La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
We’re coming into a brief “cold snap.” The temperature Tuesday and Wednesday is only supposed to reach 34C/93.2F. Today should top out at around 37C/98.6. When we walked home from dinner last night at around 11, it actually felt balmy at 32C/91.4 after our 42C/107.6F day. In our neighborhood, the breeze from the mountains always helps.
We had been inside all day, so decided to go to Goiko Grill for dinner. After our brownie binge complements of San Geraldo, I decided to seriously limit my sugar intake. So, no Goiko Cookie for me last night. Except that the manager brought us a complementary Goiko Cookie and I had to be polite. That’s the second time a manager there has done that. I’ll have a talk with them so they know how grateful, and flattered, we are and that we just can’t do it. SG, who doesn’t want the sweets either, whispered to me slyly, “You know, you don’t have to eat it.” Ha! I’m not foregoing sweets completely, but I like to be in control of the decision. I snapped a quick photo as we were leaving Goiko of something they have on the wall. I don’t know whether it’s appetizing or obscene (or both).
My big news is that I actually started drawing yesterday and I’m already completely absorbed in creating something (not time to share yet). The confidence came back quickly. I had been looking through the drawings I still have in my sketch books and told myself I wasn’t half bad. That helped. I used to carry my sketch book with me wherever I went and was never embarrassed to sketch with people around. If nothing inspired me, I sketched what was at hand, like my hands drawing my hands.
Josephine sent me a photo of a drawing I did on a train to Pisa in 1977. A little boy slept opposite me for most of the 45-minute trip. When I returned that evening, I showed the drawing to Josephine and her older sister, Bina (who died in recent years). She and Bina loved it. And Josephine whispered to me (because I wasn’t very swift) that it would be especially nice if I gave the drawing to Bina, who was always so kind to me and treated me like a brother. I immediately did. She had it framed. It still hangs in Josephine’s living room. You can see it above. The photo is skewed and taken through the glass, so it doesn’t do the drawing justice but you’ll get the idea. So I am happily back to drawing, which means you’ll have to excuse me. I’m off.
Estamos entrando en una breve ola de frío. Se espera que la temperatura el martes y miércoles solo alcance los 34°C/93,2°F. Hoy debería alcanzar un máximo de unos 37°C/98,6°F. Anoche, cuando regresamos a casa después de cenar, sobre las 11, hacía una agradable sensación térmica de 32C/91,4F después de nuestro día de 42C/107,6F. En nuestro barrio, la brisa de la montaña siempre ayuda.
Habíamos estado dentro todo el día, así que decidimos ir a cenar a Goiko Grill. Después de nuestro atracón de brownies de San Geraldo, decidí limitar seriamente mi consumo de azúcar. Así que anoche no comí galletas Goiko. Solo que el gerente nos trajo una galleta Goiko de cortesía y tuve que ser educado. Es la segunda vez que un gerente hace eso. Hablaré con ellos para que sepan lo agradecidos y halagados que estamos y que simplemente no podemos hacerlo. SG, que tampoco quiere los dulces, me susurró con picardía: “¿Sabes? No tienes que comértelas.” ¡Ja! No estoy renunciando a los dulces por completo, pero me gusta tener el control de la decisión. Saqué una foto rápida al salir de Goiko de algo que tienen en la pared. No sé si es apetitoso u obsceno (o ambas cosas).
La buena noticia es que ayer empecé a dibujar y ya estoy completamente absorta en la creación (aún no tengo tiempo para compartirlo). Recuperé la confianza enseguida. Había estado mirando los dibujos que aún conservo en mis cuadernos de bocetos y me dije a mí misma que no se me daba nada mal. Eso me ayudó. Solía llevar mi cuaderno de bocetos conmigo a todas partes y nunca me daba vergüenza dibujar con gente alrededor. Si nada me inspiraba, dibujaba lo que tenía a mano, como mis manos dibujando mis manos.
Josephine me envió una foto de un dibujo que hice en un tren to Pisa en 1977. Un niño durmió frente a mí durante media hora. Al volver esa noche, les enseñé el dibujo a Josephine y a su hermana mayor, Bina (fallecida hacía poco). A ambas les encantó. Josephine me susurró (porque no era muy rápido) que sería especialmente bonito que se lo diera a Bina, que siempre fue tan amable conmigo y me trató como a un hermano. Lo hice enseguida. Lo mandó enmarcar. Todavía cuelga en el salón de Josephine. Pueden verlo arriba. La foto está torcida y tomada a través del cristal, así que no le hace justicia al dibujo, pero se harán una idea. Así que, felizmente, he vuelto a dibujar, lo que significa que tendrán que disculparme. Me voy.
• ¿Deliciosamente obsceno? No estoy muy seguro de qué es.
• Atardecer del sábado.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
I’m so happy you’re drawing again, dear Mitchell! You’ll be happy too, as you get engrossed again. You have such talent and I’m glad it’s sitting up and taking notice. Go you! No rush to show, just enjoy. Boud.
