Watercolor Artist Updates
Halloween
OCT 31, 2024: I have a session with a medium booked for this evening, All Hallows Eve, when the veil to the Otherworld is thinner. Hoping to connect with Jim. Shannon will be coming to stay for a couple of nights tomorrow. All is well at the Beach house! Enjoying my time hearing the waves as I drift off to sleep at night.Read More
Back at the Beach House
SEPT 29, 2024: I moved back in on Friday morning. What a huge blessing! Been very busy and needing a rest. Perfect timing! Will paint some little ACEO's of sail boats soon. Read More
Recovery
AUG 15, 2024: Daughter Shannon is recovering from surgery this month. Her dad came up for a week to take her to Seattle for the surgery and her sister came up and I’ve been staying at the house to help out her and her dog. She’s doing well and keeping a good attitude, which is amazing. I splurged and got Amazon prime and we’ve been watching the rings of power. Right n…Read More
Beach Time!
July 29, 2024: I just wrote a whole entry on Fiddle Tunes and the concerts on the Dock every Thursdays and Fridays at the Fort, but it has disappeared. So a quick second entry. I have danced my tail off this month and heard plenty of wonderful music! And I have had a ton of beautiful Beach time. But I am now out of time, so till next month's entry....Read More
Library
June 23, 2024: Thank goodness for our local library having a tech guy come in on every Thursday to help people like me who are not tech savvy! You can sign up for a morning appointment or come in the afternoon and get in line. He has helped me so much! We are next time trying to let me be able to choose a picture from my phone. So that I can take a photo of new art an…Read More
Last Day of Vacation
MAY 28, 2024: Today is my last day of house sitting at the Beach House. I have looked upon it as a fantastic free vacation that lasted many months! It is amazing how much stuff I had here just to live very comfortably. Truly mind boggling! Thank goodness I packed my car yesterday, as today has been pouring rain since I woke up. Jessica came up for a day and nigh…Read More
Solar Eclipse
April 30, 2024: This month has been quite stressful for all of us. Syd and Jessica are running a campaign for WA senate, Shannon's living situation seems unstable, I was told it will be another year before my apartment is available, and we looked at a couple of lots and a home for sale, but they all seem unaffordable. The energy of the solar eclipse that happened on the 8th was r…Read More
Albuquerque
March 31 2024: I flew into Albuquerque on March 7 and will fly out on April 7. It’s been a wonderful month here in Albuquerque visiting adopted family. I arrived two days before Katoa left for Fiji to be with his father’s side of the family. We had a wonderful morning visit and then we went to see the second Dune movie. Next day we took him to the airport. …Read More
The Eagles Flying
FEBRUARY 24, 2024: I wrote this song in January, but just put it to music this week.
I've been weepy now for 2 whole days. It's so unlike me. What's wrong? Can't figure it out, so grabbed paper and pen. Might be time for another song.
Still no home to call my own, but landed by the beach in a beautiful home with hummingbirds! Yet my own feels out of…Read More
Begin 2024
JAN 27, 2024: Yesterday was my oldest daughter's 49th Birthday. She is and always has been a joy and a blessing. They made an offer on a house here in town that we all loved the potential of. The location was great. But someone bid $100,000 over the asking price. Very disappointed are we! Trying times. We want to see a cease fire in Gaza. So many peo…Read More
Getting Ready for Christmas
DEC 14, 2023: My Dad had been gone for 25 years now, and I think of him every time I see a Bald Eagle. I see them almost daily. I am house sitting at the Beach House, and getting ready for Christmas. The tree is up and partially decorated. It's been fun. I am so grateful to be living here by the beach over the winter! I am waiting for my apartment to open up but…Read More
72!
NOV 8, 2023: And now I'm 72, and all I wanna do, is Boogaloo, Hey! Shannon took me out for lunch at Owl Sprit, and Jessica and Syd who are now in Nicaragua, gave me a spending spree at the Co-op before they left. My family in WI called and sang to me and friends celebrated too. It was a really special birthday. I'm glad to be alive and loved!Read More
Full Moon Nights
OCT. 31, 2023: We have been having a streak of sunny days with a full moon and beautiful sunrises too! I have been blessed with a cat sitting job on Morgan Hill with a view of the East over the Salish Sea and also a house sitting gig right on the beach. I walk daily to the Beach house and spend the day there and then head back to the cat home on the hill every late afternoon. It …Read More
Crazy Month!
SEPT 25, 2023: This has been one crazy month! I spent the first few days at daughter Jessica's and Syd's in Olympia WA. Unpacked and reorganized after my 5 month long trip to WI. Then to daughter Shannon's landing back home in Port Townsend. One day at the Wooden Boat Festival when I came down with Covid! So I stayed where I was at the Beach house in a separate …Read More
Goodbye, Bay
August 27, 2023: I leave tomorrow from the Bay. I got to spend all summer here! It was quite a magical summer, and I loved it! I wrote a children’s book, did two small cloud watercolors for my great nieces, had wonderful family time, swam and floated, read books, and it was a summer filled with love and relaxation. Who could ask for more ?! On the one hand…Read More
Summer Surprise
JULY 29, 2023: Still at the bay and loving it every day. We had a full week of family fun with my sister and her whole family. My daughter Jessica came up for a visit and surprised her cousins Cindy, Julie, and Phil and her Aunt Ev. This whole month I’ve just been having the time of my life. We float on inner tubes on the bay, eat good food, and just are grateful for such a…Read More
Summer at the Bay!
June 30, 2023: What a wonderful month! I have been staying at my sisters cabin on the bay of Green Bay in Wisconsin. My brother-in-law and my sister have been kind enough to open up their summer home to me during this time when I don’t have a house or an apartment yet. I go to bed with the sounds of the waves, hitting the rocks and spend my days, enjoying the water, what they cal…Read More
Wisconsin trip
May 9, 2023: I am on a 5 month trip to Wisconsin! Flew into Milwaukee in a storm and good friend of nearly 50 years, Jackie, picked me up and took me to her house for a month long visit. We had a great time together and with Lenny. Ate well and even went to Chicago for a weekend where we saw a fantastic Planetarium show of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon! Als…Read More
Beautiful Spring
April 2, 2023: We have been having a beautiful Spring! So many cherry, plum, beech, and other trees are in full bloom! The daffodils, hyacinths, daphne, hellebore, crocus, and some flowering bushes are beautifying the landscapes. My time in Port Townsend is over for 5 months as I am now in Olympia at Jessica and Syd's till I fly to WI on tuesday. This is the last time…Read More
I Love Port Townsend
MARCH 5, 2023: This entry will be short, because I am at the Beach house and want to spend my time out there on the beach! Today I pack up my stuff and move to Vida's for 3 weeks while she and Verne are in Mexico. I am so blessed to have wonderful places to stay here in PT thanks to friends and pet owners (who are also now my friends)! Even though our house sold at the end …Read More
ON THE MOVE
FEB 19, 2023: Today is Steve Rick's birthday. His wife, my niece Cindy, and their 2 girls Evie and Harper, celebrate him on his birthday every year and he is there with them in Spirit form. Cancer took him away years ago. We all miss him, and the love never dies.
