Artsy

Do you consider yourself to be an "artsy" person? My text string with friends recently devolved in to talk about art. One of my friends plans to take online drawing lessons. How cool is that? I must admit, the texting chatter had initially started with a rundown of our ailments - including hand arthritis! But it evolved to art talk. That's how our strings go. They are such therapy for me, especially in this isolated time.  

These texts are with my friends from childhood. At one point I lamented about how our conversations have evolved through the years! Starting with toys and playing, to boys, school ("Mrs. Harter was mean today!"), and makeup - onto relationships and then kids for some of us. We talk about lots of things nowadays like weather, family, the state of the world, and health.  Don't forget pets! It's nice that they share their furbaby pics with me.  

This week it was fun to be on a message string about hobbies that feed our creative selves. As friends of 40, 50, and for a couple even 60 years, we know each others' family trees. We talked about where in our family trees those art genes may have come from. I've got some serious art genes. Please note: I don't really know if there are "art" genes. Maybe it's nature plus nurture. I do know that some of us enjoy things that others don't. It's it grand that we're not all the same? 

 

My grandfather, Wallace Orville Bullock (we called him Bubba) was the first generation artist that I know about. As an older man, Bubba took up oil painting as a hobby. He and a friend, Louis Reinig, traveled to Omaha for art classes. I am fortunate to have one of the first paintings he did - plus two others. He was a prolific painter as his children and grandchildren all ended up with one or more of his lovely works. He painted landscapes. I remember him using pictures in magazines as models/inspiration. A whole room in their home at 909 Poplar in Atlantic served as his painting spot. It was filled with easels, canvasses and paint.  

One of Bubba's later works

Bubba's daughter, my Aunt Marty is very artsy and creative. She's collected art from around the world as she traveled with my Uncle Bill and served as a docent at the Denver Art Museum for years. Her sis, my Aunt Jeanie is a talented cross-stitcher and I remember her sewing too. 

Aunt Jeanie, Bubba, Momo with Charlie the dog

                                                                                                   Dad with Marty and Jean

I don't remember Dad (Marty and Jean's older brother) displayed any artsy talents. I fondly recall that during my folks' Florida years, he helped collect shells to spray and personalize with sharpies for each of Jud and Amy's classmates. He certainly was a snazzy dresser. And he was funny and had a way with words - crafting them into things still say today. For example, I just saw Pontiac (car) the other day and I caught myself chanting Pontiaciaciac. Why? Because that's what Dad would say. That makes me smile. 

Dad with his girls

Of my siblings, sister Cindy was identified early as the artistic one. You can bet she lorded her artsiness over me, one of little patience (and skill) for coloring and drawing. Later she majored in art education at Drake, and I benefitted from some of the projects she completed - jewelry and clay pots. Cindy still has a great sense of style that I admire - she got the gift. 

Amy did this award winning watercolor in high school

In our own family, Amy self-identified as an artist at an early age. She cranked out drawings on recycled computer paper from Paul's office from the time she could hold a marker. Amy loved creating books - she'd illustrate and I'd fill in the text. Her creativity throughout childhood was amazing. When others made posters for the science fair, she "created" one with fonts, backgrounds, and colors. It was her destiny to become some type of artist in life. Amy's fluorishing graphic design business keeps growing and changing as she adds skills. Jud has the talent of absorbing information in spongelike fashion - you want him on your trivia team. 

When my homie friends and I were texting about artistic talents, we agreed that even though some of us are not as talented when it comes to drawing or painting - that doesn't mean we shouldn't try! And, we know that everyone has talents - some are just more subtle. The nice thing is when you reach a certain age you finally have time to nurture your creative side - flower arranging, wood-working, photography, cooking, music, sewing, painting, writing, and many more that I haven't even considered. 

Or you can calm your soul by completing jigsaw puzzles while listening to books. Have a great Thanksgiving dear readers. It may not be the one you had hoped and planned for, but there is much to be thankful for. Stay safe and healthy! 