Boud:
You have definitely been part of my inspiration. And, yes, I’m engrossed and so happy. Thanks!
A good suggestion, in a poorly written book I read recently. Stop and sketch a scene, rather than running around snapping photos and moving on. Spending time drawing, engages our senses in scene in a way that snapping a photo and moving on never will. You notice details you never would in a rush to get the next photo. I added a notebook to my daybag.
David:
Great advice when you have the time. My most distinct memories are those memorialized in a sketch. I distinctly remember that train ride to Pisa and the boy’s father looking on and smiling. I even remember where my seat was located.
Your sleeping child drawing is magnificent! And I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying doing art again! That photo in the restaurant — could it be a ladyfinger cookie being dipped in caramel sauce? Beats the alternative, lol.
Debra:
Wow. Magnificent. Thank you! That could be a ladyfinger cookie being dipped in caramel sauce, except they don’t have either.
I imagine the drawing will quite meditative as you won’t be rushing through it … unless you doing quick sketches.
That artwork at the restaurant AND the dessert both appear deliciously obscene!
I am not a sweets person; years ago in the Keys, after dinner one night, I asked for a piece of Key Lime pie. When the server asked how it was I said I loved it because it’s bitter and tart, like me.
Bob:
I plan to start doing quick sketches when I’m out and about, but what I’m doing at home right now is more a constant and ever-expanding doodle, in full color. I love Key Lime pie (REAL Key Lime pie). Maybe I’m bitter and tart, too.
Your drawing of the little boy is such a joy to look at. I don’t have adequate words, but I always say that many people can draw if they really, really, really work at training themselves… but, their drawings won’t look at all like what a natural, gifted artist produces, like you. I’m really drawn to the little sandaled foot gently hanging off the bench, and the little hand with its slightly curled fingers … and the gentle shading and curves of the legs and the shorts and the sleeves… I could look at this for hours, Mitch 🙂
The sunset isn’t bad, either 🙂
Judy C:
Thanks so much for the generous words. I can so distinctly remember that train ride. Drawing does that for me.
“Not half bad?” Excuse me! Mitchell- my Lord! Yes, yes, yes! You have begun and I am so glad. Not only am I excited to see more of what you do, but I am thinking that this is so good for your soul.
That Goiko Cookie does bring to mind the words, “Death by chocolate.”
I have no words for the deliciously obscene picture.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
Yes, so good for my soul. I need to completely incorporate it again into my life. And the Goiko cookie makes me think of death by chocolate, too.
The boy sleeping is great, but I also like you drawing your hand drawing your hand (and how do you keep those two hands straight?)
Kirk:
It reminds me that I never needed a subject, just some paper and a pen or pencil.
Good for you, Scoot!
Deedles:
Thanks! I’m really enjoying it.
I’m glad you’re absorbed in a new art project and I can hardly wait to see it! I envy those with artistic talent.
That sunset is a stunner…
Kelly:
I really need to get up to the roof when morning to catch a sunrise.
Yay for drawing!!
I love it when people can express themselves artistically (I can’t I have absolutely no artistic talent at all). It’s so cool!
And we’ve been having a very hot wave here. In the nineties, also. And it’s only JUNE!!
XOXO
Sixpence Notthewiser:
This has been an unusually hot June even for us where the average high in June is usually 91. With all these 107-degree days, we have to have passed that.
That sunset, the sketches and the food porn! You are spoiling us… Jx
Jon:
Thanks. That’s my goal.
Deliciously obscene!?! I recall seeing something similar to that Saturday night.
And 92.7!!!! My Heavens bundle up and make sure you stay warm!
Mistress Borghese:
Where did you see it dipped?
You’ve been holding out on us, Scoot, your sketches are great! Your “hands drawing” reminded me of M.C. Escher’s… and that sunset photo is stunning. Despite being agnostic, I always think of those type of rays as “God light”!
Tundra Bunny:
I’m sure I was inspired by Escher. I used to love to get lost in his work. I could have spent more time, but that was just to kill time while I waited for someone. I may be more atheist than agnostic (most of the time) but I also think of God light.
It’s an egg roll dipped in plum sauce. You have talent.
larrymuffin:
But they don’t serve egg rolls or plum sauce. Hmmm. Thanks!
We’re supposed to get up around 38º this week. Ouch!
That drawing is exquisite!
Walt the Fourth:
Now that is HOT for you. And I’m sure not many places are air conditioned. And thank you!
You are seriously good, excellent even, at drawing. What a talent! I hope that you will show us all your art works.
I love the way you say that 34c is a ” cold snap”. That is a full blown heatwave here, like we had over the weekend. Thank goodness it is down to a much more liveable 17c this morning.
Frances
Frances:
We’d be complaining about the cold at 17C. I’m clearly adjusting to the heat here because 34 does actually feel refreshing (to some degree).