These moments for me are respites; they are breaks from a crazy, busy world. Sometimes I think I’m an animal whisperer.
This little horned toad just jumped into my lapThis wild raccoon I named Baby Rose just hanging out with me.Deer watching me create. It makes my day.Lady and Siisi Grace and a deer friend at the PaintedArtist Ruidoso.Friends.A little bird just landed on me and I got like 10 minutes with this baby ’til she said, “farewell, time to get off to the business of being a bird.”
From birds that land on my hand and stay a bit, to deer that leisurely hang with me for a while, we are drawn together.
Today I was blessed by a visit from a gorgeous moth as I was heading into town to get the greatest BBQ I’ve ever put in my mouth. It was so good I dream about this stuff. I got it at Billy’s Pit BBQ here in Bastrop. Seriously, that’s just how good it is!
This beauty has an eight inch wing span with a furry body.
God brought me an extremely special gift today. We had a nice long visit, well, at least in moth time. I got to view this beauty up close and personal for about a minute, and then just like that, he was off.
Grateful. I get this beauty for six more weeks here at the Harmony House on the Colorado River.
Sissi Grace loves it here.
I’m so grateful today because I know where I’ll be for the next six months, and that’s a good day.
It was a complete answer to prayer. We received it seconds before signing a lease on a way-too-expensive place. My prayer was this: to continue living here and learning about tiny living; to learn if we dig it, which we do so far; to do it in a way we can well afford so we can prepare for our next adventure, which is to build a tiny something to live in on a gorgeous piece of land with fabulous outdoor living spaces, complete with all the fun toys we could ever want (like a boat and hot tub and an electric bike, or a Polaris off-road vehicle), and of course a screened-in porch. Oh yeah, and a groovy space to create.
A golf course hotel converted to tiny living apartmentsThe view from my front door starting May 15, 2022. I take possession May 1st so I can prepare it for move in.
It continues to be so exciting as we are learning that God only promises us one day at a time, and we are to ride the Grace Pipeline that He maintains between Himself and Believers in Christ. He promises us safety and provision inside the pipeline. We’ve learned that we will never be tested beyond what we can handle when we reside there. His righteousness cannot accept anything less than His own absolute righteousness, and as Believers, we are credited with possessing the Righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why we are promised Blessings. It’s just like a dedicated pipeline to the Father.
2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB1995
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
But honestly, I never dreamed I’d be pushed to the edge by not knowing what tomorrow would bring. That’s what our life has been since Aug 25, 2021, and today I’m grateful for the lesson. It’s one I know so many of you have already learned.
We’ve been blessed with a little pressure release as today we know where we will hang our hats next – if only for a bit of time.
We all are in an invisible conflict, kiddos. Which team are you on? The road ahead is a bumpy one.
We’ve learned that life can be lived with joy, even during uncertain times, or it can be hell. We’ve learned it’s about our attitude toward life and learning more about the Word, which is The Mind of Christ. It’s what and how we think that determines which way we will go.
Love and peace to all.
Hill country beauty, even near the H-E-B parking lot.
This region had the greatest need for Store Director within the H-E-B company, so they put us here in Bastrop. Kevin will travel to various stores around this area for probably a year, or forever until they determine which store will be his.
That’s good news because we like it here.
We will probably need to rent a place in Bastrop for six months or so, maybe even a year.
Let the search begin. I wish I could just paint a place for us to live like I’m doing for my Monster High Doll. She’s a lucky girl.
I’m painting a bedroom for Monster High Doll to sit in.Reference photo for her floor lamp.
Sherry Ann asked a good question, so I included it here: Is Kevin happy?
Sherry Ann, oh yes. This is an exceptional company. They want to make sure their leaders are fully immersed in their culture, and it’s a good one. H-E-B is very favorable to their workers. The money is great and the insurance is even better. Everything is great. I’m still getting over the shock that this area was not even an area where we applied for work. It’s lovely, and God must have a plan for us here. I know He does.
