It is days later, not the next day that I have a bit of time to write.

Thursday night, I had thought I would go to a Deja Vu Singles gathering after my third Tony Laidig webinar. But that was not to happen. What do they say, “Best Laid Plans . . .”

His webinar was so filled with useful information that it lasted 2.5 hours. I don’t think he realized how long he talked until near the end. If this is any indication of what we will learn in “Easy Book Content Creation” then my head will be spinning at the end of the sixth session.

Needless to say, I wasn’t motivated to go to the Singles gathering across town. Next month for sure! Or definitely in April when they are celebrating Taurus birthdays!

Instead, I shut off the computer and worked on clearing up some of my chaotic office space for a couple of hours. It seems as if the more I clear up, the worse it looks. But really not true, there are actually some desk tops that are empty, the photo props are all in on place and most of my Public Domain magazines and books are easily accessible now. So did make some progress.

Friday started a really challenging phone call that came before I saw a distressing email. and a really lovely email.

I had sent a Wingless Tiger FantaFaces feather mask to Tony, along with a bottle of Thieves. He received it before predicted by the Post Office receipt. He liked it and posted it on his FaceBook page. And yes, he got the connection to the humorous “Tony the Tiger”, but I reminded him there was another side to Tigers that he should tune into. The mask was for his emotional health and the Young Living Thieves was to keep him healthy in his travels.

The challenging email wasn’t seen until I received a phone call from Commonwheel’s President who wanted to let me know about a member quitting Commonwheel. Gary Vigen has been on my Festival committee for many years. He is my favorite curmudgeon, a very talented artist who has created our festival posters for many years and is a top seller in the Commonwheel Gallery.

He also was an important person for working with the Zebulon Pike Boys that did community service at the Art Festival. He always had them under control and working hard. Being a teacher, he did have some idea how to handle unruly kids and that was a big plus for keeping these boys in line when they were at the Art Festival with work assigned to them.

I knew he had been not totally happy with the way things were at Commonwheel, but then, he hadn’t been for many years. He was also cleaning up the Commonwheel logo, so I really didn’t have a clue he was about to leave. Rarely do I think someone who is doing something for the future good of a group that they are a part of, would just quit. I emailed him and tried to assure him of his value to the group, and that there were changes coming that he had wanted to see, a new POS system would be up before summer, etc. But the only response I got was that he would drop off the final poster at my house soon. So guess he is determined to leave the Co-op.

Sat in the sun talking on the phone to the President, then sat in the sun and had a quick bowl of cereal thinking about all this and what it would mean to the Festival. Some times not sure why I do this, then others, it is a fun and I know it is one of my “missions” in life. And when I look out at the park filled with artists and entertainers, I am filled with joy.

While having my cereal the cottage tenant showed up. She told me she didn’t have a day off yet, and didn’t know when she would finish clearing out and cleaning up the cottage. When she was gone, I realized she didn’t get her mail from the overly stuffed mailbox.

I got a short email note from the people working on the beer garden saying he had some suggestions for the Sound person quitting and would get back to me next week about that and with a contract to look at for the beer garden.

I did a lot of work on the Artist Statements for Commonwheel’s 40th Anniversary Gallery Show that I am curating, it seems almost alone. My fellow curator hasn’t even sent in his own photos or Bio information. Kind of frustrated with him a bit.

I had what I thought would be a meeting with the folks working on getting Manitou Springs declared a Creative District at 4pm at the new Brew Pub in Manitou Springs. I don’t drink beer, allergic to hops, but figured there would be something else I could consume there.

I headed to the Post Office to pick up Festival mail and find out what it would cost to mail a mask to the UK. There were 8, count them again, eight people in line and only one window open. Not good timing, so left with that undone. Then stopped at the Co-op and wanted to pay my dues, but noticed I had picked up the Utility Bill check, not my dues check. So couldn’t do that either. Got to the Brewery and no one else had arrived. Went and stood in the glorious sunshine and waited for someone to show up. Natalie did and then a couple of other women, including the Co-op’s President. Mostly Natalie wanted to have gatherings of heads of art organizations in Manitou Springs just to get to know each other better. She is in a group like this in Colorado Springs and finds it easier to talk to other members of the group in business and social settings when she knows them better. Seems like a good idea to me.

I was hungry and the menu had a couple of tasty sounding items. So I had a mushroom and cheese Panini and a glass of wine. I think I really needed the wine more than the sandwich, but both were good.

They Mayor’s wife showed up with a newly hennaed hand. And we had a lovely visit among ourselves. Learned something about everyone. And an interesting discussion about eating Gluten-Free. Was almost chilly on the walk home, but not too bad.

Decided to make more progress in my office clearing, then went off to bed a bit early.

And it is late now, so heading off to bed as have a lot to do tomorrow.

And was suppose to get to bed earlier with my pack packed . . . not done.