Today didn't go as planned.
Well, OK, days often don't...
I haven't gotten to sketch or paint for a week tomorrow. I don't even feel like myself. It's been busy, and of course I've done demos for the class and worked on the book, but I knew I was reaching critical mass. I'd hoped to paint some yesterday and we were so tired when we got home from the movie we just curled up and read and napped.
I guess I needed that, too.
So. Today was the DAY. It was cool and lovely this morning, and I really wanted to go to the river or somewhere with a lovely sweeping vista...I needed to paint something big and simple.
Of course first we had to take care of the usual practical things...laundry, call to Joseph's mom, emails and phone calls from his sis--the complexities that make up much of our lives these days. Not exactly what we'd planned, either, when we imagined finally being able to be together after he retired.
Anyway. Instead of the river, we decided to go to the cabin. There were things we needed to do out there (oh, joy, more work), but I took my paints, watercolor pencils, journal...fresh water, some coffee...
And discovered when we arrived that we'd had a break-in. Just kids having a party, it appears (usually I find evidence they've had a party on the deck that I was not invited to. This time, they broke in as well as partying on the deck), but really not much was disturbed, it could have been MUCH much worse. They stole an antique quilt, probably not even knowing what it was. A few small things are missing. They broke the old wooden table on the deck. They went through EVERYTHING, leaving drawers and cabinet doors open, going through the CDs...but they could have burned it, or thoroughly trashed it. Could have been worse.
Still. I was very angry, and felt very violated. I don't understand how some people feel it's their right to go into private property and do whatever they like.
Mind you, I built this place with my own hands, with the help of a young carpenter. I designed and planned it. When my late husband retired, I NEEDED someplace to work away from the noise and the TV, and it was a lifesaver, an oasis of quiet and beauty. I was there nearly every day, until I messed up my knee--now, it depends on when I can drive in. Walking's not an option, usually. But I guess I do have a bit more of a proprietary feeling about it, since I handled at least half the nails, boards, and screws in the place. the photo above is from last winter...but I wrote about the place, designing and building it, in A Naturalist's Cabin, now out of print.
A Naturalist's Cabin
So. Interestingly enough, they stole the TELEPHONE, so we had to go back home to call the sheriff.; my cell was being charged, and even it if wasn't, you can't get a signal down there. The neighbor across the road wasn't home, to borrow his phone. So, back to town, then back to the cabin to meet the deputy.
By the time we'd done all that, and began the job of straightening up the cabin, cleaning their mess and mine, and getting some of the things out of there we wanted to protect--or get rid of, take your pick--I was hot, tired, and hurt all over, in addition to being angry.
So much for feeling my soul.