Explore-Adapt-Learn

Second try at this design. Black Micron 01 and PN. Graphite, Prismacolor pencils, Signo Uniball White pen, white Gellyroll pen. Tangles: Ratoon, Belle, Flux, Orbs.

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The three watchwords of this year must be explore,  adapt, and, learn.  Because we have had to explore, adapt/find alternative ways to do things  that we were forced into altering, and learn quickly, all because of the pandemic.

Here in the USA, Thanksgiving Day is an occasion that requires all three words this year.  I've never been a celebrator myself--I prefer to stay home and keep a quiet day, often dining with friends later in the week.

All those friends would be simply astounded to know I actually have a turkey in my oven this year.In fact, they'd never believe it.  Everyone knows I do not cook--I don't know how.  Never learned.  So here are 2 important facts:  First, I am NOT dining with or having anyone in my house this year.  Second, I didn't cook this turkey.  I am merely warming it up as a favor to another friend who has two and can't get them both in her oven.  Explore, adapt, learn--indeed!

Between the two of us, we are packing up plates and sharing with our neighbors.  The food will go in bags and neighbors who cannot travel this year or who cannot have friends/family over can come pick up a contact-free Thanksgiving Dinner and go home and be safe and eat it.  I wish I could say I thought of this, but I didn't--it was my neighbor's idea and I'm just warming up the bird for her.  A genius of an idea!  And one I am thankful for on this very strange Thanksgiving.

Since I'm working on getting back into the tangling groove, I made her the tangle above as a thank-you gift.  I retraced my steps from the one I posted yesterday but this time I created it without the underlaid outer square of white wax pencil (there is indeed an underlay, but the one you can see above is intentional, whereas the one I did yesterday shows an unintentional white "frame" near the border of the piece).  I used a light frame of graphite instead.  It worked well and I think I've  finally gotten this technique down.  Good to know.

Despite this globally agonizing year, I am aware of much I still have to be thankful for.  I wish that were so for everyone, even as I know of the struggles and losses so many have had.  May we all find something good in our days today.

The poet Rumi has said:
Wear gratitude like a cloak
and it will feed
every corner of your life.

Below is a repeat of today's version next to yesterday's version, for simple comparison.

Today

Yesterday