Why am I on the move? My beach side house sit is over, and I am going from one place to another, qui…Read More
A New Year, 2023
JAN 27, 2023: Yesterday my eldest daughter, Jessica, celebrated her 48th Birthday! Both of my daughters are my best friends. We have been through a lot together. I feel so blessed to have such loving, compassionate, and beautiful (both inside and out) daughters!
This is my last week alone at the Beach House. It has been a very healing and serene place to be for the p…Read More
Christmas 2022
DECEMBER 28, 2022: Jessica and Syd came up to the Beach house for Christmas. Shannon, Tyler, and Sappho came for Christmas Eve dinner here too. We had lots of fun visits at our favorite coffee shop, Better Living Through Coffee, and at Manressa Castle for drinks and tappas. My daughters are back home now, and I am enjoying my time at the Beach house where my good friend Bec…Read More
Time To Travel
NOV 3, 2022: Summer ended almost overnight. We were all ok with that since we really needed the rain! Smoke and fires were scary. And now it is going to get cold. Time to bring in all the tender houseplants. And time to take a bus tomorrow to a hotel near the airport, because I am flying to Las Vegas to see my Aunt Bobbie, and then on to Albuquerque to see Jody,…Read More
Wow! What a month!
OCT 30, 2022: Exactly one month ago we moved out of our house of 8 years. I am "floating". It is working out better than I could have even imagined! It has been a struggle and stressful, but I believe the worst is behind me now. I am currently staying at a beautiful home with a cute little dog named Yoda while my friends are vacationing in France. Every day I go…Read More
Wooden Boat Festival and Moving
SEPT 28, 2022: I went 2 days to the first wooden boat festival since covid. I rode in a long boat for an hour and a half, went sailing with friends Vida and Vern on the Katie M, took a ride on the Admiral Jack, did a little paddle boarding, and had a wonderful seafood dinner tha first night while listening to a band. I babysat Darth the cat in a home with a fantastic 180 degree v…Read More
Moving
AUG 31, 2022: It is a beautiful summer and I keep busy every day getting ready to move. Closing date will be Sept. 30th we think. I also have had some amazing pet sitting gigs on and near the beach! This summer is filled with fun and work. It feels good though. Life will be getting pretty interesting come October! Some travel in my near future too. L…Read More
SUMMER 2022
JULY 13, 2022: It's Summer! Yay! I've gotten out in my kayak twice with the help of my daughter Jessica. Soon I will be taking trips to Whidbey Island on the ferry for fun. The cherries are almost ripe. They are late this year due to Junuary. I have gotten a storage unit and have made a couple of trips out there. We will be moving this October. I am …Read More
JUNUARY
JUNE 18 2022: We are having a wet and cool month of June here in the Pacific North West so the locals call it Junuary. Some days the sun only comes out for a spell and on one rainy day we only got 45 minutes of no rain. So I am sure to get outside when those breaks happen. I am not complaining, just stating the facts. I much prefer this to sweltering heat or tornadoes…Read More
The Vagabond Life
MAY 25 2022: It's kind of funny, I go to throw away a piece of garbage and I have to figure out which cabinet it goes to. Since March 1st, I have stayed at 11 different homes or hotels. At times, I cried but I always was grateful that I always had a bed to sleep in and pets or people that I loved around me. Day after tomorrow I will go to my 12th and final different p…Read More
Finally, Spring!
APRIL 25, 2022: Spring has finally arrived in the Pacific NW. Trees and flowers have been in bloom for a long while, but the temps remained chilly. That is beginning to change. A very welcome change at that. After a long haul of changing locations on a consistent basis, I am home for almost 2 weeks, minus next weekend. So I am getting a lot of gardening done and…Read More
Transitions
MARCH 22, 2022: This has been a time of transitions. Winter is transitioning into Spring. I have gone from being a married woman to going through a dissolution of marriage. I no longer sleep in my own bed, but am very gratefully sleeping at my friend and neighbor Nancy's. Today I am getting ready to begin 3 dog sitting jobs where I stay overnight and live with the pet…Read More
A Song For You
JAN 31 2022: Did you know that January is divorce month? I didn't either. I wrote this song midway through the month. I call it "A Song For You".
I always wanted to write a song for you but I couldn't and I didn't know why.
So today I'm finally writing this song and you know it makes me cry.
