". Arranged Words: Changes

8 Oct 2024

Changes


Hi everyone,

Top of the day to you!  I hope you all enjoyed the summer. 
 
It was a hot, hot summer over this way, but we are now enjoying the lovely early days of fall.

The above photo was taken last weekend. Changes are happening...a lot of the trees tops in town have been touched by frost, but as you can see autumn's paintbrush has barely touched the countryside. 

Unfortunately, after this outing, I injured my foot again. Even with physio, last time, it took a long time to heal enough (although not completely) so that I could get around. Wishing it heals quickly, this time, so that I can get out and about for what is shaping up to be a wonderful autumn. If not, well there is always the car etc.


                                                 Always enjoy seeing the steeples.

                                      And cupolas. This clock tower cupola is in Brockville.

Time to say something about the hurricane in the U.S. I was and am so sorry hear about the loss of lives and missing family members and overall devastation. Heartbreaking for people. But many people have stepped up  to help including, bless her, Dolly Parton. 
Praying for massive help in these early days and also with the rebuilding. And I am also praying that the latest hurricane that's on the way will go out to sea.


***

 
Quite a few books were read this year and throughout the summer. Here are a few.
 
Made a pact with myself not to buy books for awhile, so have been reading books from the library.

(But I had an epic relapse today and  ordered Jane Urquhart’s new book: In Winter I Get Up at Night.) Strange and intriguing title—can't wait to find out how it pertains to the novel.

The library's online app also excellent for magazines, movies etc. So very important, especially these days to support the library. We had inter-library loans cancelled at one point, and talk of closing rural libraries. For shame!
 
I won't go into details, but I especially enjoyed  Hamnet and The Feast, and well all of them. Thankfully, no tossers in this stack of books.

Love Tan Twan Eng’s writing. Such a longtime between books, but it was worth the wait.
 At one point, I wrote posts about different authors and books, but haven't done so for ages. If you are interested, here's a short review titled Spotlight on Tan Twan Eng from 2013.

Also, maybe you have read all or some of the books shown here. If so, it would be great to hear your comments.


* * *

                              You may remember a work in progress from last time. At the time, visions of a flying Goldfinch came to mind. While not quite a flyer, here's the finish.

                               
                                     
                                              Acrylic on 10 x 10 linen panel.

                    There are two more of these linen panels... ideas are simmering as well.

                        Linking to Friday Face Off this week with the birdie and flower faces. 

 I've been working my way through one of Sargent's portrait booklets. Because I received a nasty slap on the wrist for a Master copy of a Sargent drawing I posted on Instagram, I am linking to the Friday Face Off with the birdie and flowers.
 
 I wrongly assumed (never assume) Master copies are acceptable; there are many on IG. Oh well, time to look for more open access photos to draw from, although I am still working my way through the Sargent booklet.




                                                Watercolours. Left Strathmore card on a NOT
                                      surface meaning of all things Not Hot Press or, specifically, cold  
                                      press watercolour paper.
                               Fun to try cold press. Would be great for enhancing the texture in                
                                landscape paintings.
                               
                                      Seems I am  obsessed with cone flowers.
                                                            Confession:  They are easy to draw.
                                        
                            Matcha Latte with cinnamon and a little honey.
                               
          My birthday was in August. So thankful and happy to complete another yearly whizz around the sun!  

One of my birthday gifts was the plaster bust; it holds my fountain pens, all except for a large one. Who knows where it came from. It is heavy and cumbersome.
 
                    Linking, among others, to T stands for Tuesday.

 

                              Linking, also, to other Link Parties via my link party page.

                                                        Thanks to all for hosting!
 
       Thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post. I left replies there.

                                  Recently enjoyed a late dinner at a restaurant on the river.
 
               Time to say bye bye for now.
 
                                                      or spring, depending on where you are.

Cultivate Your Dreams

39 comments:

Mae Travels said...

I assume you know that “In winter I get up at night” is the first like of a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. If not, it’s here:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43190/bed-in-summer
The book sounds quite interesting. I like your reading list.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Lisca said...

I loved seeing your books. No, I've not read any of them although I woud love to read the Tan Twan Eng book, as I really loved The Gift Of Rain.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

Suzana said...

I hope your leg is better now.
The images and creations are so beautiful. The last photo is amazing!
All the best and enjoy reading! Have a fine October!❤️😘

NCSue said...

Sincere wishes for a speedy recovery!
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/10/budding-artist.html

Tom said...

..Dixie, I wish you many beautiful sunsets.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Summer here was a bit of a washout ! Your book pile looks interesting - I read Hamnet a couple of years ago - loved the way it was written! Happy T Day Chrisx

Let's Art Journal said...

I hope you are better soon, sending you wishes for a speedy recovery 😊. Loving the artwork that you created and the scenery is beautiful. Take care and sending you Happy T Day wishes! Hugs, Jo x

My name is Erika. said...

This is a lovely T day post Dixie. You have some lovely summery photos, and some good books too. I love to read, and I'm always curious to see what other people read. I haven't read any of these though. And nice birthday bust too. I hope you had a wonderful T day and hope your foot is better soon. hugs-Erika

Angie // Garden Feast said...

