I completed a painting today, my first since the July art exhibition. Some of you may know that we had a significant flood the week of the Lancaster Artwalk. Throughout the festival week, we divided our time between the art exhibit and dealing with a flooded basement. Life is full of surprises. We do not live in a flood plain. Yet, the water crept in, blowing out a window and seeping through the seals of the other three. The flood kept us mired in basement sludge up until two weeks ago.

During this time, I learned that I am stronger than I think. Dragging waterlogged carpet across the basement floor and up the steps was quite an adventure. Water is heavy, and this is one instance where my stubborn streak worked for me. I was not to be deterred.

In hindsight, I would rather have spent my time in enjoyable pursuits. Still, the flood created an opportunity and an urgency that could not be ignored. The basement needed to be cleared of stuff that we haven’t used in years. It is easy to procrastinate and wait for the day that never comes. So while we were at it, we reorganized much of the upstairs, making our home a much easier and nicer place to live.

It amazes me how much one can accumulate over the years, and I do not miss my stuff. The basement harbored my past, and I am much too busy living the moments I have now.

Clearing the clutter sets you free, and in the end, we were fortunate. Many others incurred much more damage and will be rebuilding for months, maybe years.

As for the painting? Aw, that is where my spirit is today, in the middle of a colorful, misty wetland leading to a distant lighthouse. Misty Wetland is on hold, pending sale, but a limited number of prints will be available when my website shop launches. Sigh. And here I thought my to-do list was finished. Snicker.