Skip to main content

If I may, I'd like to make a point

I'm not sure how much of a fad it continues to be, but I am dabbling in adult coloring books. I think I first saw some reference to the past time about two years ago. I know I was living in Louisana. I got a small set of colored pencils and my first book of the Impressionist Masters. The challenge is to make your coloring of a cartoon version of an old master, your own.

I learned from my painter friends that you really want to limit your color choices (your Pallet). Selecting some basic colors that you can vary in intensity by your application. I have a device that I can use to rub the colors to press them into the paper and get more coverage. I can use it to shade edges to give the piece dimension. I found the rubbing the colors on with the side of the pencil point works better than holding it as you would if you were writing or printing. I discovered that you have to exercise a modicum of patience and that you can learn things as you go.

I don't color every day. Most of the time, I use it when I need to relax. It helps get other stuff out of mind and gives some satisfaction of creating something.

Ah! The sun shines bright.
March! I'm told that March in Wisconsin has the biggest change in the average temperature of any month of the year. You know. In like a lion, out like a lamb. With the mild winter we're having, one is tempted to think we might be getting the shorts out of storage a bit early this year.

I told my wife that I was positive I could assure everyone of a major snowstorm if I got my golf clubs out of the garage, started to clean them and maybe take a couple of them in for new grips. But that just some of that Wisconsin weather pessimism that we inflict on ourselves constantly. If we have unseasonably good weather, we think that somewhere down the line we're going to pay for it. It's silly of course, but it does make good Lake Wobegon-type dialogue.

As I write the warm weather and the rain we got last night eliminated the little snow cover we had. Today the wind is drying the ground, and I'm sure, pushing any remaining ice off of Lake Winnebago.

My Louisana buddy called me yesterday and, with tongue-in-cheek, invited me to attend an LSU baseball game. Long time readers will remember I did just that last year about this time. While this idea is tempting, I think not. While SEC college baseball is at a very high level, I don't think I can afford the travel expenses. I do remember sitting in the covered seating while a misty rain floated through the area and a very entertaining baseball game was played. It was not a bad scene for February.

I am Poppa Jeff. I live at Camp Jeff. I bid you Adios from the expanding shores of Lake Maria.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Once A Young Man

 My late friend Jack had a saying that's lost on young people; it sure was lost on me. With his version of a Finnish accent, he'd say, " We are too soon old and too late, smart." I've never heard anybody answer the question about returning and reliving their youth that didn't include the covariate that they would know what they know now. Maturation and accepting the onset of the later years of our life goes a long way to mellowing our passions. Chicago Bear fans are less intimidating, and the members of the opposite sex who are age appropriate are far more appealing than we might have thought in our youth. Yes, I will admit some men still try to relive their youth in ways that defy logic. This facet of two late smart prevents athletes from realizing when their best years are behind them. More men than women seem to delude themselves into believing that members of the opposite sex half their age are suitable mates.  I'm not going to deny that some of us old...

Which Doctor Do I Call?

 It started with weepy, crusty eyes. Then my left leg started acting like it had a swivel for a knee. Suddenly, I was experiencing a lack of energy. To top it off, I wasn't getting a good night's sleep. Who do ya call? In my case, I'm calling my primary. My eye problem might need a specialist. Since I have CMT, my leg problem could be neuropathy or orthopedic. My cancer treatments might lead to my lack of pep. And despite using my pillows to attain perfect comfort, my aching legs and lower back keep me awake. I'm going to be cutting back a bit since my health seems to be melting before my weepy, crusty eyes. I've quit my tutoring gig. This hurts me. My student, six-year-old Aydn Collins, is a joy to be with. I had hoped my contribution to his education would be good for him. The biggest problem with the job is getting in and out of the school. Featuring long walks from and back to the parking lot and the mountain of stairs. The older schools are wonderful in almost ...

Watching the Oldies

Note: Last week's post was late. There is a reason. Read on.  Classic Film: From Here To Eternity The film opens in Hawaii in 1941. The film stars Bur Lancaster, Mongomery Clift, Deborah Carr and Donna Reed. It is before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The only scene I remember is a scene many people who never watched the entire film have seen. It shows Bert Lancaster and Deborah Carr lying on a sandy beach, kissing as an incoming washed over them. Given the popularity of that scene, it was amazing to me that that iconic image is only seconds long in the film. The story is about the innocence of army personnel with no idea what's coming. Lancaster literally runs the squad while his Captain lets him take charge so he can campaign for his promotion and cheat on his wife.  To make up for the disrespect he has for his commanding officer, Lancaster beds his Captain's officer's wife only to fall in love with her.  Clift's character suffers the humiliation of an offic...