UPDATE:
We found our place! It’s 420 sf of living space, which is huge compared to the 300 sf we’re living in now. It’s a golf course hotel converted to apartments, I think there are 16 units. It has a floor-to-ceiling glassed-in atrium that I can see out from my bed. The ceilings are extremely tall. The bathroom sink and the kitchen sink are one and the same. Lol. Funny, tiny living is…but my pocket book is pleased, as we are hoping to build our final tiny home somewhere, some day.
Loads of beautiful outdoor living space. The guy who lives across from me built a water feature in front of his door. I can’t wait to have comfy outdoor chairs so I can listen to the lovely sounds.
Tomorrow I’m going to First Friday in Historic Downtown Bastrop to see if I can rent a studio art space in a co-op.
More stories to come about our strange, transient life. Thanks for following me!
It’s a new day. Let us be abundantly happy in it (Psa 118:24). Especially if you get to have a pet dragon in your attic.
I managed a bit more detail on her yesterday. Should we put a name tag on our pet dragon?
What would our dragon’s name be, if we did?
Now…
Lucky #MonsterHighDoll – and maybe Chloe. (BTW Nicole Sligar you have the coveted first right of refusal on this one.)
Today I get to see one of the most influential persons in my life as she prepares for her promotion, her next adventure into the other side of this deal we call human life on Earth.
It’s been 52 years since we’ve laid eyes on each other.
She saved a little dyslexic girl (me) from a lifetime of stomach ulcers and low self-esteem issues by assuring the world around me that I I wasn’t trying to be this high IQ jerk by not completing my lessons in school…that I simply didn’t think like the rest of the world.
There’s way more to this story, but i’ll leave that to another day.
So off to Kerrville, Texas we go… ❤️
Monster High Doll excited for her room to be complete!Thank you Deana. Love you girl!!In progress
Well, I’ve brought these paintings out of storage to work on, along with Marta Swanner’s Boogie Board®. My goal for completion is March 8th, 2022. Cross your fingers…
I wanna thank my cousin Jay Lynch, all things online genius Guru, for teaching this goofy artist “how to fish online” to make money, instead of simply giving me a fish. He’s now helping me develop my website, blog, and online store, not leaving me alone to flounder…Ha! get it?
If we’re correct about the direction he’s taking us, to all my artists that I love with all my heart, we be onto something big for you guys.
All the while it’s just me, hanging at the “Zen River House,” the new name we’ve given our small space near the river in Bastrop for now. I’m a little nomad at heart.
Hey, Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard, I had the art that I painted at your joint digitized at Bastrop Signs & Banners. Now I’ll be thinking about what we can do with it! Lol! I fell in love with the Manager, Matt Murphy, over their banners. Check ’em out local artist!
Jay Lynch is teaching this old dog new tricks. Here we go…NFT designs to the MetaVerse and Beyond!
I’m getting to know Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard owner Tom, a bit better. Every time I’m there he welcomes me. I’m not special, he does it for all his customers; what a nice fellow. You can tell his exceptional crew love working for him!
Nieghbor’s is a Pizza kitchen, brewery, and music venue nestled on the Colorado River in Bastrop, deep in the heart of Texas. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED. ALWAYS WITH LOVE. I still have not completed my painting titled “Perspectives of Neighbors.”
Today, I get to speak to Kelly Clarke, Development Director, Down Home Ranch about getting the kids involved in my next community-driven, giant, hopeful art installations.
In fact, I hope to get both these great companies involved. I’ll make it easy on them: I’ll do all the work with help from other artists and citizens of this great community.
I developed this product today. I ordered one to check it’s quality. Once I approve our online team managed by Jay Lynch, will offer it to you guys.
I’m Getting exciting up in here!
It’s the “All You Need Is Love, Love” candle. Inspired by the Beatles Love Show in Las Vegas. Created for a group show hosted by Lisa Dittrich – Arts Factory 2016 – What an honor it was to be in this show with great artists like Lisa and David Fay and others.
The original art is unavailable – it’s owned by Chelsea Brophy.
I can paint another original for you similar to this one … but this one is hers.
I retain reproduction rights on all my creations.
® Jana’s Painted Artist 2022
I’m Having an awesome day here at the Harmony House on the Colorado River in fabulous Bastrop, Texas
