Day 39. Oh, I’m way better, but I am still sick! I read about how long this could last and it can take a couple of months, so I suppose I’m right on target. I’m mostly just tired. I do little things throughout the day and they wipe me out. Yesterday I packed up 17 small pieces for the Folktales show I’m going to be in next month at Nichols Berg Gallery in Philadelphia with artist Lynnette Shelley. I was ready to die after that.

The day before, I did a bit of under painting on a small stretched linen piece that was inspired by a loose sketch I did, which will be the beginning of a new body of experimental work for me.

Today I wanted to work on that painting, but I am really sleepy and distracted. I’m wondering if I should talk about it here or not. I’m still thinking about it. It’s about how personal I get with my art and my words – publicly. I ran into conflict about it this morning and I already had reservations about it as it was. I always do. It’s a double edged sword being an open book. I don’t know. I’m thinking if I should stop. Maybe it’s not brave at all. Maybe it’s stupid.

I have reservations about the book I’m working on too. I’ll definitely write it/finish it. I’m 63,600 words into the rough draft as of now. When I’m done, what to do with it? I really am torn. I’m torn between two titles too. I don’t want to give them away just yet.

I also still have to finish two unfinished art pieces. My artists’ book Houses, and a 36 x 36 inch painting that’s been sitting on my easel since last fall. It’s working name has been “the one that will have the snake” because I am going to sew a stuffed snake around the edges to it when it’s finished.