Learning More about Using Colored Pencils

There were 5 students in Carol Bradshaw's class.  A couple of them got very creative in how they did their flip-flops. So Carol said we can do more with our pictures such as filling in the white space with designs. It was fun seeing what others had done. This week we are doing a picture of hearts. She stated we could add more, put in a design, but this time with tertiary colors. These are colors using secondary and primary. So these are going to be softer colors. She told us which colors we could buy rather than mixing them. I went to Michael's and Aaron Brothers, but I was only able to get two of the colors.  So what I will have to do is mix them directly on the color wheel and on the hearts picture.   I sent an email to Carol about not getting the colors she asked us to get.  She will not be here this next week and said she would pick them up at another art store when visiting her daughter in Nevada.

When I did the color wheel, I used three colors to do the whole thing.  I did not use a blender.  Of course, the colors would have been truer if I just used one pencil which was already blended.  With the picture of hearts,  I had several of the tertiary  colors I needed (it is all done in tertiary colors).  I did use a blending pencil and a blending marker on some of it.  My plan is to do a design around the hearts.  I am also working on laying at the colors down on a color chart that I can refer to later with it in light, medium and dark.  That one is a work in progress.  I have to say that doing this is relaxing.  It really helps me deal with stress.

Color Wheel Using Individual Colors and Layering

A way to practice drawing flat color with tertiary colors

I met Janet at Mexcali's.  I had found a coloring book with owls in it last week and gave it to Janet. Janet loves owls and collects them, so I thought she would enjoy it. I just bought a 12 pack of colored pencils so she could get started.  Then, because our teacher Carol has told us of other tools to use, I went through what I had and was able to give her duplicates of most of what I had.  She had not started coloring yet, but I hold out high hopes for her doing it and enjoying it. 

I'm sure there are other sites that do this, but I found Memoryglass.com and their Facebook site. I have a girlfriend who said she wanted something on a necklace. She said it would be giving a little piece of me to her.  Here they put human or pet ashes in art and jewelry.  I also like the idea of pet ashes going here.

Memory glass.com

A wonderful saying I found on Facebook. I don't know who to give credit to, but it is true.  

Here are a couple of pictures of two of my great-grandchildren, Conner who is two and Nylah about 9 months old.

Conner, age 2, Meagan's and Billy's son

Nylah is about 9 months.  She just woke up!

Well, that is it for the week.  I hope your week went well and that next week will be good too!  See you next Sunday!            Rachel

Seeming to Get the Idea about Shading

My ex-neighbor Celeste called. The house she owned sold and the people who bought it are doing work on it before they move in.

 During our conversation, she brought up about a cat that may have been dropped off by her home.  Celeste said the cat is declawed.  She thinks it might be past youth. It is a male but he is not Neutered.  She calls him Clancy. He is white and black. He is not aggressive.  He has personality and needs to be an indoor cat and probably do better in a one cat home. She asked me to share this thinking maybe a person in Kern County might be interested. She lives near Tehachapi. 

Carol my art teacher could see how I'd grown in doing my art.  In particular, I really am doing better at shading.  She still had suggestions which were good and obvious as we looked at each one. So helpful!  I really appreciate it. Fellow student Linda also finds this so helpful.   So I worked on the pictures I posted last week. Next week I'll bring in pictures of snakes to choose my subject. 

More detail added and corrected the shading

Worked more on getting the eye on the feather corrected and
the downy feathers at the bottom, by showing some of the detail in the barbs.

Worked more on the head, the eye feathers and the shading.

I am considering cropping the picture also

Janet and I went to the Red Pepper.   She had told me of a rib eye steak that was very good. I don't eat meat the way I used to (daily or even weekly) but periodically it seems appealing. It was pretty good. Not the best, but better than I've had for a long time.  There were a couple of other choices and she thinks it may have been another way. 

I read everyday. I think I've been reading more this last week. Linda, who I have known since elementary school and is the main person planning our 50th reunion for our high school calls periodically . Linda calls me  and we talk about what we are reading. Linda recommended a series of books by C. J. Box, about a game warden Joe Pickett.  I think there are around 15 books. I'm starting book 9.  I can picture the mountains with his description. He is married and has two daughters. The females are strong. He loves his family and work and has had problems with some people especially in his work who are controlling and try to keep him out of things.  I've been enjoying it and in addition, there is some issue that you learn in each book. Fascinating. 

