The year has flown by and past experiences are falling into the shadowy recesses of my mind. As I grow older the ability to remember the details of what happened and when grows dim.
We are encouraged to live in the now, savour the moment, and I do. Life is so busy and full of activity, but my aging brain struggles to recall the details of past happenings, and there has been quite a few (I think!!!)
Now what where they…
In my quest to try different artistic activities, with varying degrees of success, I have even stopped taking many photos. That reliable record of dates and things done.
Here are just a few of the sketches and paintings I have done during the past year…
So what about the “year of the artistic endeavour”? Oh my, that sounds rather pretentious. Well I’ve discovered I am definitely no Renoir or Turner or even a Pollock. Not even a Grandma Moses, but maybe I still have time to aspire to that as I have another 5 years to go till I reach 80. I really enjoy dabbling and being absorbed in my right brain activities. But I lack the determination to put in hours of practice, I flit from this to that, easily giving up if it doesn’t work out the first time (and it seldom does). Too many distractions, and I’m easily distracted…
I live in the present and plan for the future and the next adventure. Now I suddenly realise my life is rushing by unrecorded….
Anyway do I really want to spend what’s left of life concentrating on one endeavour, trying to reach perfection…
So I’ve decided to embrace everything that comes along and just dabble and play at life. Don’t feel guilty if I don’t put in the hours of practice trying to achieve perfection.
Just enjoy life and be thankful I am healthy.
Time to return, periodically, to Blogland to try and capture and record some of the past years experiences and relive some of the magic moments before they disappear for ever in the relentless march of time and the ever accumulating new activities and outings…
One constant joy has been watching the garden through the seasons and now spring has arrived, though it is so hot, reaching and breaking all previous temperature records, it feels more like summer. The garden is in glorious bloom. So I will end with a few photos I took this morning…
So here I am back again. It has been a long time since I posted in WordPress and I quite surprised myself that I could remember how to do it.
So G’day to my friends out there, I’ll look forward to chatting with you again.
Memories are made of this 
Oh my goodness! What a lovely gift to hear from you again! It sounds like you have put good use to your time, and I do beg strenuously to differ, you are a very talented artist.
So lovely to hear from you Cindy, you are very kind with your comments. I’ll look forward to popping over to you for a visit soon.
Reblogged this on gypsy life and commented:
As I am not travelling so far and wide this year I will be using my “memories” blog to record my activities closer to home. This is the first post for over a year but I hope to be around more often now.
Hi Pauline, Lovely to see a post. Your artistry is fabulous and I love the portrait of Jack. Glad you are doing well!
Thanks Jane. Have you been over here this past year? I still remember our meeting.
So nice to see you back online I was wondering what you were doing and where you were. Lovely Pictures and loved the artwork. you have captured Jack to a T.
Hi Toni I missed the blogosphere and will try to post more often now I have got started again
thats good, I missed reading your newsy blog say hi to Jack love to both
well that garden bloom was nice – but your work is wonderful.
Love the sketch of jack too.
and we have something in common – I only have so much patience for art – well when I do it – it has to fit my time frame – and maybe a little more – but I have a window that is in my wiring… ha! a dna thing – I think.
and glad you are bacl – even if just a little for checking in – cos that can be a lot…
xxoo
Lovely comment Prior, I know what you mean about the patience thing, so easy to be side tracked, but I do try to keep trying. I think giving the blog away for a year definitely helped me set a bit of a habit in the art department. But I did miss the blogging community…
yes, I know what you mean – the community is wonderful – and breaks help me see that even more.
and I like your art!
👍
Well done Pauline, the paintings are AMAZING – Jack really laughs at you out of the page, now that impression takes talent. Sent an email about our last couple of weeks. Looking forward to keeping in contact again.
Hi to you both, I’ve just read your email, oh boy what a saga, life keeps interesting at the centre of the universe… we badly need rain and we may get some next week.
Hi Pauline what a lovely surprise to see your post amongst my emails this morning. Your artwork really is impressive, especially your portrait of Jack. And your garden looks like it’s flourishing despite the
heat. We’re walking across Northern Spain at the moment – I thought you’d like to know John has his sketch pad with him and sketches every day. I’m posting daily, which can be challenging, in an attempt to capture something of the experience. I’m looking forward to more of your posts, when they come along 🙂
I’m envious of your latest adventure. Are you doing the Camino? I will pop over to see what you are doing. Is john showing us any of his sketches? I’ve discovered that my favourite art form is pen and wash and pencil sketching. I always have my sketch book in my bag and tend to leave my camera at home. But I have just bought a compact camera that still has all the bells and whistles so am planning to do more photography again. Looking forward to catching up with you.
