New beginnings....

New beginnings indeed!

As I start on this journey of 100 paintings I have to begin with an apology.

I know some of you have been looking for the posts as I typically begin in July.

For that, I am sorry as now I know some of you miss the daily posts that typically are a part of summer.

This past year has been a hectic one to say the least.

As the Bible says in Proverbs 19:21;

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

This has been my mantra for the past several months.

Last year, during the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores Alabama my father was in the hospital.

He sent me with his blessing to the show after having a lovely meal for his birthday in CCU.

During the show, he took a turn for the worse, and I talked with his doctor on Sunday.

Monday morning, I went immediately to the hospital and met with his doctor.

She recommended hospice....

We transported him on Tuesday morning and I spent the rest of the day with him there.

I also spent Wednesday all day, praying for God to release him from his earthly pain.

God answered my prayer Thursday morning at 2:28 am.

Needless to say, it was a shock even though I knew the end was near.

It's never easy to lose a parent.....

I am the executor of the estate and boy it is a LOT.

Multiple bank accounts, (fortunately I was also on them and had access).

Money "abandoned" in a bank account and seized by the state.

Insurance paperwork.

Military paperwork.

Social security paperwork.

Insurance shares in a Canadian trust?!? More paperwork.

Probate of will using a lawyer. Probate still in process.

House, cars, property to all be dispersed eventually.

The house has been an ongoing task.

Several dumpster loads, three-yard sales, rest donated to a fundraiser.

There are multiple things to sell still.

Then there were the shows in March, April and May that took me out of town for 5 weeks.

Commissions from the shows, one delivered, one pending.

We hit the ground running for inventory as well in June, as I had sales at the galleries.

This brought us to July.

July saw the most massive set build for my church I have ever done for VBS.

Lots of hot hours outside at the pieces were too large to work on indoors.

We built 28 panels that hopefully will become a permanent part of set design for the church.

The panels are covered in fabric and can be repainted again and again.

We also had an amazing team come from Missouri to help.

We logged over 350 hours in three days.

Their hands and hearts were desperately needed.

Then came set up on the 28th of July.

Five hours and multiple hands were used, and the results were 

amazing for the children to be wowed Monday morning.

Monday morning, we left to go to India for a month.

We are here for Dahlia's third birthday, Bappa's 40th birthday, and Neels 6th.

We brought the entire LEGO birthday party, decorations, party favors, toys, 

and outfits for the entire Banerjee family.

We also brought 4 large boxes of Goldfish for the kids.

While here, we are going to Goa (beach) for a few days.

We then go to Bangalore for a short time, then back to Delhi.

When we get back here, we will have the birthday party on the 24th,

Bappa's mother's birthday on the 26th,

then we head home. 

I have been painting here as you can see.

Lovely canvas bought from Jaipur, cut into multiple flat pieces for me to create upon.

I prepared before our trip, using patterns and references from before.

It has been interesting, trying to paint with grandchildren calling, "Come YaYa"

Needless to say, I go!

Because after all, that is why we are here in the first place!

September and October will be interesting to say the least!

The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

~Jacques Yves Cousteau~

100 days~100 paintings 2024