Oak leaf hydrangeas
"I appreciated being with you today."
(The mom being worried about spending so much of the first day of Spring break in the car running errands)
Mom: “I appreciate you being with me today, helping with all those errands - I know it was a lot.”
Son: (singsongy)“I appreciated being with you today.”
(The mom melts into a puddle)
I got a new desk chair. It feels really nice. It is yellow. Thank you Andy for putting it together.
In honor of Harry Styles putting out new music, here is my favorite version of one of my favorite songs (start at 15:12).
Back in the garden pulling out roots. This time last year I was removing leftover roots by hand with a pickaxe. Now I am removing two shrubs and have my pickaxe and blisters back in the mix.
Finally got oak leaf hydrangeas. Planted two small plants in the front garden. Can’t wait to see them grow. Finally got a lilac bush. Planted it in the front garden. The kale and the arugula is still growing, even after all the snow and frost and wet. I cut the arugula down to the ground and will see what comes back. The kale is beautiful. Need to lay a path back in the garden since we put down new soil but some of our bricks were breaking apart so I am down some. Might make brick stepping squares rather than full path? Or go find some old brick? But where? But I also love bluestone?Also need to find an outdoor table for our porch to eat outside. I broke our table trying to move it out of the way and snapped a wooden leg right off. To just be outside again in this early spring weather is a welcomed breath into my lungs. We eat dinner on the floor of the porch.
It just snowed in Richmond.
Looking through my Vatican Museum coffee table book that I bought for myself for Christmas and that shows every single painting in the Vatican collection and I am looking at every single page slowly and so slow in fact that I grab a piece of paper and start drawing what I like from each page and am scribbling these simple Madonna figures and these detailed robes and these angels looking up and so many bizarre things and I love it.
Took Lila out on a date last night. We got pizza and then walked to ice cream. We dressed up and she wore her butterfly backpack. She talked so much the whole night. I just kept looking at her.
Rainy walk to the museum to throw our coins in the fountain. We are all wearing our yellow rain coats. Multiple people stop us to comment on them. Visit the library after and see my favorite, “Y is for Yak” on my alphabet mural.
Four of our butterflies emerged. One has half emerged which I think means they aren’t going to make it, but we are waiting to see. One chrysalis fell off the top and didn’t make it. From six, we have four learning to fly. In a day or so they will be out in the world.
The new Gorillaz album is on repeat in our house because Andy got the record and it is very good.
Pony Pasture this morning before the storm. It started to rain as we were at the big beach, down the path a bit. We ran to the car and didn’t get caught in the downpour.
Working on materials for my * free* workshop next week (3/20/26 Williamsburg, VA) at the Ampersand International Arts Festival. Looking through my old journals and finding collages I made for my career, my life. Lots of it here.
We walked to the Secret Garden. We find a tiny toy dinosaur in a bush. We read Magic School Bus Waterworks on a concrete bench next to an tall urn. Made me think of our favorite Elizabeth Street Garden in NYC and bringing Theo there in a stroller when he was little. I get to the studio and sketch out an urn for my book.
Stumbled upon this video of a celebrated teacher from my time at time Peddie. Mr. Clements, what a true legend you are. The Peddie Bike trip forever.
Gluing collage pieces to “Our Garden.” Almost finished. Really enjoying this process - picking up a picture and I remember a kid painting it, focused on it, then cutting it out and adding it to the sprawling, abstract, intricate garden on the canvas. Excited to hand it off to Connor’s Heroes for the upcoming gala.
Painted the trim in the living room finally.
Behind on a bunch of things. But also ahead on a bunch. So we just ebb and flow like this forever?
