and finally . . . seashells!

For the final spread in this small sketch journal, our visit to the gulf coast and Galveston Island isn’t complete unless I sketch some of the shells I picked up. I strolled along the beach and waded through the surf a bit before stopping to pick some up . . . and Bill still laughed, knowing I couldn’t resist them for long.

In this journal, I recorded planning an unexpected trip to Kansas followed by unsuccessfully trying to find an alternate flight when mine was canceled. I missed the funeral but later wrote this note to myself in the front of this journal.

I believe that a) I wasn’t meant to go to my stepmother’s funeral (I was only going for my dad who I do not have a close relationship with), and b) God wanted me to go through the frustrating day because He knows I learn best through experience.

I have forgiven my dad for the past and have done all I can to try to establish a relationship with him. I realize now that I was trying to get to the funeral to earn his approval — God tells me that I’ve done all I need to do; the rest is up to my dad. I already have God’s approval and that is enough.

last sketches from Mustang beach

I waited until coming home to sketch this heron from Mustang Island State Park --- I wanted to try using liquid masque on the waves. But my masque is a bit old and came out in globs. Oh, well . . .

We saw the heron when exploring the tidal pool area. He didn't seem to mind my getting very close for a photograph. I was also watching the man standing in the Gulf up to his chest, fishing. Sometimes waves washed up to his chin . . . I wonder if he actually caught any fish?

The tiny jellyfish was seen half-buried in the sand with the incoming tide --- I'd never seen one this color before.

This seems darker than previous pages because I had to photograph my sketchbook inside on a very dark and rainy day. Need better lighting!

virtual sketchcrawl at the beach

A collection of things I found walking along the shore.

Still space for a bit more . . .

The sand dunes behind our tents. Not sure what the flower vines are but, like morning glories, they close up in the heat of the day.

shells, shells everywhere

There were lovely sea shells everywhere we turned, some at least 12" across. Shells on tables, in baskets, on railings, sitting on top of posts in the parking area . . . . Literally everywhere! Upon returning from eating out one day, I grabbed these three from one of the decks to sketch. 

bits of shells and other stuff

I brought home some pretty bits of shell from the Gulf, as well as the remains of a starfish, a tiny crab skeleton, and a bit of polished sea glass. Several were sketched on the previously posted pages; the rest are here.

at the beach

 

On the second day of our recent visit to the Gulf of Mexico, we left Rockport and headed to Mustang Island where our kids would be camping a few days. To get there involved two bridges and a ferry to Port Aransas.

The skies were overcast, it was breezy, and the water colder than normal for this tome of year. And we loved every moment there! Found lots of interesting bits of shells and remains of a few sea creatures while wading. Lots of gulls, sand pipers, pelicans, and one friendly blue heron.

beachcombing sketches

As I was recently going through old sketchbooks to find work to post for the 5-day art challenge, I also came across these sketches from nearly 5 years ago. We had a lovely day in Galveston with Mikala and I got a lot of sketching done onsite.

And just because it seems to fit a theme on this blog post, here is a random seascape I once painted:

~ no vacancy ~

Early on our 2nd day at Galveston Beach, I excitedly picked up this gorgeous little shell to keep . . . . until I realized the original occupant was still there. So I took a couple of quick photos and let the next wave take him back.

Galveston, TX

It seems like forever since I sketched or posted anything. My final week in Texas was a real whirlwind of activity and travel!

We drove to San Antonio, picking up Bill who flew in from Kansas, then headed to the Alamo and River Walk. Even with the holiday crowds, we had a fantastic time . . . . Bill and I decided to return to celebrate our 40th anniversary 2 years from now.

Bill and I then drove to Austin for a few days with our son, Matt and his family. Though Misty had to work much of the time, we greatly enjoyed our time with them. Three yr. old Quen and I painted together in my smaller sketchbook; I was NOT happy to find that I forgot the sketchbook when we drove back to Houston. They left the following day on a train trip to Chicago, so it will be a while before they mail it to me.

Our daughter, Kristen, has been so busy on the Galveston hospital job that we took 7-yr. old Mikala with us to Galveston to play and spend time with Kristen. I LOVE Galveston! A large portion of the population has not returned since the hurricane; there are still many buildings boarded up, abandoned. Yet there is also new construction going on. We spent Thursday and Friday at the beach.

Then the L-O-N-G drive home to Kansas, followed by unpacking (after vacuuming up excessive cat hair everywhere), laundry, catching up on bills, depositing rents, updating bookkeeping, etc. I may even have to buy groceries soon . . . .

What a wonderful time I had with kids and grandkids these past 3 months! How blessed to be able to spend time with them all --- now our youngest son, Jeff, is looking at colleges in the Houston area for when his enlistment ends in December. Texas still has quite a draw for us.