Well....

I have retrieved my van from the shop and took my camera inside the house to warm up(since I think the temperature in Central Illinois is colder than many parts of Alaska) I took Kristopher to the shuttle Sunday so he could start his journey back to London. Then went home and started painting, about the first palette cleaning ( I use an old Corel plate as my palette - it's white and acrylics don't stick to it too well and the flared up sides help hold in the fluid paints that I prefer) I noticed that The Woman was getting a little stir crazy ( One day I hope to make enough money at art to have a winter home somewhere warm for her) so we went out.

Besides the fact that winters can be brutal here in mid-America, there is also a lack of activities that one is able to do. No walking on the riverfront today - if you want to walk you have to go to the only place to do it and stay warm - the Mall ( cue the scary movie music)

I have never liked the Mall (music) I think it is because if you go there you have a tendency to want to buy something, and I have a reputation of being sort of tight with money. I have been more relaxed going there lately ( I used to go into some kind of fit - so I was told) It's a good thing cause it appears the older you get the more apt you are to hike around inside. You pass the same couples walking faster than most and with purpose - be careful they will knock you down. These in shape geriatrics are just looking for some young punk to trip up to make themselves look good. Maybe that's how they impress their ageing spouse. ( hey baby ... see how I cut that young guy off on the stairs ... come to me )

Anyway we survived our walk with only minimal buying, and since it was the last day of the Christmas break, it was a nice ending evening.

But I didn't finish my painting - I'm close - should be in the next few evenings - As long as some old guy doesn't trip me up.