Not Quite Old

Henry running through the woods

What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
That’s a very good question.
You should ask yourself that a lot.
But also ask:
What do I do better now
than I did 5 years ago?
I bet it’s a lot!
You are a Progress hero!

Henry as his very cutest.

If it takes an island vacation
to make you happy
you won’t be happy very often.
But if your car starting up on a cold day
or talking to your mom on the phone
or licking peanut butter
right off the spoon
makes you happy,
you can be happy every day.

Henry in the autumn leaves

When we are out on a walk
and a car goes by,
Mom waves and the car-people
wave back.
I bet Mom doesn’t do that
when she walks alone.
Dogs make you
friendlier.

For all of you who’ve lost a parent
and you want to talk to them so badly
and you want to tell them
all your troubles and worries -
and you want them to say
they will make it better -
We’re with you today.

Some #bright sunlight for #blueskyartshow.
#watercolor

Henry is happy the groomer left him some hair.

Some folks don’t like to brag
when they’re having a good day.
They worry that they’ll make
folks having a bad day
feel worse.
But go ahead and smile
if your day is fine.
At least the guys who are suffering
will know that YOU
won’t be adding to their misery.

Henry and Thor

If you want someone to like you,
Instead of helping them,
Ask THEM to help
YOU.
Folks like to feel generous and kind.
And every time they think of you,
They will think of themselves
That way.

henry & his mom reminding you to cuddle.

Mom’s affirmation calendar says
when something is hard
you appreciate it more.
Baloney.
Today’s a good day
to appreciate the stuff that’s
EASY.
Toast for breakfast.
Blankets.
Telling jokes.
Watching TV.
Hugging the dog.

Henry being more majestic

You are more than you think you are.
Not perfect.
But more.
More intelligent.
More compassionate.
More beautiful.
More athletic.
Try it.
Be more than you think.

#TongueOutTuesday
Henry's colorful smile.

Henry with his BFF, Thor. Stickin' together

Folks like me give lots of advice
on how to be a better friend.
Because good people always
want to be even better.
But also know that you are already
a really good friend.
Your friends know they are lucky
to have you.

Henry trying to look sincere, so you will take his advice.

That thing!
You know that thing that you need to do
but you haven’t done it
and it’s hanging over your head
and you dread it.
Well…
Don’t do it today either.
But don’t worry about it either.
Take the day off
from Worrytown.

Henry wondering why you are so judgy

I heard a guy on TV say
There’s 3 seconds between a perfect egg
And overcooked.
I feel bad for both of them.
For the guy who's so fussy.
And for the egg who's so unforgiving.
Lighten up, Food!
(and People!)
Your definition of Perfection
Is so narrow.

Haha! He certainly is!

Today was the last class in the 8 wk watercolor course I was teaching. It was "artists' choice" - they could paint anything they wanted. Just fantastic! I am really going to miss these guys!

#Evening #blueskyartshow
#watercolor

Henry's teddy bear watching over him

The responsibility
for keeping everyone
safe and happy
is not your job alone.
Nature gave you eyes
only in the front
so you would learn how to trust
that someone who loves you
has your back.

Henry watching Dad pet the cat.

Sometimes the difference in
the amount of attention
you need
and the amount of attention
you get
is awful.
Invisibility hurts.
Notice someone today.

Diane Keaton had an ethereal quality that's really difficult to capture - but I did my best.
#DianeKeaton #watercolor

Henry giving Thor a gentle nose boop.

There’s one In every family -
The Complainer.
Complaining about the same stuff
you have to put up with too.
But remember -
You actually agree.
There’s a lot to complain about.
You just cope better.
So get out those good coping skills
and say,
“I know! It’s awful.”

Henry - early morning in November.

Some folks don’t like November.
Too damp.
Too dreary.
Too colorless.
But sometimes you need to stop
and love
the colors that are there.

He tries to herd the 3 cats we have (without any success)

I can see that you love ballet by your feets position

Henry is a Catalan Herding Dog - a Spanish Sheepdog. Like Einstein in Back To The Future.

Very Hairy Henry

Time for a haircut, you say?
I don’t think so.
Just look at these mitts!
I can dust the whole house
just by walking around.

Henry feels bad about that mysterious incident.

When unfortunate stuff happens
even if it is one hundred percent
(probably)
not your fault -
Apologize anyway.
Because even though you are
(maybe)
completely innocent,
You can still be sorry that someone
(possibly)
is going to get yelled at.

quick watercolor sketch

Do you know how -
when you can’t find something -
you look over and over
in the same places
you already checked -
and you get madder and madder?
What you’re missing is not in the spot
you searched four times already.
Well,
Your worth
Is not in the other guy’s opinion.

My class this week took on Watercolor Landscapes. Landscape painting is a lot harder than it looks, but once again, they were up to the challenge!