It's not a song that's filled with love. It's…Read More
New Years Eve 2021
DEC 31 2021: Another year over and a new one about to begin. I am looking forward to 2022. I once read that when you see 3 twos, it means that Angels are around you. I am calling this year the 'Year of Angels'. It will be a year of huge changes for me in my personal life, so it holds some comfort for me if I call it that. Keeps me on a positive note. I lov…Read More
Kalaloch Lodge for my 70th
NOV 28, 2021: My daughters Jessica and Shannon and granddogger Sappho all had a grand time back in early November to celebrate my 70th Birthday! We had a very special cabin with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a fireplace with dry wood, killer views of the Pacific Ocean out the wall of windows, and electric heat. We ate like royalty and had fun walks on the beach. It was a magical 4…Read More
Summer Fun
AUGUST 23 2021: This summer has been a lot of fun. We went whale watching for a day up to the San Juan Islands and had lunch in Friday Harbor. It was to celebrate Syd's birthday and as a send off to Rigel and Malaya who are going back home to Cortez Island. I love it when I get to do amazing things with my daughters. We also had a couple of 3 night visits here in Port…Read More
Cherries, Berries, and Plums
JULY 26, 2021: The month started out with tons of juicy, ripe, red cherries. We were not the only ones enjoying them. The crows and robins had a feast, as did the raccoon family that lives in the nearby cedar tree. We had plenty to share with neighbors, friends, relatives, and strangers. I also brought cherries to my dermatologist and my dental office. These were foll…Read More
Serenity
JUNE 29 2021: Serenity is the name of the first Limited Edition print (51) that sold at the Gallery! The woman who bought it said that it was very Pacific Northwest. The gallery in Port Townsend is called TAKE 5. This week I went back into the gallery and my Hungry Heron sold too! He did find a new home and that makes me happy to be sharing my art with people. So I am…Read More
A New Gallery in Town
MAY 29 2021: A new gallery, TAKE 5, just opened up here in Port Townsend. I met with Mara yesterday, and she chose 6 matted prints, mostly of my birds, to sell there. I was thrilled! Every piece of my Art that I can release from under my bed feels great! The Hungry Heron pictured here was released and started his new life in the gallery till he finds a new home. …Read More
New Oils
APRIL 25 2021: Well here I go again. I went out to the kitchen to get a snack, and my page was gone when I returned. I didn't think I was gone long, but I forgot to save what I had written so far. Lesson learned? Hope so. I really don't feel like rewriting all that about the glorious Spring we are having, but the tulips being in full bloom in vibrant reds and ye…Read More
Getting Vacinated
MARCH 31 2021: I have gotten my first covid shot and will get the second one in a few more days. I feel good about it, even though at first I was afraid and considered not doing it. Then Kevin got sick and had to get tested for Covid, and I made my appointment that very weekend. I used to think that I wouldn't catch it anyways, but once he got sick and I thought that it was…Read More
SNOW!
FEB 13, 2021: We got about 5 inches of beautiful, white snow! I waited all week for it to finally arrive. I bought a $10 sled, and went sledding in the morning by myself, and then met up with daughter Shannon and her partner Tyler for an afternoon sled. My boots were soaking wet by the time I got home, and by morning, the streets were clear for walking. The next day, …Read More
A New Year:2021
January 31, 2021: Here it is, the last day of the new year, and what a month it has been! On the 6th, we had the riot at the Capitol. I watched it unfold all day, online.
On to a brighter note, I went to Olympia WA to celebrate my daughter Jessica's birthday on the 26th. We ate well! Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, cake, and pancakes with bacon for lunch on the day I…Read More
Merry Covid Christmas
DECEMBER 25, 2020: This Christmas, we are staying home. The house is decorated, and instead of a Christmas tree, I put a big tomato cage in my fushia planter and decorated with tinsel, lights, and my ornaments. It really turned out beautifully. Our house is too small for a tree, so..... We got a couple of inches of snow on the 21st, so that really made it fun and Chri…Read More
Good Bye Mary Ann
NOV 19, 2020: My dear friend Mary Ann passed away this week from Covid 19. She leaves behind her loving husband of 43 years, Bob. And lots of friends who love her too. I always stayed at her house when I would return to Wisconsin to visit. Our mutual dear friend Mary would come over too and we would always have a great time. She commissioned me do a watercolor o…Read More
Change of Season
OCT 28 2020: The leaves are falling, so it must be Fall. It feels much cooler outside and we have begun to use the fireplace, so Autumn must have arrived. Since moving to Washington State 6 years ago from Wisconsin, I no longer feel dread when the season changes. The winters here are so mild! Being a la nina year, we are supposed to be cooler and wetter, meaning SNOW!…Read More
Wildfire Smoke
SEPT 18 2020: First, a Happy Birthday to my old friend Sue. (Not that she is particularly old). We shared a love of horses, boating, swimming, etc. I hope the years have treated her kindly.
I have been INSIDE the house for an entire week because of the wildfire smoke. I have kept on my pajamas most days so as not to be tempted to go outside. I watched movies, ma…Read More
Katoa's Birthday
AUG 12 2020: Yesterday was my "adopted" grandson's 16th Birthday, and we texted for the first time! What fun that was. We had left him a Happy Birthday song on his Mom Jody's phone voicemail, and he texted me back on his own phone! We had quite an entertaining conversation. He says he can't wait to come and visit again once the pandemic is over. Jody, Lisa, and Katoa …Read More
Dream Visit
JULY 18, 2020: I had a dream in which an old friend, Jim Mech, appeared. I was 15 and he was 17 when we met in the summer of 1967. In the dream, I told him and his friends that at one time "he was the love of my life". ( It feels weird to say that since I am married for 23 years now, and I love my husband very much.) So, in the morning, I decided to google his name. Up came…Read More
SUMMER BEGINS
JUNE 7, 2020: Being barefoot almost daily again, beach days, flowers, birds, rain, sun, peaceful (mostly) protests, shops and restaurants reopening with masks mandatory, so much is going on. It is nice to see so many young people joining in the protests, wanting a change for the better.... police accountability and racial equality. And I am glad that the NFL apologized to the players a…Read More
Time To Shelter at Home
MAY 13, 2020: Wow! I cannot believe that it has been 2 months since last I made an entry on this blog. We have been staying home and it feels like time has stood still. I have been spending lots of time out in my gardens, as the weather has been wonderful here in the Pacific North West. I am addicted to reading, not a bad addiction to have. Some days I head to a beach…Read More
Dealing With Corona Virus
MARCH 13, 2020: We are in the midst of a pandemic. Everything else seems to pale in comparison. My husband and I have decided to stay home till it subsides. I cancelled my 2 dog sitting jobs for next month and all plans we had to get together with friends and family. Perhaps this will give me some time to do a painting or two. My heart goes out to the people who…Read More
Season of the Sandhill Cranes
FEBRUARY 11, 2020: February is the month when in Albuquerque, the Sandhill Cranes congregate and get ready to fly back to Wisconsin. I have seen them in fields by the Rio Grande River on my trips to visit Jody and Katoa. And when I lived in Wisconsin for 38 years, they always heralded in the early spring. Even though it still looked and felt like winter, when you heard thei…Read More
Welcome 2020
JAN 4, 2020: It is winter here in the Pacific NW, and the grass is green, bulbs have sprouted, and some flowers are blooming. Pansies, primrose, and calendulas. We had to make some major sacrifices to move here: We put a LOT of distance between us and family and friends that we love. That is a hard one, and will always be. Summers in Wisconsin with a bed on the screen porch…Read More
Gratitude
DEC.9, 2019: Every day I think of 5 things that I am grateful for. This practice keeps me focused on all the good and blessings that I have in my life. Today I am grateful for my cozy home in Port Townsend, for my husband and friend Kevin and all of my friends and loved ones, for all of the good food I am fortunate to eat every day, for my health, and for being an Artist, but not…Read More
Art in the Hastings Building
NOV 7, 2019: I have had my art on display in the historic Hastings Building in downtown Port Townsend since summer. It is up until December 1st. What an honor that has been. The top two floors of the former hotel have been vacant since the 50's, and some ghost hunters recorded some audio that I got to hear last weekend. Spooky! We've been celebrating birthdays l…Read More
San Juan Islands
AUGUST 31 2019: My two daughters and my son-in-law took a 3 day trip to the beautiful San Juan Islands! On the whale watching boat we had to take to get there and back, we saw plenty of Orcas and a feeding Humpback whale and even a Puffin! One very cool thing is that when we returned home to Port Townsend, I spent the next day at our beaches and it was really just as beautiful!Read More
Bonnar Cousin Visit!