So that's my week. Temperatures are dropping some this week to the 90's. That may sound bad, but when it has been approaching 110, this sounds much better. I hope your week was good. I hope the next week is good for you.  I'll see you next Sunday.                   Rachel 

Good Results on Echocardiogram, Seeing Some Friends I Haven't Seen in Years, and, Dinner with my Daughter

I have a correction to make in my last blog.  I was talking about the rate of blood going through my heart and I said ejection rate. It is ejection fraction rate. My friend Janet who was a nuclear medicine technologist caught that one. So we met at Mexicali. Since I got there early, I was checking my iPhone and she pounded on the driver side window. That scared me!  So as I was telling her how that upset me as she handed me a gift bag that I threw in the car.  Then I asked if she would take a picture of me wearing this top.  When we got in the restaurant it dawned on me that she had given me a gift. She said "I couldn't believe you did that". I couldn't either!  How odd!  She had gotten me a battery operated jar opener. I have no strength anymore and I must use gadgets to open things. It was a nice and thoughtful gift. 

There is this site called  The Rainforest Site. They were selling blouses as part of their fundraising. I support such a cause, the price was right and I also liked the look.    It has a point in the middle of the front and the back.  The back does not have a design, so a picture of the back blends in with my pants.   It is very comfortable, but not good for 107 degree day.  We headed straight in after doing this.   Here is the pictures Janet took at Mexicali's. 

On the day I had chemo, I forgot about it, sitting casually having my coffee, checking my email, sitting in my pajamas. A text alert began. it was time to leave at 15 minutes before my appointment. I ran around getting what I needed, getting dressed slapping water on my hair to get it to lie down. I usually arrive 15 minutes before my appointment.  I got there 5 minutes after. Though I was anxious, they felt it was okay.   While working out when I would see my oncologist, I brought up about having the echocardiogram two weeks earlier.  The results were good.  The ejection fraction was 65 percent. Any other issues are age related. And, I really do have a normal aortic valve which is tricuspid.  That was all a relief. 

I have a cousin who had heart surgery last year. It turned out he had a bicuspid valve. His siblings went to have their hearts checked out since this could be hereditary. They were okay. 

So at my art class, I showed what I had drawn of a peacock and feathers.  I had the feathers wrong going around the eye in the feathers. The picture of my peacock was off because the head and neck of the peacock were much lighter than the eyes on the feathers.  I worked on both of these factors and the pictures improved.  I also picked out a lizard to draw and a small peacock feather. This is what I have. One more week to work on the lizard. My classmate Linda does very well on her shading.  She has also became interested in drawing eyes. Both of us feel the critiques we get from Carol are so helpful. 

My Peacock

My Lizard

A Peacock Feather.

There are many ways people get to my blog and they all work. I don't think I've written anything offensive, but if your privacy is important, note this. If you go to my blog through this, you have more privacy:

   https://racheljerdin.blogspot.com

All my posts are here.  They come out once a week, on Sundays unless for some reason I'm too sick, in the hospital or having problems with my computer.  At least those have been what has happened already. 

I met with three friends that were a part of a group with our husbands.  I stopped meeting with them after moving and then Paul dying. I just couldn't get together with couples which reminded me of my loss, though they were all special to me.  I couldn't get past my loss and, my cancer and returned than, a stage IV.  Now that it is nine years later, there is enough time and grieving that I am happy to see them.  Three of us stopped coloring out hair, and it looks very good.  We met at Little Italy in town. I had not eaten there, but I really liked it. Food was very tasty. The ambiance was comforting.  So Stephanie, I see in our Red Hat group.  Karen and Becky I haven't seen in at least eight years.  One other woman of this group couldn't make it.  Lana will join us next month.  Anyway, it was really nice to touch base with them and catch up.  It was a lost part of my life. 

