daily prompt

Artists

Who are your favorite artists?

Van Gogh intoxicates me. His brilliant colors are amazing. His work so clearly shows the chaos he experienced. I wonder how he could manage to work when he was clearly so ill. How was it possible he only sold one painting during his lifetime?

I also love Clementine Hunter, a primitive artist from Melrose where she was a maid. Plantation in Louisiana. She started painting with supplies given to her at an art colony there.

Hobby

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

I really enjoy writing. Lately, it occupies me a lot. I usually get up early, check out WordPress, and write for a while. I also am deep in a book or two. Besides that, I always have a crochet project going. The interesting thing is, I most often give my creations away. In the nice weather, I work in my yard.

Lost Possessions

What would you do if you lost all your possessions?

That’s a pertinent question for a person living in an area subject to tornadoes and hurricanes. I know many people who have lost everything. If I lost everything from a storm, I would contact my insurance agent. Of course, there are all kinds of losses: theft, fires, betrayal, loss of livelihood, bankruptcy, eviction. No one is immune to the possibility of losing everything. Simply put, I would put one foot in front of the other and do what had to be done, like anyone else.

Racism

What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

Born in 1950, I was raised in the rabidly racist South. I heard the N word daily, though my mother forbade it. My father had no such compunctions. I fully bought into racism, sure whites were superior. I didn’t know a single black person. Then I went to college. I made black friends. I would have liked to have invited them home a but knew that would ignite a firestorm. I am so grateful I learned the truth. If I learned, anyone can.

Out of Place

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

A few years ago I went to a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by an extended family member. The relative I usually visited with at that party hadn’t made it due to illness. All the men clustered in an animated conversation about trucks, hunting, farming, and fishing. The conversation was interesting but every seat in that room was taken. I opted not to sit on a random lap.

The cousin group set up in the large dining room carrying on a lively cousin discussion. Every seat in that room was taken as well. Should a person leave their seat , it was immediately filled. It wouldn’t have been right to dispossess a cousin when they were catching up from the past year.

Finally, I found my perfect place at the sink. I washed mountains of plates, dozens of glasses, and sinks full of silverware. I scraped serving dishes and scoured baking dishes to my heart’s content. No one competed for my spot.

Finally, I secured permission from my host and took a dish of turkey scraps to the dog where I got the most enthusiastic welcome of the day. I found a true friend at last.

Knitting

What skill would you like to learn?

I bought some lovely charcoal yarn about a year ago with the intention of learning to knit. That will be my next project. Before covid, I was going to a knitting class. Th leader got us started the first day and had us cast on and do a couple of rows. It looked easy enough, then she gave us an assignment. Bring a few rows to show our progress to the next class. I set to work as soon as I got home. My brain emptied. Bud and I got on a YouTube tutorial. He whipped out a few rows. My rows were deplorable.

I took his work when I went back to class. I couldn’t do diddly. When I ‘fessed up, she asked if he could come help with class. The next class was canceled due to covid.

Minutiae

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

Tomorrow, I have to concentrate more n several small tasks that have piled up. I have to go to the post office, pay a bill, take a package to UPS, pick up a prescription, order groceries, and probably attend to a couple of other tasks I’ve forgotten. Whew! That’s starting to sound like a lot!

Work

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

Growing up on a farm, I was introduced early to hard work. I didn’t like it a bit. My dad had a favorite saying,”Time for the friendships to end and the work to begin.” He thought he had to antagonize us to motivate us. His methods did motivate me to educate myself so I’d never again be under anyone’s subjugation.

Fortunately, as I matured, I learned to take satisfaction in doing a good job, being pleased with my efforts. Good work is a fine companion.

This is not me

Friendly

What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

I enjoy people. I am open and friendly. I can’t help talking to anyone who catches my interest: oldies, babies, dogs. Sometimes I talk to flowers. “Oh, you pretty thing!” I make a point not to talk to traffic. Bud takes care of that!

Of course I talk to myself. “I’ve got to clean this refrigerator today!” I even talk in my sleep.