Friday:) Friends Who Paint Together

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” ― Pablo Picasso

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I go to Towne Creek the first Friday of the month, but because I was at Crescent Moon Lodge last week, I went over there today. This morning,m I walked two miles, went to the store to pick up snacks, cake, ice cream, and root beer, made a dozen little sandwiches, packed up painting supplies for our class, then raced off to volunteer for my painting class. 

I brought all the supplies to paint vases today. I did a quick demo on varagating color from blue to pale blue to white. When I looked at the color, I thought…hmmm…it looks like the sky and the sea, so I decided to make a landscape. I painted in a few clouds and trees, and voila!

We had a young high school student visiting us today. Alex has been visiting and volunteering all summer, painting cute scenes in the laundry room, and a big logo at the entrance. I later found out that she helped clean up and organize the crazy crammed art closet after a leak and flood burst through the closet ceiling. It was very clean. Wow!

Miss Nelma and Alex.

Miss Kathy. Her vase kinda looked like her blouse.
While our vases were drying, we had our feast of ham sandwiches, Fritos, root beer floats, then chocolate cake and ice cream.

It’s a tough life…the artist life. But we manage.

Thursday:) This Is My Little Town~ McKinney

“I live in my own little world. But its ok, they know me here.” ― Lauren Myrac

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This morning was the first Art Club of McKinney meeting  after our summer break. I love the August meeting because it’s Show and Tell day. Each member or guest introduces themselves, tells what art mediums they use, and brings some examples to talk about. A few of my favorite artist friends…

After our meeting, a large contingent from the meeting went over to The Pantry Restaurant    On the square.for more food and socializing. There’s always a little shopping on the way back to your car.

I always stop at the Visitor’s Center to say hello to Miss Beth. She’s such a sweetie and always has her finger on the pulse of McKinney. If Miss Beth doesn’t know about it…it ain’t happenin’.

This is not a natural stance. I make her pose this way…my open arms request. It’s an inside joke. 

My good friends at Sweet Spot Bakery are always baking up something sweet and special. 

It’s difficult for me to resist a quick stop at the Samaritan Inn Thrift Store on my way home. I generally find several treasures. A beautiful hand painted ceramic plate, two pale pastel purple wine glasses to paint, and a lovely glass candy dish. (My buddy, Miss Bella, looking on in admiration of my bargain hunting skills.)

I stopped to visit my neighbor, Diane, before rounding the corner home. My good friend, Karen, stopped by this evening to drop off her little fishy, Baby. I’m fishy sitting for her for a couple of days. I am the “Pet Whisperer” of McKinney. Dogs, cats, now fish. I’m amazing!

So many friends, so many things to do, this is my little town. I love it here!

“I live in my own little world. But its ok, they know me here.” 

― Lauren Myrac

Oh yes, it was pretty hot here today. It’s Texas…it’s summer…it’s hotter than 

H-E- double hockey sticks.

Wednesday:) What Horsing Around Looks Like

Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.
~W. C. Fields**********

What a wonderful Wednesday. No alarm set, a cup of tea, talk to Mom, a long walk, then an even longer lunch at Snug with my friend Linda. It was a gorgeous sunny day on the Square. After lunch, I visited with Kathy and Elizabeth at Sweet Spot Bakery. 

The mounted patrol always passes by the bakery back door because Ranger and Ontario know that Miss Kathy has special treats for them.  

 
  
Just one of the many sights that makes McKinney a fun place to live or visit.

  
Good horse sense.

  
A small town with a big heart and great people.

Tuesday:) Tea and Tour at Chestnut Square

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated yo the ceremony of tea.”

~ Henry James

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A wonderful tea, your and fashion show at historic Chestnut Square in downtown McKinney. Thank you for the invitation, Sherri Murphy! 

  
  
Some good friends and new friends. 

  
Our hostess Sherri and our tour guide John. 

   
    
  

We were schooled in many things today. An interesting and fun afternoon.  

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“You have no idea what joy is until you see it reflected in the eyes of another.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” ― Tom Bodett

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What a busy week filled with activities, friendship, and joy. I love it! Lunches and brunches and bunches of hunches. I’m not sure about the hunches, but it rhymed. The highlight of my week was the Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras dog parade yesterday on the square, and having the honor of being one of the three judges. Downtown McKinney was teeming with visitors, dogs and owners dressed in costumes throwing candy or beads into the crowd, hundreds of people lined the streets to watch. A fun afternoon.

  
Isn’t that a great quote? So true.

  

Super Busy Sunday:) Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade

“Joyful, joyful, joyful, as only dogs know how to be happy with only the autonomy

of their shameless spirit.” 

― Pablo Neruda

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A wonderful afternoon on the Square in downtown Mckinney. The streets were packed with packs of dogs and their owners for the Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras Dog Parade. The theme this year was literary characters. Dogs and owners dressed as characters from famous books. Mitchell Park was teeming with vendors and visitors, music and marvelous costumed contestants.

This was the 13th annual parade, founded and coordinated by my friend, Blynda Christian, is a McKinney tradition. Hundreds of people and doggies descended on the square to participate in or watch the parade. It was a gorgeous sunny day.

   
    
    
   
   
 
The best part was, I had the privilege and honor of being one of the three judges for the second year in a row. It was very fun, but very difficult to choose amongst all the creative costumes and adorable dogs.

  
 
A Great Dane Day was had by all! Especially me!

  
Thanks for the photo, Michael Murphy.

