We didn't know her name

but, now we do

I have been getting use to my new summer studio schedule. My alarm goes off at 5:24 and I’m out there by 6. My brain works better in the mornings, before everything wakes up. My brain feels like it’s hovering between awake and asleep, with all the best stuff just under the surface. I sit down and try to let it out.

Six watermelons have sprouted in our garden. I found a photo of me holding a watermelon we grew at age 4 or 5 in our New Jersey garden.

I finished ‘A Little Life’ after renewing it from the library 3 times. Every word needed to be read, so it was a slow, excruciating, process. It was also brilliant and must be read by everyone. You never know what someone is going through.

Finished painting the outside of the studio this weekend. I love painting big spaces. I love the possibilities. Did not love the 95+ degree heat.

We made 4 zinnia bouquets this week, an idea I shared in my Summer of Slow journal entry. We brought one to our neighbor. We didn’t know her name, before. Now we do. I talk about it here.

Hanover tomatoes are here.

I keep thinking about what it means to be American. This week when we are suppose to be celebrating our country. But there are people who just voted to take food out of kid’s mouths. People who voted to let American’s get sicker and sicker with no chance at care. To close down nursing homes. To make people sleep in literal cages. To cut down trees like movie villains. People who vote for money in their own pockets over creating a world that is better for our kids.

I am having a hard time understanding who voted for this, who truly believes in this. How did people forget that their job is to be a good neighbor? You know that’s our job, right? You know you can vote / do / be that right? You can demand that of the people who work for you.

This is my first adult garden. It won’t be my last I love it so.

A week of applying. I have been updating and organizing my files and have been able to apply to residencies, calls for artists, and pitch clients. I haven’t felt settled to be able to do that outreach in a while. It feels like I have a semblance of control for the first time in a long time.

I am searching for my favorite outfit this summer, as a way to slow down and really focus in. I realize that recently, even with kids and paint and life, it has been different iterations of all white items. I guess it feels like summer to me.

P.S. I am sharing my weekly Summer of Slow recap for my paid subscribers on Saturday mornings now!

I thought it’s a slower day and could be a nice way to start your weekend. This weekend’s will be available for all to see Saturday at 9am (you don’t have to be a paid subscriber this week to see it. But I hope you will consider becoming one!). Thanks!