Survival is sometimes a challenge as a 6-decades+ old woman during a rampaging pandemic, terrifying insurrections in Washington (is it civil war yet?), watching a Death-Valley-like drying up of my freelance business, grieving a dead sister (did I miss anything?). So afternoons like today boost my heart, give me hope, help me live in the moment. I was graciously invited to join two sketching friends to explore a charming garden in Ballena Bay in Alameda to draw and paint and my god what a tonic. We sat at a table and enjoyed the sun with a spectacular view of the SF skyline at our backs and fun and interesting growing things at our feet. And bushtits hopping about the branches above us. And laughter at a nearby table in the yard as the innovative and hard-working gardeners joked and rested. Conversation sans Zoom! Laughing through our masks! Commiserating about today’s world that seems completely mad! I want more of these conversations and arty afternoons. I feel more sane and hopeful because of today’s gathering. As humans how we need conversation and time together! I will never again take things for granted like parties, meeting friends at restaurants, a good blues club. Even a brief interaction with a neighbor soothes and encourages. Sigh. OK. Soldiering on. Well, maybe “soldiering” is not quite the best word these days. But you get it.

7″ x 7″ watercolor, pen on paper = $65