This week Rain’s prompt is Western. What had envisioned was to sketch Little Joe from the 60s TV series Bonanza. I’m not a portrait artist. Clearly as soon as I realized that I wasn’t going to come close to a Michael Landon likeness I just went with the idea of drawing a cowboy. I’ve reconciled that if I hope to draw real people I need to invest more time into it but right now I’m not ready to move that direction. I just want to explore what I can and can’t do.
This is not a subject I would’ve explored on my own without Rain’s push. I’m thankful she motivates me each week to try new things. I hope to draw more western images in the future. I spent a lot of time watching old westerns as a kid so much so that I’d often have dreams with me in the old west getting shot but never dying just like in the movies. That’s what I thought because I’d see the same star in different films after fatally wounded in the previous one. lol
This week’s Thankful Thursday I’m thankful for the improvement with my arms. I got to thinking over the weekend how a year ago this time I was having real issues with pain especially in my left arm. It hurt to lift it or to carry anything and forget trying to use that hand for opening anything. It flares up sometimes but the pain is 98% gone most of the time. The right side started this nonsense but hasn’t progressed to the severity I had on my left side, though. Although, a doctor hasn’t diagnosed me, I think I have tennis elbow. This injury isn’t necessary related to the sport as much as it is from repetitive movement and typing is one thing I found out can cause these problems. I’m thankful we already had a tennis elbow brace on hand left over from DH’s use years ago, so I wear it off and on. It provides some relief. The main thing is to try to not overwork the arm any more than it can easily handle right and to rest it every chance I get. This isn’t easy since I’m right hand dominant but I’m adjusting.
I’m winding things up today with Kat’s Writing Workshop. Writing was my first passion. I hope to revive this dormant side of me before it becomes a lost art altogether.
If you’re a long time reader you know we have future plans of buying a new home that’s better suited for our needs. It’s not that we don’t like this place. In fact there are things I love about my home, so I’m inspired to use Kat’s prompt to list 5 things I love about my home.
- It’s ours free and clear. In 2012, we made our last mortgage payment making our home truly ours.
- The view. Probably the best thing we like about this place is from our front porch we can see the Smoky Mountains most days.
- The design. It’s a ranch style which we like and if it had a basement then we’d probably wouldn’t need to look for another place.
- It’s full of good memories. We raised our children in this house. Celebrated birthdays, Christmas, and many other special occasions. We enjoyed family movie or game night. We planned day trips and vacations from this house. We spent hours cuddled on the sofa reading stories to our children, having lengthy conversations, making plans for the future, and so much more. There are some not-so-happy memories but with family you ride the waves of both the good and the bad. When the storm passes, I choose to focus on the pleasant moments because it’s like a sweet fragrance for soul.
- It’s home. Even with all of its imperfections this house is still home to me and I find when I’m away from home I always look forward to being back in the comfort of these four walls.
I want to pitch Eugi’s weekly gig for creative writers, especially those who dabble in poetry. Click on the button below to visit her site for the word prompt and if you’re inspired don’t forget to share a link back on her site in comments to your place. She’s an awesome friend!
I’m heading over to Rain’s Garden to browse through the gallery of artistry and you’re welcome to follow along. I’m taking a lackadaisical approach to posting daily because I have a burned out vibe scorching my brain so if it happens, it happens. I tell you this so you won’t worry about what’s going on. The only day I’m totally committed to is for Monday’s Music Moves Me, so if you don’t see my Friday Fun Stuff edition up then be sure to hit the dance floor with me. Have a doodletastic day!
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right, your sketch is not Little Joe.
I remember that show from my youth. Little Joe was cute. But I think your face is quite good anyway. I remember that song now when I hear it LOL “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys”
Love it!
Take care!
Well, I have a different take on “home” now. We had a wonderful home on a lake, surrounded with nature and wonderful neighbors and I would go back there in an instant, if I could. But, my FH’s health kept him from being able to do the things that needed to be done, requiring my son and his wife to come a long distance every weekend to help out. Now we are living in a Mother-in-law apartment in the lower level of my son’s home (His mortgage to pay off :), and it is cozy and nice and close to family and a wonderful way to spend our days. You mention the pain in your arms and I just happen to be suffering a similar problem as of this week. Mine, however, is caused by a pinched nerve in my neck (who knows how that happens). The pain is pretty constant and my right hand has lost most of it’s strength. I have an appointment next week to see what can be done to relieve the pain and “unpinch” the nerve. It sounds a bit like what you are going through and perhaps you should look into the source of your pain … there may be a solution. I think you did a fine job on your Cowboy and you are well on your way to accomplishing portraits. I am also not good a portraits. I can get certain feature, but never seem to be able to get the look I want. Still working on it though
So I always listen to your music as I write my comments and it is so beautiful and relaxing. You have good taste and seem to have access to an endless number of artists. So good on you, Cathy. Thank you, for your lovely post 
Andrea @ From the Sol
Hi Cathy
I love your cowboy, and I’m so glad that I pushed you to draw differently! Michael Landon’s face…now that would be a challenge to draw, he has so much character. I love that Waylon and Willie song! 