Birthday Girl!

It's my birthday - again! I'm getting to be the age where one realizes each one is a gift - not just those important milestones like the one when you get your driver's license or can legally drink alcohol - or can retire. This is my first retired birthday and I must say to do prefer it to a working birthday - even when work treats/singing were involved. 

Paul and I worked as Election Officials at the poll in West Des Moines yesterday from 6 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. It was our first time. It was exhausting but very rewarding. We completed training a couple of weeks ago, but that really didn't prepare me for a 7 a.m. stream of eager voters lined up to do their civic duty. The crush lasted for about 4 hours - I didn't have time to use the restroom or even take a pill for a headache. 

The team of eleven officials (split evenly Rs/Ds), led by a veteran official was mostly newbies. Older poll workers had opted out due to Covid. We all wore masks - and some of us started the day with a shield too but they proved to be a bit cumbersome. The computer system is very slick - using scanners for those who have Iowa Driver's licenses. Even without, those in the system can use several methods to satisfy voter requirements. 

It surprised me how many people needed to register to vote on Election Day. Did they not see the "Make a Plan to Vote" outreach or was that their plan all along? I've never been a procrastinator so I just don't get it. Still, the system was pretty efficient once I figured it out and we got them registered and able to vote. Paul was the guy that fed the paper ballots into the counting machine. Our site had 2 precincts - had about 1,500 people vote - 700 in the first 4 hours.

So today is my birthday! I'm exhausted and like everyone, am awaiting election results. In the meantime, it's gorgeous here so I hope to get in a walk. I'm trying to stay off the Internet (this counts as writing, not Internet time). That's my plan going forward - less social media, more real life. Or books - always my retreat since childhood. 

                                                Lee Van Nostrand's bday party

This morning I was thinking of childhood birthday parties - mine and ones I went to. We shopped for presents in downtown Atlantic, put on little dresses, and went to large parties where there were games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Pop the Balloon with your Butt. One year I received three identical Piggy Banks as gifts - two blue and one pink. I don't think I had that much change! Sometimes my mom would make me take a little kid pajama set for the birthday girl as a gift - because Dad was a sales rep for that company. Ugh! How embarrassing! I would have hated to get that as a gift. Give me a GI Joe! 

Speaking of my childhood, last week I drove to St. Louis to spend time with my kids - new parents Jud and Kara and grandchild, Nell. While we had time together Jud asked me questions about my childhood - something we'd never had a chance to talk much about before. He has met a few of my childhood friends, though it's been a while since he's seen them - Sally, Robyn, and Julia. It was fun to tell him about some of our childhood antics! And then to talk about things we're doing in our 60's. 

Speaking of Nell - when I'm feeling stressed, I picture that little face and I smile! Jud and Kara are doing such a great job with her. They were very generous to allow me to hold her whenever I wanted to. She's just starting to smile - so many emotions can cross her face in a short time, but she seems to be a pretty chill baby. The weather wasn't too great but I was content just hanging with her at the house.

We did get out on Wednesday on a trip to the free St. Louis Zoo. Nell snoozed her way around the bears, big cats, seals, and apes. She's adorable sleeping in her stroller! It was nice to get out of the house. Jud and Kara went on a date that night and the kiddo and I did just fine. Even mellow babies demand a great deal of attention - parents need their own oxygen as a couple - away from the baby. 

I can't believe how strong Nell is getting already! She's getting to that stage where on her tummy she seems angry that she can't do more. She's got a play area mat on the floor and it's fun to see her new awareness of her surroundings. Pups Archie and Henry like to check her out when she's on the floor. Just wait until she's mobile guys! 

I drove home on Friday. It was hard to leave - knowing how much she'll change by the time I see her again. I was happy to see my honey who had spent the week hunting and working. While I was gone we got a new furnace - the homeowner moneypit is alive and well. Next up - a window. Happy Birthday!