JULY 21, 2019: First of all, let me say Happy Birthday to my Dear Uncle Roy who would be 90 today I believe. He was the best Uncle ever, and is father to my much loved Kasten cousins.
This weekend, I got to spend time with 3 of my Bonnar cousins... Joanne, Peg, and Cathy! They all lived in CA, while I lived in IL, so we didn't get to spend much time together. Once or…Read More
Crescent Lake Anniversary
JUNE 18 2019: Today is my niece Cindy's 41st Birthday. I am also her Godmother and I was with her last year on this date when she turned 40. We ended up at Lake Geneva in WI with the girls Evie and Harper, and had a good day. Her husband Steve died when he was 39, a couple of years ago, so it made for a very emotional birthday for her last year, since he never turned 40.&nb…Read More
Santa Barbara by Train
APRIL 11, 2019: I am back from our beautiful train trip to Santa Barbara where we spent a lot of time laughing. My beautiful daughter Jessica bought us tickets with a sleeping car and our meals in the dining car! We only got as far as Portland before our laughing attacks began. We stayed at an Air B&B that was a 25 minute walk to the beach, through a college campus. Eve…Read More
Spring is back!
MARCH 12 2019: We were having a very early spring back in early Feb. Then we had Winter! Snow and even more snow! Loved it, having come from WI, but I am glad to have spring back! I planted more Primroses yesterday, the kale is prolific so I eat it daily, and I am grateful for this Pacific NW climate. I am headed down to Santa Barbara with my daughter Jessica by…Read More
KEW
JAN 26, 2019: 44 years ago, I became a mother. My daughter Jessica was born in Woodstock IL at around 4 in the morning. I was 23. I am so proud of the beautiful (inside and out) woman she has become. We are talking about having a Watercolor and Kundalini Yoga workshop this August in her backyard Garden. It will be a retreat, with the peaceful sounds of the water…Read More
The Artist Reception
DEC 5, 2018: The Artist Reception that Uptown Dental threw for me last month was AMAZING! So much fun! Shannon played harp for us for an hour, the wine flowed, great food, Jessica brought flowers from her garden, and I was surrounded with love of family and friends. Kevin took photos too. A night to remember, for sure. AND I sold 5 framed prints! And anoth…Read More
Autumn Art Shows
NOV. 5, 2018: I've been getting a large art show up in Uptown, and I have completed the invitations for the November 9th Artist Reception. It is on the day after my birthday, so it's a family birthday weekend too! This town is so much fun! The coffee shop is right on the water, and there is music and art all around. This autumn has been pretty sunny and warm. I have a…Read More
Wooden Boat Festival
SEPT 10, 2018: Sept is the festival season here in Port Townsend. I have my paintings on display right on Water Street in time for them both! This year's Wooden Boat Festival was non stop fun! We had a waterfront hotel room for two nights. We went for a sail on the Adventuress, a huge schooner, and saw a pod of Orcas up close. I dressed up as a pirate woman and got in…Read More
Fun with Oliver
AUG 11, 2018: We have had a visit from grandson Oliver and his parents Nathan and Heather for a week in August. We went to several beaches finding beach glass. He loved the beaches, as I do too. It was his first plane rides, train rides, and ferry rides. Now he is a seasoned traveler! This summer is flying by! I'm completing two new paintings for my upcomi…Read More
Gardens!
MAY 30 2018: We have been eating salads picked from our gardens for months now! Kale, spinach, lettuce, arugula, parsley, miner's lettuce, etc. Such a joy to live in this climate! My flowers are a riot of color. Life is so good here. We had a visit from Rosemary, Steve, and kids. Had a blast. I watch the unfolding lava crisis on the big island of HI. So sa…Read More
Time flies, but not THAT fast!
FEB 28, 2018: I'm still learning how to get around my website, as it is new and improved this past fall. So I HAD written in Sept., Oct., and in Nov. Still, December and January did fly by! I am off to a Soul Motion dance class now, and have a bus to catch! I LOVE living in Port Townsend!Read More
Time Flies
FEB 10,2018: It is so hard to believe that 7 months have passed since my last entry! I have been selling my ACEO's at Seattle Flowers in downtown Seattle, and he is also putting 6 12x16 framed prints and a basket of 8x11 limited edition (51) prints in his beautiful shop on the corner of 2nd and James. A new grandson, James Kevin Casey, was born Jan.18th. We had gone to Mexi…Read More
First Snow
NOV 5 2017: We had our first snow this morning. Early for the Pacific NW. My Dad's birthday today. He would have been 96 today! I am wearing his teal blue PJ"s. I am learning how to work with this new website format today, so I will get back to it. I want to add more art soon, but I have to learn how first. I would rather be painting watercolors, but…Read More
Autumn Colors
OCT 25, 2017: We recently returned from a 2 week trip to WI to see family and friends. We had a great time at a waterpark while there. Now back home, the Autumn colors are stunning! Kevin and I celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday on a warm and sunny day. We went out for breakfast, searched for sea glass on the beach, relaxed a lot, and went to North Beach for sunse…Read More
Bye Bye Busy Bee
SEPT 23, 2017: I am no longer a busy bee. I will now be embodying the turtle. Slow and steady, and heading to the water.Read More
On The Water - By Michelle Yandre
Waupaca Chain O' Lakes Association History Committee published book on history of the Chain.
