Fifty-three: Thank God for Snuffles

Here she is, my first painting of her.
Snuffles is my granddog (as I don't have any grandchildren).
We were teaching in Kuwait at the time. She was for sale (aged 3 months) because she was being hurt by the 18 month old son of her owner. She had been brought over from Thailand, to Kuwait, along with a Rottweiler.
The moment I set eyes on her I fell deeply and irrevocably in love, and had to have her.
She is a Shih Tsu, weighs only 4.8 kgs and has the sweetest nature I've ever known in a dog.
She's fast asleep on the sofa with a contented, postitivelysublime smile on her face.
I think I'll let this 'sleeping dog lie'!

Tangent: Draw your teacher

I was so thrilled when Lynn decided to draw me, so I asked my class of 5/6 year olds to draw me today, and these are some of the (best) results.

One even drew Snuffles (I took her to school last year to do a lesson on 'caring for your pets').

All quite different, yet all seem to capture my large earrings, prominent glasses, short hair and (hopefully) joie de vivre!

Thanx Lynn, I love the picture!

Fifty-two: Laugh at myself

It is very important to be able to laugh at oneself!
I do it frequently!

I've just been invited by Kim to join his new blog 'Please Draw Me'.

You post a photo of yourself on it, then other people draw you and you draw them....
I'm always ready to try something new, so I did.

This is the first drawing done of me...it's a total giggle. a whizz. an all round hoot.....

Thanx Joe I love it, am off to draw some of the others.

Why don't you all join us?

Tangent: Cartoon Cactus

This is my third attempt at drawing Senita, and I'm getting in to the 'swing' of it now.

I decided to do a cartoon version, and it's the right day too.

Happy Cactus Monday Teri.

Tangent: Baby Giraffe

So many people have done drawings of giraffes for IF: The Zoo.

I just couldn't resist posting this. The giraffe is my favourite wild animal.

This picture is my desktop background at present.

Isn't he adorable?

Why would we ever want to put these magnificent creatures into a zoo?

Fifty-One: Show admiration

As I'm in the 'giving' mood, I'd like to give praise for African Women (specially those who live in the rural areas.)

I spent the whole afternoon painting (the last one done in charcoal and pastel) these women.
I think they are admirable.

They carry the burden in every way, caring for their families, providing food and safety, cultivating the land, dealing with aids, childbirth and death, often without medical assistance and certainly without therapists, self help groups and weekly hair appointments, manicurists or plastic surgery.

They are valiant, strong, brave and beautiful.

Let's think of them today ladies!

Tangent: The Zoo (IF)

In my first year as a qualified teacher, 1969 (really), I took my class of 7 year olds to Johannesburg Zoo on an outing.
We were having a great time until we reached the bear cage, when suddenly Eric (will never forget his name) started shrieking and flailing his arms.
The rest of us had been 'oohing' and 'aahing' at the cute cub, when I looked round in alarm and found him with his head stuck in the large protective bars in front of the cage.
Some of the other 27 children started sniffling and panicking and it took a very calm, poised and soft - spoken ME to settle them all down and send for help. Inside I was a mass of panicky blubber......
It was relatively easy to get his head out, and the day was saved, but I swear I actually felt the first million grey hairs sprout all over my scalp.