Painting Away the Stress

At the cabin this week, I had too much on my mind: deadlines for work projects, planning trips, health appointments, a looming financial decision, plus finding time to see friends. It all roils up together, until I can hardly think straight.

Luckily, I had to paint the deck before winter, a chore I had been putting off, not because I don’t enjoy it, but because every day for the past month or so my motto has been “I don’t have time today; I’ll do it tomorrow.” But it snowed on Monday, the high peaks are blanketed in white, and indications are mounting that I don’t have many warm, sunny days left. By Wednesday the little snow on the ground had melted, the sun broke out, temperatures climbed to 50, and the strong winds would quickly dry the paint—perfect conditions before the next storm moved in.

So I had no choice but to turn my back on the computer and silence its many competing and sometimes strident voices (Wolves are dying! Demand justice for victims of oppression! Act now before it’s too late!). Outside, nothing demanded my attention except for the wind, the occasional bird cry, the warmth of the sun. Aside from my neighbor out walking her dog, no one came by. It was just me and the movement back and forth of the paint brush on the wood.

In my opinion, November offers the clearest light of the whole year. The air is dry, the light pours through the empty stands of aspens, and even the sky seems unblemished. While painting, I had to stand up and stretch every few minutes to relieve the back cramping. This offered repeated chances to enjoy the clarity of this day: the sunlight warming the rock chimney, the deck and my blue front door; the golden valley resting in the late afternoon and late fall sunlight; the mountain to the southwest covered in snow.

Slowly, my mind settled down until it was completely empty of thoughts. It felt like soft perfection.

Comments

[Rachel Maizes]

So beautiful, Kathy. Thank you.

[shoney]

Ah that clean, clear light of November---breathe it in.
Hugs

[Jennifer Woodhull]

Kathy, I swear I could smell the paint as I read. What a glorious way to spend an afternoon … Wish I could have been there, silently painting beside you.

[Sally Hanson]

There is so much to be said about being focused on a project. Especially one that was put off and finally is being completed. What a satisfying feeling. To be in the moment. To be out of your head. To be proud of the accomplishment. And to enjoy the surroundings while your doing it. Perfect day!

[Brent Zeinert]

I have similar "too much on my mind" experiences. I will be patching up cracks on the front entry and garage this afternoon.