Written by For our prompt of “Pet” today, I made a sketch of my niece’s pup, Severus, since I’d already painted my own pup last week. I rather loved this little outfit her dog was sporting and thought he looked quite dapper. Philippe and I were cleaning out closets recently and bagging up clothes that we didn’t wear anymore. Some of the clothes in my pile were rather fancy, leftovers from a time long ago when I dressed with a touch more elegance. These days, however, I don’t really put in the same level of effort. You’re far more likely to find me wearing a t-shirt rather than fumbling with buttons. I was getting ready to hang out with friends this weekend and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair was a more than a bit disheveled and I suddenly realized I should probably tend to that mess before going out. Those clothes I had worn were for a much younger person. A person who used to be able to roll out of bed and quickly, get dressed, and go outside in public. If I attempt that today, I end up looking like a garbage bag that’s been torn apart by raccoons overnight. So, I made the extra effort and managed to look quite presentable in the photos that inevitably occur when out having a blast with friends.
Though I’d love to say that I don’t worry about my appearance because I’ve grown older and wiser, the reality is simply that I’m usually just too lazy to bother. There are so many things in my life that I find crucial and important and how I look is simply not one of them. But, I do try to pull myself together each day with a modicum of effort. Also, even though I’m not a fan of hot weather, it is nice to have fewer clothes to coordinate on a daily basis. While I was going through clothes and deciding what to keep and what to dispose of, I did end up keeping one suit. This was the suit I wore when Philippe and I got married, which will be 9 years this coming November. I’ve truly no idea if it actually fits, and didn’t have the courage to try it on to find out, but it felt like something worth keeping for nostalgic reasons. That was a beautiful day, after all.
Today, most every venue and place we visit is a casual affair, which makes me quite happy. I never enjoyed having to create a costume in order to attend an event. Indeed, I never really wanted to attend large gatherings in the first place. My favorite evening is one spent with a handful of people I truly adore. When I’m surrounded by multiple conversations, I have trouble focusing and get a bit lost in all of the words. And when it comes to presenting one’s self, I think there’s a certain honesty that comes from embracing imperfections. Indeed, it’s the same with creating art. As I’m sketching out ideas, I’m never worried with perfection. I just want to get the idea across in a way that feels like truth to me. Sometimes in life, I think that’s really the most authentic way of putting your best foot forward.
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It’s sad that so much attention is given to a person’s appearance. I’m from a family that isn’t considered good-looking, and I gave up a long time ago even trying to be. Less stressful, and extra time to make art in other ways than in front of the mirror! Perfection is definitely overrated!
Hello Ms. Sandra,
We’ve never met but going by the gorgeous art you create, you are no less gorgeous. Am sure of that❤ Have a great summer🙂
Love,
Mugdha
Thank you so much, Mugdha! And I have to say, your beauty shines in a way that can’t be missed even online!
Indeed! I would much rather just be making art on paper than trying to make myself into art! lol 😉💕
Wow…he is amazing, Charlie. So light, beautiful, clean. Pretty sweet dog too! I struggled mightily with “Pet” today, as I tried to perfect my ginger tabby I lost recently. Seems those most important paintings are the ones we struggle with the greatest. But Severus is a happy pup for sure! Beautiful dog.
Thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 You did a beautiful job painting your ginger tabby! So sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are such an important part of life.
Oh I am so happy to hear you explain about being in a large group of people that way Charlie – that is exactly the same way I am and I find it to be exhausting. I never did enjoy it at any age.
Such a beautiful rendering for today’s prompt – he looks like a sweetheart.
I too am not fussed by my appearance at all, although I do try to change into something a little less paint stained when I go out – lol – and sometimes even put my hair in a braid so it isn’t all flying about.
