Even with its extra day, February is nearly history. It’s hard to believe we’re almost into the third month of 2020! My resolve to be better at updating the blog hasn’t resulted in much so far, but I’ve decided to, at least, write a monthly update post. Here is February’s…a list of things I did or tried to do
Art
I continued with my daily art practice through February. This month I had two sets of prompts to inspire the subjects of my paintings (Opus Daily Practice and Doodlewash). I also worked on proper water colour paper (instead of my sketch journal). That was a good learning experience. I found through that, that I really like working on hot press paper (as opposed to cold press). Here are some of my favourite February paintings.
Dahlia for the prompt “Flourish” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Orchid for the prompt “Botanical” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Apple tea for the prompt “Tea” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Salsa for the prompt “Spicy” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Walnut for the prompt “Exposure” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Veggies for the prompt “Slice” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Peacock for the prompt “Peacock” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Red Panda for the prompt “Red Panda” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Sea Lions for the prompt “Wiggle” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly) 
Seal Island Bridge – Cape Breton Is. for the prompt “Bridge” (©2020 by V. Nesdoly)
In January a children’s pastor at my church (Laurel Archer) asked me to do the illustrations for a booklet to be used during missions month. Laurel wrote the text, I did the paintings (except for the boy and girl; they are hand puppets already in use), then our church’s media department assembled and printed the book. This was a gratifying project!
Writing
Though I haven’t spent as much time doing writing lately, it still occupies some of my time and offers rewards for past work.
Pockets (a children’s magazine put out by the Upper Room Group) reprinted an article I wrote for them some years ago on Jean Vanier. It found its way into the final issue (January / February 2020) of that lovely little magazine. I was sad to hear that it will no longer be published.
I gave a short presentation on writing book reviews at the last meeting of our writing group (South Surrey Writers Group) Thursday, February 27th.
I am continuing to edit my WIP manuscript (working title: Under the Cloud, a sequel to the biblical fiction, Destiny’s Hands that I published in 2012). I am getting dangerously close to being ready to send that baby off to a real editor. Under the Cloud should see the light of publication sometime this year. I’m not making any predictions as to when.
Personal
I’m finding that as I age, keeping the weight off is a never-ending challenge. Even though my husband and I walk for about an hour a day, and eat a pretty healthy diet, the numbers on the scale were creeping up.
There must be an app for that…
There is! I downloaded MyNetDiary and have been keeping track of daily intake, weight, and exercise much more consistently and the weight is slowly coming off.
Well, that was my February…a busy, healthy month. Here’s hoping and praying March is the same. Facing the threat of the Covid 19 virus, I have taken to praying and claiming as a promise of protection Psalm 91:9,10
“Because you have made the LORD,
who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.”
I pray for protection for our land, and the survival of all who fall ill with this virus.
Violet Nesdoly 