Happy New Year and Day One!!

Camera is back home at last, I've had an overnight with Zoe here ravishing the new markers, and an overnight at Zoe's making a pair of earrings, necklace repaired by adding a magnetic clasp (easier for a 7 year old to manage) New Year's Eve with Zane playing chase (he runs, I "scare" him from the couch) then Scrabble with my son and daughter in law.  But the big excitment has been learning the theme for January-"Highly Prized."

Subjects could be so many things, but on New Year's Day is the Winter Classic NHL game and in my life, ice hockey has been a delight late in coming but a delight none the less.  So my first page of "Highly Prized" sketching is of skates, block lettering of my and Bobby Orr's #4, the names of the first team I played on, the White Knights, and my killer fantasy team, the Ice Crones (retired this year after never finishing less than 3rd).  Considering I started playing at the age of 49, against and with people half my age, and could barely stand on skates when I started, I have to give myself props for even trying.  I was never even close to good but I have such a love for the game and it was the only team sport I ever played.  My younger daughter was on the same team-she was really good, too-and it has given us a bond that remains special for that shared experience.  Some of my dearest friends are women from our Vixens hockey team.  Highly prized?  You bet!

I know this will not be my only work with this theme, but it's been fun to begin with a lighter touch, while watching the game.  This is a challenge of a whole different sort, but just as enjoyable, just as filled with personal satisfaction of boundaries pushed, not quite as physically demanding, but just as dear to my heart.  Every day is a good day for hockey and for art, and now there's a whole year of art to look forward to! What an outstanding new year ahead!!