Cover illustration by Laurel Geyer
For members of the Waupaca Chain 0' Lakes Association History Committee, the idea to publish a book about the history of cottages and memories of life on the Chain finally became a reality.
The book: Our Cottages and Memories, consists of 45 individual submissions r…Read More
Beautiful & Bountiful Summer
JULY 19 2017: Beautiful and Bountiful Summer! Feasting on fruit and veggies from the garden. The flowers are food for the Soul. I had a wonderful week with family in northern IL in June, and more "family" came to visit for Fiddle Tunes in July. Such a busy summer, for one reason is that I get lots of Beach Time! And I ride the ferry for fun. So much to do …Read More
Spring Beach House
APRIL 18 2017: It is a very beautiful Spring here, and a friend gave us access to her beach house while she went on vacation. So I had a week right on the beach and had lots of time to paint, read, and explore the beaches. I am looking forward to 2 more dog sitting jobs near the beach this month. I will just bring my watercolors and a book.Read More
Nature Awakens in Pacific Northwest
March 28 2017: Spring is here in the Pacific Northwest! The plum trees are all in bloom along with daffodils, periwinkle, and primroses. And the birdsong makes the heart sing. I am adding some more paintings to my website today and tomorrow, so check it out! It may take a little time to show up, but new ones are coming! Read More
Holiday Memoirs
FEB 7 2017: Kevin and I took a trip to Mexico in December. I was barefoot for 2 weeks! That was wonderful. Then we had our annual Christmas gathering with my girls and their families. The New Year has been a LOT of dog sitting for me! It's near the beach, so I am not complaining. I have a beautiful view of the Puget Sound. Tomorrow, I go back for another 2 …Read More
Fall Feelings
NOV 18, 2016: Another Art Show with reception to get ready for. And I've begun my watercolor series of aerial views of Port Townsend in the style of my Chain O' Lakes aerial views, and some local scenes from here on the Puget Sound. If you read some of my blog, please contact me, and It will inspire me to write more posts. A new grandson was born on May1st, Little William.&…Read More
Busy as a Bee
JUNE 28, 2016: I guess life has been very busy! I had 2 art shows this spring, lots of gardening to do, a commissioned watercolor, a trip to see the grandsons, cherry picking in our own backyard, need I go on? If you read this, contact me on my contact page. Maybe I just thought that no one is reading these entries anyways. But I will get back to making a monthly entry.&nbs…Read More
Moonscapes & More
JAN 5, 2016: Happy Birthday Yogananda. Spring is coming early this year! The Alder trees are starting to bud! My crocus are over an inch tall already. I am getting ready for my Art show at Elevated Ice Cream next month. The theme will be "MOONSCAPES and MORE". I am taking a Qi Gong class. Every day is a gift, and I am so grateful to be living he…Read More
Keeping Life Full & Happy
NOV 17, 2015: I just returned from ABQ to visit with Jody, Jeremy, and Katoa. Had a wonderful time and visited Old Town, the Zoo, Aquarium, and Bugarium. We also updated the video we started when 11 year old Katoa was just a baby. Lots of fun. I am playing a music show that I have to get ready for and Kevin and I are going to watch some big waves later durin…Read More
September Musings
SEPT 21, 2015: Fruit is so abundant here! I am currently house/pet sitting and need to get back there. Life here is spectacular! Every day is a gift and I am so grateful to live here and be close to my daughters too. Reading at the beach is one of my favorite pastimes!Read More
Elevated Ice Cream Show
JULY 6, 2015: My Moonscapes Art Show is up at Elevated Ice Cream in Port Townsend. Friend, Lindsay helped me put it up. We had a nice, hot 4th of July weekend, and daughter Jessica came up to spend time and have fun with us. Spent 3 weeks in WI in June, taking care of business and visiting friends and family. Then came home to a cherry tree full of fruit! Gardening, …Read More
Happy to Be Here
MAY 14, 2015: We are so happy that we moved here. Life is full and busy, yet relaxing too. I make sure to get in a lot of beach time and I love to read or paint my little ACEO's on the beach. I just finished some with sailboats on them. Read More
Land of Eternal Spring
APRIL 12, 2015: Time is flying by in this Land of Eternal Spring. I am kept busy with gardening both here and in my community garden. The flowers are beautiful and bountiful. I landed 2 monthly gigs at assisted living places here in town. I do a music therapy show and have been learning new songs on mandolin with daughter Shannon. Life is full and fun. I p…Read More
Holidays Among Friends & Family
FEB 17 2015: My first entry in 2015, and Feb is coming to a close! An update... we had a fantastic Christmas, celebrated for 3 full days at a waterfront hotel with our own deck over the water! Jessica and Syd came up from Olympia and Shannon , Kevin, and I were already here in town. We had a blast! Jessica took great photos for us too. Then I got the flu r…Read More
Cafe Art
DECEMBER 16 2014: Kevin and I just put up my art (29 pieces) at Sweet Laurette's Cafe and Restaurant yesterday, in Port Townsend WA. I'm excited about it, as it is my favorite place to eat! I couldn't have found a better place to show my Art, and the opportunity just kind of fell into my lap! We are playing music again this Sat. Dec. 20th at the Uptown Pub with Brandon Smi…Read More
Sunrise Paintings
NOVEMBER 18 2014: I am still getting up for sunrises, and I found a great place on a cliff overlooking the water and mountains to watch them! It's a 20 minute walk. I have been painting aerial views of Port Townsend. I will soon be painting sunrises I think. We are playing music with Brandon Smith, our next door neighbor Cello player. Even did a couple of music …Read More
Changing with the Times
SEPT 29 2014: We have settled in and it feels like we have been on vacation for over a month. Lots of beach time, great times with daughters, I joined a community garden, and I'm transforming some of the lawn here into little gardens. And of course unpacking. Since we are in Pacific time zone (2 hours earlier than WI was), I have been successful in going to see the sunrise every…Read More
Goodbye, Wisconsin
AUG 10 2014: We are moving to WA a week from tomorrow! Can you even imagine how busy we have been, and still are? The flowers are blooming all over the yard. It's so beautiful! It's an emotional time, saying good bye to loved ones and this place that has been 'HOME' for the past 38 years! I had a most successful show at Clear Water Harbor this week. A good send …Read More
Fly-by Summer
JULY 7 2014: Summer is flying by! I did 2 successful art shows at the Clearwater Harbor so far this summer. I dismantled my entire upstairs gallery. My garden has been ransacked by rodents and bunnies who are small enough to fit through the fence. They ate all the peas, strawberries, and beans. But I found out that my new WA home has a sweet cherry tree with a t…Read More