My daughter Shelley and I celebrated both of our birthdays late. We had dinner at Mama Roomba. It is a wonderful Caribbean restaurant.  I think it was initially noted to be a Cuban restaurant. It is the same food. Excellent!   I hadn't seen Shelley in about a month. It feels too long to me but I know she has a lot on her own late. Her oldest daughter will have a baby shower this next month. So she is actively involved in doing this.  In addition, she is waiting to hear when the exam for her realty license will be held. 

It was a full week for me.  I continue to make sure I have time to sleep in between these activities, otherwise, I really fade.  So I hope your week was good.  I look forward to seeing you next week.                Rachel

Update on my Kitties

An update on my kitties, Pepper and Daisy:  Pepper is extra loving since her two week adventure somewhere outside. I think she is very happy to be back. Daisy has learned to be a little more independent. She used to follow Pepper to the living room, but she finally comes out on her own starting when Pepper was away. I think she found that it was okay to come out, so now Daisy comes out and Pepper follows.

Pepper has become more loving!

Daisy has become more brave!

I have complained a lot that my nails have become dry, brittle and very week. I hear I'm not getting enough protein. I have not changed my eating pattern substantially, so I don't think that is the problem. I am getting chemotherapy. It is Herceptin. It doesn't make me feel bad, but it could have an affect on my heart. I will have an echocardiogram in a couple of weeks to see if there is a problem. A doctor friend of mine suggested that the chemotherapy may be causing my nail problem. It is frustrating because it breaks even in the nail bed. I have used creams, lotions and oils on my nails. I'm not sure they help. I also have tried pills like Biotin and a multivitamin. I still take those.  That would be long term if it is going to help!  So, I think I have tried all the types of polishes for strengthening my nails. Most don't last well at all and my nails were still breaking!  Well I saw that OPI has this nail strengthener called Nail Envy. When I go for a pedicure, I pick OPI, as it lasts much longer than other nail polishes.  I think I finally found what works!  If you have a problem with you nails, check out OPI. I am really impressed and relieved to find something that works!  By the way, gel does not work for me because they file across the whole nail to help make it stick better. My nails are already thin. I don't need more of it removed.

My daughter Shelley talked about going to the coast for Independence Day. I just thought "hot and crowded".  Ugh. Neither of these are appealing to me. Then she said that there was a concert and fireworks show on the other side of town. I bowed out of this also for the same reason.  I know I would have loved this when I was younger.  I no longer enjoy this. There used to be a fireworks display put on at Bakersfield College three blocks away. We didn't see the ground displays from my home, but we did see the ones shot into the night sky from my front yard. They stopped this because of cost.  I liked when I could see it from my home, because I can go into my home immediately and cool down.

My daughter Ronda in Illinois sent me pictures of their celebration.  Their food sounded great. Here is a picture of Ronda and her partner Tom.

Tom and Ronda

Our Red Hat group met at Dewars, a local well-known ice cream parlor.  This is a once a year event.  My daughter Shelley and I enjoyed it a lot. I brought my own whipped cream because they use marshmallow cream.  Shelley got ........... And I got a banana split.  This is a once a year experience.  I also took a sweater because it can get soooo cold in there. It is okay for a few minutes, but after a bit, I feel it in my bones!  They also have wonderful chews which are addictive to me. I took some peanut butter chews home. As you might notice, extremes in temperatures are very difficult for me to handle!  And, I was not always like this!

Me, Evelyn and Shelley, my daughter

Me and my daughter Shelley

Those of us who came for ice cream:
In back Claudia, Jo
in front Shelley, Evelyn, me and Judie

Judie, one of our Red Hat ladies asked if anyone had given shots and Shelley said "Rachel has".  She needed an estrogen shot in her bottom. I could not draw up the liquid to give the shot, but then this young woman comes in who was an RN. She did it but was unwilling to give the shot. I tried twice and the needle would not go in. We got Evelyn who noted the end was in two parts (a deformed needle) which was probably the reason it wouldn't go in.  I was just imagining how much this was hurting her. I wasn't willing to push harder. So she was going to take it home and put a new needle on it.  That was stressful!  And to think I used to have a terrible fear of needles.  I don't want anyone to hurt from this!  Next time we meet in September,  it will be at the Crystal Palace.

