Wednesday, January 29, 2014

ice and snow

The winter storm came as expected, and the ice and snow are staying put in this below freezing weather. The local and national news made everyone aware that the storm was coming, and Wilmington, being wisely proactive, closed schools, etc and encouraged people to stay in. Being exiled inside is pleasurable to a point, but I will be ready to hit the road when the thaw comes. Here is a pic of my back yard/the marsh behind my house. Usually you can see the small pool of water, but this morning it was frozen.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

sights

From the still air and the wickham gray sky - the Benjamin Moore color I had the walls painted - it looks like Winter Storm Leon isn't too far away. He is expected to bring a few snowflakes with him, and Wilmington has practically shut down for the occasion. Yesterday however was warmish and beautiful, and for a short while I wandered around downtown enjoying the sun, the blue sky, and both new and familiar places. I snapped a few pictures, nothing new nor world class photography, but I am posting a few.
 My daddy had an office here when I was a little girl.
 The grand old USS NC.
I really liked this metal sculpture of the dog straining at the leash.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Location, location

It has been cold here the past few days. With a low of seventeen expected tonight, I am more than happy to be in my cozy, warm little home. I love this house that I feel blessed to have. Back in May on the first day the realtor and I came by, after taking a circuitous route I may add, it seemed too remote, away from anything Wilmington. What did I know! It was only after I realized that it was just what we were looking for that I asked, " How far was that house from downtown?" Not far as it turned out. In fact we are not far from anything. In one direction, it is four miles to the big mall, busy strip mall, Whole Foods, and even church. In the other direction four miles to the library, WalMart and Lowes. The best part is a ten mile drive will get me to the beach.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

also at the museum

I have enjoyed the two art classes I have already taken and am looking forward to the others, but almost as much, I enjoy going down the main hall after classes to a yummy lunch at the museum café. I am going to try a different item each week until I have tried them all - maybe! Yesterday I had this delicious Asian type salad that made me feel good the rest of the day.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Thanks BBC

It is the slowed down month of January, when days are short, nights seem darker, and the cold temps encourage staying inside. For me this morning, it meant I watched on Netflix one of the best shows ever to appear on the small screen, Call the Midwife. Based on the memoirs of one of the central characters, the original writer and the writers who penned the dialog show the ability to articulate truths about the best and worst in us humans. Not just a well written medical drama, it is really all about love, the true love that is selfless and sacrificial. Being a mother and a nurse gives me a deep in the gut understanding of the stories and the strength of the women, and I never fail to more than tear up during each episode. It also makes me hope that somewhere during my nursing journey, I was of some use to another person.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

getting into art again

A few weeks ago I popped in at an old warehouse that is now used strictly for art in one form or another. Its big empty front space is planned to be a gallery eventually I learned, and I could envision it being wonderful. Going through another door I found several small studios, and met some nice women artists at work at their easels. After some animated conversation, meeting and greeting, they told me about a group that meets regularly on Wednesday mornings at the art museum. The new session was to start this week and I could come. Yea!! There would be no instruction and people could use whatever medium they wanted. I couldn't wait. This was different for me as it was not to be flowers, fruit or landscapes but the nude human body. In spite of the fact I have seen lots of nakedness as a nurse, I wondered if I would feel weird about it. Not to worry. It was a great experience, and I think I enjoyed it more than anything I have attempted. The model was a woman of Italian descent with beautiful skin, a small feminine body made supple by yoga, and I seriously doubted she had ever given birth. She made some graceful poses and held them for twenty-five minutes at a time, long enough for the accomplished artists in the group to do some splendid paintings and for me to do a decent pencil drawing  and a couple of pastels. Next week we are supposed to have a male model. hmmm...

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

A lucky find

Before Christmas during a trip to the mall, I saw a small corner shop whose sign advertised the sale of vinegars and went in for a look. In addition to interesting types of vinegars, there were herbs and oils, salad dressing fixings. However my best purchase there turned out to be this small bottle of apricot seed oil. The info about it said it was also good for the skin. That night I oiled up my face with it. The next morning, no kidding, my face felt smooth and wonderful. Only three dollars and better than an expensive cream.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Oyster Roast

Steamed/roasted, shell opened, oyster pulled out and dipped in butter. Enjoyed.

Wrightsville today

Peter and Caroline on this cool and breezy January morning.