In truth, I was never that far away. I went through a bit of withdrawal from my computer on Saturday. On Sunday, it was a bright and breezy day. I decided I would get my exercise and walk to my town's farmer's market. It's a brisk 10-15 minute walk from my house.
Before I left I decided to try my computer (thinking maybe it had a good rest, being off for over 48 hours and would come back to life--seriously, I actually thought that). I turned it on and while it was warming up I was getting dressed to go out. Then, wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, it connected to the internet! Woo Hoo!! So, there I sat, with my coat on, checking emails and such. A half hour passed and I suddenly realized just how much time I waste on the darn thing. Turn it off! Go outside! Get some fresh air and see your neighbors!! Even though I was very nervous thinking that if I turned it off, I might not get connected again, I turned it off and went on my merry way.
Met three sets of neighbors at the farmer's market, bought some humanely raised (and slaughtered) beef from a local farmer, some free range eggs and some parsnips (I'm trying to eat more root veggies). Walked a little further to a wonderful local pet supply shop called The Big Bad Woof. It's slogan is "Pet Supplies for the Socially Conscious Pet". My boss always gives me a gift card to the store as my holiday gift and it has been burning a hole in my pocket since December. Just had enough money on the card to buy a Platinum Drinkwell Fountain for my obscenely spoiled cats. Will post photos as soon as I hook it up.
Speaking of cats, last March about a week after Butterball died, I asked my friend, neighbor, and artist, Stephanie if she would paint a portrait of Butterball. She agreed but said she was swamped with projects at the time. I was in no hurry and told her whenever she could get to it would be fine. Spring turned to Summer, Summer to Fall, then the economy collapsed. In late October she called and said she finally could start working on Butterball. Well, by that time, I was worrying about my financial future (along with everyone else) and thought this was really the last thing I needed to spend my money on. But, I felt I committed myself in asking her to do the portrait in the first place. I'm glad I did...
This is the almost finished product. She asked me to live with it a few days to see if there was anything else she needed to do to make it more "Butterballicious". I asked her to add a little beauty mark that he had his entire life on his lower lip/chin...
Ahhh, that's better. Then, since there really was no way to show he was a Manx cat (well, no way that would make the pose seem natural), I wanted something in the painting to show he was of Irish ancestry. I asked if she could incorporate some Bells of Ireland into the background bedspread....
Oh, I'm liking this! And the Bells match the color of my bedroom walls where I plan to hang it
Voila!! I truly love this. My neighbor really captured the gentle yet dignified spirit in his expression. The amazing thing is that three of my cats, at different times, have seen the painting, fixated on it, slowly stood up, puffed themselves up and slowly started walking/stalking toward it.
Every time I look at this painting it brings a smile to my face.
Now, onto the framers...
7 comments:
Awww... Butterball!
I'll bet you just love it.
Awwww, it is a beautiful portrait of Butterball. Absolutely priceless!
Aw, this is a very beautiful portrait. Your neighbor/friend did a wonderful job.
Ah--Christine--you made the right choice. Yes, times are tough, and finances need to be conserved--but you not only supported someone else (!) but you get a great painting of a dear dear friend.
Very funny that your other cats walked by and stared!
Hi Christine! This is truly wonderful. Your neighbor has really done good by Butterball. This portrait was money well spent. Post a picture when you have it framed.
Thanks everyone! Glad you like Butterball's portrait!
Yes, Donna, I do feel good about supporting my artist friend. Both she and her husband are semi-retired and are counting pennies along with the rest of us. I'm sure she has been counting on the money for the portrait since we first talked about it.
Saw your comment on Roz's Cottage Diarist about the frame you bought that had the elderly man triumphant on top of a mountain which you framed and hung on your wall. It reminded me of a story about Bette Midler. Someone visited her house and there was a picture of an old dear in a frame on an end table. The person asked if that was her grandmother. "Oh no," she told her, "I bought that at a second hand shop - when I saw her I knew she needed to be loved."
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