We are on the Camino – almost at the half way point. John has shown his sketches to a few people but I’m not sure whether he’ll post any … they’ll be a great reminder of where we’ve been though
I admire your spirit and am enjoying following along
Heavens to Betsy! What are the odds on you and Sherri Matthews both turning up unannounced within minutes of each other? And you are equally welcome back. Some of us have just been dithering around all year so at least you tried for a different lfestyle. I’m still thinking about it. 🙂 🙂 But be healthy, be happy is a very good way to go. Hugs, sweetheart!
Ah Jo so lovely to hear from you. I will be over to see what you have been up to soon. I’ve missed the friendly word Press community. Now to find the time without sacrificing the art…. Maybe get up earlier in the morning….
🙂 🙂
Welcome back! What a wonderful surprise! I think you’re doing excellent artistic work, work that will make those around you happy as well.
janet
Thank you Janet. I love your new avatar with your beautiful horse. Look forward to popping over and catching up…
Pauline, I hate to disappoint you, but it’s the same avatar. I do look forward to seeing more of you again.
Oh I must’ve had a memory lapse!!!!
🙂 It’s all that time off.
🙄
It’s wonderful to hear from you again. I think your art work is amazing–your time has been well-spent. But you are wise to relax and enjoy a variety of things. Welcome back!
Good to be back in the blogosphere, I did miss it.
I echo Cindy, it was delightful to see you had dropped in .. nice!
Thank you I have missed all the lovely connections from all over the world.
Garden looks amazing!! Good to hear from you. Love ya xx
Will be trying to do a bit more blogging, so watch this space. Love to you and Dom. Big hugs…
I think your art is wonderful, the portrait of Jack is excellent. I hope he is keeping in good health. And it is so nice to see your beautiful garden again PP. Welcome back to the blogosphere, no matter how infrequent your posts, it is always nice to see you.
Thanks Jude for the lovely comments. I bet your garden is a work of art with all the work you must’ve put into it over the past year. I’m looking forward to seeing it soon…
Wonderful to see you back, see the garden, and some of your lovely art. I adore poppies, so am delighted to see yours!
It’s good to be back, now I must find time to do some more posts
you and jack were on my mind just a few days ago, and it’s so great to get a smoke signal! yippee, especially when the smoke signal comes with some amazing art! wow! that study of jack is wonderful! all of the art is wonderful!
hugs to both of you!!!!
lisa
Just love the “smoke signal” comment Lisa. It was you that really inspired me to get going with the art. and I’m looking forward to seeing what you have been up to during this past year. See you soon…
My heart smiles knowing that you’re back – even though I am online so rarely. The timing was perfect – tomorrow I’ll be heading back to my new home, where once again, internet options are not very convenient – but the nature is amazing!
New home??? Will look forward to checking it out
So nice to “see” you here. I can’t believe it has been a year already. I hope you and Jack are doing well.
Thanks Dawn we are both well and yes a year has flown by….
Welcome back!
Thank you I’m liking the chat with blogging buddies
Good to see you back, stay cool.
👋🏻😀
Lovely to see your post and to hear that you are back in our blog world. Your words and photos are always welcome 🙂
Thanks Ruth. I did miss the comraderie of the community
It’s good to see you, your art and your glorious garden, welcome back 🙂
I missed you all, it is good to be back and chatting with you all again
Big smiles Pauline, Welcome back, and what an entrance.. Such beautiful art. Love the one of Jack..
And your garden is a credit to you.. Love your new Blog Pauline.. So lovely to see you here in Blogland again.. 🙂 ❤
Thanks Sue it s good to be back. Now to find time to do some more posts
😀 xxx
Hi Sue lovely to hear from you, thank you for the kind comments, hope all is well with you
Hi Pauline it was a lovely surprise to see your post. Your sketches are just great , a good talent.
Welcome back
xx Sheila
Good to hear from you Sheila. I missed all my buddies
Welcome back! I saw you commenting on another blog and was shockingly surprised! And your year shows lovely results – that portrait of Jack is just wonderful. You are skilled. And I love to see your garden again – no flowers here in winter. Once again – welcome back to us!
Thank you for the kind comment I am easing myself back, trying to not let the blog take over my life….
Good thinking. Maybe it is easier after a long break like yours.
Wow! I love your selection of artwork – especially the portrait – (I learned his name is Jack from other comments) Very nice selection of flower photographs too!
I cannot find your latest blog? Can you send me the link?
🙂