It's my last day of summer vacation! Time to get focused on a new school year, and also time to get focused on new goals for my own art work.

Seems like summer just flew by! I can't believe I'll be back to work next week. My 180 day challenge will be to work full time and blog on a regular basis. Took my oldest daughter back to college yesterday, and then headed for the beach with her sister to spend a few afternoon hours enjoying the sun and surf. Today I visited the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Garden with a friend from work. It was great weather to wander around the grounds viewing the various sculptures. The inside exhibit was Weird Folk Art and it was mostly weird. Not my favorite exhibition, but it was interesting to read about the artists' motivations behind their work.

I really appreciate the comments on my posts---it keeps me motivated, especially now that my schedule is going to get busier!

This illustration was inspired by the IF word of the week: caution---watch out for those burning rays! I was fortunate to be able to go to the beach one day last week and had my first real swim of the year---a dive into the waves, wet my hair plunge!

Mouse landed on the soft ground outside of the pool area. He scrambled to his feet and ran toward his home as fast as his tired body could go. Later, as he lay back in his cozy nest, listening wistfully to the sounds of the children in the distance, he thought, "I bet, with a little more practice, I could do a double flip.

Mouse peeked through half closed lids at the blue sky. He felt like he was floating on a cloud, a cloud that bounced a little up and down. Then in an instant his view changed, and he found himself falling onto the ground.

Suddenly Mouse was startled awake as he found himself being lifted from the water. He was moving through the air but he didn't dare to even wiggle a whisker.

Even as Mouse shivered in the watery little hole on the side of the pool, he found himself getting very sleepy. As the sun rose over the trees, mouse dozed off and floated out of the hole and into the deep end of the pool.

Mouse swam into the nearest hole and made himself very tiny. He shivered from fear and the coolness of the water and the night air.

Mouse's heart pounded as he paddled to keep afloat in the water. He saw the owl circle around and land on the roof of the bathhouse; a perfect spot to watch for a little mouse climbing out of the pool.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Mouse threw himself off the diving board and plummeted into the water.

Mouse looked up to see the owl almost upon him!

Just finished up a painting of a friend's birdhouse in his front yard. He has beautiful gardens!

Went to the League of NH Craftsmen Fair yesterday in Sunapee with one of my art teacher colleagues. We thought it was excellent overall, with the quality of work extremely high. It's always a great event and the lovely weather was a bonus! I'm mainly a "window shopper" and idea gatherer, but I did find the perfect mug for my tea.

Seeing Rose Breasted Grosbeaks at the feeder again, as well as the usual mix of cardinals, house and carolina wrens, blue jays, gold finches, house finches, nuthatches, woodpeckers, mourning doves, crows, and grackles. It's a perfect morning when I can have my tea and read the newspaper on the porch and enjoy the birds and plants.