There are two new birds this week, Pettirosso, the Robin above and Corvus, the Crow below, but I want to write about how I’ve I have slipped into what feels like a natural routine, especially now the sun rises earlier. I usually wake up around 5:30 and hop out of the bed a few minutes later to go straight into the studio. No coffee, no music, no time to think. Just me and whatever piece I’m working on. Perhaps I should explain - a few years ago, after having a workstation in my living room that was easy to keep organized and tidy when the wood panel paintings were quite small, the art space became messy and unmanageable with too many storage boxes and Ikea trolleys taking up valuable real estate in my living space. So I invited two friends over for lunch and we moved my bed out of the bedroom and turned the bedroom into a studio. Once the move was made, it was a relief not to be confronted by the mess when I came through my front door. The bed has moved within the living space a few times more until I settled on the current arrangement, but basically I have a studio apartment with an art studio attached. But I digress, let’s get back to my first thing in the morning routine. After an hour or so in the studio, I finally make coffee. I have a set routine after that as well which includes making my bed and writing in my journal and doing most of the puzzles from the New York Times website. Sometimes I go back into the studio, but generally I bring the piece out into the living room so I can contemplate my next move, or do the thinking I’d jump out of bed to avoid. Eventually I make breakfast, or by that time, brunch and get ready for my daily online hour or two with Paul. It’s only after we sign off for the day that my routine opens up for other things. Sometimes I paint a bit more, sometimes it’s laundry and domestic chores, or writing a Substack or a walk to the beach. Yesterday it was a walk into town for the Sunday crossword puzzles at the library and a visit to the hardware store for the doodads I need for framing. The day before, I got a haircut and today I met Kevin Sessums, who’s in town for a few weeks, for coffee at Joe’s. In the meantime, I have good news. In addition to the two pieces that sold earlier this month, someone who has followed me on Instagram for a couple of years was here on vacation. To make a long story short, I met him at the gallery and he bought three of my paintings. So Yay, I may be able to afford that elusive ticket to the UK this summer after all. Ok, on with the day.