Finished?

I had my hair cut on Monday so I added a fringe to my self portrait then I tidied up the chin. Finally I finished the painting on the right side of the portrait. My hair is still long as I grew it out during covid. Now I just have it trimmed occasionally. It’s slightly different to my usual style. The acrylics I used were not as opaque as I normally use so I think it looks more like a watercolour.

Lilac flowers

I’m not OK this afternoon. A bit shook up. I  saw someone climbing up my garden gate through my side window, so I decided to confront them. I’m afraid I swore at them very loudly  (along the lines of “What the EFF do you think you’re doing?” ). Then I realised it was a couple of teenage boys from the local school. They were shocked and so was I. They explained they were trying to get some of my white lilac for their mums which is about 8 foot up off the ground. I told them they should have asked permission. I explain it shook me up because we were burgled 18 months ago and caught burglars climbing over the gate…  I still feel rough (high. BP). I let them get some flowers as I was also shocked by shouting at them! They were OK about the shouting and apologised to me.

Pictures

My walls are plastered with pictures. I don’t decorate because they are in the way. Some are my pieces but there are other artists work too. They include prints, photos, paintings and scraper board art. Then there are ornaments on the mantlepiece. I have what can only be called eclectic tastes. This was going to be a photo of one of my cats, but he moved!

Learning a tune!

A few weeks ago. I usually sing alto at choir practice but recently I’ve been trying to explore my voice. It’s helping to keep me going dispite the Parkinsons disease and shortness of breath. Sometimes I sing up higher, as a slightly squeeky soprano, and also as in this photo as a bass if they are short of singers. Here me and the only bass singer that night were trying not to be distracted by the altos tune which was very similar. My friend was laughing at us and took this photo of us trying to avoid hearing the other tune.

Wouldn’t it be loverly

I just sang a solo at the Penkhull at the Musicals event. I was singing the penultimate song and I’d sung with the choir with no mishaps. I’d even got the words right in a small solo part way through umpapah umpapah from the musical Oliver.

I’d chosen a short song from My Fair Lady, ‘wouldn’t it be loverly’ the one that starts all I want is a room somewhere. I’ve practiced it for weeks and been fine. But, although I started OK, phew, the second verse went wrong, I repeated the wrong words three times, then went off in a different key!  but  I managed to hold it together and finished OK and people applauded. I’m glad it was a friendly crowd. I do struggle with singing along with a piano. I prefer a cappella. But I did OK in the end. Glad it’s over!