I drew another toad.  We have class on Tuesday.  This six week round we will be drawing a peacock, a lizard and a snake.

Another Toad!

I did have dinner at Mexicali's with my friend Janet and she is doing well.  And that was my week.  It was even a little slower, but that is okay.  I expect to be doing more this next week.  I do hope you have a good week and I will see you next Sunday.               Rachel

Pepper is Back!!!!!

This morning I stayed in bed until quite late.   I then thought that I should check the trap even if I didn't hear anything happen.  Wow!!!!!  There was Pepper in the trap just lying there.  She ate the sardines and skipped the dry food.  I was too excited to take a picture.  I brought the cage in to let her out since now I was worried she would go out again.  She hissed at me but ran back under my bed.  Daisy was already there.  Now Pepper is growling at her and I hear some hissing.  I'd like to take her to the vet, but last time she bit me puncturing a blood vessel in my hand which swelled badly and I needed to see a doctor.  So I'm going to just stay away from her and let her decide when she wants to come out.  Thanks to everybody for your ideas and support not to give up.  I took it to heart!

The Havahart trap that caught Daisy

This is a picture of Pepper taken two
weeks before she got out.

So generally, other than the above, this week has not been so exciting. I had my class with Carol who still had recommendations on the pictures I'm working on. Also, I could not find the watercolor pictures I have done.  I thought I had all my pictures together, but evidently not. They are around, but I am disorganized and have some work to locate them. So it will be my drawings which will be on displayed instead  of watercolors for First Friday July 1. There will be several students who's work will be displayed.  Two other of her students met Friday to select which pictures will go up and which ones are back up depending on space. One of the students is advanced in her skills. It was impressive. The other woman had picture that weren't realistic but had such a nice feel of playfulness and character. It was nice meeting them and I will be seeing them again. I did more work on some drawings I had. They do get better each time I work on them. I get excited seeing that. The picture I will be doing will be of a toad. What I'm working on is the warty texture of the skin. 

Waterfall done lightly

Waterfall with more contrast.

Kern River Flowing Over Rocks

Mama and Baby Elephant
Improving a lot!

Amargosa Toad
Done in Colored Pencils

My daughter Shelley painted her main bathroom and redecorated it.  She did a beach scene with surf boards and added this to what she did.  I think it turned out very nice!

Shelley Schmitt's Beach Scene

I was going to visit my nieces this weekend, however, they all got bad colds and I do not want to get what they have. Kerri will be heading home to Washington soon and I will miss this chance. However, we will find another time to get together. I really enjoy getting together with them. 

Since this was canceled, I was able to take advantage of a terrific sale at Columbia at the outlet mall in Tejon and see my Granddaughter-in-Law Meagan who works in sales there. And, I got an additional 30% off because of her employee discount.  She and my grandson Billy and I believe at least the two boys they had, my great-grandsons were leaving about 3:30 Saturday morning to see Billy's father and step-mother in Texas. They will be gone about 1 1/2 weeks. 

Billy and Meagan on Their
Way to Texas

My granddaughter Hailey who is going by her middle name Kathryn (so for now on I will call her Kathryn) left for Texas by air on Saturday to stay with her grandmother there and get together with her dad.  I felt sorry for my daughter,  Ronda, who found a great deal on airfare through Spirit Airlines but very late that there was a charge for carry-on luggage of $70 for a round trip and, because she spoke with someone by phone instead of handling it by computer, she was charged $10 for a live talk.  She would lose her money to cancel. She was angry because she would have had a better deal with a well known airline if she had selected them. We all have to read the small print.  I don't always do that too. 