I’m so glad you have relief from your pain, tennis elbow is something my grandfather had. I often feel pain in my left elbow and I know it’s from being on the computer typing for too long while I’m sitting. Our bodies weren’t meant for repetitive motion!! I feel the way you do about my home, I love it despite all of it’s problems and issues! It’s HOME! 
Thank you for stopping by my blog earlier this week. I had to take a break, but it was SO thoughtful of you to visit. I really LOVED your painting. You did a great job.
Visiting from Rain’s your cowboy is fun, wild west was too much of a challenge for me but I am enjoying visiting all the participants. Sorry to learn about the problem you have with your arms. You have a lovely creative mix on your blog. Nice to find you.
Having your own home, free and clear, is a blessing! I love your cowboy sketch, Cathy, and thank you so much for the mention! You rock, girlfriend!
You created a really good Cowboy with. Hint of Little Joe. I miss the old fashioned westerns that was such a staple on TV. I love Bonanza and High Chaperal. Gunsmoke was so good too. I should be mortgage free in a little over a year from now. That will be a momentous occasion especially since we had gone through some tough times. I love my home warts and all…many warts since it was built in 1912.
Birgit,
The old westerns were good. I grew up watching Bonanza, Virginia City, Gunsmoke, and a few others.
Great drawing. Always nice to learn more about you through the questions. There is no place like home. XO
Ellen,
Indeed, there is no place like home.
We like your Little Joe and we enjoyed hearing about your free and clear home! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Brian,
I often talk about how I can’t wait to get into our dream house someday but it’s important to see the good in the otherwise less perfect and that’s how I feel about our home. We’re blessed no doubt about it.
It’s a good feeling to own your house free and clear, isn’t it? We paid ours off a few years ago.
John,
Yep, it’s a fabulous feeling. I didn’t think we’d ever do it but we did.
I like owning a home, but I don’t like dealing with upkeep and repairs. But when I’ve been gone from home it always feels good to get back.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Lee,
We don’t like the up keep part, either.
Having your own home is such a thankful blessing. Dad says he watched a Bonanza the other week. It was such a jump back to times when things were simpler
Timmy,
Bonanza was a good old show. I have Christmas on the Ponderosa CD with some dialogue and singing of the whole cast. It’s add a special degree of warmth to my holiday cheer.
Your home sounds amazing and what a great feeling to know that it’s paid off. I want to see those mountains!
Kat,
Having it paid off is wonderful. I wish the layout of our property offered opportunities for adding on but it doesn’t. Plus, our driveway is hilly. This is something we won’t want to deal with the older we get. It’s bad enough now. Hey, if you’re ever in east Tennessee do plan to see the Smoky’s. It’s a beautiful place. We’re just under an hour from the park entrance which makes visiting frequently totally doable.
Nice try on ‘Little Joe’, Bonanza was my first thought too. Congrats on the last mortgage payment, a great accomplishment!
Christine,
Oh snap, I wouldn’t have thought anyone would think of Bonanza, too. That’s cool!
Love your sketch. I love all your sketches. I loved Little Joe. Handsome he was.
I love all your things about home. Ours is paid off too and that’s a nice thing. Hubby and I needed a place that was just ours and that’s why we bought this home. It’s our castle like yours is to you.
Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday, Cathy. Love and hugs. ♥
Sandee,
Yes, Michael Landon was handsome. I had a bit of crush on him when I was little.
I feel like we live more in the castle’s dungeon most of the time but it’s still our home sweet home. I’m sure when the time is right, we’ll find the right forever home.
Great painted the cowboy and the video for it!
The mountain photo is beautiful. It’s great that you have such a beautiful home
Greeting Elke
Elke,
Thanks for including me in your day and for the lovely complimentary words.
Wow! I love your cowboy! Great drawing. Yah know I am not a western music fan but I did like Tamia. I am glad to hear your arms are better. Have a really good day today.
Nicole,
I really appreciate reading how much you like my cowboy. I’m learning a lot about drawing people even if they aren’t close likeness. I’ll keep plunking along until I’m as good as you.
What a great post, cowboy is perfect and what’s more country than Willie , making that last mortgage payment is just about the best feeling on earth. We should keep that memory for all time! It must be wonderful to look out on the Smokey mountains everyday, what a thrill. No wonder you paint!
You asked about the wax I dip the cattails in, I use beeswax, on leaves as well, I-press the leaves in a book for a few days then dip the leaves , they keep for a very long time.
Laurie,
Thanks for letting me know that you use beeswax to preserve leaves and cattails. I may try that sometime.
Knoxville is northwest of the Smoky’s about 45-60 minutes. It’s not like the mountains are super close but the view is nice nonetheless. I think it would be nice to find a home closer to the Smoky’s but finding something in budget is difficult. I’m definitely not ruling this out as a future possibility. Thanks for the return visit, my dear.
You have made a fantastic drawing of a cowboy
! I’m not a portrait artist either!
I really don’t like western movies. Maybe as a kid I saw a few movies and I can remember John Wayne. But that’s all!
What can I say about home …
“Home is the starting place of love, hope and dreams.”
Enjoy your day!
Hugs!
Ella,
I’m not a huge western movie fan these days but it seemed it was the biggest thing going when I was little on TV anyhow. I prefer action/adventure, comedy, or sci-fi flicks. Thanks for stopping by!