terry jan

We found this photograph that someone left here, stuck way back in a little closet in our place. Written on the back is: "terry jan". I felt like drawing it today. My favourite is the dad in the background with the killer eyebrows. I didn't draw it well enough to be seen, but in the photograph, he's making a fist so tight it's white knuckled. I can't tell if it's Terry or Jan's dad for certain, but I'm guessing it's Terry's. Terry looks pretty comfortable there all spread out. Jan's looking a little more demure than him. She's got that "in the in-laws home" demeanour about her. Also, I can't tell, is dinner done? or just started? There's salad and that's about it. Hmmm.

Also in the news. I've finished my first commission. A woman from Voodoo donuts offered her services of photographing our wedding in trade for me making a bag for her out of an old David Bowie t-shirt. I should have taken a picture of the t-shirt to show the before and after, but now I know to do it next time. It was in rough shape. The whole top had been cut off. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out in the end, especially the shiny gold lining. Hopefully, she will like it too.

Feeling like Merv.

These bags are getting more kick-ass. I am especially exited about linings. You know when Rick Moranis does Merv Griffin, all bent over, showing off his big but and saying to Dave Thomas as Liberace: "Ooooh. Show us your (suit jacket) lining. Ooooh." I feel just like Merv.

Right on to winter effing off for another year.

Dare I commit to writing that Spring seems to be here? Even if it's just the very tippy-toe of Spring. The last two mornings I've noticed the light looks different through the curtains. More Springy.

The days are longer and the temperature is above zero! I thought it would never happen again. Piles and piles of snow are drooping and turning slushy on top and I heard a bird in Montreal in the middle of the day. I don't know what kind of bird it was, but it seems ages since I've seen or heard one. Soon, the red-winged blackbird that always lives on our roof will be singing right outside my window and waking me up at dawn, like it has the past two years. Grass is gonna poke through the ground, rain will fall instead of snow, the tulips and irises will grow in my flower garden and I'll wear shoes again. What's it even like not to wear boots? I can't remember.

The soundtrack to the arrival of spring seems to be Skylarking by XTC. Every time I notice Spring-ness, I get the urge to throw it on.

I've had a cold the past couple days and have been confined to the couch so I picked up the knitting needles to keep my hands from becoming tools of the devil, what with their idleness and all...it's a bit late in the season for it but I'm pleased with my new hat.

Right on to Spring.