It really was an ordeal when I had to use “make up” last month for my performances. Oh my gosh – how do people do that all the time. I had to start getting ready (including make up and hair) for two hours. Mind you that was stage make up, but still. Oh well all of our performances went pretty well I’m told and it was fun 🙂
Yay for great performances, that’s wonderful, Zoie! 😃💕 I miss being on stage… it’s so much fun. And the large group is somewhere out there in the dark and not expecting me to chat them up, so it’s really a perfect place to be! hehe I hope you have a fabulous week! ❤️
Tee hee – sorry I don’t get here much. I have such little time. It is so much fun being on stage and I am so lucky to be able to be there. Tee hee – that is probably why I love it so much. No expectations to interact – if you see people after the performance or in intermission all you have to do is smile and shake hands or have your picture taken but you aren’t expected to say anything more than “thank you” 😉
Yep! That’s what I loved as well! 😃
Love your doodlewash and your writing! Looks like a sweet dog. And casual wear often feels so much better all the way around. 🙂
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yep… casual wear is always the best!
Charlie I don’t even own a dress. If something comes up that requires me to hang something from my shoulders all the way down to my knees I will pester a friend to join my in a shopping excursion (one store is all I can stand and then on a slow day so I don’t have to trip over people. Unless of course it is a thrift shop but not for new dress. “Ya done good” Charlie.
Hola, Linda! I hope you are well. Please keep me in your prayers. I just got out of the hospital for a severe allergic reaction to a medication. It was brutal especially in my fingers and hands. I’m getting better, but a lot of follow up labs to make sure everything is still functioning well.
Geez, like I haven’t been through enough. I have to stand in faith and trust the Lord. 💜 I hope you are well. Sending you big hugs.
You do the right exact thing by abandoning yourself and having faith and trust in the Lord and asking him to take over now.
Thanks, Linda. It’s all I can do. Just trust Him and trust that He is in control. He knows the “why” to everything. 💜 Sending you big hugs.
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕 I do love a good thrift shop… always fun. But yeah… formal dress is not something I’ve ever enjoyed.
LOLOL oh you are my kind of gal scrittoralinda – lol. I laughed reading your response to Charlie because I am exactly that way. I hate shopping and one store is all I can stand too and if I need to get anything dressy I always drag someone else along – lol
Great doodle Charlie. I tend to dress for comfort these days rather than dressing to impress.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Yeah, I think dressing for comfort is the true path to happiness! hehe
Mi amigo, Charlie! It’s still a slow go for me (my fingers and hands still), but I loved your painting! He’s so gorgeous! As are you regardless of what you don. (Is that spelled right? Don? Is that even the right word? 😂😂😂 Have I lost my ingles? 😂😂😂) You’re beautiful inside and out. 😍😍😍
As for me, I miss dressing up. I miss make-up and perfume and pretty clothes. Of course, my situation is different. Being injured, down, and in pain for so long, watching from the side lines as the world lives their life, makes me want to feel alive again. Don’t get me wrong. I love doing the shorts, t-shirt, and chanclas thing, but I sure do miss dressing up and SHINING! 🌞😎🌞😎
Love you much, my friend. 💜💜💜
aww thanks so much, mi amiga! 😃💕 You always shine! And one day you can do the whole dress up thing and shine brighter than ever! I’ve taken to being a bit less shiny these days… hehe… it takes too much work and I’d rather be writing and painting! Much love to you my friend! ❤️
Hello Charlie,
Severus looks like a perfect little gentleman.😍 And you my friend, I’m sure that even if you walked through a blizzard mixed with a hurricane, you would NEVER look like a garbage bag torn apart by raccoons. NEVER…. and coming to your wedding suit – what a coincidence! My parents celebrate their 44th anniversary today and my Dad has kept his suit too – and it still fits him perfectly! So maybe you ought to try that suit on… it may still fit.❤❤❤
Loads of Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 I was 15 pounds lighter when I wore that suit, which at my height isn’t a huge leap, but I didn’t want the reminder that I’m not truly “thin” anymore. lol I hope you have a fabulous week ahead my friend! Much love! ❤️
Severus is adorable!!! I’ve been putting off that very same task of cleaning out the closet for days…ok, months. I will get it done…eventually. I tend to sort through and donate things at least once a year so it shouldn’t even be that big a task..,just too many fun, creative things to do lately. My word of the year should have been “focus”.🙄
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 So true! I’d rather be doing fun, creative things than literally anything else. But, especially closet cleaning! hehe
Severus is just fabulous! 💕
Aww thanks, Beverley! 😃💕
This dog looks just like my new adopted dog. I would post his picture…
Aww that’s so wonderful! 😃💕 Congrats on your newly adopted fur baby!!