quite a full year



happy new year



Seems like 2022 has flown by, so much has happened I've hardly had time to reflect on it all. I now feel as if I was constantly running around, literally and in my mind. Funny I had imagined this past year would somehow be different from the hectic years before. 
It started out quietly enough, with me at home a lot, working in the studio, painting painting, and more painting. I started meeting more folks, getting to know them better and making new friends, becoming more and more involved in local art circles. I bought an i-pad and am now taking i-pad lessons to learn new skills. I've taken up sculpting classes as well and made my first ever life-size clay portrait. The home-extension which lasted longer than expected, in fact is still not quite done, keeps me on my toes. I suddenly had to make big decisions, like what kind of wood we wanted for the exterior walls down to the colour and kind of wall sockets we wanted. My daily routine revolved around workmen's schedules, which could change from week to week, or even day-to-day. We had a new shower room installed, as the old one leaked and was moldy, I found myself ordering all sorts of building materials, like a pro! I refurbished our small hall and managed lots of odd jobs in the bedrooms, saving expenses as the build is costing us enough! I even rebuilt the lean-to next to my studio, providing us with much better space for our ever expanding collection of carpentry/garden equipment.
My husband and I spent a romantic long weekend in Paris. We got to eat out every day and visit museums unannounced. We even went on a shopping spree. My siblings and I finally got to go on our delayed (Covid!) road-trip to Denmark where we visited family and friends and buried our parents' ashes in the family grave in Hellerup cemetery.
We attended live performances in the theatre, dinner parties, the cinema, museums, social events we took for granted pre-covid. We had become huggers instead of on-the-cheek kissers.
Just as we had clawed ourselves out of covid lockdown and society was easing it's way back into normalcy, we were confronted with a nutter in the east who decided he to invade Ukraine. A war in Europe, we could not believe this was happening in our life time. Still is.
2022 sure was a bumpy ride.
Personally I am okay, I complain about little things (ask my husband) but there is no real suffering in our household. Our boys are okay.
I have become an activist. Not just on behalf of the animals in the nearby woods as described briefly in a previous post, but also on behalf of women. Nowadays I call myself a feminist because I am fed up with half the world population still being treated as second rate! I am happy to say that only yesterday I spoke with a couple of guys who not only agreed, several of them also call themselves feminist. Even though I can be cynical about our actual willingness to change and keep overall climate change in check, I am by nature an optimist. I believe in our children and look forward to the future.



x x x Wishing you all the best for 2023 x x x 

 

Comments

Faith said…
Oh, you have been busy!

Isn't it nice to meet male feminists? I think my son called himself a feminist before I did.

Happy New Year!
deemallon said…
Wow. That IS a lot. Just the renovation would be a lot. Glad about the painting painting painting. It has been such a pleasure to watch your work evolve.
Saskia said…
their saying it out loud like it was no big deal, felt most reassuring Faith
*******happy new year*******
Saskia said…
thanks Dee, I feel like the painting is the real me
*******happy new year*******
Marti said…
Painting an expanded life...but then dear Saskia, this new life of deeper art, deeper outreach to community and friends was always within you; waiting for the right time. This is your time Saskia and may 2023 continue to expand to hold all of your wonderful creativity, your caring, your wise understanding of life...love and best wishes to you and yours in the new year.
Saskia said…
thank you Marti, wondering now if it was like that for you too?!
*******happy new year*******
a truly perfect year....
Saskia said…
hi Grace, perfect in many ways, I even cherish the imperfections, once I let self embrace them;-)
*******happy new year*******
Nancy said…
The happiest of new years to you and yours. Your year does sound busy...but also interesting, growing, learning, connection, adventuring, loving and more! May your 2023 bring you all sorts of new experiences and fun! I am grateful to have called you a friend all of these years Saskia ❤️
Saskia said…
((Nancy)) I am grateful too, we are connected
*******happy new year*******
Liz A said…
your 2022 calendar will continue to grace my studio wall in the year to come ... each picture a delight all over again ... and thank you for its inspiration, as I created a 2023 calendar of Don's paintings for our family and friends

it is always a joy to see your latest blog posting pop up on my list of Kindred Spirits ... may the year ahead be full of new and continued creativity
Saskia said…
oh that's right Liz, geez had fortgotton I made 2 types last year, fuzzy brain....I'm delighted it inspired you!
*******happy new year*******
buysse maria said…
dag Saskia een verder evoluerend jaar wens ik jou toe , je groep dieren is amazing mooi ik zie er zelfs de mensen om je heen in , verbouwen is ook zoveel meer dan de materiële kant toch, het heeft ook jouw hoofd verruimd , jouw relaties , het schilderen enz....
ik nies me te pletter ... snotteren en tranende ogen RSV of zoiets , ja veel mensen ontmoet de voorbije weken wat heel boeiend was/is en het jaar in een nieuwe mogelijkheden brengt , laat het maar naar me toekomen ;
gezelligeknuffel nog
Saskia said…
dag Maria, beterschap! ben zelf ook enorm verkouden geweest afgelopen week, maar nu gelukkig al een heel stuk opgeknapt. Ik wens je een mooi jaar toe, t jaar van het Konijn: vrede en harmonie, lijkt me mooi na alle onstuimigheid van afgelopen jaar.
*******happy new year*******
You have really made some important changes this year Saskia. You seem grounded and confident in your direction and your work. I am happy for you. Best wishes for continuing expansion (metaphorical and literal) in 2023.
Saskia said…
thank you Dana, yes a lot has happened within, mostly letting go
*******happy new year*******

tungsten

tungsten

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