Spring Has Finally Arrived
MAY 9 2014: Spring finally came after I returned from WA where I bought us a house! Our move is scheduled for August, and we found a buyer for our house. Everything is falling into place. The peas in the garden have sprouted and I will plant more seeds today. All day watercolor class yesterday, with one last one scheduled at a friend's place on the Chain O" Lakes! The…Read More
On the Hunt
MARCH 26, 2014: The search for our WA home is on! It is nerve wracking, as I found one but others want it too. So I need some patience and lots of hope. And guidance. It still feels like winter here. It was 0 degrees this morning. Still snow cover. Hopefully by next week we will have some Spring! The sand hill cranes are back and so are the Robins, s…Read More
Warming Trends & Winter Temps
MARCH 7, 2014: We had at least 53 days below zero this winter so far! The snow cover is still 22 inches deep. But I was out this morning and it was 27 degrees, felt so balmy, the robins were chirping and the birds made it feel like a spring morning! It is currently in the mid 30's and they say we are in for a warming trend of 20's and 30's for this week. I am going to…Read More
Moving Prep
FEBRUARY 17, 2014: I am safely at home in this beautiful snow storm. As hoped for, a February thaw is coming this week! 35+ degrees will feel quite balmy. Next year, my gallery and our home will be in WA. So this is our last WI winter! Looking forward to a new chapter in my life. Kevin and I will begin our adventure across the country at the end of this co…Read More
Markers for Watercolors
FEBRUARY 6 2014: I am leaving for a trip to Lake Michigan for a long weekend with some friends. I am taking a sketchbook and markers instead of my watercolors. Quite a change for me. I'm bringing my snow shoes to do some hiking, and I hope to see some nice sunrises too. It is still below zero every morning, so I am now hoping for a February thaw. I would w…Read More
Wind Chills & Cold Feet
JANUARY 6 2014: This is the coldest it has been here for the past 20 years approx. It is -16 at 8 pm, with today's high having been -15. The wind chills are -55, so all schools are closed, etc. We are keeping warm with our trusty woodstove and soup for dinner. But my feet are cold! Chris will be coming home to stay on Jan. 25th. We are so happy …Read More
Christmas in the Cold
DEC 16 2013: Tonight I pick up Kevin from the airport in Appleton from his unexpected trip to Cancun, Mexico with his son Chris. It was a 2 week vacation, and I'm very happy for them to have gotten to spend time together after Chris has been in Afghanistan for so long. Here in WI, it's been a very cold winter so far. But that allows me to be indoors more where I have so much to d…Read More
Harvest Time!
NOV 1 2013: Our 10 acre parcel of land on the other side of the millpond sold, and today is the closing. One step closer to our move to Port Townsend WA. The house goes next, but we are not moving until next September. I will be making another batch of apple cider this weekend. Harvest time is such a busy time of year. I made many bottles of grape juice too…Read More
Craving Apple Cider
AUG 28, 2013: I made a gallon of apple cider yesterday, for the first time in years! I'd been craving it, and the only way to get it fresh and organic is to press my own. This summer is fun and busy. Nathan is doing well, and Oliver is a ton of fun! Swimming at Casey Lake has been wonderful. Chain days are a blast. Summer in WI is fantastic! Today I…Read More
Warm Weather is Here
JULY 9, 2013: Summer has arrived! We are spending a lot of quality time with Oliver, our grandson, while Nathan gets over this latest Crohn's episode which has him going in for surgery today. I will be doing my Harbor art show today, and keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. I spent last weekend with my sister and her family at their cottage (compound) on Green Bay.…Read More
Countdown Until the Move
JUNE 8, 2013: Spring IS here, and I've spent lots of time kayaking on the Chain in May. I must have been too busy to write, or somehow I messed up the entries and they didn't post. My friend Ruth Moon bought some original watercolors this month, mostly Moonscapes. How fitting! The garden is in full swing, giving us asparagus and greens daily, and onions and garlic. My…Read More
Patiently Waiting for Spring
APRIL 19, 2013: It is snowing again and is 34 degrees this morning. We have lost a lot of our snow cover though! I am planting seeds in pots in the greenhouse because the garden still has snow in it. In 16 months, we will move to Port Townsend, and I will be painting sailboats regularly! Any day now, Spring will come. I have been seeing a lot of the Pileated woo…Read More
Trip to Olympia & Port Townsend
April 11, 2013: We went on a beautiful trip to Olympia and Port Townsend WA for a couple of weeks! We were surrounded with birdsong, greenery and fragrances from all of the many blooming flowers like apple blossom clematis and daphne. We spent our time watching sail boats, walking the beaches, gazing at the mountains, blue skies, and ships on their way to Seattle. We took i…Read More
Snow Makes Winter Better
MARCH 14, 2013: Here it is mid-March, and the snow is STILL deeper than our picnic table benches! I have been very busy with subbing, playing music gigs, painting my commissions, and spending time with Oliver on occasion. Oh, and shoveling some snow, even though Kevin does a lot with the snow blower. At least I am glad that this was a winter with snow, because cold temps wi…Read More
More COLD
JAN 31, 2013: Baby Oliver rolled over today. Nathan called us all excited about it. We get to spend Superbowl Sunday with them. The snow is deeper than the benches on our picnic table. Another COLD night in store. I will sub at Little Wolf High School tomorrow. The Iris commission is challenging, yet I love to work on it. The hardest part is done, an…Read More
Having Fun in the Snow
JAN. 2, 2013: Our grandson, Oliver James, was born on Dec 20th, 2012! Oliver means PEACE, so how fitting is that! He was born in the same year as my Peace Turtles! Christmas was a time of SNOW here, so I've been having fun, even in the cold. Snowshoeing in the yard, skiing with daughter Jessica near Iola, and hiking the snowmobile trail with Nathan today. I'm curre…Read More
Waiting for Our New Grandson
DEC 13 2012: I took a 2 week trip to WA to be with my daughters over Thanksgiving and I took a roadtrip with my cousin Joanne (Bonnar) and her friend Heidi, to Vancouver, BC. I got back in time to cut our Christmas tree from our land, decorate it, and send out a couple of packages for Christmas. While in WA, I was with Shannon and Jessica at our favorite coffee shop on the w…Read More
Happy Birthday, Lisa!
