In my confusion with my computer, I have felt in a daze today. This is quick and raw, but therapeutic for me, and frankly, that's all that matters right now. Getting better, figuring stuff out. Thank God for the GeekSquad. Shout out to Tamara in KC...you are it, girl! 

This self portrait reflects how I feel when technology-based things I depend on go awry. Grrrr.........makes me want to eat a thistle. 

Last one for a while. Little weed bush with purple flowers. Thought it was pretty cool. Then I started drawing it. This one took a while, and I had a major hand cramp from the pen afterwards. Wow. Art Hurts. 

Below is Clay's drawing for the day. It's a Lego creation of Brendan's...That's all I know.

Another walk in the weeds series drawing. This one is dedicated to the saddest of all Disney characters...Eeyore. The thistle is Eeyore's favorite food. Why? Because he is a masochistic little ass. No one should be that pathetic ever. Chin up and press on little donkey, life is really not that grim. 

Below is Clay's drawing for the day. Was pretty impressed by this one. 

Another walk amongst the weeds. Today's sketch(es) are based on two different breeds of dandelion that I saw on my walkin' trail. I'm not sure what their real names are, so I've named them "dandelis microscopis" and "dandelis giganticus." Needless to say, the proportions depictehere are accurate.


Clay's sketch for today (below) is Angry Birds.

Today I took my usual walk, but stopped every so often to take a look at some of the local weeds. Quite a variety. This is just one of them. Not sure what it is, but I thought it was kind of interesting. The little "flowers" look like minature corn cobs atop just some regular looking grass. This is not the end of this.There will be more. Oh yes. There. Will. Be. More.

Below is Clay's sketch for today. Again, not quite sure what it is, but he drew it in a hurry after dessert tonight in his sugar buzz. So, enjoy that.

Today's little composition was inspired by a positive quote. I find myself turning to my collection of positive quotes when I can't think of anything to draw. It breaks my "artist's block." The quote is a Chinese Proverb: "Keep a green tree in your heart, and a songbird may come to sing there."

Below you'll see sketches by both of my sons. We sat out on the deck after dinner and drew until the sun went down tonight. Quite the family moment. Clay's sketch is a lego scuba diver (top), Brendan's sketch is a lego surfer (bottom). They liked how my #19 turned out, so they wanted to give it a shot. Not bad effort! Brendan is joining in, but he couldn't guarantee that he'd be able to commit to it everyday. I've got to respect that...a man who knows his limits.

This is my son, drawing his daily journal page today, which is below. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice I was drawing him until about 8 minutes in. Then, he was pretty squirmy and wouldn't go back to the same position. Anyway, he took his sketchbook out to lunch with us today. We had Brooklyn Deli subs--if you haven't tried....omg, they're good. He drew the lamp post below, and when it didn't quite fit in his composition, he invented a portal for it to come back in. Cute. Really cute. I couldn't be more proud. Also, bonus drawing below (bottom) is my very first sketch of this darling boy, when he was watching the Wiggles, 11 months...April, 2001. Enjoy!

Oh, glorious Friday. And even more glorious-er, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy. Beer heaven being illustrated here.

My son has decided to finish the journey with me. He is twelve. His first sketch is below: the earth, specifically rotated to show the USA, with an orbiting satellite, and of course UFO.

Today, to celebrate my HALFWAY milestone, I spent the day making an unimpressive amount of money by sitting in a hot garage with one of my BFFs, hocking my used goods. The ol' GARbAGE sale. So much work, so little reward. I think besides the meager income, reclaiming the junked-up spaces of my home and garage are worth all the effort. The massive amounts of fun, including serenading our customers, and dancing to 97ZOK, will end tomorrow afternoon, whereupon all of my junk will all be donated to the Goodwill or Salvation Army.