This week I had my colonoscopy. This was a longer ordeal than I have had before.  My doctor had me start two days ahead drinking a 10 ounce bottle of magnesium citrate and taking four Ducolax before bed. Then the day before, drink only fluids and drink a gallon of Golytely (terrible stuff).  Then that evening, I had to take four more Ducolax. So the morning of the procedure, two hours before arriving I had to do a large Fleets enema and the a half hour later, I had to do that again. Now, have any of you had to do that much?!  Now, I will not argue about doing this. They did find two polyps which were removed. So that is a very good thing. My father died of colon cancer and I don't want that to be another problem I'm dealing with. When I woke up, I didn't realize it was all done. I felt more alert than I have before and told my friend Janet I wanted to have lunch and water. Well this turned out to be by quite what I needed. I ordered a quiche and a salad at Marie Callender's.  I used to loved their quiches. Not any more. The egg was on the bottom half and the cheese and other stuff they used to mix in it was as a topping. Ugh!  Definitely not my style. I make a far better quiche than that. Next time I'll get the Fettuccini Alfredo.  I think that is safe.  When I got home, I went to bed immediately around 1:30 pm, waking up two or three times having the oddest dreams until I was up at seven in the morning. Then I went for chemo. I'm glad that is behind me.  

My neighbor Celeste finally sold her home and the people asked to get the Keys this weekend because they are stripping out all the carpet and will refinish the wood floors themselves. They are a couple in their 20's, no children at this time and a rescue pit bull mix. They are excited and will not move in for two weeks while they work on their home.  Celeste and I and my friend Janet have gotten together for dinner at The Renegade Room. We've enjoyed getting together with her. She was a Docent at the California Living Museum (CALM) and will return to this in the Fall to an indoor exhibit.  Celeste and I have had some health issues and have commiserated when in the middle of issues. But, both of us prefer to stay active where and as we can. 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. My husband, my father and his three brothers served in the Armed Services. I support people who have been put in harms way for us and feel they need much more support as veterans than they get. I don't think they should be homeless, get inadequate medical care or make so little money that they must have food stamps to make ends meet. This just seems so wrong with all that they have done for us.  After a typical barbecue of hamburgers with all the fixings, coleslaw, pasta salad, potato salad  and watermelon, I hope we can go to the cemetery to see Paul in memoriam of him, other family and all of those who have lost their lives during and after war.  

That is my week. I hope yours went well and I will see you next week.          Rachel

Went to the Los Angeles Central Library! What a Good Trip!

I had a MUGA scan this week. I started having them every 4 months  because the results were good. So I went to have it done and after the second scan he says he wants to do it over. When I ask why, he said my spleen was in the way. I asked if that was a problem and he said "no."  I told him he has never mentioned this before and he said  "I know,  I checked previous scans and it wasn't there. Your guts moved."  So odd!  Finally, at the end of it all this woman comes in to tell me we're done. In my moving, I felt I was very wet on my side. She said "0h!  You are bleeding!  Are you taking blood thinners?"  Yes, I am. Well blood was all over the sheet and on my blouse. I was glad the blouse I was wearing was black, because it would have frightened people. I had to go pick up my morphine prescription, but I didn't scare anyone. 

On the day that Janet came, on Saturday, my refrigerator started making a lot of racket. I couldn't figure out how to stop it without turning off the refrigerator. Well when I did that, it stayed quiet for a while when I turned it back on.  I called the man who replaced my ice maker. He called me Monday and came out on Tuesday.  I'd rather fix it than pay to replace it if I can.   When he came he found the ice maker fill switch was no longer working. It cost $95 to get that taken care of. I was relieved because I thought I'd have to get a new appliance.   Water had dripped over everything in the freezer and there were many ice cycles.  He cleaned out the whole freezer to boot!  What a relief!  He also told me appliances don't run problem free like they used to for years. I've noticed that too. I remember buying a new appliance for upgraded and a more modern look. I think I would aim for the plainest refrigerator next time. Less things to break down!

Wonderful art class with Carol Bradshaw!  She can look at my drawings and see what are my issues. She thought I made a break through in drawing where there are no obvious lines. So we tried different ways of showing water when doing a river, waterfall, a puddle and rain. We also used the embossing tool which was nifty in showing much of this.  I took pictures and even some videos of her so I can look at it when I'm doing this. We won't have a class next week. So I have two weeks to work on this. When we get together again, I need to have some pictures of elephants to choose from. I look forward to that.  We also discussed how color is used to identify many things such as meanings, moods, chakras and musical notes among other things. 

