Monthly Archives: October 2019

What to do?

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People often ask me if I have enough to do, being retired and all. I have to laugh. I am so busy having fun I can hardly get my chores done. Between working on my educational project to teach local students about the sea turtle, painting (watercolor or acrylic) on cow skulls, paper, rocks, or anything that stands still, or taking short trips to see and immerse myself in the local environment, I have little time for anything else. It’s a blessing to have so many interesting things to do. I’m in an art group here in El Pescadero where I live, “Art Just Down the Road.” The women I paint with inspire and challenge and support each other. It’s fun. Retirement is fun.

Here’s a taste:

Sea of Cortez--Isla Espiritu Santo
For my 73rd birthday party, I went with my husband and my niece on the trip of a lifetime with Paula of Explora Baja to the Sea of Cortez, Isla Espiritu Santo.
A day in the warmest water seeing such natural sights makes me happy.
Look really closely. Can you see the “map of Baja?”

The water, the rocks, the sea creatures are a kaleidoscope of colors. A feast for the eyes.

While one doesn’t get to do this every day, I get to do it often. Spoiled? I prefer to think I deserve it. After all I was a public school teacher for 20 years. I worked with 130 students a day when I taught high school in Washington State, grading papers on my “own time” and commuting from Whidbey Island to Mukilteo. Now I am enjoying my own time, at my own pace.

My niece, Stacey, in the foreground. She said she was thrilled to be in this place, and never imagined herself in water this color.
This is inside a cave. Does it remind you of anything? Bajajajajajaja
From my bedroom deck. We make it our standing “date” to watch sunset every single night.

Art (or close to it)

Found this skull and waited a few years before I painted it.
Took a photo in Cataviña (on the way up the Baja), and this is my watercolor rendition.
Here is the photo.
Watercolor
Watercolor
My new interest is sea turtles and teaching the local students about them. I tried my hand at a watercolor.
Photography is a passion of mine too.
A roof tile I painted for my neighbors.
The Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, MX. Two Taramuhara making baskets with the canyon in the background.

We took the El Chepe Train to so many great places along the canyon. The Copper Canyon is actually a series of 6 canyons and bigger and deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Did I mention the sunsets are fabulous?
Did this watercolor in a class.

Got to get dinner ready. I’ve been having too much fun sharing my life of adventure and creations with you. Retirement is the best.