
Because of "The Corona", I am sitting this one out. I don't have symptoms beyond the usual allergy nonsense, but the looming thought of "What if?" lingers. No visits to cousins, to sisters, to aunts, and even neighbors get the gift of my absence this year. It will be a quiet day here, with my little fur and feather family. Am thinking of washing the floors as they really need doing, but part of me thinks that might be sacrilegious or something. And part of me HATES doing the floors. Maybe a day of guilt-free art is in order...I have so many little things going, a good day to tie up loose ends.
Marc Almond, God bless him, held a live Christmas concert this week. The set list was a mix of traditional holiday songs and his own music. Will definitely give that a run through and sing along, so there's something! Marc is the best. He knows people are stuck home, he is stuck home, and he is doing this to make the best of it and keep the musicians he knows working. He doesn't charge for these concerts but does accept donations to the studio fund, which is terrific. My modern Perry Como. Can't wait.
Hapi asked if we are going to school. No way, Hap! Not today! But, a little bit of school is watching me from across my table right now. It's big pink eyes are staring at me and the glittery fabric is to die for. A little heart dangles from its mouth as it sits cheerfully waiting. Thank you, Caroline, for the adorable Beanie Baby. SO MANY (TOO MANY) students included me in their Christmas gifting this year, which always amazes me. Life is hard enough, Christmas is hard enough, to be thinking of teachers - but it is really nice. I am always amazed and humbled when a card appears with careful student handwriting on the envelope. I treasure every one. So much love! Back at you, kiddos, and your kind families. I hope everyone is happy right now, feeling loved. If not, know that I love every one you to bits!
On the home front, celebrating has been simple, once all the gifts and baking was delivered. I often wonder if people open things I've baked and go "No thanks!" because of the assumed domestic chaos and pets in my home. I promise that I am vigilant about keeping food prep areas clean and making sure there are NO unintended ingredients. Nibble away. I have been! All those broken cookies...I've been holding off in getting new jeans because I am in between sizes...that might not be a problem in the near future. Oops.
Have been binge listening to my new favorite comedian, Devin Siebold. His podcast is called "Crying In My Car, a Podcast for Teachers." Show me a teacher who has not left the building and done just this at least once and I will show you someone who isn't a real teacher. When I taught in Boston I had many commutes home that were used to flush out the new-teacher crisis of the day in order to function when I got home. The state of overwhelm is nothing to be taken lightly. It can take years to get this gig down, and just when you think you have it, it changes! His podcasts are hysterical and range from giggles to full out laughter. He gets it. I want to be in his classroom. I can only imagine how much fun it would be!
Artistically 2020 has been a wash for me. I made the Baldishol piece, but still haven't completed the last unit of my UK textile art class. Hoping not to time out on this one! Maybe it is puppy motherhood, maybe it is just increased anxiety and age, I don't know. I really want to try to pull my stuff together for 2021, though. As always, I have big plans and little time and energy to do them. It is a great thing to be an artist though -- one is never bored. There is always another branch on the tree to reach for, even if you don't have enough swing to get there. As recalled in song by Pat Fish, "Life is short and it's always getting shorter..." I haven't done what I want to do in art yet...still trying, moving, experimenting, growing...but it hasn't come together like I would like yet. Always something to work for. Yeah, the floors might have to wait today...!
Merry Christmas from my zoo to yours.