Time Flies if You are Having Fun!

May 28, 2023

Time has flown by this week.

The Lake Wateree painting is completed and headed to the framer.

My classes have paused for the summer; we finished up this week.

And today – May 28, 2023 – Robert and I have been married for 40 years!

We are celebrating by doing what we have always done – anything we want! : )

It is quite the indulgence.

Here’s a look into the studio this week.

"Up with the Star Spangled Folds of Old Glory," J.E. Kerr I painted the flag in as all other touches were finished. This painting of Lake Wateree is going to someone who really loves this view!
Detail of the Lake Wateree painting.
"Lake Wateree Oasis," 18x24, oil
“Lake Wateree Oasis,” 18×24, oil

I have been keeping a “Perpetual Sketchbook.”

“This is how a perpetual journal works. The pages are marked with the dates of the 52 weeks of the year (i.e… January 1-7, January 8-14…). The dating of these weeks (in the upper left corner) is not tied to a specific year. The artist uses the journal to record observations during a particular week of the year. This process continues and the artist can return to the same week in subsequent (perpetual) years. Eventually, a page is filled up with multilayered drawings of consecutive years on one page.” Lara Call Gastinger Take a look at her pages! They are inspiring.

Here are my entries for the last couple of weeks.

First Bouquet from Stormwater’s new pollinator garden.
Karen Murphy – garden designer.
African Blue Basil - Perpetual Sketchbook - From the garden
African Blue Basil – Perpetual Sketchbook

On a Personal Note

Time flies when you are having fun.

Today Robert and I have been married 40 years.

Here are few pictures….

Earliest known picture of us. We are the couple back left. My mother is back right. We were at Mary and Brian's wedding.
Earliest known picture of us. We are the couple back left. My mother is back right. Must have been 1976
For years we celebrated our anniversary at the Piccolo Spoleto Art Exhibition at Marion Square, Charleston SC. Just another way he supported the arts.
For years we celebrated our anniversary at the Piccolo Spoleto Art Exhibition at Marion Square, Charleston SC.
Just another way he supported the arts.
Robert at our tent at the Piccolo Spoleto Art Exhibition. We did this for 12 long years! It was a great show but 17 days in the Charleston SC sun is an endurance! He makes it happen! Could not / would not do it without him.
Robert at our tent at the Piccolo Spoleto Art Exhibition.
We did this for 12 long years! It was a great show, but 17 days in the Charleston SC sun is an endurance!
He made it happen! Could not / would not do it without him.
And now, happier than ever to be in our next decade together.
And now, happier than ever to be in our next decade together.

If you have made it this far, you probably won’t mind one more….

I love looking at these pictures. Decades of love and happiness. I just don't know how they went so fast.
I love looking at these pictures.
Decades of love and happiness. I just don’t know how they went so fast.

I don’t know where the next week will lead me, but I know who will be there with me!

Many thanks to all who follow our story.

Michel

Frida and Charlie are feeling all the love!
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22 Comments

  1. Ali on May 28, 2023 at 11:06 am

    Felicitations on 4 decades of love, Michele and Robert!



    • Michel McNinch on May 28, 2023 at 7:38 pm

      Thank you, Alice. It has been the smartest decision I have ever made!



  2. Roxanne on May 28, 2023 at 12:10 pm

    Congratulations to you and Robert!



    • Michel McNinch on May 28, 2023 at 7:39 pm

      Thank you, Roxanne! As a fellow long-timer in the marriage department, I know you celebrate with us!



  3. Virginia on May 28, 2023 at 12:51 pm

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!
    Love that you share this together!



    • Michel McNinch on May 28, 2023 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks, Virginia. Glad he has been along for the ride during all my painting practice. Now that he has is own leather shop, we get to create together.



  4. Dianne Meadow on May 28, 2023 at 2:37 pm

    Happy Anniversary to you and Robert!!



    • Michel McNinch on May 28, 2023 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you!



  5. Jimmy Lee on May 28, 2023 at 5:24 pm

    Beautiful painting on Lake. Can’t show it to Janet. She want a Lay a way. Loved looking at all the ones of Robert
    Jimmy



    • Michel McNinch on May 28, 2023 at 7:41 pm

      He is the nicest guy I ever met! : ). I’m the president of his fan club.



      • Cheryl Morgan on June 2, 2023 at 3:45 pm

        Happy Anniversary week! Abby had hoped to look for you at Marion Square. She’s just started 2nd year of Medical School at MUSC.



        • Michel McNinch on June 4, 2023 at 12:50 pm

          Hey Cheryl! That’s great news about Abby! She will be a great doc. What’s her speciality?



  6. Jan L on May 28, 2023 at 9:51 pm

    Happy Anniversary! My first date with my future hubby was May 28th 42 years ago.



    • Michel McNinch on June 4, 2023 at 12:50 pm

      A great day for love!!



  7. Dixie on May 29, 2023 at 11:44 am

    Happy 40th Anniversary you two love birds!!!



    • Michel McNinch on June 4, 2023 at 12:51 pm

      Thank you, Dixie.



  8. Tina on May 29, 2023 at 1:40 pm

    Oh my favorite couple, my sister and brother in law!! The best example of a marriage in the world today!! I love you both so much. Watching your stories through the years has been motivating and lovely throughout my entire life , at least since 14!! Lovely artwork and lovelier pictures of y’all !! Love you 💜



    • Michel McNinch on June 4, 2023 at 12:51 pm

      Thank you, Tina. To think it all started with the watermelon fight! : )



  9. Ellen Fishburne on May 29, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    You two just beat all. I am happy for you and in awe. Congratulations! And hooray for your new endeavor with the perpetual journal. Beautiful entries! And don’t you just love Lara?



    • Michel McNinch on June 4, 2023 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you and YES! Love Lara. Thank you for introducing me to that process and that artist! Love you.



      • Susan on June 4, 2023 at 4:15 pm

        Happy 40th Anniversary!
        You and Robert are so perfect for each other!



        • Michel McNinch on June 4, 2023 at 8:46 pm

          Thank you. It feels great buts seems surreal. 40 years is a drop in the bucket!



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