already there and Dizzy doesn't like Rusty.
I have no clue why she would come sit next to a cat she doesn't like then get mad at him for being there, but that's what happened.

***********
Sunday morning Mark and I went for a walk to a 300 year old farmhouse ruin in the woods.

Deer poop

I had a really lovely weekend with Cathy.

Pebbles and Isis were glad to see me because they wanted food, and they enjoyed smelling all the new smells I brought back.

(Furball was scared of the new smells.)