Voyageur Outward Bound Canoe Trip and Snail Mail

For the third time, our grandson is on an Outward Bound expedition for three weeks. Two years ago he was on the Appalachian Trail; last year he was in the Rocky Mountains; and this year he is in or near Canada for a three week canoe trip. The last two years he has flown alone to the starting destination. It was Deluth, Minnesota a week ago for this one. From there, they headed north to further explore the great outdoors. Our daughter in law sent us an update on the progress written by the guy in charge - no more cell phones or contact with the outside world. But hidden in the text was a general “request” to send hard copy letters - like in the old days - that would be distributed to the weary travelers on their final day. After “surviving” in the wilderness it’s always nice to hear from family or otherwise. So I thought my husband and I would contribute to the letter campaign and took out a piece of paper and starting writing - in script. It’s been so long I almost forgot how to do it! Kiddingly I wanted to know if our grandson had as much trouble even reading it as I had writing it. So we sent it off from Grandma and Grandpa, hoping it reaches him in plenty of time. Our grandson is exactly fifty years younger than me, which makes it easy to remember how old he is, but even harder to believe how time flies. It’s really nice that he has an opportunity to participate in all these experiences - it all sounds more like torture to me. If it’s had any impact on him, I think it’s all been very positive. But I think he will become a really nice person with or without it. It’s nice to put that in writing. 

Digital Art Commissions From Canada

People in Canada are a lot like us - they love their kids, dogs, and cats. I just received my first 2015 commission for a digital art hand painted custom portrait of a bull dog puppy. That makes the sixth request from Canada that I have had since I opened my Esty shop in August 2012. It's really exciting to be able to provide personal art for people all over the world - including Australia and Puerto Rico - and all over the US. It's all done using my iPad and sending the final product as an email attachment. When the order is "shipped" a map shows the beginning and end destinations. Most of the orders are gifts for loved ones, and the Christmas holiday is a particularly busy time. Many of the requests are memorial pet portraits. It's usually the wife requesting a special portrait for a husband, but this one was a husband requesting a special portrait for his wife for her birthday. One cat portrait was a sister for a sister; a child for a mother; another dog portrait was a daughter for her father who didn't have any photos of his pooches. There was a lot of manipulation and imagination getting those two dogs in to one scene. In the end I'm really touched that someone actually makes the request, and then displays it for viewing. And because it is a digital image, it can be used over and over in traditional mats and frames, but also in unconventional ways like coffee mugs, pillows, smart phone cases, etc. The iPad has made a huge difference in my life for many reasons. This whole process is perhaps one of the most meaningful. 

Teepee Tents on the Mall

Sunday is the day that we usually take a long walk on the Mall. You never know what you are going to run in to.  My husband mentioned that he saw teepee tents all week. Yesterday when we were returning home from errands we were blocked from continuing down Independence Avenue because of a protest. There were police cars all over the place. But we were too lazy to find out what it was all about and had to find an alternate route to finally get home. So we saw today what were the remains of a week long sit in of sorts related to the pipeline, oil, fracking, Nebraska, and Canada sitting next to the Smithsonian Castle. The kids seemed to be having fun running in and out of the tents, there was a wagon of sorts sitting next to one of them, and a totem pole being admired by a few. It was a beautiful day to be outside, and for the first time in months the Washington Monument was in full view. The scaffolding was finally taken down completely and the landmark will be ready to open next month to visitors. Spring is a busy time here in the city, and it's nice to know so many people want to visit the place where we live. After all, there is always something to do, and it doesn't cost a cent.