Day 12 Update...

 After a lot of discussion I decided to cancel the Guild Show at the Foundry in Lititz held this weekend. June 20-21.  I struggled with wanting to go and actually being able to sit there for 2 days.  I simply had to recognize it is too soon.  I look pretty good on the outside, well I am still purple on my shoulder! It is my  lower back and groin muscles that are still screaming!

I started painting.  I can sit at the table for an hour then need to take a little walk.  Then another hour and then hit the lazy boy with my feet up.  You do not recover the same at 73 as 37!!  Thank you for all your words of encouragement and prayers.

Update...

 Update...    Yesterday I rode in the car (Linda drove!)  all the way to UPS 2 whole miles. AND I (slowly) went inside and mailed a box.  For 8 days I have had baths from a bowl, today I took a shower, it might have been the BEST shower I have ever had!  I feel almost human.   Linda changed the bandage on my shoulder.  The road rash is healing.  Woohoo!  These are no small accomplishments!  AND I painted for an hour.  AND I am actually reading a book. "The Art Spy" by Michelle Young.  I am totally enjoying it.

I appreciate everyone who has checked in on me.  

update

 Update:  I am better... Yesterday the Ortho looked at my hand and decided to let it alone, no cast.  Just don't use it!  No lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup.  ( SO, packing the van is out) He changed the bandage on my finger, checked my stitches and checked for feeling.  I get the stitches out on the 17th.  My whole shoulder is a lovely shade of purple that I do not think is in my paint palette!  Back spasms have stopped but I am sore head to toe!  ( SO, sitting in a hard chair all day will not work)  I have not tried steps.  I am walking short distances without the walker.  I AM better and grateful it was not worse.

All that to say I will NOT be at Parkwalk in the Lititz Springs Park this weekend.  My spirit is willing but my body definitely is not.

I am going to try to hold a paint brush with that sore hand later today.

Wee mishap...

I am UNABLE to attend the Lititz Quick Draw on Friday..
Tuesday evening I had a wee bit of a mishap on my bicycle.  I did not see the car and the car did not see me and we collided. Actually, I am not sure what happened!  But I had a fast ride from Ephrata to LGH in an ambulance.  My 1st ambulance ride!  After poking and prodding and many tests the bottom line is a finger with 8 stitches, a broken bone in my wrist area of my painting hand, and a very nasty road rash on my shoulder.  I was having bad bad muscle spasms in my back, I am using a walker... BUT feeling very blessed it wasn't worse.  YES, I had a helmet!

A huge thank you to the Ephrata Ambulance crew that saved my bike clothing rather than cut them off me!  A thank you to the Ephrata Police who kept my bike indoors at the station until Linda could pick it up.  Thank You to the trauma team and the staff in the ER at LGH for 10 hours of care.  Thank you to our friend Betsy who drove Linda in and stayed hours and hours and hours.  Thank you to Linda for the hours of perfect care at home.  I know I scared her to death and I will probably have to beg to ride again!!   I have an Ortho appointment on Monday for the wrist.  I'm feeling a lot better today, off the oxy but still need a walker.  Resting and healing.  We DO NOT need anything!  I just will not be painting for a little bit.

2026 Still Life #22

 mini original watercolor  $225.

This is a really nice still life, there is even wax drips on the candle.  It is painted on some funky hand made paper called Indigo.   The photo exaggerates the paper lines, they are not so prevalent in the actual painting.

We were originally scheduled to wake up in London today for 15 days of touring.  Sadly one of our group found out she has breast cancer and is having a double mastectomy. She could not risk picking up Covid and then postponing the surgery.  Linda is one of her caretakers so we all decided to postpone the whole trip till next year.  That means I am now home to participate in...

Taste of Lititz Quick Draw
this Friday, June 5 • 10 AM - 12PM  I will be painting plein air!
My plan is to be near the Mueller House on Main Street.

01:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Display, Judging and Sales begin.
Artwork is on display/for sale as part of the Taste of Lititz Block Party. Event organizers will monitor and handle sales.

02:00 PM
Prize Winners are Announced

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Taste of Lititz Event (click for more info)

All that to say...come to Lititz, watch me paint, buy my painting, and then enjoy Taste of Lititz!!

2026 Window #5

 mini original watercolor  $225.

Great little window...

Over the weekend I finished a larger painting.  All part of beefing up my stock for the Zoar Show in Ohio in July.

"2026 Mixed Textures"     18X14       $900.

Save these dates, share with friends, come see me! June 13  Lititz Parkwalk   from 9am to 4pm  FREE!  rain or shine Held in Lititz Springs Park,  Rt 501 June 20-21  Fine Craft Fair  (PA Guild of Craftsman)  from 10am to 5pm    Held at Foundry 48   100 W. Millport Rd  Lititz Aug. 8  Big Lititz Craft Show   8 to 4   FREE!  I am on the square! Aug. 15-16 Bedminster Traditional Craft Show  Oaks, PA  Hall E Sept. 5-6   Heart of Lancaster  Manheim PA Nov. 20-22  Annual Open House in Lititz PA

At home for the weekend:  Linda put a few items on Facebook Marketplace.  If you want a FREE old juicer...its out on our curb!  She is also struggling with what to do with an antique iron crib, it served her Mom, Linda and our daughter; three generations. Not legal to sell as a crib, thinking about taking it apart and using parts as a trellis in the garden, OR... Free to a good home!

We spent some time in the flower beds and a Summer planting in the big planter box off the kitchen.  We needed tall plants to help distract from our neighbors unfinished house.  Joys of living in town! 

2026 Still Life #21

mini original watercolor   $225.
Band box on a shelf. 
I love these boxes, we have several plus a graduated stack. 
Some have fingers and some straight with nails.

I am a little behind showing my finished larger paintings.
This was finished a week ago.

"Pennsylvania"    framed 14x18     $995.

A fantastic piece from my home

I am concentrating on still life paintings for my show in Zoar, Ohio.  But they are for sale incase you cannot live without one!

Busy social weekend: good food, good friends, and a movie  Pizza night with friends and we also went to the movies to see Sheep Detectives.  Talking sheep, gotta love it.  Full of laughs and a cute story.
Linda is laser focused on cleaning out!  Our spare bedroom is clear of stored items.  Everyday there are new "free" items out on the sidewalk.

2026 Still Life #20

 mini original watercolor  $225.

I am concentrating on my still life subjects.

Next shows and in the news:

Lititz Parkwalk
Saturday June 13 from 9 to 4
Held in Lititz Springs Park Rt 501
rain or shine, free

The Zoar Show in Ohio has a nice website... Click HERE to see my page.
Please share with any friend near Ohio!

Andy Smith Artist demonstrates working on one of his hand-drawn, transparent watercolor paintings, in which he focuses on traditional subjects in a realistic style. Come meet Andy and see his work in person (as well as 60+ other fabulous artists) at the PGC Summer Fine Craft Fair June 20-21 at Foundry 48 Event Venue in Lititz, PA.

 

2026 Still Life #19

 mini original watercolor  $225.

A bunch of hanging bees wax candles.

Linda has moved on to cleaning out the house basement.
It is EMPTY!  A few FREE things on our curb...

We do have a vintage typewriter for sale and another sewing machine!

$30 or make an offer.  Needs cleaned but looks great setting around

Beautiful design and it works (electric) 

Make an offer!

2026 Window #4

mini original watercolor   $225.
Love this blue.  Another window from Gunston Hall in VA.

I have the Suburban half packed.  I have a double booth this weekend so thee is more to gather!