Saturday:) Somemore Painting and Silly Friends

“Silly is always good, but silly  with friends is mandatory.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“It’s okay to be absurd, ridiculous, and downright irrational at times; silliness is sweet syrup that helps us swallow the bitter pills of life.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

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Yesterday, I painted with my senior artist friends, and today, I taught a wine glass painting glass at Lone Star Wine Cellars on the Square. It was a group of nine girlfriends, out for the day and evening. They came in rowdy and giggling, and they just louder and sillier as the evening progressed. At one point, I had to use my loud school teacher whistle to get their attention. It was a fun night, and the energy was contagious. 

   
   
The ladies had a good time. The noise level was off the charts. At one point they asked if they were the loudest group that I ever had. I told them that they were not the loudest, but they were the “funnest.” They had dinner reservations at 6:30, so they left their glasses so they could finish drying and came back later to pick them up. 

   
 
  

Saturday:) Riding Off Into the Sunset

“At the end of the day, you can either basque in the glow of the sunset, or turn your back to the to the cold haze of the moon.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal.” ― Elbert Hubbard

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There are many choices to be made every day. It’s the old,”Is the glass half full or half empty,” scenario. Heck with that! I like to think of the glass as always full to the brim, and I just have to be careful not to spill any as I meander my way through life. 

Today was a perfect sunny day. It was in the 70’s, a bit windy, but it’s winter for goodness sake. I went to Zumba in the morning, did a few things around the house, and sat on the driveway in my chair to catch a few rays. Later, I stopped at Sprouts to get some flowers for Kaylyn, who had her baby boy, Jason, this morning, and while I was there, they just so happened to have some wine on sale. I usually go to Sprouts after church, and you can’t buy wine until after noon on Sundays, so today was my lucky day.

The Square was crowded with shoppers, diners, and folks like me just out enjoying the beautiful day. I’m lucky that I get to visit with my friends at Sweet Spot Bakery. My friend, Elizabeth, is the baker and Kaylyn’s mom, so I got to hear all the details of Jason’s arrival. She was in the back, in a tizzy, trying to get an order of cake balls done for a customer waiting up front. I asked what I could do to help, so I drizzled a few blue swirls, and sprinkled them, while she dipped and boxed the last few remaining treats. 

Later, Miss Kathy was out back talking and visiting with the mounted patrol officers. Ranger and Ontario, the magnificent horses, are frequent visitors because Kathy has them spoiled, giving them apples and treats all the time.

  
Ranger likes to give Miss Kathy kisses, and request more treats. 

   
 
The children love to pet the horses, and Ontario (L) and Ranger (R) love the attention.

  
Life is funny, beautiful and scary, all rolled into one. The horses made me think of this quote. We have to saddle up every day, even if we’re scared to death. Then, and only then, can we “ride off into the sunset.” SADDLE UP!

  
Riding off into the sunset.

Friday: Farewell to a Special Friend

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie
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Day 2 of my humility challenge which reminds me to share and encourage others. Therefore, I’d like to tell you a little bit about a wonderful woman who has been such a vital part of making McKinney the best city in the country to live.

This morning, there was a farewell reception for Barbara Johnson, who has been the executive director of the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts for the past fifteen years. Many friends, dignitaries and local residents packed the Heard-Craig Carriage house to say goodbye and good luck to a lovely lady who shared a wealth of knowledge and endless time with McKinney residents and visitors. Barbara is retiring and she and her husband are moving to Colorado.

The first time I met Barbara, several years ago, she gave me a personal tour of the Heard-Craig House. By the time I left, I felt that I knew everything about the house, the family, and the rich history of McKinney. But, I also felt like I made a new friend. That is a special gift. Over the years, Barbara Johnson has been a great friend to the city of McKinney and all who have had the pleasure of meeting her.

Mayor Brian Loughmiller was honored to present Barbara Johnson with a special award from the city and wish his friend the best of luck.

Thank you Miss Barbara. We love you and are going to miss you so much. Bless you and best wishes!

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

Saturday: Sales, Sights and Other Silly Stuff

If you see me smiling it’s because I’m thinking of doing something evil or naughty. If you see me laughing it’s because I’ve already done it.
-Unknown…but I think we’ve all been there.
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I got up early to check out the big semi-annual Stonebridge /McKinney Ladies Association Fall garage sale. It started at 7am at the United Methodist Church. It’s a big one with great bargains

I found some treasures, but I was on the lookout for a small chest of white drawers or two for closet storage. I also wanted a small wine rack. I have about 10 bottles of wine. I don’t drink wine, but I have been given some lovely wine and I have friends who like wine.

Now, here’s the dilemma. I found this great bargain.

It was ONLY $5. Yep, couldn’t pass it up. But, it holds 70 bottles of wine, and I only have 10. Now, I have to get. 60 more bottles of wine! ( Just being silly.) I’ll probably just have some friends over to drink the 10 bottles, then I can use the rack in my craft room.

I bumped into some friends. Miss Kay and her lovely daughter.

. Then Molly and Jill wandered by. I saw Bob and Sheila Johnson volunteering as greeters. But my favorite photo op was the adorable Sherri Murphy.

It was a fun busy day, but I had to get back home by 4 to wait for the AT&T guy to fix my internet and Uverse TV.
He came, “He no fix, me be mad!” So, here I am AGAIN on my teeny tiny iPhone, trying to post this. No TV! Let’s see what tomorrow brings. It’s difficult to be silly without internet.