Close-up of the Kern River above the dam.  Water rushing
over rocks.  This one I like.  It may require more
shading, but essentially I got it.

My attempt at a waterfall again.  I definitely
will redo this.

Janet and I joined my neighbor Celeste at the Renegade Room at Bakersfield College for dinner again. Last time it was delicious!  Janet and I had a glass of wine before we left. They do not have alcoholic beverages.  We had a wonderful lamb dinner. Celeste, my neighbor is in escrow for the fourth time with this time it looking like it will go through which will be the end of the month, or a possible delay of a week, though no reason that it would not close. 

Celeste has come down regularly from Alpine Flats in the mountains to make sure all was in order. People would say how they wanted everything modern. Well, in that case, they should go buy a new home.  Irritating. They do pay less for an older home  here, so they are getting a deal. There is a pool and the pump is brand new. 

I went with my friend Barbara and her genealogy group to the Los Angeles Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles. After seeing a place like this, it makes you so aware of what you are missing. What an exciting trip!  This building was built in 1926. It had wonderful artwork everywhere we went. Four floors are underground and four floors are above ground. They also had a Cafe with a Panda Express in the library. The prices were okay and if you needed to do research, you wouldn't have to leave the library to take a break. The only floors I was on was -4, 1 and 2. So I'm sure I would see a lot more if I went to the other floors.  Genealogy and history was on -4.  I got a library card which in addition to checking books out (which is not too likely I would do because of the distance), it does allow me access to download music and much from their e-collection.  I looked at a book on the Holocaust which was from Survivors' perspectives.  I decided to order it. I understand you can check out an iPad while there. It s amazing what can be done when adequate money is given to these services. They had an 8x11 flyer on both sides with all the activities going on at at that library for the month. They even had a section dedicated to teaching people to read.   How wonderful is that!   They also helped people who were homeless to get services they were eligible to get. 

Heading south to Los Angeles

In the Mountains

The shorter building in front with the tiled
roof is the library.  Misleading, in that there are four
floors underground and four floors above.
Beautiful weather!

This is what it looks like when you enter.  Painting of the
murals are on linen.  The painting on the ceilings were painted directly
on the ceiling.

This is the front of the library.

Ceiling Art

From a different angle

Help for People in Need

View from the first floor to the east

Another hand painted mural

There was a fascinating display called "State of Deception - The Power of Nazi Propaganda. Do Words Kill?  "Learning what propaganda is and how to counter it is essential in today's information-saturated world."  This exhibition was produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  "Nazis used propaganda to win broad voter support in Germany, implement radical programs, and justify war and mass murder."  This can happen anywhere and we need to be aware of it so we can take action to keep it from happening. 

There was also a nice display of Hollywood advertisement of movies over the years. In one glass display case, there was a fantastic display of 3-Dimensional origami.  I'm positive there was much more on floors we did not visit. 

Beautiful 3D Origami!

Across the street from the library, 1 Bunker Hill.
That is a waterfall between the steps.  Does anyone
know if this is where Angel Flight was?

We decided we will be going back there regularly.  It was a wonderful place to be.  Lots of tours, Lots of reading, Lectures and a variety of resources available.

I am continuing to feel quite tired.  I am again taking more breaks. As long as I take these breaks I can do these activities.  So that is it for the week.  I still saw some wonderful things;  though, I want to see more at the library.  I hope your week went well.  I'll see you next Sunday.                      Rachel

Roaming the Mountains

This beautiful picture was posted by California Camping.  I have spoken to several people about why the wild flowers bloomed so early and how long they will go.  The feeling is that the weather has been warmer and this has been why the flowers are going so long.  There is a possibility of a second bloom.  I will be going up in this area soon so hopefully I'll be lucky enough to get pictures like these.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

I went to my teacher, Carol  Bradshaw's home in the mountains.  Her neighbor Sue, whom I met last time when I joined them for dinner told me that Rita's daughter started reading the China Study, by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and his son who is an MD, both Americans looking at the connection between diet and disease.  She already was making changes in how she ate and was pleased. She has rheumatoid arthritis. One of my friends, Barbara had this and has been able to control her disease because of the information in this book.  This book is quoted by many authors writing about diet.  "It is the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted for diet, weight loss, and long-term health."  An absolutely fascinating book.

