Thankfully, though, there's a new kitty in my life. He's a stray and we've named him Max. I wanted to name him Alphonse after "Scarface" Al Capone because he has a scar on his nose, but my sister wanted to name him after the orange cat character she draws. He responds well to the name Max, so I'm cool with it. His attitude reminds me a lot of Scout because he "talks" to us and follows people around when we're outside. He's very sweet but my dad has already forbidden Max's adoption. Everyone else, my mother included, wants to keep Max. For now, we're feeding him outside and we go out frequently to play with him. I suppose that will have to do for now.
Also, I'm getting an earlier start on Halloween stuff this year. I've started a skull that will hopefully go on a PVC pipe frame and be covered with cloth to make a tall Grim Reaper-ish figure. Should be cool, but doing the strip papier mache on this is going to be a major league pain in the ass. I keep having to remind myself to be patient.
Yesterday, I went picking wild blackberries at a friend's home in the country. It was hot and I was about eaten alive by mosquitoes and biting flies (despite my liberal use of bug repellent), but it was fun. I ended up with scratches all over my arms from the thorns, but the stinging has stopped and they should heal soon. In the meantime, I have lots of wild blackberries to show for my troubles.I've been taking a bit of a break from stippling drawings. The repetitiveness can be soothing, but it can also be a method by which to drive oneself to the verge of insanity. Maybe the drawings that make me stay in one place for long periods of time are better done in the winter, when the weather isn't as hospitable to working outdoors on papier mache and gardens.
