In June of 2014, I retired from a career of teaching at a local college. The union I belonged to had the brilliant practice of holding annual pre-retirement information sessions for those who were approaching that momentous career move. When I attended mine, I was surprised to learn about all the things one had to think of and do when severing ties with their employer of 30+ years! I was also surprised to learn that a significant proportion of retirees have no idea how they will be filling their now oh-so-flexible schedules! I had started painting about 10 years earlier and was looking forward to the extra time I could now devote to what was becoming more than a hobby. I have since learned an awful lot about painting and about art in general. I have been fortunate enough to be able to afford to try a number of mediums and techniques. And above all, I have been having fun! So this week I was wondering “what if?” What would I be doing if I hadn’t caught the art bug? Although I am quite content to stay at home, I also like to explore and learn new things. So here is a non-exhaustive list, in no particular order, of things I might have been doing if…. I might have been singing. As a teenager, I very much enjoyed being part of the school’s choir. I have always liked music, and I even learned to play the clarinet in my early forties. I wasn’t very good at it, but I enjoyed it. I could have continued that and joined an orchestra I suppose. But I prefer singing. I was lucky enough to perform, both in the ensemble and as a soloist, in the “Residents Show” one winter in the complex where we used to own a condo in Florida. I also sang regularly at the Karaoke nights there. I like group singing too, and I think I would have joined a choir or chorus here if I wasn’t busy with my art. I might have been writing. I had the ambition years ago to write a novel. I had the outline done but life got in the way. I would probably have finished that book and started a bunch of others if I wasn’t so busy with my art. At least I get to write my blog each week! I might have been volunteering. The library would have been a good choice. The local elementary school is always looking for volunteers for its breakfast program. But that would mean I would have to get up early. So I wouldn’t be doing that, even if I wasn't so busy with my art. But I would likely have found something else to volunteer for, even though I often think I did my part all those years serving on parents committees and at the local School Board. I might have been reading more. I must confess I haven’t been spending nearly enough time lately reading non-art books. I used to read a lot. Then the Internet arrived. But I definitely would be reading more if I wasn’t so busy with my art. I might be exercising more. This is something I definitely have to work on. I spend way too much time sitting and should make it a priority to get out and at least walk every day. I had a real, not to mention painful scare when I fell on the ice a couple of winters ago and have since been overly cautious, so now I don’t walk in the winter if I can help it! Not to mention it’s cold! Now that spring has sort of sprung, maybe I should work on working that habit into my daily routine. Trouble is I have no real daily routine…. I’m too busy with my art. I might be traveling more. Before Covid of course we did quite a bit of that. Travel and painting can go well together. Personally, I don’t much care for painting outdoors, so I am more likely to take photos that can be used as references back in the studio. But who knows when we will be back to “normal” travel? Last year I did a bit of “Youtube traveling”, watching ‘walking tour’ videos while exercising on the elliptical machine. And I actually did a painting that was inspired by one of those walks in Perugia, Italy. Maybe I should get back to doing that. The proverbial two birds, one stone! I might be doing more genealogy. I did my family tree, and continue to manage it with new additions and as family members pass on. A few years ago, I joined Wikitree, which is a free online site that aims to create a single worldwide family tree. I was able to join my tree branches to branches created by other Wikitree members and link back to ancestors from the 1200s in some cases. I should really go in and add references and clean things up, but I am too busy with my art. I might be gardening more. I used to garden quite a bit, but the futility of trying to outsmart the deer has taken the joy right out of that pastime. In a few minutes, a group of two or three, or even a single deer, can wipe out weeks, or even months of work. Let them have the garden! I am busy with my art! I might be keeping a tidier house. Years of accumulated stuff keeps getting pushed back by more recently acquired stuff. I know better. I need to get rid of stuff. But what If I need it? It could come in handy, and often it does, so that doesn’t help to get rid of it! When we came back from Florida a couple of months ago, after getting rid of stuff down there, we were in a mood to continue. The mood didn’t last. And I can’t see the clutter when I am busy with my art. I might have pursued learning Italian. I started a few years ago before we went to Italy, but have since not found the motivation nor the time to continue, being busy as I am with my art. I might have gone back to school. I have always liked learning. I probably would have enrolled in art classes and then would be even busier with my art!
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AuthorMy name is Claire Bureau. Archives
March 2023
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