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August 20 More Rain....... Yesterday we had a major downpour ~ between 4-6 inches of rain. The river is up around a foot, but everything really needed the moisture. It is so hard to believe that we are in the middle of August. I am still waiting for summer to arrive in Minnesota as it has been very cool compared to most summers. We get a few nice, warm days and now it is back to below normal temps. I sure hope that this is not a sign of what this winter is going to be like. Anyway, I really do not mind the rain as everything seems to come back to life after such a major storm. Last week I just finished up a workshop with an artist who teaches in Stillwater, MN. Wouldn't you know it that we had the hottest days of the season that week along with the humidity. We were all troopers though and enjoy each and every minute of painting outdoors. First we spent a couple of days along the St. Croix River at the Boom Site. Thankfully, the river has a cooling effect and the temps were better there. The last day we headed to the O'Brien State Park - another beautiful area top paint. Soon I will be heading to Grand Marais, MN for a paintout. What fun! I did this last year and the area is absolutely beautiful. I promise to take some photos and post them as well as all the paintings that I complete. There will be a plein aire competition at the Art Colony in Grand Marais. Lots of fun. Check out my latest newsletter on my website. It has some really interesting information on seeing color! Here is the link: Spirit River Studio Blog. If you like the news, sign up for my newsletter. I send it out once or twice a month and there are a few extras that I save just for my subscribers. Back to the easel to paint......MaryAnn December 31 Update on being homeHi everyone~
I thought that I would give an update as to what I have been up to lately. I do have a temp. job through a contract agency.....for my previous employer. It will probably last antoher 3-6 months and will only be parttime. However, it will nice to have the extra income while looking for another position.
I am trying to get back into my art...tried a couple of paintings and realize that my skills will take a couple of weeks of concentrated effort to come back to where they once were. It is very nice doing it again. I am still trying to get my house in order....being gone for two years did have an accummulation effect of "stuff" and "dirt" even though there was a person living here. What can I say....at least the lawn was mowed and the mail gathered.
Well, I am getting closer to doing the "art" blog and I will keep everyone posted. I may need to change the title on this blog to something more appropriate. One thing for sure, it is wonderful being back in the U.S. There truly is "no place like home."
Happy Holidays everyone~MaryAnn December 14 Adjusting.....Home at last and adjusting.....I have been working on my website (new site for my art) and another blog site for "daily" painting. Both are challenging. I am also going to do some temporary work .... for my previous employer. I really had to be careful so not to screw with the pension and medical insurance...but there is a way....I now will work through a temp agency. I really like being able to do this and hopefully this will happen with other jobs...... a perfect fit for me. I just spoke with my old boss and he said that he did hold his promise of finding me work when I returned from China. He is a great person and I wish all were like him. For now, I am just trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life....my wonderful children seem to have much more faith in me than me....they said, "don't worry mom, we know that you will do great things"....they are wonderful children and I do truly feel blessed to have such "jewels".
Next week I head to Arizona....not so bad...it will take the chill off the Minnesota winter. However, I do love putting a log in the ol' wood stove and sitting back and enjoying life for the moment. It is wonderful to look out the window and watch the changes before me.....many deer tracks traveling through the yard and critters searching for apples underneath the apple tree. There really is nothing like it.
I am trying to get my home back to being a home...cleaning and purging old things as well as setting up a space to do my art......more to come with that. The time is near for jumping in and just doing it.
Well, it is sooooo nice to be home ~ MaryAnn November 09 Sorting thngs for the return home.....Today I will try to arrange things for the packers next week. I am still waiting to hear which day that they will be here..... Last night there was a going away dinner for me. It was very nice with the other remaining expats joining and a couple of my co-workers who have spent considerable time with. Most of the folks that I deal with are throughout China...mainly in the Shanghai area and Shenzhen so it was very difficult not being able to see them before my departure back to the U.S. The group at dinner gave me a beautiful going away gift that I will cherish....everyone signed the back of it, too. It is a black and white photo of a place in Suzhou and then there are areas with subtle color....very delightful and wonderful. It will bring back wonderful memories everytime that I look at it.
I've tried to capture a photo of it.
It looks like there will be a group Thanksgiving Day here as there are still several folks from the U.S. here as well as others who are friends of friends. The dinner will be near 40 people!! I will probably go as it will be the closest thing to a real Thanksgiving dinner.
Well, take care everyone......off to sort things and hopefully so that things that are NOT supposed to get packed don't.....this will be difficult and I am trying to figure out how to accomplish that aspect ;-).
L ~ Maryann
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