Summertime!

And the living is easy – well, not so much. The experts say we’re in the second part of the first wave of the COVID-19, and the pandemic is continuing to surge across America. Currently our borders are closed – all of Europe, Canada and Mexico have now banned Americans from traveling. And the frustration is that the information has been confusing and sporadic: wear the masks/don’t bother; stay at home/take that dream vacation; avoid large groups/let’s pack the bar! Now with cases surging across southern states, the governors are finally yelling: WEAR THE MASKS!

Ah well. What can I control today? Not much! Our family is staying healthy and we are indeed thankful. And in spite of it all, the gardens are thriving in these hot days and we’ve started collecting rainwater to make the dry times a bit easier.

Last week, we got up early and took a “social distancing” roadtrip with Maddie (our cocker spaniel) exploring the backroads of mid-central Wisconsin. Man, we live in a beautiful state! We took pictures of aging barns, silos and windmills, lazy rivers, and the ever-rolling landscape. We drifted along narrow, country roads through towns named Woodville, Elmwood, El Paso, Downsville and Arkansaw, visited a wonderful gallery in Spring Valley, and stopped for a picnic in a quiet park in Ellsworth. On our way to Menomonie, we discovered the Caddie Woodlawn Historic site. We were the only ones there and had a lovely time walking around the farmstead with its majestic white pines and beautifully restored Woodhouse family home, log cabin and smoke house.

I’m working to prepare work for a new gallery near the river, and am enjoying painting boats and water! This week’s painting, “A Good Day,” 8” x 10” watercolor, features a brightly colored kayak navigating a back channel in a blue-water river.