OCT 29 2012: Happy Birthday Lisa. Dear friend, Mother of Jody, Grandmother of Katoa. I hope the Spirit World is treating you well. Read More
Majestic October Colors
OCT 21 2012: October is flying by. The fall colors have been spectacular, just as they were on daughter Shannon's birth day 35 years ago yesterday. I moved a large pot of cosmos right into the greenhouse and am hoping to make some improvements on my cosmos painting one of these sunny afternoons. I wrote up a little house description on my website in case some…Read More
Shows & Expos
SEPT 24 2012: I was surprised with 2 unexpected Art shows/displays this month. The first was at Lake Holcombe, after a champagne brunch in Turtle Town. It was a 'Girly weekend'. The second was at an Expo Center. I am working on my new Iris commission, and my beautiful daughters are in for a week during the fall equinox! What fun! Every day is an adventure. …Read More
Summer Friends & Fruit
AUG 5 2012: The hot & fun summer continues! Painting holidays up at Lake Holcombe cottage, rides on the Lady of the Lakes, a surprise visit with Uncle Roy and Aunt Bobbie, fresh blackberries and raspberries, with apples in abundance now. What's not to love?!Read More
Hot Temps Keep Rising
JULY 5 2012: It's a hot summer so far with lots of swimming and loving my volunteer job on the vet's pontoon boat every Thursday, but not today as it was cancelled due to an excessive heat warning. 100 so far today. Last night, my friend Mary and I drove to Waupaca to see the fireworks, and watched from the lake, immersed in the water up to our heads, each with our noodles fo…Read More
Spring Salad & Flowers
MAY 3 2012: The apple trees are in full bloom all week now. I picked our first salad of the season consisting of collard greens, comfrey, violet and strawberry leaves, French sorrel, and dandelions. The lettuce isn't ready yet, but I will pick a few asparagus too for on the side. We have had vases of daffodils and tulips gracing our table for over a month now. I L…Read More
Busy with the Garden
APRIL 11 2012: Such a beautiful and early Spring we are having! I'm busy gardening, weeding, setting up art classes and music shows, and getting my new "Peace Turtles" out to the galleries! Busy and happy.Read More
Back from Costa Rica
March 19 2012: I'm just back from an amazing, inspiring, and spiritual trip to Costa Rica. We went to the Blue Spirit resort near Nosara where they held a week long gathering of Kundalini teachers, students, and fans of Snatam Kaur, one of my favorite singers. You can hear her music on youtube. The chant Ong Namo is a good place to start. I painted, swam in the Ocean,…Read More
Embracing 60
FEB 27 2012: I spent 3 days in New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. Colorful, inspiring, and FUN! The Caribbean Cruise was the best ever. I even had a balcony to paint from. We had an indoor and outdoor space for yoga. I spent 3 days on the beach in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. That was my 60th 'birthday gift' to myself. I am so loving my 60'…Read More
Warm Weather & Yoga Cruise
FEB 3 2012: What an amazing trip I was on for the month of January! Paintings from Ocean Beach, San Diego, the Rio Grand, and the Jamez Mountains from Shannon's deck, 15 miles NW of Santa Fe. I started a series of "Peace Turtles" too. And I did a few little abstracts. I got a fantastic massage from Shannon at her massage school. She graduates from there in March.…Read More
January Painting Holiday
JAN 9 2012: I am starting my January Painting Holiday! My cousins in Ocean Beach (near San Diego) are sharing their beach house with me for the week! I am so blessed. I am so grateful. Read More
Merry Christmas!
DEC 20 2011: I just sent out my MERRY CHRISTMAS email. So if you found this, you have found my life in a nutshell over the past year of 2011. Congratulations. I will write a new entry on the solstice or soon after. Read More
Twilight & Chinese Food
DEC 1 2011: My daughter Jessica looked at and enjoyed my website and 'blog' late last night during a little bout of insomnia. She left me a message through my contact page and it made my day. I have made the transition out of my garden, reluctantly. I don't think I could live without a garden. It's become such a way of life. Oh, and don't take away my paints eit…Read More
Age of Aquarius
NOV 11 2011: Today is 11/11/11! It is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. We are in store for some changes and I believe this new age we are entering will be more enlightened. I feel a strange excitement and I'm feeling inspired to paint. I had a most enjoyable watercolor class with 3 wonderful ladies this past month. Hope to do another one come Feb. I tur…Read More
Another Summer Gone
OCT 2 2011: Summer was another great one this year! I feel so blessed and fortunate. We are not ready to move yet, but are headed in that direction. I will pick another bowl of fall raspberries today, and grapes, then uncover my summer squash which I sheltered from 2 nights of frost. This week will be in the 70's again, so we will bring the boat to the Chain and …Read More
Waupaca Arts on the Square
AUG 22 2011: I spent Saturday at the Waupaca Arts on the Square. I love that festival, but I cannot sit at my art booth, so I go not as an artist. I saw inspiring Bellydancers, a fabulous Shakespeare play, and heard wonderful Native American Flute music and Tom Pease. I ran into many friends and then spent the rest of the day reading my new book, Yoga Bitch, at the Chain, a…Read More
Happy Birthday, Sallie!
AUG 7 2011: Happy Birthday Sallie! My dear, sweet friend of many years. This summer has been really busy with art and gardening and swimming to name just a few things. I have 2 new great nieces whom I will spend Labor Day with, along with my sister and nieces and nephew and families up on the Bay of Green Bay. The move to the Pacific Northwest won't occur till n…Read More
Moving to the Pacific Northwest
June 10, 2011: Time Flies! We are planning a move to the Pacific Northwest. Our home of 35 years and beautiful 10 acre parcel on the Millpond are for sale. Make us an offer! We are MOTIVATED sellers. You can enjoy a view of the 64 acre millpond from our deck or from the kitchen window. We love this place but it is time for us to retire and find new opp…Read More
Goodbye, Snow!
