10.3.09

Yawning




Waving to everyone around the world, from the confines my little room, from where I have barely stirred since our Sunday jaunt, two weeks ago. So much lovely work, so welcome, so necessary, and yet, I am so very, very tired. I'd like to be doing of this...


A whole day in bed with a book is something I haven't done for years.



But then, it is spring -



- and there is gardening to be done. Somehow.






And every day brings the inevitable housework...




...of one kind or another. So I plod on, and try to forget that I've only had two very small holidays in the last ten years. Or else I will be the littlest violin, playing a mournful tune at my own, solitary pity-party...






If only I could drive...vroom vroom! Out of here!






Cats, of course, have the right idea.





24 comments:

Mary Beth said...

I love your pictures - you captured my feeling at the sight of the daffodils poking up through the ground perfectly! Complete with cat in arms:) There is something so decadent about spending a day lost in a book, isn't there? But so much good can come from it. However, I understand the dilemma because all those people wanting your animals is such a compliment. I know I want one desperately ... someday.

Jennifer Thermes said...

These black & white pieces are lovely! :-)

Lyn said...

I love the illustrations!
Spending the whole day in bed with a book-Next rainy Sunday thats what I am going to do!
Love
Lyn
xxx

Frances said...

Lovely! Thank you for sharing these fine pictures. I feel so much more relaxed ... it's late afternoon here ... and I might try to sneak a quick nap.

Best wishes. xo

Meliors Simms said...

you are gorgeous! I'm glad you have enough work to keep the wolf from the door, and hopefully pay for a delicious summer holiday later

Margaret's Ramblings said...

You have made me smile. I just love your pics. Do you have them in colour. I envy you your gift, thanks for sharing.

Margaret

Anonymous said...

What wonderful little illustrations! I especially like the 'daffodils' one since my daffs are blooming like crazy.

Kim said...

What a wonderful post. Lovely illustrations and very uplifting. I think it's time you had a holiday, but then you'd probably spend your time sketching all around you :)

Take care

Kim x

Jess said...

My my you've been busy! These are gorgeous! I'm sure if I was making these I'd have cut my hands to ribbons and taken to my bed for a day to read books.;)x

auntpearl said...

You illustrations are so wonderful.
You need to sit down and have some tea and just look through a magazine. Have some quiet time.
Maybe just do this for 1/2 an hour and you may feel refreshed.
Take good care.
Hugs,

theartofpuro said...

Lovely images,and the last one is my preferred,yes cats have always the right idea

Mlle Miracle said...

Jajaja, Gretel, it's a nice way to resume it, and cats are wise, that's true.
By the way, I've just give you an award in my blog. I hope you'll like it!

Louise | Italy said...

Your illustrations are just lovely! I'd love to see more. I'm off to find out if you have a gallery of some kind...

Louise | Italy said...

Found it! Are these b&w pieces also for sale?

Sue said...

Looking forward to seeing you out and about again soon! I love your little stories... everything you write has a beginning, middle and end... you are a natural storyteller... I bet even your shopping lists are interesting :-)

Sarah Laurence said...

What a fun series! Good luck getting everything done.

spinyurchin said...

Fantastic stuff. My favourite is the Day in Bed. I love the candle glow effect on the end of the bed, flickering in the dark, and the wax drops and the whole Folk Tales feel to it.
All your drawings have some kind of movement and motion to them. I love that, even the little bird singing on the watering can.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Gosh, I love these illustrations! They practically speak!

I got my hands in the dirt today...planting rosemary bushes and candytuft.

And yes, you do need a holiday. Perhaps Scotland. When it turns a bit warmer?

ellen said...

Oh my gosh..these are wonderful. They have brought a huge smile to my day.
Best to you.

hen said...

heeeee heee!! This is brilliant!

Are you famous yet?

Why not for bloodys sake? It's a travesty!

Keep at it, your nearly there!

:)

hen
x

Anonymous said...

Very wonderful! You have a great tallent, and these tell such a cute story.

Anonymous said...

Hello Gretel! I was just out for a wee stroll with Tessie and we were waving back at you from top o' our hill, due south easterly direct into your workroom, honest....

Unknown said...

I almost forgot how much I love your drawing1 These are amazing.

Soozcat said...

DAFFIES! Lovely!

There's a bit of a strange thing I've noticed, living in only a very few places in the world--every place you live in has its own taste, its own scent, indefinable qualities that make it possible to identify within a few seconds of waking up, without opening your eyes, where you are. But the scent of spring has a universal quality--with local grace notes that vary from primroses to cherry blossoms to sagebrush, but still always and identifiably spring.

:)