I saw wild cucumber vine that is smothering bushes and trees. Carol and her neighbor work to keep it under control, but it is a continuous job. I'm amazed she can do this, because it is massive!  I suppose this is great exercise.  I find looking at it overwhelming. But Carol feels it gets her out of her house.

So the plan was to take pictures and draw rocks, rivers, flowers and old buildings. We bought sandwiches at Subway and went to a local park where we got several pictures. We actually did not have time to draw, but we did get wonderful pictures. Now I've been around this area several times and I was not familiar with a lot that she pointed out. She has "the eye."  I don't.  She is so much more observant.  I also took pictures for my classmate with Carol's urging  "Get that one Rachel. Wayne would like that". When I got home, I printed them to take to class. 

We also drove around the lake which looks more like a puddle now. Evidently, this dam  was made for agriculture. So, that is where it goes. There was water in the river above the lake, but the lake does not grow with the added water. 

Lake Isabella Shrunk from the Drought and use by agriculture

We saw barns and other buildings built in the 1800's that were coming down.   They make fascinating pictures. 

Carol pointing at scenes I needed to get

There was a whole family of deer here.  Look to the left
of the tree on the right and there is one peeking at us.

Carol said "Note how these buildings
are in different directions"

Carol said "A line of mailboxes makes a good picture"

I saw a type of cactus that I said was a Yucca. Carol said it wasn't and had gone through the whole alphabet to try to come up with it. I thought I was the only one who did that!  She finally shouted out Joshua Tree!  She was right. It grows in a very small window of elevation here. When you get out of that window, it is no more. 

A  Joshua Tree

Oh, and this is a Yucca Tree.  Not
even close!

We also stopped at a country store in Onyx. It opened in 1851.  It had been closed for nine years recently, so it was very nice to see it open. No pictures allowed in the store.  It is an old fashioned store with some unique buys.  They even had old fashioned candy.

When we had class, both of us received messages that Wayne, my classmate had to finish the cupboards in his kitchen before he came back. His wife was upset with him stringing this out so long. So I hope he gets to it. He has wonderful art skills and it would be a shame if he didn't continue it.  Carol showed me further about shading rocks to give them form and texture. In addition, she showed me how to make rocks look under water, how to show the white when it is splashing around rocks.  

This is my drawing of a pile of rocks.  I attempted to
give it a feeling of water going around it.

I went to a Brush and Blush paint class held at The Fire House. I had never been there before. It had several sections with parts being family friendly. They even had a bowling alley and a room filled with billiard tables. They even offered off track betting!  I hardly ever see that!  They had full dinners and appetizers, and of course alcohol. 

This class we did a butterfly. My daughter Shelley and I joined several of our Red Hat friends.  The others there were Evelyn, Evelyn's daughter Debbie, Pamela, Judie, Marti, my daughter who is a Red Hat member Shelley and me.  Shirley who moved to the coast also joined us. It was so good to see her. I think if I did this again, I would do much better. I would extend the color out further. But, even though it could have been better, they all looked like butterflies. I also am really getting a sense of how to use acrylic paint. 

My version of the butterfly

Evelyn our leader with Shirley who moved to the coast (I miss her!)

Shelley and me

Most of us who went - Evelyn, Marti, Shirley, Me, Shelley and Pamela

Evelyn and her daughter Debbie

Marti who is showing off her work

Judie working on her painting

My teacher Carol said her students ( including me will have their art on the wall at The Bakersfield Art Center which will be up on First Friday of July which falls on July 1st. I'll remind you. If you can make it, come.  It will be a nice evening from 6 pm to 9 pm.  We will probably have 2 to 4 of each of our pictures. 

My cat Daisy gets very loving with me.  She can't seem to get close enough.  I can start to feel crowded!

So it was a good week.   We are getting together this afternoon for Easter.   I love getting together with my family. I hope you are doing well and I'll see you next Sunday.        Rachel