Sounds like a perfect summer, except for the foot injury. As someone dealing with one for about a year, I am hoping we both get better.

magiceye said...

Lovely captures!

CJ Kennedy said...

Your goldfinch painting is charming. We have lots of goldfinches who enjoy nibbling the petals of the sunflowers. Happy T Day

Christine said...

Sorry about your foot. Lovely art and photos.

Gillena Cox said...

Luvyour art and gorgeous photos.
Happy Thursday
in Trinidad and Tobago there is no summer. or other seasons like where you are. We just have a Wet Season and a Dry season and its is warm year round

much🤍love

Granny Annie said...

Love the painting of the birdie in the garden. Love the stack of book and will look for them in my reading list.

Veronica Lee said...

Wishing you a quick recovery and hope you're feeling better soon. Your artwork is amazing, and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous!

Have a great weekend!

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

I am so sorry that you injured your foot. Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can enjoy the outside again. Beautiful scenery and lovely paintings. The goldfinch looks so sweet with the flowers.

-Soma

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thank you so much for your kind anniversary wishes to us last week, Dixie! We went away locally to continue our celebration. I'm so sorry your hurt your foot! and hope it heals faster this time. I have a gimpy knee and when I overdo it is gives me pain for awhile. I read many of the same books you did! My TBR stack has grown again, so when bad weather arrives I hope to rtackle it. Enjoy watching fall colors arrive!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

PS" I love your paintings! The goldfinch on flowers is so pretty

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I read Gentleman in Moscow and Lincoln Highway (I know those aren't on your stack and I'm sure you've already read them) and I have Table for Two on my library wait list. (I used way too many words to get to my point there -- I need help learning to arrange them better )))!! The rest of your books I have not read and I plan to look them up for my Kindle reader. for many reasons, I do almost all my reading on that nowadays, but your lovely stack made me miss the old days. My virtual 'to be read' list is not nearly as inspiring. I hope you are healing and staying well and enjoying the Autumn Days. I love the goldfinch painting, that's one of my favorite Oregon birds.

Rostrose said...

Hi Dixie, I'm sorry you hurt your foot again - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it heals faster this time. Your early autumn photos look similar to ours a week ago. Now it's already starting to change color here - maybe in your area too? Thanks for replying to my comment and now I know you live in Ontario. (Chances are good that our next vacation will be in Canada - mostly BC, but we've also planned a few days in Ontario. I know from my brother and from friends that there are some interesting things to see there.) I'm really curious about this big, beautiful country that my parents almost emigrated to! (Canada or Australia was their plan. My parents' friends went to Canada and I think they almost followed them. Then my brother got in the way 😉)
Your picture of the goldfinch is adorable - and your photo of the sunset at late dinner near the river is breathtaking!
All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/10/weltreise-2024-sw-usa-roadtrip-teil-3.html

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hi Mae,
I did not know about the poem. Thank you so much for letting me know.
And it is a wonderful poem! I remember those days as well. :)
Makes sense in relation to the book because it is about recollections etc.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hi Lisca,
Oh, yes. That was a great book. And I so enjoyed, "The Garden of Evening Mists."
He is a wonderful writer!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you very much, Suzana,
October has been a beautiful month for sure.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

And a big thank you for hosting, NC Sue.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you so much, Tom.
I do love sunsets!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hamnet was so good! I was surprised by it.
Enjoy your crafting.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hi Jo,
Thank so much. Good wishes always welcome and appreciated. :)

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Good for you. I love to read too.
Thank so much, Erika.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Sorry to hear that you also have foot injury.
May you heal well and quickly, Angie!
Best Wishes.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Many thanks!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

They are a sweet birds, CJ. So much fun to watch.
Thank you!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Christine.
Best Wishes.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

I did absolutely forget about wet and dry seasons. I am sure most people could benefit from a year in Trinidad and Tobago. It looks so lovely!
Thank you, Gillena.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Oh good. There are some really good books in the list.
Thank you, Granny Annie.
Wonderful name: Annie.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you so much.
The healing is coming along.
Best wishes...

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Oh good; glad to hear you continued the celebration, Pat.
So fun to have a list of books to look forward to read too, especially good for the long evenings coming up. I have a couple more books up my sleeve as well. :)
Thank you, Pat.
Best Wishes

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank so much, Pat.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hi Sallie,
Loved A Gentleman in Moscow. And so enjoyed the series on Paramount + staring Ewan McGregor. He played the part so well--what a delight! I may watch it again.
Kindles are great, especially when travelling, but I also love to hold a book in my hand.
Thank you so much for you comments.
Enjoy the lovely days.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...


Hi, Traude,
A trip to Canada, you say. Lovely! I will say that Canada is a vast diverse country wrapped in beauty. Compared to Austria rather young in history.
I have travelled from coast to coast in a car, and on from Edmonton to "way up north to Alaska." ( I think that is a song.) :)
Only missed Vancouver island. Not sure what happened there, but it is on my list, especially in the spring when the tulips bloom so early there--February.
You country--Austria looks fabulous. So much history and beautiful architecture.
And the wonderful Austrian national library! Just wow!
Thank you so much.