March 4, 2011: I had a most excellent trip to the Pacific Northwest to be with my daughters. We also saw son Chris back from Afghanistan for a visit. Some great times at Chris and Deanna's this past week. Spring is coming, at least the snow is melting! Read More
Juggling Music Jobs
March 11 '10: Now it's 5 music jobs. Tomorrow night is a silent art auction at the Ale House in Waupaca. I was going just for fun, and did donate two prints for the visual art scholarship fundraiser, then found out that our group is playing the mostly Irish music for it. So now it will be even more fun. I will of course do a little bit of Irish dancing too, so co…Read More
Purse-less Traveling
Jan 29, 2011: I leave for WA in 2 days to visit my daughters! I had to pack so light so that I can catch the last ferry of the day, without waiting for baggage, that I didn't even pack my paints! Oh well, I AM bringing a mandolin, instead of a purse. So we will play music. And hopefully sell a few prints. We have a plan to retire/move to the sunbelt in WA. I'll …Read More
White Christmas
Dec 23, 2010: Jody, Jeremy, and Katoa came over and made my Christmas one to remember! I went down to visit them over Thanksgiving in Albuquerque. I'm glad for having a White Christmas! Read More
Busy Fall Season
Nov 7, 2010: It has been a very busy fall. I am so looking forward to the next few days of beautiful weather. I'll be in the garden, weeding and harvesting Brussel sprouts, chard, and collards. More garlic and onions too. Been too busy to sub at LWHS this fall. Busy is good if you like what you're doing. Read More
Wedding Weekend on Lake Superior
Oct. 4, 2010: Their wedding was a super fun weekend! We toured the Apostle Islands while we ate and drank, after the vows. Kevin and I even played a bit of music for the ceremony. This past weekend and a few days, I spent on the Chain O'Lakes, house sitting, kayaking, painting, and even babysitting Aubri towards the end of my stay! The painting from Rosemary's deck wa…Read More
My Stepson is Getting Married!
Sept 14, 2010: What a great summer this has been! Spent a lot of time on the water and in the water! This weekend my stepson is getting married on Lake Superior. Congrats to Chris and Deanna!Read More
Happy to be Busy
August 11 2010: I had such a great time yesterday at the Clearwater Harbor as their Featured Artist! It was very hot out, but I was very busy and happy to be so busy! My show's focus was 'Watercolor Scenes from Clearwater Harbor'. Today I get to put it all away. It is my 'adopted' grandson's 6th Birthday today, so we'll call and sing later. He lives in Albu…Read More
Wedding Weekend
July 31 2010: We're just back from Rosemary and Steve's wedding down by the Chain O' Lakes. It was a beautiful wedding! July has been great! Swimming at Casey Lake with Mary lots, and many days on the Chain. I like to get in all the swimming I can during the summer. Next week on Wed. Aug.4th, Kevin and I will be performing in Iola at the Nursing home and at Livi…Read More
Gorgeous Day on the Chain
July 13, 2010: I am just returned home from a beautiful day on the Chain! Reading on Helen's pontoon boat. Time for another Millpond sunset, so that's all for now.Read More
4th of July Weekend Fun
July 7 2010: We spent the 4th of July weekend up at my sister's on the Bay of Green Bay with nieces and nephew and families. It was so much fun. We even found a cottage for sale up there that really called to us. Large decks and fruit trees and room to garden! The price was good too, until we got home and found out that we had been given the wrong price. ($30 tho…Read More
Cooler Summer...So Far
June 12 2010: After a warm, sunny Spring, we are into a cool rainy Summer so far. We are having fellow artist musicians from Amherst over this evening for dinner and music. What a blessed life we lead. I am so grateful for art, music, and so much more.Read More
Painting Holiday
June 4 2010: We're just back from Lake Holcombe, WI. I spent almost 2 weeks there! I absolutely love my "painting holidays". I did 4 new ones up there. With awesome sunrises every morning and Moonrises in the evening, it is an artist's dream vacation. I feel so fortunate. Now I'll hop on my bike for tonight's sunset. Kevin is down there at the Millpond&nbs…Read More
Birds of Prey
May 11 2010: There is nothing quite like Spring in Wisconsin. The other day I got to watch a Bald Eagle eating a fresh catch. He was near the road in a field, and he didn't mind that I was observing him. I was only 30 feet from him. That was very cool! Then I collected some black and white Pileated Woodpecker feathers on a bike ride yesterday. (Poor guy!) …Read More
Waupaca Art Show
April 24 2010: We are having an early spring and eating fresh asparagus. The Waupaca Art Show starts tomorrow. I entered 5 watercolors of the Chain O' Lakes. That is always a fun show to go to. Read More
Rainy Day Activities
April 6 2010: We have had some spectacular weather these past couple of weeks. Lots of time spent on the water and in the garden. Now with some much needed rain, I can finally get caught up on my website, get ready for upcoming art shows, and do some subbing in the Little Wolf High School Art room. Maybe a little house cleaning would be in order too. Read More
Kayaking!
March 27 2010: I got in my first kayaking of the season! We spent a few days on the Chain, cat- sitting, and I had a kayak pulled up to the shore, ready and waiting. Limekiln Lake was the color of my favorite color as a child - Sea Green. The lakes are opening up and Spring is really here again in Wisconsin. Gardening season is upon us and I couldn't be happie…Read More
Spring Travels
March 10 '10: We are back from a beautiful trip to Lake Michigan! We are leaving for Medford soon, so this will be short. We are trying to load the new art, but will have to get help. We were hoping to do it ourselves, but only one loaded, Peaceful Pacific in the Travels category. 4 music jobs next week, St. Patricks Day week, so I am keeping very busy!Read More
St. Patty's Celebration
Feb. 25 '10: I am still learning to navigate around this new website. I have about 30 more paintings to put up once we learn how. The photos are taken and uploaded onto our computer. Next, we'll be packing up the guitar, mandolin, and bodhran for a music practice at Tony's tonight. We 4 got ourselves a gig in Stevens Point for a St Patrick celebration. T…Read More
Loving My Website
Feb. 19 '10: I am back from my winter painting holiday at the Pacific Ocean, cruise with daughters, visit with cousin and friends in Phoenix, and visit with adopted family in Albuquerque. I still need to get some of my new paintings on the website and open up a brand new category for other artists so that Kevin and my daughters can also show their art. My mother was an awesome arti…Read More