Sam - 1992-2007

My Sam died today. I had to call the vet out to put him to sleep. He had been suffering from muscle weakness and arthritis for a long time but things had been getting worse over the last few weeks. He was having such difficulty keeping upright and couldn't get up without help so I grudgingly felt it was time to call it a day. He was almost 15. During all the times I had been kicked in the head by people, through the loss and the loneliness, he was always there. He was the one 'person' who was always glad to see me. It was unconditional love on both our parts. And, yes, he was a 'person'. Even he thought so. He would stand on his back legs and hang over the garden fence waiting for the bus. Then, when it arrived, all the passengers would wave out at him and he would look disdainfully back at them. Once the bus had gone he would jump down and run off, quite content that he had cheered their lives. He was a local celebrity. Truly the best friend I could have had. I wanted to put a few photos on here so others could see my handsome prince - one in his hey day, one where he proves it is indeed a dog's life and one from last week. He will be sorely missed.

Snow time like the present.

Yeah! We have snow. Just a smattering, and all on the hills, but snow all the same. Pity I've had flu this week. It means I can't go out and breath in that deeply snowy air.

I really must put some new art on here. It's all words and no play at the mo. How about some Oriental ATCs? I made them for my first swap this week.

Sad news

I have just heard that two friends of my family and mine have been found dead in their home. This is a tragedy I never expected to hear. It turns out that Mandy had been very ill with Multiple Sclerosis and I guess she just couldn't take any more. Richard must not have been able to stand the thought of life without her. That's love and devotion that most people cannot understand. It's such a sorry story but at least they are together. They were both lovely people - he was an artist and author and she was bright, kind, active and loved the outdoors. Mandy came round for coffee regularly, and I looked after their chickens when they went on holiday. I was even given a signed copy of Richard's book when they moved away - a treasured possession my sister has tried to pinch from me many times. I have some very nice memories. I hope they have found some peace together. (See http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=53752007)

Stuck in a rut

Why is it that when I want to create a new piece of work I hit a brick wall? Not literally, you understand. It's that white piece of paper. It sits there staring at me threateningly until I put the first mark down. Unfortunately it has been so long since I have done any serious art that I can't even make that first mark with my pen. I am contemplating making my first big collage to try and inspire my artistry to come hither. But I am being threatened by another piece of white paper there too. Maybe I should switch to painting on another colour of paper.

New Year? Bah!!!

So it is the New Year. Last year was a pig. In fact the last 18 months have been a pig. However, 2006 went out with a crash and a bang, as I should have expected. We had terrific storms last night and at about 7.15 there was a terrific crashing, shattering noise. I looked out the bedroom window to find the lid of the coal bunker had blown off and the large rock holding it down (supposedly to stop the wind blowing the lid away) was lying on the back shelf of the car. The wind had caught the lid, lifted it up and catapulted the rock through the window. Talk about mess. And to top it off I had to go out and try and fix up a temporary cover to keep the rain out of the car with huge winds buffeting me - and a poor, wee sparrow that was being blown about like a piece of fluff. Of course, I got up this morning and tripped over a tube of posters I am storing for my sister. Then my PC wouldn't start. What does this mean for the coming year? I dread to think.

I have to get back on track with my art. I have a couple of commissions in the pipeline and I have to get my head into the right mode. Still not sure how I'm going to do that but I said I would do the work and the work will be done! Been doing a few more 1x1 inch squares though. Someone suggested covering boxes with them. I like that idea and as a box hoarder have many boxes to cover. But serious work must come first.